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 30, 2017

 


 

EP ENERGY CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 


 

Delaware

 

001-36253

 

46-3472728

(State of Incorporation)

 

(Commission
File Number)

 

(IRS Employer
Identification Number)

 


 

EP ENERGY LLC

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 


 

Delaware

 

333-183815

 

45-4871021

(State of Incorporation)

 

(Commission
File Number)

 

(IRS Employer
Identification Number)

 

1001 Louisiana Street

Houston, Texas 77002

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

 

(713) 997-1000

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

N/A

(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:

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

¨             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 2.02   Results of Operations and Financial Condition

 

On November 1, 2017, EP Energy Corporation (the “Company”) issued a press release announcing its financial and operating results for the quarter ended September 30, 2017. The Company will hold a webcast conference call on November 2, 2017 to discuss those results. A copy of the Company’s press release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated into this Item 2.02 by reference.

 

The information in Item 2.02 of this Current Report on Form 8-K shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, and is not deemed incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, except as expressly set forth by specific reference in such a filing.

 

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

 

Departure of Certain Officers

 

On November 1, 2017, the Company issued a press release that, in addition to announcing its financial and operational results for the quarter ended September 30, 2017, announced that Brent J. Smolik, President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”), will be departing from the Company on November 15, 2017 following five years of service and will resign as President and Chief Executive Officer on the first business day following the date the Company’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2017 is filed (the “Effective Time”).  Russell E. Parker will be assuming the roles of President and Chief Executive Officer upon Mr. Smolik’s resignation. Mr. Smolik is working closely with the Company to ensure a smooth transition of his responsibilities to Mr. Parker prior to his departure.

 

In addition, Mr. Clayton A. Carrell, EVP and Chief Operating Officer, Ms. Marguerite Woung-Chapman, SVP, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, and Ms. Joan M. Gallagher, SVP, HR and Administrative Services will also be departing from the Company effective as of November 15, 2017.  For purposes of the Employment Agreements between the Company and each of Messrs. Smolik and Carrell and Mss. Woung-Chapman and Gallagher (the “Departing Executives”), each dated as of May 24, 2012, the departures will be treated as a termination by the Company without “Cause.” The Departing Executives confirmed that their departures did not result from a disagreement with the Company on any matter relating to how the Company has operated, its policies or its practices, including its controls or financial related matters.

 

In connection with their departures, the Company will enter into termination of employment agreements with each of the Departing Executives in substantially the form attached to their Employment Agreements. Pursuant to the termination of employment agreements (“Termination Agreements”), each Departing Executive will be entitled to receive the severance benefits set forth in their Employment Agreements. The Termination Agreements  include a general release and waiver of any claims against the Company.   For purposes of the pro-rata target bonus portion of the severance payments, the Departing Executives’ 2017 target bonuses are 120% for Mr. Smolik, 100% for Mr. Carrell, 80% for Ms. Woung-Chapman and 70% for Ms. Gallagher.

 

Appointment of Certain Officers

 

On November 1, 2017, the Board announced the appointment of Russell E. Parker, age 41, as President and Chief Executive Officer, to be effective at the Effective Time.  Mr. Parker was the CEO of Phoenix Natural Resources (“Phoenix”) from March 2016 until October 2017. Prior to Phoenix, Mr. Parker was the President of Chief Oil & Gas LLC from March 2015 until December 2015, and prior to becoming President, was Vice President of Engineering and Operations from October 2014 until March 2015 and Vice President of Engineering from November 2012 until October 2014. From January 2001 to October 2012, Mr. Parker worked in various engineering and asset management capacities for Hilcorp Energy Company (“Hilcorp”).

 

Phoenix is a portfolio company of funds managed by affiliates of Apollo Global Management LLC (“Apollo”). Apollo managed funds are the beneficial owners of approximately 44.9% of the Class A common stock of the Company.

 

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The Board has also announced that Ray Ambrose, age 44, has been appointed SVP of Engineering Subsurface and that Chad England, age 37, has been appointed SVP of Operations, effective at the Effective Time. Mr. Ambrose was SVP Engineering and Business of Phoenix from April 2016 until October 2017. Mr. Ambrose worked as the Chief Reservoir Engineer for Hilcorp from March 2012 until March 2015, and then for NRG Energy, Inc. as Senior Director, Petroleum Engineering from April 2015 until joining Phoenix. Mr. England was previously SVP Operations for Phoenix from April 2016 until October 2017. Prior to Phoenix, Mr. England worked for Hilcorp in various positions since October 2010.

 

In connection with the appointments of Messrs. Parker, Ambrose and England, the Company has entered into an Employment Agreement with each of them (collectively, the “New Employment Agreements”). Pursuant to the New Employment Agreements, Messrs. Parker, Ambrose and England will receive annualized base salaries of $500,000, $400,000 and $400,000, respectively, and will be eligible to receive annual performance bonuses with a target annual bonus of 100%, 75% and 75%, respectively.  The New Employment Agreements provide for severance payments to each of Messrs. Parker, Ambrose and England upon (a) a termination by the Company without “Cause” (as defined in the New Employment Agreements), including non-renewal of the term by the Company, or (b) a resignation by the executive for “Good Reason” (as defined in the New Employment Agreements). Such severance payments will be equal to 12 months of the annualized base salary at the time of such termination and will be subject to the executive’s execution and non-revocation of a release of claims. The New Employment Agreements also contain restrictive covenant provisions, including confidentiality, non-solicitation and non-competition covenants.

 

There are no family relationships between Messrs. Parker, Ambrose and England and any director or executive officer of the Company, and none of them has direct or indirect material interests in any transaction required to be disclosed pursuant to Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K.

 

Departure of Directors, Election of Certain Director

 

Mr. Smolik will resign as Chairman and as a member of the Board, effective November 2, 2017. On October 30, 2017, Keith O. Rattie informed the Board that he will be resigning from the Board, effective November 15, 2017. Mr. Rattie has been a member of the Board since January 2015. The Board also announced the election of Russell E. Parker as a member of the Board, effective November 2, 2017. Mr. Parker will not receive any additional compensation for his membership on the Board.

 

EP Energy Corporation Employment Inducement  Plan

 

On October 30, 2017 the Board adopted the EP Energy Corporation Employment Inducement Plan (the “Plan”), effective November 1, 2017, in order to attract and retain able persons as employees, directors and consultants of the Company and its affiliates. The Plan provides for the grant of the following types of equity-based awards: (i) stock options, (ii) stock appreciation rights, (iii) restricted stock, (iv) restricted stock units, (v) stock awards, (vi) dividend equivalents, (vii) other stock-based awards, (viii) cash awards, (ix) substitute awards and (x) performance awards. Subject to adjustment in accordance with the terms of the Plan, 12,000,000 shares of the Company’s Class A common stock, par value $0.01 per share (“Common Stock”), have been reserved for delivery pursuant to awards under the Plan. Common Stock withheld to satisfy exercise prices or tax withholding obligations will again be available for delivery pursuant to other awards. The Plan will be administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board  (the “Compensation Committee”). No awards may be granted under the Plan on and after November 1, 2027.

 

The Plan was adopted by the Board without stockholder approval pursuant to New York Stock Exchange Listed Company Manual Rule 303A.08 (“Rule 303A.08”).  Awards under the Plan may only be granted to an individual, as a material inducement to such individual to enter into employment with us, who (i) has not previously been an employee of us or our affiliates or (ii) is rehired following a bona fide period of non-employment with us and our affiliates.

 

The foregoing description of the Plan is not complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Plan, which was filed as Exhibit 4.3 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed November 1, 2017, and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Grants of Performance Share Units

 

On October 30, 2017, the Board, upon the recommendation of the Compensation Committee, also approved the grant of an award of performance share units pursuant to the Plan and a performance share unit grant notice and award agreement (the “PSU Agreement”), effective November 1, 2017, to each of Messrs. Parker, Ambrose and England in the amount of 240,000, 168,000 and 168,000 performance share units, respectively. Additionally, in connection with their appointments as Vice President, Land and Administration and Vice President, Geological and Geophysical, respectively, the Board approved the grant of 168,000 performance share units to each of Peter Addison and Mark Hargis. A performance share unit represents a contractual right to receive one share of Common Stock if certain conditions are met. The number of performance share units actually earned, if any, will be based upon achievement of specified stock price goals over a four-year performance period. In addition, the performance share units are subject to time-based vesting conditions.  Any shares earned pursuant to performance share units will be issued over the fourth, fifth and sixth years following the grant date, pursuant to the schedule set forth in the PSU Agreement, but such shares will be subject to certain transfer restrictions pursuant to the PSU Agreement unless certain conditions are satisfied. The awards of performance share units are being granted as “employment inducement awards” within the meaning of Rule 303A.08.

 

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The foregoing description of the performance share unit awards is not complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Plan and the full text of the PSU Agreement, the form of which was filed as Exhibit 4.4 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed November 1, 2017, and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Grants of Restricted Stock

 

On October 30, 2017, the Board, upon the recommendation of the Compensation Committee, also approved the grant of an award of restricted Common Stock pursuant to the Plan and a restricted stock grant notice and award agreement (the “Restricted Stock Agreement”), effective November 1, 2017, to each of Messrs. Parker, Ambrose, England, Addison and Hargis in the amount of 188,679, 150,943, 150,943, 113,207 and 113,207, respectively. The restricted Common Stock vests ratably over four years, so long as the executive remains continuously employed by the Company. The awards of restricted Common Stock are being granted as “employment inducement awards” within the meaning of Rule 303A.08.

 

The foregoing description of the restricted Common Stock awards is not complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Plan and the full text of the Restricted Stock Agreement, the form of which was filed as Exhibit 4.5 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed November 1, 2017, and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 8.01. Other Events.

 

Appointment of New Board Chair

 

On November 1, 2017, the Board announced that it has appointed Alan R. Crain as the Chairman of the Board to succeed Mr. Smolik, effective November 2, 2017. Apollo consented to such appointment pursuant to its rights under the terms of the Stockholders Agreement, dated as of August 20, 2013. Mr. Crain has been on the Board, and served on the Board’s Audit, Compensation and Governance and Nominating Committees, since May 9, 2017. In addition to the current Board retainer fees for non-employee directors of the Board, Mr. Crain will receive an annual cash retainer of $125,000 and an annual equity grant in the form of restricted stock with a value of $50,000 on the grant date for his service as Chairman.

 

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits

 

(d) Exhibits .

 

Exhibit
No.

 

Description

10.1*

 

Employment Agreement dated as of November 1, 2017 by and between EP Energy Corporation and Russell Parker.

 

 

 

10.2*

 

Employment Agreement dated as of November 1, 2017 by and between EP Energy Corporation and Ray Ambrose.

 

 

 

10.3*

 

Employment Agreement dated as of November 1, 2017 by and between EP Energy Corporation and Chad England.

 

 

 

10.4*

 

EP Energy Corporation Employment Inducement Plan.

 

 

 

10.5*

 

Form of Form of Performance Share Unit Grant Notice and Performance Share Unit Agreement under the EP Energy Corporation Employment Inducement Plan.

 

 

 

10.6*

 

Form of Restricted Stock Grant Notice and Restricted Stock Agreement under the EP Energy Corporation Employment Inducement Plan.

 

 

 

99.1*

 

Press release dated November 1, 2017 announcing financial and operating results for the quarter ended September 30, 2017, departure of certain officers and appointment of certain officers.

 


*Filed herewith.

 

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SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the registrants have duly caused this report to be signed on their behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

Date: November 1, 2017

 

 

EP ENERGY CORPORATION

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Kyle A. McCuen

 

 

Kyle A. McCuen

 

 

Vice President, Interim Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

 

 

 

EP ENERGY LLC

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Kyle A. McCuen

 

 

Kyle A. McCuen

 

 

Vice President, Interim Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

 

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Exhibit 10.1

 

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 

This Employment Agreement (“ Agreement ”) is made and entered into by and between EP Energy Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), and Russell Parker (“ Employee ”) effective as of November 1, 2017 (the “ Effective Date ”).

 

1.                                       Employment .  During the Employment Period (as defined in Section 4 ), the Company shall employ Employee.  Effective as of the first Business Day (as defined below) following the date on which the Company’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2017 is filed, and for the duration of the Employment Period thereafter, Employee shall serve as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company and in such other position or positions as may be assigned from time to time by the board of directors of the Company (the “ Board ”).

 

2.                                       Duties and Responsibilities of Employee .

 

(a)                                  During the Employment Period, Employee shall devote Employee’s full business time, attention and best efforts to the businesses of the Company and its direct and indirect subsidiaries (collectively, with the Company, the “ Company Group ”) as may be requested by the Board from time to time.  Employee’s duties shall include those normally incidental to the position(s) identified in Section 1 , as well as such additional duties as may be assigned to Employee by the Board from time to time, which duties may include providing services to other members of the Company Group in addition to the Company.  Employee may, without violating this Agreement, (i) as a passive investment, own publicly traded securities in such form or manner as will not require any services by Employee in the operation of the entities in which such securities are owned; (ii) engage in charitable and civic activities; or (iii) with the prior written consent of the Board, engage in other personal and passive investment activities, in each case, so long as such interests or activities do not interfere with Employee’s ability to fulfill Employee’s duties and responsibilities under this Agreement and are not inconsistent with Employee’s obligations to the Company Group or competitive with the business of the Company Group.

 

(b)                                  Employee hereby represents and warrants that Employee is not the subject of, or a party to, any employment agreement, non-competition, non-solicitation, restrictive covenant, non-disclosure agreement, or any other agreement, obligation, restriction or understanding that would prohibit Employee from executing this Agreement or fully performing each of Employee’s duties and responsibilities hereunder, or would in any manner, directly or indirectly, limit or affect any of the duties and responsibilities that may now or in the future be assigned to Employee hereunder.  Employee expressly acknowledges and agrees that Employee is strictly prohibited from using or disclosing any confidential information belonging to any prior employer (excluding any member of the Company Group) in the course of performing services for any member of the Company Group, and Employee shall not do so.  Employee shall not introduce documents or other materials containing confidential information of any such prior employer to the premises or property (including computers and computer systems) of any member of the Company Group.

 



 

3.                                       Compensation .

 

(a)                                  Base Salary .  During the Employment Period, the Company shall pay to Employee an annualized base salary of $500,000 (the “ Base Salary ”) in consideration for Employee’s services under this Agreement, payable in substantially equal installments in conformity with the Company’s customary payroll practices for similarly situated employees as may exist from time to time, but no less frequently than monthly.

 

(b)                                  Annual Bonus .  The Company shall establish, and Employee shall be eligible to participate in, an annual performance bonus plan under which Employee will be eligible for an annual bonus for each complete calendar year that Employee is employed by the Company hereunder (the “ Annual Bonus ”).  The performance targets that must be achieved in order to be eligible for certain bonus levels shall be established by the Board (or a committee thereof) annually, in its sole discretion, and communicated to Employee within the first ninety (90) days of the applicable calendar year (the “ Bonus Year ”).  Employee’s target annual bonus will be at least 100% of Employee’s Base Salary, but the actual amount of the Annual Bonus will be determined in the discretion of the Board (or a committee thereof) depending on performance.  Each Annual Bonus, if any, shall be paid as soon as administratively feasible after the Board (or a committee thereof) certifies whether the applicable performance targets for the applicable Bonus Year have been achieved, but in no event later than March 15 following the end of such Bonus Year.  Notwithstanding anything in this Section 3(b)  to the contrary, no Annual Bonus, if any, nor any portion thereof, shall be payable for any Bonus Year unless Employee remains continuously employed by the Company from the Effective Date through the date on which such Annual Bonus is paid; provided , however , that if Employee ceases to be employed by the Company (i) due to Employee’s resignation from employment for Good Reason, (ii) as a result of the death or Disability of Employee or (iii) as a result of the termination of Employee by the Company without Cause, in each case, after the end of a Bonus Year but prior to the date on which any applicable Annual Bonus for such Bonus Year is paid, Employee shall be entitled to the full amount of any Annual Bonus.

 

4.                                       Term of Employment .  The initial term of Employee’s employment under this Agreement shall be for the period beginning on the Effective Date and ending on the fourth anniversary of the Effective Date (the “ Initial Term ”).  On the fourth anniversary of the Effective Date and on each subsequent anniversary thereafter, the term of Employee’s employment under this Agreement shall automatically renew and extend for a period of twelve (12) months (each such twelve (12)-month period being a “ Renewal Term ”) unless written notice of non-renewal is delivered by either party to the other not less than thirty (30) days prior to the expiration of the then-existing Initial Term or Renewal Term, as applicable.  Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, Employee’s employment pursuant to this Agreement may be terminated at any time in accordance with Section 7 .  The period from the Effective Date through the expiration of this Agreement or, if sooner, the termination of Employee’s employment pursuant to this Agreement, regardless of the time or reason for such termination, shall be referred to herein as the “ Employment Period .”

 

5.                                       Business Expenses .  Subject to Section 23 , the Company shall reimburse Employee for Employee’s reasonable out-of-pocket business-related expenses actually incurred in the performance of Employee’s duties under this Agreement so long as Employee timely submits

 

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all documentation for such reimbursement, as required by Company policy in effect from time to time.  Any such reimbursement of expenses shall be made by the Company upon or as soon as practicable following receipt of such documentation (but in any event not later than the close of Employee’s taxable year following the taxable year in which the expense is incurred by Employee).  In no event shall any reimbursement be made to Employee for expenses incurred after the date of Employee’s termination of employment with the Company.

 

6.                                       Benefits .  During the Employment Period, Employee shall be eligible to participate in the same benefit plans and programs in which other similarly situated Company employees are eligible to participate, subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable plans and programs in effect from time to time.  The Company shall not, however, by reason of this Section  6 , be obligated to institute, maintain, or refrain from changing, amending, or discontinuing, any such plan or policy, so long as such changes are similarly applicable to similarly situated Company employees generally.

 

7.                                       Termination of Employment .

 

(a)                                  Company’s Right to Terminate Employee’s Employment for Cause .  The Company shall have the right to terminate Employee’s employment hereunder at any time for “Cause.”  For purposes of this Agreement, “ Cause ” shall mean:

 

(i)                                      Employee’s material breach of this Agreement or any other written agreement between Employee and one or more members of the Company Group, including Employee’s breach of any material representation, warranty or covenant made under any such agreement, or Employee’s material breach of any policy or code of conduct established by a member of the Company Group in a writing previously provided to Employee and applicable to Employee; provided , however , that if Employee’s actions or omissions as set forth in this Section 7(a)(i)  are of such a nature that they are curable by Employee, such actions or omissions must remain uncured thirty (30) days after the Board has provided Employee written notice of the obligation to cure such actions or omissions;

 

(ii)                                   the commission of willful misconduct, breach of fiduciary duty, fraud, theft or embezzlement on the part of Employee;

 

(iii)                                the commission by Employee of, or conviction or indictment of Employee for, or plea of nolo contendere by Employee to, any felony (or state law equivalent) or any crime involving moral turpitude (each, a “ Crime ”); or

 

(iv)                               Employee’s willful failure or refusal, other than due to Disability, to perform Employee’s obligations pursuant to this Agreement or to follow any lawful directive from the Board that is commensurate with Employee’s position; provided , however , that if Employee’s actions or omissions as set forth in this Section 7(a)(iv)  are of such a nature that they are curable by Employee, such actions or omissions must remain uncured thirty (30) days after the Board has provided Employee written notice of the obligation to cure such actions or omissions.

 

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(b)                                  Company’s Right to Terminate for Convenience .  The Company shall have the right to terminate Employee’s employment for convenience at any time and for any reason, or no reason at all, upon written notice to Employee.

 

(c)                                   Employee’s Right to Terminate for Good Reason .  Employee shall have the right to terminate Employee’s employment with the Company at any time for “Good Reason.”  For purposes of this Agreement, “ Good Reason ” shall mean:

 

(i)                                      a material diminution in Employee’s Base Salary;

 

(ii)                                   a material breach by the Company of any of its covenants or obligations under this Agreement; or

 

(iii)                                the relocation of the geographic location of Employee’s principal place of employment by more than fifty (50) miles from the location of Employee’s principal place of employment as of the Effective Date.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 7(c)  or any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary, any assertion by Employee of a termination for Good Reason shall not be effective unless all of the following conditions are satisfied: (A) the condition described in Section 7(c)(i) , (ii)  or (iii)  giving rise to Employee’s termination of employment must have arisen without Employee’s consent; (B) Employee must provide written notice to the Board of the existence of such condition(s) within thirty (30) days of the initial existence of such condition(s); (C) the condition(s) specified in such notice must remain uncorrected for thirty (30) days following the Board’s receipt of such written notice; and (D) the date of Employee’s termination of employment must occur within sixty (60) days after the initial existence of the condition(s) specified in such notice.

 

(d)                                  Death or Disability .  Upon the death or Disability of Employee, Employee’s employment with Company shall terminate with no further obligation under this Agreement of either party hereunder.  A “ Disability ” shall exist if Employee is unable to perform the essential functions of Employee’s position (after accounting for reasonable accommodation, if applicable), due to physical or mental impairment or other incapacity that continues, or can reasonably be expected to continue, for a period in excess of one hundred-twenty (120) consecutive days or one hundred-eighty (180) days, whether or not consecutive, in any twelve (12)-month period.  The determination of whether Employee has incurred a Disability shall be made in good faith by the Board.

 

(e)                                   Employee’s Right to Terminate for Convenience .  In addition to Employee’s right to terminate Employee’s employment for Good Reason, Employee shall have the right to terminate Employee’s employment with the Company for convenience at any time and for any other reason, or no reason at all, upon thirty (30) days’ advance written notice to the Company; provided , however , that if Employee has provided notice to the Company of Employee’s termination of employment, the Company may determine, in its sole discretion, that such termination shall be effective on any date prior to the effective date of termination provided in such notice (and, if such earlier date is so required, then it shall not change the basis for

 

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Employee’s termination of employment nor be construed or interpreted as a termination of employment pursuant to Section 7(b) ).

 

(f)                                    Effect of Termination .

 

(i)                                      If Employee’s employment hereunder is terminated (I) by the Company without Cause pursuant to Section 7(b) , (II) upon the expiration of the then-existing Initial Term or Renewal Term, as applicable, as a result of a non-renewal of the Employment Period by the Company pursuant to Section 4 , or (III) by Employee for Good Reason pursuant to Section 7(c) , then, in each case, so long as (and only if) Employee: (A) executes on or before the Release Expiration Date (as defined below), and does not revoke within the time provided by the Company to do so, a release of all claims in a form acceptable to the Company (the “ Release ”), which Release shall be substantially in the form attached as Exhibit A (and the Company may reasonably adjust such form to reflect any developments in applicable law and the circumstances of Employee’s separation from employment); and (B) abides by the terms of each of Sections 9 , 10 and  11 , then the Company shall make severance payments to Employee in a total amount equal to twelve (12) months’ worth of Employee’s Base Salary for the year in which such termination occurs (such total severance payments being referred to as the “ Severance Payment ”).  The Severance Payment will be divided into twelve (12) substantially equal installments.  On the Company’s first regularly scheduled pay date that is on or after the date that is sixty (60) days after the date on which Employee’s employment terminates (the “ Termination Date ”), the Company shall pay to Employee, without interest, a number of such installments equal to the number of such installments that would have been paid during the period beginning on the Termination Date and ending on the Company’s first regularly scheduled pay date that is on or after the date that is sixty (60) days after the Termination Date had the installments been paid on a monthly basis commencing on the Company’s first regularly scheduled pay date coincident with or next following the Termination Date, and each of the remaining installments shall be paid on a monthly basis thereafter; provided, however , that (1) to the extent, if any, that the aggregate amount of the installments of the Severance Payment that would otherwise be paid pursuant to the preceding provisions of this Section 7(f)(i)  after March 15 of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the Termination Date occurs (the “ Applicable March 15 ”) exceeds the maximum exemption amount under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(9)(iii)(A), then such excess shall be paid to Employee in a lump sum on the Applicable March 15 (or the first Business Day preceding the Applicable March 15 if the Applicable March 15 is not a Business Day) and the installments of the Severance Payment payable after the Applicable March 15 shall be reduced by such excess (beginning with the installment first payable after the Applicable March 15 and continuing with the next succeeding installment until the aggregate reduction equals such excess), and (2) all remaining installments of the Severance Payment, if any, that would otherwise be paid pursuant to the preceding provisions of this Section 7(f)(i)  after December 31 of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the Termination Date occurs shall be paid with the installment of the Severance Payment, if any, due in December of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the Termination Date occurs.  “ Business Day ” shall mean any day except a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which

 

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commercial banks in New York, New York or Houston, Texas are authorized or required by law to be closed.

 

(ii)                                   Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Severance Payment (and any portion thereof) shall not be payable if Employee’s employment hereunder terminates upon the expiration of the then-existing Initial Term or Renewal Term, as applicable, as a result of a non-renewal of the Employment Period by Employee pursuant to Section 4 .

 

(iii)                                If the Release is not executed and returned to the Company on or before the Release Expiration Date, or the required revocation period has not fully expired without revocation of the Release by Employee, then Employee shall not be entitled to any portion of the Severance Payment.  As used herein, the “ Release Expiration Date ” is that date that is twenty-one (21) days following the date upon which the Company delivers the Release to Employee (which shall occur no later than seven (7) days after the Termination Date or, in the event of severance eligibility due to the circumstances described in Section 7(h)  below, within seven (7) days after the final order of acquittal referenced in Section 7(h) ) or, in the event that such termination of employment is “in connection with an exit incentive or other employment termination program” (as such phrase is defined in the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, as amended), the date that is forty-five (45) days following such delivery date.

 

(g)                                   After-Acquired Evidence .  Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, in the event that the Company determines that Employee is eligible to receive the Severance Payment pursuant to Section 7(f)  but, within one (1) year after such determination, the Company subsequently acquires evidence or determines that: (i) Employee has failed to abide by the terms of Sections 9 , 10 or 11 ; or (ii) a Cause condition existed prior to the Termination Date that, had the Company been fully aware of such condition, would have resulted in the termination of Employee’s employment pursuant to Section 7(a) , then the Company shall have the right to cease the payment of any future installments of the Severance Payment and Employee shall promptly return to the Company all installments of the Severance Payment received by Employee prior to the date that the Company determines that the conditions of this Section 7(g)  have been satisfied.

 

(h)                                  Indictment .  Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, if Employee’s employment hereunder is terminated by the Company for Cause due to the indictment of Employee for any Crime, and within two (2) years following the Termination Date, Employee is acquitted of such Crime by a final order of a court of competent jurisdiction (or if Employee is not convicted of any such Crime within two years after the date of indictment and charges for such Crime are no longer pending), then (i) Employee’s employment hereunder shall be deemed to have been terminated by the Company without Cause, and (ii) so long as (and only if) Employee (A) executes the Release on or before the Release Expiration Date and does not revoke the Release within the time provided by the Company to do so and (B) abides by the terms of each of Sections 9 , 10 and 11 , the Company shall (x) make a severance payment to Employee, within 30 days of the final order of acquittal, in an amount equal to the amount of the Severance Payment that Employee would have been eligible to receive during the period commencing on the Termination Date and ending on the date of the final order of acquittal had Employee’s employment hereunder been

 

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terminated by the Company without Cause, and (y) if such severance payment referenced in subclause (x) is less than the total amount of the Severance Payment for which Employee is eligible, make payments of the remaining amount of the Severance Payment to Employee in substantially equal monthly installments pursuant to Section  7(f)(i)  until the entire Severance Payment has been paid.

 

8.                                       Disclosures .  Promptly (and in any event, within three (3) Business Days) upon becoming aware of (a) any actual or potential Conflict of Interest or (b) any lawsuit, claim or arbitration filed against or involving Employee or any trust or vehicle owned or controlled by Employee, in each case, Employee shall disclose such actual or potential Conflict of Interest or such lawsuit, claim or arbitration to the Board.  A “ Conflict of Interest ” shall exist when Employee engages in, or plans to engage in, any activities, associations, or interests that conflict with, or create an appearance of a conflict with, Employee’s duties, responsibilities, authorities, or obligations for and to the Company Group.

 

9.                                       Confidentiality .  In the course of Employee’s employment with the Company and the performance of Employee’s duties on behalf of the Company Group hereunder, Employee will be provided with, and will have access to, Confidential Information (as defined below).  In consideration of Employee’s receipt and access to such Confidential Information and in exchange for other valuable consideration provided hereunder, and as a condition of Employee’s employment, Employee shall comply with this Section 9 .

 

(a)                                  Both during the Employment Period and thereafter, except as expressly permitted by this Agreement or by directive of the Board, Employee shall not disclose any Confidential Information to any person or entity and shall not use any Confidential Information except for the benefit of the Company Group.  Employee acknowledges and agrees that Employee would inevitably use and disclose Confidential Information in violation of this Section 9 if Employee were to violate any of the covenants set forth in Section 10 .  Employee shall follow all Company policies and protocols regarding the physical security of all documents and other material containing Confidential Information (regardless of the medium on which Confidential Information is stored).  The covenants of this Section 9(a)  shall apply to all Confidential Information, whether now known or later to become known to Employee during the period that Employee is employed by or affiliated with the Company or any other member of the Company Group.

 

(b)                                  Notwithstanding any provision of Section 9(a)  to the contrary, Employee may make the following disclosures and uses of Confidential Information:

 

(i)                                      disclosures to other employees of the Company Group who have a need to know the information in connection with the businesses of the Company Group;

 

(ii)                                   disclosures to customers and suppliers when, in the reasonable and good faith belief of Employee, such disclosure is in connection with Employee’s performance of Employee’s duties under this Agreement and is in the best interests of the Company Group;

 

(iii)                                disclosures and uses that are approved in writing by the Board; or

 

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(iv)                               disclosures to a person or entity that has (x) been retained by a member of the Company Group to provide services to one or more members of the Company Group and (y) agreed in writing to abide by the terms of a confidentiality agreement.

 

(c)                                   Upon the expiration of the Employment Period, and at any other time upon request of the Company, Employee shall promptly surrender and deliver to the Company all documents (including electronically stored information) and all copies thereof and all other materials of any nature containing or pertaining to all Confidential Information in Employee’s possession, custody or control and Employee shall not retain any such document or other materials.  Within ten (10) days of any such request, Employee shall certify to the Company in writing that all such documents and materials have been returned to the Company.

 

(d)                                  All trade secrets, non-public information, designs, ideas, concepts, improvements, product developments, discoveries and inventions, whether patentable or not, that are conceived, made, developed or acquired by or disclosed to Employee, individually or in conjunction with others, during the period that Employee is employed by the Company or any other member of the Company Group (whether during business hours or otherwise and whether on the Company’s premises or otherwise) that relate to any member of the Company Group’s businesses or properties, products or services (including all such information relating to corporate opportunities, operations, future plans, methods of doing business, business plans, strategies for developing business and market share, research, financial and sales data, pricing terms, evaluations, opinions, interpretations, acquisition prospects, the identity of customers or their requirements, the identity of key contacts within customers’ organizations or within the organization of acquisition prospects, or marketing and merchandising techniques, prospective names and marks) is defined as “ Confidential Information .”  Moreover, all documents, videotapes, written presentations, brochures, drawings, memoranda, notes, records, files, correspondence, manuals, models, specifications, computer programs, e-mail, voice mail, electronic databases, maps, drawings, architectural renditions, models and all other writings or materials of any type including or embodying any of such information, ideas, concepts, improvements, discoveries, inventions and other similar forms of expression are and shall be the sole and exclusive property of the Company Group and be subject to the same restrictions on disclosure applicable to all Confidential Information pursuant to this Agreement.  For purposes of this Agreement, Confidential Information shall not include any information that (i) is or becomes generally available to the public other than as a result of a disclosure or wrongful act of Employee or any of Employee’s agents; (ii) was available to Employee on a non-confidential basis before its disclosure by a member of the Company Group; or (iii) becomes available to Employee on a non-confidential basis from a source other than a member of the Company Group; provided , however , that such source is not bound by a confidentiality agreement with, or other obligation with respect to confidentiality to, a member of the Company Group.

 

(e)                                   Notwithstanding the rest of this Section 9 :

 

(i)                                      Employee shall not be prevented from, nor shall Employee be criminally or civilly liable under any federal or state trade secret law for, making a disclosure of trade secrets or other Confidential Information that is: (A) made (x) in confidence to a federal, state or local government official, either directly or indirectly, or to

 

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an attorney, and (y) solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of applicable law; (B) made in a complaint or other document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding, if such filing is made under seal; or (C) protected under the whistleblower provisions of applicable law; and

 

(ii)                                   in the event Employee files a lawsuit for retaliation by the Company for Employee’s reporting of a suspected violation of law, Employee may (A) disclose a trade secret to Employee’s attorney and (B) use the trade secret information in the court proceeding related to such lawsuit, in each case, if Employee (x) files any document containing such trade secret under seal; and (y) does not otherwise disclose such trade secret, except pursuant to court order.

 

10.                                Non-Competition; Non-Solicitation .

 

(a)                                  The Company shall provide Employee access to Confidential Information for use only during the Employment Period, and Employee acknowledges and agrees that the Company Group will be entrusting Employee, in Employee’s unique and special capacity, with developing the goodwill of the Company Group, and in consideration thereof and in consideration of the Company providing Employee with access to Confidential Information and as an express incentive for the Company to enter into this Agreement and employ Employee, Employee has voluntarily agreed to the covenants set forth in this Section 10 .  Employee agrees and acknowledges that the limitations and restrictions set forth herein, including geographical and temporal restrictions on certain competitive activities, are reasonable in all respects, will not cause Employee undue hardship, and are material and substantial parts of this Agreement intended and necessary to prevent unfair competition and to protect the Company Group’s Confidential Information, goodwill and substantial and legitimate business interests.

 

(b)                                  During the Prohibited Period, Employee shall not, without the prior written approval of the Board, directly or indirectly, for Employee or on behalf of or in conjunction with any other person or entity of any nature:

 

(i)                                      engage in or participate within the Market Area in competition with any member of the Company Group in any aspect of the Business, which prohibition shall prevent Employee from directly or indirectly owning, managing, operating, joining, becoming an officer, director, employee or consultant of, or loaning money to, or selling or leasing equipment or real estate to or otherwise being affiliated with any person or entity engaged in, or planning to engage in, the Business in the Market Area in competition, or anticipated competition, with any member of the Company Group;

 

(ii)                                   appropriate any Business Opportunity of, or relating to, the Company Group located in the Market Area;

 

(iii)                                solicit, canvass, approach, encourage, entice or induce any customer or supplier of any member of the Company Group to cease or lessen such customer’s or supplier’s business with the Company Group; or

 

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(iv)                               solicit, canvass, approach, encourage, entice or induce any employee or contractor of the Company Group to terminate his, her or its employment or engagement with any member of the Company Group.

 

(c)                                   Because of the difficulty of measuring economic losses to the Company Group as a result of a breach or threatened breach of the covenants set forth in Section 9 and in this Section 10 , and because of the immediate and irreparable damage that would be caused to the members of the Company Group for which they would have no other adequate remedy, the Company and each other member of the Company Group shall be entitled to enforce the foregoing covenants, in the event of a breach or threatened breach, by injunctions and restraining orders from any court of competent jurisdiction, without the necessity of showing any actual damages or that money damages would not afford an adequate remedy, and without the necessity of posting any bond or other security.  The aforementioned equitable relief shall not be the Company’s or any other member of the Company Group’s exclusive remedy for a breach but instead shall be in addition to all other rights and remedies available to the Company and each other member of the Company Group at law and equity.

 

(d)                                  The covenants in this Section 10 , and each provision and portion hereof, are severable and separate, and the unenforceability of any specific covenant (or portion thereof) shall not affect the provisions of any other covenant (or portion thereof).  Moreover, in the event any arbitrator or court of competent jurisdiction shall determine that the scope, time or territorial restrictions set forth are unreasonable, then it is the intention of the parties that such restrictions be enforced to the fullest extent which such arbitrator or court deems reasonable, and this Agreement shall thereby be reformed.

 

(e)                                   The following terms shall have the following meanings:

 

(i)                                      Business ” shall mean the business and operations that are the same or similar to those performed by the Company and any other member of the Company Group for which Employee provides services or about which Employee obtains Confidential Information during the Employment Period, which business and operations include acquiring, exploiting and developing oil and gas assets in the Market Area.

 

(ii)                                   Business Opportunity ” shall mean any commercial, investment or other business opportunity relating to the Business.

 

(iii)                                Market Area ” shall mean: (A) the Eagle Ford Shale; (B) the Altamont Field within the Uinta Basin (including the Bluebell and Cedar Rim fields); (C) the Southern Midland Basin; or (D) any other location within twelve and one-half (12.5) miles of any area in which the Company or any other member of the Company Group: (1) is engaged in the Business or in which any member of the Company Group otherwise owned property or interests related to the Business within the twelve (12) months prior to the Termination Date; or (2) has made material plans to conduct the Business within the twelve (12) months prior to the Termination Date of which Employee is aware; provided, however , that the Market Area shall not include any basin in which no member of the Company Group has engaged in the Business during the twelve (12) months prior to the Termination Date.

 

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(iv)                               Prohibited Period ” shall mean the period during which Employee is employed by the Company or any other member of the Company Group and continuing for a period of twelve (12) months following the date that Employee is no longer employed by the Company or any other  member of the Company Group; provided, however , that if Employee’s employment hereunder is terminated by Employee pursuant to Section 7(e)  at any time following the expiration of the Initial Term, then the Board may (but shall not be required to), in its sole discretion, modify the Prohibited Period by providing written notice to Employee within ten (10) days following the Termination Date indicating that the Prohibited Period shall continue only for a period of six (6) months following the date that Employee is no longer employed by the Company or any other  member of the Company Group.

 

11.                                Ownership of Intellectual Property .   Employee agrees that the Company shall own, and Employee shall (and hereby does) assign, all right, title and interest (including patent rights, copyrights, trade secret rights, mask work rights, trademark rights, and all other intellectual and industrial property rights of any sort throughout the world) relating to any and all inventions (whether or not patentable), works of authorship, mask works, designs, know-how, ideas and information authored, created, contributed to, made or conceived or reduced to practice, in whole or in part, by Employee during the period in which Employee is or has been employed by or affiliated with the Company or any other member of the Company Group that either (a) relate, at the time of conception, reduction to practice, creation, derivation or development, to any member of the Company Group’s businesses or actual or anticipated research or development, or (b) were developed on any amount of the Company’s or any other member of the Company Group’s time or with the use of any member of the Company Group’s equipment, supplies, facilities or trade secret information (all of the foregoing collectively referred to herein as “ Company Intellectual Property ”), and Employee shall promptly disclose all Company Intellectual Property to the Company.  All of Employee’s works of authorship and associated copyrights created during the period in which Employee is employed by or affiliated with the Company or any member of the Company Group and in the scope of Employee’s employment shall be deemed to be “works made for hire” within the meaning of the Copyright Act.  Employee shall perform, during and for a period of 24 months after the period in which Employee is or has been employed by or affiliated with the Company or any other member of the Company Group, all reasonable acts deemed necessary by the Company to assist the Company Group, at the Company’s expense, in obtaining and enforcing its rights throughout the world in the Company Intellectual Property.  Such acts may include execution of documents and assistance or cooperation (i) in the filing, prosecution, registration, and memorialization of assignment of any applicable patents, copyrights, mask work, or other applications, (ii) in the enforcement of any applicable patents, copyrights, mask work, moral rights, trade secrets, or other proprietary rights, and (iii) in other legal proceedings related to the Company Intellectual Property.

 

12.                                Arbitration .

 

(a)                                  Subject to Section 12(b) , any dispute, controversy or claim between Employee and the Company arising out of or relating to this Agreement or Employee’s employment with the Company will be finally settled by arbitration in Houston, Texas before, and in accordance with the then-existing American Arbitration Association (“ AAA ”) Employment Arbitration Rules.  The arbitration award shall be final and binding on both parties.  Any

 

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arbitration conducted under this Section 12 shall be heard by a single arbitrator (the “ Arbitrator ”) selected in accordance with the then-applicable rules of the AAA.  The Arbitrator shall expeditiously (and, if practicable, within ninety (90) days after the selection of the Arbitrator) hear and decide all matters concerning the dispute.  Except as expressly provided to the contrary in this Agreement, the Arbitrator shall have the power to (i) gather such materials, information, testimony and evidence as the Arbitrator deems relevant to the dispute before him or her (and each party will provide such materials, information, testimony and evidence requested by the Arbitrator), and (ii) grant injunctive relief and enforce specific performance.  The decision of the Arbitrator shall be reasoned, rendered in writing, be final and binding upon the disputing parties and the parties agree that judgment upon the award may be entered by any court of competent jurisdiction; provided , however , that the parties agree that the Arbitrator and any court enforcing the award of the Arbitrator shall not have the right or authority to award punitive or exemplary damages to any disputing party.  Each party to the dispute shall pay all costs and expenses incurred by such party in connection with the arbitration of such dispute pursuant to this Section 12 .

 

(b)                                  Notwithstanding Section 12(a) , either party may make a timely application for, and obtain, judicial emergency or temporary injunctive relief to enforce any of the provisions of Sections 9 through 11 ; provided, however , that the remainder of any such dispute (beyond the application for emergency or temporary injunctive relief) shall be subject to arbitration under this Section 12 .

 

(c)                                   By entering into this Agreement and entering into the arbitration provisions of this Section 12 , THE PARTIES EXPRESSLY ACKNOWLEDGE AND AGREE THAT THEY ARE KNOWINGLY, VOLUNTARILY AND INTENTIONALLY WAIVING THEIR RIGHTS TO A JURY TRIAL.

 

(d)                                  Nothing in this Section 12 shall prohibit a party to this Agreement from (i) instituting litigation to enforce any arbitration award, or (ii) joining the other party to this Agreement in a litigation initiated by a person or entity that is not a party to this Agreement.

 

13.                                Defense of Claims .  During the Employment Period and for a period of 24 months thereafter, upon request from the Company, Employee shall cooperate with the Company Group in the defense of any claims or actions that may be made by or against any member of the Company Group that relate to Employee’s actual or prior areas of responsibility.  The Company shall pay or reimburse Employee for all of Employee’s reasonable travel and other direct expenses reasonably incurred, to comply with Employee’s obligations under this Section 13 , so long as Employee provides reasonable documentation of such expenses and obtains the Company’s prior approval before incurring such expenses.  Following the Termination Date, in receiving Employee’s assistance under Section 11 or this Section 13 , the Company shall provide reasonable compensation (in no event to exceed $300 per day) for Employee’s time in connection with such assistance, taking into account comparable per diem consulting rates then prevalent in the market.  For the avoidance of doubt, regardless of whether the Company provides Employee compensation pursuant to this Section 13 , any testimony that Employee provides in the course of providing assistance must be truthful and accurate in all respects.

 

14.                                Withholdings; Deductions .  The Company may withhold and deduct from any benefits and payments made or to be made pursuant to this Agreement (a) all federal, state, local

 

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and other taxes as may be required pursuant to any law or governmental regulation or ruling and (b) any deductions consented to in writing by Employee.

 

15.                                Title and Headings; Construction .  Titles and headings to Sections hereof are for the purpose of reference only and shall in no way limit, define or otherwise affect the provisions hereof.  Any and all Exhibits or Attachments referred to in this Agreement are, by such reference, incorporated herein and made a part hereof for all purposes.  Unless the context requires otherwise, all references herein to an agreement, instrument or other document shall be deemed to refer to such agreement, instrument or other document as amended, supplemented, modified and restated from time to time to the extent permitted by the provisions thereof.  All references to “dollars” or “$” in this Agreement refer to United States dollars.  The words “herein”, “hereof”, “hereunder” and other compounds of the word “here” shall refer to the entire Agreement, including all Exhibits attached hereto, and not to any particular provision hereof.  Wherever the context so requires, the masculine gender includes the feminine or neuter, and the singular number includes the plural and conversely.  All references to “including” shall be construed as meaning “including without limitation.”  Neither this Agreement nor any uncertainty or ambiguity herein shall be construed or resolved against any party hereto, whether under any rule of construction or otherwise.  On the contrary, this Agreement has been reviewed by each of the parties hereto and shall be construed and interpreted according to the ordinary meaning of the words used so as to fairly accomplish the purposes and intentions of the parties hereto.

 

16.                                Applicable Law; Submission to Jurisdiction .  This Agreement shall in all respects be construed according to the laws of the State of Texas without regard to its conflict of laws principles that would result in the application of the laws of another jurisdiction.  With respect to any claim or dispute related to or arising under this Agreement, the parties hereby consent to the arbitration provisions of Section 12 and recognize and agree that should any resort to a court be necessary and permitted under this Agreement, then they consent to the exclusive jurisdiction, forum and venue of the state and federal courts (as applicable) located in Houston, Texas.

 

17.                                Entire Agreement and Amendment .  This Agreement  contains the entire agreement of the parties with respect to the matters covered herein and supersede all prior and contemporaneous agreements and understandings, oral or written, between the parties hereto concerning the subject matter hereof.  This Agreement may be amended only by a written instrument executed by both parties hereto.

 

18.                                Waiver of Breach .  Any waiver of this Agreement must be executed by the party to be bound by such waiver.  No waiver by either party hereto of a breach of any provision of this Agreement by the other party, or of compliance with any condition or provision of this Agreement to be performed by such other party, will operate or be construed as a waiver of any subsequent breach by such other party or any similar or dissimilar provision or condition at the same or any subsequent time.  The failure of either party hereto to take any action by reason of any breach will not deprive such party of the right to take action at any time.

 

19.                                Assignment .  This Agreement is personal to Employee, and neither this Agreement nor any rights or obligations hereunder shall be assignable or otherwise transferred by Employee.  The Company may assign this Agreement without Employee’s consent, including to any member

 

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of the Company Group and to any successor (whether by merger, purchase or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the equity, assets or businesses of the Company.

 

20.                                Notices .  Notices provided for in this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly received (a) when delivered in person, (b) when sent by facsimile transmission (with confirmation of transmission) on a Business Day to the number set forth below, if applicable; provided , however , that if a notice is sent by facsimile transmission after normal business hours of the recipient or on a non-Business Day, then it shall be deemed to have been received on the next Business Day after it is sent, (c) on the first Business Day after such notice is sent by express overnight courier service, or (d) on the second Business Day following deposit with an internationally-recognized second-day courier service with proof of receipt maintained, in each case, to the following address, as applicable:

 

If to the Company, addressed to:

 

EP Energy Corporation
1001 Louisiana St.
Houston, TX 77002
Attention: Board of Directors

 

If to Employee, addressed to:

 

Employee’s last known address on file with the Company.

 

21.                                Counterparts .  This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, including by electronic mail or facsimile, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be an original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute one and the same instrument.  Each counterpart may consist of a copy hereof containing multiple signature pages, each signed by one party, but together signed by both parties hereto.

 

22.                                Deemed Resignations .  Except as otherwise determined by the Board or as otherwise agreed to in writing by Employee and any member of the Company Group prior to the termination of Employee’s employment with the Company or any member of the Company Group, any termination of Employee’s employment shall constitute, as applicable, an automatic resignation of Employee: (a) as an officer of the Company and each member of the Company Group; (b) from the Board; and (c) from the board of directors or board of managers (or similar governing body) of any member of the Company Group and from the board of directors or board of managers (or similar governing body) of any corporation, limited liability entity, unlimited liability entity or other entity in which any member of the Company Group holds an equity interest and with respect to which board of directors or board of managers (or similar governing body) Employee serves as such Company Group member’s designee or other representative.

 

23.                                Section 409A .

 

(a)                                  Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, all provisions of this Agreement are intended to comply with Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “ Code ”), and the applicable Treasury regulations and administrative guidance issued thereunder (collectively, “ Section 409A ”) or an exemption

 

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therefrom and shall be construed and administered in accordance with such intent. Any payments under this Agreement that may be excluded from Section 409A either as separation pay due to an involuntary separation from service or as a short-term deferral shall be excluded from Section 409A to the maximum extent possible. For purposes of Section 409A, each installment payment provided under this Agreement shall be treated as a separate payment. Any payments to be made under this Agreement upon a termination of Employee’s employment shall only be made if such termination of employment constitutes a “separation from service” under Section 409A.

 

(b)                                  To the extent that any right to reimbursement of expenses or payment of any benefit in-kind under this Agreement constitutes nonqualified deferred compensation (within the meaning of Section 409A), (i) any such expense reimbursement shall be made by the Company no later than the last day of the taxable year following the taxable year in which such expense was incurred by Employee, (ii) the right to reimbursement or in-kind benefits shall not be subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit, and (iii) the amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement or in-kind benefits provided during any taxable year shall not affect the expenses eligible for reimbursement or in-kind benefits to be provided in any other taxable year; provided , that the foregoing clause shall not be violated with regard to expenses reimbursed under any arrangement covered by Section 105(b) of the Code solely because such expenses are subject to a limit related to the period in which the arrangement is in effect.

 

(c)                                   Notwithstanding any provision in this Agreement to the contrary, if any payment or benefit provided for herein would be subject to additional taxes and interest under Section 409A if Employee’s receipt of such payment or benefit is not delayed until the earlier of (i) the date of Employee’s death or (ii) the date that is six (6) months after the Termination Date (such date, the “ Section 409A Payment Date ”), then such payment or benefit shall not be provided to Employee (or Employee’s estate, if applicable) until the Section 409A Payment Date.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company makes no representations that the payments and benefits provided under this Agreement are exempt from, or compliant with, Section 409A and in no event shall any member of the Company Group be liable for all or any portion of any taxes, penalties, interest or other expenses that may be incurred by Employee on account of non-compliance with Section 409A.

 

24.                                Certain Excise Taxes .  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, if Employee is a “disqualified individual” (as defined in Section 280G(c) of the Code), and the payments and benefits provided for in this Agreement, together with any other payments and benefits which Employee has the right to receive from the Company or any of its affiliates, would constitute a “parachute payment” (as defined in Section 280G(b)(2) of the Code), then the payments and benefits provided for in this Agreement shall be either (a) reduced (but not below zero) so that the present value of such total amounts and benefits received by Employee from the Company or any of its affiliates shall be one dollar ($1.00) less than three times Employee’s “base amount” (as defined in Section 280G(b)(3) of the Code) and so that no portion of such amounts and benefits received by Employee shall be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code or (b) paid in full, whichever produces the better net after-tax position to Employee (taking into account any applicable excise tax under Section 4999 of the Code and any other applicable taxes).  The reduction of payments and benefits hereunder, if applicable, shall be made by reducing, first, payments or benefits to be paid in cash hereunder in the order in which such payment or benefit would be paid or provided (beginning with such payment or benefit that would

 

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be made last in time and continuing, to the extent necessary, through to such payment or benefit that would be made first in time) and, then, reducing any benefit to be provided in-kind hereunder in a similar order.  The determination as to whether any such reduction in the amount of the payments and benefits provided hereunder is necessary shall be made by the Company in good faith.  If a reduced payment or benefit is made or provided and through error or otherwise that payment or benefit, when aggregated with other payments and benefits from the Company or any of its affiliates used in determining if a “parachute payment” exists, exceeds one dollar ($1.00) less than three times Employee’s base amount, then Employee shall immediately repay such excess to the Company upon notification that an overpayment has been made.  Nothing in this Section 24 shall require the Company to be responsible for, or have any liability or obligation with respect to, Employee’s excise tax liabilities under Section 4999 of the Code.

 

25.                                Clawback .  To the extent required by applicable law or any applicable securities exchange listing standards, or as otherwise determined by the Board (or a committee thereof), amounts paid or payable under this Agreement shall be subject to the provisions of any applicable clawback policies or procedures adopted by the Company, which clawback policies or procedures may provide for forfeiture and/or recoupment of amounts paid or payable under this Agreement.  Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, the Company reserves the right, without the consent of Employee, to adopt any such clawback policies and procedures, including such policies and procedures applicable to this Agreement with retroactive effect.

 

26.                                Effect of Termination .  The provisions of Sections 7 , 9 - 14 , 22 and 25 and those provisions necessary to interpret and enforce them, shall survive any termination of this Agreement and any termination of the employment relationship between Employee and the Company.

 

27.                                Third-Party Beneficiaries .  Each member of the Company Group that is not a signatory to this Agreement shall be a third-party beneficiary of Employee’s obligations under Sections 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 and 12 and shall be entitled to enforce such obligations as if a party hereto.

 

28.                                Severability .  If an arbitrator or court of competent jurisdiction determines that any provision of this Agreement (or portion thereof) is invalid or unenforceable, then the invalidity or unenforceability of that provision (or portion thereof)  shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement, and all other provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

 

[Remainder of Page Intentionally Blank;
Signature Page Follows]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Employee and the Company each have caused this Agreement to be executed and effective as of the Effective Date.

 

 

EMPLOYEE

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Russell Parker

 

Russell Parker

 

 

 

 

 

EP ENERGY CORPORATION

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Kyle A. McCuen

 

 

Name: Kyle A. McCuen

 

 

Title: Vice President, Interim Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

 

SIGNATURE PAGE TO

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 



 

EXHIBIT A

 

FORM OF RELEASE AGREEMENT

 

This GENERAL RELEASE OF CLAIMS (this “ Agreement ”) is entered into by Russell Parker (“ Employee ”) and is that certain Release referred to in Section 7(f)(i) of the Employment Agreement made and entered into by and between EP Energy Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), and Employee, effective as of November 1, 2017 (the “ Employment Agreement ”).  Capitalized terms not defined herein have the meanings given to them in the Employment Agreement.

 

1.                                       Separation; Severance Payment .   Employee acknowledges and agrees that the last day of Employee’s employment with the Company or any other member of the Company Group was            , 2    (the “ Separation Date ”) and as of the Separation Date, Employee was no longer employed by any member of the Company Group.  If (a) Employee executes this Agreement on or after the Separation Date and returns it to the Company, care of                                               so that it is received by                             no later than 11:59 p.m., central time on                 , (b) does not exercise his revocation right pursuant to Section 11 below, and (c) abides by Employee’s continuing obligations under the Employment Agreement (including the terms of Sections 9, 10, 11 and 13 thereof), then the Company will provide Employee the Severance Payment, which Severance Payment will be provided as set forth in Section 7(f)(i) of the Employment Agreement.

 

2.                                       Satisfaction of All Leaves and Payment Amounts; Prior Rights and Obligations In entering into this Agreement, Employee expressly acknowledges and agrees that Employee has received all leaves (paid and unpaid) to which Employee was entitled during Employee’s employment with the Company and any other Company Party (as defined below) and Employee has received all wages, bonuses, and other compensation, been provided all benefits, been afforded all rights and been paid all sums that Employee is owed and has been owed by the Company and any other Company Party as of the date that Employee executes this Agreement (the “ Signing Date ”).  For the avoidance of doubt, Employee acknowledges and agrees that Employee had no right to the Severance Payment (or any portions thereof) but for Employee’s entry into this Agreement.

 

3.                                       Release of Liability for Claims .

 

(a)                                  In consideration of Employee’s receipt of the Severance Payment (and any portion thereof), Employee hereby forever releases, discharges and acquits the Company, its affiliates, and each of the foregoing entities’ respective past, present and future subsidiaries, affiliates, stockholders, members, partners, directors, officers, managers, insurers, employees, agents, attorneys, heirs, predecessors, successors and representatives in their personal and representative capacities, as well as all employee benefit plans maintained by any Company Party and all fiduciaries and administrators of any such plans, in their personal and representative capacities (collectively, the “ Company Parties ”), from liability for, and Employee hereby waives, any and all claims, damages, or causes of action of any kind related to Employee’s employment with any Company Party, the termination of such employment, and any other acts or omissions related to any matter occurring or existing on or prior to the Signing Date, including (i) any alleged

 



 

violation through such date of: (A) any federal, state or local anti-discrimination or anti-retaliation law, including the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, as amended (including as amended by the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act), Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, the Civil Rights Act of 1991, as amended, and Sections 1981 through 1988 of Title 42 of the United States Code, as amended; and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended, the Texas Labor Code (including the Texas Payday Law the Texas Anti-Retaliation Act, Chapter 21 of the Texas Labor Code, and the Texas Whistleblower Act) as amended; (B) the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ ERISA ”); (C) the Immigration Reform Control Act, as amended; (D) the Occupational Safety and Health Act, as amended; (E) the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993; (F) any federal, state or local wage and hour law; (G) any other local, state or federal law, regulation or ordinance; or (H) any public policy, contract, tort, or common law claim or claim for fiduciary duty or breach thereof or claim for fraud or misrepresentation or fraud of any kind; (ii) any allegation for costs, fees, or other expenses including attorneys’ fees incurred in, or with respect to, a Released Claim; (iii) any and all rights, benefits or claims Employee may have under any retention, change in control, bonus or severance plan or policy of any Company Party or any retention, change in control, bonus or severance-related agreement that Employee may have or have had with any Company Party other than the rights to the Severance Payment described herein; (iv) any and all rights, benefits or claims Employee may have under any employment contract (including the Employment Agreement), other than Employee’s rights to severance under Section 7 of the Employment Agreement, rights to compensation under Section 13 of the Employment Agreement or other entitlements in Sections 9, 10, 11, 12, 14 and 22 of the Employment Agreement that arise following the Termination Date and are intended to survive Employee’s termination of employment) or incentive compensation plan; and (v) any claim for compensation or benefits of any kind not expressly set forth in this Agreement (collectively, the “ Released Claims ”).  In no event shall the Released Claims include (I) any claim that first arises after the Signing Date, (II) any claim to vested benefits under an employee benefit plan, (III) any claim arising out of future rights with respect to vested equity or equity incentives, or (IV) any pending or future claim with respect to: (x) Employee’s rights under any directors & officers liability insurance policies then in effect, or (y) indemnification (including advancement of expenses) or contribution by the Company or any of its affiliates pursuant to contract or applicable law.  This Agreement is not intended to indicate that any such claims exist or that, if they do exist, they are meritorious.  Rather, Employee is simply agreeing that, in exchange for the Severance Payment (and any portion thereof), any and all potential claims of this nature that Employee may have against the Company Parties, regardless of whether they actually exist, are expressly settled, compromised and waived.  THIS RELEASE INCLUDES MATTERS ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE SOLE OR PARTIAL NEGLIGENCE (WHETHER GROSS OR SIMPLE) OR OTHER FAULT, INCLUDING STRICT LIABILITY, OF ANY OF THE COMPANY PARTIES .

 

(b)                                  Notwithstanding this release of liability, nothing in this Agreement prevents Employee from filing any non-legally waivable claim (including a challenge to the validity of this Agreement) with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, National Labor Relations Board, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Securities and Exchange Commission, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), or any other federal, state, or local governmental agency, authority, or commission (each, a “ Governmental Agency ”) or participating in any investigation or proceeding conducted by any Governmental Agency.  Employee understands that this Agreement does not limit Employee’s ability to communicate with

 

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any Governmental Agency or otherwise participate in any investigation or proceeding that may be conducted by any Governmental Agency (including by providing documents or other information to a Governmental Agency) without notice to the Company or any other Company Party.  This Agreement does not limit Employee’s right to receive an award from a Governmental Agency for information provided to a Governmental Agency.

 

4.                                       Representation About Claims .   Employee hereby represents and warrants that, as of the Signing Date, Employee has not filed any claims, complaints, charges, or lawsuits against any of the Company Parties with any governmental agency or with any state or federal court or arbitrator for or with respect to a matter, claim, or incident that occurred or arose out of one or more occurrences that took place on or prior to the Signing Date.  Employee hereby further represents and warrants that Employee has made no assignment, sale, delivery, transfer or conveyance of any rights Employee has asserted or may have against any of the Company Parties with respect to any Released Claim.  Employee agrees not to bring or join any lawsuit against any of the Company Parties in any court relating to any of the Released Claims.

 

5.                                       Employee’s Acknowledgments .   By executing and delivering this Agreement, Employee expressly acknowledges that:

 

(a)                                  Employee has carefully read this Agreement and has had sufficient time (and at least                             days) to consider this Agreement before signing it and delivering it to the Company;

 

(b)                                  Employee has been advised, and hereby is advised in writing, to discuss this Agreement with an attorney of Employee’s choice and Employee has had adequate opportunity to do so prior to executing this Agreement;

 

(c)                                   Employee fully understands the final and binding effect of this Agreement; the only promises made to Employee to sign this Agreement are those stated herein; and Employee is signing this Agreement knowingly, voluntarily and of Employee’s own free will, and understands and agrees to each of the terms of this Agreement;

 

(d)                                  The only matters relied upon by Employee and causing Employee to sign this Agreement are the provisions set forth in writing within the four corners of this Agreement;

 

(e)                                   Employee would not otherwise have been entitled to the consideration described in Section 1 above, or any portion thereof, but for Employee’s agreement to be bound by the terms of this Agreement; and

 

(f)                                    no Company Party has provided any tax or legal advice regarding this Agreement and Employee has had the opportunity to receive sufficient tax and legal advice from advisors of Employee’s own choosing such that Employee enters into this Agreement with full understanding of the tax and legal implications thereof.

 

6.                                       Third-Party Beneficiaries .   Employee expressly acknowledges and agrees that each Company Party that is not a signatory to this Agreement shall be a third-party beneficiary of Employee’s release of claims and representations in Sections 2 through 5 and Section 9 hereof.

 

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7.                                       Severability .  Any term or provision of this Agreement (or part thereof) that renders such term or provision (or part thereof) or any other term or provision hereof (or part thereof) invalid or unenforceable in any respect shall be severable and shall be modified or severed to the extent necessary to avoid rendering such term or provision (or part thereof) invalid or unenforceable, and such modification or severance shall be accomplished in the manner that most nearly preserves the benefit of the bargain set forth in the Employment Agreement and hereunder.

 

8.                                       Withholding of Taxes and Other Deductions Employee acknowledges that the Company may withhold from the Severance Payment all federal, state, local, and other taxes and withholdings as may be required by any law or governmental regulation or ruling.

 

9.                                       Return of Property . Employee hereby represents and warrants that Employee has returned to the Company all property belonging to the Company or any other Company Party, including all computer files, electronically stored information and other materials provided to him by the Company or any other Company Party in the course of Employee’s employment with the Company and Employee hereby further represents and warrants that Employee has not maintained a copy of any such materials in any form.

 

10.                                Further Assurances .  In signing below, Employee expressly acknowledges the enforceability, and continued effectiveness of Sections 9, 10, 11 and 13 of the Employment Agreement and promises to abide by those terms of the Employment Agreement.

 

11.                                Revocation Right .  Notwithstanding the initial effectiveness of this Agreement, Employee may revoke the delivery (and therefore the effectiveness) of this Agreement within the seven-day period beginning on the date Employee executes this Agreement (such seven-day period being referred to herein as the “ Release Revocation Period ”).  To be effective, such revocation must be in writing signed by Employee and must be received by                                                                                              before 11:59 p.m., central time, on the last day of the Release Revocation Period.  If an effective revocation is delivered in the foregoing manner and timeframe, no Severance Payment shall be provided, the release of claims set forth in Section 3 shall be of no force or effect and the remainder of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect and shall not be affected by any such revocation.

 

12.                                Employment Agreement .  This Agreement shall be subject to the provisions of Section 15, 16, 17 and 21 of the Employment Agreement, which provisions are hereby incorporated by reference as a part of this Agreement.

 

[ Remainder of Page Intentionally Blank;
Signature Page Follows
]

 

A- 4



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Employee has executed this Agreement as of the date set forth below, effective for all purposes as provided above.

 

 

EMPLOYEE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Russell Parker

 

 

 

Date:

 

 

SIGNATURE PAGE TO

GENERAL RELEASE OF CLAIMS

 


Exhibit 10.2

 

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 

This Employment Agreement (“ Agreement ”) is made and entered into by and between EP Energy Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), and Ray Ambrose (“ Employee ”) effective as of November 1, 2017 (the “ Effective Date ”).

 

1.                                       Employment .  During the Employment Period (as defined in Section 4 ), the Company shall employ Employee.  Effective as of the first Business Day (as defined below) following the date on which the Company’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2017 is filed, and for the duration of the Employment Period thereafter,  Employee shall serve as Senior Vice President, Engineering and Subsurface of the Company and in such other position or positions as may be assigned from time to time by the Company.

 

2.                                       Duties and Responsibilities of Employee .

 

(a)                                  During the Employment Period, Employee shall devote Employee’s full business time, attention and best efforts to the businesses of the Company and its direct and indirect subsidiaries (collectively, with the Company, the “ Company Group ”) as may be requested by the Company from time to time.  Employee’s duties shall include those normally incidental to the position(s) identified in Section 1 , as well as such additional duties as may be assigned to Employee by the Company from time to time, which duties may include providing services to other members of the Company Group in addition to the Company.  Employee may, without violating this Agreement, (i) as a passive investment, own publicly traded securities in such form or manner as will not require any services by Employee in the operation of the entities in which such securities are owned; (ii) engage in charitable and civic activities; or (iii) with the prior written consent of the board of directors of the Company (the “ Board ”), engage in other personal and passive investment activities, in each case, so long as such interests or activities do not interfere with Employee’s ability to fulfill Employee’s duties and responsibilities under this Agreement and are not inconsistent with Employee’s obligations to the Company Group or competitive with the business of the Company Group.

 

(b)                                  Employee hereby represents and warrants that Employee is not the subject of, or a party to, any employment agreement, non-competition, non-solicitation, restrictive covenant, non-disclosure agreement, or any other agreement, obligation, restriction or understanding that would prohibit Employee from executing this Agreement or fully performing each of Employee’s duties and responsibilities hereunder, or would in any manner, directly or indirectly, limit or affect any of the duties and responsibilities that may now or in the future be assigned to Employee hereunder.  Employee expressly acknowledges and agrees that Employee is strictly prohibited from using or disclosing any confidential information belonging to any prior employer (excluding any member of the Company Group) in the course of performing services for any member of the Company Group, and Employee shall not do so.  Employee shall not introduce documents or other materials containing confidential information of any such prior employer to the premises or property (including computers and computer systems) of any member of the Company Group.

 



 

3.                                       Compensation .

 

(a)                                  Base Salary .  During the Employment Period, the Company shall pay to Employee an annualized base salary of $400,000 (the “ Base Salary ”) in consideration for Employee’s services under this Agreement, payable in substantially equal installments in conformity with the Company’s customary payroll practices for similarly situated employees as may exist from time to time, but no less frequently than monthly.

 

(b)                                  Annual Bonus .  The Company shall establish, and Employee shall be eligible to participate in, an annual performance bonus plan under which Employee will be eligible for an annual bonus for each complete calendar year that Employee is employed by the Company hereunder (the “ Annual Bonus ”).  The performance targets that must be achieved in order to be eligible for certain bonus levels shall be established by the Board (or a committee thereof) annually, in its sole discretion, and communicated to Employee within the first ninety (90) days of the applicable calendar year (the “ Bonus Year ”).  Employee’s target annual bonus will be at least 75% of Employee’s Base Salary, but the actual amount of the Annual Bonus will be determined in the discretion of the Board (or a committee thereof) depending on performance.  Each Annual Bonus, if any, shall be paid as soon as administratively feasible after the Board (or a committee thereof) certifies whether the applicable performance targets for the applicable Bonus Year have been achieved, but in no event later than March 15 following the end of such Bonus Year.  Notwithstanding anything in this Section 3(b)  to the contrary, no Annual Bonus, if any, nor any portion thereof, shall be payable for any Bonus Year unless Employee remains continuously employed by the Company from the Effective Date through the date on which such Annual Bonus is paid; provided , however , that if Employee ceases to be employed by the Company (i) due to Employee’s resignation from employment for Good Reason, (ii) as a result of the death or Disability of Employee or (iii) as a result of the termination of Employee by the Company without Cause, in each case, after the end of a Bonus Year but prior to the date on which any applicable Annual Bonus for such Bonus Year is paid, Employee shall be entitled to the full amount of any Annual Bonus.

 

4.                                       Term of Employment .  The initial term of Employee’s employment under this Agreement shall be for the period beginning on the Effective Date and ending on the fourth anniversary of the Effective Date (the “ Initial Term ”).  On the fourth anniversary of the Effective Date and on each subsequent anniversary thereafter, the term of Employee’s employment under this Agreement shall automatically renew and extend for a period of twelve (12) months (each such twelve (12)-month period being a “ Renewal Term ”) unless written notice of non-renewal is delivered by either party to the other not less than thirty (30) days prior to the expiration of the then-existing Initial Term or Renewal Term, as applicable.  Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, Employee’s employment pursuant to this Agreement may be terminated at any time in accordance with Section 7 .  The period from the Effective Date through the expiration of this Agreement or, if sooner, the termination of Employee’s employment pursuant to this Agreement, regardless of the time or reason for such termination, shall be referred to herein as the “ Employment Period .”

 

5.                                       Business Expenses .  Subject to Section 23 , the Company shall reimburse Employee for Employee’s reasonable out-of-pocket business-related expenses actually incurred in the performance of Employee’s duties under this Agreement so long as Employee timely submits

 

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all documentation for such reimbursement, as required by Company policy in effect from time to time.  Any such reimbursement of expenses shall be made by the Company upon or as soon as practicable following receipt of such documentation (but in any event not later than the close of Employee’s taxable year following the taxable year in which the expense is incurred by Employee).  In no event shall any reimbursement be made to Employee for expenses incurred after the date of Employee’s termination of employment with the Company.

 

6.                                       Benefits .  During the Employment Period, Employee shall be eligible to participate in the same benefit plans and programs in which other similarly situated Company employees are eligible to participate, subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable plans and programs in effect from time to time.  The Company shall not, however, by reason of this Section  6 , be obligated to institute, maintain, or refrain from changing, amending, or discontinuing, any such plan or policy, so long as such changes are similarly applicable to similarly situated Company employees generally.

 

7.                                       Termination of Employment .

 

(a)                                  Company’s Right to Terminate Employee’s Employment for Cause .  The Company shall have the right to terminate Employee’s employment hereunder at any time for “Cause.”  For purposes of this Agreement, “ Cause ” shall mean:

 

(i)                                      Employee’s material breach of this Agreement or any other written agreement between Employee and one or more members of the Company Group, including Employee’s breach of any material representation, warranty or covenant made under any such agreement, or Employee’s material breach of any policy or code of conduct established by a member of the Company Group in a writing previously provided to Employee and applicable to Employee; provided , however , that if Employee’s actions or omissions as set forth in this Section 7(a)(i)  are of such a nature that they are curable by Employee, such actions or omissions must remain uncured thirty (30) days after the Board has provided Employee written notice of the obligation to cure such actions or omissions;

 

(ii)                                   the commission of willful misconduct, breach of fiduciary duty, fraud, theft or embezzlement on the part of Employee;

 

(iii)                                the commission by Employee of, or conviction or indictment of Employee for, or plea of nolo contendere by Employee to, any felony (or state law equivalent) or any crime involving moral turpitude (each, a “ Crime ”); or

 

(iv)                               Employee’s willful failure or refusal, other than due to Disability, to perform Employee’s obligations pursuant to this Agreement or to follow any lawful directive from the Company that is commensurate with Employee’s position; provided , however , that if Employee’s actions or omissions as set forth in this Section 7(a)(iv)  are of such a nature that they are curable by Employee, such actions or omissions must remain uncured thirty (30) days after the Company has provided Employee written notice of the obligation to cure such actions or omissions.

 

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(b)                                  Company’s Right to Terminate for Convenience .  The Company shall have the right to terminate Employee’s employment for convenience at any time and for any reason, or no reason at all, upon written notice to Employee.

 

(c)                                   Employee’s Right to Terminate for Good Reason .  Employee shall have the right to terminate Employee’s employment with the Company at any time for “Good Reason.”  For purposes of this Agreement, “ Good Reason ” shall mean:

 

(i)                                      a material diminution in Employee’s Base Salary;

 

(ii)                                   a material breach by the Company of any of its covenants or obligations under this Agreement; or

 

(iii)                                the relocation of the geographic location of Employee’s principal place of employment by more than fifty (50) miles from the location of Employee’s principal place of employment as of the Effective Date.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 7(c)  or any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary, any assertion by Employee of a termination for Good Reason shall not be effective unless all of the following conditions are satisfied: (A) the condition described in Section 7(c)(i) , (ii)  or (iii)  giving rise to Employee’s termination of employment must have arisen without Employee’s consent; (B) Employee must provide written notice to the Board of the existence of such condition(s) within thirty (30) days of the initial existence of such condition(s); (C) the condition(s) specified in such notice must remain uncorrected for thirty (30) days following the Board’s receipt of such written notice; and (D) the date of Employee’s termination of employment must occur within sixty (60) days after the initial existence of the condition(s) specified in such notice.

 

(d)                                  Death or Disability .  Upon the death or Disability of Employee, Employee’s employment with Company shall terminate with no further obligation under this Agreement of either party hereunder.  A “ Disability ” shall exist if Employee is unable to perform the essential functions of Employee’s position (after accounting for reasonable accommodation, if applicable), due to physical or mental impairment or other incapacity that continues, or can reasonably be expected to continue, for a period in excess of one hundred-twenty (120) consecutive days or one hundred-eighty (180) days, whether or not consecutive, in any twelve (12)-month period.  The determination of whether Employee has incurred a Disability shall be made in good faith by the Board.

 

(e)                                   Employee’s Right to Terminate for Convenience .  In addition to Employee’s right to terminate Employee’s employment for Good Reason, Employee shall have the right to terminate Employee’s employment with the Company for convenience at any time and for any other reason, or no reason at all, upon thirty (30) days’ advance written notice to the Company; provided , however , that if Employee has provided notice to the Company of Employee’s termination of employment, the Company may determine, in its sole discretion, that such termination shall be effective on any date prior to the effective date of termination provided in such notice (and, if such earlier date is so required, then it shall not change the basis for

 

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Employee’s termination of employment nor be construed or interpreted as a termination of employment pursuant to Section 7(b) ).

 

(f)                                    Effect of Termination .

 

(i)                                      If Employee’s employment hereunder is terminated (I) by the Company without Cause pursuant to Section 7(b) , (II) upon the expiration of the then-existing Initial Term or Renewal Term, as applicable, as a result of a non-renewal of the Employment Period by the Company pursuant to Section 4 , or (III) by Employee for Good Reason pursuant to Section 7(c) , then, in each case, so long as (and only if) Employee: (A) executes on or before the Release Expiration Date (as defined below), and does not revoke within the time provided by the Company to do so, a release of all claims in a form acceptable to the Company (the “ Release ”), which Release shall be substantially in the form attached as Exhibit A (and the Company may reasonably adjust such form to reflect any developments in applicable law and the circumstances of Employee’s separation from employment); and (B) abides by the terms of each of Sections 9 , 10 and  11 , then the Company shall make severance payments to Employee in a total amount equal to twelve (12) months’ worth of Employee’s Base Salary for the year in which such termination occurs (such total severance payments being referred to as the “ Severance Payment ”).  The Severance Payment will be divided into twelve (12) substantially equal installments.  On the Company’s first regularly scheduled pay date that is on or after the date that is sixty (60) days after the date on which Employee’s employment terminates (the “ Termination Date ”), the Company shall pay to Employee, without interest, a number of such installments equal to the number of such installments that would have been paid during the period beginning on the Termination Date and ending on the Company’s first regularly scheduled pay date that is on or after the date that is sixty (60) days after the Termination Date had the installments been paid on a monthly basis commencing on the Company’s first regularly scheduled pay date coincident with or next following the Termination Date, and each of the remaining installments shall be paid on a monthly basis thereafter; provided, however , that (1) to the extent, if any, that the aggregate amount of the installments of the Severance Payment that would otherwise be paid pursuant to the preceding provisions of this Section 7(f)(i)  after March 15 of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the Termination Date occurs (the “ Applicable March 15 ”) exceeds the maximum exemption amount under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(9)(iii)(A), then such excess shall be paid to Employee in a lump sum on the Applicable March 15 (or the first Business Day preceding the Applicable March 15 if the Applicable March 15 is not a Business Day) and the installments of the Severance Payment payable after the Applicable March 15 shall be reduced by such excess (beginning with the installment first payable after the Applicable March 15 and continuing with the next succeeding installment until the aggregate reduction equals such excess), and (2) all remaining installments of the Severance Payment, if any, that would otherwise be paid pursuant to the preceding provisions of this Section 7(f)(i)  after December 31 of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the Termination Date occurs shall be paid with the installment of the Severance Payment, if any, due in December of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the Termination Date occurs.  “ Business Day ” shall mean any day except a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which

 

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commercial banks in New York, New York or Houston, Texas are authorized or required by law to be closed.

 

(ii)                                   Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Severance Payment (and any portion thereof) shall not be payable if Employee’s employment hereunder terminates upon the expiration of the then-existing Initial Term or Renewal Term, as applicable, as a result of a non-renewal of the Employment Period by Employee pursuant to Section 4 .

 

(iii)                                If the Release is not executed and returned to the Company on or before the Release Expiration Date, or the required revocation period has not fully expired without revocation of the Release by Employee, then Employee shall not be entitled to any portion of the Severance Payment.  As used herein, the “ Release Expiration Date ” is that date that is twenty-one (21) days following the date upon which the Company delivers the Release to Employee (which shall occur no later than seven (7) days after the Termination Date or, in the event of severance eligibility due to the circumstances described in Section 7(h)  below, within seven (7) days after the final order of acquittal referenced in Section 7(h) ) or, in the event that such termination of employment is “in connection with an exit incentive or other employment termination program” (as such phrase is defined in the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, as amended), the date that is forty-five (45) days following such delivery date.

 

(g)                                   After-Acquired Evidence .  Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, in the event that the Company determines that Employee is eligible to receive the Severance Payment pursuant to Section 7(f)  but, within one (1) year after such determination, the Company subsequently acquires evidence or determines that: (i) Employee has failed to abide by the terms of Sections 9 , 10 or 11 ; or (ii) a Cause condition existed prior to the Termination Date that, had the Company been fully aware of such condition, would have resulted in the termination of Employee’s employment pursuant to Section 7(a) , then the Company shall have the right to cease the payment of any future installments of the Severance Payment and Employee shall promptly return to the Company all installments of the Severance Payment received by Employee prior to the date that the Company determines that the conditions of this Section 7(g)  have been satisfied.

 

(h)                                  Indictment .  Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, if Employee’s employment hereunder is terminated by the Company for Cause due to the indictment of Employee for any Crime, and within two (2) years following the Termination Date, Employee is acquitted of such Crime by a final order of a court of competent jurisdiction (or if Employee is not convicted of any such Crime within two years after the date of indictment and charges for such Crime are no longer pending), then (i) Employee’s employment hereunder shall be deemed to have been terminated by the Company without Cause, and (ii) so long as (and only if) Employee (A) executes the Release on or before the Release Expiration Date and does not revoke the Release within the time provided by the Company to do so and (B) abides by the terms of each of Sections 9 , 10 and 11 , the Company shall (x) make a severance payment to Employee, within 30 days of the final order of acquittal, in an amount equal to the amount of the Severance Payment that Employee would have been eligible to receive during the period commencing on the Termination Date and ending on the date of the final order of acquittal had Employee’s employment hereunder been

 

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terminated by the Company without Cause, and (y) if such severance payment referenced in subclause (x) is less than the total amount of the Severance Payment for which Employee is eligible, make payments of the remaining amount of the Severance Payment to Employee in substantially equal monthly installments pursuant to Section  7(f)(i)  until the entire Severance Payment has been paid.

 

8.                                       Disclosures .  Promptly (and in any event, within three (3) Business Days) upon becoming aware of (a) any actual or potential Conflict of Interest or (b) any lawsuit, claim or arbitration filed against or involving Employee or any trust or vehicle owned or controlled by Employee, in each case, Employee shall disclose such actual or potential Conflict of Interest or such lawsuit, claim or arbitration to the Board.  A “ Conflict of Interest ” shall exist when Employee engages in, or plans to engage in, any activities, associations, or interests that conflict with, or create an appearance of a conflict with, Employee’s duties, responsibilities, authorities, or obligations for and to the Company Group.

 

9.                                       Confidentiality .  In the course of Employee’s employment with the Company and the performance of Employee’s duties on behalf of the Company Group hereunder, Employee will be provided with, and will have access to, Confidential Information (as defined below).  In consideration of Employee’s receipt and access to such Confidential Information and in exchange for other valuable consideration provided hereunder, and as a condition of Employee’s employment, Employee shall comply with this Section 9 .

 

(a)                                  Both during the Employment Period and thereafter, except as expressly permitted by this Agreement or by directive of the Board, Employee shall not disclose any Confidential Information to any person or entity and shall not use any Confidential Information except for the benefit of the Company Group.  Employee acknowledges and agrees that Employee would inevitably use and disclose Confidential Information in violation of this Section 9 if Employee were to violate any of the covenants set forth in Section 10 .  Employee shall follow all Company policies and protocols regarding the physical security of all documents and other material containing Confidential Information (regardless of the medium on which Confidential Information is stored).  The covenants of this Section 9(a)  shall apply to all Confidential Information, whether now known or later to become known to Employee during the period that Employee is employed by or affiliated with the Company or any other member of the Company Group.

 

(b)                                  Notwithstanding any provision of Section 9(a)  to the contrary, Employee may make the following disclosures and uses of Confidential Information:

 

(i)                                      disclosures to other employees of the Company Group who have a need to know the information in connection with the businesses of the Company Group;

 

(ii)                                   disclosures to customers and suppliers when, in the reasonable and good faith belief of Employee, such disclosure is in connection with Employee’s performance of Employee’s duties under this Agreement and is in the best interests of the Company Group;

 

(iii)                                disclosures and uses that are approved in writing by the Board; or

 

7



 

(iv)                               disclosures to a person or entity that has (x) been retained by a member of the Company Group to provide services to one or more members of the Company Group and (y) agreed in writing to abide by the terms of a confidentiality agreement.

 

(c)                                   Upon the expiration of the Employment Period, and at any other time upon request of the Company, Employee shall promptly surrender and deliver to the Company all documents (including electronically stored information) and all copies thereof and all other materials of any nature containing or pertaining to all Confidential Information in Employee’s possession, custody or control and Employee shall not retain any such document or other materials.  Within ten (10) days of any such request, Employee shall certify to the Company in writing that all such documents and materials have been returned to the Company.

 

(d)                                  All trade secrets, non-public information, designs, ideas, concepts, improvements, product developments, discoveries and inventions, whether patentable or not, that are conceived, made, developed or acquired by or disclosed to Employee, individually or in conjunction with others, during the period that Employee is employed by the Company or any other member of the Company Group (whether during business hours or otherwise and whether on the Company’s premises or otherwise) that relate to any member of the Company Group’s businesses or properties, products or services (including all such information relating to corporate opportunities, operations, future plans, methods of doing business, business plans, strategies for developing business and market share, research, financial and sales data, pricing terms, evaluations, opinions, interpretations, acquisition prospects, the identity of customers or their requirements, the identity of key contacts within customers’ organizations or within the organization of acquisition prospects, or marketing and merchandising techniques, prospective names and marks) is defined as “ Confidential Information .”  Moreover, all documents, videotapes, written presentations, brochures, drawings, memoranda, notes, records, files, correspondence, manuals, models, specifications, computer programs, e-mail, voice mail, electronic databases, maps, drawings, architectural renditions, models and all other writings or materials of any type including or embodying any of such information, ideas, concepts, improvements, discoveries, inventions and other similar forms of expression are and shall be the sole and exclusive property of the Company Group and be subject to the same restrictions on disclosure applicable to all Confidential Information pursuant to this Agreement.  For purposes of this Agreement, Confidential Information shall not include any information that (i) is or becomes generally available to the public other than as a result of a disclosure or wrongful act of Employee or any of Employee’s agents; (ii) was available to Employee on a non-confidential basis before its disclosure by a member of the Company Group; or (iii) becomes available to Employee on a non-confidential basis from a source other than a member of the Company Group; provided , however , that such source is not bound by a confidentiality agreement with, or other obligation with respect to confidentiality to, a member of the Company Group.

 

(e)                                   Notwithstanding the rest of this Section 9 :

 

(i)                                      Employee shall not be prevented from, nor shall Employee be criminally or civilly liable under any federal or state trade secret law for, making a disclosure of trade secrets or other Confidential Information that is: (A) made (x) in confidence to a federal, state or local government official, either directly or indirectly, or to

 

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an attorney, and (y) solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of applicable law; (B) made in a complaint or other document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding, if such filing is made under seal; or (C) protected under the whistleblower provisions of applicable law; and

 

(ii)                                   in the event Employee files a lawsuit for retaliation by the Company for Employee’s reporting of a suspected violation of law, Employee may (A) disclose a trade secret to Employee’s attorney and (B) use the trade secret information in the court proceeding related to such lawsuit, in each case, if Employee (x) files any document containing such trade secret under seal; and (y) does not otherwise disclose such trade secret, except pursuant to court order.

 

10.                                Non-Competition; Non-Solicitation .

 

(a)                                  The Company shall provide Employee access to Confidential Information for use only during the Employment Period, and Employee acknowledges and agrees that the Company Group will be entrusting Employee, in Employee’s unique and special capacity, with developing the goodwill of the Company Group, and in consideration thereof and in consideration of the Company providing Employee with access to Confidential Information and as an express incentive for the Company to enter into this Agreement and employ Employee, Employee has voluntarily agreed to the covenants set forth in this Section 10 .  Employee agrees and acknowledges that the limitations and restrictions set forth herein, including geographical and temporal restrictions on certain competitive activities, are reasonable in all respects, will not cause Employee undue hardship, and are material and substantial parts of this Agreement intended and necessary to prevent unfair competition and to protect the Company Group’s Confidential Information, goodwill and substantial and legitimate business interests.

 

(b)                                  During the Prohibited Period, Employee shall not, without the prior written approval of the Board, directly or indirectly, for Employee or on behalf of or in conjunction with any other person or entity of any nature:

 

(i)                                      engage in or participate within the Market Area in competition with any member of the Company Group in any aspect of the Business, which prohibition shall prevent Employee from directly or indirectly owning, managing, operating, joining, becoming an officer, director, employee or consultant of, or loaning money to, or selling or leasing equipment or real estate to or otherwise being affiliated with any person or entity engaged in, or planning to engage in, the Business in the Market Area in competition, or anticipated competition, with any member of the Company Group;

 

(ii)                                   appropriate any Business Opportunity of, or relating to, the Company Group located in the Market Area;

 

(iii)                                solicit, canvass, approach, encourage, entice or induce any customer or supplier of any member of the Company Group to cease or lessen such customer’s or supplier’s business with the Company Group; or

 

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(iv)                               solicit, canvass, approach, encourage, entice or induce any employee or contractor of the Company Group to terminate his, her or its employment or engagement with any member of the Company Group.

 

(c)                                   Because of the difficulty of measuring economic losses to the Company Group as a result of a breach or threatened breach of the covenants set forth in Section 9 and in this Section 10 , and because of the immediate and irreparable damage that would be caused to the members of the Company Group for which they would have no other adequate remedy, the Company and each other member of the Company Group shall be entitled to enforce the foregoing covenants, in the event of a breach or threatened breach, by injunctions and restraining orders from any court of competent jurisdiction, without the necessity of showing any actual damages or that money damages would not afford an adequate remedy, and without the necessity of posting any bond or other security.  The aforementioned equitable relief shall not be the Company’s or any other member of the Company Group’s exclusive remedy for a breach but instead shall be in addition to all other rights and remedies available to the Company and each other member of the Company Group at law and equity.

 

(d)                                  The covenants in this Section 10 , and each provision and portion hereof, are severable and separate, and the unenforceability of any specific covenant (or portion thereof) shall not affect the provisions of any other covenant (or portion thereof).  Moreover, in the event any arbitrator or court of competent jurisdiction shall determine that the scope, time or territorial restrictions set forth are unreasonable, then it is the intention of the parties that such restrictions be enforced to the fullest extent which such arbitrator or court deems reasonable, and this Agreement shall thereby be reformed.

 

(e)                                   The following terms shall have the following meanings:

 

(i)                                      Business ” shall mean the business and operations that are the same or similar to those performed by the Company and any other member of the Company Group for which Employee provides services or about which Employee obtains Confidential Information during the Employment Period, which business and operations include acquiring, exploiting and developing oil and gas assets in the Market Area.

 

(ii)                                   Business Opportunity ” shall mean any commercial, investment or other business opportunity relating to the Business.

 

(iii)                                Market Area ” shall mean: (A) the Eagle Ford Shale; (B) the Altamont Field within the Uinta Basin (including the Bluebell and Cedar Rim fields); (C) the Southern Midland Basin; or (D) any other location within twelve and one-half (12.5) miles of any area in which the Company or any other member of the Company Group: (1) is engaged in the Business or in which any member of the Company Group otherwise owned property or interests related to the Business within the twelve (12) months prior to the Termination Date; or (2) has made material plans to conduct the Business within the twelve (12) months prior to the Termination Date of which Employee is aware; provided, however , that the Market Area shall not include any basin in which no member of the Company Group has engaged in the Business during the twelve (12) months prior to the Termination Date.

 

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(iv)                               Prohibited Period ” shall mean the period during which Employee is employed by the Company or any other member of the Company Group and continuing for a period of twelve (12) months following the date that Employee is no longer employed by the Company or any other  member of the Company Group; provided, however , that if Employee’s employment hereunder is terminated by Employee pursuant to Section 7(e)  at any time following the expiration of the Initial Term, then the Chief Executive Officer of the Company may (but shall not be required to), in the Chief Executive Officer’s sole discretion, modify the Prohibited Period by providing written notice to Employee within ten (10) days following the Termination Date indicating that the Prohibited Period shall continue only for a period of six (6) months following the date that Employee is no longer employed by the Company or any other  member of the Company Group.

 

11.                                Ownership of Intellectual Property .   Employee agrees that the Company shall own, and Employee shall (and hereby does) assign, all right, title and interest (including patent rights, copyrights, trade secret rights, mask work rights, trademark rights, and all other intellectual and industrial property rights of any sort throughout the world) relating to any and all inventions (whether or not patentable), works of authorship, mask works, designs, know-how, ideas and information authored, created, contributed to, made or conceived or reduced to practice, in whole or in part, by Employee during the period in which Employee is or has been employed by or affiliated with the Company or any other member of the Company Group that either (a) relate, at the time of conception, reduction to practice, creation, derivation or development, to any member of the Company Group’s businesses or actual or anticipated research or development, or (b) were developed on any amount of the Company’s or any other member of the Company Group’s time or with the use of any member of the Company Group’s equipment, supplies, facilities or trade secret information (all of the foregoing collectively referred to herein as “ Company Intellectual Property ”), and Employee shall promptly disclose all Company Intellectual Property to the Company.  All of Employee’s works of authorship and associated copyrights created during the period in which Employee is employed by or affiliated with the Company or any member of the Company Group and in the scope of Employee’s employment shall be deemed to be “works made for hire” within the meaning of the Copyright Act.  Employee shall perform, during and for a period of 24 months after the period in which Employee is or has been employed by or affiliated with the Company or any other member of the Company Group, all reasonable acts deemed necessary by the Company to assist the Company Group, at the Company’s expense, in obtaining and enforcing its rights throughout the world in the Company Intellectual Property.  Such acts may include execution of documents and assistance or cooperation (i) in the filing, prosecution, registration, and memorialization of assignment of any applicable patents, copyrights, mask work, or other applications, (ii) in the enforcement of any applicable patents, copyrights, mask work, moral rights, trade secrets, or other proprietary rights, and (iii) in other legal proceedings related to the Company Intellectual Property.

 

12.                                Arbitration .

 

(a)                                  Subject to Section 12(b) , any dispute, controversy or claim between Employee and the Company arising out of or relating to this Agreement or Employee’s employment with the Company will be finally settled by arbitration in Houston, Texas before, and in accordance with the then-existing American Arbitration Association (“ AAA ”) Employment Arbitration Rules.  The arbitration award shall be final and binding on both parties.  Any

 

11



 

arbitration conducted under this Section 12 shall be heard by a single arbitrator (the “ Arbitrator ”) selected in accordance with the then-applicable rules of the AAA.  The Arbitrator shall expeditiously (and, if practicable, within ninety (90) days after the selection of the Arbitrator) hear and decide all matters concerning the dispute.  Except as expressly provided to the contrary in this Agreement, the Arbitrator shall have the power to (i) gather such materials, information, testimony and evidence as the Arbitrator deems relevant to the dispute before him or her (and each party will provide such materials, information, testimony and evidence requested by the Arbitrator), and (ii) grant injunctive relief and enforce specific performance.  The decision of the Arbitrator shall be reasoned, rendered in writing, be final and binding upon the disputing parties and the parties agree that judgment upon the award may be entered by any court of competent jurisdiction; provided , however , that the parties agree that the Arbitrator and any court enforcing the award of the Arbitrator shall not have the right or authority to award punitive or exemplary damages to any disputing party.  Each party to the dispute shall pay all costs and expenses incurred by such party in connection with the arbitration of such dispute pursuant to this Section 12 .

 

(b)                                  Notwithstanding Section 12(a) , either party may make a timely application for, and obtain, judicial emergency or temporary injunctive relief to enforce any of the provisions of Sections 9 through 11 ; provided, however , that the remainder of any such dispute (beyond the application for emergency or temporary injunctive relief) shall be subject to arbitration under this Section 12 .

 

(c)                                   By entering into this Agreement and entering into the arbitration provisions of this Section 12 , THE PARTIES EXPRESSLY ACKNOWLEDGE AND AGREE THAT THEY ARE KNOWINGLY, VOLUNTARILY AND INTENTIONALLY WAIVING THEIR RIGHTS TO A JURY TRIAL.

 

(d)                                  Nothing in this Section 12 shall prohibit a party to this Agreement from (i) instituting litigation to enforce any arbitration award, or (ii) joining the other party to this Agreement in a litigation initiated by a person or entity that is not a party to this Agreement.

 

13.                                Defense of Claims .  During the Employment Period and for a period of 24 months thereafter, upon request from the Company, Employee shall cooperate with the Company Group in the defense of any claims or actions that may be made by or against any member of the Company Group that relate to Employee’s actual or prior areas of responsibility.  The Company shall pay or reimburse Employee for all of Employee’s reasonable travel and other direct expenses reasonably incurred, to comply with Employee’s obligations under this Section 13 , so long as Employee provides reasonable documentation of such expenses and obtains the Company’s prior approval before incurring such expenses.  Following the Termination Date, in receiving Employee’s assistance under Section 11 or this Section 13 , the Company shall provide reasonable compensation (in no event to exceed $300 per day) for Employee’s time in connection with such assistance, taking into account comparable per diem consulting rates then prevalent in the market.  For the avoidance of doubt, regardless of whether the Company provides Employee compensation pursuant to this Section 13 , any testimony that Employee provides in the course of providing assistance must be truthful and accurate in all respects.

 

14.                                Withholdings; Deductions .  The Company may withhold and deduct from any benefits and payments made or to be made pursuant to this Agreement (a) all federal, state, local

 

12



 

and other taxes as may be required pursuant to any law or governmental regulation or ruling and (b) any deductions consented to in writing by Employee.

 

15.                                Title and Headings; Construction .  Titles and headings to Sections hereof are for the purpose of reference only and shall in no way limit, define or otherwise affect the provisions hereof.  Any and all Exhibits or Attachments referred to in this Agreement are, by such reference, incorporated herein and made a part hereof for all purposes.  Unless the context requires otherwise, all references herein to an agreement, instrument or other document shall be deemed to refer to such agreement, instrument or other document as amended, supplemented, modified and restated from time to time to the extent permitted by the provisions thereof.  All references to “dollars” or “$” in this Agreement refer to United States dollars.  The words “herein”, “hereof”, “hereunder” and other compounds of the word “here” shall refer to the entire Agreement, including all Exhibits attached hereto, and not to any particular provision hereof.  Wherever the context so requires, the masculine gender includes the feminine or neuter, and the singular number includes the plural and conversely.  All references to “including” shall be construed as meaning “including without limitation.”  Neither this Agreement nor any uncertainty or ambiguity herein shall be construed or resolved against any party hereto, whether under any rule of construction or otherwise.  On the contrary, this Agreement has been reviewed by each of the parties hereto and shall be construed and interpreted according to the ordinary meaning of the words used so as to fairly accomplish the purposes and intentions of the parties hereto.

 

16.                                Applicable Law; Submission to Jurisdiction .  This Agreement shall in all respects be construed according to the laws of the State of Texas without regard to its conflict of laws principles that would result in the application of the laws of another jurisdiction.  With respect to any claim or dispute related to or arising under this Agreement, the parties hereby consent to the arbitration provisions of Section 12 and recognize and agree that should any resort to a court be necessary and permitted under this Agreement, then they consent to the exclusive jurisdiction, forum and venue of the state and federal courts (as applicable) located in Houston, Texas.

 

17.                                Entire Agreement and Amendment .  This Agreement  contains the entire agreement of the parties with respect to the matters covered herein and supersede all prior and contemporaneous agreements and understandings, oral or written, between the parties hereto concerning the subject matter hereof.  This Agreement may be amended only by a written instrument executed by both parties hereto.

 

18.                                Waiver of Breach .  Any waiver of this Agreement must be executed by the party to be bound by such waiver.  No waiver by either party hereto of a breach of any provision of this Agreement by the other party, or of compliance with any condition or provision of this Agreement to be performed by such other party, will operate or be construed as a waiver of any subsequent breach by such other party or any similar or dissimilar provision or condition at the same or any subsequent time.  The failure of either party hereto to take any action by reason of any breach will not deprive such party of the right to take action at any time.

 

19.                                Assignment .  This Agreement is personal to Employee, and neither this Agreement nor any rights or obligations hereunder shall be assignable or otherwise transferred by Employee.  The Company may assign this Agreement without Employee’s consent, including to any member

 

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of the Company Group and to any successor (whether by merger, purchase or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the equity, assets or businesses of the Company.

 

20.                                Notices .  Notices provided for in this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly received (a) when delivered in person, (b) when sent by facsimile transmission (with confirmation of transmission) on a Business Day to the number set forth below, if applicable; provided , however , that if a notice is sent by facsimile transmission after normal business hours of the recipient or on a non-Business Day, then it shall be deemed to have been received on the next Business Day after it is sent, (c) on the first Business Day after such notice is sent by express overnight courier service, or (d) on the second Business Day following deposit with an internationally-recognized second-day courier service with proof of receipt maintained, in each case, to the following address, as applicable:

 

If to the Company, addressed to:

 

EP Energy Corporation
1001 Louisiana St.
Houston, TX 77002
Attention: Board of Directors

 

If to Employee, addressed to:

 

Employee’s last known address on file with the Company.

 

21.                                Counterparts .  This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, including by electronic mail or facsimile, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be an original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute one and the same instrument.  Each counterpart may consist of a copy hereof containing multiple signature pages, each signed by one party, but together signed by both parties hereto.

 

22.                                Deemed Resignations .  Except as otherwise determined by the Board or as otherwise agreed to in writing by Employee and any member of the Company Group prior to the termination of Employee’s employment with the Company or any member of the Company Group, any termination of Employee’s employment shall constitute, as applicable, an automatic resignation of Employee: (a) as an officer of the Company and each member of the Company Group; (b) from the Board; and (c) from the board of directors or board of managers (or similar governing body) of any member of the Company Group and from the board of directors or board of managers (or similar governing body) of any corporation, limited liability entity, unlimited liability entity or other entity in which any member of the Company Group holds an equity interest and with respect to which board of directors or board of managers (or similar governing body) Employee serves as such Company Group member’s designee or other representative.

 

23.                                Section 409A .

 

(a)                                  Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, all provisions of this Agreement are intended to comply with Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “ Code ”), and the applicable Treasury regulations and administrative guidance issued thereunder (collectively, “ Section 409A ”) or an exemption

 

14



 

therefrom and shall be construed and administered in accordance with such intent. Any payments under this Agreement that may be excluded from Section 409A either as separation pay due to an involuntary separation from service or as a short-term deferral shall be excluded from Section 409A to the maximum extent possible. For purposes of Section 409A, each installment payment provided under this Agreement shall be treated as a separate payment. Any payments to be made under this Agreement upon a termination of Employee’s employment shall only be made if such termination of employment constitutes a “separation from service” under Section 409A.

 

(b)                                  To the extent that any right to reimbursement of expenses or payment of any benefit in-kind under this Agreement constitutes nonqualified deferred compensation (within the meaning of Section 409A), (i) any such expense reimbursement shall be made by the Company no later than the last day of the taxable year following the taxable year in which such expense was incurred by Employee, (ii) the right to reimbursement or in-kind benefits shall not be subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit, and (iii) the amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement or in-kind benefits provided during any taxable year shall not affect the expenses eligible for reimbursement or in-kind benefits to be provided in any other taxable year; provided , that the foregoing clause shall not be violated with regard to expenses reimbursed under any arrangement covered by Section 105(b) of the Code solely because such expenses are subject to a limit related to the period in which the arrangement is in effect.

 

(c)                                   Notwithstanding any provision in this Agreement to the contrary, if any payment or benefit provided for herein would be subject to additional taxes and interest under Section 409A if Employee’s receipt of such payment or benefit is not delayed until the earlier of (i) the date of Employee’s death or (ii) the date that is six (6) months after the Termination Date (such date, the “ Section 409A Payment Date ”), then such payment or benefit shall not be provided to Employee (or Employee’s estate, if applicable) until the Section 409A Payment Date.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company makes no representations that the payments and benefits provided under this Agreement are exempt from, or compliant with, Section 409A and in no event shall any member of the Company Group be liable for all or any portion of any taxes, penalties, interest or other expenses that may be incurred by Employee on account of non-compliance with Section 409A.

 

24.                                Certain Excise Taxes .  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, if Employee is a “disqualified individual” (as defined in Section 280G(c) of the Code), and the payments and benefits provided for in this Agreement, together with any other payments and benefits which Employee has the right to receive from the Company or any of its affiliates, would constitute a “parachute payment” (as defined in Section 280G(b)(2) of the Code), then the payments and benefits provided for in this Agreement shall be either (a) reduced (but not below zero) so that the present value of such total amounts and benefits received by Employee from the Company or any of its affiliates shall be one dollar ($1.00) less than three times Employee’s “base amount” (as defined in Section 280G(b)(3) of the Code) and so that no portion of such amounts and benefits received by Employee shall be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code or (b) paid in full, whichever produces the better net after-tax position to Employee (taking into account any applicable excise tax under Section 4999 of the Code and any other applicable taxes).  The reduction of payments and benefits hereunder, if applicable, shall be made by reducing, first, payments or benefits to be paid in cash hereunder in the order in which such payment or benefit would be paid or provided (beginning with such payment or benefit that would

 

15



 

be made last in time and continuing, to the extent necessary, through to such payment or benefit that would be made first in time) and, then, reducing any benefit to be provided in-kind hereunder in a similar order.  The determination as to whether any such reduction in the amount of the payments and benefits provided hereunder is necessary shall be made by the Company in good faith.  If a reduced payment or benefit is made or provided and through error or otherwise that payment or benefit, when aggregated with other payments and benefits from the Company or any of its affiliates used in determining if a “parachute payment” exists, exceeds one dollar ($1.00) less than three times Employee’s base amount, then Employee shall immediately repay such excess to the Company upon notification that an overpayment has been made.  Nothing in this Section 24 shall require the Company to be responsible for, or have any liability or obligation with respect to, Employee’s excise tax liabilities under Section 4999 of the Code.

 

25.                                Clawback .  To the extent required by applicable law or any applicable securities exchange listing standards, or as otherwise determined by the Board (or a committee thereof), amounts paid or payable under this Agreement shall be subject to the provisions of any applicable clawback policies or procedures adopted by the Company, which clawback policies or procedures may provide for forfeiture and/or recoupment of amounts paid or payable under this Agreement.  Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, the Company reserves the right, without the consent of Employee, to adopt any such clawback policies and procedures, including such policies and procedures applicable to this Agreement with retroactive effect.

 

26.                                Effect of Termination .  The provisions of Sections 7 , 9 - 14 , 22 and 25 and those provisions necessary to interpret and enforce them, shall survive any termination of this Agreement and any termination of the employment relationship between Employee and the Company.

 

27.                                Third-Party Beneficiaries .  Each member of the Company Group that is not a signatory to this Agreement shall be a third-party beneficiary of Employee’s obligations under Sections 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 and 12 and shall be entitled to enforce such obligations as if a party hereto.

 

28.                                Severability .  If an arbitrator or court of competent jurisdiction determines that any provision of this Agreement (or portion thereof) is invalid or unenforceable, then the invalidity or unenforceability of that provision (or portion thereof)  shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement, and all other provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

 

[Remainder of Page Intentionally Blank;
Signature Page Follows]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Employee and the Company each have caused this Agreement to be executed and effective as of the Effective Date.

 

 

EMPLOYEE

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Ray Ambrose

 

Ray Ambrose

 

 

 

 

 

EP ENERGY CORPORATION

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Kyle A. McCuen

 

 

Name: Kyle A. McCuen

 

 

Title: Vice President, Interim Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

 

SIGNATURE PAGE TO

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 



 

EXHIBIT A

 

FORM OF RELEASE AGREEMENT

 

This GENERAL RELEASE OF CLAIMS (this “ Agreement ”) is entered into by Ray Ambrose (“ Employee ”) and is that certain Release referred to in Section 7(f)(i) of the Employment Agreement made and entered into by and between EP Energy Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), and Employee, effective as of November 1, 2017 (the “ Employment Agreement ”).  Capitalized terms not defined herein have the meanings given to them in the Employment Agreement.

 

1.                                       Separation; Severance Payment .   Employee acknowledges and agrees that the last day of Employee’s employment with the Company or any other member of the Company Group was            , 2    (the “ Separation Date ”) and as of the Separation Date, Employee was no longer employed by any member of the Company Group.  If (a) Employee executes this Agreement on or after the Separation Date and returns it to the Company, care of                                                         so that it is received by                                    no later than 11:59 p.m., central time on                                 , (b) does not exercise his revocation right pursuant to Section 11 below, and (c) abides by Employee’s continuing obligations under the Employment Agreement (including the terms of Sections 9, 10, 11 and 13 thereof), then the Company will provide Employee the Severance Payment, which Severance Payment will be provided as set forth in Section 7(f)(i) of the Employment Agreement.

 

2.                                       Satisfaction of All Leaves and Payment Amounts; Prior Rights and Obligations In entering into this Agreement, Employee expressly acknowledges and agrees that Employee has received all leaves (paid and unpaid) to which Employee was entitled during Employee’s employment with the Company and any other Company Party (as defined below) and Employee has received all wages, bonuses, and other compensation, been provided all benefits, been afforded all rights and been paid all sums that Employee is owed and has been owed by the Company and any other Company Party as of the date that Employee executes this Agreement (the “ Signing Date ”).  For the avoidance of doubt, Employee acknowledges and agrees that Employee had no right to the Severance Payment (or any portions thereof) but for Employee’s entry into this Agreement.

 

3.                                       Release of Liability for Claims .

 

(a)                                  In consideration of Employee’s receipt of the Severance Payment (and any portion thereof), Employee hereby forever releases, discharges and acquits the Company, its affiliates, and each of the foregoing entities’ respective past, present and future subsidiaries, affiliates, stockholders, members, partners, directors, officers, managers, insurers, employees, agents, attorneys, heirs, predecessors, successors and representatives in their personal and representative capacities, as well as all employee benefit plans maintained by any Company Party and all fiduciaries and administrators of any such plans, in their personal and representative capacities (collectively, the “ Company Parties ”), from liability for, and Employee hereby waives, any and all claims, damages, or causes of action of any kind related to Employee’s employment with any Company Party, the termination of such employment, and any other acts or omissions related to any matter occurring or existing on or prior to the Signing Date, including (i) any alleged

 



 

violation through such date of: (A) any federal, state or local anti-discrimination or anti-retaliation law, including the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, as amended (including as amended by the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act), Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, the Civil Rights Act of 1991, as amended, and Sections 1981 through 1988 of Title 42 of the United States Code, as amended; and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended, the Texas Labor Code (including the Texas Payday Law the Texas Anti-Retaliation Act, Chapter 21 of the Texas Labor Code, and the Texas Whistleblower Act) as amended; (B) the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ ERISA ”); (C) the Immigration Reform Control Act, as amended; (D) the Occupational Safety and Health Act, as amended; (E) the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993; (F) any federal, state or local wage and hour law; (G) any other local, state or federal law, regulation or ordinance; or (H) any public policy, contract, tort, or common law claim or claim for fiduciary duty or breach thereof or claim for fraud or misrepresentation or fraud of any kind; (ii) any allegation for costs, fees, or other expenses including attorneys’ fees incurred in, or with respect to, a Released Claim; (iii) any and all rights, benefits or claims Employee may have under any retention, change in control, bonus or severance plan or policy of any Company Party or any retention, change in control, bonus or severance-related agreement that Employee may have or have had with any Company Party other than the rights to the Severance Payment described herein; (iv) any and all rights, benefits or claims Employee may have under any employment contract (including the Employment Agreement), other than Employee’s rights to severance under Section 7 of the Employment Agreement, rights to compensation under Section 13 of the Employment Agreement or other entitlements in Sections 9, 10, 11, 12, 14 and 22 of the Employment Agreement that arise following the Termination Date and are intended to survive Employee’s termination of employment) or incentive compensation plan; and (v) any claim for compensation or benefits of any kind not expressly set forth in this Agreement (collectively, the “ Released Claims ”).  In no event shall the Released Claims include (I) any claim that first arises after the Signing Date, (II) any claim to vested benefits under an employee benefit plan, (III) any claim arising out of future rights with respect to vested equity or equity incentives, or (IV) any pending or future claim with respect to: (x) Employee’s rights under any directors & officers liability insurance policies then in effect, or (y) indemnification (including advancement of expenses) or contribution by the Company or any of its affiliates pursuant to contract or applicable law.  This Agreement is not intended to indicate that any such claims exist or that, if they do exist, they are meritorious.  Rather, Employee is simply agreeing that, in exchange for the Severance Payment (and any portion thereof), any and all potential claims of this nature that Employee may have against the Company Parties, regardless of whether they actually exist, are expressly settled, compromised and waived.  THIS RELEASE INCLUDES MATTERS ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE SOLE OR PARTIAL NEGLIGENCE (WHETHER GROSS OR SIMPLE) OR OTHER FAULT, INCLUDING STRICT LIABILITY, OF ANY OF THE COMPANY PARTIES .

 

(b)                                  Notwithstanding this release of liability, nothing in this Agreement prevents Employee from filing any non-legally waivable claim (including a challenge to the validity of this Agreement) with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, National Labor Relations Board, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Securities and Exchange Commission, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), or any other federal, state, or local governmental agency, authority, or commission (each, a “ Governmental Agency ”) or participating in any investigation or proceeding conducted by any Governmental Agency.  Employee understands that this Agreement does not limit Employee’s ability to communicate with

 

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any Governmental Agency or otherwise participate in any investigation or proceeding that may be conducted by any Governmental Agency (including by providing documents or other information to a Governmental Agency) without notice to the Company or any other Company Party.  This Agreement does not limit Employee’s right to receive an award from a Governmental Agency for information provided to a Governmental Agency.

 

4.                                       Representation About Claims .   Employee hereby represents and warrants that, as of the Signing Date, Employee has not filed any claims, complaints, charges, or lawsuits against any of the Company Parties with any governmental agency or with any state or federal court or arbitrator for or with respect to a matter, claim, or incident that occurred or arose out of one or more occurrences that took place on or prior to the Signing Date.  Employee hereby further represents and warrants that Employee has made no assignment, sale, delivery, transfer or conveyance of any rights Employee has asserted or may have against any of the Company Parties with respect to any Released Claim.  Employee agrees not to bring or join any lawsuit against any of the Company Parties in any court relating to any of the Released Claims.

 

5.                                       Employee’s Acknowledgments .   By executing and delivering this Agreement, Employee expressly acknowledges that:

 

(a)                                  Employee has carefully read this Agreement and has had sufficient time (and at least                    days) to consider this Agreement before signing it and delivering it to the Company;

 

(b)                                  Employee has been advised, and hereby is advised in writing, to discuss this Agreement with an attorney of Employee’s choice and Employee has had adequate opportunity to do so prior to executing this Agreement;

 

(c)                                   Employee fully understands the final and binding effect of this Agreement; the only promises made to Employee to sign this Agreement are those stated herein; and Employee is signing this Agreement knowingly, voluntarily and of Employee’s own free will, and understands and agrees to each of the terms of this Agreement;

 

(d)                                  The only matters relied upon by Employee and causing Employee to sign this Agreement are the provisions set forth in writing within the four corners of this Agreement;

 

(e)                                   Employee would not otherwise have been entitled to the consideration described in Section 1 above, or any portion thereof, but for Employee’s agreement to be bound by the terms of this Agreement; and

 

(f)                                    no Company Party has provided any tax or legal advice regarding this Agreement and Employee has had the opportunity to receive sufficient tax and legal advice from advisors of Employee’s own choosing such that Employee enters into this Agreement with full understanding of the tax and legal implications thereof.

 

6.                                       Third-Party Beneficiaries .   Employee expressly acknowledges and agrees that each Company Party that is not a signatory to this Agreement shall be a third-party beneficiary of Employee’s release of claims and representations in Sections 2 through 5 and Section 9 hereof.

 

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7.                                       Severability .  Any term or provision of this Agreement (or part thereof) that renders such term or provision (or part thereof) or any other term or provision hereof (or part thereof) invalid or unenforceable in any respect shall be severable and shall be modified or severed to the extent necessary to avoid rendering such term or provision (or part thereof) invalid or unenforceable, and such modification or severance shall be accomplished in the manner that most nearly preserves the benefit of the bargain set forth in the Employment Agreement and hereunder.

 

8.                                       Withholding of Taxes and Other Deductions Employee acknowledges that the Company may withhold from the Severance Payment all federal, state, local, and other taxes and withholdings as may be required by any law or governmental regulation or ruling.

 

9.                                       Return of Property . Employee hereby represents and warrants that Employee has returned to the Company all property belonging to the Company or any other Company Party, including all computer files, electronically stored information and other materials provided to him by the Company or any other Company Party in the course of Employee’s employment with the Company and Employee hereby further represents and warrants that Employee has not maintained a copy of any such materials in any form.

 

10.                                Further Assurances .  In signing below, Employee expressly acknowledges the enforceability, and continued effectiveness of Sections 9, 10, 11 and 13 of the Employment Agreement and promises to abide by those terms of the Employment Agreement.

 

11.                                Revocation Right .  Notwithstanding the initial effectiveness of this Agreement, Employee may revoke the delivery (and therefore the effectiveness) of this Agreement within the seven-day period beginning on the date Employee executes this Agreement (such seven-day period being referred to herein as the “ Release Revocation Period ”).  To be effective, such revocation must be in writing signed by Employee and must be received by                                                                                                    before 11:59 p.m., central time, on the last day of the Release Revocation Period.  If an effective revocation is delivered in the foregoing manner and timeframe, no Severance Payment shall be provided, the release of claims set forth in Section 3 shall be of no force or effect and the remainder of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect and shall not be affected by any such revocation.

 

12.                                Employment Agreement .  This Agreement shall be subject to the provisions of Section 15, 16, 17 and 21 of the Employment Agreement, which provisions are hereby incorporated by reference as a part of this Agreement.

 

[ Remainder of Page Intentionally Blank;
Signature Page Follows
]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Employee has executed this Agreement as of the date set forth below, effective for all purposes as provided above.

 

 

EMPLOYEE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ray Ambrose

 

 

 

Date:

 

 

SIGNATURE PAGE TO

GENERAL RELEASE OF CLAIMS

 


Exhibit 10.3

 

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 

This Employment Agreement (“ Agreement ”) is made and entered into by and between EP Energy Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), and Chad England (“ Employee ”) effective as of November 1, 2017 (the “ Effective Date ”).

 

1.                                       Employment .  During the Employment Period (as defined in Section 4 ), the Company shall employ Employee.  Effective as of the first Business Day (as defined below) following the date on which the Company’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2017 is filed, and for the duration of the Employment Period thereafter, Employee shall serve as Senior Vice President, Operations of the Company and in such other position or positions as may be assigned from time to time by the Company.

 

2.                                       Duties and Responsibilities of Employee .

 

(a)                                  During the Employment Period, Employee shall devote Employee’s full business time, attention and best efforts to the businesses of the Company and its direct and indirect subsidiaries (collectively, with the Company, the “ Company Group ”) as may be requested by the Company from time to time.  Employee’s duties shall include those normally incidental to the position(s) identified in Section 1 , as well as such additional duties as may be assigned to Employee by the Company from time to time, which duties may include providing services to other members of the Company Group in addition to the Company.  Employee may, without violating this Agreement, (i) as a passive investment, own publicly traded securities in such form or manner as will not require any services by Employee in the operation of the entities in which such securities are owned; (ii) engage in charitable and civic activities; or (iii) with the prior written consent of the board of directors of the Company (the “ Board ”), engage in other personal and passive investment activities, in each case, so long as such interests or activities do not interfere with Employee’s ability to fulfill Employee’s duties and responsibilities under this Agreement and are not inconsistent with Employee’s obligations to the Company Group or competitive with the business of the Company Group.

 

(b)                                  Employee hereby represents and warrants that Employee is not the subject of, or a party to, any employment agreement, non-competition, non-solicitation, restrictive covenant, non-disclosure agreement, or any other agreement, obligation, restriction or understanding that would prohibit Employee from executing this Agreement or fully performing each of Employee’s duties and responsibilities hereunder, or would in any manner, directly or indirectly, limit or affect any of the duties and responsibilities that may now or in the future be assigned to Employee hereunder.  Employee expressly acknowledges and agrees that Employee is strictly prohibited from using or disclosing any confidential information belonging to any prior employer (excluding any member of the Company Group) in the course of performing services for any member of the Company Group, and Employee shall not do so.  Employee shall not introduce documents or other materials containing confidential information of any such prior employer to the premises or property (including computers and computer systems) of any member of the Company Group.

 



 

3.                                       Compensation .

 

(a)                                  Base Salary .  During the Employment Period, the Company shall pay to Employee an annualized base salary of $400,000 (the “ Base Salary ”) in consideration for Employee’s services under this Agreement, payable in substantially equal installments in conformity with the Company’s customary payroll practices for similarly situated employees as may exist from time to time, but no less frequently than monthly.

 

(b)                                  Annual Bonus .  The Company shall establish, and Employee shall be eligible to participate in, an annual performance bonus plan under which Employee will be eligible for an annual bonus for each complete calendar year that Employee is employed by the Company hereunder (the “ Annual Bonus ”).  The performance targets that must be achieved in order to be eligible for certain bonus levels shall be established by the Board (or a committee thereof) annually, in its sole discretion, and communicated to Employee within the first ninety (90) days of the applicable calendar year (the “ Bonus Year ”).  Employee’s target annual bonus will be at least 75% of Employee’s Base Salary, but the actual amount of the Annual Bonus will be determined in the discretion of the Board (or a committee thereof) depending on performance.  Each Annual Bonus, if any, shall be paid as soon as administratively feasible after the Board (or a committee thereof) certifies whether the applicable performance targets for the applicable Bonus Year have been achieved, but in no event later than March 15 following the end of such Bonus Year.  Notwithstanding anything in this Section 3(b) to the contrary, no Annual Bonus, if any, nor any portion thereof, shall be payable for any Bonus Year unless Employee remains continuously employed by the Company from the Effective Date through the date on which such Annual Bonus is paid; provided , however , that if Employee ceases to be employed by the Company (i) due to Employee’s resignation from employment for Good Reason, (ii) as a result of the death or Disability of Employee or (iii) as a result of the termination of Employee by the Company without Cause, in each case, after the end of a Bonus Year but prior to the date on which any applicable Annual Bonus for such Bonus Year is paid, Employee shall be entitled to the full amount of any Annual Bonus.

 

4.                                       Term of Employment .  The initial term of Employee’s employment under this Agreement shall be for the period beginning on the Effective Date and ending on the fourth anniversary of the Effective Date (the “ Initial Term ”).  On the fourth anniversary of the Effective Date and on each subsequent anniversary thereafter, the term of Employee’s employment under this Agreement shall automatically renew and extend for a period of twelve (12) months (each such twelve (12)-month period being a “ Renewal Term ”) unless written notice of non-renewal is delivered by either party to the other not less than thirty (30) days prior to the expiration of the then-existing Initial Term or Renewal Term, as applicable.  Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, Employee’s employment pursuant to this Agreement may be terminated at any time in accordance with Section 7 .  The period from the Effective Date through the expiration of this Agreement or, if sooner, the termination of Employee’s employment pursuant to this Agreement, regardless of the time or reason for such termination, shall be referred to herein as the “ Employment Period .”

 

5.                                       Business Expenses .  Subject to Section 23 , the Company shall reimburse Employee for Employee’s reasonable out-of-pocket business-related expenses actually incurred in the performance of Employee’s duties under this Agreement so long as Employee timely submits

 

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all documentation for such reimbursement, as required by Company policy in effect from time to time.  Any such reimbursement of expenses shall be made by the Company upon or as soon as practicable following receipt of such documentation (but in any event not later than the close of Employee’s taxable year following the taxable year in which the expense is incurred by Employee).  In no event shall any reimbursement be made to Employee for expenses incurred after the date of Employee’s termination of employment with the Company.

 

6.                                       Benefits .  During the Employment Period, Employee shall be eligible to participate in the same benefit plans and programs in which other similarly situated Company employees are eligible to participate, subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable plans and programs in effect from time to time.  The Company shall not, however, by reason of this Section 6 , be obligated to institute, maintain, or refrain from changing, amending, or discontinuing, any such plan or policy, so long as such changes are similarly applicable to similarly situated Company employees generally.

 

7.                                       Termination of Employment .

 

(a)                                  Company’s Right to Terminate Employee’s Employment for Cause .  The Company shall have the right to terminate Employee’s employment hereunder at any time for “Cause.”  For purposes of this Agreement, “ Cause ” shall mean:

 

(i)                                      Employee’s material breach of this Agreement or any other written agreement between Employee and one or more members of the Company Group, including Employee’s breach of any material representation, warranty or covenant made under any such agreement, or Employee’s material breach of any policy or code of conduct established by a member of the Company Group in a writing previously provided to Employee and applicable to Employee; provided , however , that if Employee’s actions or omissions as set forth in this Section 7(a)(i) are of such a nature that they are curable by Employee, such actions or omissions must remain uncured thirty (30) days after the Board has provided Employee written notice of the obligation to cure such actions or omissions;

 

(ii)                                   the commission of willful misconduct, breach of fiduciary duty, fraud, theft or embezzlement on the part of Employee;

 

(iii)                                the commission by Employee of, or conviction or indictment of Employee for, or plea of nolo contendere by Employee to, any felony (or state law equivalent) or any crime involving moral turpitude (each, a “ Crime ”); or

 

(iv)                               Employee’s willful failure or refusal, other than due to Disability, to perform Employee’s obligations pursuant to this Agreement or to follow any lawful directive from the Company that is commensurate with Employee’s position; provided , however , that if Employee’s actions or omissions as set forth in this Section 7(a)(iv) are of such a nature that they are curable by Employee, such actions or omissions must remain uncured thirty (30) days after the Company has provided Employee written notice of the obligation to cure such actions or omissions.

 

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(b)                                  Company’s Right to Terminate for Convenience .  The Company shall have the right to terminate Employee’s employment for convenience at any time and for any reason, or no reason at all, upon written notice to Employee.

 

(c)                                   Employee’s Right to Terminate for Good Reason .  Employee shall have the right to terminate Employee’s employment with the Company at any time for “Good Reason.”  For purposes of this Agreement, “ Good Reason ” shall mean:

 

(i)                                      a material diminution in Employee’s Base Salary;

 

(ii)                                   a material breach by the Company of any of its covenants or obligations under this Agreement; or

 

(iii)                                the relocation of the geographic location of Employee’s principal place of employment by more than fifty (50) miles from the location of Employee’s principal place of employment as of the Effective Date.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 7(c) or any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary, any assertion by Employee of a termination for Good Reason shall not be effective unless all of the following conditions are satisfied: (A) the condition described in Section 7(c)(i) , (ii) or (iii) giving rise to Employee’s termination of employment must have arisen without Employee’s consent; (B) Employee must provide written notice to the Board of the existence of such condition(s) within thirty (30) days of the initial existence of such condition(s); (C) the condition(s) specified in such notice must remain uncorrected for thirty (30) days following the Board’s receipt of such written notice; and (D) the date of Employee’s termination of employment must occur within sixty (60) days after the initial existence of the condition(s) specified in such notice.

 

(d)                                  Death or Disability .  Upon the death or Disability of Employee, Employee’s employment with Company shall terminate with no further obligation under this Agreement of either party hereunder.  A “ Disability ” shall exist if Employee is unable to perform the essential functions of Employee’s position (after accounting for reasonable accommodation, if applicable), due to physical or mental impairment or other incapacity that continues, or can reasonably be expected to continue, for a period in excess of one hundred-twenty (120) consecutive days or one hundred-eighty (180) days, whether or not consecutive, in any twelve (12)-month period.  The determination of whether Employee has incurred a Disability shall be made in good faith by the Board.

 

(e)                                   Employee’s Right to Terminate for Convenience .  In addition to Employee’s right to terminate Employee’s employment for Good Reason, Employee shall have the right to terminate Employee’s employment with the Company for convenience at any time and for any other reason, or no reason at all, upon thirty (30) days’ advance written notice to the Company; provided , however , that if Employee has provided notice to the Company of Employee’s termination of employment, the Company may determine, in its sole discretion, that such termination shall be effective on any date prior to the effective date of termination provided in such notice (and, if such earlier date is so required, then it shall not change the basis for

 

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Employee’s termination of employment nor be construed or interpreted as a termination of employment pursuant to Section 7(b) ).

 

(f)                                    Effect of Termination .

 

(i)                                      If Employee’s employment hereunder is terminated (I) by the Company without Cause pursuant to Section 7(b) , (II) upon the expiration of the then-existing Initial Term or Renewal Term, as applicable, as a result of a non-renewal of the Employment Period by the Company pursuant to Section 4 , or (III) by Employee for Good Reason pursuant to Section 7(c) , then, in each case, so long as (and only if) Employee: (A) executes on or before the Release Expiration Date (as defined below), and does not revoke within the time provided by the Company to do so, a release of all claims in a form acceptable to the Company (the “ Release ”), which Release shall be substantially in the form attached as Exhibit A (and the Company may reasonably adjust such form to reflect any developments in applicable law and the circumstances of Employee’s separation from employment); and (B) abides by the terms of each of Sections 9 , 10 and 11 , then the Company shall make severance payments to Employee in a total amount equal to twelve (12) months’ worth of Employee’s Base Salary for the year in which such termination occurs (such total severance payments being referred to as the “ Severance Payment ”).  The Severance Payment will be divided into twelve (12) substantially equal installments.  On the Company’s first regularly scheduled pay date that is on or after the date that is sixty (60) days after the date on which Employee’s employment terminates (the “ Termination Date ”), the Company shall pay to Employee, without interest, a number of such installments equal to the number of such installments that would have been paid during the period beginning on the Termination Date and ending on the Company’s first regularly scheduled pay date that is on or after the date that is sixty (60) days after the Termination Date had the installments been paid on a monthly basis commencing on the Company’s first regularly scheduled pay date coincident with or next following the Termination Date, and each of the remaining installments shall be paid on a monthly basis thereafter; provided, however , that (1) to the extent, if any, that the aggregate amount of the installments of the Severance Payment that would otherwise be paid pursuant to the preceding provisions of this Section 7(f)(i) after March 15 of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the Termination Date occurs (the “ Applicable March 15 ”) exceeds the maximum exemption amount under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(9)(iii)(A), then such excess shall be paid to Employee in a lump sum on the Applicable March 15 (or the first Business Day preceding the Applicable March 15 if the Applicable March 15 is not a Business Day) and the installments of the Severance Payment payable after the Applicable March 15 shall be reduced by such excess (beginning with the installment first payable after the Applicable March 15 and continuing with the next succeeding installment until the aggregate reduction equals such excess), and (2) all remaining installments of the Severance Payment, if any, that would otherwise be paid pursuant to the preceding provisions of this Section 7(f)(i) after December 31 of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the Termination Date occurs shall be paid with the installment of the Severance Payment, if any, due in December of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the Termination Date occurs.  “ Business Day ” shall mean any day except a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which

 

5



 

commercial banks in New York, New York or Houston, Texas are authorized or required by law to be closed.

 

(ii)                                   Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Severance Payment (and any portion thereof) shall not be payable if Employee’s employment hereunder terminates upon the expiration of the then-existing Initial Term or Renewal Term, as applicable, as a result of a non-renewal of the Employment Period by Employee pursuant to Section 4 .

 

(iii)                                If the Release is not executed and returned to the Company on or before the Release Expiration Date, or the required revocation period has not fully expired without revocation of the Release by Employee, then Employee shall not be entitled to any portion of the Severance Payment.  As used herein, the “ Release Expiration Date ” is that date that is twenty-one (21) days following the date upon which the Company delivers the Release to Employee (which shall occur no later than seven (7) days after the Termination Date or, in the event of severance eligibility due to the circumstances described in Section 7(h) below, within seven (7) days after the final order of acquittal referenced in Section 7(h) ) or, in the event that such termination of employment is “in connection with an exit incentive or other employment termination program” (as such phrase is defined in the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, as amended), the date that is forty-five (45) days following such delivery date.

 

(g)                                   After-Acquired Evidence .  Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, in the event that the Company determines that Employee is eligible to receive the Severance Payment pursuant to Section 7(f) but, within one (1) year after such determination, the Company subsequently acquires evidence or determines that: (i) Employee has failed to abide by the terms of Sections 9 , 10 or 11 ; or (ii) a Cause condition existed prior to the Termination Date that, had the Company been fully aware of such condition, would have resulted in the termination of Employee’s employment pursuant to Section 7(a) , then the Company shall have the right to cease the payment of any future installments of the Severance Payment and Employee shall promptly return to the Company all installments of the Severance Payment received by Employee prior to the date that the Company determines that the conditions of this Section 7(g) have been satisfied.

 

(h)                                  Indictment .  Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, if Employee’s employment hereunder is terminated by the Company for Cause due to the indictment of Employee for any Crime, and within two (2) years following the Termination Date, Employee is acquitted of such Crime by a final order of a court of competent jurisdiction (or if Employee is not convicted of any such Crime within two years after the date of indictment and charges for such Crime are no longer pending), then (i) Employee’s employment hereunder shall be deemed to have been terminated by the Company without Cause, and (ii) so long as (and only if) Employee (A) executes the Release on or before the Release Expiration Date and does not revoke the Release within the time provided by the Company to do so and (B) abides by the terms of each of Sections 9 , 10 and 11 , the Company shall (x) make a severance payment to Employee, within 30 days of the final order of acquittal, in an amount equal to the amount of the Severance Payment that Employee would have been eligible to receive during the period commencing on the Termination Date and ending on the date of the final order of acquittal had Employee’s employment hereunder been

 

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terminated by the Company without Cause, and (y) if such severance payment referenced in subclause (x) is less than the total amount of the Severance Payment for which Employee is eligible, make payments of the remaining amount of the Severance Payment to Employee in substantially equal monthly installments pursuant to Section 7(f)(i) until the entire Severance Payment has been paid.

 

8.                                       Disclosures .  Promptly (and in any event, within three (3) Business Days) upon becoming aware of (a) any actual or potential Conflict of Interest or (b) any lawsuit, claim or arbitration filed against or involving Employee or any trust or vehicle owned or controlled by Employee, in each case, Employee shall disclose such actual or potential Conflict of Interest or such lawsuit, claim or arbitration to the Board.  A “ Conflict of Interest ” shall exist when Employee engages in, or plans to engage in, any activities, associations, or interests that conflict with, or create an appearance of a conflict with, Employee’s duties, responsibilities, authorities, or obligations for and to the Company Group.

 

9.                                       Confidentiality .  In the course of Employee’s employment with the Company and the performance of Employee’s duties on behalf of the Company Group hereunder, Employee will be provided with, and will have access to, Confidential Information (as defined below).  In consideration of Employee’s receipt and access to such Confidential Information and in exchange for other valuable consideration provided hereunder, and as a condition of Employee’s employment, Employee shall comply with this Section 9 .

 

(a)                                  Both during the Employment Period and thereafter, except as expressly permitted by this Agreement or by directive of the Board, Employee shall not disclose any Confidential Information to any person or entity and shall not use any Confidential Information except for the benefit of the Company Group.  Employee acknowledges and agrees that Employee would inevitably use and disclose Confidential Information in violation of this Section 9 if Employee were to violate any of the covenants set forth in Section 10 .  Employee shall follow all Company policies and protocols regarding the physical security of all documents and other material containing Confidential Information (regardless of the medium on which Confidential Information is stored).  The covenants of this Section 9(a) shall apply to all Confidential Information, whether now known or later to become known to Employee during the period that Employee is employed by or affiliated with the Company or any other member of the Company Group.

 

(b)                                  Notwithstanding any provision of Section 9(a) to the contrary, Employee may make the following disclosures and uses of Confidential Information:

 

(i)                                      disclosures to other employees of the Company Group who have a need to know the information in connection with the businesses of the Company Group;

 

(ii)                                   disclosures to customers and suppliers when, in the reasonable and good faith belief of Employee, such disclosure is in connection with Employee’s performance of Employee’s duties under this Agreement and is in the best interests of the Company Group;

 

(iii)                                disclosures and uses that are approved in writing by the Board; or

 

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(iv)                               disclosures to a person or entity that has (x) been retained by a member of the Company Group to provide services to one or more members of the Company Group and (y) agreed in writing to abide by the terms of a confidentiality agreement.

 

(c)                                   Upon the expiration of the Employment Period, and at any other time upon request of the Company, Employee shall promptly surrender and deliver to the Company all documents (including electronically stored information) and all copies thereof and all other materials of any nature containing or pertaining to all Confidential Information in Employee’s possession, custody or control and Employee shall not retain any such document or other materials.  Within ten (10) days of any such request, Employee shall certify to the Company in writing that all such documents and materials have been returned to the Company.

 

(d)                                  All trade secrets, non-public information, designs, ideas, concepts, improvements, product developments, discoveries and inventions, whether patentable or not, that are conceived, made, developed or acquired by or disclosed to Employee, individually or in conjunction with others, during the period that Employee is employed by the Company or any other member of the Company Group (whether during business hours or otherwise and whether on the Company’s premises or otherwise) that relate to any member of the Company Group’s businesses or properties, products or services (including all such information relating to corporate opportunities, operations, future plans, methods of doing business, business plans, strategies for developing business and market share, research, financial and sales data, pricing terms, evaluations, opinions, interpretations, acquisition prospects, the identity of customers or their requirements, the identity of key contacts within customers’ organizations or within the organization of acquisition prospects, or marketing and merchandising techniques, prospective names and marks) is defined as “ Confidential Information .”  Moreover, all documents, videotapes, written presentations, brochures, drawings, memoranda, notes, records, files, correspondence, manuals, models, specifications, computer programs, e-mail, voice mail, electronic databases, maps, drawings, architectural renditions, models and all other writings or materials of any type including or embodying any of such information, ideas, concepts, improvements, discoveries, inventions and other similar forms of expression are and shall be the sole and exclusive property of the Company Group and be subject to the same restrictions on disclosure applicable to all Confidential Information pursuant to this Agreement.  For purposes of this Agreement, Confidential Information shall not include any information that (i) is or becomes generally available to the public other than as a result of a disclosure or wrongful act of Employee or any of Employee’s agents; (ii) was available to Employee on a non-confidential basis before its disclosure by a member of the Company Group; or (iii) becomes available to Employee on a non-confidential basis from a source other than a member of the Company Group; provided , however , that such source is not bound by a confidentiality agreement with, or other obligation with respect to confidentiality to, a member of the Company Group.

 

(e)                                   Notwithstanding the rest of this Section 9 :

 

(i)                                      Employee shall not be prevented from, nor shall Employee be criminally or civilly liable under any federal or state trade secret law for, making a disclosure of trade secrets or other Confidential Information that is: (A) made (x) in confidence to a federal, state or local government official, either directly or indirectly, or to

 

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an attorney, and (y) solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of applicable law; (B) made in a complaint or other document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding, if such filing is made under seal; or (C) protected under the whistleblower provisions of applicable law; and

 

(ii)                                   in the event Employee files a lawsuit for retaliation by the Company for Employee’s reporting of a suspected violation of law, Employee may (A) disclose a trade secret to Employee’s attorney and (B) use the trade secret information in the court proceeding related to such lawsuit, in each case, if Employee (x) files any document containing such trade secret under seal; and (y) does not otherwise disclose such trade secret, except pursuant to court order.

 

10.                                Non-Competition; Non-Solicitation .

 

(a)                                  The Company shall provide Employee access to Confidential Information for use only during the Employment Period, and Employee acknowledges and agrees that the Company Group will be entrusting Employee, in Employee’s unique and special capacity, with developing the goodwill of the Company Group, and in consideration thereof and in consideration of the Company providing Employee with access to Confidential Information and as an express incentive for the Company to enter into this Agreement and employ Employee, Employee has voluntarily agreed to the covenants set forth in this Section 10 .  Employee agrees and acknowledges that the limitations and restrictions set forth herein, including geographical and temporal restrictions on certain competitive activities, are reasonable in all respects, will not cause Employee undue hardship, and are material and substantial parts of this Agreement intended and necessary to prevent unfair competition and to protect the Company Group’s Confidential Information, goodwill and substantial and legitimate business interests.

 

(b)                                  During the Prohibited Period, Employee shall not, without the prior written approval of the Board, directly or indirectly, for Employee or on behalf of or in conjunction with any other person or entity of any nature:

 

(i)                                      engage in or participate within the Market Area in competition with any member of the Company Group in any aspect of the Business, which prohibition shall prevent Employee from directly or indirectly owning, managing, operating, joining, becoming an officer, director, employee or consultant of, or loaning money to, or selling or leasing equipment or real estate to or otherwise being affiliated with any person or entity engaged in, or planning to engage in, the Business in the Market Area in competition, or anticipated competition, with any member of the Company Group;

 

(ii)                                   appropriate any Business Opportunity of, or relating to, the Company Group located in the Market Area;

 

(iii)                                solicit, canvass, approach, encourage, entice or induce any customer or supplier of any member of the Company Group to cease or lessen such customer’s or supplier’s business with the Company Group; or

 

9



 

(iv)                               solicit, canvass, approach, encourage, entice or induce any employee or contractor of the Company Group to terminate his, her or its employment or engagement with any member of the Company Group.

 

(c)                                   Because of the difficulty of measuring economic losses to the Company Group as a result of a breach or threatened breach of the covenants set forth in Section 9 and in this Section 10 , and because of the immediate and irreparable damage that would be caused to the members of the Company Group for which they would have no other adequate remedy, the Company and each other member of the Company Group shall be entitled to enforce the foregoing covenants, in the event of a breach or threatened breach, by injunctions and restraining orders from any court of competent jurisdiction, without the necessity of showing any actual damages or that money damages would not afford an adequate remedy, and without the necessity of posting any bond or other security.  The aforementioned equitable relief shall not be the Company’s or any other member of the Company Group’s exclusive remedy for a breach but instead shall be in addition to all other rights and remedies available to the Company and each other member of the Company Group at law and equity.

 

(d)                                  The covenants in this Section 10 , and each provision and portion hereof, are severable and separate, and the unenforceability of any specific covenant (or portion thereof) shall not affect the provisions of any other covenant (or portion thereof).  Moreover, in the event any arbitrator or court of competent jurisdiction shall determine that the scope, time or territorial restrictions set forth are unreasonable, then it is the intention of the parties that such restrictions be enforced to the fullest extent which such arbitrator or court deems reasonable, and this Agreement shall thereby be reformed.

 

(e)                                   The following terms shall have the following meanings:

 

(i)                                      Business ” shall mean the business and operations that are the same or similar to those performed by the Company and any other member of the Company Group for which Employee provides services or about which Employee obtains Confidential Information during the Employment Period, which business and operations include acquiring, exploiting and developing oil and gas assets in the Market Area.

 

(ii)                                   Business Opportunity ” shall mean any commercial, investment or other business opportunity relating to the Business.

 

(iii)                                Market Area ” shall mean: (A) the Eagle Ford Shale; (B) the Altamont Field within the Uinta Basin (including the Bluebell and Cedar Rim fields); (C) the Southern Midland Basin; or (D) any other location within twelve and one-half (12.5) miles of any area in which the Company or any other member of the Company Group: (1) is engaged in the Business or in which any member of the Company Group otherwise owned property or interests related to the Business within the twelve (12) months prior to the Termination Date; or (2) has made material plans to conduct the Business within the twelve (12) months prior to the Termination Date of which Employee is aware; provided, however , that the Market Area shall not include any basin in which no member of the Company Group has engaged in the Business during the twelve (12) months prior to the Termination Date.

 

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(iv)          “ Prohibited Period ” shall mean the period during which Employee is employed by the Company or any other member of the Company Group and continuing for a period of twelve (12) months following the date that Employee is no longer employed by the Company or any other  member of the Company Group; provided, however , that if Employee’s employment hereunder is terminated by Employee pursuant to Section 7(e)  at any time following the expiration of the Initial Term, then the Chief Executive Officer of the Company may (but shall not be required to), in the Chief Executive Officer’s sole discretion, modify the Prohibited Period by providing written notice to Employee within ten (10) days following the Termination Date indicating that the Prohibited Period shall continue only for a period of six (6) months following the date that Employee is no longer employed by the Company or any other  member of the Company Group.

 

11.          Ownership of Intellectual Property .   Employee agrees that the Company shall own, and Employee shall (and hereby does) assign, all right, title and interest (including patent rights, copyrights, trade secret rights, mask work rights, trademark rights, and all other intellectual and industrial property rights of any sort throughout the world) relating to any and all inventions (whether or not patentable), works of authorship, mask works, designs, know-how, ideas and information authored, created, contributed to, made or conceived or reduced to practice, in whole or in part, by Employee during the period in which Employee is or has been employed by or affiliated with the Company or any other member of the Company Group that either (a) relate, at the time of conception, reduction to practice, creation, derivation or development, to any member of the Company Group’s businesses or actual or anticipated research or development, or (b) were developed on any amount of the Company’s or any other member of the Company Group’s time or with the use of any member of the Company Group’s equipment, supplies, facilities or trade secret information (all of the foregoing collectively referred to herein as “ Company Intellectual Property ”), and Employee shall promptly disclose all Company Intellectual Property to the Company.  All of Employee’s works of authorship and associated copyrights created during the period in which Employee is employed by or affiliated with the Company or any member of the Company Group and in the scope of Employee’s employment shall be deemed to be “works made for hire” within the meaning of the Copyright Act.  Employee shall perform, during and for a period of 24 months after the period in which Employee is or has been employed by or affiliated with the Company or any other member of the Company Group, all reasonable acts deemed necessary by the Company to assist the Company Group, at the Company’s expense, in obtaining and enforcing its rights throughout the world in the Company Intellectual Property.  Such acts may include execution of documents and assistance or cooperation (i) in the filing, prosecution, registration, and memorialization of assignment of any applicable patents, copyrights, mask work, or other applications, (ii) in the enforcement of any applicable patents, copyrights, mask work, moral rights, trade secrets, or other proprietary rights, and (iii) in other legal proceedings related to the Company Intellectual Property.

 

12.          Arbitration .

 

(a)           Subject to Section 12(b) , any dispute, controversy or claim between Employee and the Company arising out of or relating to this Agreement or Employee’s employment with the Company will be finally settled by arbitration in Houston, Texas before, and in accordance with the then-existing American Arbitration Association (“ AAA ”) Employment Arbitration Rules.  The arbitration award shall be final and binding on both parties.  Any

 

11



 

arbitration conducted under this Section 12 shall be heard by a single arbitrator (the “ Arbitrator ”) selected in accordance with the then-applicable rules of the AAA.  The Arbitrator shall expeditiously (and, if practicable, within ninety (90) days after the selection of the Arbitrator) hear and decide all matters concerning the dispute.  Except as expressly provided to the contrary in this Agreement, the Arbitrator shall have the power to (i) gather such materials, information, testimony and evidence as the Arbitrator deems relevant to the dispute before him or her (and each party will provide such materials, information, testimony and evidence requested by the Arbitrator), and (ii) grant injunctive relief and enforce specific performance.  The decision of the Arbitrator shall be reasoned, rendered in writing, be final and binding upon the disputing parties and the parties agree that judgment upon the award may be entered by any court of competent jurisdiction; provided , however , that the parties agree that the Arbitrator and any court enforcing the award of the Arbitrator shall not have the right or authority to award punitive or exemplary damages to any disputing party.  Each party to the dispute shall pay all costs and expenses incurred by such party in connection with the arbitration of such dispute pursuant to this Section 12 .

 

(b)           Notwithstanding Section 12(a) , either party may make a timely application for, and obtain, judicial emergency or temporary injunctive relief to enforce any of the provisions of Sections 9 through 11 ; provided, however , that the remainder of any such dispute (beyond the application for emergency or temporary injunctive relief) shall be subject to arbitration under this Section 12 .

 

(c)           By entering into this Agreement and entering into the arbitration provisions of this Section 12 , THE PARTIES EXPRESSLY ACKNOWLEDGE AND AGREE THAT THEY ARE KNOWINGLY, VOLUNTARILY AND INTENTIONALLY WAIVING THEIR RIGHTS TO A JURY TRIAL.

 

(d)           Nothing in this Section 12 shall prohibit a party to this Agreement from (i) instituting litigation to enforce any arbitration award, or (ii) joining the other party to this Agreement in a litigation initiated by a person or entity that is not a party to this Agreement.

 

13.          Defense of Claims .  During the Employment Period and for a period of 24 months thereafter, upon request from the Company, Employee shall cooperate with the Company Group in the defense of any claims or actions that may be made by or against any member of the Company Group that relate to Employee’s actual or prior areas of responsibility.  The Company shall pay or reimburse Employee for all of Employee’s reasonable travel and other direct expenses reasonably incurred, to comply with Employee’s obligations under this Section 13 , so long as Employee provides reasonable documentation of such expenses and obtains the Company’s prior approval before incurring such expenses.  Following the Termination Date, in receiving Employee’s assistance under Section 11 or this Section 13 , the Company shall provide reasonable compensation (in no event to exceed $300 per day) for Employee’s time in connection with such assistance, taking into account comparable per diem consulting rates then prevalent in the market.  For the avoidance of doubt, regardless of whether the Company provides Employee compensation pursuant to this Section 13 , any testimony that Employee provides in the course of providing assistance must be truthful and accurate in all respects.

 

14.          Withholdings; Deductions .  The Company may withhold and deduct from any benefits and payments made or to be made pursuant to this Agreement (a) all federal, state, local

 

12



 

and other taxes as may be required pursuant to any law or governmental regulation or ruling and (b) any deductions consented to in writing by Employee.

 

15.          Title and Headings; Construction .  Titles and headings to Sections hereof are for the purpose of reference only and shall in no way limit, define or otherwise affect the provisions hereof.  Any and all Exhibits or Attachments referred to in this Agreement are, by such reference, incorporated herein and made a part hereof for all purposes.  Unless the context requires otherwise, all references herein to an agreement, instrument or other document shall be deemed to refer to such agreement, instrument or other document as amended, supplemented, modified and restated from time to time to the extent permitted by the provisions thereof.  All references to “dollars” or “$” in this Agreement refer to United States dollars.  The words “herein”, “hereof”, “hereunder” and other compounds of the word “here” shall refer to the entire Agreement, including all Exhibits attached hereto, and not to any particular provision hereof.  Wherever the context so requires, the masculine gender includes the feminine or neuter, and the singular number includes the plural and conversely.  All references to “including” shall be construed as meaning “including without limitation.”  Neither this Agreement nor any uncertainty or ambiguity herein shall be construed or resolved against any party hereto, whether under any rule of construction or otherwise.  On the contrary, this Agreement has been reviewed by each of the parties hereto and shall be construed and interpreted according to the ordinary meaning of the words used so as to fairly accomplish the purposes and intentions of the parties hereto.

 

16.          Applicable Law; Submission to Jurisdiction .  This Agreement shall in all respects be construed according to the laws of the State of Texas without regard to its conflict of laws principles that would result in the application of the laws of another jurisdiction.  With respect to any claim or dispute related to or arising under this Agreement, the parties hereby consent to the arbitration provisions of Section 12 and recognize and agree that should any resort to a court be necessary and permitted under this Agreement, then they consent to the exclusive jurisdiction, forum and venue of the state and federal courts (as applicable) located in Houston, Texas.

 

17.          Entire Agreement and Amendment .  This Agreement  contains the entire agreement of the parties with respect to the matters covered herein and supersede all prior and contemporaneous agreements and understandings, oral or written, between the parties hereto concerning the subject matter hereof.  This Agreement may be amended only by a written instrument executed by both parties hereto.

 

18.          Waiver of Breach .  Any waiver of this Agreement must be executed by the party to be bound by such waiver.  No waiver by either party hereto of a breach of any provision of this Agreement by the other party, or of compliance with any condition or provision of this Agreement to be performed by such other party, will operate or be construed as a waiver of any subsequent breach by such other party or any similar or dissimilar provision or condition at the same or any subsequent time.  The failure of either party hereto to take any action by reason of any breach will not deprive such party of the right to take action at any time.

 

19.          Assignment .  This Agreement is personal to Employee, and neither this Agreement nor any rights or obligations hereunder shall be assignable or otherwise transferred by Employee.  The Company may assign this Agreement without Employee’s consent, including to any member

 

13



 

of the Company Group and to any successor (whether by merger, purchase or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the equity, assets or businesses of the Company.

 

20.          Notices .  Notices provided for in this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly received (a) when delivered in person, (b) when sent by facsimile transmission (with confirmation of transmission) on a Business Day to the number set forth below, if applicable; provided , however , that if a notice is sent by facsimile transmission after normal business hours of the recipient or on a non-Business Day, then it shall be deemed to have been received on the next Business Day after it is sent, (c) on the first Business Day after such notice is sent by express overnight courier service, or (d) on the second Business Day following deposit with an internationally-recognized second-day courier service with proof of receipt maintained, in each case, to the following address, as applicable:

 

If to the Company, addressed to:

 

EP Energy Corporation
1001 Louisiana St.
Houston, TX 77002

Attention: Board of Directors

 

If to Employee, addressed to:

 

Employee’s last known address on file with the Company.

 

21.          Counterparts .  This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, including by electronic mail or facsimile, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be an original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute one and the same instrument.  Each counterpart may consist of a copy hereof containing multiple signature pages, each signed by one party, but together signed by both parties hereto.

 

22.          Deemed Resignations .  Except as otherwise determined by the Board or as otherwise agreed to in writing by Employee and any member of the Company Group prior to the termination of Employee’s employment with the Company or any member of the Company Group, any termination of Employee’s employment shall constitute, as applicable, an automatic resignation of Employee: (a) as an officer of the Company and each member of the Company Group; (b) from the Board; and (c) from the board of directors or board of managers (or similar governing body) of any member of the Company Group and from the board of directors or board of managers (or similar governing body) of any corporation, limited liability entity, unlimited liability entity or other entity in which any member of the Company Group holds an equity interest and with respect to which board of directors or board of managers (or similar governing body) Employee serves as such Company Group member’s designee or other representative.

 

23.          Section 409A .

 

(a)           Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, all provisions of this Agreement are intended to comply with Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “ Code ”), and the applicable Treasury regulations and administrative guidance issued thereunder (collectively, “ Section 409A ”) or an exemption

 

14



 

therefrom and shall be construed and administered in accordance with such intent. Any payments under this Agreement that may be excluded from Section 409A either as separation pay due to an involuntary separation from service or as a short-term deferral shall be excluded from Section 409A to the maximum extent possible. For purposes of Section 409A, each installment payment provided under this Agreement shall be treated as a separate payment. Any payments to be made under this Agreement upon a termination of Employee’s employment shall only be made if such termination of employment constitutes a “separation from service” under Section 409A.

 

(b)           To the extent that any right to reimbursement of expenses or payment of any benefit in-kind under this Agreement constitutes nonqualified deferred compensation (within the meaning of Section 409A), (i) any such expense reimbursement shall be made by the Company no later than the last day of the taxable year following the taxable year in which such expense was incurred by Employee, (ii) the right to reimbursement or in-kind benefits shall not be subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit, and (iii) the amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement or in-kind benefits provided during any taxable year shall not affect the expenses eligible for reimbursement or in-kind benefits to be provided in any other taxable year; provided , that the foregoing clause shall not be violated with regard to expenses reimbursed under any arrangement covered by Section 105(b) of the Code solely because such expenses are subject to a limit related to the period in which the arrangement is in effect.

 

(c)           Notwithstanding any provision in this Agreement to the contrary, if any payment or benefit provided for herein would be subject to additional taxes and interest under Section 409A if Employee’s receipt of such payment or benefit is not delayed until the earlier of (i) the date of Employee’s death or (ii) the date that is six (6) months after the Termination Date (such date, the “ Section 409A Payment Date ”), then such payment or benefit shall not be provided to Employee (or Employee’s estate, if applicable) until the Section 409A Payment Date.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company makes no representations that the payments and benefits provided under this Agreement are exempt from, or compliant with, Section 409A and in no event shall any member of the Company Group be liable for all or any portion of any taxes, penalties, interest or other expenses that may be incurred by Employee on account of non-compliance with Section 409A.

 

24.          Certain Excise Taxes .  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, if Employee is a “disqualified individual” (as defined in Section 280G(c) of the Code), and the payments and benefits provided for in this Agreement, together with any other payments and benefits which Employee has the right to receive from the Company or any of its affiliates, would constitute a “parachute payment” (as defined in Section 280G(b)(2) of the Code), then the payments and benefits provided for in this Agreement shall be either (a) reduced (but not below zero) so that the present value of such total amounts and benefits received by Employee from the Company or any of its affiliates shall be one dollar ($1.00) less than three times Employee’s “base amount” (as defined in Section 280G(b)(3) of the Code) and so that no portion of such amounts and benefits received by Employee shall be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code or (b) paid in full, whichever produces the better net after-tax position to Employee (taking into account any applicable excise tax under Section 4999 of the Code and any other applicable taxes).  The reduction of payments and benefits hereunder, if applicable, shall be made by reducing, first, payments or benefits to be paid in cash hereunder in the order in which such payment or benefit would be paid or provided (beginning with such payment or benefit that would

 

15



 

be made last in time and continuing, to the extent necessary, through to such payment or benefit that would be made first in time) and, then, reducing any benefit to be provided in-kind hereunder in a similar order.  The determination as to whether any such reduction in the amount of the payments and benefits provided hereunder is necessary shall be made by the Company in good faith.  If a reduced payment or benefit is made or provided and through error or otherwise that payment or benefit, when aggregated with other payments and benefits from the Company or any of its affiliates used in determining if a “parachute payment” exists, exceeds one dollar ($1.00) less than three times Employee’s base amount, then Employee shall immediately repay such excess to the Company upon notification that an overpayment has been made.  Nothing in this Section 24 shall require the Company to be responsible for, or have any liability or obligation with respect to, Employee’s excise tax liabilities under Section 4999 of the Code.

 

25.          Clawback .  To the extent required by applicable law or any applicable securities exchange listing standards, or as otherwise determined by the Board (or a committee thereof), amounts paid or payable under this Agreement shall be subject to the provisions of any applicable clawback policies or procedures adopted by the Company, which clawback policies or procedures may provide for forfeiture and/or recoupment of amounts paid or payable under this Agreement.  Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, the Company reserves the right, without the consent of Employee, to adopt any such clawback policies and procedures, including such policies and procedures applicable to this Agreement with retroactive effect.

 

26.          Effect of Termination .  The provisions of Sections 7 , 9 - 14 , 22 and 25 and those provisions necessary to interpret and enforce them, shall survive any termination of this Agreement and any termination of the employment relationship between Employee and the Company.

 

27.          Third-Party Beneficiaries .  Each member of the Company Group that is not a signatory to this Agreement shall be a third-party beneficiary of Employee’s obligations under Sections 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 and 12 and shall be entitled to enforce such obligations as if a party hereto.

 

28.          Severability .  If an arbitrator or court of competent jurisdiction determines that any provision of this Agreement (or portion thereof) is invalid or unenforceable, then the invalidity or unenforceability of that provision (or portion thereof)  shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement, and all other provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

 

[Remainder of Page Intentionally Blank;
Signature Page Follows]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Employee and the Company each have caused this Agreement to be executed and effective as of the Effective Date.

 

EMPLOYEE

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Chad England

 

Chad England

 

 

 

 

 

EP ENERGY CORPORATION

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Kyle A. McCuen

 

 

Name: Kyle A. McCuen

 

 

Title: Vice President, Interim Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

 

SIGNATURE PAGE TO

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 



 

EXHIBIT A

 

FORM OF RELEASE AGREEMENT

 

This GENERAL RELEASE OF CLAIMS (this “ Agreement ”) is entered into by Chad England (“ Employee ”) and is that certain Release referred to in Section 7(f)(i) of the Employment Agreement made and entered into by and between EP Energy Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), and Employee, effective as of November 1, 2017 (the “ Employment Agreement ”).  Capitalized terms not defined herein have the meanings given to them in the Employment Agreement.

 

1.             Separation; Severance Payment .   Employee acknowledges and agrees that the last day of Employee’s employment with the Company or any other member of the Company Group was            , 2    (the “ Separation Date ”) and as of the Separation Date, Employee was no longer employed by any member of the Company Group.  If (a) Employee executes this Agreement on or after the Separation Date and returns it to the Company, care of                                                                                  so that it is received by                                                        no later than 11:59 p.m., central time on                                                       , (b) does not exercise his revocation right pursuant to Section 11 below, and (c) abides by Employee’s continuing obligations under the Employment Agreement (including the terms of Sections 9, 10, 11 and 13 thereof), then the Company will provide Employee the Severance Payment, which Severance Payment will be provided as set forth in Section 7(f)(i) of the Employment Agreement.

 

2.             Satisfaction of All Leaves and Payment Amounts; Prior Rights and Obligations In entering into this Agreement, Employee expressly acknowledges and agrees that Employee has received all leaves (paid and unpaid) to which Employee was entitled during Employee’s employment with the Company and any other Company Party (as defined below) and Employee has received all wages, bonuses, and other compensation, been provided all benefits, been afforded all rights and been paid all sums that Employee is owed and has been owed by the Company and any other Company Party as of the date that Employee executes this Agreement (the “ Signing Date ”).  For the avoidance of doubt, Employee acknowledges and agrees that Employee had no right to the Severance Payment (or any portions thereof) but for Employee’s entry into this Agreement.

 

3.             Release of Liability for Claims .

 

(a)           In consideration of Employee’s receipt of the Severance Payment (and any portion thereof), Employee hereby forever releases, discharges and acquits the Company, its affiliates, and each of the foregoing entities’ respective past, present and future subsidiaries, affiliates, stockholders, members, partners, directors, officers, managers, insurers, employees, agents, attorneys, heirs, predecessors, successors and representatives in their personal and representative capacities, as well as all employee benefit plans maintained by any Company Party and all fiduciaries and administrators of any such plans, in their personal and representative capacities (collectively, the “ Company Parties ”), from liability for, and Employee hereby waives, any and all claims, damages, or causes of action of any kind related to Employee’s employment with any Company Party, the termination of such employment, and any other acts or omissions related to any matter occurring or existing on or prior to the Signing Date, including (i) any alleged

 



 

violation through such date of: (A) any federal, state or local anti-discrimination or anti-retaliation law, including the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, as amended (including as amended by the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act), Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, the Civil Rights Act of 1991, as amended, and Sections 1981 through 1988 of Title 42 of the United States Code, as amended; and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended, the Texas Labor Code (including the Texas Payday Law the Texas Anti-Retaliation Act, Chapter 21 of the Texas Labor Code, and the Texas Whistleblower Act) as amended; (B) the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ ERISA ”); (C) the Immigration Reform Control Act, as amended; (D) the Occupational Safety and Health Act, as amended; (E) the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993; (F) any federal, state or local wage and hour law; (G) any other local, state or federal law, regulation or ordinance; or (H) any public policy, contract, tort, or common law claim or claim for fiduciary duty or breach thereof or claim for fraud or misrepresentation or fraud of any kind; (ii) any allegation for costs, fees, or other expenses including attorneys’ fees incurred in, or with respect to, a Released Claim; (iii) any and all rights, benefits or claims Employee may have under any retention, change in control, bonus or severance plan or policy of any Company Party or any retention, change in control, bonus or severance-related agreement that Employee may have or have had with any Company Party other than the rights to the Severance Payment described herein; (iv) any and all rights, benefits or claims Employee may have under any employment contract (including the Employment Agreement), other than Employee’s rights to severance under Section 7 of the Employment Agreement, rights to compensation under Section 13 of the Employment Agreement or other entitlements in Sections 9, 10, 11, 12, 14 and 22 of the Employment Agreement that arise following the Termination Date and are intended to survive Employee’s termination of employment) or incentive compensation plan; and (v) any claim for compensation or benefits of any kind not expressly set forth in this Agreement (collectively, the “ Released Claims ”).  In no event shall the Released Claims include (I) any claim that first arises after the Signing Date, (II) any claim to vested benefits under an employee benefit plan, (III) any claim arising out of future rights with respect to vested equity or equity incentives, or (IV) any pending or future claim with respect to: (x) Employee’s rights under any directors & officers liability insurance policies then in effect, or (y) indemnification (including advancement of expenses) or contribution by the Company or any of its affiliates pursuant to contract or applicable law.  This Agreement is not intended to indicate that any such claims exist or that, if they do exist, they are meritorious.  Rather, Employee is simply agreeing that, in exchange for the Severance Payment (and any portion thereof), any and all potential claims of this nature that Employee may have against the Company Parties, regardless of whether they actually exist, are expressly settled, compromised and waived.  THIS RELEASE INCLUDES MATTERS ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE SOLE OR PARTIAL NEGLIGENCE (WHETHER GROSS OR SIMPLE) OR OTHER FAULT, INCLUDING STRICT LIABILITY, OF ANY OF THE COMPANY PARTIES .

 

(b)           Notwithstanding this release of liability, nothing in this Agreement prevents Employee from filing any non-legally waivable claim (including a challenge to the validity of this Agreement) with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, National Labor Relations Board, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Securities and Exchange Commission, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), or any other federal, state, or local governmental agency, authority, or commission (each, a “ Governmental Agency ”) or participating in any investigation or proceeding conducted by any Governmental Agency.  Employee understands that this Agreement does not limit Employee’s ability to communicate with

 

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any Governmental Agency or otherwise participate in any investigation or proceeding that may be conducted by any Governmental Agency (including by providing documents or other information to a Governmental Agency) without notice to the Company or any other Company Party.  This Agreement does not limit Employee’s right to receive an award from a Governmental Agency for information provided to a Governmental Agency.

 

4.             Representation About Claims .   Employee hereby represents and warrants that, as of the Signing Date, Employee has not filed any claims, complaints, charges, or lawsuits against any of the Company Parties with any governmental agency or with any state or federal court or arbitrator for or with respect to a matter, claim, or incident that occurred or arose out of one or more occurrences that took place on or prior to the Signing Date.  Employee hereby further represents and warrants that Employee has made no assignment, sale, delivery, transfer or conveyance of any rights Employee has asserted or may have against any of the Company Parties with respect to any Released Claim.  Employee agrees not to bring or join any lawsuit against any of the Company Parties in any court relating to any of the Released Claims.

 

5.             Employee’s Acknowledgments .   By executing and delivering this Agreement, Employee expressly acknowledges that:

 

(a)           Employee has carefully read this Agreement and has had sufficient time (and at least       days) to consider this Agreement before signing it and delivering it to the Company;

 

(b)           Employee has been advised, and hereby is advised in writing, to discuss this Agreement with an attorney of Employee’s choice and Employee has had adequate opportunity to do so prior to executing this Agreement;

 

(c)           Employee fully understands the final and binding effect of this Agreement; the only promises made to Employee to sign this Agreement are those stated herein; and Employee is signing this Agreement knowingly, voluntarily and of Employee’s own free will, and understands and agrees to each of the terms of this Agreement;

 

(d)           The only matters relied upon by Employee and causing Employee to sign this Agreement are the provisions set forth in writing within the four corners of this Agreement;

 

(e)           Employee would not otherwise have been entitled to the consideration described in Section 1 above, or any portion thereof, but for Employee’s agreement to be bound by the terms of this Agreement; and

 

(f)            no Company Party has provided any tax or legal advice regarding this Agreement and Employee has had the opportunity to receive sufficient tax and legal advice from advisors of Employee’s own choosing such that Employee enters into this Agreement with full understanding of the tax and legal implications thereof.

 

6.             Third-Party Beneficiaries .   Employee expressly acknowledges and agrees that each Company Party that is not a signatory to this Agreement shall be a third-party beneficiary of Employee’s release of claims and representations in Sections 2 through 5 and Section 9 hereof.

 

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7.             Severability .  Any term or provision of this Agreement (or part thereof) that renders such term or provision (or part thereof) or any other term or provision hereof (or part thereof) invalid or unenforceable in any respect shall be severable and shall be modified or severed to the extent necessary to avoid rendering such term or provision (or part thereof) invalid or unenforceable, and such modification or severance shall be accomplished in the manner that most nearly preserves the benefit of the bargain set forth in the Employment Agreement and hereunder.

 

8.             Withholding of Taxes and Other Deductions Employee acknowledges that the Company may withhold from the Severance Payment all federal, state, local, and other taxes and withholdings as may be required by any law or governmental regulation or ruling.

 

9.             Return of Property . Employee hereby represents and warrants that Employee has returned to the Company all property belonging to the Company or any other Company Party, including all computer files, electronically stored information and other materials provided to him by the Company or any other Company Party in the course of Employee’s employment with the Company and Employee hereby further represents and warrants that Employee has not maintained a copy of any such materials in any form.

 

10.          Further Assurances .  In signing below, Employee expressly acknowledges the enforceability, and continued effectiveness of Sections 9, 10, 11 and 13 of the Employment Agreement and promises to abide by those terms of the Employment Agreement.

 

11.          Revocation Right .  Notwithstanding the initial effectiveness of this Agreement, Employee may revoke the delivery (and therefore the effectiveness) of this Agreement within the seven-day period beginning on the date Employee executes this Agreement (such seven-day period being referred to herein as the “ Release Revocation Period ”).  To be effective, such revocation must be in writing signed by Employee and must be received by                                                                                        before 11:59 p.m., central time, on the last day of the Release Revocation Period.  If an effective revocation is delivered in the foregoing manner and timeframe, no Severance Payment shall be provided, the release of claims set forth in Section 3 shall be of no force or effect and the remainder of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect and shall not be affected by any such revocation.

 

12.          Employment Agreement .  This Agreement shall be subject to the provisions of Section 15, 16, 17 and 21 of the Employment Agreement, which provisions are hereby incorporated by reference as a part of this Agreement.

 

[ Remainder of Page Intentionally Blank;
Signature Page Follows
]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Employee has executed this Agreement as of the date set forth below, effective for all purposes as provided above.

 

 

EMPLOYEE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chad England

 

 

 

Date:

 

 

SIGNATURE PAGE TO

GENERAL RELEASE OF CLAIMS

 


Exhibit 10.4

 

EP ENERGY CORPORATION
EMPLOYMENT INDUCEMENT PLAN

 

1.                                       Purpose .  The purpose of the EP Energy Corporation Employment Inducement Plan (the “ Plan ”) is to provide a means through which EP Energy Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), and its Affiliates may attract and retain able persons as employees, directors and consultants, thereby enhancing the profitable growth of the Company and its Affiliates.  Accordingly, the Plan provides for the grant of Incentive Stock Options, Nonstatutory Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted Stock Awards, Restricted Stock Units, Stock Awards, Dividend Equivalents, Other Stock-Based Awards, Cash Awards, Substitute Awards, Performance Awards, or any combination of the foregoing.

 

2.                                       Definitions .  For purposes of the Plan, the following terms shall be defined as set forth below:

 

(a)                                  Affiliate ” means any corporation, partnership, limited liability company, limited liability partnership, association, trust or other organization that, directly or indirectly, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, the Company.  For purposes of the preceding sentence, “control” (including, with correlative meanings, the terms “controlled by” and “under common control with”), as used with respect to any entity or organization, shall mean the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power (i) to vote more than 50% of the securities having ordinary voting power for the election of directors of the controlled entity or organization, or (ii) to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of the controlled entity or organization, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract, or otherwise.

 

(b)                                  Award ” means any Option, SAR, Restricted Stock Award, Restricted Stock Unit, Stock Award, Dividend Equivalent, Other Stock-Based Award, Cash Award, Substitute Award or Performance Award, together with any other right or interest, granted under the Plan.

 

(c)                                   Award Agreement ” means any written instrument (including any employment, severance or change in control agreement) that sets forth the terms, conditions, restrictions and/or limitations applicable to an Award, in addition to those set forth under the Plan.

 

(d)                                  Board ” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

 

(e)                                   Cash Award ” means an Award denominated in cash granted under Section 6(i) .

 

(f)                                    Change in Control ” means, except as otherwise provided in an Award Agreement:

 

(i)                                      A transaction or series of transactions (other than an offering of the Company’s common stock to the general public through a registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission) whereby any “person” or related “group” of “persons” (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act) (other than the Company, any of its subsidiaries, an employee benefit plan maintained by the Company or any of its

 



 

subsidiaries or a “person” that, prior to such transaction, directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, the Company) directly or indirectly acquires beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) of securities of the Company possessing more than 50% of the total combined voting power of the Company’s securities outstanding immediately after such acquisition; or

 

(ii)                                   the consummation by the Company (whether directly involving the Company or indirectly involving the Company through one or more intermediaries) of (x) a merger, consolidation, reorganization, or business combination or (y) a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets in any single transaction or series of related transactions, in each case other than a transaction:

 

(A)                          Which results in the Company’s voting securities outstanding immediately before the transaction continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the Company or the person that, as a result of the transaction, controls, directly or indirectly, the Company or owns, directly or indirectly, all or substantially all of the Company’s assets or otherwise succeeds to the business of the Company (the Company or such person, the “ Successor Entity ”)) directly or indirectly, at least a majority of the combined voting power of the Successor Entity’s outstanding voting securities immediately after the transaction, and

 

(B)                          After which no person or group beneficially owns voting securities representing 50% or more of the combined voting power of the Successor Entity; provided , however , that no person or group shall be treated for purposes of this Section 2(f)  as beneficially owning 50% or more of combined voting power of the Successor Entity solely as a result of the voting power held in the Company prior to the consummation of the transaction.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a Change in Control constitutes a payment event with respect to any Award which provides for the deferral of compensation subject to the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Rules or such compensation would otherwise would be subject to the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Rules, the transaction or event described in this Section 2(f)  with respect to such Award must also constitute a “change in control event,” as defined in Treasury Regulation §1.409A-3(i)(5), and as relates to the holder of such Award, to the extent required to comply with the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Rules.

 

(g)                                   Change in Control Price ” means the amount determined in the following clause (i), (ii), (iii), (iv) or (v), whichever is applicable, as follows:  (i) the price per share offered to holders of Stock in any merger or consolidation, (ii) the per share Fair Market Value of the Stock immediately before the Change in Control without regard to assets sold in the Change in Control and assuming the Company has received the consideration paid for the assets in the case of a sale of the assets, (iii) the amount distributed per share of Stock in a dissolution transaction, (iv) the price per share offered to holders of Stock in any tender offer or exchange offer whereby a Change in Control takes place, or (v) if such Change in Control occurs other than pursuant to a transaction described in clauses (i), (ii), (iii), or (iv) of this Section 2(g) , the value per share of the Stock that may otherwise be obtained with respect to such Awards or to which such Awards track, as determined by the Committee as of the date determined by the Committee to be the date of cancellation and surrender of such Awards.  In the event that the consideration offered to

 

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stockholders of the Company in any transaction described in this Section 2(g)  or in Section 8(e)  consists of anything other than cash, the Committee shall reasonably determine the fair cash equivalent of the portion of the consideration offered which is other than cash and such determination shall be binding on all affected Participants to the extent applicable to Awards held by such Participants.

 

(h)                                  Code ” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, including regulations thereunder and successor provisions and regulations thereto.

 

(i)                                      Committee ” means a committee of two or more directors designated by the Board to administer the Plan; provided , however , that, unless otherwise determined by the Board, the Committee shall consist solely of two or more Qualified Members.

 

(j)                                     Dividend Equivalent ” means a right, granted to an Eligible Person under Section 6(g) , to receive cash, Stock, other Awards or other property equal in value to dividends paid with respect to a specified number of shares of Stock, or other periodic payments.

 

(k)                                  Effective Date ” means November 1, 2017.

 

(l)                                      Eligible Person ” means any officer or employee of the Company or of any of its Affiliates, and any other person who provides services to the Company or any of its Affiliates, including a director of the Company; provided , however , that only an individual eligible to receive an inducement award or inducement grant under New York Stock Exchange Listed Company Manual Rule 303A.08 (or any successor rule) shall be an “Eligible Person” for purposes of the Plan, except as otherwise approved by the stockholders of the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any such individual must be an “employee” of the Company or any of its parents or subsidiaries within the meaning of General Instruction A.1(a) to Form S-8 if such individual is granted an Award that may be settled in Stock. An employee on leave of absence may be considered as still in the employ of the Company or one of its Affiliates for purposes of eligibility for participation in the Plan.

 

(m)                              Exchange Act ” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time, including rules thereunder and successor provisions and rules thereto.

 

(n)                                  Fair Market Value ” means, as of any specified date, (i) if the Stock is listed on a national securities exchange, the closing sales price of the Stock, as reported on the stock exchange composite tape on the preceding date (or if no sales occur on such date, on the last preceding date on which such sales of the Stock are so reported); (ii) if the Stock is not traded on a national securities exchange but is traded over the counter at the time a determination of its fair market value is required to be made under the Plan, the average between the reported high and low bid and asked prices of Stock on the most recent date on which Stock was publicly traded; or (iii) in the event Stock is not publicly traded at the time a determination of its value is required to be made under the Plan, the amount determined by the Committee in its discretion in such manner as it deems appropriate, taking into account all factors the Committee deems appropriate including, without limitation, the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Rules.

 

(o)                                  Incentive Stock Option ” or “ ISO ” means any Option intended to be and designated as an “incentive stock option” within the meaning of section 422 of the Code.

 

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(p)                                  Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Rules ” means the limitations or requirements of section 409A of the Code, as amended from time to time, including the guidance and regulations promulgated thereunder and successor provisions, guidance and regulations thereto.

 

(q)                                  Nonstatutory Option ” means any Option that is not intended to be an “incentive stock option” within the meaning of section 422 of the Code.

 

(r)                                     Option ” means a right, granted to an Eligible Person under Section 6(b) , to purchase Stock or other Awards at a specified price during specified time periods.

 

(s)                                    Other Stock-Based Award ” means an Award granted to an Eligible Person under Section 6(h) .

 

(t)                                     Participant ” means a person who has been granted an Award under the Plan that remains outstanding, including a person who is no longer an Eligible Person.

 

(u)                                  Performance Award ” means an award granted to an Eligible Person under Section 6(k) , the grant, vesting, exercisability and/or settlement of which (and/or the timing or amount thereof) is subject to the achievement of one or more performance goals specified by the Committee.

 

(v)                                  Qualified Member ” means a member of the Board who is (i) a “nonemployee director” within the meaning of Rule 16b-3(b)(3) and (ii) “independent” under the listing standards or rules of the national securities exchange upon which the Stock is traded, but only to the extent such independence is required in order to take the action at issue pursuant to such standards or rules.

 

(w)                                Recapitalization ” means the occurrence of a recapitalization by the Company, reclassification of Stock by the Company or other change in the Company’s capital structure, in each case, without the occurrence of a Change in Control.

 

(x)                                  Restricted Stock ” means Stock granted to an Eligible Person under Section 6(d)  that is subject to certain restrictions and to a risk of forfeiture.

 

(y)                                  Restricted Stock Unit ” means a right, granted to an Eligible Person under Section 6(e) , to receive Stock, cash or a combination thereof at the end of a specified period (which may or may not be coterminous with the vesting schedule of the Award).

 

(z)                                   Rule 16b-3 ” means Rule 16b-3, promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission under section 16 of the Exchange Act.

 

(aa)                           Securities Act ” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time to time, including rules thereunder and successor provisions and rules thereto.

 

(bb)                           Stock ” means the Company’s Class A Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, and such other securities as may be substituted (or re-substituted) for Stock pursuant to Section 8 .

 

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(cc)                             Stock Appreciation Right ” or “ SAR ” means a right granted to an Eligible Person under Section 6(c) .

 

(dd)                           Stock Award ” means unrestricted shares of Stock granted to an Eligible Person under Section 6(f) .

 

(ee)                             Substitute Award ” means an Award granted under Section 6(j)  in substitution for a similar award as a result of certain business transactions.

 

3.                                       Administration .

 

(a)                                  Authority of the Committee .  The Plan shall be administered by the Committee except to the extent the Board elects to administer the Plan, in which case references herein to the “Committee” shall be deemed to include references to the “Board.”  Subject to the express provisions of the Plan, Rule 16b-3 and other applicable laws, the Committee shall have the authority, in its sole and absolute discretion, to: (i) designate Eligible Persons as Participants; (ii) determine the type or types of Awards to be granted to an Eligible Person; (iii) determine the number of shares of Stock or amount of cash to be covered by Awards; (iv) determine the terms and conditions of any Award, including whether, to what extent and under what circumstances Awards may be vested, settled, exercised, cancelled or forfeited; (v) modify, waive or adjust any term or condition of an Award that has been granted, which may include the acceleration of vesting, waiver of forfeiture restrictions, modification of the form of settlement of the Award if expressly permitted under an applicable Award Agreement (for example, from cash to Stock or vice versa) or modification of any other condition or limitation regarding an Award; (vi) interpret and administer the Plan and any Award Agreement; (vii) establish, amend, suspend, or waive rules and regulations used to administer the Plan; (viii) correct any defect, supply any omission or reconcile any inconsistency in the Plan, in any Award, or in any Award Agreement; and (ix) make any other determination and take any other action that the Committee deems necessary or desirable for the administration of the Plan. The express grant of any specific power to the Committee, and the taking of any action by the Committee, shall not be construed as limiting any power or authority of the Committee.  Any action of the Committee shall be final, conclusive and binding on all persons, including the Company, its Affiliates, stockholders, Participants, beneficiaries, and permitted transferees under Section 7(a)  or other persons claiming rights from or through a Participant.

 

(b)                                  Exercise of Committee Authority .  At any time that a member of the Committee is not a Qualified Member, any action of the Committee relating to an Award granted or to be granted to an Eligible Person who is then subject to section 16 of the Exchange Act in respect of the Company, where such action is not taken by the full Board, may be taken either (i) by a subcommittee, designated by the Committee, composed solely of two or more Qualified Members, or (ii) by the Committee but with each such member who is not a Qualified Member abstaining or recusing himself or herself from such action; provided , however , that upon such abstention or recusal, the Committee remains composed solely of two or more Qualified Members.  Such action, authorized by such a subcommittee or by the Committee upon the abstention or recusal of such non-Qualified Member(s), shall be the action of the Committee for purposes of the Plan.  For the avoidance of doubt, the full Board may take any action relating to an Award granted

 

5



 

or to be granted to an Eligible Person who is then subject to section 16 of the Exchange Act in respect of the Company.

 

(c)                                   Delegation of Authority .  The Committee may delegate any or all of its powers and duties under the Plan to a subcommittee of directors or to any officer of the Company, including the power to perform administrative functions and grant Awards under the Plan; provided , however , that such delegation does not (i) violate state or corporate law or (ii) result in the loss of an exemption under Rule 16b-3(d)(1) for Awards granted to Participants subject to section 16 of the Exchange Act in respect of the Company.  Upon any such delegation, all references in the Plan to the “Committee,” other than in Section 8 , shall be deemed to include any subcommittee or officer of the Company to whom such powers have been delegated by the Committee.  Any such delegation shall not limit the right of such subcommittee members or such an officer to receive Awards under the Plan; provided , however , that such subcommittee members and any such officer may not grant Awards to himself or herself, a member of the Board, or any executive officer of the Company or an Affiliate, or take any action with respect to any Award previously granted to himself or herself, a member of the Board, or any executive officer of the Company or an Affiliate. The Committee may also appoint agents to assist it in administering the Plan that are not executive officers of the Company or members of the Board, provided that such individuals may not be delegated the authority to grant or modify any Awards that will, or may, be settled in Stock.

 

(d)                                  Limitation of Liability .  The Committee and each member thereof shall be entitled to, in good faith, rely or act upon any report or other information furnished to him or her by any officer or employee of the Company or any of its Affiliates, the Company’s legal counsel, independent auditors, consultants or any other agents assisting in the administration of the Plan.  Members of the Committee and any officer or employee of the Company or any of its Affiliates acting at the direction or on behalf of the Committee shall not be personally liable for any action or determination taken or made in good faith with respect to the Plan, and shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be indemnified and held harmless by the Company with respect to any such action or determination.

 

4.                                       Stock Subject to Plan .

 

(a)                                  Overall Number of Shares Available for Delivery .  Subject to adjustment in a manner consistent with any adjustment made pursuant to Section 8 , the total number of shares of Stock reserved and available for delivery with respect to Awards under the Plan is 12,000,000 shares, and such total number of shares of Stock shall be available for the issuance of ISOs.

 

(b)                                  Application of Limitation to Grants of Awards .  Subject to Section 4(c) , no Award may be granted if the number of shares of Stock to be delivered in connection with such Award exceeds the number of shares of Stock remaining available under the Plan minus the number of shares of Stock issuable in settlement of or relating to then-outstanding Awards.  The Committee may adopt reasonable counting procedures to ensure appropriate counting, avoid double counting (as, for example, in the case of tandem or Substitute Awards) and make adjustments if the number of shares of Stock actually delivered differs from the number of shares previously counted in connection with an Award.

 

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(c)                                   Availability of Shares Not Delivered under Awards .  Shares of Stock subject to an Award under the Plan that expires or is cancelled, forfeited, exchanged, settled in cash or otherwise terminated (including (i) shares forfeited with respect to Restricted Stock, and (ii) the number of shares withheld or surrendered to the Company in payment of any exercise or purchase price of an Award or taxes relating to Awards) shall not be considered “delivered shares” under the Plan and shall again be available for delivery with respect to Awards under the Plan, except that if any such shares could not again be available for Awards to a particular Participant under any applicable law or regulation, such shares shall be available exclusively for Awards to Participants who are not subject to such limitation. If an Award may be settled only in cash, such Award need not be counted against any share limit under this Section 4 .

 

(d)                                  Stock Offered .  The shares of Stock to be delivered under the Plan shall be made available from (i) authorized but unissued shares of Stock, (ii) Stock held in the treasury of the Company, or (iii) previously issued shares of Stock reacquired by the Company, including shares purchased on the open market.

 

5.                                       Eligibility .

 

(a)                                  Eligibility . Awards may be granted under the Plan only to persons who are Eligible Persons at the time of grant thereof. For the avoidance of doubt, any Award granted under the Plan shall comply with all requirements relating to “employment inducement awards” set forth in NYSE Listed Company Manual Rule 303A.08 (or any successor rule).

 

6.                                       Specific Terms of Awards .

 

(a)                                  General .  Awards may be granted on the terms and conditions set forth in this Section 6 .  Awards granted under the Plan may, in the discretion of the Committee, be granted either alone, in addition to, or in tandem with any other Award.  In addition, the Committee may impose on any Award or the exercise thereof, at the date of grant or thereafter (subject to Section 10 ), to the extent set forth in an Award Agreement, such additional terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan, as the Committee shall determine.

 

(b)                                  Options .  The Committee is authorized to grant Options, which may be designated as either ISOs or Nonstatutory Options, to Eligible Persons on the following terms and conditions:

 

(i)                                      Exercise Price .  Each Award Agreement evidencing an Option shall state the exercise price per share of Stock (the “ Exercise Price ”); provided , however , that except as provided in Section 6(j)  or in Section 8 , the Exercise Price of an Option shall not be less than the greater of (A) the par value per share of the Stock or (B) 100% of the Fair Market Value per share of the Stock as of the date of grant of the Option (or in the case of an ISO granted to an individual who owns stock possessing more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or its parent or any of its subsidiaries, 110% of the Fair Market Value per share of the Stock on the date of grant).

 

(ii)                                   Time and Method of Exercise; Other Terms .  The Committee shall determine the number of shares of Stock to which the Option relates, the time or times at which, or the circumstances under which, an Option may be vested and/or exercised in whole or in part

 

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(including based on achievement of one or more performance goals pursuant to Section 6(k)  and/or future service requirements), the methods by which such Exercise Price may be paid or deemed to be paid, the form of such payment, including without limitation, cash or cash equivalents, Stock (including previously owned shares or through a cashless or broker-assisted exercise, net settlement or other reduction of the amount of shares otherwise issuable pursuant to the Option), other Awards or awards granted under other plans of the Company or any Affiliate, other property, or any other legal consideration the Committee deems appropriate (including notes or other contractual obligations of Participants to make payment on a deferred basis), the methods by or forms in which Stock will be delivered or deemed to be delivered to Participants, including, but not limited to, the delivery of Restricted Stock subject to Section 6(d) , and any other terms and conditions of any Option.  In the case of an exercise whereby the Exercise Price is paid with Stock, such Stock shall be valued as of the date of exercise.  No Option may be exercisable for a period of more than ten (10) years following the date of grant of the Option (or in the case of an ISO granted to an individual who owns stock possessing more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or its parent or any of its subsidiaries, for a period of more than five (5) years following the date of grant of the ISO).

 

(iii)                                ISOs .  The terms of any ISO granted under the Plan shall comply in all respects with the provisions of section 422 of the Code.  ISOs may only be granted to Eligible Persons who are employees of the Company or employees of a parent or any subsidiary corporation of the Company.  Except as otherwise provided in Section 8 , no term of the Plan relating to ISOs (including any SAR in tandem therewith) shall be interpreted, amended or altered, nor shall any discretion or authority granted under the Plan be exercised, so as to disqualify either the Plan or any ISO under section 422 of the Code, unless the Participant has first requested the change that will result in such disqualification.  ISOs shall not be granted more than ten years after the earlier of the adoption of the Plan. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Fair Market Value of shares of Stock subject to an ISO and the aggregate Fair Market Value of shares of stock of any parent or subsidiary corporation (within the meaning of sections 424(e) and (f) of the Code) subject to any other “incentive stock option” (within the meaning of section 422 of the Code) of the Company or a parent or subsidiary corporation (within the meaning of sections 424(e) and (f) of the Code) that first becomes purchasable by a Participant in any calendar year may not (with respect to that Participant) exceed $100,000, or such other amount as may be prescribed under section 422 of the Code.  As used in the previous sentence, Fair Market Value shall be determined as of the date the “incentive stock option” is granted.  Failure to comply with this provision shall not impair the enforceability or exercisability of any Option, but shall cause the excess amount of shares to be reclassified in accordance with the Code.

 

(c)                                   Stock Appreciation Rights .  The Committee is authorized to grant SARs to Eligible Persons on the following terms and conditions:

 

(i)                                      Right to Payment .  An SAR is a right to receive, upon exercise thereof, the excess of (A) the Fair Market Value of one share of Stock on the date of exercise over (B) the grant price of the SAR as determined by the Committee.

 

(ii)                                   Grant Price . Each Award Agreement evidencing an SAR shall state the grant price per share of Stock; provided , however , that except as provided in Section 6(j)  or in Section 8 , the grant price per share of Stock subject to an SAR shall not be less than the greater of

 

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(A) the par value per share of the Stock or (B) 100% of the Fair Market Value per share of the Stock as of the date of grant of the SAR.

 

(iii)                                Time and Method of Exercise; Other Terms . The Committee shall determine the number of shares of Stock to which the SAR relates, the time or times at which and the circumstances under which an SAR may be vested and/or exercised in whole or in part (including based on achievement of one or more performance goals pursuant to Section 6(k)  and/or future service requirements), the form of consideration payable upon settlement, the method by or forms in which Stock (if any) will be delivered or deemed to be delivered to Participants, and any other terms and conditions of any SAR.  SARs may be either free-standing or in tandem with other Awards.  No SAR may be exercisable for a period of more than ten (10) years following the date of grant of the SAR.

 

(iv)                               Rights Related to Options .  An SAR granted in connection with an Option shall entitle a Participant, upon exercise, to surrender that Option or any portion thereof, to the extent unexercised, and to receive payment of an amount determined by multiplying (A) the difference obtained by subtracting the Exercise Price with respect to a share of Stock specified in the related Option from the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock on the date of exercise of the SAR, by (B) the number of shares as to which that SAR has been exercised.  The Option shall then cease to be exercisable to the extent surrendered.  SARs granted in connection with an Option shall be subject to the terms and conditions of the Award Agreement governing the Option, which shall provide that the SAR is exercisable only at such time or times and only to the extent that the related Option is exercisable and shall not be transferable except to the extent that the related Option is transferrable.

 

(d)                                  Restricted Stock .  The Committee is authorized to grant Restricted Stock to Eligible Persons on the following terms and conditions:

 

(i)                                      Grant and Restrictions .  Restricted Stock shall be subject to such restrictions on transferability, risk of forfeiture and other restrictions, if any, as the Committee may impose, which restrictions may lapse separately or in combination at such times, under such circumstances (including based on achievement of one or more performance goals pursuant to Section 6(k)  and/or future service requirements), in such installments or otherwise, as the Committee may determine at the date of grant or thereafter.  During the restricted period applicable to the Restricted Stock, the Restricted Stock may not be sold, transferred, pledged, hedged, hypothecated, margined or otherwise encumbered by the Participant.

 

(ii)                                   Dividends and Splits .  As a condition to the grant of an Award of Restricted Stock, the Committee may allow a Participant to elect, or may require, that any cash dividends paid on a share of Restricted Stock be automatically reinvested in additional shares of Restricted Stock, applied to the purchase of additional Awards under the Plan or deferred without interest to the date of vesting of the associated Award of Restricted Stock.  Unless otherwise determined by the Committee and specified in the applicable Award Agreement, Stock distributed in connection with a Stock split or Stock dividend, and other property (other than cash) distributed as a dividend, shall be subject to restrictions and a risk of forfeiture to the same extent as the Restricted Stock with respect to which such Stock or other property has been distributed.

 

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(e)                                   Restricted Stock Units .  The Committee is authorized to grant Restricted Stock Units to Eligible Persons on the following terms and conditions:

 

(i)                                      Award and Restrictions .  Restricted Stock Units shall be subject to such restrictions (which may include a risk of forfeiture) as the Committee may impose, if any, as set forth in an Award Agreement, which restrictions may lapse at the expiration of the deferral period or at earlier specified times (including based on achievement of one or more performance goals pursuant to Section 6(k)  and/or future service requirements), separately or in combination, in installments or otherwise, as the Committee may determine.

 

(ii)                                   Settlement .  Settlement of vested Restricted Stock Units shall occur upon vesting or upon expiration of the deferral period specified for such Restricted Stock Units by the Committee (or, if permitted by the Committee, as elected by the Participant).  Settlement of Restricted Stock Units shall be made by delivery of (A) a number of shares of Stock equal to the number of Restricted Stock Units for which settlement is due, or (B) cash in an amount equal to the Fair Market Value of the specified number of shares of Stock covered by such Restricted Stock Units, or a combination thereof, as determined by the Committee at the date of grant or thereafter.

 

(f)                                    Stock Awards .  The Committee is authorized to grant Stock Awards under the Plan to Eligible Persons as a bonus, as additional compensation, or in lieu of cash compensation any such Eligible Person is otherwise entitled to receive, in such amounts and subject to such other terms as the Committee in its discretion determines to be appropriate.

 

(g)                                   Dividend Equivalents .  The Committee is authorized to grant Dividend Equivalents to Eligible Persons, entitling any such Eligible Person to receive cash, Stock, other Awards, or other property equal in value to dividends or other distributions paid with respect to a specified number of shares of Stock.  Dividend Equivalents may be awarded on a free-standing basis or in connection with another Award (other than an Award of Restricted Stock or a Stock Award).  The Committee may provide that Dividend Equivalents shall be paid or distributed when accrued or at a later specified date and, if distributed at a later date, may be deemed to have been reinvested in additional Stock, Awards, or other investment vehicles or accrued in a bookkeeping account without interest, and subject to such restrictions on transferability and risks of forfeiture, as the Committee may specify.  With respect to Dividend Equivalents granted in connection with another Award, absent a contrary provision in the Award Agreement, such Dividend Equivalents shall be subject to the same restrictions and risk of forfeiture as the Award with respect to which the dividends accrue and shall not be paid unless and until such Award has vested and been earned.

 

(h)                                  Other Stock-Based Awards .  The Committee is authorized, subject to limitations under applicable law, to grant to Eligible Persons such other Awards that may be denominated or payable in, valued in whole or in part by reference to, or otherwise based on, or related to, Stock, as deemed by the Committee to be consistent with the purposes of the Plan, including without limitation convertible or exchangeable debt securities, other rights convertible or exchangeable into Stock, purchase rights for Stock, Awards with value and payment contingent upon performance of the Company or any other factors designated by the Committee, and Awards valued by reference to the book value of Stock or the value of securities of or the performance of specified Affiliates of the Company.  The Committee shall determine the terms and conditions of such Other Stock-Based Awards.  Stock delivered pursuant to an Other-Stock Based Award in the

 

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nature of a purchase right granted under this Section 6(h)  shall be purchased for such consideration, paid for at such times, by such methods, and in such forms, including, without limitation, cash, Stock, other Awards, or other property, as the Committee shall determine.

 

(i)                                      Cash Awards .  The Committee is authorized to grant Cash Awards, on a free-standing basis or as an element of or supplement to, or in lieu of, any other Award under the Plan to Eligible Persons in such amounts and subject to such other terms (including the achievement of one or more performance goals pursuant to Section 6(k)  and/or future service requirements) as the Committee in its discretion determines to be appropriate.

 

(j)                                     Substitute Awards; No Repricing .  Awards may be granted under the Plan in substitution for similar awards held by individuals who become Eligible Persons as a result of a merger, consolidation or acquisition of another entity or the assets of another entity by or with the Company or an Affiliate of the Company.  Such Substitute Awards referred to in the immediately preceding sentence that are Options or SARs may have an exercise price that is less than the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock on the date of the substitution if such substitution complies with the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Rules and other applicable laws and national securities exchange rules.  Except as provided in this Section 6(j)  or in Section 8 , the terms of outstanding Awards may not be amended, without the approval of the stockholders of the Company, to (i) reduce the Exercise Price or grant price of an outstanding Option or SAR, (ii) grant a new Option, SAR or other Award in substitution for, or upon the cancellation of, any previously granted Option or SAR that has the effect of reducing the Exercise Price or grant price thereof, (iii) exchange any Option or SAR for Stock, cash or other consideration when the Exercise Price or grant price per share of Stock under such Option or SAR exceeds the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock or (iv) take any other action that would be considered a “repricing” of an Option or SAR under the applicable listing standards of the national securities exchange on which the Stock is listed (if any).

 

(k)                                  Performance Awards . The Committee is authorized to designate any of the Awards granted under the foregoing provisions of this Section 6 as Performance Awards.  The Committee may use such business criteria and other measures of performance as it may deem appropriate in establishing any performance goals applicable to a Performance Award, and may, in accordance with the terms of the applicable Award Agreement, exercise its discretion to reduce or increase the amounts payable under any Performance Award.  Performance goals may differ for Performance Awards granted to any one Participant or to different Participants.  The performance period applicable to any Performance Award shall be set by the Committee in its discretion but shall not exceed ten (10) years.

 

7.                                       Certain Provisions Applicable to Awards .

 

(a)                                  Limit on Transfer of Awards .

 

(i)                                      Except as provided in Sections 7(a)(iii)  and (iv) , no Award (other than a Stock Award), and no right under any such Award, may be assigned, alienated, pledged, attached, sold or otherwise transferred or encumbered by a Participant other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution, and any such purported assignment, alienation, pledge,

 

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attachment, sale, transfer or encumbrance shall be void and unenforceable against the Company or any Affiliate.

 

(ii)                                   Except as provided in Sections 7(a)(iii)  and (iv) , each Option and SAR shall be exercisable only by the Participant during the Participant’s lifetime, or by the person to whom the Participant’s rights shall pass by will or the laws of descent and distribution. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 7(a) , an ISO shall not be transferable other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution.

 

(iii)                                To the extent specifically provided by the Committee, an Award may be transferred by a Participant without consideration to immediate family members or related family trusts, limited partnerships or similar entities or on such terms and conditions as the Committee may from time to time establish.

 

(iv)                               An Award may be transferred pursuant to a domestic relations order entered or approved by a court of competent jurisdiction upon delivery to the Company of a written request for such transfer and a certified copy of such order.

 

(b)                                  Form and Timing of Payment under Awards; Deferrals .  Subject to the terms of the Plan and any applicable Award Agreement, payments to be made by the Company or any of its Affiliates upon the exercise or settlement of an Award may be made in such forms as the Committee shall determine in its discretion, including without limitation cash, Stock, other Awards or other property, and may be made in a single payment or transfer, in installments, or on a deferred basis (which may be required by the Committee or permitted at the election of the Participant on terms and conditions established by the Committee); provided , however , that any such deferred or installment payments will be set forth in the Award Agreement and/or otherwise made in a manner that will not result in additional taxes under the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Rules.  Payments may include, without limitation, provisions for the payment or crediting of reasonable interest on installment or deferred payments or the grant or crediting of Dividend Equivalents or other amounts in respect of installment or deferred payments denominated in Stock.  The Plan shall not constitute an “employee benefit plan” for purposes of section 3(3) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended.

 

(c)                                   Evidencing Stock . The Stock or other securities of the Company delivered pursuant to an Award may be evidenced in any manner deemed appropriate by the Committee in its sole discretion, including, but not limited to, in the form of a certificate issued in the name of the Participant or by book entry, electronic or otherwise and shall be subject to such stop transfer orders and other restrictions as the Committee may deem advisable under the Plan or the rules, regulations, and other requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission, any stock exchange upon which such Stock or other securities are then listed, and any applicable federal, state or other laws, and the Committee may cause a legend or legends to be inscribed on any such certificates to make appropriate reference to such restrictions.  If certificates representing Restricted Stock are registered in the name of the Participant, the Committee may require that such certificates bear an appropriate legend referring to the terms, conditions and restrictions applicable to such Restricted Stock, that the Company retain physical possession of the certificates, and that the Participant deliver a stock power to the Company, endorsed in blank, related to the Restricted Stock.

 

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(d)                                  Consideration for Grants . Awards may be granted for such consideration, including services, as the Committee shall determine, but shall not be granted for less than the minimum lawful consideration.

 

(e)                                   Additional Agreements .  Each Eligible Person to whom an Award is granted under the Plan may, to the extent set forth in an Award Agreement, be required to agree in writing, as a condition to the grant of such Award or otherwise, to subject an Award that is exercised or settled following such Eligible Person’s termination of employment or service to a general release of claims and/or a noncompetition or other restricted covenant agreement in favor of the Company and its Affiliates, with the terms and conditions of such agreement(s) to be determined in good faith by the Committee.

 

8.                                       Subdivision or Consolidation; Recapitalization; Change in Control; Reorganization .

 

(a)                                  Existence of Plans and Awards .  The existence of the Plan and the Awards granted hereunder shall not affect in any way the right or power of the Company, the Board or the stockholders of the Company to make or authorize any adjustment, recapitalization, reorganization or other change in the Company’s capital structure or its business, any merger or consolidation of the Company, any issue of debt or equity securities ahead of or affecting Stock or the rights thereof, the dissolution or liquidation of the Company or any sale, lease, exchange or other disposition of all or any part of its assets or business or any other corporate act or proceeding.

 

(b)                                  Subdivision or Consolidation of Shares .  The terms of an Award and the share limitations under the Plan shall be subject to adjustment by the Committee from time to time, in accordance with the following provisions:

 

(i)                                      If at any time, or from time to time, the Company shall subdivide as a whole (by reclassification, by a Stock split, by the issuance of a distribution on Stock payable in Stock, or otherwise) the number of shares of Stock then outstanding into a greater number of shares of Stock or in the event the Company distributes an extraordinary cash dividend, then, as appropriate (A) the maximum number of shares of Stock available for delivery with respect to Awards under the Plan as provided in Section 4 shall be increased proportionately, and the kind of shares or other securities available for the Plan shall be appropriately adjusted, (B) the number of shares of Stock (or other kind of shares or securities) that may be acquired under any then outstanding Award shall be increased proportionately, and (C) the price (including the Exercise Price or grant price) for each share of Stock (or other kind of shares or securities) subject to then outstanding Awards shall be reduced proportionately, without changing the aggregate purchase price or value as to which outstanding Awards remain exercisable or subject to restrictions.

 

(ii)                                   If at any time, or from time to time, the Company shall consolidate as a whole (by reclassification, by reverse Stock split, or otherwise) the number of shares of Stock then outstanding into a lesser number of shares of Stock, then, as appropriate (A) the maximum number of shares of Stock available for delivery with respect to Awards under the Plan as provided in Section 4 shall be decreased proportionately, and the kind of shares or other securities available for the Plan shall be appropriately adjusted, (B) the number of shares of Stock (or other kind of shares or securities) that may be acquired under any then outstanding Award shall be decreased

 

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proportionately, and (C) the price (including the Exercise Price or grant price) for each share of Stock (or other kind of shares or securities) subject to then outstanding Awards shall be increased proportionately, without changing the aggregate purchase price or value as to which outstanding Awards remain exercisable or subject to restrictions.

 

(iii)                                Whenever the number of shares of Stock subject to outstanding Awards and the price for each share of Stock subject to outstanding Awards are required to be adjusted as provided in this Section 8(b) , the Committee shall promptly prepare a notice setting forth, in reasonable detail, the event requiring adjustment, the amount of the adjustment, the method by which such adjustment was calculated, and the change in price and the number of shares of Stock, other securities, cash, or property purchasable subject to each Award after giving effect to the adjustments.  The Committee shall promptly provide each affected Participant with such notice.

 

(c)                                   Recapitalization .  Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, upon the occurrence of a Recapitalization or an “equity restructuring” event that could result in an additional compensation expense to the Company pursuant to the provisions of Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718, Compensation — Stock Compensation , or any successor accounting standard (“ ASC Topic 718 ”), if adjustments to Awards with respect to such Recapitalization or event were discretionary, the Committee shall equitably adjust the number and type of shares of Stock (or other securities or property) covered by each outstanding Award and the terms and conditions, including the Exercise Price and performance goals (if any), of such Award to equitably reflect such Recapitalization or event and shall adjust the number and type of shares of Stock (or other securities or property) with respect to which Awards may be granted under the Plan after such Recapitalization or event. Upon the occurrence of any other Recapitalization or similar event that would not result in an accounting charge under ASC Topic 718 if the adjustment to Awards with respect to such Recapitalization or event were subject to discretionary action, the Committee shall have complete discretion to adjust Awards and the number and type of shares of Stock (or other securities or property) with respect to which Awards may be granted under the Plan in such manner as it deems appropriate with respect to such other event.  In the event the Committee makes any adjustment pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section 8(c) , the Committee shall make a corresponding and proportionate adjustment with respect to the maximum number of shares of Stock available for delivery with respect to Awards under the Plan as provided in Section 4 and the kind of Stock or other securities available for grant under the Plan.

 

(d)                                  Additional Issuances .  Except as expressly provided herein, the issuance by the Company of shares of stock of any class or securities convertible into shares of stock of any class, for cash, property, labor or services, upon direct sale, upon the exercise of rights or warrants to subscribe therefor, or upon conversion of shares or obligations of the Company convertible into such shares or other securities, and in any case whether or not for fair value, shall not affect, and no adjustment by reason thereof shall be made with respect to, the number of shares of Stock subject to Awards theretofore granted or the purchase price per share of Stock, if applicable.

 

(e)                                   Change in Control and Other Events .  Except to the extent otherwise provided in any applicable Award Agreement, vesting of any Award shall not occur solely upon the occurrence of a Change in Control and, in the event of a Change in Control or other changes

 

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in the outstanding Stock by reason of a recapitalization, reorganization, merger, consolidation, combination, exchange or other relevant change in capitalization occurring after the date of the grant of any Award and not otherwise provided for by this Section 8 , the Committee, acting in its sole discretion without the consent or approval of any holder, may effect one or more of the following alternatives, which may vary among individual holders and which may vary among Options, SARs or other Awards held by any individual holder: (i) remove any applicable forfeiture restrictions on any Award; (ii) accelerate the time of exercisability of an Award so that such Award may be exercised in full or in part for a limited period of time on or before a date specified by the Committee, after which specified date all unexercised Awards and all rights of holders thereunder shall terminate; (iii) provide for a cash payment with respect to outstanding Awards by requiring the mandatory surrender to the Company by selected holders of some or all of the outstanding Awards held by such holders (irrespective of whether such Awards are then vested or exercisable pursuant to the Plan) as of a date, specified by the Committee, in which event the Committee shall thereupon cancel such Awards (with respect to all shares subject to such Awards) and pay to each holder an amount of cash (or other consideration including securities or other property) per Award (other than a Dividend Equivalent or Cash Award) equal to the Change in Control Price, less the Exercise Price with respect to an Option and less the grant price with respect to a SAR, as applicable to such Awards; provided , however , that to the extent the Exercise Price of an Option or the grant price of an SAR exceeds the Change in Control Price, such Award may be canceled for no consideration; (iv) cancel Awards that remain subject to a restricted period as of the date of a Change in Control or other such event without payment of any consideration to the Participant for such Awards; or (v) make such adjustments to Awards then outstanding as the Committee deems appropriate to reflect such Change in Control or other such event (including, but not limited to, (x) the substitution, assumption, or continuation of Awards by the successor company or a parent or subsidiary thereof for new awards, and (y) the adjustment as to the number and price of shares of Stock or other consideration subject to such Awards); provided , however , that the Committee may determine in its sole discretion that no adjustment is necessary to Awards then outstanding.

 

9.                                       General Provisions .

 

(a)                                  Tax Withholding .  The Company and any of its Affiliates are authorized to withhold from any Award granted, or any payment relating to an Award under the Plan, including from a distribution of Stock, amounts of withholding and other taxes due or potentially payable in connection with any transaction involving an Award, and to take such other action as the Committee may deem advisable to enable the Company, its Affiliates and Participants to satisfy obligations for the payment of withholding taxes and other tax obligations relating to any Award.  The Committee shall determine, in its sole discretion, the form of payment acceptable for such tax withholding obligations, including, without limitation, the delivery of cash or cash equivalents, Stock (including previously owned shares, net settlement, a broker-assisted sale, or other cashless withholding or reduction of the amount of shares otherwise issuable or delivered pursuant to the Award), other property, or any other legal consideration the Committee deems appropriate.  Any determination made by the Committee to allow a Participant who is subject to Rule 16b-3 to pay taxes with shares of Stock through net settlement or previously owned shares shall be approved by either a committee made up of solely two or more Qualified Members or the full Board.  If such tax obligations are satisfied through net settlement or previously owned shares, the maximum number of shares of Stock that may be so withheld (or surrendered) shall be the number of shares

 

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of Stock that have an aggregate Fair Market Value on the date of withholding or repurchase equal to the aggregate amount of such tax liabilities determined based on the greatest withholding rates for federal, state, foreign and/or local tax purposes, including payroll taxes, that may be utilized without creating adverse accounting treatment with respect to such Award, as determined by the Committee.

 

(b)                                  Limitation on Rights Conferred under Plan .  Neither the Plan nor any action taken hereunder shall be construed as (i) giving any Eligible Person or Participant the right to continue as an Eligible Person or Participant or in the employ or service of the Company or any of its Affiliates, (ii) interfering in any way with the right of the Company or any of its Affiliates to terminate any Eligible Person’s or Participant’s employment or service relationship at any time, (iii) giving an Eligible Person or Participant any claim to be granted any Award under the Plan or to be treated uniformly with other Participants and/or employees and/or other service providers, or (iv) conferring on a Participant any of the rights of a stockholder of the Company unless and until the Participant is duly issued or transferred shares of Stock in accordance with the terms of an Award.

 

(c)                                   Governing Law; Submission to Jurisdiction .  All questions arising with respect to the provisions of the Plan and Awards shall be determined by application of the laws of the State of Texas, without giving effect to any conflict of law provisions thereof, except to the extent Texas law is preempted by federal law.  The obligation of the Company to sell and deliver Stock hereunder is subject to applicable federal and state laws and to the approval of any governmental authority required in connection with the authorization, issuance, sale, or delivery of such Stock.  With respect to any claim or dispute related to or arising under the Plan, the Company and each Participant who accepts an Award hereby consent to the exclusive jurisdiction, forum and venue of the state and federal courts located in the State of Texas.

 

(d)                                  Severability and Reformation .  If any provision of the Plan or any Award is or becomes or is deemed to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable in any jurisdiction or as to any person or Award, or would disqualify the Plan or any Award under any law deemed applicable by the Committee, such provision shall be construed or deemed amended to conform to the applicable law or, if it cannot be construed or deemed amended without, in the determination of the Committee, materially altering the intent of the Plan or the Award, such provision shall be stricken as to such jurisdiction, person or Award and the remainder of the Plan and any such Award shall remain in full force and effect. To the fullest extent possible, the grant of any Awards to, or other transaction by, a Participant who is subject to section 16 of the Exchange Act shall be exempt from such section pursuant to an applicable exemption (except for transactions acknowledged in writing to be non-exempt by such Participant). If any of the terms or provisions of the Plan or any Award Agreement conflict with the requirements of Rule 16b-3 (as those terms or provisions are applied to Eligible Persons who are subject to section 16 of the Exchange Act) or section 422 of the Code (with respect to ISOs), then those conflicting terms or provisions shall be deemed inoperative to the extent they so conflict with the requirements of Rule 16b-3 (unless the Board or the Committee, as appropriate, has expressly determined that the Plan or such Award should not comply with Rule 16b-3) or section 422 of the Code.  With respect to ISOs, if the Plan does not contain any provision required to be included herein under section 422 of the Code, that provision shall be deemed to be incorporated herein with the same force and effect as if that provision had been set out at length herein; provided , further, that, to the extent any Option that is intended to qualify as an ISO cannot

 

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so qualify, that Option (to that extent) shall be deemed a Nonstatutory Option for all purposes of the Plan.

 

(e)                                   Unfunded Status of Awards; No Trust or Fund Created .  The Plan is intended to constitute an “unfunded” plan for certain incentive awards. Neither the Plan nor any Award shall create or be construed to create a trust or separate fund of any kind or a fiduciary relationship between the Company or any Affiliate and a Participant or any other person.  To the extent that any person acquires a right to receive payments from the Company or any Affiliate pursuant to an Award, such right shall be no greater than the right of any general unsecured creditor of the Company or such Affiliate.

 

(f)                                    Nonexclusivity of the Plan .  The adoption of the Plan by the Board shall not be construed as affecting any other equity incentive or compensation plan adopted by the Company or any of its Affiliates (including the EP Energy Corporation 2014 Omnibus Incentive Plan, as amended and restated), nor shall the adoption of the Plan by the Board be construed as creating any limitations on the power of the Board or a committee thereof to adopt such other incentive arrangements as it may deem desirable.  Nothing contained in the Plan shall be construed to prevent the Company or any of its Affiliates from taking any corporate action which is deemed by the Company or such Affiliate to be appropriate or in its best interest, whether or not such action would have an adverse effect on the Plan or any Award made under the Plan. No employee, beneficiary or other person shall have any claim against the Company or any of its Affiliates as a result of any such action.

 

(g)                                   Fractional Shares .  No fractional shares of Stock shall be issued or delivered pursuant to the Plan or any Award, and the Committee shall determine in its sole discretion whether cash, other securities, or other property shall be paid or transferred in lieu of any fractional shares of Stock or whether such fractional shares of Stock or any rights thereto shall be canceled, terminated, or otherwise eliminated with or without consideration.

 

(h)                                  Interpretation .  Headings are given to the Sections and subsections of the Plan solely as a convenience to facilitate reference.  Such headings shall not be deemed in any way material or relevant to the construction or interpretation of the Plan or any provision thereof. Words in the masculine gender shall include the feminine gender, the plural shall include the singular and the singular shall include the plural. In the event of any conflict between the terms and conditions of an Award Agreement and the Plan, the provisions of the Plan shall control.

 

(i)                                      Facility of Payment .  Any amounts payable hereunder to any individual under legal disability or who, in the judgment of the Committee, is unable to manage properly his financial affairs, may be paid to the legal representative of such individual, or may be applied for the benefit of such individual in any manner that the Committee may select, and the Company shall be relieved of any further liability for payment of such amounts.

 

(j)                                     Conditions to Delivery of Stock .  Nothing herein or in any Award Agreement shall require the Company to issue any shares with respect to any Award if that issuance would, in the opinion of counsel for the Company, constitute a violation of the Securities Act or any similar or superseding statute or statutes, any other applicable statute or regulation, or the rules of any applicable national securities exchange or securities association, as then in effect.

 

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In addition, each Participant who receives an Award under the Plan shall not sell or otherwise dispose of Stock that is acquired upon grant or vesting of an Award in any manner that would constitute a violation of any applicable federal or state securities laws, the Plan or the rules, regulations or other requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission or any stock exchange upon which the Stock is then listed.  At the time of any exercise of an Option or Stock Appreciation Right, or at the time of any grant of any other Award the Company may, as a condition precedent to the exercise of such Option or Stock Appreciation Right or settlement of any other Award, require from the Participant (or in the event of his or her death, his or her legal representatives, heirs, legatees, or distributees) such written representations, if any, concerning the Award holder’s intentions with regard to the retention or disposition of the shares of Stock being acquired pursuant to the Award and such written covenants and agreements, if any, as to the manner of disposal of such shares as, in the opinion of counsel to the Company, may be necessary to ensure that any disposition by such Award holder (or in the event of such Award holder’s death, his or her legal representatives, heirs, legatees, or distributees) will not involve a violation of the Securities Act or any similar or superseding statute or statutes, any other applicable state or federal statute or regulation, or any rule of any applicable national securities exchange or securities association, as then in effect.  Stock or other securities shall not be delivered pursuant to any Award until payment in full of any amount required to be paid pursuant to the Plan or the applicable Award Agreement (including, without limitation, any Exercise Price, grant price, or tax withholding) is received by the Company.

 

(k)                                  Section 409A of the Code .  It is the general intention, but not the obligation, of the Committee to design Awards to comply with or to be exempt from the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Rules, and Awards will be operated and construed accordingly. Neither this Section 9(k)  nor any other provision of the Plan is or contains a representation to any Participant regarding the tax consequences of the grant, vesting, exercise, settlement, or sale of any Award (or the Stock underlying such Award) granted hereunder, and should not be interpreted as such.  In no event shall the Company be liable for all or any portion of any taxes, penalties, interest or other expenses that may be incurred by the Participant on account of non-compliance with the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Rules.  Notwithstanding any provision in the Plan or an Award Agreement to the contrary, in the event that a “specified employee” (as defined under the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Rules) becomes entitled to a payment under an Award that would be subject to additional taxes and interest under the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Rules if the Participant’s receipt of such payment or benefits is not delayed until the earlier of (i) the date of the Participant’s death, or (ii) the date that is six months after the Participant’s “separation from service,” as defined under the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Rules (such date, the “ Section 409A Payment Date ”), then such payment or benefit shall not be provided to the Participant until the Section 409A Payment Date.  Any amounts subject to the preceding sentence that would otherwise be payable prior to the Section 409A Payment Date will be aggregated and paid in a lump sum without interest on the Section 409A Payment Date.  The applicable provisions of the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Rules are hereby incorporated by reference and shall control over any Plan or Award Agreement provision in conflict therewith.

 

(l)                                      Participants in Foreign Jurisdictions .  The Committee shall have the authority to adopt such modifications, procedures and subplans as may be necessary or desirable to comply with provisions of the laws of any countries in which the Company may operate to ensure the viability of the benefits from Awards granted to Participants employed in such

 

18



 

countries, to meet the requirements of local laws that permit the Plan to operate in a qualified or tax-efficient manner, to comply with applicable foreign laws and to meet the objectives of the Plan.

 

(m)                              Company Policies .  All Awards granted under the Plan shall be subject to any applicable share trading policies and other policies that may be implemented by the Company from time to time, including such policies that may be implemented after the date an Award is granted.  In addition, to the extent required by applicable law, including, without limitation, the requirements of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010, any Securities and Exchange Commission rule or any applicable securities exchange listing standards, all Awards granted under the Plan and all shares of Stock issued pursuant to Awards granted under the Plan shall be subject to forfeiture, repurchase, recoupment and/or cancellation to the extent necessary to comply with such law(s).

 

(n)                                  Plan Effective Date and Term .  The Plan was adopted by the Board to be effective on the Effective Date. No Awards may be granted under the Plan on and after the tenth anniversary of the Effective Date, which is November 1, 2027. However, any Award granted prior to such termination, and the authority of the Board or Committee to amend, alter, adjust, suspend, discontinue, or terminate any such Award or to waive any conditions or rights under such Award in accordance with the terms of the Plan, shall extend beyond such termination date until the final disposition of such Award.

 

10.                                Amendments to the Plan and Awards.  The Committee may amend, alter, suspend, discontinue or terminate the Plan or the Committee’s authority to grant Awards under the Plan without the consent of stockholders or Participants, except that any amendment or alteration to the Plan, including any increase in any share limitation, shall be subject to the approval of the Company’s stockholders not later than the annual meeting next following such Committee action if such stockholder approval is required by any federal or state law or regulation or the rules of any stock exchange or automated quotation system on which the Stock may then be listed or quoted, and the Committee may otherwise, in its discretion, determine to submit other such changes to the Plan to stockholders for approval; provided , that, without the consent of an affected Participant, no such Committee action may materially and adversely affect the rights of such Participant under any previously granted and outstanding Award.  The Committee may waive any conditions or rights under, or amend, alter, suspend, discontinue or terminate any Award theretofore granted and any Award Agreement relating thereto, except as otherwise provided in the Plan; provided , however , that, without the consent of an affected Participant, no such Committee action may materially and adversely affect the rights of such Participant under such Award.  For purposes of clarity, any adjustments made to Awards pursuant to Section 8 will be deemed not to materially and adversely affect the rights of any Participant under any previously granted and outstanding Award and therefore may be made without the consent of affected Participants.

 

19


Exhibit 10.5

 

EP ENERGY CORPORATION

EMPLOYMENT INDUCEMENT PLAN

 

FORM OF PERFORMANCE SHARE UNIT GRANT NOTICE

 

Pursuant to the terms and conditions of the EP Energy Corporation Employment Inducement Plan, as amended from time to time (the “ Plan ”), EP Energy Corporation (the “ Company ”) hereby grants to the individual listed below (“ you ” or “ Employee ”) an award (this “ Award ”) of Performance Share Units (the “ PSUs ”) subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein and in the Performance Share Unit Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit A (the “ Agreement ”) and the Plan, each of which is incorporated herein by reference.  Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings set forth in the Plan.

 

Employee:

 

 

 

 

 

Date of Grant:

 

 

 

 

 

Threshold PSUs:

 

               PSUs

 

 

 

Performance Period:

 

                                (the “ Performance Period Commencement Date ”) through                        (the “ Performance Period End Date ”)

 

 

 

Vesting Schedule:

 

Except as expressly provided in Section 3(b) of the Agreement, the PSUs shall become vested in accordance with the schedule set forth in the following table, so long as you remain continuously employed by the Company from the Date of Grant through each vesting date set forth below:

 

 

 

 

 

Vesting Date

 

Portion of PSUs
That Become
Vested

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

First Anniversary of the Performance Period Commencement Date

 

20

%

 

 

Second Anniversary of the Performance Period Commencement Date

 

20

%

 

 

Third Anniversary of the Performance Period Commencement Date

 

20

%

 

 

Fourth Anniversary of the Performance Period Commencement Date

 

20

%

 

 

Second Anniversary of the Performance Period End Date

 

20

%

 

 

 

Earning of PSUs:

 

Subject to the Agreement, the Plan and the other terms and conditions set forth herein, the PSUs shall become earned in the manner set forth below.  The number of PSUs, if any, that become earned in the Performance Period will be determined in accordance with the following table (the “ Performance Goals ”):

 



 

 

 

Average Stock Price

 

PSUs Earned

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Below Threshold

 

Less than $5.00

 

 

 

 

Threshold

 

At least $5.00, but less than $6.00

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At least $6.00, but less than $7.00

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At least $7.00, but less than $8.00

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At least $8.00, but less than $9.00

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At least $9.00, but less than $10.00

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At least $10.00, but less than $11.00

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At least $11.00, but less than $12.00

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At least $12.00, but less than $13.00

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At least $13.00, but less than $14.00

 

 

 

 

 

Maximum

 

$14.00 or greater

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As used herein, “ Average Stock Price ” means the highest average closing price per share of the Company’s Common Stock (as reported on the New York Stock Exchange composite tape) during any period of 90 consecutive days on which the New York Stock Exchange is open for trading during the Performance Period.

 

 

 

Settlement Schedule:

 

Subject to the Agreement, the Plan and the other terms and conditions set forth herein, the PSUs earned during the Performance Period that have become vested shall be settled in accordance with Section 6 of the Agreement on the schedule set forth in the following table:

 

 

 

 

 

Settlement Date

 

Cumulative
Portion of
PSUs Granted
Hereunder
That Become
Settled

 

 

 

Performance Period End Date

 

20

%

 

 

First Anniversary of the Performance Period End Date

 

40

%

 

 

Second Anniversary of the Performance Period End Date

 

100

%

 

By signing below, you agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of the Plan, the Agreement and this Performance Share Unit Grant Notice (this “ Grant Notice ”).  You acknowledge that you have reviewed the Agreement, the Plan and this Grant Notice in their entirety and fully understand all provisions of the Agreement, the Plan and this Grant Notice.  You hereby agree to accept as binding, conclusive and final all decisions or interpretations of the Committee regarding any questions or determinations arising under the Agreement, the Plan or this Grant Notice.  This Grant Notice may be executed in one or more counterparts (including portable document format (.pdf) and facsimile counterparts), each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same agreement.

 

In addition, you are consenting to receive documents with respect to the Plan and the PSUs granted hereunder by means of electronic delivery, provided that such delivery complies with the rules, regulations, and guidance issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission and

 

2



 

any other applicable government agency.  This consent shall be effective for the entire time that you are a participant in the Plan.

 

[Remainder of Page Intentionally Blank;
Signature Page Follows]

 

3



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the Company has caused this Grant Notice to be executed by an officer thereunto duly authorized, and Employee has executed this Grant Notice, effective for all purposes as provided above.

 

 

 

 

EP ENERGY CORPORATION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EMPLOYEE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SIGNATURE PAGE TO

PERFORMANCE SHARE UNIT GRANT NOTICE

 



 

EXHIBIT A

 

FORM OF PERFORMANCE SHARE UNIT AGREEMENT

 

This Performance Share Unit Agreement (this “ Agreement ”) is made as of the Date of Grant set forth in the Grant Notice to which this Agreement is attached (the “ Date of Grant ”) by and between EP Energy Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), and                                                  (“ Employee ”).

 

1.                                       Definitions .  Capitalized terms used but not specifically defined herein shall have the meanings specified in the Plan or the Grant Notice.  As used herein, the following terms have the meanings set forth below:

 

(a)                                  Certificate of Incorporation ” means the Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, as amended from time to time.

 

(b)                                  Change in Control Protection Period ” means the one-year period following the consummation of a Change in Control.

 

(c)                                   Employment Agreement ” means the employment agreement between Employee and the Company.

 

(d)                                  Sponsor Sale ” means a Subsequent Sale (as defined in the Certificate of Incorporation) by one or more of the Sponsors.

 

(e)                                   Sponsors ” means, collectively, the Apollo Stockholder and the Principal Stockholders, as such terms are defined in the Certificate of Incorporation.

 

2.                                       Award .  Effective as of the Date of Grant, the Company hereby grants to Employee the number of PSUs set forth in the Grant Notice on the terms and conditions set forth in the Grant Notice, this Agreement and the Plan, which is incorporated herein by reference as a part of this Agreement.  In the event of any inconsistency between the Plan and this Agreement, the terms of the Plan shall control.  To the extent earned, each PSU represents the right to receive one share of Stock (“ Common Stock ”), subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Grant Notice, this Agreement and the Plan.  Unless and until the PSUs have become earned in the manner set forth in the Grant Notice and this Agreement, Employee will have no right to receive any Common Stock or other payments in respect of the PSUs.  Prior to settlement of this Award, the PSUs and this Award represent an unsecured obligation of the Company, payable only from the general assets of the Company.

 

3.                                       Vesting of PSUs .

 

(a)                                  Except as otherwise set forth in this Section 3 below, the PSUs shall vest in accordance with the vesting schedule set forth in the Grant Notice.

 

(b)                                  Notwithstanding anything in the Grant Notice, this Agreement or the Plan to the contrary:

 

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(i)                                      If Employee’s employment with the Company terminates as a result of Employee’s death or Disability (as defined in the Employment Agreement), then, provided that Employee (or, if applicable, Employee’s estate) executes within the time provided to do so (and does not revoke within any time provided to do so) a release of claims in a form acceptable to the Committee, the vesting of 50% of the PSUs, if any, that remain unvested will accelerate automatically on the date of such termination without any further action by the Company or any other person; provided, however , that such vested PSUs (and all other PSUs granted hereunder, if any, that have become vested) shall remain subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Grant Notice and this Agreement, including Sections 5, 6 and 10 below;

 

(ii)                                   If Employee’s employment with the Company terminates before or after a Change in Control Protection Period as a result of (A) the Company’s termination of Employee’s employment without Cause (as defined in the Employment Agreement) or (B) Employee’s resignation for Good Reason (as defined in the Employment Agreement), then if such termination occurs (x) prior to the Performance Period End Date or (y) after the first anniversary of the Performance Period End Date and prior to the second anniversary of the Performance Period End Date, any PSUs remain unvested as of the date of such termination, provided that Employee executes within the time provided to do so (and does not revoke within any time provided to do so) a release of claims in a form acceptable to the Committee, the vesting of a portion of the PSUs granted hereunder equal to the Specified Acceleration Percentage will accelerate automatically on the date of such termination without any further action by the Company or any other person; provided, however , that such vested PSUs (and all other PSUs granted hereunder, if any, that have become vested) shall remain subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Grant Notice and this Agreement, including Sections 5, 6 and 10 below.  As used herein, “ Specified Acceleration Percentage ” means the product of (I) 5% multiplied by (II) the number of complete calendar quarters that have elapsed in the calendar year that includes the date of Employee’s termination of employment prior to the date of such termination; and

 

(c)                                   If, during a Change in Control Protection Period, Employee’s employment with the Company terminates as a result of (i) the Company’s termination of Employee’s employment without Cause or (ii) Employee’s resignation for Good Reason, then, provided that Employee executes within the time provided to do so (and does not revoke within any time provided to do so) a release of claims in a form acceptable to the Committee, (A) if the Performance Period has not ended, the date of such termination of employment shall be deemed to be the Performance Period End Date, (B) all PSUs that remain unvested as of the date of such termination, if any, will accelerate automatically on the date of such termination and become vested without any further action by the Company or any other person, and (C) the date of such termination shall be deemed to be a Settlement Date; provided, however , that such vested PSUs (and all other PSUs granted hereunder, if any, that have become vested) shall remain subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Grant Notice and this Agreement, including Sections 5, 6 and 10 below.

 

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4.                                       Forfeitures Upon Termination of Employment .

 

(a)                                  If Employee’s employment with the Company terminates as a result of the Company’s termination of Employee’s employment for Cause, then on the date of such termination, Employee shall forfeit without consideration all of the PSUs (including the PSUs that remain unvested and the PSUs that have become vested) and all rights arising from such PSUs and from being a holder thereof.

 

(b)                                  If Employee’s employment with the Company terminates as a result of Employee’s resignation without Good Reason, including, if applicable, a termination of Employee’s employment as a result of the expiration of the term of the Employment Agreement due to Employee providing notice of non-renewal of such agreement, then, on the date of such termination, Employee shall forfeit without consideration (i) all PSUs that remain unvested and (ii) 50% of the PSUs that have become vested and all rights arising from such PSUs and from being a holder thereof.

 

(c)                                   If Employee’s employment with the Company terminates for any reason other than as set forth in Section 4(a) or 4(b), Employee shall forfeit without consideration all of the PSUs that remain unvested (after giving effect to any accelerated vesting pursuant to Section 3(b)) and all rights arising from such PSUs and from being a holder thereof.

 

(d)                                  The forfeiture of PSUs pursuant to this Section 4 shall occur immediately and automatically (without further action of the Company or any other person) upon the termination giving rise to such forfeitures.

 

5.                                       Earning of PSUs .  Following the end of the Performance Period, the Committee will determine the level of achievement of the Performance Goals for the Performance Period.  The number of PSUs, if any, that actually become earned for the Performance Period will be determined by the Committee in accordance with the Grant Notice (and any PSUs that do not become so earned shall be automatically forfeited).  Unless and until the PSUs have become earned and been settled in accordance with Section 6, Employee will have no right to receive any dividends or other distributions with respect to the PSUs.

 

6.                                       Settlement of PSUs .  As soon as administratively practicable following each Settlement Date, but in no event later than 60 days following such Settlement Date, Employee (or Employee’s permitted transferee, if applicable) shall be issued a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the number of PSUs subject to this Award that have become (i) vested in accordance with the Grant Notice and Section 3, as applicable, and (ii) earned based on the level of achievement of the Performance Goals as determined by the Committee in accordance with Section 5.  Any fractional PSU that becomes earned hereunder shall be rounded down at the time shares of Common Stock are issued in settlement of such PSU.  No fractional shares of Common Stock, nor the cash value of any fractional shares of Common Stock, will be issuable or payable to Employee pursuant to this Agreement.  All shares of Common Stock issued hereunder shall be delivered either by delivering one or more certificates for such shares to Employee or by entering such shares in book-entry form, as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion.  The value of shares of Common Stock shall not bear any interest owing to the passage of time. 

 

A- 3



 

Neither this Section 6 nor any action taken pursuant to or in accordance with this Agreement shall be construed to create a trust or a funded or secured obligation of any kind.

 

7.                                       Dividend Equivalent Rights .  Each PSU subject to this Award is hereby granted in tandem with a corresponding Dividend Equivalent.  Each Dividend Equivalent granted hereunder shall remain outstanding from the Date of Grant until the earlier of the settlement or forfeiture of the PSU to which it corresponds.  If the Company pays a cash dividend in respect of its outstanding Stock and, on the record date for such dividend, Employee holds PSUs granted pursuant to this Agreement that have not vested and been settled, the Company shall credit to an account maintained by the Company for Employee’s benefit an amount equal to the cash dividends Employee would have received if Employee were the holder of record, as of such record date, of the number of shares of Common Stock related to the portion of the PSUs that have not been settled or forfeited as of such record date.  Such account is intended to constitute an “unfunded” account, and neither this Section 7 nor any action taken pursuant to or in accordance with this Section 7 shall be construed to create a trust of any kind.  Any Dividend Equivalent will be subject to the same vesting schedule as the PSUs to which it relates and will be paid to Employee, in cash, on the date that the PSU to which it relates is settled in accordance with Section 6.  Employee shall not be entitled to receive any interest with respect to the payment of Dividend Equivalents.  Any Dividend Equivalent that relates to a PSU that (a) does not become vested or (b) becomes vested and is subsequently forfeited shall be forfeited at the same time the related PSU is forfeited.

 

8.                                       Rights as Stockholder .  Neither Employee nor any person claiming under or through Employee shall have any of the rights or privileges of a holder of shares of Common Stock in respect of any shares that may become deliverable hereunder unless and until certificates representing such shares have been issued or recorded in book entry form on the records of the Company or its transfer agents or registrars, and delivered in certificate or book entry form to Employee or any person claiming under or through Employee.

 

9.                                       Tax Withholding .  To the extent that the receipt, vesting or settlement of the PSUs or Dividend Equivalents results in compensation income or wages to Employee for federal, state, local and/or foreign tax purposes, Employee shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Company for the satisfaction of obligations for the payment of withholding taxes and other tax obligations relating to the PSUs or Dividend Equivalents, which arrangements include the delivery of cash or cash equivalents or, if permitted by the Committee in its sole discretion, shares of Common Stock (including previously owned shares of Common Stock, net settlement, a broker-assisted sale, or other cashless withholding or reduction of the amount of shares otherwise issuable or delivered pursuant to this Award), other property, or any other legal consideration the Committee deems appropriate; provided, however , that, at a minimum, the Committee shall permit either (a) net settlement or (b) a broker-assisted sale for each event that results in a tax withholding obligation.  If such tax obligations are satisfied through net settlement or the surrender of previously owned shares of Common Stock, the maximum number of shares of Common Stock that may be so withheld (or surrendered) shall be the number of shares of Common Stock that have an aggregate Fair Market Value on the date of withholding or surrender equal to the aggregate amount of such tax liabilities determined based on the greatest withholding rates for federal, state, local and/or foreign tax purposes, including payroll taxes, that may be utilized without creating adverse accounting treatment for the Company with respect

 

A- 4



 

to this Award, as determined by the Committee.  Employee acknowledges that there may be adverse tax consequences upon the receipt, vesting or settlement of the PSUs or Dividend Equivalents or disposition of the shares underlying the PSUs and that Employee has been advised, and hereby is advised, to consult a tax advisor. Employee represents that Employee is in no manner relying on the Board, the Committee, the Company or any of its Affiliates or any of their respective managers, directors, officers, employees or authorized representatives (including attorneys, accountants, consultants, bankers, lenders, prospective lenders and financial representatives) for tax advice or an assessment of such tax consequences.

 

10.                                Restrictions on Transfer .

 

(a)                                  None of the PSUs, Dividend Equivalents or any interest or right therein shall be (i) sold, pledged, assigned or transferred in any manner other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution, unless and until the shares of Common Stock underlying the PSUs have been issued, and all restrictions applicable to such shares have lapsed, or (ii) liable for the debts, contracts or engagements of Employee or his or her successors in interest.  Except to the extent expressly permitted by the preceding sentence, any purported sale, pledge, assignment, transfer, attachment or encumbrance of the PSUs, Dividend Equivalents or any interest or right therein shall be null, void and unenforceable against the Company and its Affiliates.

 

(b)                                  Until the earlier to occur of (i) the third anniversary of the Performance Period End Date or (ii) the date on which the Sponsors hold less than 15% of the shares of Common Stock they held on the Date of Grant, shares of Common Stock issued hereunder may not be sold, pledged, assigned or transferred in any manner other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution except (1) with the prior approval of the Board, (2) to satisfy tax withholding obligations as provided in Section 9, or (3) on a pro-rata basis with the Sponsors in the event of a Sponsor Sale following the Performance Period End Date in which the Apollo Stockholder participates (subject to cutback, if applicable, on terms substantially similar to the terms that apply to other holders of Stock that participate in such transaction); provided , that in the event the Apollo Stockholder participates in a Sponsor Sale prior to the Performance Period End Date, the shares of Common Stock sold by the Apollo Stockholder in such Sponsor Sale shall be taken into account for purposes of determining Employee’s pro-rata participation pursuant to this clause (3) in a Sponsor Sale that occurs after the Performance Period End Date.

 

11.                                Compliance with Securities Law .  Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, the issuance of shares of Common Stock hereunder will be subject to compliance with all applicable requirements of applicable law with respect to such securities and with the requirements of any stock exchange or market system upon which the Common Stock may then be listed.  No shares of Common Stock will be issued hereunder if such issuance would constitute a violation of any applicable law or regulation or the requirements of any stock exchange or market system upon which the Common Stock may then be listed.  In addition, shares of Common Stock will not be issued hereunder unless (a) a registration statement under the Securities Act is in effect at the time of such issuance with respect to the shares to be issued or (b) in the opinion of legal counsel to the Company, the shares to be issued are permitted to be issued in accordance with the terms of an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities 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

 

A- 5



 

necessary for the lawful issuance and sale of any shares of Common Stock hereunder will relieve the Company of any liability in respect of the failure to issue such shares as to which such requisite authority has not been obtained.  As a condition to any issuance of Common Stock hereunder, the Company may require Employee to satisfy any requirements 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.

 

12.                                Legends .  If a stock certificate is issued with respect to shares of Common Stock delivered hereunder, such certificate shall bear such legend or legends as the Committee deems appropriate in order to reflect the restrictions set forth in this Agreement and to ensure compliance with the terms and provisions of this Agreement, the rules, regulations and other requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission, any applicable laws or the requirements of any stock exchange on which the Common Stock is then listed.  If the shares of Common Stock issued hereunder are held in book-entry form, then such entry will reflect that the shares are subject to the restrictions set forth in this Agreement.

 

13.                                Execution of Receipts .  Any issuance or transfer of shares of Common Stock or other property to Employee or Employee’s legal representative, heir, legatee or distributee, in accordance with this Agreement shall be in full satisfaction of all claims of such person hereunder.  As a condition precedent to such payment or issuance, the Company may require Employee or Employee’s legal representative, heir, legatee or distributee to execute a receipt therefor in such form as it shall determine appropriate.

 

14.                                No Right to Continued Employment or Awards .

 

(a)                                  For purposes of this Agreement, Employee shall be considered to be employed by the Company as long as Employee remains an employee of the Company or any Affiliate, or an employee of a corporation or other entity (or a parent or subsidiary of such corporation or other entity) assuming or substituting a new award for this Award.  Without limiting the scope of the preceding sentence, it is specifically provided that Employee shall be considered to have terminated employment with the Company at the time of the termination of the “Affiliate” status of the entity or other organization that employs Employee.  Nothing in the adoption of the Plan, nor the award of the PSUs or Dividend Equivalents thereunder pursuant to the Grant Notice and this Agreement, shall confer upon Employee the right to continued employment by, or a continued service relationship with, the Company or any such Affiliate, or any other entity, or affect in any way the right of the Company or any such Affiliate, or any other entity to terminate such employment at any time.  Unless otherwise provided in a written employment agreement or by applicable law, Employee’s employment by the Company, or any such Affiliate, or any other entity shall be on an at-will basis, and the employment relationship may be terminated at any time by either Employee or the Company, or any such Affiliate, or other entity for any reason whatsoever, with or without cause or notice.  Any question as to whether and when there has been a termination of such employment, and the cause of such termination, shall be determined by the Committee or its delegate, and such determination shall be final, conclusive and binding for all purposes.

 

A- 6



 

(b)                                  The grant of the PSUs and Dividend Equivalents is a one-time benefit and does not create any contractual or other right to receive a grant of Awards or benefits in lieu of Awards in the future. Future plans will be at the sole discretion of the Company.

 

15.                                Notices .  Any notices or other communications provided for in this Agreement shall be sufficient if in writing.  In the case of Employee, such notices or communications shall be effectively delivered if hand delivered to Employee at Employee’s principal place of employment or if sent by registered or certified mail to Employee at the last address Employee has filed with the Company.  In the case of the Company, such notices or communications shall be effectively delivered if sent by registered or certified mail to the Company at its principal executive offices.

 

16.                                Agreement to Furnish Information .  Employee agrees to furnish to the Company all information requested by the Company to enable it to comply with any reporting or other requirement imposed upon the Company by or under any applicable statute or regulation.

 

17.                                Entire Agreement; Amendment .  This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement of the parties with regard to the subject matter hereof, and contains all the covenants, promises, representations, warranties and agreements between the parties with respect to the PSUs and Dividend Equivalents granted hereby; provided¸ however, that the terms of this Agreement shall not modify and shall be subject to the terms and conditions of any employment and/or severance agreement between the Company (or an Affiliate or other entity) and Employee in effect as of the date a determination is to be made under this Agreement.  Without limiting the scope of the preceding sentence, except as provided therein, all prior understandings and agreements, if any, among the parties hereto relating to the subject matter hereof are hereby null and void and of no further force and effect.  The Committee may, in its sole discretion, amend this Agreement from time to time in any manner that is not inconsistent with the Plan; provided, however , that except as otherwise provided in the Plan or this Agreement, any such amendment that (a) materially reduces the rights of Employee or (b) adversely affects the economic rights of Employee under this Award shall be effective only if it is in writing and signed by both Employee and an authorized officer of the Company.

 

18.                                Governing Law .  This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Texas, without regard to conflicts of law principles thereof.

 

19.                                Successors and Assigns .  The Company may assign any of its rights under this Agreement without Employee’s consent.  This Agreement will be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of the Company.  Subject to the restrictions on transfer set forth herein and in the Plan, this Agreement will be binding upon Employee and Employee’s beneficiaries, executors, administrators and the person(s) to whom the PSUs and Dividend Equivalents may be transferred by will or the laws of descent or distribution.

 

20.                                Clawback .  Notwithstanding any provision in this Agreement, the Grant Notice or the Plan to the contrary, to the extent required by (a) applicable law, including the requirements of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010, any Securities and Exchange Commission rule or any applicable securities exchange listing standards

 

A- 7



 

and/or (b) the Company’s clawback policy and any other policy that may be adopted or amended by the Board from time to time, all shares of Common Stock issued hereunder shall be subject to forfeiture, repurchase, recoupment and/or cancellation to the extent necessary to comply with such law(s) and/or policy.

 

21.                                Counterparts . The Grant Notice may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which together shall constitute one instrument. Delivery of an executed counterpart of the Grant Notice by facsimile or pdf attachment to electronic mail shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of the Grant Notice.

 

22.                                Severability .  If a court of competent jurisdiction determines that any provision of this Agreement is invalid or unenforceable, then the invalidity or unenforceability of such provision shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement, and all other provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

 

23.                                Headings; References; Interpretation .  All Section headings in this Agreement are for convenience only and shall not be deemed to control or affect the meaning or construction of any of the provisions hereof.  The words “hereof,” “herein” and “hereunder” and words of similar import, when used in this Agreement, shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement.  All references herein to Sections shall, unless the context requires a different construction, be deemed to be references to the Sections of this Agreement.  All references to “including” shall be construed as meaning “including without limitation.”  Unless the context requires otherwise, all references herein to a law, agreement, instrument or other document shall be deemed to refer to such law, agreement, instrument or other document as amended, supplemented, modified and restated from time to time to the extent permitted by the provisions thereof.  All references to “dollars” or “$” in this Agreement refer to United States dollars.  Whenever the context may require, any pronouns used herein shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine or neuter forms, and the singular form of nouns and pronouns shall include the plural and vice versa.  Neither this Agreement nor any uncertainty or ambiguity herein shall be construed or resolved against any party hereto, whether under any rule of construction or otherwise.  On the contrary, this Agreement has been reviewed by each of the parties hereto and shall be construed and interpreted according to the ordinary meaning of the words used so as to fairly accomplish the purposes and intentions of the parties hereto.

 

24.                                Code Section 409A . The PSUs, Dividend Equivalents and any amounts payable pursuant to this Agreement are intended to be exempt from or compliant with Section 409A of the Code and the Treasury regulations and other interpretive guidance issued thereunder (collectively, “ Section 409A ”).  If Employee is deemed to be a “specified employee” within the meaning of Section 409A, as determined by the Committee, at a time when Employee becomes eligible for settlement of the PSUs or payment of Dividend Equivalents upon his “separation from service” within the meaning of Section 409A, then to the extent necessary to prevent any accelerated or additional tax under Section 409A, such settlement will be delayed until the earlier of: (a) the date that is six months following Employee’s separation from service and (b) Employee’s death.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company makes no representations that the payments provided under this Agreement are exempt from or compliant with Section 409A and in no event shall the Company be liable for all or any portion of any taxes, penalties, interest

 

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or other expenses that may be incurred by Employee on account of non-compliance with Section 409A.

 

[Remainder of Page Intentionally Blank]

 

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Exhibit 10.6

 

EP ENERGY CORPORATION

EMPLOYMENT INDUCEMENT PLAN

 

FORM OF RESTRICTED STOCK GRANT NOTICE

 

Pursuant to the terms and conditions of the EP Energy Corporation Employment Inducement Plan, as amended from time to time (the “ Plan ”), EP Energy Corporation (the “ Company ”) hereby grants to the individual listed below (“ you ” or “ Employee ”) the number of shares of Restricted Stock (the “ Restricted Shares ”) set forth below in this Restricted Stock Grant Notice (this “ Grant Notice ”), subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein and in the Restricted Stock Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit A (the “ Agreement ”) and the Plan, each of which is incorporated herein by reference.  Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings set forth in the Plan.

 

 

Employee:

 

 

 

 

 

Date of Grant:

 

 

 

 

 

Total Number of Restricted Shares:

 

                              Shares

 

 

 

Vesting Commencement Date:

 

 

 

 

 

Vesting Schedule:

 

The Restricted Shares shall become vested in accordance with the schedule set forth in the following table, so long as you remain continuously employed by the Company from the Date of Grant through each vesting date set forth below:

 

 

 

 

 

Vesting Date

 

Number of
Restricted
Shares That
Become
Vested

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

First Anniversary of the Vesting Commencement Date

 

 

 

 

 

Second Anniversary of the Vesting Commencement Date

 

 

 

 

 

Third Anniversary of the Vesting Commencement Date

 

 

 

 

 

Fourth Anniversary of the Vesting Commencement Date

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing:

 

 

 

 

 

(i)     If Employee’s employment with the Company terminates due to Employee’s death or Disability (as defined in the employment agreement between Employee and the Company, the “ Employment Agreement ”), then if any Restricted Shares remain unvested as of the date of such termination, 50% of such unvested Restricted Shares shall immediately vest as of the date of such termination of employment, provided that Employee (or, if applicable, Employee’s estate) executes within the time provided to do so (and does not revoke within any time provided to do so) a

 



 

 

 

release of claims in a form acceptable to the Committee; and

 

 

 

 

 

(ii)      If Employee’s employment with the Company terminates as a result of (A) the Company’s termination of Employee’s employment without Cause (as defined in the Employment Agreement) or (B) Employee’s resignation for Good Reason (as defined in the Employment Agreement), then if any Restricted Shares remain unvested as of the date of such termination, the vesting of a portion of the Restricted Shares granted hereunder equal to the Specified Acceleration Percentage shall immediately vest as of the date of such termination of employment, provided that Employee executes within the time provided to do so (and does not revoke within any time provided to do so) a release of claims in a form acceptable to the Committee.

 

As used herein, “ Specified Acceleration Percentage ” means the product of (x) 6.25% multiplied by (y) the number of complete calendar quarters that have elapsed in the calendar year that includes the date of Employee’s termination of employment prior to the date of such termination.

 

 

 

 

By signing below, you agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of the Plan, the Agreement and this Grant Notice.  You acknowledge that you have reviewed the Agreement, the Plan and this Grant Notice in their entirety and fully understand all provisions of the Agreement, the Plan and this Grant Notice.  You hereby agree to accept as binding, conclusive and final all decisions or interpretations of the Committee regarding any questions or determinations arising under the Agreement, the Plan or this Grant Notice.

 

You also understand and acknowledge that you should consult with your tax advisor regarding the advisability of filing with the Internal Revenue Service an election under section 83(b) of the Internal Revenue Code with respect to the Restricted Shares.  This election must be filed no later than 30 days after Date of Grant set forth in this Grant Notice.  This time period cannot be extended.  If you wish to file a section 83(b) election with respect to the Restricted Shares, an election form is attached hereto as Exhibit B .  By signing below, you acknowledge (a) that you have been advised to consult with a tax advisor regarding the tax consequences of the award of the Restricted Shares and (b) that timely filing a section 83(b) election (if you choose to do so) is your sole responsibility, even if you request the Company or any of its affiliates or any of their respective managers, directors, officers, employees or authorized representatives (including attorneys, accountants, consultants, bankers, lenders, prospective lenders and financial representatives) to assist in making such filing or to file such election on your behalf.

 

This Grant Notice may be executed in one or more counterparts (including portable document format (.pdf) and facsimile counterparts), each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same agreement.

 

In addition, you are consenting to receive documents with respect to the Plan and the Restricted Shares granted hereunder by means of electronic delivery, provided that such delivery

 

2



 

complies with the rules, regulations, and guidance issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission and any other applicable government agency.  This consent shall be effective for the entire time that you are a participant in the Plan.

 

Note : To accept the grant of the Restricted Shares, you must execute this Grant Notice and return an executed copy to the Company, 1001 Louisiana Street, Houston, Texas, 77002, by                .

 

[Remainder of Page Intentionally Blank;

Signature Page Follows]

 

3



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the Company has caused this Grant Notice to be executed by an officer thereunto duly authorized, and Employee has executed this Grant Notice, effective for all purposes as provided above.

 

 

 

 

EP ENERGY CORPORATION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EMPLOYEE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SIGNATURE PAGE TO

RESTRICTED STOCK GRANT NOTICE

 



 

EXHIBIT A

 

RESTRICTED STOCK AGREEMENT

 

This Restricted Stock Agreement (this “ Agreement ”) is made as of the Date of Grant set forth in the Grant Notice to which this Agreement is attached by and between EP Energy Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), and                                                 (“ Employee ”).  Capitalized terms used but not specifically defined herein shall have the meanings specified in the Plan or the Grant Notice.

 

1.                                       Award .  The Company hereby grants to Employee the number of shares of Restricted Stock set forth in the Grant Notice (the “ Restricted Shares ”) on the terms and conditions set forth in the Grant Notice, this Agreement and the Plan, which is incorporated herein by reference as a part of this Agreement.  In the event of any inconsistency between the Plan and this Agreement, the terms of the Plan shall control.

 

2.                                       Issuance Mechanics .  The Company shall (a) cause a stock certificate or certificates representing the Restricted Shares to be registered in the name of Employee, or (b) cause the Restricted Shares to be held in book-entry form.   If a stock certificate is issued, it shall be delivered to and held in custody by the Company and shall bear such legend or legends as the Committee deems appropriate in order to reflect the Forfeiture Restrictions and to ensure compliance with the terms and provisions of this Agreement, the rules, regulations and other requirements of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and any stock exchange on which the Stock is then listed or quoted.  If the shares of Stock are held in book-entry form, then such entry will reflect that the shares are subject to the restrictions of this Agreement.

 

3.                                       Forfeiture Restrictions .

 

(a)                                  The Restricted Shares may not be sold, assigned, pledged, exchanged, hypothecated or otherwise transferred, encumbered or disposed of except as provided in this Agreement or the Plan, and in the event of the termination of Employee’s employment with the Company, Employee shall immediately and without any further action by the Company, forfeit and surrender to the Company for no consideration all of the Restricted Shares with respect to which the Forfeiture Restrictions have not lapsed in accordance with Section 3(b) as of the date of such termination of Employee’s employment.  The prohibition against transfer and the obligation to forfeit and surrender the Restricted Shares to the Company upon termination of Employee’s employment as provided in the preceding sentence are referred to herein as the “ Forfeiture Restrictions .”  The Forfeiture Restrictions shall be binding upon and enforceable against any transferee of the Restricted Shares.

 

(b)                                  The Restricted Shares shall be released from the Forfeiture Restrictions in accordance with the vesting schedule set forth in the Grant Notice.  The Restricted Shares with respect to which the Forfeiture Restrictions lapse without forfeiture are referred to herein as the “ Earned Shares .”  As soon as administratively practicable following the release of any Stock from the Forfeiture Restrictions, the Company shall, as applicable, either deliver to Employee the certificate or certificates representing such Stock in the Company’s possession belonging to Employee, or, if the Stock is held in book-entry form, then the Company shall remove the

 

A- 1



 

notations indicating that the Stock is subject to the restrictions of this Agreement.  Employee (or the beneficiary or personal representative of Employee in the event of Employee’s death or disability, as the case may be) shall deliver to the Company any representations or other documents or assurances as the Company or its representatives deem necessary or advisable in connection with any such delivery.

 

4.                                       Dividends and Other Distributions .  Dividends and other distributions that are paid or distributed with respect to a Restricted Share (whether in the form of shares of Stock or other property (including cash)) (referred to herein as “ Distributions ”) shall be subject to the transfer restrictions and the risk of forfeiture applicable to the related Restricted Share and shall be held by the Company or other depository as may be designated by the Committee as a depository for safekeeping.  If the Restricted Share to which such Distributions relate is forfeited to the Company, then such Distributions shall be forfeited to the Company at the same time such Restricted Share is so forfeited.  If the Restricted Share to which such Distributions relate becomes vested, then such Distributions shall be paid and distributed to Employee as soon as administratively feasible after such Restricted Share becomes vested (but in no event later than March 15 of the calendar year following the calendar year in which such vesting occurs).  Distributions paid or distributed in the form of securities with respect to Restricted Shares shall bear such legends, if any, as may be determined by the Committee to reflect the terms and conditions of this Agreement and to comply with applicable securities laws.

 

5.                                       Rights as Stockholder .  Except as otherwise provided herein, upon issuance of the Restricted Shares by the Company, Employee shall have all the rights of a stockholder of the Company with respect to such Restricted Shares, subject to the restrictions herein, including the right to vote the Restricted Shares.

 

6.                                       Tax Withholding .  To the extent that the receipt or vesting of the Restricted Shares results in compensation income or wages to Employee for federal, state, local and/or foreign tax purposes, Employee shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Company for the satisfaction of obligations for the payment of withholding taxes and other tax obligations relating to the Restricted Shares, which arrangements include the delivery of cash or cash equivalents or, if permitted by the Committee in its sole discretion, shares of Stock (including previously owned shares of Stock, withholding or surrender of Restricted Shares, a broker-assisted sale, or other cashless withholding), other property, or any other legal consideration the Committee deems appropriate; provided, however , that, at a minimum, the Committee shall permit either (a) withholding or surrender of Restricted Shares or (b) a broker-assisted sale for each event that results in a tax withholding obligation.  If such tax obligations are satisfied through the withholding of Restricted Shares pursuant to this Agreement or surrender of previously owned shares of Stock, the maximum number of shares of Stock that may be so withheld (or surrendered) shall be the number of shares of Stock that have an aggregate Fair Market Value on the date of withholding or surrender equal to the aggregate amount of such tax liabilities determined based on the greatest withholding rates for federal, state, local and/or foreign tax purposes, including payroll taxes, that may be utilized without creating adverse accounting treatment for the Company with respect to this Award, as determined by the Committee.  Employee acknowledges that there may be adverse tax consequences upon the receipt, vesting or disposition of the Restricted Shares and that Employee has been advised, and hereby is advised, to consult a tax advisor. Employee represents that Employee is in no manner relying on the

 

A- 2



 

Board, the Committee, the Company or any of its Affiliates or any of their respective managers, directors, officers, employees or authorized representatives (including attorneys, accountants, consultants, bankers, lenders, prospective lenders and financial representatives) for tax advice or an assessment of such tax consequences.

 

7.                                       Refusal to Transfer; Stop-Transfer Notices .  The Company shall not be required (a) to transfer on its books any shares of Stock that have been sold or otherwise transferred in violation of any of the provisions of this Agreement or (b) to treat as owner of such shares or to accord the right to vote or pay dividends to any purchaser or other transferee to whom such shares shall have been so transferred.  Employee agrees that, in order to ensure compliance with the restrictions referred to herein, the Company may issue appropriate “stop transfer” instructions to its transfer agent, if any, and that, if the Company transfers its own securities, it may make appropriate notations to the same effect in its own records.

 

8.                                       Restricted Shares Not Transferable .  The Restricted Shares may not be sold, pledged, assigned or transferred in any manner unless and until the Forfeiture Restrictions have lapsed.  No Restricted Shares or any interest or right therein or part thereof shall be liable for the debts, contracts or engagements of Employee or his or her successors in interest or shall be subject to disposition by transfer, alienation, anticipation, pledge, encumbrance, assignment or any other means whether such disposition be voluntary or involuntary or by operation of law by judgment, levy, attachment, garnishment or any other legal or equitable proceedings (including bankruptcy), and any attempted disposition thereof shall be null and void and of no effect.

 

9.                                       Section 83(b) Election .  If Employee makes an election under section 83(b) of the Code to be taxed with respect to the Restricted Shares as of the Date of Grant rather than as of the date or dates upon which Employee would otherwise be taxable under section 83(a) of the Code, Employee hereby agrees to (a) use the election form provided in Exhibit B for such purpose and (b) deliver a copy of such election to the Company promptly after filing such election with the Internal Revenue Service

 

10.                                No Right to Continued Employment or Awards .

 

(a)                                  For purposes of this Agreement, Employee shall be considered to be employed by the Company as long as Employee remains an employee of the Company or any Affiliate, or an employee of a corporation or other entity (or a parent or subsidiary of such corporation or other entity) assuming or substituting a new award for this Award.  Without limiting the scope of the preceding sentence, it is specifically provided that Employee shall be considered to have terminated employment with the Company at the time of the termination of the “Affiliate” status of the entity or other organization that employs Employee.  Nothing in the adoption of the Plan, nor the award of the Restricted Shares thereunder pursuant to the Grant Notice and this Agreement, shall confer upon Employee the right to continued employment by, or a continued service relationship with, the Company or any such Affiliate, or any other entity, or affect in any way the right of the Company or any such Affiliate, or any other entity to terminate such employment at any time.  Unless otherwise provided in a written employment agreement or by applicable law, Employee’s employment by the Company, or any such Affiliate, or any other entity shall be on an at-will basis, and the employment relationship may be terminated at any time by either Employee or the Company, or any such Affiliate, or other entity

 

A- 3



 

for any reason whatsoever, with or without cause or notice.  Any question as to whether and when there has been a termination of such employment, and the cause of such termination, shall be determined by the Committee or its delegate, and such determination shall be final, conclusive and binding for all purposes.

 

(b)                                  The grant of the Restricted Shares is a one-time benefit and does not create any contractual or other right to receive a grant of Awards or benefits in lieu of Awards in the future.  Future grants of Awards will be at the sole discretion of the Company.

 

11.                                Notices .  Any notices or other communications provided for in this Agreement shall be sufficient if in writing.  In the case of Employee, such notices or communications shall be effectively delivered if hand delivered to Employee at Employee’s principal place of employment or if sent by registered or certified mail to Employee at the last address Employee has filed with the Company.  In the case of the Company, such notices or communications shall be effectively delivered if sent by registered or certified mail to the Company at its principal executive offices.

 

12.                                Agreement to Furnish Information .  Employee agrees to furnish to the Company all information requested by the Company to enable it to comply with any reporting or other requirement imposed upon the Company by or under any applicable statute or regulation.

 

13.                                Entire Agreement; Amendment .  This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement of the parties with regard to the subject matter hereof, and contains all the covenants, promises, representations, warranties and agreements between the parties with respect to the Restricted Shares granted hereby; provided, however , that the terms of this Agreement shall not modify and shall be subject to the terms and conditions of any employment and/or severance agreement between the Company (or an Affiliate or other entity) and Employee in effect as of the date a determination is to be made under this Agreement.  Without limiting the scope of the preceding sentence, except as provided therein, all prior understandings and agreements, if any, among the parties hereto relating to the subject matter hereof are hereby null and void and of no further force and effect.  The Committee may, in its sole discretion, amend this Agreement from time to time in any manner that is not inconsistent with the Plan; provided, however , that except as otherwise provided in the Plan or this Agreement, any such amendment that (a) materially reduces the rights of Employee or (b) adversely affects the economic rights of Employee under this Award shall be effective only if it is in writing and signed by both Employee and an authorized officer of the Company.

 

14.                                Governing Law .  This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Texas, without regard to conflicts of law principles thereof.

 

15.                                Successors and Assigns .  The Company may assign any of its rights under this Agreement without Employee’s consent.  This Agreement will be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of the Company.  Subject to the restrictions on transfer set forth herein and in the Plan, this Agreement will be binding upon Employee and Employee’s beneficiaries, executors, administrators and the person(s) to whom the Restricted Shares may be transferred by will or the laws of descent or distribution.

 

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16.                                Clawback .  Notwithstanding any provision in this Agreement, the Grant Notice or the Plan to the contrary, to the extent required by (a) applicable law, including the requirements of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010, any Securities and Exchange Commission rule or any applicable securities exchange listing standards and/or (b) the Company’s clawback policy and any other policy that may be adopted or amended by the Board from time to time, all shares of Stock granted hereunder shall be subject to forfeiture, repurchase, recoupment and/or cancellation to the extent necessary to comply with such law(s) and/or policy.

 

17.                                Counterparts .  The Grant Notice may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which together shall constitute one instrument.  Delivery of an executed counterpart of the Grant Notice by facsimile or pdf attachment to electronic mail shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of the Grant Notice.

 

18.                                Severability .  If a court of competent jurisdiction determines that any provision of this Agreement is invalid or unenforceable, then the invalidity or unenforceability of such provision shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement, and all other provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

 

19.                                Headings; References; Interpretation .  All Section headings in this Agreement are for convenience only and shall not be deemed to control or affect the meaning or construction of any of the provisions hereof.  The words “hereof,” “herein” and “hereunder” and words of similar import, when used in this Agreement, shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement.  All references herein to Sections shall, unless the context requires a different construction, be deemed to be references to the Sections of this Agreement.  All references to “including” shall be construed as meaning “including without limitation.”  Unless the context requires otherwise, all references herein to a law, agreement, instrument or other document shall be deemed to refer to such law, agreement, instrument or other document as amended, supplemented, modified and restated from time to time to the extent permitted by the provisions thereof.  All references to “dollars” or “$” in this Agreement refer to United States dollars.  Whenever the context may require, any pronouns used herein shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine or neuter forms, and the singular form of nouns and pronouns shall include the plural and vice versa.  Neither this Agreement nor any uncertainty or ambiguity herein shall be construed or resolved against any party hereto, whether under any rule of construction or otherwise.  On the contrary, this Agreement has been reviewed by each of the parties hereto and shall be construed and interpreted according to the ordinary meaning of the words used so as to fairly accomplish the purposes and intentions of the parties hereto.

 

[Remainder of Page Intentionally Blank]

 

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EXHIBIT B

 

SECTION 83(b) ELECTION

 

The undersigned taxpayer hereby elects, pursuant to Section 83(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, to include in gross income as compensation for services the excess (if any) of the fair market value of the property described below over the amount paid for such property.

 

 

1.

The name, taxpayer identification number and address of the undersigned (the “ Taxpayer ”), and the taxable year for which this election is being made are:

 

 

 

Taxpayer’s Name:

 

 

 

 

 

Taxpayer’s Social Security Number:

                     -          -

 

 

 

 

Taxpayer’s Address:

 

 

 

 

 

Taxable Year:

 

 

 

2.

The property that is the subject of this election (the “ Property ”) is          shares of Class A common stock of EP Energy Corporation.

 

 

3.

The Property was transferred to the Taxpayer on                            .

 

 

4.

The Property is subject to the following restrictions:  The shares are subject to various transfer restrictions and are subject to forfeiture in the event certain service conditions are not satisfied.

 

 

5.

The fair market value of the Property at the time of transfer (determined without regard to any restriction other than a nonlapse restriction as defined in Section 1.83-3(h) of the Income Tax Regulations) is $          per share x          shares = $               .

 

 

6.

The amount paid by the Taxpayer for the Property is $0.00.

 

 

7.

The amount to include in gross income is $               .

 

The undersigned taxpayer will file this election with the Internal Revenue Service office with which the taxpayer files his or her annual income tax return not later than 30 days after the date of transfer of the Property.  A copy of the election also will be furnished to the person for whom the services were performed.  The undersigned is the person performing the services in connection with which the Property was transferred.

 

 

Dated:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Taxpayer’s Signature

 


Exhibit 99.1

 

 

News

 

For Immediate Release

 

EP Energy Reports Third Quarter 2017 Results On Track With 2017 Targets; Announces Senior Leadership Changes

 

HOUSTON, TEXAS, November 1, 2017 — EP Energy Corporation (NYSE:EPE) today reported third quarter 2017 financial and operational results and changes in the company’s senior leadership.

 

Third Quarter 2017

 

·       45.1 thousand barrels of oil production per day (MBbls/d)

 

·       $72 million net loss / $159 million Adjusted EBITDAX

 

·       Maintained 2017 oil and equivalent production and capital guidance despite Hurricane Harvey impacts

 

·       Highest quarterly production in Wolfcamp since program’s inception at 12.6 MBbls/d of oil and 29.9 thousand barrels of oil equivalent per day (MBoe/d)

 

·       Completed Wolfcamp bolt-on acquisitions in Upton County for approximately $29 million in total YTD

 

·       Achieved cash operating costs at lower end of guidance ranges

 

·       Maintained liquidity of $934 million as of September 30

 

·       Affirmed Reserve-Based Loan Facility (RBL) borrowing base value at $1.4 billion in October

 

“In the third quarter, we continued to execute in each capital program and are on track to achieve our 2017 goals,” said Brent Smolik, chairman, president and chief executive officer of EP Energy Corporation. “The company is well positioned in three core areas with a demonstrated track record of execution.  Looking forward, we are also announcing several leadership changes. I thank all of the leaders and team members that helped us to reach this juncture and welcome the new leadership team to the company.”

 

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Senior Leadership Changes

 

EP Energy is announcing a change in senior leadership. Effective today, Brent Smolik and several other officers including Clay Carrell — EVP and COO, Joan Gallagher — SVP, HR & Administrative Services, and Marguerite Woung-Chapman — SVP and General Counsel will begin transitioning their respective responsibilities to new management team members and then depart the organization.

 

Russell Parker will become President and CEO of EP Energy once the company files its Form 10-Q for the third quarter.  He will be leading a new streamlined management structure with new team leaders —Chad England (Operations), Ray Ambrose (Engineering & Subsurface), Mark Hargis (G&G) and Pete Addison (Land and Admin). The new team will also include current leaders — Kyle McCuen (Interim CFO), Frank Olmsted (CAO) and Dennis Price (Marketing). These key changes are an initial step in moving from an asset-based to a function-based organization. This new structure will enable greater flexibility in allocating capital and resources to specific assets, while continuing the company’s focus on cost reduction. During the transition, the team will finalize comprehensive plans for moving to a function-based organizational structure, while reviewing 2018 capital allocation options and refining the overall long-term strategy.

 

Effective November 2, 2017, the Board of Directors has appointed Mr. Alan Crain as Chairman of the Board of EP Energy.

 

“The board is pleased that Russell and other new members are joining the EP Energy team,” said Mr. Crain. “The new team has a record of success in energetically implementing creative solutions to address challenges facing oil and gas operators. With the 2018 planning process about to occur, now is the optimal time for this transition.”

 

“I’m very excited to be joining EP Energy, with its excellent asset base, and to be entrusted with the opportunity to team with the company’s outstanding people to take on the challenges that face us,” said Mr. Russell Parker.

 

EP Energy, will continue to operate safely and efficiently while moving expeditiously through the transition. The company thanks the departing management team members for their dedication to building a foundation of quality execution, capital program performance and a high-graded portfolio. With all

 

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employees continuing to embrace the core values of EP Energy, the company will build on this foundation and thrive.

 

Third Quarter Results

 

EP Energy reported a $(0.29) diluted net loss per share and a $(0.12) adjusted loss per share for the third quarter of 2017.  Reported net loss was $72 million for the third quarter of 2017, down from $43 million net loss in the third quarter of 2016.  Adjusted EBITDAX for the third quarter of 2017 was $159 million, down from $250 million in the third quarter of 2016 due primarily to $118 million less of hedge settlements in 2017 versus 2016, partially offset by higher production volumes and higher realized pricing on physical sales.

 

Operating expenses for the third quarter of 2017 were $237 million, down from $249 million in the third quarter of 2016, or $31.79 per Boe for the third quarter of 2017 versus $33.95 per Boe in the third quarter of 2016.  Adjusted cash operating costs were $110 million for the third quarter of 2017, up from $107 million in the third quarter of 2016. For the third quarter of 2017, adjusted cash operating costs per unit were $14.73 per Boe, up from $14.50 per Boe for the third quarter of 2016 due primarily to higher lease operating expenses, partially offset by lower general and administrative costs and lower third party commodity purchases.   Adjusted cash operating costs in the third quarter 2017 included an accrual relating to a contractual commitment and termination charge of approximately $0.43 per Boe in the quarter.

 

Total capital expenditures in the third quarter of 2017 were $162 million, including $27 million of acquisition capital. In the third quarter of 2017, the company completed 40 gross wells compared to 30 gross wells in the third quarter of 2016.  Average daily oil production was 45.1 MBbls/d in the third quarter of 2017, up slightly from 45.0 MBbls/d in the third quarter of 2016.  Total equivalent production was 81.0 thousand barrels of oil equivalent per day (MBoe/d) in the third quarter, up from 79.6 MBoe/d in the same period last year.

 

Note: See Disclosure of Non-GAAP Financial Measures section of this release for applicable definitions and reconciliations to GAAP terms.

 

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Liquidity and Liability Management

 

As previously announced, the company executed open-market repurchases of $101 million in July at a discount to face value. The company expects to reduce annualized interest expense as a result of these debt repurchases.

 

In October, EP Energy successfully completed its semi-annual borrowing base redetermination for its RBL Facility.  The value of the facility was renewed at $1.4 billion, essentially in-line with the previous value.

 

EP Energy continues to prioritize balance sheet improvements and maintaining a strong liquidity position, which was $934 million as of September 30, 2017.  The company ended the quarter with approximately $4.0 billion of debt.

 

Eagle Ford Program

 

In the third quarter of 2017, EP Energy did not complete any wells in its Eagle Ford program and produced 20.0 MBbls/d of oil, a 17 percent decrease compared with the third quarter of 2016. Total equivalent production for the third quarter of 2017 was 32.9 MBoe/d.  The lower production was driven by fewer well completions and the impact from Hurricane Harvey.  As previously announced, third quarter production was reduced by approximately 0.9 MBoe/d, including 0.3 MBbls/d of oil, as a result of Hurricane Harvey.

 

In the third quarter, the company continued to reduce base production decline rates.  The company’s realized pricing also improved in the third quarter of 2017 as compared with the third quarter of 2016, driven by higher LLS-based pricing.

 

During the third quarter, EP Energy had one drilling rig active in the Eagle Ford.  The company continues to improve returns and operational efficiencies in the program.

 

Wolfcamp Program

 

In the third quarter of 2017, EP Energy significantly increased activity in its Wolfcamp program and produced record quarterly oil and total equivalent volumes.  In the third quarter of 2017, the company completed 32 gross wells (19.5 net wells) and produced 12.6 MBbls/d of oil, a 35 percent increase compared with the third quarter of 2016.  Total equivalent production for the third quarter of 2017 was 29.9 MBoe/d.   Production volumes were up compared to previous periods due to higher activity levels.

 

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Also, the company completed several bolt-on acquisitions in Upton County which added current production and future drilling locations.  These acquisitions totaled approximately $29 million ($27 million in the third quarter and $2 million in the second quarter) and included approximately 3,600 net acres in Upton County with gross oil production of 300 Bbls/d.  The transactions added approximately 60 future drilling locations and enabled the company to extend approximately 20 short lateral locations to long lateral locations.

 

EP Energy expects continued production increases in the fourth quarter of 2017 and will reduce the number of expected completions as a result of substituting development capital for acquisition capital, higher cost inflation and a slightly higher mix of non-joint venture wells.

 

Altamont Program

 

In the third quarter of 2017, EP Energy completed 8 gross wells (3 net wells) in its Altamont program and produced 12.5 MBbls/d of oil, a 7 percent increase compared with third quarter of 2016. Total equivalent production for the third quarter of 2017 was 18.2 MBoe/d, up 8 percent from the third quarter of 2016.

 

In the third quarter of 2017, realized pricing for Altamont production volumes was 94 percent of WTI as a result of improved contract terms and local market conditions as compared to 92 percent of WTI in the same 2016 period.

 

EP Energy had two joint venture drilling rigs active in the Altamont during the third quarter and continued to benefit from its successful recompletion program. For the remainder of 2017, the company expects to run two joint venture drilling rigs and continue its recompletion program.

 

Multi-year Commodity Hedge Program

 

EP Energy maintains a solid hedge program which provides continued commodity price protection. In the third quarter of 2017, the company realized $27 million of cash settlements on its financial derivatives.

 

A summary of the company’s current open hedge positions including its most recent transactions is listed below:

 

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2017

 

2018

 

2019

 

Total Fixed Price Hedges

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oil volumes (MMBbls)(1)

 

2.5

 

8.9

 

 

Average floor price ($/Bbl)

 

$

60.34

 

$

60.00

 

$

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Natural Gas volumes (TBtu)

 

8.7

 

25.6

 

7.3

 

Average floor price ($/MMBtu)

 

$

3.28

 

$

3.04

 

$

2.97

 

 


Note: Positions are as of October 1, 2017 (Contract months: October 2017 - Forward).

 

(1) 2017 positions include WTI three way collars of 2.2 MMBbls and 2018 positions include WTI three way collars of 8.9 MMBbls.

 

At September 30, 2017, the mark-to-market value of the company’s hedge contracts was approximately $64 million.

 

2017 Outlook

 

EP Energy expects to maintain its previous full year oil production, capital expenditures, cash operating costs guidance ranges and reduce the number of expected well completions in its Wolfcamp program.  The table below summarizes the company’s current operational and financial guidance for 2017.

 

 

 

Current
Guidance

 

 

 

 

 

Oil production (MBbls/d)

 

46 – 48

 

Total production (MBoe/d)

 

80 – 85

 

 

 

 

 

Oil & Gas capital ($ million)(1)

 

 

 

Wolfcamp

 

$250 – $300

 

Eagle Ford

 

~$200

 

Altamont

 

~$100

 

Total capital program ($ million)

 

$550 – $600

 

 

 

 

 

Gross well completions

 

 

 

Wolfcamp(2)

 

60 – 80

 

Eagle Ford

 

~50

 

Altamont(3)

 

~30

 

Total

 

140 – 160

 

 

 

 

 

GAAP general and administration expense ($/Boe)

 

$3.35 – $3.50

 

 

 

 

 

Lease operating expense ($/Boe)

 

$5.50 – $5.85

 

Adjusted general and administration expense ($/Boe)

 

$2.90 – $3.00

 

Transportation and commodity purchases ($/Boe)

 

$3.85 – $4.25

 

Taxes, other than income ($/Boe)(4)

 

$2.10 – $2.25

 

DD&A ($/Boe)

 

$16 – $17

 

 

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(1) Includes 20 - 25 percent non-drill capital

 

(2) Includes completions which are within the drilling joint venture with 40 percent of total well costs to EP Energy

 

(3) Includes completions which are within the drilling joint ventures in the Altamont program

 

(4) Severance taxes estimates are based off of current strip prices

 

Detailed financial and operational information for the company will be posted at www.epenergy.com in the Investor Center section.

 

Webcast Information

 

EP Energy has scheduled a webcast at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time, 10:00 a.m. Central Time, on November 2, 2017, to discuss its third quarter financial and operational results and the senior leadership changes.  The webcast may be accessed online through the company’s website at epenergy.com in the Investor Center.  Materials to be discussed during the webcast will be available in the Investor Center one hour prior to the webcast.  A limited number of telephone lines will be available to participants by dialing 888-317-6003 (conference ID# 8120184) 10 minutes prior to the start of the webcast.  A replay of the webcast will be available through December 2, 2017 on the company’s website in the Investor Center or by dialing 877-344-7529 (conference ID# 10112544).

 

About EP Energy

 

The EP Energy team has a passion for finding and producing the oil and natural gas that enriches people’s lives.  EP Energy has a proven strategy, a significant reserve base, multi-year drilling opportunities, and a strategic presence in a number of the country’s leading unconventional resource areas in North America. EP Energy is active in key phases of the E&P value chain—acquiring, developing and producing oil and natural gas. For more information about EP Energy, visit epenergy.com.

 

Disclosure of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

 

The Securities and Exchange Commission’s Regulation G applies to any public disclosure or release of material information that includes a non-GAAP financial measure. In the event of such a disclosure or release, Regulation G requires (i) the presentation of the most directly comparable financial measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP and (ii) a reconciliation of the differences between the non-GAAP financial measure presented and the most directly comparable financial measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP.

 

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Non-GAAP Terms

 

Adjusted EPS is defined as diluted earnings per share adjusted for certain items that EP Energy considers to be significant to understanding our underlying performance for a given period.  Adjusted EPS is useful in analyzing the company’s ongoing earnings potential and understanding certain significant items impacting the comparability of EP Energy’s results.  Adjusted EPS is calculated as net income (loss) per common share adjusted for the impact of financial derivatives (mark-to-market effects of financial derivatives, net of cash settlements and cash premiums related to these derivatives), gains and losses on extinguishment of debt, impairment charges, and other costs that affect comparability, including transition and severance costs and changes in the valuation allowance on deferred tax assets.

 

Below is a reconciliation of consolidated diluted net loss per share to Adjusted EPS:

 

 

 

Quarter ended September 30, 2017

 

 

 

Pre Tax

 

After Tax

 

Diluted
EPS(1)

 

 

 

($ in millions, except earnings per share amounts)

 

Net loss

 

 

 

$

(72

)

$

(0.29

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adjustments(2)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Impact of financial derivatives(3)

 

$

50

 

$

32

 

$

0.13

 

Gain on extinguishment of debt

 

(24

)

(15

)

(0.06

)

Impairment charges

 

1

 

 

 

Valuation allowance on deferred tax assets

 

 

 

24

 

0.10

 

Total adjustments

 

$

27

 

$

41

 

$

0.17

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adjusted EPS

 

 

 

 

 

$

(0.12

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted weighted average shares

 

 

 

 

 

246

 

 


(1)          Diluted per share amounts are based on actual amounts rather than the rounded totals presented.

 

(2)          All individual adjustments for all periods presented assume a statutory federal and blended state tax rate, as well as any other income tax effects specifically attributable to that item.

 

(3)          Represents mark-to-market impact net of cash settlements and cash premiums related to financial derivatives. There were no cash premiums received or paid for the period presented.

 

EBITDAX is defined as net income (loss) plus interest and debt expense, income taxes, depreciation, depletion and amortization and exploration expense. Adjusted EBITDAX is defined as EBITDAX, adjusted as applicable in the relevant period for the net change in the fair value of derivatives (mark-to-

 

8



 

market effects of financial derivatives, net of cash settlements and cash premiums related to these derivatives), the non-cash portion of compensation expense (which represents non-cash compensation expense under our long-term incentive programs adjusted for cash payments made under these plans), gains and losses on extinguishment of debt, gains and/or losses on sale of assets and impairment charges.  Adjusted EBITDAX Per Unit is calculated using Adjusted EBITDAX divided by equivalent volumes.

 

Below is a reconciliation of our consolidated net loss to EBITDAX and Adjusted EBITDAX:

 

 

 

Quarter ended September 30,

 

 

 

2017

 

2016

 

 

 

($ in millions, except equivalent volumes
and per unit)

 

Net loss

 

$

(72

)

$

(43

)

Income tax (benefit) expense

 

(2

)

1

 

Interest expense, net of capitalized interest

 

80

 

74

 

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

 

118

 

132

 

Exploration expense

 

3

 

1

 

EBITDAX

 

127

 

165

 

Mark-to-market on financial derivatives(1)

 

23

 

(43

)

Cash settlements and cash premiums on financial derivatives(2)

 

27

 

145

 

Non-cash portion of compensation expense(3)

 

5

 

5

 

Loss on sale of assets

 

 

4

 

Gain on extinguishment of debt

 

(24

)

(26

)

Impairment charges

 

1

 

 

Adjusted EBITDAX

 

$

159

 

$

250

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total equivalent volumes (MBoe)

 

7,456

 

7,326

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDAX Per Unit (MBoe)(4)

 

$

21.40

 

$

34.18

 

 


(1)          Represents the income statement impact of financial derivatives.

 

(2)          Represents actual cash settlements related to financial derivatives. There were no cash premiums received or paid for the periods presented.

 

(3)          Non-cash portion of compensation expense represents compensation expense (net of forfeitures) under long-term incentive programs adjusted for cash payments made under these plans.

 

(4)          Adjusted EBITDAX Per Unit is based on actual total amounts rather than the rounded totals presented.

 

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Adjusted cash operating costs is a non-GAAP measure that is defined as total operating expenses, excluding depreciation, depletion and amortization expense, exploration expense, impairment charges, gains and/or losses on sale of assets, the non-cash portion of compensation expense (which represents compensation expense under our long-term incentive programs adjusted for cash payments made under these plans).  We use this measure to describe the costs required to directly or indirectly operate our existing assets and produce and sell our oil and natural gas, including the costs associated with the delivery and purchases and sales of produced commodities. Accordingly, we exclude depreciation, depletion, and amortization and impairment charges as such costs are non-cash in nature. We exclude exploration expense from our measure as it is substantially non-cash in nature and is not related to the costs to operate our existing assets. Similarly, gains and losses on the sale of assets are excluded as they are unrelated to the operation of our assets.  We exclude the non-cash portion of compensation expense, as we believe such adjustment allows investors to evaluate our costs against others in our industry and this item can vary across companies due to different ownership structures, compensation objectives or the occurrence of transactions.

 

Below is a reconciliation of our GAAP operating expenses to non-GAAP adjusted cash operating costs:

 

 

 

Quarter ended September 30,

 

 

 

2017

 

2016

 

 

 

Total

 

Per-Unit(1)

 

Total

 

Per-Unit(1)

 

 

 

($ in millions, except per unit costs)

 

Oil and natural gas purchases

 

$

 

$

 

$

2

 

$

0.25

 

Transportation costs

 

29

 

3.91

 

27

 

3.71

 

Lease operating expense

 

42

 

5.66

 

37

 

5.13

 

General and administrative

 

25

 

3.28

 

31

 

4.21

 

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

 

118

 

15.92

 

132

 

17.97

 

Loss on sale of assets

 

 

 

4

 

0.53

 

Impairment charges

 

1

 

0.09

 

 

 

Exploration and other expense

 

6

 

0.83

 

1

 

0.21

 

Taxes, other than income taxes

 

16

 

2.10

 

15

 

1.94

 

Total operating expenses

 

$

237

 

$

31.79

 

$

249

 

$

33.95

 

Adjustments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

 

$

(118

)

$

(15.92

)

$

(132

)

$

(17.97

)

Impairment charges

 

(1

)

(0.09

)

 

 

Exploration expense

 

(3

)

(0.40

)

(1

)

(0.21

)

Loss on sale of assets

 

 

 

(4

)

(0.53

)

Non-cash portion of compensation expense(2)

 

(5

)

(0.65

)

(5

)

(0.74

)

Adjusted cash operating costs and per-unit adjusted cash costs

 

$

110

 

$

14.73

 

$

107

 

$

14.50

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total consolidated equivalent volumes (MBoe)

 

 

 

7,456

 

 

 

7,326

 

 

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(1)                                  Per unit costs are based on actual total amounts rather than the rounded totals presented.

 

(2)                                  Amounts are excluded in the calculation of adjusted general and administrative expense.

 

Adjusted general and administrative expenses are defined as general and administrative expenses excluding the non-cash portion of compensation expense which represents compensation expense under our long-term incentive programs adjusted for cash payments under these plans.

 

Below is a reconciliation of our GAAP general and administrative expense to non-GAAP adjusted general and administrative expense:

 

 

 

Current Guidance

 

 

 

Low

 

High

 

 

 

($/Boe)

 

GAAP general and administrative expense

 

$

3.35

 

$

3.50

 

Less non-cash compensation expense

 

0.45

 

0.50

 

Adjusted general and administrative expense

 

$

2.90

 

$

3.00

 

 

EBITDAX, Adjusted EBITDAX and Adjusted EBITDAX Per Unit are used by management and we believe provide investors with additional information (i) to evaluate our ability to service debt adjusting for items required or permitted in calculating covenant compliance under our debt agreements, (ii) to provide an important supplemental indicator of the operational performance of our business without regard to financing methods and capital structure, (iii) for evaluating our performance relative to our peers, (iv) to measure our liquidity (before cash capital requirements and working capital needs) and (v) to provide supplemental information about certain material non-cash and/or other items that may not continue at the same level in the future. Adjusted EPS is used by management and we believe is a valuable measure of operating performance. Adjusted Cash Operating Costs per unit is used by management as a performance measure, and we believe provides investors valuable information related to our operating performance and our operating efficiency relative to other industry participants and comparatively over time across our historical results. Adjusted general and administrative expense is used by management and investors as additional information. In addition, the company believes that these measures are widely used by professional research analysts and others in the valuation, comparison and investment recommendations of companies in the oil and gas exploration and production industry.

 

Adjusted EPS, EBITDAX, Adjusted EBITDAX, Adjusted EBITDAX Per Unit, Adjusted Cash Operating Costs, and Adjusted general and administrative expense have limitations as analytical tools and should

 

11



 

not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of our results as reported under U.S. GAAP. Adjusted EPS should not be used as an alternative to earnings (loss) per share or other measure of financial performance presented in accordance with GAAP. EBITDAX, Adjusted EBITDAX, Adjusted EBITDAX Per Unit should not be used as an alternative to net income (loss), operating income (loss), operating cash flows or other measures of financial performance or liquidity presented in accordance with GAAP. Adjusted Cash Operating Costs should not be used as an alternative to operating expenses, operating cash flows or other measures of financial performance or liquidity presented in accordance with GAAP. Adjusted general and administrative expense should not be used as an alternative to GAAP general and administrative expense.  Our presentation of Adjusted EPS, EBITDAX, Adjusted EBITDAX, Adjusted EBITDAX Per Unit, Adjusted Cash Operating Costs, and Adjusted general and administrative expense may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies in our industry. Furthermore, our presentation of Adjusted EPS, EBITDAX, Adjusted EBITDAX, Adjusted EBITDAX Per Unit, Adjusted Cash Operating Costs, and Adjusted general and administrative expense should not be construed as an inference that our future results will be unaffected by the items noted above or what we believe to be other unusual items, or that in the future we may not incur expenses that are the same as or similar to some of the adjustments in this presentation.

 

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

 

This release includes certain forward-looking statements and projections of EP Energy. We have made every reasonable effort to ensure that the information and assumptions on which these statements and projections are based are current, reasonable, and complete. However, a variety of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from the projections, anticipated results or other expectations expressed, including, without limitation, the volatility of and sustained low oil, natural gas and NGL prices; the supply and demand for oil, natural gas and NGLs;  the company’s ability to meet production volume targets; changes in commodity prices and basis differentials for oil and natural gas; the uncertainty of estimating proved reserves and unproved resources; the future level of service and capital costs; the availability and cost of financing to fund future exploration and production operations; the success of drilling programs with regard to proved undeveloped reserves and unproved resources; the company’s ability to comply with the covenants in various financing documents; the company’s ability to obtain necessary governmental approvals for proposed E&P projects and to successfully construct and operate such projects; actions by the credit rating agencies; credit and performance risk of our lenders, trading counterparties, customers, vendors, suppliers and third party operators; general economic and weather conditions in geographic regions or markets served by the company, or where operations of the company are located, including the risk of a global recession and negative impact on oil and natural gas demand; the uncertainties associated with governmental

 

12



 

regulation, including any potential changes in federal and state tax laws and regulations; competition; and other factors described in the company’s Securities and Exchange Commission filings. While the company makes these statements and projections in good faith, neither the company nor its management can guarantee that anticipated future results will be achieved. Reference must be made to those filings for additional important factors that may affect actual results. EP Energy assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements made herein or any other forward-looking statements made by EP Energy, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

 

Contact

Investor and Media Relations

Bill Baerg

713-997-2906

bill.baerg@epenergy.com

 

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