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): April 20, 2017

 

Samson Oil & Gas Limited

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Australia   001-33578   N/A
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)   (Commission file number)   (I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)
         

 Level 16, AMP Building,

140 St Georges Terrace

Perth, Western Australia 6000

   
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: +61 8 9220 9830

 

(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:

 

o Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
   
o Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
   
o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
   
o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

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

 

Emerging growth company 

 

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. ☐

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

  Terence Barr Employment Agreement

 

On April 20, 2017, Samson Oil and Gas USA, Inc. (the “ Company ”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Samson Oil & Gas Limited (“ Parent ”), entered into an Amended and Restated Employment Agreement with Terence Barr, the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company and the Parent (the “ Barr Agreement ”). The term of the Barr Agreement commenced on January 1, 2011 and extends through December 31, 2017, unless earlier terminated in accordance with its terms.

 

Mr. Barr will receive a base salary of $400,000, subject to adjustment at the discretion of the Company’s Board of Directors (the “ Board ”). Mr. Barr is eligible to receive an annual discretionary bonus in an amount determined by the Board based on quantitative and qualitative factors. Pursuant to the Barr Agreement, Mr. Barr may be entitled to a one-time cash bonus in the event of a disposition of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets either during or within one year following the term of the agreement. In the event of death, disability, resignation for Good Reason or termination without Cause (as those terms are defined in the Barr Agreement), Mr. Barr may be entitled to a severance payment from the Company equal to his salary for a period of twelve months. In each such scenario except death, Mr. Barr will be eligible to receive such benefits and perquisites as are generally provided by the Company to its senior management during the period in which he receives severance payments. The Barr Agreement includes non-solicitation and non-competition covenants applicable during the term of the agreement and the later of the twelve-month period following the termination of the Agreement or Mr. Barr’s employment or engagement as a consultant.

 

The foregoing summary is not a complete description of the terms of the Barr Agreement, and reference is made to the complete text of the Barr Agreement, which is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.1 and incorporated by reference herein.

 

Robyn Lamont Employment Agreement

 

On April 20, 2017, the Company entered into an Amended and Restated Employment Agreement with Robyn Lamont, the Vice President-Finance and Chief Financial Officer of the Company and the Parent (the “ Lamont Agreement ”). The Lamont Agreement is effective January 1, 2017 and amends and restates the Employment Agreement between Ms. Lamont and the Company dated January 1, 2011. The term of the Lamont Agreement commenced on January 1, 2017 and extends through December 31, 2019, unless earlier terminated in accordance with its terms.

 

Ms. Lamont will receive a base salary of $290,000, subject to adjustment at the discretion of the Board. Ms. Lamont is eligible to receive an annual discretionary bonus in an amount determined by the Board based on quantitative and qualitative factors. In the event of death, disability, resignation for Good Reason or, depending on the amount of notice provided, termination other than for Cause (as those terms are defined in the Lamont Agreement), Ms. Lamont may be entitled to a severance payment from the Company equal to her salary for a period of up to ninety days (or up to twelve months in the event of a termination without Cause after a Change in Control, as defined in the Lamont Agreement). In each such scenario except death, Ms. Lamont will be eligible to receive such benefits and perquisites as are generally provided by the Company to its senior management during the period in which she receives severance payments. The Lamont Agreement includes non-solicitation and non-competition covenants applicable during the term of the agreement and for twelve months following the termination of Ms. Lamont’s employment.

 

The foregoing summary is not a complete description of the terms of the Lamont Agreement, and reference is made to the complete text of the Lamont Agreement, which is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.2 and incorporated by reference herein.

 

David Ninke Employment Agreement

 

On April 20, 2017, the Company entered into an Amended and Restated Employment Agreement with David Ninke, the Vice President-Exploration of the Company and the Parent (the “ Ninke Agreement ”). The Ninke Agreement is effective as of January 1, 2017 and amends and restates the Employment Agreement between Mr. Ninke and the Company dated January 1, 2011. The term of the Ninke Agreement commenced on January 1, 2017 and extends through December 31, 2018, unless earlier terminated in accordance with its terms.

 

 

 

 

Mr. Ninke will receive a base salary of $276,717, subject to adjustment at the discretion of the Board. Mr. Ninke is eligible to receive an annual discretionary bonus in an amount determined by the Board based on quantitative and qualitative factors. In the event of death, disability, resignation for Good Reason or, depending on the amount of notice provided, termination other than for Cause (as those terms are defined in the Ninke Agreement), Mr. Ninke may be entitled to a severance payment from the Company equal to his salary for a period of up to ninety days (or up to twelve months in the event of a termination without Cause after a Change in Control, as defined in the Ninke Agreement). In each such scenario except death, Mr. Ninke will be eligible to receive such benefits and perquisites as are generally provided by the Company to its senior management during the period in which he receives severance payments. The Ninke Agreement includes non-solicitation and non-competition covenants applicable during the term of the agreement and the later of the twelve-month period following the termination of the Agreement or Mr. Ninke’s employment or engagement as a consultant. Mr. Ninke remains entitled to an overriding royalty interest on all oil and gas properties identified and recommended by Mr. Ninke during the three year term of his Employment Agreement dated April 1, 2008 with the Company but he is not entitled to royalties on any other properties.

 

The foregoing summary is not a complete description of the terms of the Ninke Agreement, and reference is made to the complete text of the Ninke Agreement, which is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.3 and incorporated by reference herein.

 

Mark Ulmer Employment Agreement

 

On April 26, 2017, the Company entered into an Employment Agreement (the “ Ulmer Agreement ”) with Mark Ulmer, the Vice President-Engineering & Operations of the Company and the Parent. The term of the Ulmer Agreement commenced on April 1, 2016 and extends through March 31, 2019, unless earlier terminated in accordance with its terms.

 

Mr. Ulmer will receive a base salary of $380,000, subject to adjustment at the discretion of the Board. Mr. Ulmer is eligible to receive an annual discretionary bonus in an amount determined by the Board based on quantitative and qualitative factors. In the event of death, disability, resignation for Good Reason or, depending on the amount of notice provided, termination other than for Cause (as those terms are defined in the Ulmer Agreement), Mr. Ulmer may be entitled to a severance payment from the Company equal to his salary for a period of up to ninety days (or up to twelve months in the event of a termination without Cause after a Change in Control, as defined in the Ulmer Agreement). In each such scenario except death, Mr. Ulmer will be eligible to receive such benefits and perquisites as are generally provided by the Company to its senior management during the period in which he receives severance payments. The Ulmer Agreement includes non-solicitation and non-competition covenants applicable during the term of the agreement and for twelve months following the termination of Mr. Ulmer’s employment.

 

The foregoing summary is not a complete description of the terms of the Ulmer Agreement, and reference is made to the complete text of the Ulmer Agreement, which is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.4 and incorporated by reference herein.

 

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.
   
(d) Exhibits
   
See Exhibit Index. 

 

 

 

 

SIGNATURE

 

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

 

Date: April 26, 2017    
     
  Samson Oil & Gas Limited  
     
     
  By: /s/ Robyn Lamont
    Robyn Lamont
    Chief Financial Officer

 

  

 

 

 

Exhibit Index

 

Exhibit No.   Description
10.1+  

Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, by and between Samson Oil and Gas USA and Terence Barr, dated January 1, 2011

 

10.2+  

Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, by and between Samson Oil and Gas USA and Robyn Lamont, dated January 1, 2017

 

10.3+   Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, by and between Samson Oil and Gas USA and David Ninke, dated January 1, 2017

 

10.4+

 

 

 

Employment Agreement, by and between Samson Oil and Gas USA and Mark Ulmer, dated April 1, 2016

     

 

+ Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement

 

 

Exhibit 10.1

 


EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 

 

THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (“ Agreement ”) is entered into as of January 1, 2011 (the “ Effective Date”) , by and between Samson Oil and Gas USA, Inc., a Colorado corporation (“ Company ”), and Terence M. Barr (“ Employee ”).

 

Recitals

 

Company desires to retain the personal services of Employee as President and Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Company and of Company’s parent, Samson Oil & Gas Limited (“ Parent ”) and Employee is willing to continue to make his services available to Company and Parent, on the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth. All references herein to dollars or $ are to United States dollars.

 

Agreement

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants set forth herein, the parties agree as follows:

 

1.        Employment .

 

1.1        Employment and Term . Company hereby agrees to employ Employee and Employee hereby agrees to serve Company, on the terms and conditions set forth herein, for the period commencing on the Effective Date and continuing through December 31, 2017, unless sooner terminated in accordance with the terms and conditions hereof (the “Term”). The Term will not be extended unless the parties agree otherwise in writing. If Employee continues to be employed after the end of the Term, he will be an at will employee without the benefit of any of the terms of this Agreement.

 

1.2        Duties of Employee . Employee shall serve as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Company and Parent, and shall have and exercise general responsibility for the management of Company and Parent. Employee shall report to the Board of Directors of Parent (the “ Board ”, which term may also include a committee of the Board when used herein, depending on the context). Employee shall also have such other powers and duties as the Board may from time to time delegate to him provided that such duties are consistent with his position. Employee shall devote substantially all his working time and attention to the business and affairs of Company and Parent (excluding any vacation and sick leave to which Employee is entitled), render such services to the best of his ability, and use his best efforts to promote the interests of Company and Parent. So long as such activities do not interfere with the performance of Employee’s responsibilities as an employee of Company in accordance with this Agreement, it shall not be a violation of this Agreement for Employee to: (i) serve on corporate, civic or charitable boards or committees; (ii) deliver lectures or fulfill speaking engagements; (iii) manage personal investments; or (iv) participate in continuing education seminars or similar activities relevant to his duties and responsibilities for Company.

 

 

 

  

1.3        Place of Performance . In connection with his employment by Company, Employee shall be based at Company’s offices in Colorado or another mutually agreed location, except for travel necessary in connection with Company’s business.

 

2.        Compensation .

 

2.1        Total Salary . Employee shall receive total annual compensation in an amount set by the Board from time to time throughout the Term (the “ Total Salary ”). The Total Salary will be accrued on a daily basis and payable in installments consistent with Company’s normal payroll schedule, subject to applicable withholding and other taxes. As of the Effective Date, Employee’s Total Salary is $400,000. Employee’s Total Salary may be increased during the Term, but shall not be decreased without Employee’s written consent provided, however, that Employee’s Total Salary may be reduced without Employee’s consent by the same proportion as other Company employees if and to the extent that the Board imposes a Company-wide reduction in salary on substantially all of Company’s employees.

 

2.2        Incentive Compensation .

 

(a)       In addition to and not as a substitute for Employee’s Total Salary, Employee shall be eligible for an annual bonus (the “ Annual Bonus ”), as determined by the Board in its sole discretion no later than July 15 of each calendar year. The Board generally retains the discretion to determine the amount of the Annual Bonus each year or to grant no bonus at all, the targeted maximum for the Annual Bonus, based on exemplary performance in all quantitative and qualitative criteria that may be considered by the Board, in its sole discretion, shall be 100% of the Total Salary paid to Employee in the calendar year preceding the grant of the Annual Bonus.

 

(b)       In the event of a disposition of all or substantially all of Company’s assets (the “ Sold Assets ”), whether through a sale of the Sale Assets, exchange offer, merger, consolidation, scheme of arrangement, amalgamation or otherwise during the Term or within one (1) year following the end of the Term (a “ Sale ”), Company shall pay Employee a one time cash bonus (the “ Sale Bonus ”) for his efforts in bringing about the Sale. The amount of the Sale Bonus shall be determined by the Board based on the consideration received by Company or Company’s shareholders on account of the Sale. If the cash, securities or property (“the Sale Price ”) paid to Company or its shareholders on account of the Sale is equal to or greater than one hundred and thirty-three percent (133%) of (i) the book value of the Sold Assets or (ii) Company’s market capitalization, calculated by reference to the closing price of Company’s ordinary shares on the ASX the last trading day before the Sale is publicly announced, then the Sale Bonus shall be equal to at least 50% but no greater than 100% of Employee’s Total Salary in effect on the date of Sale. The Sale Bonus shall be due and payable to Employee no later than one hundred eighty (180) days after the Sale or at the end of the Term, whichever first occurs.

 

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2.3        Relocation Expenses .

 

(a)       If Company’s offices to which Employee is assigned are relocated outside of the Denver, Colorado metropolitan area and Employee remains employed by Company pursuant to this Agreement, then Company shall pay all reasonable relocation expenses incurred by Employee in relocating to Company’s new location. The requirements for the timing of such expenses and their reimbursement shall be subject to and in accordance with the relocation expense payment policies and procedures of Company, as in effect as of the date Employee is advised of the relocation.

 

3.        Expense Reimbursement and Other Benefits .

 

3.1        Expense Reimbursement . During the Term, Company shall reimburse Employee for all documented reasonable expenses actually paid or incurred by Employee in the course of and pursuant to the business of Company, subject to and in accordance with the expense reimbursement policies and procedures in effect for Company’s employees from time to time.

 

3.2        Additional Benefits . During the Term, Company shall make available to Employee such benefits and perquisites as are generally provided by Company to its senior management (subject to eligibility), including but not limited to participation in any group life, medical, health, dental, disability or accident insurance, pension plan, 401(k) savings and investment plan, profit-sharing plan, employee stock purchase plan, incentive compensation plan or other such benefit plan or policy, if any, which may presently be in effect or which may hereafter be adopted by Company for the benefit of its senior management or its employees generally, in each case subject to and on a basis consistent with the terms, conditions and overall administration of such plan or arrangement (the “ Additional Benefits ”).

 

3.3         Annual Leave . Employee shall be entitled to five (5) weeks of annual leave each calendar year. The annual leave will vest evenly each payroll and shall be accrued from calendar year to calendar year in accordance with Company policies and procedures then in effect. Employee shall be paid for any remaining annual leave accrual following the termination of employment for any reason. Annual leave shall be taken at a mutually agreeable time.

 

3.4        Personal Leave . Personal leave shall be available to Employee for use in accordance with Company policies and procedures then in effect. Personal leave will not accrue for longer than a year and Employee will not be entitled to receive payment for any accrued personal leave upon the termination of their employment.

 

4.        Termination .

 

4.1        Termination for Cause . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, Company hereunder may terminate this Agreement and Employee’s employment for Cause. As used in this Agreement, “ Cause ” shall mean (i) any action or omission of Employee which constitutes (A) a material breach of any of the provisions of Section 5 of this Agreement, (B) a material breach by Employee of his fiduciary duties and obligations to Company, or (C) Employee’s failure or refusal to follow any lawful directive of the Board, in each case which act or omission is not cured (if capable of being cured) within ten (10) days after written notice of same from the Board to Employee, (ii) conduct constituting fraud, embezzlement, misappropriation or gross dishonesty by Employee in connection with the performance of his duties under this Agreement or (iii) a conviction of Employee for (A) a felony (other than a traffic violation) or (B) a crime involving moral turpitude, but only if the Board determines that such conviction will damage or bring into disrepute the business, reputation or goodwill of Company or impair Employee's ability to perform his duties for Company. For any termination for Cause under this Section 4.1 other than Section 4.1(i)(C), Employee shall be given prior written notice of the proposed termination for Cause, specifying the specific grounds therefor and, if such grounds are capable of being cured, Employee shall have thirty (30) days after receipt of such notice to cure. It is presumed that any stated grounds for a termination for Cause under Section 4.1(i) are capable of being cured but grounds for a termination for Cause under Section 4.1(ii) or (iii) are not capable of being cured, provided, however, the Board may determine, in its discretion, allow a thirty (30) day cure period for a termination for Cause under Section 4.1(ii) or (iii). A termination for Cause shall not be effective until the expiration of the applicable cure period prescribed by this Section 4.1Upon the effectiveness of any termination pursuant to this Section 4.1, Employee shall only be entitled to his Total Salary as accrued through the date of termination, reimbursement of expenses incurred prior to the date of termination in accordance with Section 3.1 hereof and, and any other compensation and benefits payable in accordance with Section 3.2 hereof. Upon making such payments, Company shall have no further liability to Employee hereunder.

 

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4.2        Disability . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, Company, by written notice to Employee, shall at all times have the right to terminate this Agreement and Employee’s employment hereunder if Employee shall, as the result of mental or physical incapacity, illness or disability, fail or be unable to perform his duties and responsibilities provided for herein in all material respects for a period of more than sixty (60) consecutive days in any 12-month period. Upon any termination pursuant to this Section 4.2, (i) within thirty (30) days after the date of termination, Company shall pay Employee any unpaid amounts of his Total Salary accrued prior to the date of termination and shall reimburse Employee for all expenses described in Section 3.1 of this Agreement and incurred prior to the date of termination, and (ii) in lieu of any further Total Salary, incentive compensation or other benefits or payments to Employee for periods subsequent to the date of termination Company shall pay to Employee the Severance Payments and Severance Benefits specified in Section 4.4. Upon making such payments and providing such benefits, Company shall have no further liability hereunder; provided, however, that Employee shall be entitled to receive any amounts then payable pursuant to any employee benefit plan, life insurance policy or other plan, program or policy then maintained or provided by Company to Employee in accordance with Section 3.2 hereof and under the terms thereof.

 

4.3        Death . In the event of the death of Employee during the term of his employment hereunder, this Agreement shall terminate on the date of Employee’s death. Upon any such termination, (i) within thirty (30) days after the date of termination, Company shall pay to the estate of Employee any unpaid amounts of his Total Salary accrued prior to the date of termination and reimbursement for all expenses described in Section 3.1 of this Agreement and incurred by Employee prior to his death, and (ii) in lieu of any further Total Salary, incentive compensation or other benefits or payments to the estate of Employee for periods subsequent to the date of termination, Company shall pay to the estate of Employee the Severance Payments specified in Section 4.4. Upon making such payments, Company shall have no further liability hereunder; provided , that Employee’s spouse, beneficiaries or estate, as the case may be, shall be entitled to receive any amounts then payable pursuant to any employee benefit plan, life insurance policy or other plan, program or policy then maintained or provided by Company to Employee in accordance with Section 3.2 hereof and under the terms thereof. Nothing herein is intended to give Employee’s spouse, beneficiaries or estate any rights to or interest in any key man life insurance policy on Employee maintained by Company for the benefit of Company.

 

4.4        Termination Without Cause . At any time Company shall have the right to terminate this Agreement and Employee’s employment hereunder by written notice to Employee. Upon any termination without Cause pursuant to this Section 4.4, Company (a) shall pay Employee any unpaid amounts of his Total Salary accrued prior to the date of termination, (b) shall reimburse Employee for all expenses described in Section 3.1 of this Agreement incurred prior to the date of termination and (c) shall pay Employee an amount (“ Severance Payments ”) equal to his Total Salary for a period of twelve (12) months, paid ratably over such twelve (12) month period or in a lump sum, as determined by the Board, subject to all appropriate withholdings and deductions, provided, however , that no Severance Payments shall be paid until Employee has signed and delivered a release agreement satisfactory to Company and not revoked it during any applicable statutory revocation period. Employee will forfeit the right to any Severance Payments under this Section 4.4 unless such release is signed and not subsequently revoked within ninety (90) days after it is provided to Employee by Company. Employee shall receive the Additional Benefits for so long as Severance Payments are being made to Employee (the “ Severance Benefits ”) Upon making the Severance Payments and providing the Severance Benefits, if any, required by this Section 4.4, Company shall have no further liability to Employee other than any amounts duly payable pursuant to any 401K plan, employee benefit plan, life insurance policy or other plan, program or policy then maintained or provided by Company to Employee pursuant to the terms thereof.

 

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4.5        Voluntary Resignation . Employee may, upon not less than ninety (90) days prior written notice to Company, resign and terminate his employment hereunder. Subject to Section 4.6, in the event Employee resigns as an employee of Company, he shall be entitled to receive only such payment(s) as he would have received had he been terminated pursuant to Section 4.1 hereof. Employee shall not under any circumstances give Company less than ninety (90) days prior written notice of his resignation date.

 

4.6        Resignation for Good Reason . Employee may, by written notice to Company during the Term, elect to terminate his employment on the basis of “good reason” if there is (a) a material change of the principal location in which Executive is required to perform his duties hereunder without Executive’s prior consent (it being agreed that any location within the state of Colorado shall not be deemed a material change); or (b) a material reduction in (or a failure to pay or provide a material portion of) Employee’s Total Salary or other benefits payable under this Agreement. Any such notice of termination by Executive for “good reason” shall specify the circumstances constituting “good reason” and shall afford Company an opportunity to cure such circumstances at any time within the thirty (30) day period following the date of such notice. If Company does cure such circumstances within said thirty (30) day period, the notice of termination shall be withdrawn by Executive and of no further force and effect. If the circumstances cited in Executive’s notice qualify as “good reason” hereunder and are not cured within the thirty (30) days after the notice, this Agreement shall be terminated ninety (90) days after Executive’s original written notice and such termination shall be treated in all respects as if it had been a termination without cause and without notice under Section 4.4 of this Agreement.

 

5.        Restrictive Covenants .

 

5.1        Nondisclosure . (a) Employee acknowledges that, as part of the terms of his employment by Company, he will have access to and/or may develop or assemble confidential information owned by or related to Company, its customers or its business partners or Parent. Such confidential information (whether or not reduced to writing) shall include, without limitation, designs, processes, projects, manuals, techniques, information concerning or provided by customers, suppliers and vendors contracts, marketing strategies, agency relationships and terms, financial information, pricing and compensation structures, business relations and negotiations, employee lists, plans for drilling, exploration, development or other business, production, exploration, seismic or other business data, and any other information designated as “confidential” by Company or Parent (collectively, “ Confidential Information ”). Employee shall retain all Confidential Information in confidence and shall not use or disclose Confidential Information for any purpose other than to the extent necessary to perform his duties as an employee of Company. This duty of confidentiality shall continue indefinitely with respect to Confidential Information notwithstanding any termination of Employee’s employment so long as it remains Confidential Information. Confidential Information shall not include any information that (i) was known by Employee from a third party source before disclosure by or on behalf of Company to Employee, (ii) becomes available to Employee from a source other than Company that is not bound by a duty of confidentiality to Company, (iii) Company makes publicly available or discloses to any third party without any obligation of confidentiality, or (iv) becomes generally publicly available or known in the industry other than as a result of its disclosure by Employee.

 

(b)       Employee agrees to (i) return to Company upon request, and in any event, at the time of termination of employment for whatever reason, all documents, equipment, notes, records, computer disks and tapes and other tangible items in his possession or under his control which belong to Company or any of its affiliates or which contain or refer to any Confidential Information relating to Company or any of its affiliates and (ii) if so requested by Company, delete all Confidential Information relating to Company or any of its affiliates from any computer disks, tapes or other re-usable material in his possession or under his control which contain or refer to any Confidential Information relating to Company or any of its affiliates.

 

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5.2        Non-solicitation of Customers and Employees . During the Term and during the twelve (12) month period following the later to occur of (a) the termination of this Agreement or (b) the termination of Employee’s employment by the Company or engagement as a consultant to the Company (the “ Severance Period ”), Employee (a) shall not solicit the business of any person, company or firm which is a former, current, or prospective customer or business partner of Company or Parent (a “ Customer ”) for the benefit of anyone other than Company or Parent if the business solicited is of a type offered by Company or Parent during the Term, (b) shall not solicit or encourage any Customer to modify, diminish or eliminate its business relationship with Company or Parent or take any other action with respect to a Customer which could be detrimental to the interests of Company or Parent, and (c) shall not solicit for employment or for any other comparable service, such as consulting services, and shall not hire or engage as a consultant any employee or independent contractor employed or engaged by Company or Parent at any time during the Term. Employee acknowledges that violation of this covenant constitutes a misappropriation of Company’s or Parent’s trade secrets in violation of his duty of confidentiality owed to Company.

 

5.3        Non-competition . (a) During the Term and the Severance Period, unless otherwise waived in writing by Company (such waiver to be in Company’s sole and absolute discretion), Employee shall not, directly or indirectly, engage in, operate, manage, have any investment or interest or otherwise participate in any manner (whether as employee, officer, director, partner, agent, security holder, creditor, consultant or otherwise) in any sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation or business or any other person or entity (each, a “ Competitor ”) that engages directly or indirectly, in a Competitive Activity. For purposes of this Agreement, a “Competitive Activity” means any business or other endeavor of a kind being conducted by Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates (or demonstrably anticipated by Company) in a geographic area that is within ten (10) miles of (a) any property that is owned, leased or controlled by Company at any time during the six (6) months preceding the Competitive Activity or, if Employee’s employment has been terminated, during the last six (6) months of the Term, or (b) any oil or gas prospect that Company is evaluating or in which Company is seeking to acquire an interest at any time either during the six (6) months preceding the Competitive Activity or, if Employee’s employment has been terminated, during the last six (6) months of the Term. Employee shall be considered to have become associated with a Competitive Activity and in violation of this provision if Employee becomes directly or indirectly involved as an owner, principal, employee, officer, director, independent contractor, representative, stockholder, financial backer, agent, partner, advisor, lender, or in any other individual or representative capacity with any individual, partnership, corporation or other organization that is engaged in a Competitive Activity.; provided , that Employee may hold or acquire, solely as an investment, shares of capital stock or other equity securities of any Competitor, so long as the securities are publicly traded and Employee does not control, acquire a controlling interest in, or become a member of a group which exercises direct or indirect control of, more than five percent (5%) of any class of equity securities of such Competitor.

 

5.4        Non-disparagement . During the Term and the Severance Period, Employee will not distribute, cause a distribution of, or make any oral or written statement, which directly or by implication tarnishes, creates a negative impression of, or puts Company, its reputation and goodwill in a bad light, or disparages Company or Parent in any other way, including but not limited to: (a) the working conditions or employment practices of Company or Parent; (b) Company’s oil and gas properties, including unproved or proved undeveloped properties; or (c) Company’s directors, officers and personnel. It will not be a violation of this section for Employee to make truthful statements, under oath, as required by law or formal legal process.

 

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5.5        Intellectual Property Rights . Employee understands that as part of his Employment he may alone or together with others create, compile, or discover data, designs, literature, ideas, trade secrets, know-how, commercial information, or other valuable works or information, such as financial models, drilling logs, development plans, reserves estimates or valuations, seismic data and other information pertinent to the value of oil and gas properties (collectively, “ Intellectual Property ”). Employee acknowledges that Company shall own all right, title, and interest in all Intellectual Property created by him in whole or in part in the course of his employment by Company. Employee hereby assigns to Company all right, title, and interest in the copyrights or patents embodied in or represented by such Intellectual Property, including all rights of renewal and termination, and to any and all other intellectual property rights, including without limitation, trademarks, trade secrets, and know-how embodied in Intellectual Property or in any other idea or invention developed in whole or in part by Employee in the course of his Employment. Employee further agrees to take all actions and to execute all documents necessary in order to perfect and to vest such intellectual property rights in Company.

 

5.6        Injunction . It is recognized and hereby acknowledged by the parties hereto that a breach by Employee of any of the covenants contained in Sections 5.1 through 5.5 of this Agreement will cause irreparable harm and damage to Company, the monetary amount of which may be virtually impossible to ascertain. As a result, Employee recognizes and hereby acknowledges that Company shall be entitled to an injunction from any court of competent jurisdiction enjoining and restraining any violation of any or all of the covenants contained in Section 6 of this Agreement by Employee or any of his affiliates, associates, partners or agents, either directly or indirectly, and that such right to injunction shall be cumulative and in addition to whatever other remedies Company may possess.

 

5.7        American Jobs Creation Act Provisions . It is the intention of the parties that payments or benefits payable under this Agreement not be subject to the additional tax imposed pursuant to Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “ Code ”). Accordingly, to the extent such potential payments or benefits could become subject to Section 409A of the Code, the parties shall cooperate to amend this Agreement with the goal of giving Employee the economic benefits described herein in a manner that does not result in such tax being imposed. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the following provisions related to payments treated as deferred compensation under Section 409A of the Code, shall apply:

 

(a) If (i) Employee is a “specified person” on the date of Employee’s “separation from service” within the meaning of Sections 409A(a)(2)(A)(i) and 409A(a)(2)(B)(ii) of the Code, and (ii) as a result of such separation from service Employee would receive any payment that, absent the application of this paragraph, would be subject to the interest and additional tax imposed pursuant to Section 409A(a) of the Code as a result of the application of Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code, then no such payment shall be made prior to the date that is the earliest of: (i) six (6) months after Employee’s separation from service and (ii) Employee’s date of death.

 

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(b) Any payments that are delayed pursuant to Section 5.7(a) shall be paid on the earlier of the two dates described therein.

 

(c) Sections 5.4(a) and (b) shall not apply to any payment if and to the maximum extent that that such payment would be a payment under a separation pay plan following an “involuntary separation from service” (as defined in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(n)) that does not provide for a deferral of compensation by reason of the application of Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(9)(iii). For the avoidance of doubt, the parties agree that this Section 5.7(c) shall be interpreted so that Employee will receive payments during the six (6) month period specified in Section 5.2(a) to the maximum amount permitted by Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(9)(iii).

 

(d) If a payment that could be made under this Agreement would be subject to additional taxes and interest under Section 409A of the Code, Company in its sole discretion may accelerate some or all of a payment otherwise payable under the Agreement to the time at which such amount is includable in the income of Employee, provided that such acceleration shall only be permitted to the extent permitted under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(j)(vii) and the amount of such acceleration does not exceed the amount permitted under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(j)(vii).

 

(e) No payment to be made under this Agreement shall be made at a time earlier than that provided for in this Agreement unless such payment is (i) an acceleration of payment permitted to be made under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(j)(4) or (ii) a payment that would otherwise not be subject to additional taxes and interest under Section 409A of the Code.

 

(f) A payment described in Section 4.4 of this Agreement shall be made only if such payment will not be subject to additional taxes and interest under Section 409A of the Code.

 

(g) No payment shall be made pursuant to Section 2.3 of this Agreement unless such payment would not constitute a deferral of compensation pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(9)(v).

 

6.        Entire Agreement; No Conflicts With Existing Arrangements . No agreements or representations, oral or otherwise, express or implied, with respect to the subject matter hereof have been made by either party that is not set forth expressly in this Agreement. This Agreement contains the entire agreement, and supersedes any other agreement or understanding between Company and Employee relating to Employee’s employment, provided, however, that if and to the extent that Company has previously granted equity or other similar compensation to Employee that is subject to a vesting schedule, contingency or performance condition, this Agreement does not alter Employee’s entitlement to such compensation in accordance with the original terms thereof. Employee represents and warrants that his employment by Company hereunder does not and will not conflict with or constitute a breach or default under any prior or existing agreement with any former employer or other person or entity.

 

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7.        Notices : All notices and other communications required or permitted under this Agreement shall be in writing and will be either hand delivered in person, sent by facsimile, sent by certified or registered first class mail, postage pre-paid, or sent by nationally recognized express courier service. Such notices and other communications will be effective upon receipt if hand delivered or sent by facsimile, five (5) days after mailing if sent by mail, and one (l) day after dispatch if sent by express courier, to the following addresses, or such other addresses as any party may notify the other parties in accordance with this Section:

 

If to Company:

Samson Oil & Gas Limited

The Company Secretary

Level 36, Exchange Plaza

2 The Esplanade

Perth, Western Australia 6000

Facsimile: (08) 9220 9820

 

If to Employee:

Terence Barr

at address shown on Company’s personnel records

 

8. Successors and Assigns.

 

(a) This Agreement is personal to Employee and without the prior written consent of Company shall not be assignable by Employee otherwise than by will or the laws of descent and distribution. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by Employee’s legal representatives.

 

(b) This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon Company and its successors and assigns.

 

(c) Company will require any successor (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of Company to expressly assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that Company would be required to perform it if no such succession had taken place. As used in this Agreement, “ Company ” shall mean Company and any successor to its business and/or assets which assumes and agrees to perform this Agreement by operation of law or otherwise.

 

9. Severability . The invalidity of any portion of this Agreement shall not affect the enforceability of the remaining portions of this Agreement. If any provision of this Agreement shall be declared invalid, this Agreement shall be construed as if such invalid word or words, phrase or phrases, sentence or sentences, clause or clauses, or section or sections had not been inserted. If such invalidity is caused by length of time or size of area, or both, the otherwise invalid provision will be reduced to a period or area that would cure such invalidity.

 

10. Waivers . The waiver by either party hereto of a breach or violation of any term or provision of this Agreement shall not operate nor be construed as a waiver of any subsequent breach or violation.

 

11. No Third Party Beneficiary . Nothing expressed or implied in this Agreement is intended, or shall be construed, to confer upon or give any person (other than the parties hereto and, in the case of Employee, his heirs, personal representative(s) and/or legal representative) any rights or remedies under or by reason of this Agreement.

 

12. Governing Law . This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Colorado, without regard to principles of conflict of laws.

 

13. Survival . Employee’s obligations under Section 5 hereof shall not terminate upon the termination of employment or the termination of this Agreement but shall continue in accordance with their terms set forth herein.

 

14. Counterparts and Facsimile Signatures . This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts and by the separate parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same document. Telecopies or other electronic facsimiles of original signatures shall be deemed to be the same as original signatures for all purposes.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this Employment Agreement as of the date set forth above.

 

  COMPANY:
     
  SAMSON OIL AND GAS USA, INC.
     
     
  By: /s/ Robyn Lamont
    Robyn Lamont, Vice President-Finance

 

  EMPLOYEE:
     
     
  By: /s/ Terence M. Barr
    Terence M. Barr

  

 

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Exhibit 10.2

 

Amended and Restated
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 

 

 

THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (“ Agreement ”) is entered into as of January 1, 2017 (the “ Effective Date ”), by and between Samson Oil and Gas USA, Inc., a Colorado corporation (“ Company ”), and Robyn Lamont (“ Employee ”).

 

Recitals

 

WHEREAS, Company and Employee are parties to that certain Employment Agreement dated as of January 1, 2011 by and between Company and Employee (the “ Original Agreement ”), pursuant to which Employee is employed as Vice President-Finance and Chief Financial Officer of Company and of Company’s parent, Samson Oil & Gas Limited (“ Parent ”);

 

WHEREAS, Company and Employee desire to amend and restate the Original Agreement; and

 

WHEREAS, Employee is willing to continue to make her services available to Company and Parent, on the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth. All references herein to dollars or $ are to United States dollars.

 

Agreement

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants set forth herein, the Parties agree that the Original Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety, effective as of the Effective Date, as follows:

 

1.         Employment .

 

1.1        Employment and Term . Company hereby agrees to employ Employee and Employee hereby agrees to serve Company, on the terms and conditions set forth herein, for the period commencing on the Effective Date and continuing through December 31, 2019, unless sooner terminated in accordance with the terms and conditions hereof (the “ Term ”). The Term will not be extended unless the parties agree otherwise in writing. If Employee continues to be employed after the end of the Term, she will be an at will employee without the benefit of any of the terms of this Agreement.

 

1.2        Duties of Employee . Employee shall serve as the Vice President-Finance and Chief Financial Officer of Company and Parent, and shall have and exercise general responsibility for the accounting and financial management of Company and Parent. Employee shall report to the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Company and Parent and to the Board of Directors of Parent (the “ Board ”). Employee shall also have such other powers and duties as the Board may from time to time delegate to her provided that such duties are consistent with her position. Employee shall devote substantially all her working time and attention to the business and affairs of Company and Parent (excluding any vacation and sick leave to which Employee is entitled), render such services to the best of her ability, and use her best efforts to promote the interests of Company and Parent. So long as such activities do not interfere with the performance of Employee’s responsibilities as an employee of Company in accordance with this Agreement, it shall not be a violation of this Agreement for Employee to: (i) serve on corporate, civic or charitable boards or committees; (ii) deliver lectures or fulfill speaking engagements; (iii) manage personal investments; or (iv) participate in continuing education seminars or similar activities relevant to her duties and responsibilities for Company.

 

 

 

 

1.3        Place of Performance . In connection with her employment by Company, Employee shall be based at Company’s offices in Colorado or another mutually agreed location, except for travel necessary in connection with Company’s business.

 

2.        Compensation .

 

2.1        Total Salary . Employee shall receive total annual compensation in an amount set by the Board from time to time throughout the Term (the “ Total Salary ”). The Total Salary will be accrued on a daily basis and payable in installments consistent with Company’s normal payroll schedule, subject to applicable withholding and other taxes. As of the Effective Date, Employee’s Total Salary is $290,000. Employee’s Total Salary may be increased during the Term, but shall not be decreased without Employee’s written consent provided, however, that Employee’s Total Salary may be reduced without Employee’s consent by the same proportion as other Company employees if and to the extent that the Board imposes a Company-wide reduction in salary on substantially all of Company’s employees.

 

2.2        Incentive Compensation . In addition to and not as a substitute for Employee’s Total Salary, Employee shall be eligible for an annual bonus, as determined by the Board in its sole discretion no later than July 15 of each calendar year. While the Board retains the discretion to grant a larger bonus or no bonus at all, the targeted maximum for this discretionary annual bonus, based on exemplary performance in all quantitative and qualitative criteria that may be considered by the Board, in its sole discretion, shall be 50% of the Total Salary paid to Employee in the calendar year preceding the grant of the bonus.

 

2.3        Relocation Expenses . If Company’s offices to which Employee is assigned are relocated outside of the Denver, Colorado metropolitan area and Employee remains employed by Company pursuant to this Agreement, then Company shall pay all reasonable relocation expenses incurred by Employee in relocating to Company’s new location. The requirements for the timing of such expenses and their reimbursement shall be subject to and in accordance with the relocation expense payment policies and procedures of Company, as in effect as of the date Company advises Employee of the relocation.

 

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3.        Expense Reimbursement and Other Benefits .

 

3.1        Expense Reimbursement . During the Term, Company shall reimburse Employee for all documented reasonable expenses actually paid or incurred by Employee in the course of and pursuant to the business of Company, subject to and in accordance with the expense reimbursement policies and procedures in effect for Company’s employees from time to time.

 

3.2        Additional Benefits . During the Term, Company shall make available to Employee such benefits and perquisites as are generally provided by Company to its senior management (subject to eligibility), including but not limited to participation in any group life, medical, health, dental, disability or accident insurance, pension plan, 401(k) savings and investment plan, profit-sharing plan, employee stock purchase plan, incentive compensation plan or other benefit plan or policy, if any, which may presently be in effect or which may hereafter be adopted by Company for the benefit of its senior management or its employees generally, in each case subject to and on a basis consistent with the terms, conditions and overall administration of such plan or arrangement (the “ Additional Benefits ”).

 

3.3        Annual Leave . Employee shall be entitled to four (4) weeks of annual leave each calendar year. The annual leave will vest evenly each payroll and shall be accrued from calendar year to calendar year in accordance with Company policies and procedures then in effect. Employee shall be paid for any remaining annual leave accrual following the termination of employment for any reason. Annual leave shall be taken at a mutually agreeable time.

 

3.4        Personal Leave . Personal leave shall be available to Employee for use in accordance with Company policies and procedures then in effect. Personal leave will not accrue for longer than a year and Employee will not be entitled to receive payment for any accrued personal leave upon the termination of their employment.

 

4.        Termination .

 

4.1        Termination for Cause . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, Company may terminate this Agreement and Employee’s employment for Cause. As used in this Agreement, “ Cause ” shall mean (i) any action or omission of Employee which constitutes (A) a breach of any of the provisions of Section 5 of this Agreement, (B) a breach by Employee of her fiduciary duties and obligations to Company, or (C) Employee’s failure or refusal to follow any lawful directive of the CEO or the Board, in each case which act or omission is not cured (if capable of being cured) within ten (10) days after written notice of same from Company to Employee, or (ii) conduct constituting fraud, embezzlement, misappropriation or gross dishonesty by Employee in connection with the performance of her duties under this Agreement, or a conviction of Employee for a felony (other than a traffic violation) or, if it shall damage or bring into disrepute the business, reputation or goodwill of Company or impair Employee's ability to perform her duties with Company, any crime involving moral turpitude. Employee shall be given a written notice of termination for Cause specifying the details thereof. Upon any termination pursuant to this Section 4.1, Employee shall only be entitled to her Total Salary as accrued through the date of termination, reimbursement of expenses incurred prior to the date of termination in accordance with Section 3.1 hereof, and any other compensation and benefits payable in accordance with Section 3.2 hereof. Upon making such payments, Company shall have no further liability to Employee hereunder.

 

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4.2        Disability . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, Company, by written notice to Employee, shall at all times have the right to terminate this Agreement and Employee’s employment hereunder if Employee shall, as the result of mental or physical incapacity, illness or disability, fail or be unable to perform her duties and responsibilities provided for herein in all material respects for a period of more than sixty (60) consecutive days in any 12-month period. Upon any termination pursuant to this Section 4.2, (i) within thirty (30) days after the date of termination, Company shall pay Employee any unpaid amounts of her Total Salary accrued prior to the date of termination and shall reimburse Employee for all expenses described in Section 3.1 of this Agreement and incurred prior to the date of termination, and (ii) in lieu of any further Total Salary, incentive compensation or other benefits or payments to Employee for periods subsequent to the date of termination, Company shall pay to Employee the Severance Payments and Severance Benefits specified in Section 4.4. Upon making such payments and providing such benefits, Company shall have no further liability hereunder; provided, however, that Employee shall be entitled to receive any amounts then payable pursuant to any employee benefit plan, life insurance policy or other plan, program or policy then maintained or provided by Company to Employee in accordance with Section 3.2 hereof and under the terms thereof.

 

4.3        Death . In the event of the death of Employee during the term of her employment hereunder, this Agreement shall terminate on the date of Employee’s death. Upon any such termination, (i) within thirty (30) days after the date of termination, Company shall pay to the estate of Employee any unpaid amounts of her Total Salary accrued prior to the date of termination and reimbursement for all expenses described in Section 3.1 of this Agreement and incurred by Employee prior to her death, and (ii) in lieu of any further Total Salary, incentive compensation or other benefits or payments to the estate of Employee for periods subsequent to the date of termination, Company shall pay to the estate of Employee the Severance Payments specified in Section 4.4. Upon making such payments, Company shall have no further liability hereunder; provided , that Employee’s spouse, beneficiaries or estate, as the case may be, shall be entitled to receive any amounts then payable pursuant to any employee benefit plan, life insurance policy or other plan, program or policy then maintained or provided by Company to Employee in accordance with Section 3.2 hereof and under the terms thereof. Nothing herein is intended to give Employee’s spouse, beneficiaries or estate any rights to or interest in any key man life insurance policy on Employee maintained by Company for the benefit of Company.

 

4.4        Termination Without Cause. At any time Company shall have the right to terminate this Agreement and Employee’s employment hereunder by written notice to Employee. Upon any termination without Cause pursuant to this Section 4.4, Company shall (a) pay Employee any unpaid amounts of her Total Salary accrued prior to the date of termination and (b) reimburse Employee for all expenses described in Section 3.1 of this Agreement and incurred prior to the date of termination, provided , however , that if Company provided Employee with less than ninety (90) days prior written notice of the date of such termination without Cause, then in addition to her Total Salary and benefits through the date of such termination, Company shall also pay Employee an amount (“ Severance Payments ”) equal to her Total Salary for the difference between the required ninety (90) days notice and the actual notice given by Company (the “ Without Cause Notice Period ”), subject to all appropriate withholdings and deductions. If there is a Change in Control of Company at any time during the Term, however, whether before or after any notice of termination without Cause, then Employee shall be entitled to receive notice of the effective date of termination twelve (12) months prior to such date (“ Change in Control Notice Period ”) instead of the Without Cause Notice Period of only ninety (90) days. If there is a Change in Control during the Term and Company provides Employee with a notice of termination that is less than the Change in Control Notice Period, then the Severance Payments shall be, subject to all appropriate withholdings and deductions, based on the difference between the Change in Control Notice Period and the actual notice given by Company. Severance Payments shall be paid to Employee in a lump sum upon the termination of Employee’s employment, provided, however , that no Severance Payments shall be paid until Employee has signed and delivered a release agreement satisfactory to Company and not revoked it during any applicable statutory revocation period. Employee will forfeit the right to any Severance Payments under this Section 4.4 unless such release is signed and not subsequently revoked within ninety (90) days after it is provided to Employee by Company. Employee shall receive the Additional Benefits for the period of time during so long as Severance Payments are being made to Employee (the “ Severance Benefits ”). Upon making the Severance Payments and providing the Severance Benefits, if any, required by this Section 4.4, Company shall have no further liability to Employee other than any amounts duly payable pursuant to any 401K plan, employee benefit plan, life insurance policy or other plan, program or policy then maintained or provided by Company to Employee pursuant to the terms thereof. For purposes of this Agreement, a Change in Control of Company shall be deemed to have occurred if (i) any person, entity or group becomes the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of 50.1% or more of the voting securities of Company or Parent; or (ii) as a result of, or in connection with, any tender offer, exchange offer, merger, business combination, sale of assets or contested election of directors (a “ Transaction ”), the persons who were directors of Company or Parent immediately before the Transaction no longer constitute a majority of the directors of Company or Parent; or (iii) Company or Parent is merged or consolidated with another corporation or entity and, as a result of the merger or consolidation, less than 50.1% of the outstanding voting securities of the surviving corporation or entity is then owned in the aggregate by the former stockholders of Company or Parent; or (iv) Company or Parent transfers all or substantially all of its assets to another company which is not a wholly owned subsidiary of Company or Parent.

 

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4.5        Voluntary Resignation . Employee may, upon not less than ninety (90) days prior written notice to Company, resign and terminate her employment hereunder. Subject to Section 4.6, in the event Employee resigns as an employee of Company, she shall be entitled to receive only such payment(s) as she would have received had she been terminated pursuant to Section 4.1 hereof. Employee shall not under any circumstances give Company less than ninety (90) days prior written notice of her resignation date.

 

4.6        Resignation for Good Reason . Employee may, by written notice to Company during the Term, elect to terminate her employment on the basis of “good reason” if there is (a) a material change of the principal location in which Executive is required to perform her duties hereunder without Executive’s prior consent (it being agreed that any location within the state of Colorado shall not be deemed a material change); or (b) a material reduction in (or a failure to pay or provide a material portion of) Employee’s Total Salary or other benefits payable under this Agreement, or (c) a Change in Control of the Company. Any such notice of termination by Executive for “good reason” shall specify the circumstances constituting “good reason” and shall afford Company an opportunity to cure such circumstances at any time within the thirty (30) day period following the date of such notice. If Company does cure such circumstances within said thirty (30) day period, the notice of termination shall be withdrawn by Executive and of no further force and effect. If the circumstances cited in Executive’s notice qualify as “good reason” hereunder and are not cured within the thirty (30) days after the notice, this Agreement shall be terminated ninety (90) days after Executive’s original written notice and such termination shall be treated in all respects as if it had been a termination without Cause and without notice, but not involving a Change in Control under Section 4.4 of this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any voluntary termination by Employee following a Change in Control shall be a termination for “good reason” pursuant to this Section 4.6 if, but only if, the date of termination is no later than the later of (i) February 13 of the first calendar year following the year in which the Change in Control occurred and (ii) the fifteenth day of the second month of Company’s fiscal year following the year in which the Change in Control occurred under Section 4.4 of this Agreement.

 

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5.        Restrictive Covenants .

 

5.1        Nondisclosure . (a) Employee acknowledges that as part of the terms of her employment by Company, she will have access to and/or may develop or assemble confidential information owned by or related to Company, its customers or its business partners or Parent. Such confidential information (whether or not reduced to writing) shall include without limitation, designs, processes, projects, manuals, techniques, information concerning or provided by customers, suppliers and vendors, contracts, marketing strategies, agency relationships and terms, financial information, pricing and compensation structures, business relations and negotiations, employee lists, plans for drilling, exploration, development or other business, production, exploration, seismic or other business data, and any other information designated as “confidential” by Company or Parent (collectively, “ Confidential Information ”). Employee shall retain all Confidential Information in confidence, and shall not use or disclose Confidential Information for any purpose other than to the extent necessary to perform her duties as an employee of Company. This duty of confidentiality shall continue indefinitely with respect to Confidential Information notwithstanding any termination of Employee’s employment so long as it remains Confidential Information. Confidential Information shall not include any information that (i) was known by Employee from a third party source before disclosure by or on behalf of Company to Employee, (ii) becomes available to Employee from a source other than Company that is not bound by a duty of confidentiality to Company, (iii) Company makes publicly available or discloses to any third party without any obligation of confidentiality, or (iv) becomes generally publicly available or known in the industry other than as a result of its disclosure by Employee.

 

(b)       Employee agrees to (i) return to Company upon request, and in any event, at the time of termination of employment for whatever reason, all documents, equipment, notes, records, computer disks and tapes and other tangible items in her possession or under her control which belong to Company or any of its affiliates or which contain or refer to any Confidential Information relating to Company or any of its affiliates and (ii) if so requested by Company, delete all Confidential Information relating to Company or any of its affiliates from any computer disks, tapes or other re-usable material in her possession or under her control which contain or refer to any Confidential Information relating to Company or any of its affiliates.

 

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5.2        Non-solicitation of Customers and Employees . During the Term and during the twelve (12) month period thereafter (the “ Restricted Period ”), Employee (a) shall not solicit the business of any person, company or firm which is a former, current, or prospective customer or business partner of Company or Parent (a “ Customer ”) for the benefit of anyone other than Company or Parent if the business solicited is of a type offered by Company or Parent during the Term except for (i) Customers with whom Employee had done business, directly or indirectly, prior to the Effective Date and (ii) business with Customers that would not reasonably be expected to adversely affect the business done by the Company or Parent with such Customers,, (b) shall not solicit or encourage any Customer to modify, diminish or eliminate its business relationship with Company or Parent or take any other action with respect to a Customer which could be detrimental to the interests of Company or Parent except for (i) Customers with whom Employee had done business, directly or indirectly, prior to the Effective Date and (ii) business with Customers that would not reasonably be expected to adversely affect the business done by the Company or Parent with such Customers, and (c) shall not solicit for employment or for any other comparable service, such as consulting services, and shall not hire or engage as a consultant any employee or independent contractor employed or engaged by Company or Parent at any time during the Term except for independent contractors with whom Employee had done business, directly or indirectly, prior to the Effective Date. Employee acknowledges that violation of the covenants in this Section 5.2 constitutes a misappropriation of Company’s or Parent’s trade secrets in violation of her duty of confidentiality owed to Company.

 

5.3        Non-competition . During the Term and the Restricted Period, unless otherwise waived in writing by Company (such waiver to be in Company’s sole and absolute discretion), Employee shall not, directly or indirectly, engage in, operate, manage, have any investment or interest or otherwise participate in any manner (whether as employee, officer, director, partner, agent, security holder, creditor, consultant or otherwise) in any sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation or business or any other person or entity (each, a “ Competitor ”) that engages directly or indirectly, in a Competitive Activity. For purposes of this Agreement, a “ Competitive Activity ” means any business or other endeavor of a kind being conducted by Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates (or demonstrably anticipated by Company) in a geographic area that is within ten (10) miles of (a) any property that is owned, leased or controlled by Company at any time during the six (6) months preceding the Competitive Activity or, if Employee’s employment has been terminated, during the last six (6) months of the Term, or (b) any oil or gas prospect that Company is evaluating or in which Company is seeking to acquire an interest at any time either during the six (6) months preceding the Competitive Activity or, if Employee’s employment has been terminated, during the last six (6) months of the Term. Employee shall be considered to have become associated with a Competitive Activity and in violation of this provision if Employee becomes directly or indirectly involved as an owner, principal, employee, officer, director, independent contractor, representative, stockholder, financial backer, agent, partner, advisor, lender, or in any other individual or representative capacity with any individual, partnership, corporation or other organization that is engaged in a Competitive Activity; provided , that Employee may hold or acquire, solely as an investment, shares of capital stock or other equity securities of any Competitor, so long as the securities are publicly traded and Employee does not control, acquire a controlling interest in, or become a member of a group which exercises direct or indirect control of, more than five percent (5%) of any class of equity securities of such Competitor.

 

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5.4        Non-disparagement . During the Term and the Severance Period, Employee will not make, distribute or cause a distribution of any oral or written statement, which directly or by implication tarnishes, creates a negative impression of, or puts Company, its reputation and goodwill in a bad light, or disparages Company or Parent in any other way, including but not limited to: (a) the working conditions or employment practices of Company or Parent; (b) Company’s oil and gas properties, including unproved or proved undeveloped properties; or (c) Company’s directors, officers and personnel. It will not be a violation of this section for Employee to make truthful statements, under oath, if and to the extent required by law or formal legal process.

 

5.5        Intellectual Property Rights . Employee understands that as part of her employment she may alone or together with others create, compile, or discover data, designs, literature, ideas, trade secrets, know-how, commercial information, or any other valuable works or information, such as financial models, drilling logs, development plans, reserves estimates or valuations, seismic data and other information pertinent to the value of oil and gas properties (collectively, “ Intellectual Property ”). Employee acknowledges that Company shall own all right, title, and interest in all Intellectual Property created by her in whole or in part in the course of her employment by Company. Employee hereby assigns to Company all right, title, and interest in the copyrights or patents embodied in or represented by such Intellectual Property, including all rights of renewal and termination, and to any and all other intellectual property rights, including without limitation, trademarks, trade secrets, and know-how embodied in Intellectual Property or in any other idea or invention developed in whole or in part by Employee in the course of her employment. Employee further agrees to take all actions and to execute all documents necessary in order to perfect and to vest such intellectual property rights in Company.

 

5.6        Injunction . It is recognized and hereby acknowledged by the parties hereto that a breach by Employee of any of the covenants contained in Sections 5.1 through 5.5 of this Agreement will cause irreparable harm and damage to Company, the monetary amount of which may be virtually impossible to ascertain. As a result, Employee recognizes and hereby acknowledges that Company shall be entitled to an injunction from any court of competent jurisdiction enjoining and restraining any violation of any or all of those covenants by Employee or any of her affiliates, associates, partners or agents, either directly or indirectly, and that such right to injunction shall be cumulative and in addition to whatever other remedies Company may possess.

 

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5.7        American Jobs Creation Act Provisions . It is the intention of the parties that payments or benefits payable under this Agreement not be subject to the additional tax imposed pursuant to Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “ Code ”). Accordingly, to the extent such potential payments or benefits could become subject to Section 409A of the Code, the parties shall cooperate to amend this Agreement with the goal of giving Employee the economic benefits described herein in a manner that does not result in such tax being imposed. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the following provisions related to payments treated as deferred compensation under Section 409A of the Code, shall apply:

 

(a) If (i) Employee is a “specified person” on the date of Employee’s “separation from service” within the meaning of Sections 409A(a)(2)(A)(i) and 409A(a)(2)(B)(ii) of the Code, and (ii) as a result of such separation from service Employee would receive any payment that, absent the application of this paragraph, would be subject to the interest and additional tax imposed pursuant to Section 409A(a) of the Code as a result of the application of Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code, then no such payment shall be made prior to the date that is the earliest of: (i) six (6) months after Employee’s separation from service and (ii) Employee’s date of death.

 

(b) Any payments that are delayed pursuant to Section 5.7(a) shall be paid on the earlier of the two dates described therein.

 

(c) Sections 5.7(a) and (b) shall not apply to any payment if and to the maximum extent that that such payment would be a payment under a separation pay plan following an “involuntary separation from service” (as defined in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(n)) that does not provide for a deferral of compensation by reason of the application of Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(9)(iii). For the avoidance of doubt, the parties agree that this Section 5.7(c) shall be interpreted so that Employee will receive payments during the six (6) month period specified in Section 5.7(a) to the maximum amount permitted by Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(9)(iii).

 

(d) If a payment that could be made under this Agreement would be subject to additional taxes and interest under Section 409A of the Code, Company in its sole discretion may accelerate some or all of a payment otherwise payable under the Agreement to the time at which such amount is includable in the income of Employee, provided that such acceleration shall only be permitted to the extent permitted under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(j)(vii) and the amount of such acceleration does not exceed the amount permitted under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(j)(vii).

 

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(e) No payment to be made under this Agreement shall be made at a time earlier than that provided for in this Agreement unless such payment is (i) an acceleration of payment permitted to be made under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(j)(4) or (ii) a payment that would otherwise not be subject to additional taxes and interest under Section 409A of the Code.

 

(f) A payment described in Section 4.4 of this Agreement shall be made only if such payment will not be subject to additional taxes and interest under Section 409A of the Code.

 

(g) No payment shall be made pursuant to Section 2.3 of this Agreement unless such payment would not constitute a deferral of compensation pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(9)(v).

 

6.        Entire Agreement; No Conflicts With Existing Arrangements . No agreements or representations, oral or otherwise, express or implied, with respect to the subject matter hereof have been made by either party that is not set forth expressly in this Agreement. This Agreement contains the entire agreement, and supersedes any other agreement or understanding between Company and Employee relating to Employee’s employment, provided, however, that if and to the extent that Company has previously granted equity or other similar compensation to Employee that is subject to a vesting schedule, contingency or performance condition, this Agreement does not alter Employee’s entitlement to such compensation in accordance with the original terms thereof. Employee represents and warrants that her employment by Company hereunder does not and will not conflict with or constitute a breach or default under any prior or existing agreement with any former employer or other person or entity.

 

7.        Notices : All notices and other communications required or permitted under this Agreement shall be in writing and will be either hand delivered in person, sent by email or facsimile, sent by certified or registered first class mail, postage pre-paid, or sent by nationally recognized express courier service. Such notices and other communications will be effective upon receipt if hand delivered or sent by email facsimile, five (5) days after mailing if sent by mail, and one (l) day after dispatch if sent by express courier, to the following addresses, or such other addresses as any party may notify the other parties in accordance with this Section:

 

If to Company:

1331 17 th Street, Suite 710,

Denver CO 80202

 

Attention: Terence Barr

Email Terry.Barr@samsonoilandgas.com

Facsimile: (303) 295-1961

 

If to Employee:

Robyn Lamont

at address shown on

Company’s personnel records

Email Robyn.Lamont@samsonoilandgas.com

  

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8.        Miscellaneous . (a) Successors and Assigns . This Agreement is personal to Employee and is not assignable by Employee. The benefits due to Employee for services rendered by Employee under this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of Employee’s heirs or legal representatives. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon Company and its successors and assigns. (b) Severability. If any provision of this Agreement shall be declared invalid, this Agreement shall be construed as if such invalid provision had not been inserted. (c) Waivers . The waiver by either Party hereto of a breach or violation of any term or provision of this Agreement shall not operate nor be construed as a waiver of any subsequent breach or violation. (d) No Third Party Beneficiary . Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed, to or give any person other than the Parties hereto any rights or remedies under or by reason of this Agreement. (e) Governing Law . This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Colorado, without regard to principles of conflict of laws. (f) Survival . Employee’s obligations under Section 5 hereof shall continue notwithstanding the termination of this Agreement in accordance with the terms set forth herein. (g) Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts which together shall constitute one document. Electronic facsimiles of original signatures shall be deemed to be original signatures for all purposes.

 

[ Signature Page Follows .]

 

 

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this Employment Agreement as of the date set forth above.

 

  COMPANY:
     
  SAMSON OIL AND GAS USA, INC.
     
     
  By: /s/ Terry Barr
   

Terry Barr, CEO & Managing Director

 

  EMPLOYEE:
     
     
  By: /s/ Robyn Lamont
    Robyn Lamont

  

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Exhibit 10.3

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 

 

THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (“ Agreement ”) is entered into as of January 1, 2017 (the “ Effective Date ”), by and between Samson Oil and Gas USA, Inc., a Colorado corporation (“ Company ”), and David Ninke (“ Employee ”).

 

Recitals

 

WHEREAS, Company and Employee are parties to that certain Employment Agreement dated as of January 1, 2011 by and between Company and Employee (the “ Original Agreement ”), pursuant to which Employee is employed as Vice President- Exploration of Company and of Company’s parent, Samson Oil & Gas Limited (“ Parent ”);

 

WHEREAS, Company and Employee desire to amend and restate the Original Agreement; and

 

WHEREAS, Employee is willing to continue to make his services available to Company and Parent, on the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth. All references herein to dollars or $ are to United States dollars.

 

Agreement

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants set forth herein, the parties agree that the Original Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety, effective as of the Effective Date, as follows:

 

1.        Employment .

 

1.1        Employment and Term . Company hereby agrees to employ Employee and Employee hereby agrees to serve Company, on the terms and conditions set forth herein, for the period commencing on the Effective Date and continuing through December 31, 2018, unless sooner terminated in accordance with the terms and conditions hereof (the “ Term ”). The Term will not be extended unless the parties agree otherwise in writing. If Employee continues to be employed after the end of the Term, he will be an at-will employee without the benefit of any of the terms of this Agreement.

 

1.2        Duties of Employee . Employee shall serve as the Vice President-Exploration of Company and Parent, and shall have and exercise general responsibility for directing and implementing the exploration program of Company and Parent. Employee shall report to the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Company and Parent or, in his absence, to the Board of Directors of Parent (the “ Board ”, which term includes any committee of the Board when used herein). Employee shall also have such other powers and duties as the Board may from time to time delegate to him provided that such duties are consistent with his position. Employee shall devote substantially all his working time and attention to the business and affairs of Company and Parent (excluding any vacation and sick leave to which Employee is entitled), render such services to the best of his ability, and use his best efforts to promote the interests of Company and Parent. So long as such activities do not interfere with the performance of Employee’s responsibilities as an employee of Company in accordance with this Agreement, it shall not be a violation of this Agreement for Employee to: (i) serve on corporate, civic or charitable boards or committees; (ii) deliver lectures or fulfill speaking engagements; (iii) manage personal investments; or (iv) participate in continuing education seminars or similar activities relevant to his duties and responsibilities for Company.

 

 

 

 

1.3        Place of Performance . In connection with his employment by Company, Employee shall be based at Company’s offices in Colorado or another mutually agreed location, except for travel necessary in connection with Company’s business.

 

2.        Compensation .

 

2.1        Total Salary . Employee shall receive total annual compensation in an amount set by the Board from time to time throughout the Term (the “ Total Salary ”). The Total Salary will be accrued on a daily basis and payable in installments consistent with Company’s normal payroll schedule, subject to applicable withholding and other taxes. As of the Effective Date, Employee’s Total Salary is $276,717. Employee’s Total Salary may be increased during the Term, but shall not be decreased without Employee’s written consent provided, however, that Employee’s Total Salary may be reduced without Employee’s consent by the same proportion as other Company employees if and to the extent that the Board imposes a Company-wide reduction in salary on substantially all of Company’s employees.

 

2.2        Incentive Compensation . In addition to and not as a substitute for Employee’s Total Salary, Employee shall be eligible for an annual bonus, as determined by the Board in its sole discretion no later than July 15 of each calendar year. While the Board retains the discretion to grant a larger bonus or no bonus at all, the targeted maximum for this discretionary annual bonus, based on exemplary performance in all quantitative and qualitative criteria that may be considered by the Board, in its sole discretion, shall be 50% of the Total Salary paid to Employee in the calendar year preceding the grant of the bonus.

 

2.3        Relocation Expenses . If Company’s offices to which Employee is assigned are relocated outside of the Denver, Colorado metropolitan area and Employee remains employed by Company pursuant to this Agreement, then Company shall pay all reasonable relocation expenses incurred by Employee in relocating to Company’s new location. The requirements for the timing of such expenses and their reimbursement shall be subject to and in accordance with the relocation expense payment policies and procedures of Company, as in effect as of the date Company advises Employee of the relocation.

 

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3.        Expense Reimbursement and Other Benefits .

 

3.1        Expense Reimbursement . During the Term, Company shall reimburse Employee for all documented reasonable expenses actually paid or incurred by Employee in the course of and pursuant to the business of Company, subject to and in accordance with the expense reimbursement policies and procedures in effect for Company’s employees from time to time.

 

3.2        Additional Benefits . During the Term, Company shall make available to Employee such benefits and perquisites as are generally provided by Company to its senior management (subject to eligibility), including but not limited to participation in any group life, medical, health, dental, disability or accident insurance, pension plan, 401(k) savings and investment plan, profit-sharing plan, employee stock purchase plan, incentive compensation plan or other benefit plan or policy, if any, which may presently be in effect or which may hereafter be adopted by Company for the benefit of its senior management or its employees generally, in each case subject to and on a basis consistent with the terms, conditions and overall administration of such plan or arrangement (the “ Additional Benefits ”).

 

3.3        Annual Leave . Employee shall be entitled to four (4) weeks of annual leave each calendar year. The annual leave will vest evenly each payroll and shall be accrued from calendar year to calendar year in accordance with Company policies and procedures then in effect. Employee shall be paid for any remaining annual leave accrual following the termination of employment for any reason. Annual leave shall be taken at a mutually agreeable time.

 

3.4 Personal Leave . Personal leave shall be available to Employee for use in accordance with Company policies and procedures then in effect. Personal leave will not accrue for longer than a year and Employee will not be entitled to receive payment for any accrued personal leave upon the termination of their employment.

 

4.        Termination .

 

4.1        Termination for Cause . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, Company may terminate this Agreement and Employee’s employment for Cause. As used in this Agreement, “ Cause ” shall mean (i) any action or omission of Employee which constitutes (A) a breach of any of the provisions of Section 5 of this Agreement, (B) a breach by Employee of his fiduciary duties and obligations to Company, or (C) Employee’s failure or refusal to follow any lawful directive of the CEO or the Board, in each case which act or omission is not cured (if capable of being cured) within ten (10) days after written notice of same from Company to Employee or (ii) conduct constituting fraud, embezzlement, misappropriation or gross dishonesty by Employee in connection with the performance of his duties under this Agreement, or a conviction of Employee for a felony (other than a traffic violation) or, if it shall damage or bring into disrepute the business, reputation or goodwill of Company or impair Employee's ability to perform his duties with Company, any crime involving moral turpitude. Employee shall be given a written notice of termination for Cause specifying the details thereof. Upon any termination pursuant to this Section 4.1, Employee shall only be entitled to his Total Salary as accrued through the date of termination, reimbursement of expenses incurred prior to the date of termination in accordance with Section 3.1 hereof, and any other compensation and benefits payable in accordance with Section 3.2 hereof. Upon making such payments, Company shall have no further liability to Employee hereunder.

 

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4.2        Disability . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, Company, by written notice to Employee, shall at all times have the right to terminate this Agreement and Employee’s employment hereunder if Employee shall, as the result of mental or physical incapacity, illness or disability, fail or be unable to perform his duties and responsibilities provided for herein in all material respects for a period of more than sixty (60) consecutive days in any 12-month period. Upon any termination pursuant to this Section 4.2, (i) within thirty (30) days after the date of termination, Company shall pay Employee any unpaid amounts of his Total Salary accrued prior to the date of termination and shall reimburse Employee for all expenses described in Section 3.1 of this Agreement and incurred prior to the date of termination, and (ii) in lieu of any further Total Salary, incentive compensation or other benefits or payments to Employee for periods subsequent to the date of termination, Company shall pay to Employee the Severance Payments and Severance Benefits specified in Section 4.4. Upon making such payments and providing such benefits, Company shall have no further liability hereunder; provided, however, that Employee shall be entitled to receive any amounts then payable pursuant to any employee benefit plan, life insurance policy or other plan, program or policy then maintained or provided by Company to Employee in accordance with Section 3.2 hereof and under the terms thereof.

 

4.3        Death . In the event of the death of Employee during the term of his employment hereunder, this Agreement shall terminate on the date of Employee’s death. Upon any such termination, (i) within thirty (30) days after the date of termination, Company shall pay to the estate of Employee any unpaid amounts of his Total Salary accrued prior to the date of termination and reimbursement for all expenses described in Section 3.1 of this Agreement and incurred by Employee prior to his death, and (ii) in lieu of any further Total Salary, incentive compensation or other benefits or payments to the estate of Employee for periods subsequent to the date of termination, Company shall pay to the estate of Employee the Severance Payments specified in Section 4.4. Upon making such payments, Company shall have no further liability hereunder; provided , that Employee’s spouse, beneficiaries or estate, as the case may be, shall be entitled to receive any amounts then payable pursuant to any employee benefit plan, life insurance policy or other plan, program or policy then maintained or provided by Company to Employee in accordance with Section 3.2 hereof and under the terms thereof. Nothing herein is intended to give Employee’s spouse, beneficiaries or estate any rights to or interest in any key man life insurance policy on Employee maintained by Company for the benefit of Company.

 

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4.4        Termination Without Cause . At any time Company shall have the right to terminate this Agreement and Employee’s employment hereunder by written notice to Employee. Upon any termination without Cause pursuant to this Section 4.4, Company shall (a) pay Employee any unpaid amounts of his Total Salary accrued prior to the date of termination and (b) reimburse Employee for all expenses described in Section 3.1 of this Agreement and incurred prior to the date of termination, provided , however , that if Company provided Employee with less than ninety (90) days prior written notice of the date of such termination without Cause, then in addition to his Total Salary and benefits through the date of such termination, Company shall also pay Employee an amount (“ Severance Payments ”) equal to his Total Salary for the difference between the required ninety (90) days notice and the actual notice given by Company (the “ Without Cause Notice Period ”), subject to all appropriate withholdings and deductions. If there is a Change in Control of Company at any time during the Term, however, whether before or after any notice of termination without Cause, then Employee shall be entitled to receive notice of the effective date of termination twelve (12) months prior to such date (“ Change in Control Notice Period ”) instead of the Without Cause Notice Period of only ninety (90) days. If there is a Change in Control during the Term and Company provides Employee with a notice of termination that is less than the Change in Control Notice Period, then the Severance Payments shall be, subject to all appropriate withholdings and deductions, based on the difference between the Change in Control Notice Period and the actual notice given by Company. Severance Payments shall be paid to Employee in a lump sum upon the termination of Employee’s employment, provided, however , that no Severance Payments shall be paid until Employee has signed and delivered a release agreement satisfactory to Company and not revoked it during any applicable statutory revocation period. Employee will forfeit the right to any Severance Payments under this Section 4.4 unless such release is signed and not subsequently revoked within ninety (90) days after it is provided to Employee by Company. Employee shall receive the Additional Benefits for the period of time during so long as Severance Payments are being made to Employee (the “ Severance Benefits ”). Upon making the Severance Payments and providing the Severance Benefits, if any, required by this Section 4.4, Company shall have no further liability to Employee other than any amounts duly payable pursuant to any 401K plan, employee benefit plan, life insurance policy or other plan, program or policy then maintained or provided by Company to Employee pursuant to the terms thereof. For purposes of this Agreement, a Change in Control of Company shall be deemed to have occurred if (i) any person, entity or group becomes the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of 50.1% or more of the voting securities of Company or Parent; or (ii) as a result of, or in connection with, any tender offer, exchange offer, merger, business combination, sale of assets or contested election of directors (a “ Transaction ”), the persons who were directors of Company or Parent immediately before the Transaction no longer constitute a majority of the directors of Company or Parent; or (iii) Company or Parent is merged or consolidated with another corporation or entity and, as a result of the merger or consolidation, less than 50.1% of the outstanding voting securities of the surviving corporation or entity is then owned in the aggregate by the former stockholders of Company or Parent; or (iv) Company or Parent transfers all or substantially all of its assets to another company which is not a wholly owned subsidiary of Company or Parent.

 

4.5        Voluntary Resignation . Employee may, upon not less than ninety (90) days prior written notice to Company, resign and terminate his employment hereunder. Subject to Section 4.6, in the event Employee resigns as an employee of Company, he shall be entitled to receive only such payment(s) as he would have received had he been terminated pursuant to Section 4.1 hereof. Employee shall not under any circumstances give Company less than ninety (90) days prior written notice of his resignation date.

 

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4.6        Resignation for Good Reason . Employee may, by written notice to Company during the Term, elect to terminate his employment on the basis of “good reason” if there is (a) a material change of the principal location in which Executive is required to perform his duties hereunder without Executive’s prior consent (it being agreed that any location within the state of Colorado shall not be deemed a material change); or (b) a material reduction in (or a failure to pay or provide a material portion of) Employee’s Total Salary or other benefits payable under this Agreement or (c) a Change in Control of Company. Any such notice of termination by Executive for “good reason” shall specify the circumstances constituting “good reason” and shall afford Company an opportunity to cure such circumstances at any time within the twenty (20) day period following the date of such notice. If Company does cure such circumstances within said twenty (20) day period, the notice of termination shall be withdrawn by Executive and of no further force and effect. If the circumstances cited in Executive’s notice qualify as “good reason” hereunder and are not cured within the twenty (20) days after the notice, this Agreement shall be terminated thirty (30) days after Executive’s original written notice and such termination shall be treated in all respects as if it had been a termination without Cause and without notice, but not involving a Change in Control under Section 4.4 of this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any voluntary termination by Employee following a Change in Control shall be a termination for “good reason” pursuant to this Section 4.6 if, but only if, the date of termination is no later than the later of (i) February 13 of the first calendar year following the year in which the Change in Control occurred and (ii) the fifteenth day of the second month of Company’s fiscal year following the year in which the Change in Control occurred under Section 4.4 of this Agreement.

 

5.        Restrictive Covenants .

 

5.1        Nondisclosure . (a) Employee acknowledges that, as part of the terms of his employment by Company, he will have access to and/or may develop or assemble confidential information owned by or related to Company, its customers or its business partners or Parent. Such confidential information (whether or not reduced to writing) shall include, without limitation, designs, processes, projects, manuals, techniques, information concerning or provided by customers, suppliers and vendors contracts, marketing strategies, agency relationships and terms, financial information, pricing and compensation structures, business relations and negotiations, employee lists, plans for drilling, exploration, development or other business, production, exploration, seismic or other business data, and any other information designated as “confidential” by Company or Parent (collectively, “ Confidential Information ”). Employee shall retain all Confidential Information in confidence and shall not use or disclose Confidential Information for any purpose other than to the extent necessary to perform his duties as an employee of Company. This duty of confidentiality shall continue indefinitely with respect to Confidential Information notwithstanding any termination of Employee’s employment so long as it remains Confidential Information. Confidential Information shall not include any information that (i) was known by Employee from a third party source before disclosure by or on behalf of Company to Employee, (ii) becomes available to Employee from a source other than Company that is not bound by a duty of confidentiality to Company, (iii) Company makes publicly available or discloses to any third party without any obligation of confidentiality, or (iv) becomes generally publicly available or known in the industry other than as a result of its disclosure by Employee.

 

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(b)       Employee agrees to (i) return to Company upon request, and in any event, at the time of termination of employment for whatever reason, all documents, equipment, notes, records, computer disks and tapes and other tangible items in his possession or under his control which belong to Company or any of its affiliates or which contain or refer to any Confidential Information relating to Company or any of its affiliates and (ii) if so requested by Company, delete all Confidential Information relating to Company or any of its affiliates from any computer disks, tapes or other re-usable material in his possession or under his control which contain or refer to any Confidential Information relating to Company or any of its affiliates.

 

5.2        Non-solicitation of Customers and Employees . During the Term and during the twelve (12) month period following the later to occur of (i) the termination of this Agreement or (ii) the termination of Employee’s employment by the Company or engagement as a consultant to the Company (the “ Severance Period ”), Employee (a) shall not solicit the business of any person, company or firm which is a former, current, or prospective customer or business partner of Company or Parent (a “ Customer ”) for the benefit of anyone other than Company or Parent if the business solicited is of a type offered by Company or Parent during the Term, (b) shall not solicit or encourage any Customer to modify, diminish or eliminate its business relationship with Company or Parent or take any other action with respect to a Customer which could be detrimental to the interests of Company or Parent, and (c) shall not solicit for employment or for any other comparable service, such as consulting services, and shall not hire or engage as a consultant any employee or independent contractor employed or engaged by Company or Parent at any time during the Term, except for independent contractors with whom Employee had done business, directly or indirectly, prior to the Effective Date. Employee acknowledges that violation of this covenant constitutes a misappropriation of Company’s or Parent’s trade secrets in violation of his duty of confidentiality owed to Company.

 

5.3        Non-competition . During the Term and the Restricted Period, unless otherwise waived in writing by Company (such waiver to be in Company’s sole and absolute discretion), Employee shall not, directly or indirectly, engage in, operate, manage, have any investment or interest or otherwise participate in any manner (whether as employee, officer, director, partner, agent, security holder, creditor, consultant or otherwise) in any sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation or business or any other person or entity (each, a “ Competitor ”) that engages directly or indirectly, in a Competitive Activity. For purposes of this Agreement, a “Competitive Activity” means any business or other endeavor of a kind being conducted by Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates (or demonstrably anticipated by Company) in a geographic area that is within ten (10) miles of (a) any property that is owned, leased or controlled by Company at any time during the six (6) months preceding the Competitive Activity or, if Employee’s employment has been terminated, during the last six (6) months of the Term, or (b) any oil or gas prospect that Company is evaluating or in which Company is seeking to acquire an interest at any time either during the six (6) months preceding the Competitive Activity or, if Employee’s employment has been terminated, during the last six (6) months of the Term. Employee shall be considered to have become associated with a Competitive Activity and in violation of this provision if Employee becomes directly or indirectly involved as an owner, principal, employee, officer, director, independent contractor, representative, stockholder, financial backer, agent, partner, advisor, lender, or in any other individual or representative capacity with any individual, partnership, corporation or other organization that is engaged in a Competitive Activity; provided , that Employee may hold or acquire, solely as an investment, shares of capital stock or other equity securities of any Competitor, so long as the securities are publicly traded and Employee does not control, acquire a controlling interest in, or become a member of a group which exercises direct or indirect control of, more than five percent (5%) of any class of equity securities of such Competitor.

 

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5.4        Non-disparagement . During the Term and the Restricted Period, Employee will not make, distribute or cause a distribution of any oral or written statement, which directly or by implication tarnishes, creates a negative impression of, or puts Company, its reputation and goodwill in a bad light, or disparages Company or Parent in any other way, including but not limited to: (a) the working conditions or employment practices of Company or Parent; (b) Company’s oil and gas properties, including unproved or proved undeveloped properties; or (c) Company’s directors, officers and personnel. It will not be a violation of this section for Employee to make truthful statements, under oath, if and to the extent required by law or formal legal process.

 

5.5        Intellectual Property Rights . Employee understands that as part of his employment he may alone or together with others create, compile, or discover data, designs, literature, ideas, trade secrets, know-how, commercial information, or any other valuable works or information, such as financial models, drilling logs, development plans, reserves estimates or valuations, seismic data and other information pertinent to the value of oil and gas properties (collectively, “ Intellectual Property ”). Employee acknowledges that Company shall own all right, title, and interest in all Intellectual Property created by him in whole or in part in the course of his employment by Company. Employee hereby assigns to Company all right, title, and interest in the copyrights or patents embodied in or represented by such Intellectual Property, including all rights of renewal and termination, and to any and all other intellectual property rights, including without limitation, trademarks, trade secrets, and know-how embodied in Intellectual Property or in any other idea or invention developed in whole or in part by Employee in the course of his employment. Employee further agrees to take all actions and to execute all documents necessary in order to perfect and to vest such intellectual property rights in Company.

 

5.6        Injunction . It is recognized and hereby acknowledged by the Parties hereto that a breach by Employee of any of the covenants contained in Sections 5.1 through 5.5 of this Agreement will cause irreparable harm and damage to Company, the monetary amount of which may be virtually impossible to ascertain. As a result, Employee recognizes and hereby acknowledges that Company shall be entitled to an injunction from any court of competent jurisdiction enjoining and restraining any violation of any or all of the covenants contained in Section 5 of this Agreement by Employee or any of his affiliates, associates, partners or agents, either directly or indirectly, and that such right to injunction shall be cumulative and in addition to whatever other remedies Company may possess.

 

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5.7        American Jobs Creation Act Provisions . It is the intention of the parties that payments or benefits payable under this Agreement not be subject to the additional tax imposed pursuant to Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “ Code ”). Accordingly, to the extent such potential payments or benefits could become subject to Section 409A of the Code, the parties shall cooperate to amend this Agreement with the goal of giving Employee the economic benefits described herein in a manner that does not result in such tax being imposed. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the following provisions related to payments treated as deferred compensation under Section 409A of the Code, shall apply:

 

(a) If (i) Employee is a “specified person” on the date of Employee’s “separation from service” within the meaning of Sections 409A(a)(2)(A)(i) and 409A(a)(2)(B)(ii) of the Code, and (ii) as a result of such separation from service Employee would receive any payment that, absent the application of this paragraph, would be subject to the interest and additional tax imposed pursuant to Section 409A(a) of the Code as a result of the application of Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code, then no such payment shall be made prior to the date that is the earliest of: (i) six (6) months after Employee’s separation from service and (ii) Employee’s date of death.

 

(b) Any payments that are delayed pursuant to Section 5.7(a) shall be paid on the earlier of the two dates described therein.

 

(c) Sections 5.7(a) and (b) shall not apply to any payment if and to the maximum extent that that such payment would be a payment under a separation pay plan following an “involuntary separation from service” (as defined in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(n)) that does not provide for a deferral of compensation by reason of the application of Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(9)(iii). For the avoidance of doubt, the parties agree that this Section 5.7(c) shall be interpreted so that Employee will receive payments during the six (6) month period specified in Section 5.7(a) to the maximum amount permitted by Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(9)(iii).

 

(d) If a payment that could be made under this Agreement would be subject to additional taxes and interest under Section 409A of the Code, Company in its sole discretion may accelerate some or all of a payment otherwise payable under the Agreement to the time at which such amount is includable in the income of Employee, provided that such acceleration shall only be permitted to the extent permitted under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(j)(vii) and the amount of such acceleration does not exceed the amount permitted under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(j)(vii).

 

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(e) No payment to be made under this Agreement shall be made at a time earlier than that provided for in this Agreement unless such payment is (i) an acceleration of payment permitted to be made under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(j)(4) or (ii) a payment that would otherwise not be subject to additional taxes and interest under Section 409A of the Code.

 

(f) A payment described in Section 4.4 of this Agreement shall be made only if such payment will not be subject to additional taxes and interest under Section 409A of the Code.

 

(g) No payment shall be made pursuant to Section 2.3 of this Agreement unless such payment would not constitute a deferral of compensation pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(9)(v).

 

6.        Entire Agreement; No Conflicts With Existing Arrangements . No agreements or representations, oral or otherwise, express or implied, with respect to the subject matter hereof have been made by either party that is not set forth expressly in this Agreement. This Agreement contains the entire agreement, and supersedes any other agreement or understanding between Company and Employee relating to Employee’s employment, provided, however, that if and to the extent that Company has previously granted equity or other similar compensation to Employee that is subject to a vesting schedule, contingency or performance condition, this Agreement does not alter Employee’s entitlement to such compensation in accordance with the original terms thereof. With respect to the provision in Section 2.3 of Employee’s April 1, 2008, employment agreement with Company entitling Employee to an overriding royalty interest on all oil and gas properties identified and recommended by Employee during the three year term of that agreement, Employee remains entitled to such royalties but is not entitled to royalties on any other properties. Employee represents and warrants that his employment by Company hereunder does not and will not conflict with or constitute a breach or default under any prior or existing agreement with any former employer or other person or entity.

 

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7.        Notices : All notices and other communications required or permitted under this Agreement shall be in writing and will be either hand delivered in person, sent by facsimile or email, sent by certified or registered first class mail, postage pre-paid, or sent by nationally recognized express courier service. Such notices and other communications will be effective upon receipt if hand delivered or sent by facsimile or email, five (5) days after mailing if sent by mail, and one (l) day after dispatch if sent by express courier, to the following addresses, or such other addresses as any party may notify the other parties in accordance with this Section:

 

If to Company:

1331 17th Street, Suite 710

Denver, CO 80202

Attention: Terence Barr

Email Terry.Barr@samsonoilandgas.com

Facsimile: 303-295-1961

 

 

 

If to Employee:

David Ninke

at address shown on

Company’s personnel records

Email David.Ninke@samsonoilandgas.com

 

8.        Miscellaneous . (a) Successors and Assigns . This Agreement is personal to Employee and is not assignable by Employee. The benefits due to Employee for services rendered by Employee under this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of Employee’s heirs or legal representatives. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon Company and its successors and assigns. (b) Severability. If any provision of this Agreement shall be declared invalid, this Agreement shall be construed as if such invalid provision had not been inserted. (c) Waivers . The waiver by either Party hereto of a breach or violation of any term or provision of this Agreement shall not operate nor be construed as a waiver of any subsequent breach or violation. (d) No Third Party Beneficiary . Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed, to or give any person other than the Parties hereto any rights or remedies under or by reason of this Agreement. (e) Governing Law . This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Colorado, without regard to principles of conflict of laws. (f) Survival . Employee’s obligations under Section 5 hereof shall continue notwithstanding the termination of this Agreement in accordance with the terms set forth herein. (g) Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts which together shall constitute one document. Electronic facsimiles of original signatures shall be deemed to be original signatures for all purposes.

[ Signature Page Follows .]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this Employment Agreement as of the date set forth above.

 

  COMPANY:
     
  SAMSON OIL AND GAS USA, INC.
     
     
  By: /s/ Terry Barr
   

Terry Barr, CEO & Managing Director

 

  EMPLOYEE:
     
     
  By: /s/ David Ninke
   

David Ninke

  

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Exhibit 10.4

 

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 

THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (“ Agreement ”) is entered into as of April 1, 2016 (the “ Effective Date”) , by and between Samson Oil and Gas USA, Inc., a Colorado corporation (“ Company ”), and Mark Ulmer (“ Employee ”) (together the “ Parties ” and each a “ Party ”).

 

Recital

 

WHEREAS, Company desires to retain the personal services of Employee as Vice President-Engineering & Operations of Company and of Company’s parent, Samson Oil and Gas Limited (“ Parent ”) and Employee is willing to make his services available to Company and Parent, on the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth. All references herein to dollars or $ are to United States dollars.

 

Agreement

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants set forth herein, the Parties agree as follows:

 

1.        Employment .

 

1.1        Employment and Term . Company hereby agrees to employ Employee and Employee hereby agrees to serve Company, on the terms and conditions set forth herein, for the period commencing on the Effective Date and continuing through March 31, 2019, unless sooner terminated in accordance with the terms and conditions hereof (the “ Term ”). The Term will not be extended unless the Parties agree otherwise in writing. If Employee continues to be employed after the end of the Term, he will be an at will employee without the benefit of any of the terms of this Agreement.

 

1.2        Duties of Employee . Employee shall serve as the Vice President-Engineering and Operations of Company and Parent, and shall have and exercise general responsibility for (a) Company’s operations associated with Company’s Foreman Butte project, including production, facility maintenance workovers, and drilling operations, physical oil and gas marketing arrangements, supervision of contract pumpers and field based roustabout crew, compliance with applicable environmental guidelines in North Dakota and Montana, and compliance with applicable governmental reporting requirements in North Dakota and Montana and (b) Company’s corporate reserve reporting on a quarterly basis. Employee shall report to the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Company and Parent and to the Board of Directors of Parent (the “ Board ”). Employee shall also have such other powers and duties as the Board may from time to time delegate to him so long as such additional duties are consistent with his position. Employee shall devote substantially all his working time and attention to the business and affairs of Company and Parent (excluding any vacation and sick leave to which Employee is entitled), render such services to the best of his ability, and use his best efforts to promote the interests of Company and Parent. So long as such activities do not interfere with the performance of Employee’s responsibilities as an employee of Company in accordance with this Agreement., it shall not be a violation of this Agreement for Employee to: (i) serve on corporate, civic or charitable boards or committees; (ii) deliver lectures or fulfill speaking engagements; (iii) manage personal investments; or (iv) participate in continuing education seminars or similar activities relevant to his duties and responsibilities for Company.

 

 

 

 

1.3        Place of Performance . In connection with his employment by Company, Employee shall be based at Company’s offices in Colorado or another mutually agreed location, except for travel necessary in connection with Company’s business. Employee acknowledges and agrees that a substantial part of his duties under this Agreement will be comprised of travel to North Dakota and Montana in connection with the management of Company’s Foreman Butte project.

 

2.        Compensation .

 

2.1        Total Salary . Employee shall receive total annual compensation in an amount set by the Board from time to time throughout the Term (the “ Total Salary ”). The Total Salary will be accrued on a daily basis and payable in installments consistent with Company’s normal payroll schedule, subject to applicable withholding and other taxes. As of the Effective Date, Employee’s Total Salary is $380,000. Employee’s Total Salary may be increased during the Term, but shall not be decreased without Employee’s written consent, provided, however , that Employee’s Total Salary may be reduced without Employee’s consent by the same proportion as other Company employees if and to the extent that the Board imposes a Company-wide reduction in salary on substantially all of Company’s employees.

 

2.2        Incentive Compensation . In addition to and not as a substitute for Employee’s Total Salary, Employee shall be eligible for an annual bonus, as determined by the Board in its sole discretion no later than July 15 of each calendar year. While the Board retains the discretion to grant a larger bonus or no bonus at all, the targeted maximum for this discretionary annual bonus, based on exemplary performance in all quantitative and qualitative criteria that may be considered by the Board, in its sole discretion, shall be 50% of the Total Salary paid to Employee in the calendar year preceding the grant of the bonus.

 

2.3        Relocation Expenses . If Company’s offices to which Employee is assigned are relocated outside of the Denver, Colorado metropolitan area and Employee remains employed by Company pursuant to this Agreement, then Company shall pay all reasonable relocation expenses incurred by Employee in relocating to Company’s new location. The requirements for the timing of such expenses and their reimbursement shall be subject to and in accordance with the relocation expense payment policies and procedures of Company, as in effect as of the date Company advises Employee of the relocation.

 

3.        Expense Reimbursement and Other Benefits .

 

3.1        Expense Reimbursement . During the Term, Company shall reimburse Employee for all documented reasonable expenses actually paid or incurred by Employee in the course of and pursuant to the business of Company, subject to and in accordance with the expense reimbursement policies and procedures in effect for Company’s employees from time to time.

 

3.2        Additional Benefits . During the Term, Company shall make available to Employee such benefits and perquisites as are generally provided by Company to its senior management (subject to eligibility), including but not limited to participation in any group life, medical, health, dental, disability or accident insurance, pension plan, 401(k) savings and investment plan, profit-sharing plan, employee stock purchase plan, incentive compensation plan or other benefit plan or policy, if any, which may presently be in effect or which may hereafter be adopted by Company for the benefit of its senior management or its employees generally, in each case subject to and on a basis consistent with the terms, conditions and overall administration of such plan or arrangement. (the “ Additional Benefits ”).

 

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3.3        Annual Leave . Employee shall be entitled to four (4) weeks of annual leave each calendar year. The annual leave will vest evenly each payroll and shall be accrued from calendar year to calendar year in accordance with Company policies and procedures then in effect. Employee shall be paid for any remaining annual leave accrual following the termination of employment for any reason. Annual leave shall be taken at a mutually agreeable time.

 

3.4        Personal Leave . Personal leave shall be available to Employee for use in accordance with Company policies and procedures then in effect. Personal leave will not accrue for longer than a year and Employee will not be entitled to receive payment for any accrued personal leave upon the termination of their employment.

 

4.        Termination .

 

4.1        Termination for Cause . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, Company may terminate this Agreement and Employee’s employment for Cause. As used in this Agreement, “Cause” shall mean (i) any action or omission of Employee which constitutes (A) a breach of any of the provisions of Section 5 of this Agreement, (B) a breach by Employee of his fiduciary duties and obligations to Company, or (C) Employee’s failure or refusal to follow any lawful directive of the CEO or the Board, in each case which act or omission is not cured (if capable of being cured) within ten (10) days after written notice of same from Company to Employee, or (ii) conduct constituting fraud, embezzlement, misappropriation or gross dishonesty by Employee in connection with the performance of his duties under this Agreement, or a conviction of Employee for a felony (other than a traffic violation) or, if it shall damage or bring into disrepute the business, reputation or goodwill of Company or impair Employee’s ability to perform his duties with Company, any crime involving moral turpitude. Employee shall be given a written notice of termination for Cause specifying the details thereof. Upon any termination pursuant to this Section 4.1, Employee shall only be entitled to his Total Salary as accrued through the date of termination, reimbursement of expenses incurred prior to the date of termination in accordance with Section 3.1 hereof, and any other compensation and benefits payable in accordance with Section 3.2 hereof. Upon making such payments, Company shall have no further liability to Employee hereunder.

 

4.2        Disability . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, Company, by written notice to Employee, shall at all times have the right to terminate this Agreement and Employee’s employment hereunder if Employee shall, as the result of mental or physical incapacity, illness or disability, fail or be unable to perform his duties and responsibilities provided for herein in all material respects for a period of more than sixty (60) consecutive days in any 12-month period. Upon any termination pursuant to this Section 4.2, (i) within thirty (30) days after the date of termination, Company shall pay Employee any unpaid amounts of his Total Salary accrued prior to the date of termination and shall reimburse Employee for all expenses described in Section 3.1 of this Agreement and incurred prior to the date of termination and (ii) in lieu of any further Total Salary, incentive compensation or other benefits or payments to Employee for periods subsequent to the date of termination, Company shall pay to Employee the Severance Payments and Severance Benefits specified in Section 4.4. Upon making such payments and providing such benefits, Company shall have no further liability hereunder; provided, however, that Employee shall be entitled to receive any amounts then payable pursuant to any employee benefit plan, life insurance policy or other plan, program or policy then maintained or provided by Company to Employee in accordance with Section 3.2 hereof and under the terms thereof.

 

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4.3        Death . In the event of the death of Employee during the term of his employment hereunder, this Agreement shall terminate on the date of Employee’s death. Upon any such termination, (i) within thirty (30) days after the date of termination, Company shall pay to the estate of Employee any unpaid amounts of his Total Salary accrued prior to the date of termination and reimbursement for all expenses described in Section 3.1 of this Agreement and incurred by Employee prior to his death and (ii) in lieu of any further Total Salary, incentive compensation or other benefits or payments to the estate of Employee for periods subsequent to the date of termination, Company shall pay to the estate of Employee the Severance Payments specified in Section 4.4. Upon making such payments, Company shall have no further liability hereunder; provided, that Employee’s spouse, beneficiaries or estate, as the case may be, shall be entitled to receive any amounts then payable pursuant to any employee benefit plan, life insurance policy or other plan, program or policy then maintained or provided by Company to Employee in accordance with Section 3.2 hereof and under the terms thereof. Nothing herein is intended to give Employee’s spouse, beneficiaries or estate any rights to or interest in any key man life insurance policy on Employee maintained by Company for the benefit of Company.

 

4.4        Termination Without Cause . At any time Company shall have the right to terminate this Agreement and Employee’s employment hereunder by written notice to Employee. Upon any termination without Cause pursuant to this Section 4.4, Company shall (a) pay Employee any unpaid amounts of his Total Salary accrued prior to the date of termination and (b) reimburse Employee for all expenses described in Section 3.1 of this Agreement and incurred prior to the date of termination, provided, however, that if Company provided Employee with less than ninety (90) days prior written notice of the date of such termination without Cause, then in addition to his Total Salary and benefits through the date of such termination, Company shall also pay Employee an amount (“ Severance Payments ”) equal to his Total Salary for the difference between the required ninety (90) days notice and the actual notice given by Company (the “ Without Cause Notice Period ”), subject to all appropriate withholdings and deductions. If there is a Change in Control of Company at any time during the Term, however, whether before or after any notice of termination without Cause, then Employee shall be entitled to receive notice of the effective date of termination twelve (12) months prior to such date (“ Change in Control Notice Period ”) instead of the Without Cause Notice Period of only ninety (90) days. If there is a Change in Control during the Term and Company provides Employee with a notice of termination that is less than the Change in Control Notice Period, then the Severance Payments shall be, subject to all appropriate withholdings and deductions, based on the difference between the Change in Control Notice Period and the actual notice given by Company. Severance Payments shall be paid to Employee in a lump sum upon the termination of Employee’s employment, provided, however, that no Severance Payments shall be paid until Employee has signed and delivered a release agreement satisfactory to Company and not revoked it during any applicable statutory revocation period. Employee will forfeit the right to any Severance Payments under this Section 4.4 unless such release is signed and not subsequently revoked within ninety (90) days after it is provided to Employee by Company. Employee shall receive the Additional Benefits for the period of time during so long as Severance Payments are being made to Employee (the “ Severance Benefits ”). Upon making the Severance Payments and providing the Severance Benefits, if any, required by this Section 4.4, Company shall have no further liability to Employee other than any amounts duly payable pursuant to any 401K plan, employee benefit plan, life insurance policy or other plan, program or policy then maintained or provided by Company to Employee pursuant to the terms thereof. For purposes of this Agreement, a Change in Control of Company shall be deemed to have occurred if (i) any person, entity or group becomes the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of 50.1% or more of the voting securities of Company or Parent; or (ii) as a result of, or in connection with, any tender offer, exchange offer, merger, business combination, sale of assets or contested election of directors (a “ Transaction ”), the persons who were directors of Company or Parent immediately before the Transaction no longer constitute a majority of the directors of Company or Parent; or (iii) Company or Parent is merged or consolidated with another corporation or entity and, as a result of the merger or consolidation, less than 50.1% of the outstanding voting securities of the surviving corporation or entity is then owned in the aggregate by the former stockholders of Company or Parent; or (iv) Company or Parent transfers all or substantially all of its assets to another company which is not a wholly owned subsidiary of Company or Parent.

 

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4.5        Voluntary Resignation . Employee may, upon not less than ninety (90) days prior written notice to Company, resign and terminate his employment hereunder. Subject to Section 4.6, in the event Employee resigns as an employee of Company, he shall be entitled to receive only such payment(s) as he would have received had he been terminated pursuant to Section 4.1 hereof. Employee shall not under any circumstances give Company less than ninety (90) days prior written notice of his resignation date.

 

4.6        Resignation for Good Reason . Employee may, by written notice to Company during the Term, elect to terminate his employment on the basis of “good reason” if there is (a) a material change of the principal location in which Executive is required to perform his duties hereunder without Executive’s prior consent (it being agreed that any location within the state of Colorado shall not be deemed a material change); or (b) a material reduction in (or a failure to pay or provide a material portion of) Employee’s Total Salary or other benefits payable under this Agreement, or (c) a Change in Control of Company. Any such notice of termination by Executive for “good reason” shall specify the circumstances constituting “good reason” and shall afford Company an opportunity to cure such circumstances at any time within the thirty (30) day period following the date of such notice. If Company does cure such circumstances within said thirty (30) day period, the notice of termination shall be withdrawn by Executive and of no further force and effect. If the circumstances cited in Executive’s notice qualify as “good reason” hereunder and are not cured within the thirty (30) days after the notice, this Agreement shall be terminated ninety (90) days after Executive’s original written notice and such termination shall be treated in all respects as if it had been a termination without Cause and without notice, but not involving a Change in Control under Section 4.4 of this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any voluntary termination by Employee following a Change in Control shall be a termination for “good reason” pursuant to this Section 4.6 if, but only if, the date of termination is no later than the later of (i) February 13 of the first calendar year following the year in which the Change in Control occurred and (ii) the fifteenth day of the second month of Company’s fiscal year following the year in which the Change in Control occurred under Section 4.4 of this Agreement.

 

5.        Restrictive Covenants .

 

5.1        Nondisclosure . (a) Employee acknowledges that as part of the terms of his employment by Company, he will have access to and/or may develop or assemble confidential information owned by or related to Company, its customers or its business partners or Parent. Such confidential information (whether or not reduced to writing) shall include without limitation, designs, processes, projects, manuals, techniques, information concerning or provided by customers, suppliers and vendors, contracts, marketing strategies, agency relationships and terms, financial information, pricing and compensation structures, business relations and negotiations, employee lists, plans for drilling, exploration, development or other business, production, exploration, seismic or other business data, and any other information designated as “confidential” by Company or Parent (collectively, “ Confidential Information ”). Employee shall retain all Confidential Information in confidence, and shall not use or disclose Confidential Information for any purpose other than to the extent necessary to perform his duties as an employee of Company. This duty of confidentiality shall continue indefinitely with respect to Confidential Information notwithstanding any termination of Employee’s employment so long as it remains Confidential Information. Confidential Information shall not include any information that (i) was known by Employee from a third party source before disclosure by or on behalf of Company to Employee, (ii) becomes available to Employee from a source other than Company that is not bound by a duty of confidentiality to Company, (iii) Company makes publicly available or discloses to any third party without any obligation of confidentiality, or (iv) becomes generally publicly available or known in the industry other than as a result of its disclosure by Employee.

 

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(b)       Employee agrees to (i) return to Company upon request, and in any event, at the time of termination of employment for whatever reason, all documents, equipment, notes, records, computer disks and tapes and other tangible items in his possession or under his control which belong to Company or any of its affiliates or which contain or refer to any Confidential Information relating to Company or any of its affiliates and (ii) if so requested by Company, delete all Confidential Information relating to Company or any of its affiliates from any computer disks, tapes or other re-usable material in his possession or under his control which contain or refer to any Confidential Information relating to Company or any of its affiliates.

 

5.2        Non-solicitation of Customers and Employees . During the Term and during the twelve (12) month period thereafter (the “ Restricted Period ”), Employee (a) shall not solicit the business of any person, company or firm which is a former, current, or prospective customer or business partner of Company or Parent (a “ Customer ”) for the benefit of anyone other than Company or Parent if the business solicited is of a type offered by Company or Parent during the Term except for (i) Customers with whom Employee had done business, directly or indirectly, prior to the Effective Date and (ii) business with Customers that would not reasonably be expected to adversely affect the business done by the Company or Parent with such Customers, (b) shall not solicit or encourage any Customer to modify, diminish or eliminate its business relationship with Company or Parent or take any other action with respect to a Customer which could be detrimental to the interests of Company or Parent, and (c) shall not solicit for employment or for any other comparable service, such as consulting services, and shall not hire or engage as a consultant any employee or independent contractor employed or engaged by Company or Parent at any time during the Term except for independent contractors with whom Employee had done business, directly or indirectly, prior to the Effective Date. Employee acknowledges that violation of the covenants in this Section 5.2 constitutes a misappropriation of Company’s or Parent’s trade secrets in violation of his duty of confidentiality owed to Company.

 

5.3        Non-competition . During the Term and the Restricted Period, unless otherwise waived in writing by Company (such waiver to be in Company’s sole and absolute discretion), Employee shall not, directly or indirectly, engage in, operate, manage, have any investment or interest or otherwise participate in any manner (whether as employee, officer, director, partner, agent, security holder, creditor, consultant or otherwise) in any sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation or business or any other person or entity (each, a “ Competitor ”) that engages directly or indirectly, in a Competitive Activity. For purposes of this Agreement, a “Competitive Activity” means any business or other endeavor of a kind being conducted by Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates (or demonstrably anticipated by Company) in a geographic area that is within ten (10) miles of (a) any property that is owned, leased or controlled by Company at any time during the six (6) months preceding the Competitive Activity or, if Employee’s employment has been terminated, during the last six (6) months of the Term, or (b) any oil or gas prospect that Company is evaluating or in which Company is seeking to acquire an interest at any time either during the six (6) months preceding the Competitive Activity or, if Employee’s employment has been terminated, during the last six (6) months of the Term. Employee shall be considered to have become associated with a Competitive Activity and in violation of this provision if Employee becomes directly or indirectly involved as an owner, principal, employee, officer, director, independent contractor, representative, stockholder, financial backer, agent, partner, advisor, lender, or in any other individual or representative capacity with any individual, partnership, corporation or other organization that is engaged in a Competitive Activity; provided, that Employee may hold or acquire, solely as an investment, shares of capital stock or other equity securities of any Competitor, so long as the securities are publicly traded and Employee does not control, acquire a controlling interest in, or become a member of a group which exercises direct or indirect control of, more than five percent (5%) of any class of equity securities of such Competitor.

 

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5.4        Non-disparagement . During the Term and the Restricted Period, Employee will not make, distribute or cause a distribution of any oral or written statement, which directly or by implication tarnishes, creates a negative impression of, or puts Company, its reputation and goodwill in a bad light, or disparages Company or Parent in any other way, including but not limited to: (a) the working conditions or employment practices of Company or Parent; (b) Company’s oil and gas properties, including unproved or proved undeveloped properties; or (c) Company’s directors, officers and personnel. It will not be a violation of this section for Employee to make truthful statements, under oath, if and to the extent required by law or formal legal process.

 

5.5        Intellectual Property Rights . Employee understands that, as part of his employment, he may alone or together with others create, compile, or discover data, designs, literature, ideas, trade secrets, know-how, commercial information, or any other valuable works or information, such as financial models, drilling logs, development plans, reserves estimates or valuations, seismic data and other information pertinent to the value of oil and gas properties (collectively, “ Intellectual Property ”). Employee acknowledges that Company shall own all right, title, and interest in all Intellectual Property created by him in whole or in part in the course of his employment by Company. Employee hereby assigns to Company all right, title, and interest in the copyrights or patents embodied in or represented by such Intellectual Property, including all rights of renewal and termination, and to any and all other intellectual property rights, including without limitation, trademarks, trade secrets, and know-how embodied in Intellectual Property or in any other idea or invention developed in whole or in part by Employee in the course of his employment. Employee further agrees to take all actions and to execute all documents necessary in order to perfect and to vest such intellectual property rights in Company.

 

5.6        Injunction . It is recognized and hereby acknowledged by the Parties hereto that a breach by Employee of any of the covenants contained in Section 5 of this Agreement will cause irreparable harm and damage to Company, the monetary amount of which may be virtually impossible to ascertain. As a result, Employee recognizes and hereby acknowledges that Company shall be entitled to an injunction from any court of competent jurisdiction enjoining and restraining any violation of any or all of the covenants contained in Section 6 of this Agreement by Employee or any of his affiliates, associates, partners or agents, either directly or indirectly, and that such right to injunction shall be cumulative and in addition to whatever other remedies Company may possess.

 

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5.7        American Jobs Creation Act Provisions . It is the intention of the parties that payments or benefits payable under this Agreement not be subject to the additional tax imposed pursuant to Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “ Code ”). Accordingly, to the extent such potential payments or benefits could become subject to Section 409A of the Code, the parties shall cooperate to amend this Agreement with the goal of giving Employee the economic benefits described herein in a manner that does not result in such tax being imposed. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the following provisions related to payments treated as deferred compensation under Section 409A of the Code, shall apply:

 

(a) If (i) Employee is a “specified person” on the date of Employee’s “separation from service” within the meaning of Sections 409A(a)(2)(A)(i) and 409A(a)(2)(B)(ii) of the Code, and (ii) as a result of such separation from service Employee would receive any payment that, absent the application of this paragraph, would be subject to the interest and additional tax imposed pursuant to Section 409A(a) of the Code as a result of the application of Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code, then no such payment shall be made prior to the date that is the earliest of: (i) six (6) months after Employee’s separation from service and (ii) Employee’s date of death.

 

(b) Any payments that are delayed pursuant to Section 5.7(a) shall be paid on the earlier of the two dates described therein.

 

(c) Sections 5.7(a) and (b) shall not apply to any payment if and to the maximum extent that that such payment would be a payment under a separation pay plan following an “involuntary separation from service” (as defined in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(n)) that does not provide for a deferral of compensation by reason of the application of Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(9)(iii). For the avoidance of doubt, the parties agree that this Section 5.7(c) shall be interpreted so that Employee will receive payments during the six (6) month period specified in Section 5.7(a) to the maximum amount permitted by Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(9)(iii).

 

(d) If a payment that could be made under this Agreement would be subject to additional taxes and interest under Section 409A of the Code, Company in its sole discretion may accelerate some or all of a payment otherwise payable under the Agreement to the time at which such amount is includable in the income of Employee, provided that such acceleration shall only be permitted to the extent permitted under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(j)(vii) and the amount of such acceleration does not exceed the amount permitted under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(j)(vii).

 

(e) No payment to be made under this Agreement shall be made at a time earlier than that provided for in this Agreement unless such payment is (i) an acceleration of payment permitted to be made under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(j)(4) or (ii) a payment that would otherwise not be subject to additional taxes and interest under Section 409A of the Code.

 

(f) A payment described in Section 4.4 of this Agreement shall be made only if such payment will not be subject to additional taxes and interest under Section 409A of the Code.

 

(g) No payment shall be made pursuant to Section 2.3 of this Agreement unless such payment would not constitute a deferral of compensation pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(9)(v).

 

6.        Entire Agreement; No Conflicts With Existing Arrangements . No agreements or representations, oral or otherwise, express or implied, with respect to the subject matter hereof have been made by either party that is not set forth expressly in this Agreement. This Agreement contains the entire agreement, and supersedes any other agreement or understanding, between Company and Employee relating to Employee’s employment, provided, however, that if and to the extent that Company has previously granted equity or other similar compensation to Employee that is subject to a vesting schedule, contingency or performance condition, this Agreement does not alter Employee’s entitlement to such compensation in accordance with the original terms thereof. Employee represents and warrants that his employment by Company hereunder does not and will not conflict with or constitute a breach or default under any prior or existing agreement with any former employer or other person or entity.

 

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7.        Notices : All notices and other communications required or permitted under this Agreement shall be in writing and will be either hand delivered in person, sent by facsimile or email, sent by certified or registered first class mail, postage pre-paid, or sent by nationally recognized express courier service. Such notices and other communications will be effective upon receipt if hand delivered or sent by facsimile or email, five (5) days after mailing if sent by mail, and one (l) day after dispatch if sent by express courier, to the following addresses, or such other addresses as any Party may notify the other Party in accordance with this Section:

 

If to Company:

1331 17 th Street, Suite 710

Denver CO 80202

Attention: Terence Barr

Email Terry.Barr@samsonoilandgas.com

 

If to Employee:

Mark Ulmer

[ Redacted ]

Email mark.ulmer@SamsonOilandGas.com

 

8.        Miscellaneous . (a) Successors and Assigns . This Agreement is personal to Employee and is not assignable by Employee. The benefits due to Employee for services rendered by Employee under this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of Employee’s heirs or legal representatives. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon Company and its successors and assigns. (b) Severability. If any provision of this Agreement shall be declared invalid, this Agreement shall be construed as if such invalid provision had not been inserted. (c) Waivers . The waiver by either Party hereto of a breach or violation of any term or provision of this Agreement shall not operate nor be construed as a waiver of any subsequent breach or violation. (d) No Third Party Beneficiary . Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed, to or give any person other than the Parties hereto any rights or remedies under or by reason of this Agreement. (e) Governing Law . This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Colorado, without regard to principles of conflict of laws. (f) Survival . Employee’s obligations under Section 5 hereof shall continue notwithstanding the termination of this Agreement in accordance with the terms set forth herein. (g) Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts which together shall constitute one document. Electronic facsimiles of original signatures shall be deemed to be original signatures for all purposes.

 

[ Signature Page Follows .]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this Agreement as of the Effective Date.

 

  COMPANY:
     
  SAMSON OIL AND GAS USA, INC.
     
     
  By: /s/ Terry Barr
   

Terry Barr, CEO & Managing Director

 

  EMPLOYEE:
     
     
  By: /s/ Mark Ulmer
   

Mark Ulmer

  

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