Registration No. 333-            

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM S-8

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

 

SYNTHESIS ENERGY SYSTEMS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

     

Delaware

(State or Other Jurisdiction of

Incorporation or Organization)

 

20-2110031

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

Three Riverway, Suite 300

Houston, Texas 77056

(Address and Zip Code of Principal Executive Offices)

 

 

SYNTHESIS ENERGY SYSTEMS, INC.

2015 LONG TERM INCENTIVE PLAN

(Full title of the plan)

 

 

 

     

Name, Address and Telephone

Number of Agent for Service:

  Copy of Communications to:
Roger Ondreko
Chief Financial Officer
Synthesis Energy Systems, Inc.
Three Riverway, Suite 300
Houston, Texas 77056
(713) 579-0600
 

Robert G. Reedy

Kevin J. Poli
Porter Hedges LLP
1000 Main Street, 36th Floor
Houston, Texas 77002-6336
(713) 226-6600

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

             
Large accelerated filer   ¨   Accelerated filer   ¨
       
Non-accelerated filer   ¨   (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)   Smaller reporting company   x

 

 

 

 

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

 

                 
Title of Securities to be Registered  

Amount to

be Registered(1)

 

Proposed

Maximum

Offering

Price per

Share(2)

 

Proposed

Maximum
Aggregate

Offering

Price(2)

 

Amount of
Registration

Fee

Common Stock, par value $.01 per share   9,000,000   $0.90   $8,100,000   $816

 

(1) Pursuant to Rule 416(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration statement also registers hereunder an indeterminate number of shares of common stock issuable as a result of the anti-dilution provisions of the Synthesis Energy Systems, Inc. 2015 Long Term Incentive Plan.
(2) Pursuant to Rule 457(c), the registration fee is calculated on the basis of the average of the high and low sale prices for the common stock on the NASDAQ Stock Market on November 6, 2015, $0.90.

 

 

 

 

 

 

PART I

INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS

Synthesis Energy Systems, Inc. (the “Company”) prepared this Registration Statement in accordance with the requirements of Form S-8 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), to register an aggregate of 9,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock which may be issued pursuant to the 2015 Long Term Incentive Plan (the “2015 Plan”). The documents containing the information specified in Part I of this Registration Statement will be sent or given to participants in the 2015 Plan, as specified by Rule 428(b)(1) promulgated under the Securities Act. Such documents need not be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”), either as part of this Registration Statement or as prospectuses or prospectus supplements pursuant to Rule 424 promulgated under the Securities Act. These documents and the documents incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement pursuant to Item 3 of Part II of this Registration Statement, taken together, constitute a prospectus that meets the requirement of Section 10(a) of the Securities Act.

PART II

INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT

Item 3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference.

The following documents, which have previously been filed by the Company with the Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), are incorporated herein by reference:

· The Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2015;
· The Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2015;
· The Company’s Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on September 9, 2015, September 16, 2015, September 21, 2015, September 28, 2015, November 12, 2015 and November 17, 2015 (excluding any information furnished pursuant to Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 of any such Current Report on Form 8-K); and
· The description of the Company’s common stock contained in the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 8-A/A filed with the Commission on June 29, 2007 (File No. 001-33522), including any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating, changing or otherwise modifying such description.

In addition, all documents subsequently filed by the Company pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act (excluding any information furnished pursuant to Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 on any Current Report on Form 8-K) prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement which indicates that all securities offered hereby have been sold or which deregisters all securities then remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement and to be part hereof from the date of filing of such documents. Any statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this Registration Statement to the extent that a statement contained herein or in any subsequently filed document that also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein, as the case may be, modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this Registration Statement.

Item 4. Description of Securities.

Not applicable.

Item 5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.

Not applicable.

Item 6. Indemnification of Officers and Directors.

Section 145 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, commonly referred to as the DGCL, permits a corporation to indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, by reason of the fact that he is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with such action.

In an action brought to obtain a judgment in the corporation’s favor, whether by the corporation itself or derivatively by a stockholder, the corporation may only indemnify for expenses, including attorneys’ fees, actually and reasonably incurred in connection with the defense or settlement of such action, and the corporation may not indemnify for amounts paid in satisfaction of a judgment or in settlement of the claim. In any such action, no indemnification may be paid in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged liable to the corporation except as otherwise approved by the Delaware Court of Chancery or the court in which the claim was brought. In any other type of proceeding, the indemnification may extend to judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement, actually and reasonably incurred in connection with such other proceeding, as well as to expenses (including attorneys’ fees).

 

 

The statute does not permit indemnification unless the person seeking indemnification has acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best interests of the corporation and, in the case of criminal actions or proceedings, the person had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful. There are additional limitations applicable to criminal actions and to actions brought by or in the name of the corporation. The determination as to whether a person seeking indemnification has met the required standard of conduct is to be made (i) by a majority vote of a quorum of disinterested members of the board of directors, (ii) by independent legal counsel in a written opinion, if such a quorum does not exist or if the disinterested directors so direct, or (iii) by the stockholders.

As permitted by the DGCL, the Company’s bylaws provide that the Company will indemnify its directors, officers, employees and agents against certain liabilities that they may incur in their capacities as directors, officers, employees and agents. Furthermore, the Company’s certificate of incorporation, indemnifies its directors, officers, employees, and agents to the maximum extent permitted by the DGCL. The Company has also entered into indemnification agreements with its officers and directors providing for indemnification to the maximum extent permitted under the DGCL. The Company has director and officer liability insurance policies that provide coverage of up to $50 million.

 

Item 7. Exemption from Registration Claimed.

Not applicable.

Item 8. Exhibits.

Unless otherwise indicated below as being incorporated by reference to another filing of the Company with the Commission, each of the following exhibits is filed herewith:

 

Exhibit
No.
  Description
     
4.1   2015 Long Term Incentive Plan effective September 16, 2015 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on November 20, 2015).
     
*4.2   Form of Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement under 2015 Long Term Incentive Plan.
     
*4.3   Form of Restricted Stock Award Agreement under 2015 Long Term Incentive Plan.
     
*5.1   Opinion of Porter Hedges LLP with respect to the legality of the securities.
   

*23.1

 

  Consent of BDO USA, LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.
*23.2   Consent of UHY LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.
   
*23.3   Consent of Porter Hedges LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1).
   
*24.1   Power of Attorney (included on signature page of this registration statement).
       
 

 

* Filed herewith.

Item 9. Undertakings.

(a) The Company hereby undertakes:

(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement:

(i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act;

(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the Registration Statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the Registration Statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement; and

 

 

(iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the Registration Statement or any material change to such information in the Registration Statement.

provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the Company pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement.

(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.

(b) The Company hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the Company’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

(c) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Company pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Company has been advised that in the opinion of the Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Company of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Company in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Company will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

 

 

 

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Houston, State of Texas, on this 20 th day of November, 2015.

 

 

    SYNTHESIS ENERGY SYSTEMS, INC.
     
    By: /s/ Robert Rigdon
      Robert Rigdon
      President and Chief Executive Officer
     
     

 

   

POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Robert Rigdon and Roger Ondreko his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any or all pre- and post-effective amendments and supplements to this registration statement, and to file the same, or cause to be filed the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto such attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, or the substitute or substitutes of either of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the date indicated.

 

Signature   Title Date
       
/s/ Robert Rigdon   President and Chief Executive Officer November 20, 2015
Robert Rigdon   (Principal Executive Officer)  
       
/s/ Roger Ondreko   Chief Financial Officer November 20, 2015
Roger Ondreko   (Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)  
       
/s/ Lorenzo Lamadrid   Chairman of the Board November 20, 2015
Lorenzo Lamadrid      
       
/s/ Harry Rubin   Director November 20, 2015
Harry Rubin      
       
/s/ Denis Slavich   Director November 20, 2015
Denis Slavich      
       
/s/ Charles M. Brown   Director November 20, 2015
Charles M. Brown      

 

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT 4.2

NONSTATUTORY STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT
SYNTHESIS ENERGY SYSTEMS, INC.
2015 LONG TERM INCENTIVE PLAN

This Stock Option Agreement (the “Agreement”), is entered into effective as of _____ 2015 between Synthesis Energy Systems, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and ______ (the “Optionee”).

WITNESSETH:

WHEREAS, the Company has adopted the Synthesis Energy Systems, Inc. 2015 Long Term Incentive Plan (as amended from time to time, the “Plan”), to encourage officers, employees, outside directors and consultants of the Company and its Subsidiaries to acquire or increase their ownership interest in the Company and to provide a means whereby they may develop a sense of proprietorship and personal involvement in the development and financial success of the Company, and to encourage them to remain with and devote their best efforts to the business of the Company thereby advancing the interests of the Company and its stockholders; and

WHEREAS, the Plan provides that such selected individuals may be granted a certain number of Options (as defined in the Plan) to purchase shares of the Common Stock, par value $.01 per share (“Common Stock”), of the Company to provide them with an ownership interest in the growth of the Company; and

WHEREAS, the Optionee has been selected to receive such award.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises, the terms and conditions set forth herein, the mutual benefits to be gained by the performance thereof and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:

1.                   Grant of Option . Pursuant to the Plan, the Company grants Optionee an option (the “Option” or “Stock Option”) to purchase ____ shares (the “Optioned Shares”) of Common Stock at an Option Price equal to $___ per share. The Date of Grant of this Stock Option is _____, 2015. The “Option Period” shall commence on the Date of Grant and shall expire on the date immediately preceding the tenth (10 th ) anniversary of the Date of Grant. The Stock Option is a Nonstatutory Stock Option.

2.                   Subject to Plan . The Stock Option and its exercise are subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, and the terms of the Plan shall control to the extent not otherwise inconsistent with the provisions of this Agreement. The capitalized terms used herein that are defined in the Plan shall have the same meanings assigned to them in the Plan. The Stock Option is subject to any rules promulgated pursuant to the Plan by the Committee.

3.                   Vesting: Time of Exercise . Except as specifically provided in this Agreement and subject to certain restrictions and conditions set forth in the Plan, the Stock Option shall be vested and exercisable as follows (it being understood that the right to purchase Option Shares shall be cumulative so that the Optionee may purchase on or after any such anniversary and during the remainder of the Option Period those quantifies of Option Shares which the Optionee was entitled to purchase but did not purchase during any preceding period or periods):

 

With respect to _____ of the total Optioned Shares, the Stock Option shall vest and become exercisable on _________, 2016 provided the Optionee is continuously employed by (or, if the Optionee is a consultant or an Outside Director, is providing services to) the Company or a Subsidiary from the Date of Grant through that date.

With respect to _____ of the total Optioned Shares, the Stock Option shall vest and become exercisable on _________, 2017 provided the Optionee is continuously employed by (or, if the Optionee is a consultant or an Outside Director, is providing services to) the Company or a Subsidiary from the Date of Grant through that date.

With respect to _____ of the total Optioned Shares, the Stock Option shall vest and become exercisable on _________, 2018 provided the Optionee is continuously employed by (or, if the Optionee is a consultant or an Outside Director, is providing services to) the Company or a Subsidiary from the Date of Grant through that date.

With respect to ______ of the total Optioned Shares, the Stock Option shall vest and become exercisable on _________, 2019 provided the Optionee is continuously employed by (or, if the Optionee is a consultant or an Outside Director, is providing services to) the Company or a Subsidiary on that date.

4.                   Term; Forfeiture . In the event of Optionee’s termination of employment (or consulting agreement in the event Optionee is a consultant) with the Company and its Subsidiaries (in each case, a “Termination”) for any reason other than for Cause (as defined below) or Optionee’s death or Disability, the Option outstanding on such date of Termination, to the extent vested on such date, may be exercised by Optionee (or, in the event of Optionee’s subsequent death, by Optionee’s Heir (as defined below)) within three (3) months following such Termination, but not thereafter. However, in no event shall the Option be exercisable after the tenth (10 th ) anniversary of the Date of Grant. To the extent the Option is not vested on Optionee’s date of Termination, the Option shall automatically lapse and be canceled unexercised as of such date.

In the event Optionee’s employment or consulting agreement is terminated for Cause, any Option granted pursuant to this Agreement whether vested or unvested shall be forfeited upon the date of Optionee’s Termination. Termination for “Cause” shall be termination resulting from (i) the continuing and material failure by the Optionee to fulfill the Optionee’s duties as an employee or consultant of the Company or willful misconduct or gross neglect in the performance of such duties, (ii) committing fraud, misappropriation or embezzlement in the performance of the Optionee’s duties as an employee or consultant of the Company, or (iii) the Optionee’s commission of an felony for which the Optionee is convicted and which, as determined in good faith by the Company, constitutes a crime involving moral turpitude. For the purposes of the definition of Cause, the term “Company” includes Subsidiaries of the Company.

2
 

In the event of Optionee’s Termination by reason of death or Disability, the Option shall be fully vested on such date of termination and may be exercised by Optionee or, in the event of Optionee’s death, by the person to whom Optionee’s rights shall pass by will or the laws of descent and distribution (“Heir”), at any time within the twelve (12) month period beginning on Optionee’s Termination, but not thereafter. However, in no event shall the Option be exercisable after the tenth (10 th ) anniversary of the Date of Grant. For the purposes of this Agreement, Disability shall mean disability as defined in any employment agreement between Optionee and the Company or, if there is no such definition or agreement, shall mean Optionee’s inability, due to physical or mental incapacity, to substantially perform his duties and responsibilities for a period of ninety (90) days during any twelve-month period as determined by the Committee. Optionee agrees to submit to any examination that is necessary for a determination of Disability and agrees to provide any information necessary for a determination of Disability, including any information that is protected by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act.

Notwithstanding the above, if the Optionee has an employment agreement or offer letter with the Company, the terms of such employment agreement shall govern the terms and conditions of the term and forfeiture of the Optioned Shares to the extent it is inconsistent with the terms and conditions provided herein.

5.                   Who May Exercise . Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in Sections 3 and 4 above, during the lifetime of the Optionee, the Stock Option may be exercised only by the Optionee, or by the Optionee’s guardian or personal or legal representative (in the event of his or her Disability or by a broker dealer subject to Section 2.3 of the Plan).

6.                   No Fractional Shares . The Stock Option may be exercised only with respect to full shares, and no fractional share of stock shall be issued.

7.                   Manner of Exercise . Subject to such administrative regulations as the Committee may from time to time adopt, the Option may be exercised by the delivery of written notice to the Committee or designated Company representative setting forth the number of shares of Common Stock with respect to which the Option is to be exercised, the date of exercise thereof (the “Exercise Date”) which shall be at least three (3) days after giving such notice unless an earlier time shall have been mutually agreed upon. On the Exercise Date, the Optionee shall deliver to the Company consideration with a value equal to the total Option Price of the shares to be purchased, payable to the Company in full in either: (i) in cash, or (ii) subject to prior approval by the Committee in its discretion, by withholding Shares which otherwise would be acquired on exercise having an aggregate Fair Market Value at the time of exercise equal to the total Option Price, or (iii) subject to prior approval by the Committee in its discretion, by a combination of (i), and (ii) above.

The Committee, in its discretion, also may allow the Option Price to be paid with such other consideration as shall constitute lawful consideration for the issuance of Shares (including, without limitation, effecting a “cashless exercise” with a broker of the Option), subject to applicable securities law restrictions and tax withholdings, or by any other means which the Committee determines to be consistent with the Plan’s purpose and applicable law. A “cashless exercise” of an Option is a procedure by which a broker provides the funds to the Optionee to effect an Option exercise, to the extent consented to by the Committee in its discretion. At the direction of the Optionee, the broker will either (i) sell all of the Shares received when the Option is exercised and pay the Optionee the proceeds of the sale (minus the Option Price, withholding taxes and any fees due to the broker) or (ii) sell enough of the Shares received upon exercise of the Option to cover the Option Price, withholding taxes and any fees due the broker and deliver to the Optionee (either directly or through the Company) a stock certificate for the remaining Shares.

3
 

As soon as practicable after receipt of a written notification of exercise and full payment, the Company shall deliver, or cause to be delivered, to or on behalf of the Optionee, in the name of the Optionee or other appropriate recipient, Share certificates for the number of Shares purchased under the Option. Such delivery shall be effected for all purposes when the Company or a stock transfer agent of the Company shall have deposited such certificates in the United States mail, addressed to Optionee or other appropriate recipient.

If the Optionee fails to pay for any of the Shares specified in such notice or fails to accept delivery thereof, then the Option, and right to purchase such Shares may be forfeited by the Company.

8.                   Nonassignability . The Stock Option is not assignable or transferable by the Optionee except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution or pursuant to a domestic relations order that would qualify as a qualified domestic relations order as defined in Section 414(p) of the Code, if such provision were applicable to the Stock Option and as otherwise permitted under Section 4.2 of the Plan.

9.                   Rights as Stockholder . The Optionee will have no rights as a stockholder with respect to any shares covered by the Stock Option until the issuance of a certificate or certificates to the Optionee for the Optioned Shares. The Optioned Shares shall be subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement and Plan regarding such Shares. Except as otherwise provided in Section 10 hereof, no adjustment shall be made for dividends or other rights for which the record date is prior to the issuance of such certificate or certificates.

10.               Adjustment of Number of Optioned Shares and Related Matters . The number of shares of Common Stock covered by the Stock Option, and the Option Prices thereof, shall be subject to adjustment in accordance with Section 4.5 of the Plan.

11.               Nonstatutory Stock Option . The Stock Option shall not be treated as an Incentive Stock Option.

12.               Community Property . Each spouse individually is bound by, and such spouse’s interest, if any, in any Shares is subject to, the terms of this Agreement. Nothing in this Agreement shall create a community property interest where none otherwise exists.

13.               Optionee’s Representations . Notwithstanding any of the provisions hereof, the Optionee hereby agrees that he will not exercise the Stock Option granted hereby, and that the Company will not be obligated to issue any shares to the Optionee hereunder, if the exercise thereof or the issuance of such shares shall constitute a violation by the Optionee or the Company of any provision of any law or regulation of any governmental authority or Company policies, or the rules of the stock exchange on which the Common Stock is listed. Optionee acknowledges and agrees that if he or she is an officer, director or key employee of the Company, Optionee will be subject to the Company’s securities trading policy as it may be in effect from time to time and which may “black out” periods of time during which the Stock Option may not be exercised or which may also limit the amount of Shares that may be purchased or sold to a number that is less than requested by the Optionee. Any determination in this connection by the Company shall be final, binding, and conclusive. The obligations of the Company and the rights of the Optionee are subject to all applicable laws, rules, and regulations, rules of the stock exchange on which the Common Stock is listed and policies of the Company.

4
 

14.               Investment Representation . The Optionee represents and warrants to the Company that all Common Stock which may be purchased hereunder will be acquired by the Optionee for investment purposes for his own account and not with any intent for resale or distribution in violation of federal or state securities laws.

15.               Optionee’s Acknowledgments . The Optionee acknowledges receipt of a copy of the Plan, and represents that he or she is familiar with the terms and provisions thereof, and hereby accepts this Option subject to all the terms and provisions thereof. The Optionee hereby agrees to accept as binding, conclusive, and final all decisions or interpretations of the Committee, the Company or the Board, as appropriate, upon any questions arising under the Plan or this Agreement.

16.               Governing Law . This Agreement shall be governed by, construed, and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware.

17.               No Right to Continue Service or Employment . Nothing herein shall be construed to confer upon the Optionee the right to continue in the employ or to provide services to the Company, its Affiliates or any Parent or Subsidiary or their Affiliates, whether as an employee or as a consultant or as an Outside Director, or interfere with or restrict in any way the right of the Company or any of the other foregoing entities to discharge the Optionee as an employee, consultant or Outside Director at any time.

18.               Legal Construction . In the event that any one or more of the terms, provisions, or agreements that are contained in this Agreement shall be held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable in any respect for any reason, the invalid, illegal, or unenforceable term, provision, or agreement shall not affect any other term, provision, or agreement that is contained in this Agreement and this Agreement shall be construed in all respects as if the invalid, illegal, or unenforceable term, provision, or agreement had never been contained herein.

19.               Covenants and Agreements as Independent Agreements . Each of the covenants and agreements that is set forth in this Agreement shall be construed as a covenant and agreement independent of any other provision of this Agreement. The existence of any claim or cause of action of the Optionee against the Company, whether predicated on this Agreement or otherwise, shall not constitute a defense to the enforcement by the Company of the covenants and agreements that are set forth in this Agreement.

20.               Entire Agreement . This Agreement together with the Plan supersede any and all other prior understandings and agreements, either oral or in writing, between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and constitute the sole and only agreements between the parties with respect to the said subject matter. All prior negotiations and agreements between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof are merged into this Agreement. Each party to this Agreement acknowledges that no representations, inducements, promises, or agreements, orally or otherwise, have been made by any party or by anyone acting on behalf of any party, which are not embodied in this Agreement or the Plan and that any agreement, statement or promise that is not contained in this Agreement or the Plan shall not be valid or binding or of any force or effect.

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21.               Parties Bound . The terms, provisions, and agreements that are contained in this Agreement shall apply to, be binding upon, and inure to the benefit of the parties and their respective heirs, executors, administrators, legal representatives, and permitted successors and assigns, subject to the limitation on assignment expressly set forth herein. No person or entity shall be permitted to acquire any Optioned Shares without first executing and delivering an agreement in the form satisfactory to the Company making such person or entity subject to the restrictions on transfer contained herein.

22.               Modification . No change or modification of this Agreement shall be valid or binding upon the parties unless the change or modification is in writing and signed by the parties. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, the Company may amend the Plan or revoke this Stock Option to the extent permitted by the Plan.

23.               Headings . The headings that are used in this Agreement are used for reference and convenience purposes only and do not constitute substantive matters to be considered in construing the terms and provisions of this Agreement.

24.               Gender, Number and Term Optionee . Words of any gender used in this Agreement shall be held and construed to include any other gender, and words in the singular number shall be held to include the plural, and vice versa, unless the context requires otherwise. Whenever the term “Optionee” is used herein under circumstances applicable to any other person or persons to whom this award may be assigned in accordance with the provisions of Paragraph 8, the term “Optionee” shall be deemed to include such person or persons.

25.               Independent Legal and Tax Advice . Optionee acknowledges that the Company has advised Optionee to obtain independent legal and tax advice regarding the grant and exercise of the Option and the disposition of any Shares acquired thereby.

26.               Notice . Any notice required or permitted to be delivered hereunder shall be deemed to be delivered only when actually received by the Company or by the Optionee, as the case may be, at the addresses set forth below, or at such other addresses as they have theretofore specified by written notice delivered in accordance herewith:

Notice to the Company shall be addressed and delivered as follows:

Synthesis Energy Systems, Inc.

Three Riverway, Suite 300

Houston, Texas 77056

Attn:    Corporate Secretary

Fax:      (713) 579-0610

 

Notice to the Optionee shall be addressed and delivered to Optionee’s address as set forth in the Company’s records.

6
 

27.               Tax Requirements .

Tax Withholding . This Option is subject to and the Company shall have the power and the right to deduct or withhold, or require the Optionee to remit to the Company, an amount sufficient to satisfy federal, state, and local taxes, domestic or foreign, required by law or regulation to be withheld with respect to any taxable event arising as a result of the Plan and this Option.

Share Withholding . With respect to tax withholding required upon the exercise of Stock Options or upon any other taxable event arising as a result of the Stock Option, Optionee may elect, subject to the approval of the Committee in its discretion, to satisfy the withholding requirement, in whole or in part, by having the Company withhold Shares having a Fair Market Value on the date the tax is to be determined equal to the minimum statutory total tax which could be imposed on the transaction. All such elections shall be made in writing, signed by the Optionee, and shall be subject to any restrictions or limitations that the Committee, in its discretion, deems appropriate. Any fraction of a Share required to satisfy such obligation shall be disregarded and the amount due shall instead be paid in cash by the Optionee.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Agreement to be executed by its duly authorized officer, and the Optionee, to evidence his consent and approval of all the terms hereof, has duly executed this Agreement, as of the date specified in Section 1 hereof.

    COMPANY:
    SYNTHESIS ENERGY SYSTEMS, INC.
     
    By:  
    Name: Roger Ondreko
    Title: Chief Financial Officer, and Secretary
     
     
    OPTIONEE:
     
    By:  
    Name:  
    Title:  
     
     

 

 

7

 

EXHIBIT 4.3

RESTRICTED STOCK INCENTIVE AGREEMENT

THIS RESTRICTED STOCK INCENTIVE AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement” ) is made and entered into by and between Synthesis Energy Systems, Inc., a corporation organized under the laws of the State of Delaware (the “ Company” ), and [ name ] (the “ Grantee ”), an individual, on [ date ] (the “Grant Date” ) pursuant to the Synthesis Energy Systems, Inc. 2015 Long Term Incentive Plan (the “ Plan” ). The Plan is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. Capitalized terms not otherwise defined in this agreement shall have the meaning given to such terms in the Plan.

WHEREAS, Grantee is an Employee (as defined in the Plan), and in connection therewith, the Company desires to grant to Grantee the number of shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $.01 per share (the “ Common Stock” ), identified below, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the Plan; and

WHEREAS, Grantee desires to have the opportunity to be a holder of shares of the Common Stock subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the Plan.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises, mutual covenants and agreements contained herein, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound hereby, agree as follows:

1.                   Grant of Common Stock and Administration. Subject to the restrictions, forfeiture provisions and other terms and conditions set forth herein (i) the Company grants to Grantee [ number ] shares of Common Stock ( “Restricted Shares” ), and (ii) Grantee shall have and may exercise all rights and privileges of ownership of such shares, including, without limitation, the voting rights of such shares. This Agreement and its grant of Restricted Shares is subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, and the terms and conditions of the Plan shall control except to the extent otherwise permitted or authorized in the Plan and specifically addressed in this Agreement. The Plan and this Agreement shall be administered by the Committee pursuant to the Plan.

2.                   Transfer Restrictions.

(a)                 Generally . Grantee shall not sell, assign, transfer, exchange, pledge, encumber, gift, devise, hypothecate or otherwise dispose of (collectively, “ Transfer” ) any Restricted Shares and the Restricted Shares shall be subject to forfeiture until the date such shares become Vested Shares. The transfer restrictions and forfeiture provisions imposed by this Section 2 shall lapse as to 25.0% of the Restricted Shares on the March 31, ____, an additional 25.0% of the Restricted Shares on June 30, ____, 25.0% of the Restricted Shares on September 30, ____ and 25.0% of the Restricted Shares on December 31, ____; provided, however , that, subject to Sections 3 and 4 , Grantee then is, and continuously since the Grant Date has been, in Employment. The Restricted Shares as to which such restrictions and forfeiture provisions so lapse are referred to as “ Vested Shares.”

(b)                Stock Adjustments. In the event of certain changes in the Company’s Common Stock, the Committee may make adjustments in the number or kind of Shares pursuant to Section 4.5 of the Plan.

 

 

(c)                 Change in Control . If there is a Change in Control of the Company (as defined in the Plan), the transfer restrictions of this Section 2 shall automatically cease as of the date immediately preceding the Change in Control, and all the Restricted Shares shall be 100% vested.

3.                   Forfeiture. Notwithstanding anything in the Plan to the contrary, if Grantee ceases Employment for any reason other than as described in Section 4 below, then Grantee shall immediately forfeit all Restricted Shares which are not Vested Shares. Any Restricted Shares forfeited under this Agreement shall automatically revert to the Company and become canceled and such shares shall be again subject to the Plan pursuant to the terms of the Plan. Any certificate(s) representing Restricted Shares which include forfeited shares shall only represent that number of Restricted Shares which have not been forfeited hereunder. Upon the Company’s request, Grantee agrees for himself and any other holder(s) to tender to the Company any certificate(s) representing Restricted Shares which include forfeited shares for a new certificate representing the unforfeited number of Restricted Shares.

4.                   Disability or Death. If Grantee’s Employment with the Company and its Affiliates ceases due to Disability (as defined below) or death, then Grantee shall immediately forfeit all Restricted Shares which are not Vested Shares. Disability shall mean the Grantee’s inability to perform his services to the Company due to mental or physical illness for a continuous period exceeding 90 days as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion.

5.                   Issuance of Certificate.

(a)                 The Restricted Shares may not be Transferred until they become Vested Shares. Further, the Restricted Shares may not be transferred and the Vested Shares may not be sold or otherwise disposed of in any manner which would constitute a violation of any applicable federal or state securities laws, any rules of the national securities exchange on which the Company’s securities are traded, listed or quoted, or violation of Company policy. The Company shall cause to be issued a stock certificate, registered in the name of the Grantee, evidencing the Restricted Shares upon receipt of a stock power duly endorsed in blank with respect to such shares. Each such stock certificate shall bear the following legend:

THE TRANSFERABILITY OF THIS CERTIFICATE AND THE SHARES OF STOCK REPRESENTED HEREBY ARE SUBJECT TO THE RESTRICTIONS, TERMS AND CONDITIONS (INCLUDING FORFEITURE AND RESTRICTIONS AGAINST TRANSFER) CONTAINED IN THE SYNTHESIS ENERGY SYSTEMS, INC. 2015 LONG TERM INCENTIVE PLAN AND A RESTRICTED STOCK AGREEMENT ENTERED INTO BETWEEN THE REGISTERED OWNER OF SUCH SHARES AND SYNTHESIS ENERGY SYSTEMS, INC. A COPY OF THE PLAN AND A RESTRICTED STOCK AGREEMENT ARE ON FILE IN THE CORPORATE OFFICES OF SYNTHESIS ENERGY SYSTEMS, INC.

2
 

Such legend shall not be removed from the certificate evidencing Restricted Shares until such time as the restrictions imposed by Section 2 hereof have lapsed.

(b)                The certificate issued pursuant to this Section 5 , together with the stock powers relating to the Restricted Shares evidenced by such certificate, shall be held by the Company. The Company shall issue to the Grantee a receipt evidencing the certificates held by it which are registered in the name of the Grantee.

6.                   Tax Requirements. This grant of Restricted Shares is subject to all applicable federal, state and local taxes and such tax withholding requirements (domestic and foreign).

7.                   Miscellaneous.

(a)                 Certain Transfers Void . Any purported Transfer of shares of Common Stock or Restricted Shares in breach of any provision of this Agreement shall be void and ineffectual, and shall not operate to Transfer any interest or title in the purported transferee.

(b)                No Fractional Shares . All provisions of this Agreement concern whole shares of Common Stock. If the application of any provision hereunder would yield a fractional share, such fractional share shall be rounded down to the next whole share if it is less than 0.5 and rounded up to the next whole share if it is 0.5 or more.

(c)                 Not an Agreement to Continue Employment or Any Service . This Agreement is not an agreement for continued Employment or service with the Company or any of its Parent, Subsidiaries or affiliates and no provision of this Agreement shall be construed or interpreted to create any right of Grantee to continue in Employment or to provide services to the Company or any Parent, Subsidiary or affiliate.

(d)                Notices . Any notice, instruction, authorization, request or demand required hereunder shall be in writing, and shall be delivered either by personal delivery, by telegram, telex, telecopy or similar facsimile means, by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, or by courier or delivery service, addressed to the Company at the address indicated beneath its signature on the execution page of this Agreement, and to Grantee at his address indicated on the Company’s stock records, payroll or other Company records, or at such other address and number as a party shall have previously designated by written notice given to the other party in the manner hereinabove set forth. Notices shall be deemed given when received, if sent by facsimile means (confirmation of such receipt by confirmed facsimile transmission being deemed receipt of communications sent by facsimile means); and when delivered and receipted for (or upon the date of attempted delivery where delivery is refused), if hand-delivered, sent by express courier or delivery service, or sent by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested.

(e)                 Amendment and Waiver . This Agreement may be amended, modified or superseded only by written instrument executed by the Company and Grantee. Any waiver of the terms or conditions hereof shall be made only by a written instrument executed and delivered by the party waiving compliance. Any waiver granted by the Company shall be effective only if it is in a written instrument executed and delivered by a duly authorized Company officer. The failure of any party at any time or times to require performance of any provisions hereof, shall in no manner effect the right to enforce the same. No waiver by any party of any term or condition, or the breach of any term or condition contained in this Agreement in one or more instances shall be deemed to be, or construed as, a further or continuing waiver of any such condition or breach or a waiver of any other condition or the breach of any other term or condition.

3
 

(f)                 Governing Law and Severability . This Agreement shall be governed by the internal laws, and not the laws of conflict, of the State of Delaware. The invalidity of any provision of this Agreement shall not affect any other provision of this Agreement, which shall remain in full force and effect.

(g)                Successors and Assigns . Subject to the limitations which this Agreement imposes upon transferability of shares of Common Stock, this Agreement shall bind, be enforceable by and inure to the benefit of the Company and its successors and assigns, and Grantee, and Grantee’s permitted assigns and upon death, estate and beneficiaries thereof (whether by will or the laws of descent and distribution), executors, administrators, agents, legal and personal representatives.

(h)                Community Property . Each spouse individually is bound by, and such spouse’s interest, if any, in any Shares is subject to, the terms of this Agreement. Nothing in this Agreement shall create a community property interest where none otherwise exists.

(i)                  Entire Agreement . This Agreement together with the Plan supersede any and all other prior understandings and agreements, either oral or in writing, between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and constitute the sole and only agreements between the parties with respect to the said subject matter. All prior negotiations and agreements between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof are merged into this Agreement. Each party to this Agreement acknowledges that no representations, inducements, promises, or agreements, orally or otherwise, have been made by any party or by anyone acting on behalf of any party, which are not embodied in this Agreement or the Plan and that any agreement, statement or promise that is not contained in this Agreement or the Plan shall not be valid or binding or of any force or effect.

(j)                  Compliance with Other Laws and Regulations . This Agreement, the grant of Restricted Shares and issuance of Common Stock shall be subject to all applicable federal and state laws, rules, regulations and applicable rules and regulations of any exchanges on which such securities are traded or listed, and Company rules or policies. Any determination in which connection by the Committee shall be final, binding and conclusive on the parties hereto and on any third parties, including any individual or entity.

(k)                Independent Legal and Tax Advice . The Grantee has been advised and Grantee hereby acknowledges that he has been advised to obtain independent legal and tax advice regarding this Agreement, grant of the Restricted Shares and the disposition of such shares, including, without limitation, the election available under Section 83(b) of the Internal Revenue Code.

8.                   Counterparts and Electronic Execution. This Agreement may be executed in multiple original counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute but one and the same instrument.

9.                   Grantee’s Acknowledgments. The Grantee acknowledges receipt of a copy of the Plan and represents that he or she is familiar with the terms and provisions thereof, and hereby accepts this Agreement subject to all the terms and provisions of the Plan and this Agreement. The Grantee hereby agrees to accept as binding, conclusive, and final all decisions or interpretations of the Committee or the Board, as appropriate, upon any questions arising under the Plan or this Agreement.

[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]

4
 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be executed effective as of the date first written above.

    COMPANY:
     
    SYNTHESIS ENERGY SYSTEMS, INC.
     
    By:  
    Name:  
    Title:  
    Address: Three Riverway, Suite 300
      Houston, Texas 77056
    Telecopy No.: (713) 579-0610
    Attention: Corporate Secretary
     
     
    GRANTEE:
     
     
    Signature
     
     
    Printed Name
    Address:  
       
       
     
     

 

 

5

 

EXHIBIT 5.1

 

1000 Main Street, 36 th Floor

Houston, Texas 77002

Telephone {713} 226-6000

Telecopier {713} 228-1331

porterhedges.com

November 20, 2015

009491/0001

 

 

Synthesis Energy Systems, Inc.
Three Riverway, Suite 300
Houston, Texas 77056


Re: Synthesis Energy Systems, Inc. Registration Statement on Form S-8; 2015 Long Term Incentive Plan

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as counsel to Synthesis Energy Systems, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), in connection with the preparation for filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission of a Registration Statement on Form S-8 (the “Registration Statement”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The Registration Statement relates to the registration of 9,000,000 shares (the “Shares”) of the Company’s common stock, par value $.01 per share (the “Common Stock”), issuable pursuant to the Company’s 2015 Long Term Incentive Plan, as amended (the “Plan”).

We have examined the Plan and such corporate records, documents, instruments and certificates of the Company, and have reviewed such questions of law as we have deemed necessary, relevant or appropriate to enable us to render the opinion expressed herein. In such examination, we have assumed without independent investigation the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the genuineness of all signatures, the legal capacity of all natural persons, and the conformity of any documents submitted to us as copies to their respective originals. As to certain questions of fact material to this opinion, we have relied without independent investigation upon statements or certificates of public officials and officers of the Company.

Based upon such examination and review, we are of the opinion that the Shares have been duly and validly authorized and will, upon issuance and delivery as contemplated by the Plan, be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable outstanding shares of Common Stock.

This Firm consents to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement. In giving this consent, we do not admit that this Firm is in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.

This opinion is rendered on the date hereof and we disclaim any duty to advise you regarding any changes in the matters addressed herein.

Very truly yours,

/s/ Porter Hedges LLP

PORTER HEDGES LLP

 

EXHIBIT 23.1

 

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

 

We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement on Form S-8 of Synthesis Energy Systems, Inc. of our report dated September 18, 2015, relating to the consolidated financial statements of Synthesis Energy Systems, Inc. appearing in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2015.

 

 

/s/ BDO USA, LLP

Houston, Texas

November 20, 2015

 

 

EXHIBIT 23.2

 

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

 

We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement on Form S-8 of Synthesis Energy Systems, Inc. of our report dated September 12, 2014, with respect to the consolidated financial statements of Synthesis Energy Systems, Inc. and subsidiaries as of and for the year ended June 30, 2014.

 

/s/ UHY LLP

Farmington Hills, Michigan

November 20, 2015