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): March 22, 2012

 

 

Whiting USA Trust II

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   001-35459   38-7012326

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation)

 

(Commission

File Number)

 

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

919 Congress, Suite 500, Austin, Texas 78701

(Address of principal executive offices, including ZIP code)

800-852-1422

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 

¨ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 C.F.R. §230.425)

 

¨ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 C.F.R. §240.14a-12)

 

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 C.F.R. §240.14d-2(b))

 

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 C.F.R. §240.13e-4(c))

 

 

 


Item 1.01 Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.

On March 22, 2012 Whiting USA Trust II (the “Trust”) entered into an underwriting agreement (the “Underwriting Agreement”) with Whiting Petroleum Corporation (“Whiting”) and the underwriters named therein (the “Underwriters”) providing for the offer and sale in a firm commitment underwritten offering by Whiting of 16,000,000 units of beneficial interest in the Trust (“Trust Units”). Pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement, Whiting granted the Underwriters a 30-day option to purchase an additional 2,400,000 Trust Units (the “Option”) to cover over-allotments, if any. The transactions contemplated by the Underwriting Agreement, which included the sale of 2,400,000 Trust Units pursuant to the Option, were consummated on March 28, 2012 (the “Closing”). The proceeds (net of underwriting discounts and estimated expenses) received by Whiting from the sale of 18,400,000 Trust Units were approximately $341.6 million. The Trust received no proceeds from the sale of the Trust Units. The description of the Underwriting Agreement contained in the section entitled “Underwriting” of the Trust’s final prospectus dated March 22, 2012 (File No. 333-178586) and filed on March 23, 2012 with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b)(4) under the Securities Act (the “Final Prospectus”) is incorporated herein by reference. A copy of the Underwriting Agreement is filed as Exhibit 1.1 to this Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.

On March 28, 2012 Whiting Oil and Gas Corporation (“Whiting O&G”) (a direct subsidiary of Whiting) and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee (the “Trustee”) of the Trust, not in its individual capacity but solely as trustee of the Trust, entered into a Conveyance and Assignment (the “Conveyance”) whereby, for good and valuable consideration including the issuance by the Trust to Whiting O&G of 18,400,000 Trust Units, Whiting O&G transferred to the Trust a term net profits interest that represents the right to receive 90% of the net proceeds from the sale of production from certain producing properties in which Whiting O&G holds interests (the “Underlying Properties”) until the later to occur of (1) December 31, 2021, or (2) the time when 11.79 million barrels of oil equivalent (“MMBOE”) have been produced from the Underlying Properties and sold (which is the equivalent of 10.61 MMBOE in respect of the Trust’s right to receive 90% of the net proceeds from such reserves pursuant to the net profits interest), subject to certain specified exceptions. The Trust Units were issued and sold by the Trust to Whiting O&G in a private transaction exempt from registration under Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). The description of the Conveyance contained in the section entitled “Computation of Net Proceeds” of the Final Prospectus is incorporated herein by reference. A copy of the Conveyance is filed as Exhibit 10.1 to this Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.

On March 28, 2012 Whiting O&G and Whiting USA Trust II entered into an Administrative Services Agreement (the “Administrative Services Agreement”) pursuant to which, in connection with the Conveyance, Whiting O&G agreed to provide the Trust with accounting, bookkeeping and informational services relating to the net profits interest in exchange for an annual administrative services fee of $200,000 to be paid to Whiting O&G on a quarterly basis. The description of the Administrative Services Agreement contained in the section entitled “The Trust” of the Final Prospectus is incorporated herein by reference. A copy of the Administrative Services Agreement is filed as Exhibit 10.2 to this Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.

On March 28, 2012 Whiting and the Trustee, in its capacity as trustee of the Trust, entered into a Registration Rights Agreement (the “Registration Rights Agreement”) pursuant to which Whiting, its affiliates and certain permitted transferees holding registrable securities would be entitled to demand that the Trust use its reasonable best efforts to effect the registration of the registrable securities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Pursuant to the terms of the Registration Rights Agreement, it automatically terminated at the Closing as a result of the Underwriters exercising the Option in full.

 

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Item 1.02 Termination of a Material Definitive Agreement.

The information regarding the termination of the Registration Rights Agreement contained in Item 1.01 is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 3.02. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities.

The information regarding the private placement by the Trust of 18,400,000 Trust Units to Whiting O&G contained in Item 1.01 is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 5.03 Amendments to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Change in Fiscal Year.

On March 28, 2012 Whiting O&G, Wilmington Trust, National Association, as Delaware trustee of the Trust, and the Trustee entered into an Amended and Restated Trust Agreement (the “Amended and Restated Trust Agreement”) in connection with the closing of the initial public offering of the Trust Units. The description of the Amended and Restated Trust Agreement contained in the section entitled “Description of the Trust Agreement” of the Final Prospectus is incorporated herein by reference. A copy of the Amended and Restated Trust Agreement is filed as Exhibit 3.1 to this Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

  (a) Not applicable.

 

  (b) Not applicable.

 

  (c) Not applicable.

 

  (d) Exhibits :

 

  1.1 Underwriting Agreement dated as of March 22, 2012, by and among Whiting Petroleum Corporation, Whiting USA Trust II, and the underwriters named therein.

 

  3.1 Amended and Restated Trust Agreement of Whiting USA Trust II, dated March 28, 2012, by and among Whiting Oil and Gas Corporation, The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee, and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as Delaware Trustee.

 

  10.1 Conveyance and Assignment, dated March 28, 2012, from Whiting Oil and Gas Corporation to The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee of Whiting USA Trust II.

 

  10.2 Administrative Services Agreement, dated March 28, 2012, by and between Whiting Oil and Gas Corporation and Whiting USA Trust II.

 

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SIGNATURES

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.

 

    WHITING USA TRUST II
    By:   The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. as Trustee
Date: March 28, 2012     By:   /s/ Mike J. Ulrich
      Mike J. Ulrich
      Vice President


WHITING USA TRUST II

FORM 8-K

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit No.

  

Description

1.1    Underwriting Agreement dated as of March 22, 2012, by and among Whiting Petroleum Corporation, Whiting USA Trust II, and the underwriters named therein.
3.1    Amended and Restated Trust Agreement of Whiting USA Trust II, dated March 28, 2012, by and among Whiting Oil and Gas Corporation, The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee, and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as Delaware Trustee.
10.1    Conveyance and Assignment, dated March 28, 2012, from Whiting Oil and Gas Corporation to The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee of Whiting USA Trust II.
10.2    Administrative Services Agreement, dated March 28, 2012, by and between Whiting Oil and Gas Corporation and Whiting USA Trust II.

Exhibit 1.1

Execution Version

16,000,000 Trust Units

WHITING USA TRUST II

UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT

St. Petersburg, Florida

March 22, 2012

Raymond James & Associates, Inc.

Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC

As Representatives of the Several Underwriters

    listed on Schedule I hereto

c/o Raymond James & Associates, Inc.

880 Carillon Parkway

St. Petersburg, Florida 33716

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Whiting Petroleum Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), proposes, subject to the terms and conditions stated herein, to sell to the several Underwriters named in Schedule I hereto (the “ Underwriters ”) an aggregate of 16,000,000 units of beneficial interest (the “ Trust Units ”) in Whiting USA Trust II, a statutory trust formed under the laws of the State of Delaware (the “ Trust ”). The aggregate of 16,000,000 Trust Units to be purchased from the Company are called the “ Firm Units .” In addition, the Company has agreed to sell to the Underwriters, upon the terms and conditions stated herein, up to an additional 2,400,000 Trust Units (the “ Additional Units ”) to cover over-allotments by the Underwriters, if any. The Firm Units and the Additional Units are collectively referred to in this Agreement as the “ Units .” Raymond James & Associates, Inc. and Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC are acting as the representatives of the several Underwriters and in such capacity are referred to in this Agreement as the “ Representatives .”

It is understood and agreed by all parties hereto that the Company and Whiting Oil and Gas Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company (“ WOGC ,” and together with the Company, the “ Company Parties ”), have caused the formation of the Trust and will convey, or cause to be conveyed, to the Trust a pre-effective time payment (the “ Pre-Effective Time Payment ”) and term net profits interest (the “ Net Profits Interest ”) that together represent the right to receive 90% of the net proceeds from WOGC’s interests in certain existing oil and natural gas producing properties located in the Rocky Mountains, Permian Basin, Gulf Coast and Mid-Continent regions of the United States (the “ Underlying Properties ”) from January 1, 2012 until the later to occur of (i) December 31, 2021, or (ii) the time when 11.79 million stock tank barrels oil equivalent (“ MMBOE ”) have been produced from the Underlying Properties and sold.


It is further understood and agreed to by all parties hereto that the following transactions will occur on or before the Closing Date (as hereinafter defined):

(a) WOGC and the Trust will enter into that certain Conveyance and Assignment substantially in the form filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Registration Statement (the “ Conveyance ”), pursuant to which WOGC will, among other things, convey to the Trust (i) the Pre-Effective Time Payment and (ii) the Net Profits Interest, in exchange for 18,400,000 Trust Units;

(b) WOGC will distribute the 18,400,000 Trust Units to the Company;

(c) On the Closing Date, the public offering of the Firm Units contemplated hereby will be consummated;

(d) On the Closing Date, the Trust Agreement of the Trust, by and among WOGC, The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee (the “ Trustee ”), and Wilmington Trust Company, as Delaware trustee (the “ Delaware Trustee ”), as amended to the date hereof (the “ Organizational Trust Agreement ”), shall be amended and restated, substantially in the form filed as Exhibit 3.5 to the Registration Statement (as so amended and restated, the “ Trust Agreement ”);

(e) On the Closing Date, WOGC and the Trust will enter into that certain Administrative Services Agreement, substantially in the form filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Registration Statement, outlining the provision of administrative services to the Trust by WOGC and its compensation therefor (the “ Administrative Services Agreement ”);

(f) On the Closing Date, the Company and the Trust will enter into that certain Registration Rights Agreement, substantially in the form filed as Exhibit 10.3 to the Registration Statement, granting registration rights to the Company with respect to any Additional Units not purchased by the Underwriters in connection with the exercise of the Underwriters’ option to purchase Additional Units (the “ Registration Rights Agreement ”);

The transactions contemplated above are referred to herein as the “ Transactions .” The “ Transaction Documents ” shall mean this Agreement, the Conveyance, the Administrative Services Agreement, the Derivatives Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement.

The “ Operative Agreements ” shall mean the Transaction Documents, the Organizational Trust Agreement and the Trust Agreement.

Each of the Company and the Trust wishes to confirm as follows its agreement with you and the other several Underwriters, on whose behalf you are acting, in connection with the several purchases of the Units from the Company.

1. Registration Statement and Prospectus . The Trust and the Company have prepared and filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “ Commission ”) in accordance with the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder (collectively, the “ Act ”), a joint registration statement on Form S-1/S-3 (File No. 333-178586), including the related preliminary prospectus or prospectuses, relating to the Units. Such registration statement covers the registration of the Units under the Act. Promptly after execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Trust and the Company will prepare and file a prospectus in accordance with the provisions of Rule 430A (“ Rule 430A ”) of the Act and paragraph (b) of Rule 424 (“ Rule 424(b) ”) of the Act. Any

 

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information included in such prospectus that was omitted from such registration statement at the time it became effective but that is deemed to be part of and included in such registration statement pursuant to Rule 430A is referred to as “ Rule 430A Information ”. Each prospectus used in connection with the offering of the Units that omitted Rule 430A Information is herein called a “ Preliminary Prospectus .” Such registration statement, at any given time, including the amendments thereto to such time, the exhibits and any schedules thereto at such time, the documents incorporated by reference therein pursuant to Item 12 of Form S-3 under the Act at such time and the documents otherwise deemed to be a part thereof or included therein by Act, is herein called the “ Registration Statement .” The Registration Statement at the time it originally became effective is herein called the “ Original Registration Statement .” The final prospectus in the form first furnished to the Underwriters for use in connection with the offering of the Units, including the documents incorporated by reference therein pursuant to Item 12 of Form S-3 under the Act at the time of the execution of this Agreement, is herein called the “ Prospectus .” If the Trust and the Company file another joint registration statement with the Commission to register additional Trust Units pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Act (the “ Rule 462 Registration Statement ”), then any reference to “Registration Statement” herein shall be deemed to include the registration statement on Form S-1/S-3 (File No. 333-178586) and the Rule 462 Registration Statement, as each such registration statement may be amended pursuant to the Act. For purposes of this Agreement, “ free writing prospectus ” has the meaning ascribed to it in Rule 405 under the Act (“ Rule 405 ”), and “ Issuer Free Writing Prospectus ” shall mean each free writing prospectus prepared by or on behalf of the Company or the Trust or used or referred to by the Company or the Trust in connection with the offering of the Units. “ Time of Sale Information ” shall mean the most recent Preliminary Prospectus, each free writing prospectus, if any, identified in Schedule II hereto and the information set out in Schedule III hereto. All references in this Agreement to the Registration Statement, the Rule 462 Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus or the Time of Sale Information, or any amendments or supplements to any of the foregoing, shall be deemed to refer to and include any documents incorporated by reference therein, and shall include any copy thereof filed with the Commission pursuant to its Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval System (“ EDGAR ”). “ Effective Date ” means each date and time as of which any Registration Statement was or is declared effective by the Commission. “ Time of Sale ” means 5:00 p.m., St. Petersburg, Florida time, on March 22, 2012.

2. Agreements to Sell and Purchase . The Company hereby agrees to sell the Firm Units to the Underwriters and, upon the basis of the representations, warranties and agreements of the Company and the Trust herein contained and subject to all the terms and conditions set forth herein, each Underwriter agrees, severally and not jointly, to purchase from the Company at a purchase price of $18.75 per Unit (the “ purchase price per Unit ”), the number of Firm Units set forth opposite the name of such Underwriter in Schedule I hereto.

The Company hereby also agrees to sell to the Underwriters, and, upon the basis of the representations, warranties and agreements of the Company and the Trust herein contained and subject to all the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Underwriters shall have the right for 30 days from the date of the Prospectus to purchase from the Company up to 2,400,000 Additional Units at the purchase price per Unit for the Firm Units. The Additional Units may be purchased solely for the purpose of covering over-allotments, if any, made in connection with the offering of the Firm Units. If any Additional Units are to be purchased, each Underwriter,

 

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severally and not jointly, agrees to purchase the number of Additional Units (subject to such adjustments as you may determine to avoid fractional units) that bears the same proportion to the total number of Additional Units to be purchased by the Underwriters as the number of Firm Units set forth opposite the name of such Underwriter in Schedule I hereto bears to the total number of Firm Units. The option to purchase Additional Units may be exercised at any time within 30 days after the date of the Prospectus, and at the Underwriters’ election, this option may be partially exercised on more than one occasion.

3. Terms of Public Offering . The Company and the Trust have been advised by you that the Underwriters propose to make a public offering of their respective portions of the Units as soon after the Registration Statement and this Agreement have become effective as in your judgment is advisable and initially to offer the Units upon the terms set forth in the Prospectus.

Not later than 12:00 p.m. on the second business day following the date the Units are released by the Underwriters for sale to the public, the Company shall deliver or cause to be delivered copies of the Prospectus in such quantities and at such places as the Representatives shall request.

4. Delivery of the Units and Payment Therefor . Delivery to the Underwriters of the Firm Units and payment therefor shall be made at the offices of the Company, 1700 Broadway, Suite 2300, Denver, Colorado at 10:00 a.m., St. Petersburg, Florida time, on March 28, 2012 or such other place, time and date not later than 1:30 p.m., St. Petersburg, Florida time, on April 11, 2012 as the Representatives shall designate by notice to the Company and the Trust (the time and date of such closing are called the “ Closing Date ”). The place of closing for the Firm Units and the Closing Date may be varied by agreement among the Representatives, the Company and the Trust. The Company and the Trust hereby acknowledge that circumstances under which the Representatives may provide notice to postpone the Closing Date as originally scheduled include any determination by the Company, the Trust or the Representatives to recirculate to the public copies of an amended or supplemented Prospectus or a delay as contemplated by the provisions of Section 12 hereof.

Delivery to the Underwriters of and payment for any Additional Units to be purchased by the Underwriters shall be made at the offices of the Company, 1700 Broadway, Suite 2300, Denver, Colorado at 10:00 a.m., St. Petersburg, Florida time, on such date or dates (each an “ Additional Closing Date ”) (which may be the same as the Closing Date, but shall in no event be earlier than the Closing Date nor earlier than three nor later than ten business days after the giving of the notice hereinafter referred to) as shall be specified in a written notice or notices, from the Representatives on behalf of the Underwriters to the Company and the Trust, of the Underwriters’ determination to purchase a number, specified in such notice, of Additional Units. Such notice or notices may be given at any time within 30 days after the date of the Prospectus and must set forth (i) the aggregate number of Additional Units as to which the Underwriters are exercising the option and (ii) the names and denominations in which the certificates for which the Additional Units are to be registered. The place of closing for the Additional Units and the Additional Closing Date may be varied by agreement among the Representatives, the Company and the Trust.

 

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Delivery of the Firm Units and of any Additional Units to be purchased hereunder shall be made through the facilities of The Depository Trust Company (“ DTC ”) against payment of the purchase price therefore by wire transfer of immediately available funds to an account or accounts specified in writing, not later than the close of business on the business day next preceding the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, by the Company. Payment for the Units sold by the Company hereunder shall be delivered by the Representatives to the Company.

It is understood that the Representatives have been authorized, for their own account and the accounts of the several Underwriters, to accept delivery of and receipt for, and make payment of the purchase price per Unit for the Firm Units and the Additional Units, if any, that the Underwriters have agreed to purchase. Each Representative, individually and not as a Representative of the Underwriters, may, but shall not be obligated to, make payment for any Units to be purchased by any Underwriter whose funds shall not have been received by the Representatives by the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, for the account of such Underwriter, but any such payment shall not relieve such Underwriter from any of its obligations under this Agreement.

5. Covenants and Agreements .

Each of the Company and the Trust, each as to itself, covenants and agrees with the several Underwriters as follows:

(a) Each of the Company and the Trust will use its best efforts to cause the Registration Statement and any amendments thereto to become effective, if it has not already become effective, and will advise you promptly and, if requested by you, will confirm such advice in writing (i) when the Registration Statement has become effective and the time and date of any filing of any post-effective Registration Statement or any amendment or supplement to any Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus and the time and date that any post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement becomes effective, (ii) if Rule 430A under the Act is employed, when the Prospectus has been timely filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Act, (iii) of the receipt of any comments of the Commission, or any request by the Commission for amendments or supplements to the Registration Statement, any Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus or for additional information, (iv) of the issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or of the suspension of qualification of the Units for offering or sale in any jurisdiction or the initiation of any proceeding for such purposes and (v) within the period of time referred to in Section 5(h) below, of any change in the condition (financial or other), business, prospects, properties, net worth or results of operations of the Company, the Trust or the Underlying Properties, or of any event that comes to the attention of the Company or the Trust that makes any statement made in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus (as then amended or supplemented) untrue in any material respect or that requires the making of any additions thereto or changes therein in order to make the statements therein (in the case of the Prospectus, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made) not misleading in any material respect, or of the necessity to amend or supplement the Prospectus (as then amended or supplemented) to comply with the Act or any other applicable law. If at any time the Commission shall issue any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, the Company and the Trust will make every

 

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reasonable effort to obtain the withdrawal or lifting of such order at the earliest possible time. The Company will provide the Underwriters with copies of the form of Prospectus, in such number as the Underwriters may reasonably request, and file with the Commission such Prospectus in accordance with Rule 424(b) of the Act before the close of business on the first business day immediately following the date hereof.

(b) The Company will furnish to you, without charge, a photocopy of the signed original of the Registration Statement as originally filed with the Commission and of each amendment thereto, including financial statements and all exhibits thereto, and will also furnish to you, without charge, such number of conformed copies of the Registration Statement as originally filed and of each amendment thereto as you may reasonably request.

(c) The Company and the Trust will promptly file with the Commission any amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement or the Prospectus that may, in the judgment of the Company or the Representatives be required by the Act or requested by the Commission.

(d) The Company will furnish a copy of any amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement or to the Prospectus or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus to the Representatives and counsel for the Underwriters and obtain your consent prior to filing any of those with the Commission, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed.

(e) Neither the Company nor the Trust has made or will make any offer relating to the Units that would constitute an Issuer Free Writing Prospectus without your prior consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed.

(f) The Company and the Trust will retain in accordance with the Act all Issuer Free Writing Prospectuses not required to be filed pursuant to the Act; and if at any time after the date hereof any events shall have occurred as a result of which any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, as then amended or supplemented, would conflict with the information in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus, the Time of Sale Information or the Prospectus or would include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, or, if for any other reason it shall be necessary to amend or supplement any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, to notify you and, upon your request, to file such document (if required to be filed pursuant to the Act) and to prepare and furnish without charge to each Underwriter as many copies as they may from time to time reasonably request of an amended or supplemented Issuer Free Writing Prospectus that will correct such conflict, statement or omission or effect such compliance.

(g) Prior to the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Company has delivered or will deliver to you, without charge, in such quantities as you have requested or may hereafter reasonably request, copies of each form of the Preliminary Prospectus. Consistent with the provisions of Section 5(h) hereof, the Company and the Trust consent to the use, in accordance with the provisions of the Act and with the securities or Blue Sky laws of the jurisdictions in which the Units are offered by the several Underwriters and by dealers, prior to the date of the Prospectus, of each Preliminary Prospectus so furnished by the Company or the Trust.

 

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(h) As soon after the execution and delivery of this Agreement as is practicable and thereafter from time to time for such period as in the reasonable opinion of counsel for the Underwriters a prospectus is required by the Act to be delivered in connection with sales by any Underwriter or a dealer (the “ Prospectus Delivery Period ”), and for so long a period as you may request for the distribution of the Units, the Company will deliver to each Underwriter and each dealer, without charge, as many copies of the Prospectus and the Time of Sale Information (and of any amendment or supplement thereto) as they may reasonably request. The Company and the Trust consent to the use of the Prospectus and the Time of Sale Information (and of any amendment or supplement thereto) in accordance with the provisions of the Act and with the securities or Blue Sky laws of the jurisdictions in which the Units are offered by the several Underwriters and by all dealers to whom Units may be sold, both in connection with the offering and sale of the Units and for such period of time thereafter as the Prospectus is required by the Act to be delivered in connection with sales by any Underwriter or dealer. If at any time prior to the later of (i) the completion of the distribution of the Units pursuant to the offering contemplated by the Registration Statement or (ii) the expiration of prospectus delivery requirements with respect to the Units under Section 4(3) of the Act and Rule 174 thereunder, any event shall occur that in the judgment of the Company or in the opinion of counsel for the Underwriters is required to be set forth in the Prospectus (as then amended or supplemented) or should be set forth therein in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, or if it is necessary to supplement or amend the Prospectus to comply with the Act or any other law, the Company and the Trust will forthwith prepare and, subject to Section 5(a) hereof, file with the Commission and use their best efforts to cause to become effective as promptly as possible an appropriate supplement or amendment thereto, and will furnish to each Underwriter who has previously requested Prospectuses, without charge, a reasonable number of copies thereof.

(i) If this Agreement shall terminate or shall be terminated after execution pursuant to Section 13(i) hereof or if this Agreement shall be terminated by the Underwriters because of any inability, failure or refusal on the part of the Company or the Trust to perform in all material respects any agreement herein or to comply in all material respects with any of the terms or provisions hereof or to fulfill in all material respects any of the conditions of this Agreement, the Company agrees to reimburse the Representatives and the other Underwriters, other than defaulting Underwriters, for all out-of-pocket expenses (including travel expenses and reasonable fees and expenses of counsel for the Underwriters, but excluding wages and salaries paid by the Representatives or the other Underwriters) reasonably incurred by the Representatives or the other Underwriters in connection herewith, up to a maximum aggregate amount of $300,000.

(j) The Company will apply the net proceeds from the sale of the Units to be sold by it hereunder in accordance in all material respects with the statements under the caption “Use of Proceeds” in the Prospectus.

(k) For a period commencing on the date hereof and ending on the 180th day after the date of the Prospectus (the “ Lock-Up Period ”), neither the Company nor the Trust will,

 

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directly or indirectly, (i) offer for sale, sell, pledge or otherwise dispose of (or enter into any transaction or device that is designed to, or could be expected to, result in the disposition by any person at any time in the future of) (collectively, a “ Disposition ”) any Trust Units, or other securities of the Trust, or other securities that are derived from the Subject Interests (as defined in the Conveyance) that are substantially similar to the Trust Units, or securities convertible into or exchangeable for Trust Units, or sell or grant options, rights or warrants with respect to any Trust Units or securities convertible into or exchangeable for Trust Units (collectively, “ Trust Securities ”), (ii) enter into any swap or other derivatives transaction that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic benefits or risks of ownership of such Trust Units, whether any such transaction is to be settled by delivery of Trust Units or other securities, in cash or otherwise, (iii) file or cause to be filed a registration statement, including any amendments, with respect to the registration of any Trust Securities or (iv) publicly disclose the intention to do any of the foregoing, in each case without the prior written consent of the Representatives on behalf of the Underwriters; notwithstanding the foregoing if (x) during the last 17 days of the Lock-Up Period, the Trust issues a release concerning distributable cash or announces material news or a material event relating to the Trust occurs or (y) prior to the expiration of the Lock-Up Period, the Trust announces that it will release distributable cash results during the 16-day period beginning on the last day of the Lock-Up Period, then the restrictions imposed in this Section 5(k) shall continue to apply until the expiration of the 18-day period beginning on the date of issuance of the earnings release or the announcement of the material news or the occurrence of the material event, unless the Representatives, on behalf of the Underwriters, waives such extension in writing. In addition, this Section 5(k) shall not restrict or prohibit the Company Parties from pledging or otherwise granting a security interest with respect to any Trust Securities held by the Company Parties pursuant to that certain Fifth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of October 15, 2010, among the Company, the financial institutions named therein and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, as amended (the “ Credit Agreement ”).

(l) The Company and the Trust will comply with all provisions of any undertakings contained in the Registration Statement.

(m) Neither the Company nor the Trust will at any time, directly or indirectly, take any action designed, or which might reasonably be expected to cause or result in, or which will constitute, stabilization or manipulation of the price of the Trust Units to facilitate the sale or resale of any of the Units in violation of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder (collectively, the “ Exchange Act ”), the Act or other applicable law.

(n) On the Closing Date, all stock transfer and other taxes (other than income taxes) that are required to be paid in connection with the sale and transfer of the Firm Units to be sold by the Company to the Underwriters hereunder will have been fully paid for by the Company and all laws imposing such taxes will have been fully complied with.

(o) On the Additional Closing Date, all stock transfer and other taxes (other than income taxes) that are required to be paid in connection with the sale and transfer of the Additional Units to be sold by the Company to the Underwriters, if any, hereunder will have been fully paid for by the Company and all laws imposing such taxes will have been fully complied with.

 

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(p) In order to document the Underwriters’ compliance with the reporting and withholding provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “ Code ”), and the regulations promulgated thereunder, with respect to the transactions herein contemplated, the Company shall deliver to you at least two days prior to the Closing Date and the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, a properly completed and executed United States Treasury Department Substitute Form W-9.

(q) Not more than sixty business days following the Closing Date, the Company will file the Conveyance in the counties in the states listed on Schedule IV covering the leases covered by the Conveyance. The Company will provide to the Representatives evidence of such filings reasonably satisfactory to counsel for the Representatives as promptly as practicable following the time of such filings, and in any event not more than seventy business days following the Closing Date.

(r) The Company and the Trust will comply with all agreements and satisfy all conditions on its part to be complied with or satisfied pursuant to this Agreement on or prior to the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, and will advise the Underwriters prior to the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, if any statements to be made on behalf of the Company or the Trust, as appropriate, in the certificate contemplated by Section 9 hereof would be inaccurate if made as of the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be.

(s) The Company and the Trust will cooperate with you and counsel for the Underwriters in connection with the registration or qualification of the Units for offering and sale by the several Underwriters and by dealers under the securities or Blue Sky laws of such jurisdictions as you may reasonably designate and will file such consents to service of process or other documents as may be reasonably necessary in order to effect and maintain such registration or qualification for so long as required to complete the distribution of the Units; provided that in no event shall the Company or the Trust be obligated to qualify to do business in any jurisdiction where it is not now so qualified or to take any action that would subject it to general service of process in suits, other than those arising out of the offering or sale of the Units, as contemplated by this Agreement and the Prospectus, in any jurisdiction where it is not now so subject. In the event that the qualification of the Units in any jurisdiction is suspended, the Company and the Trust shall so advise you promptly in writing. The Trustee will use its reasonable best efforts to qualify or register the Trust Units for sale in non-issuer transactions under (or obtain exemptions from the application of) the Blue Sky laws of each state where necessary to permit market making transactions and secondary trading and will use its reasonable best efforts to cause the Trust to comply with such Blue Sky laws and to continue such qualifications, registrations and exemptions in effect for a period of five years after the date hereof.

(t) The Trust will timely file with the New York Stock Exchange (the “ NYSE ”) all documents and notices required by the NYSE of trusts that have or will issue securities that are traded on the NYSE.

 

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(u) The Trust will engage and maintain, at its expense, a transfer agent and, if necessary under the jurisdiction of its organization or the rules of any national securities exchange on which the Trust Units will be listed, a registrar (which, if permitted by applicable laws and rules may be the same entity as the transfer agent) for the Trust Units.

(v) The Trust will make generally available to holders of the Trust Units a consolidated earnings statement (in form complying with the provisions of Rule 158 of the Act), which need not be audited, covering a 12-month period commencing after the effective date of the Registration Statement and the Rule 462 Registration Statement, if any, and ending not later than 15 months thereafter, as soon as practicable after the end of such period, which consolidated earnings statement shall satisfy the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Act.

(w) The Trust will furnish to holders of the Trust Units as soon as practicable after the end of each fiscal year an annual report (including financial statements of the Trust certified by independent public accountants) and, as soon as practicable after the end of each of the first three quarters of each fiscal year (beginning with the fiscal quarter ending after the effective date of the Registration Statement), to make available to holders of the Trust Units summary financial information of the Trust for such quarter in reasonable detail. For purposes of this Section 5(w), the Trust shall be deemed to have made available such summary financial information if such information has been filed on EDGAR

(x) During the period ending three years from the date hereof, the Trustee will cause the Trust to furnish to you and, upon your request, to each of the other Underwriters, (i) as soon as available, a copy of each proxy statement, quarterly or annual report or other report of the Trust mailed to unitholders or filed with the Commission, the NYSE or any other national securities exchange and (ii) from time to time such other information concerning the Trust as you may reasonably request. For purposes of this Section 5(x), the Trust shall be deemed to have furnished the required information if such document has been filed on EDGAR.

6. Representations and Warranties .

6.1 Of the Company and the Trust . The Company and the Trust hereby represent and warrant, jointly and severally, to each Underwriter on the date hereof, and shall be deemed to represent and warrant, jointly and severally, to each Underwriter on the Closing Date and the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, that:

(a) Not an “Ineligible Issuer.” The Trust was not at the time of initial filing of the Registration Statement and at the earliest time thereafter that the Trust or any other offering participant made a bona fide offer (within the meaning of Rule 164(h)(2) of the Act) of the Trust Units, is not on the date hereof and will not be on the Closing Date and the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, an “ineligible issuer” (as defined in Rule 405).

(b) No Stop Order . No stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, any post-effective amendment thereto or the Rule 462 Registration Statement, if any, has been issued and no proceeding for that purpose has been initiated or, to the knowledge of the Trust or the Company, threatened by the Commission. No order preventing or suspending the use of any Preliminary Prospectus or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus has been issued and no proceeding for that purpose has been initiated or, to the knowledge of the Trust or the Company, threatened by the Commission.

 

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(c) Compliance as to Form . The Registration Statement conformed on the Effective Date and will conform on each of the Closing Date and the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, and any amendment to the Registration Statement filed after the date hereof will conform in all material respects, when filed, to the requirements of the Act. The Preliminary Prospectus conformed, when filed, and the Prospectus will conform, when filed, with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) and on the Closing Date and the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, to the requirements of the Act.

(d) No Material Misstatements or Omissions in the Registration Statement . The Registration Statement did not, as of the Effective Date, contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading; provided that no representation or warranty is made as to information contained in or omitted from the Registration Statement in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company or the Trust by or on behalf of any Underwriter specifically for inclusion therein, which information is specified in Section 14.

(e) No Material Misstatements or Omissions in the Prospectus . The Prospectus will not, as of its date and on the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided that no representation or warranty is made as to information contained in or omitted from the Prospectus in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company or the Trust by or on behalf of any Underwriter specifically for inclusion therein, which information is specified in Section 14.

(f) No Material Misstatements or Omissions in the Time of Sale Information . The Time of Sale Information, all considered together, did not, as of the Time of Sale, contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided that no representation or warranty is made as to information contained in or omitted from the Time of Sale Information in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company or the Trust by or on behalf of any Underwriter specifically for inclusion therein, which information is specified in Section 14.

(g) No Material Misstatements or Omissions in Issuer Free Writing Prospectus . Each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus (including, without limitation, any road show that is a free writing prospectus under Rule 433), when considered together with the Time of Sale Information at the Time of Sale, did not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading provided that no representation or warranty is made as to information contained in or omitted from an Issuer Free Writing Prospectus in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company or the Trust by or on behalf of any Underwriter specifically for

 

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inclusion therein, which information is specified in Section 14. Each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus conformed or will conform in all material respects to the requirements of the Act on the date of first use, and the Company and the Trust have complied with all prospectus delivery and any filing requirements applicable to such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus pursuant to the Act. Neither the Company nor the Trust has made any offer relating to the Trust Units that would constitute an Issuer Free Writing Prospectus without the prior written consent of the Representatives. Each of the Company and the Trust has retained in accordance with the Act all Issuer Free Writing Prospectuses that were not required to be filed pursuant to the Act. The Company and the Trust have taken all actions necessary so that any “road show” (as defined in Rule 433) in connection with the offering of the Trust Units will not be required to be filed pursuant to the Act.

(h) Contracts to be Described or Filed . There are no agreements, contracts, indentures, leases or other documents of the Trust which are required to be described in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto) or the documents incorporated by reference therein or to be filed as exhibits thereto which have not been so described and filed as required.

(i) Market Stabilization . The Trust has not taken, nor will it take, directly or indirectly, any action that constituted, or any action designed to, or that might reasonably be expected to cause or result in or constitute, under the Exchange Act, the Act or otherwise, stabilization or manipulation of the price of the Trust Units to facilitate the sale or resale of the Trust Units or for any other purpose in violation of the Exchange Act, the Act or other applicable law.

(j) Formation, Due Qualification and Authority of the Trust . The Trust is duly organized and validly existing as a statutory trust in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware with full power and authority to own or lease, as the case may be, its properties and to conduct its business as described in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus (and any amendment or supplement thereto) and is duly registered and qualified to conduct its business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction or place where the nature of its properties or the conduct of its business requires such registration or qualification, except where the failure to so register or qualify has not had or will not have a material adverse effect on the condition (financial or other), business, properties, net worth, results of operations or business prospects of the Trust or the Underlying Properties (a “ Trust Material Adverse Effect”) . The activities of the Trustee pursuant to the Trust Agreement will not require the appointment of an ancillary trustee in any state in which the Trust conducts its business.

(k) Legal Proceedings . There are no legal or governmental proceedings pending or, to the knowledge of the Trustee, threatened, against the Trust or to which the Trust or any of its properties, including the Subject Interests, are subject, that are required to be described in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto) but are not described as required. Except as described in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus, there is no action, suit, inquiry, proceeding or investigation by or before any court or governmental or other regulatory or administrative agency or commission pending or, to the knowledge of the Trustee, threatened

 

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against or involving the Trust, which might individually or in the aggregate (i) materially impair the ability of the Trust to consummate the Transactions or any other transactions provided for in this Agreement or the Transaction Documents or (ii) have a Trust Material Adverse Effect, nor to the Trustee’s knowledge, is there any basis for any such action, suit, inquiry, proceeding or investigation.

(l) No Default. The Trust is not (i) in violation of (A) its organizational documents or agreements, (B) any law, ordinance, administrative or governmental rule or regulation applicable to the Trust, the violation of which would have a Trust Material Adverse Effect or (C) any decree of any court or governmental agency or body having jurisdiction over the Trust, the violation of which would have a Trust Material Adverse Effect; or (ii) in default, breach or violation in any material respect in the performance of any obligation, agreement, covenant or condition contained in (A) any bond, debenture, note or any other evidence of indebtedness or (B) any agreement, indenture, lease or other instrument (each of (A) and (B), a “ Trust Existing Instrument ”) to which the Trust is a party or by which any of its properties may be bound, which default would have a Trust Material Adverse Effect or materially impair the ability of the Trust to consummate the Transactions or any other transactions provided for in this Agreement or the Transaction Documents; and there does not exist any state of facts that constitutes an “event of default” on the part of the Trust as defined in such documents or that, with notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute such an event of default, where the existence of such state of facts would have a Trust Material Adverse Effect.

(m) Enforceability of the Operative Agreements. Each of the Operative Agreements to which the Trust is a party has been duly authorized by the Trust and has been, or as of the Closing Date will be, duly executed and delivered by the Trust, as applicable, and when duly executed and delivered by the other parties thereto, will constitute a valid and legally binding agreement of the Trust, enforceable against the Trust in accordance with its terms, except to the extent enforceability may be limited by (i) the application of bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency and other laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and (ii) general principles of equity (regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law).

(n) Authority and Authorization. The Trust has all requisite power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder, including the sale of the Trust Units in accordance with and upon the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, the Trust Agreement, the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus. At each of the Closing Date and the Additional Closing Date, all trust action required to be taken by the Trust, the Trustee or the Delaware Trustee for the consummation of the Transactions and any other Transactions provided for in this Agreement and the Operative Documents to which the Trust is a party shall have been validly taken.

(o) Outstanding Trust Units. On the Closing Date, after giving effect to the Transactions, the Trust will have outstanding 18,400,000 Trust Units. Such Trust Units and the beneficial interests in the Trust represented thereby have been duly authorized for issuance by the Trust, and, when duly issued and delivered to WOGC in accordance with the Trust Agreement, the Trust Units will be duly and validly issued and outstanding, fully paid and nonassessable and are free of any preemptive or similar rights, and will constitute valid and

 

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binding obligations of the Trust entitled to the benefits of the Trust Agreement and enforceable in accordance with their terms, except as the enforceability of each may be limited by (i) the application of bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency and other laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and (ii) general principles of equity (regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law). The Trust Units, when issued and delivered, will conform in all material respects to the description thereof contained in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus.

(p) No Consents. None of (i) the formation of the Trust by the execution and delivery of the Organizational Trust Agreement, (ii) the transfer of the Net Profits Interest and the Pre-Effective Time Payment by WOGC to the Trust by the execution and delivery of the Conveyance, (iii) the distribution of the 18,400,000 Trust Units by WOGC to the Company, (iv) the sale of the Units by the Company or (v) the execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement, the Organizational Trust Agreement, the Trust Agreement, the Administrative Services Agreement and the Conveyance by the Company Parties and the Trust nor the consummation by the Company Parties and the Trust of the transactions contemplated hereby (A) requires any consent, approval, authorization or other order of or registration or filing with, any court, regulatory body, administrative agency or other governmental body, agency or official (except such as may be required for the registration of the Units under the Act, the listing of the Units for trading on the NYSE, the registration of the Trust Units under the Exchange Act and compliance with the securities or Blue Sky laws of various jurisdictions, all of which will be, or have been, effected in accordance with this Agreement and except for the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority’s (“ FINRA ”) clearance of the underwriting terms of the offering contemplated hereby as required under FINRA’s Conduct Rules), (B) conflicts with or will conflict with or constitutes or will constitute a breach of, or a default under, the Trust’s trust agreement, or (C) violates any statute, law, regulation, ruling, filing, judgment, injunction, order or decree applicable to the Trust, except as disclosed in the Prospectus and except for such consents, approvals, authorizations, orders, registrations, filings, conflicts, breaches, defaults, liens, charges or encumbrances that will not, individually or in the aggregate, result in a Trust Material Adverse Effect.

(q) Independent Public Accountant. Deloitte & Touche LLP, the certified public accountants who have certified the financial statements of the the Trust (including the related notes thereto and supporting schedules) filed as part of the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto), is and was during the periods covered by such financial statements, an independent registered public accounting firm with respect to the Trust as required by the Act and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board.

(r) Financial Statements. The financial statements of the Trust, together with related schedules and notes, included in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus (and any amendment or supplement thereto), present fairly in all material respects, on the basis set forth in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus (and any amendment or supplement thereto), the financial condition of the Trust at the respective dates or for the respective periods to which they apply; said financial statements and related schedules and notes have been prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“ GAAP ”) applied on a consistent basis throughout the

 

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periods involved. The supporting schedules, if any, included in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus (and any amendment or supplement thereto) present fairly in all material respects in accordance with GAAP the information required to be stated therein. The summary financial information of the Trust included in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus present fairly in all material respects the information shown therein and have been compiled on a basis consistent with that of the audited financial statements included in the Registration Statement. All disclosures relating to the Trust contained in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus (including any amendment or supplement thereto) regarding “non-GAAP financial measures” (as such term is defined by the rules and regulations of the Commission) comply in all material respects with Regulation G of the Exchange Act and Item 10 of Regulation S-K under the Act, to the extent applicable.

(s) Pro Forma Financial Statements . The pro forma financial statements of the Trust included in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus include assumptions that provide a reasonable basis for presenting the significant effects directly attributable to the transactions and events described therein, the related pro forma adjustments give appropriate effect to those assumptions, and the pro forma adjustments reflect the proper application of those adjustments to the historical financial statement amounts in the pro forma financial statements included in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus. The pro forma financial statements included in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus comply as to form in all material respects with the applicable accounting requirements of Regulation S-X under the Securities Act and the pro forma adjustments have been properly applied to the historical amounts in the compilation of those statements.

(t) (i) Disclosure Controls and Procedures. The Trust has established and maintains disclosure controls and procedures (to the extent required by and as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Exchange Act); (ii) such disclosure controls and procedures are designed to ensure that the information required to be disclosed by the Trust in the reports it files or will file or submit under the Exchange Act, as applicable, is accumulated and communicated to the Trustee to allow it timely decisions regarding required disclosure to be made and (iii) such disclosure controls and procedures are effective in all material respects to perform the functions for which they were established to the extent required by Rule 13a-15 of the Exchange Act.

(u) No Change in Internal Controls. Since the date of the most recent balance sheets of the Trust reviewed or audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, (i) the Trust is not aware of (A) any significant deficiencies or material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal controls that could adversely affect the ability of the Trust to record, process, summarize and report financial data in any material respect, or (B) any fraud, whether material or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the internal controls of the Trust, and (ii) there have been no significant changes in internal controls or in other factors that has or could significantly and adversely affect internal controls.

(v) Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. There has been no failure on the part of the Trust to comply in all material respects with all applicable and effective provisions of the

 

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Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the rules and regulations promulgated in connection therewith. At each of the Closing Date and the Additional Closing Date, the Trust will be in compliance in all material respects with all applicable provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the rules and regulations promulgated therewith and the rules of the NYSE that are effective and applicable to the Trust.

(w) No Changes Since Trust Formation. Since the date the Trust was formed through the date hereof, and except as may otherwise be disclosed in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information or the Prospectus, the Trust has not (i) issued or granted any Trust Units, (ii) incurred any liability or obligation, direct or contingent except for this Agreement and the Operative Agreements and in connection with the execution of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, (iii) entered into any transaction not in the ordinary course of the Trust’s business or (iv) made any distribution on its equity interests.

(x) Listing. The Units have been approved for listing on the NYSE under the symbol “WHZ,” subject to official notice of issuance of the Units being sold by the Company, and upon consummation of the offering contemplated hereby the Trust will be in compliance with the designation and maintenance criteria applicable to NYSE issuers.

(y) Investment Company. The Trust is not, and after giving effect to the Transactions, will not be an “investment company” or an “affiliated person” of, or “promoter” or “principal underwriter” for, an investment company within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

(z) Books and Records. The Trust (i) makes and keeps books, records and accounts, which, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of its assets and (ii) maintains a system of internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurances that (A) transactions are executed in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization; (B) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP and to maintain accountability for assets; (C) access to assets is permitted only in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization; and (D) the recorded accountability for assets is compared with the existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences.

(aa) No Consent Needed for Trustee Action. The Trustee is a national banking association duly authorized and empowered to act as trustee of the Trust pursuant to the Organizational Trust Agreement and the Trust Agreement. The Delaware Trustee is a Delaware banking corporation duly authorized and empowered to act as Delaware trustee of the Trust pursuant to the Organizational Trust Agreement and the Trust Agreement. No consent, approval, authorization or filing is required under any law, rule or regulation of any of the states listed on Schedule IV, or of the United States of America in order to permit the Trustee to act as Trustee of the Trust.

 

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6.2 Of the Company . The Company hereby represents and warrants to each Underwriter on the date hereof, and shall be deemed to represent and warrant to each Underwriter on the Closing Date and the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, that:

(a) Not an “Ineligible Issuer.” The Company was not at the time of initial filing of the Registration Statement and at the earliest time thereafter that the Company or any other offering participant made a bona fide offer (within the meaning of Rule 164(h)(2) of the Act) of the Trust Units, is not on the date hereof and will not be on the Closing Date and the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, an “ineligible issuer” (as defined in Rule 405).

(b) Incorporated Documents . The documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, at the time they were or hereafter are filed with the Commission, complied and will comply in all material respects with the requirements of the Exchange Act, and, when read together with (a) the other information in the Preliminary Prospectus included in the Registration Statement at the time the Registration Statement became effective, (b) the other Time of Sale Information at the Time of Sale and (c) the other information in the Prospectus at the Closing Date and any Additional Closing Date, did not and will not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein (with respect to clauses (b) and (c) hereof, in light of the circumstances under which they were made) not misleading.

(c) Contracts to be Described or Filed . There are no agreements, contracts, indentures, leases or other documents of the Company Entities which are required to be described in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto) or the documents incorporated by reference therein or to be filed as exhibits thereto which have not been so described and filed as required.

(d) Market Stabilization . Neither the Company nor any affiliate of the Company has taken, nor will the Company or any affiliate take, directly or indirectly, any action that constituted, or any action designed to, or that might reasonably be expected to cause or result in or constitute, under the Exchange Act, the Act or otherwise, stabilization or manipulation of the price of the Trust Units to facilitate the sale or resale of the Trust Units or for any other purpose in violation of the Exchange Act, the Act or other applicable law.

(e) Formation, Due Qualification and Authority of the Company and the Subsidiaries . Each of the Company Parties is a corporation duly organized and validly existing as a corporation in good standing under the laws of the state of its incorporation with full corporate power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and to conduct its business as presently conducted and as described in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus (and any amendment or supplement thereto) and is duly registered and qualified to conduct its business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction or place where the nature of its properties or the conduct of its business requires such registration or qualification, except where the failure to so register or qualify has not had or will not have a material adverse effect on the condition (financial or other), business, properties, net worth, results of operations or business prospects of the Company, together with any of its subsidiaries (the “ Company Entities ”), taken as a whole (a “ Company Material Adverse Effect ”). As of the date of this Agreement, the only subsidiaries of the Company are WOGC, Whiting Programs, Inc., Shaw Resources Limited, LLC, Whiting Transpetco, GP, LLC, Whiting Transpetco, LP, LLC and Sustainable Water Resources, LLC (the “ Subsidiaries ”). Except as otherwise disclosed in the Registration Statement, at each of the Closing Date and any Additional Closing Date, the

 

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Company will own, directly or indirectly, 100% of the outstanding ownership interests in WOGC, free and clear of all liens, and all such ownership interests have been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and nonassessable. The Subsidiaries, other than WOGC, considered in the aggregate as a single subsidiary, do not constitute a “significant subsidiary” as defined in Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X.

(f) Legal Proceedings . There are no legal or governmental proceedings pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened, against the Company Entities or to which the Company Entities or any of their properties, including the Subject Interests, are subject, that are required to be described in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto) but are not described as required. Except as described in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus, there is no action, suit, inquiry, proceeding or investigation by or before any court or governmental or other regulatory or administrative agency or commission pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened against or involving any of the Company Entities, which might individually or in the aggregate (i) materially impair the ability of the Company Parties to consummate the Transactions or any other transactions provided for in this Agreement or the Transaction Documents or (ii) have a Company Material Adverse Effect, nor to the Company’s knowledge, is there any basis for any such action, suit, inquiry, proceeding or investigation.

(g) No Default. No Company Entity is (i) in violation of (A) its organizational documents or agreements, (B) any law, ordinance, administrative or governmental rule or regulation applicable to any of the Company Entities, the violation of which would have a Company Material Adverse Effect or (C) any decree of any court or governmental agency or body having jurisdiction over any of the Company Entities, the violation of which would have a Company Material Adverse Effect; or (ii) in default, breach or violation in any material respect in the performance of any obligation, agreement, covenant or condition contained in (A) any bond, debenture, note or any other evidence of indebtedness or (B) any agreement, indenture, lease or other instrument (each of (A) and (B), a “ Company Existing Instrument ”) to which any of the Company Entities is a party or by which any of their properties may be bound, which default would have a Company Material Adverse Effect or materially impair the ability of the Company Parties to consummate the Transactions or any other transactions provided for in this Agreement or the Transaction Documents; and there does not exist any state of facts that constitutes an “event of default” on the part of any of the Company Entities as defined in such documents or that, with notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute such an event of default, where the existence of such state of facts would have a Company Material Adverse Effect.

(h) Enforceability of the Operative Agreements. Each of the Operative Agreements to which a Company Party is a party has been duly authorized by the such Company Party and has been, or as of the Closing Date will be, duly executed and delivered by such Company Party, as applicable, and when duly executed and delivered by the other parties thereto will constitute a valid and legally binding agreement of such Company Party, enforceable against such Company Party in accordance with its terms, except to the extent enforceability may be limited by (i) the application of bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency and other laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and (ii) general principles of equity (regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law). The holders of the Trust Units are entitled to the benefits of the Trust Agreement.

 

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(i) Authority and Authorization. The Company has all requisite power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder, including the sale of the Trust Units in accordance with and upon the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, the Trust Agreement, the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus. At each of the Closing Date and the Additional Closing Date, all corporate action required to be taken by the Company Entities for the consummation of the Transactions and any other Transactions provided for in this Agreement and the Operative Documents shall have been validly taken.

(j) Authorization and Enforceability of the Conveyance. The Conveyance has been duly authorized and, when duly executed by the proper officers of WOGC and delivered by WOGC to the Trust will constitute (assuming due execution and delivery by the Trustee) a valid and binding agreement of WOGC enforceable against WOGC in accordance with its terms, except as enforceability of the Conveyance may be limited by (i) the application of bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency and other laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and (ii) general principles of equity (regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law); the form of the Conveyance complies with the laws of each of the states in which such Conveyance is to be recorded or filed, including all applicable recording, filing and registration laws and regulations, and is adequate and sufficient to transfer title to the Net Profits Interest and the Pre-Effective Time Payment; the recording of the Conveyance in the real property records in each county where the Subject Interests are located is sufficient to impart notice of the contents thereof, and all subsequent purchasers or creditors of the Company or WOGC will be deemed to purchase with notice of and subject to such Net Profits Interest and Pre-Effective Time Payment; the Conveyance, the Net Profits Interest and the Pre-Effective Time Payment conform in all material respects to the descriptions thereof in the Prospectus; the Net Profits Interest and the Pre-Effective Time Payment described in the Prospectus are described in the Conveyance in a manner sufficient to identify the interests conveyed under the laws of each of the states listed on Schedule IV; and on the Closing Date 18,400,000 Trust Units shall have been issued by the Trust to WOGC in consideration for the conveyance by WOGC to the Trust of the Net Profits Interest and the Pre-Effective Time Payment pursuant to the Conveyance, after which such 18,400,000 Trust Units shall have been distributed by WOGC to the Company; on the Closing Date and the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, 18,400,000 Trust Units will be issued and outstanding.

(k) Outstanding Trust Units Held by Company. On the Closing Date and each Additional Closing Date, if any, after giving effect to the Transactions (other than the Offering), the Company will have good and valid title to the Trust Units to be sold by it hereunder, free and clear of all liens, encumbrances, equities or claims whatsoever, and the Company has full power and authority to sell, assign, transfer and deliver such Trust Units hereunder; and, upon the delivery of such Trust Units and payment therefor pursuant hereto, good and valid title to such Trust Units, free and clear of all liens, encumbrances, equities or claims, will pass to the several Underwriters.

 

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(l) No Consents for Conveyance. All consents, approvals, authorizations and orders necessary for the transfer of the Net Profits Interest and the Pre-Effective Time Payment to the Trust as described in the Prospectus have been obtained and such transfer has not had the effect of creating, and there does not exist, any lien, claim, encumbrance or equity of any kind in favor of any person with respect to any of the Net Profits Interest or and the Pre-Effective Time Payment except (i) to the extent such rights have been validly waived in writing or (ii) to the extent such liens, claims, encumbrances or equities, which, if asserted or exercised, would not have a material adverse effect on the value of the Trust Units.

(m) No Consents. None of (i) the formation of the Trust by the execution and delivery of the Organizational Trust Agreement, (ii) the transfer of the Net Profits Interest and the Pre-Effective Time Payment by WOGC to the Trust by the execution and delivery of the Conveyance, (iii) the distribution of the 18,400,000 Trust Units by WOGC to the Company, (iv) the sale of the Units by the Company or (v) the execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement, the Organizational Trust Agreement, the Trust Agreement, the Administrative Services Agreement and the Conveyance by the Company Parties and the Trust nor the consummation by the Company Parties and the Trust of the transactions contemplated hereby (A) requires any consent, approval, authorization or other order of or registration or filing with, any court, regulatory body, administrative agency or other governmental body, agency or official (except such as may be required for the registration of the Units under the Act, the listing of the Units for trading on the NYSE, the registration of the Trust Units under the Exchange Act and compliance with the securities or Blue Sky laws of various jurisdictions, all of which will be, or have been, effected in accordance with this Agreement and except for the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority’s (“ FINRA ”) clearance of the underwriting terms of the offering contemplated hereby as required under FINRA’s Conduct Rules), (B) conflicts with or will conflict with or constitutes or will constitute a breach of, or a default under, the Company’s or WOGC’s respective articles of organization or operating agreement or any agreement, indenture, lease or other instrument (including any lease or other real property interest relating to the Underlying Properties) to which any of the Company Entities is a party or by which any of their properties may be bound, (C) violates any statute, law, regulation, ruling, filing, judgment, injunction, order or decree applicable to any of the Company Entities or any of their properties or (D) results in a breach of, or default or Debt Repayment Triggering Event (as defined below) under, or results in the creation or imposition of any lien, charge or encumbrance upon any property or assets of any of the Company Entities pursuant to, or requires the consent of any other party to, any Company Existing Instrument or Trust Existing Instrument, except as disclosed in the Prospectus and except for such consents, approvals, authorizations, orders, registrations, filings, conflicts, breaches, defaults, liens, charges or encumbrances that will not, individually or in the aggregate, result in a Company Material Adverse Effect. As used herein, a “ Debt Repayment Triggering Event ” means any event or condition that gives, or with the giving of notice or lapse of time would give, the holder of any note, debenture or other evidence of indebtedness (or any person acting on such holder’s behalf) the right to require the repurchase, redemption or repayment of all or a portion of such indebtedness by any of the Company Entities.

(n) No Preemptive Rights, Registration Rights or Options. Except as described in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus, none of the Company Entities has outstanding and at the Closing Date and the Additional Closing

 

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Date, as the case may be, will have outstanding any options to purchase, or any warrants to subscribe for, or any securities or obligations convertible into, or any contracts or commitments to issue or sell, any Trust Units or any such warrants, convertible securities or obligations. Neither the filing of the Registration Statement nor the offering or sale of the Trust Units as contemplated by this Agreement gives rise to any rights for or relating to the registration of any Trust Securities except for those rights relating to the registration of Trust Units provided in the Registration Rights Agreement, if any.

(o) Independent Public Accountant. Deloitte & Touche LLP, the certified public accountants who have certified the financial statements of the Company and the Underlying Properties (as defined in the Conveyance) (including the related notes thereto and supporting schedules) filed as part of the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto), is and was during the periods covered by such financial statements, an independent registered public accounting firm with respect to the Company as required by the Act and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board.

(p) Financial Statements. The financial statements, together with related schedules and notes, included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus (and any amendment or supplement thereto), present fairly in all material respects, on the basis set forth in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus (and any amendment or supplement thereto), the results of operations of the Underlying Properties and the financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and changes in equity of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries at the dates indicated and the statement of income, stockholders’ equity and cash flows of Company and its consolidated subsidiaries for the periods specified; said financial statements and related schedules and notes have been prepared in conformity with GAAP applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods involved. The supporting schedules, if any, included in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information or the Prospectus (and any amendment or supplement thereto) present fairly in all material respects in accordance with GAAP the information required to be stated therein. The summary financial information included in the Prospectus present fairly in all material respects the information shown therein and have been compiled on a basis consistent with that of the audited financial statements included in the Registration Statement. All disclosures contained in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information or the Prospectus (including any amendment or supplement thereto) regarding “non-GAAP financial measures” (as such term is defined by the rules and regulations of the Commission) comply in all material respects with Regulation G of the Exchange Act and Item 10 of Regulation S-K under the Act, to the extent applicable.

(q) (i) Disclosure Controls and Procedures. The Company has established and maintains disclosure controls and procedures (to the extent required by and as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Exchange Act); (ii) such disclosure controls and procedures are designed to ensure that the information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports it files or will file or submit under the Exchange Act, as applicable, is accumulated and communicated to the Company to allow it timely decisions regarding required disclosure to be made and (iii) such disclosure controls and procedures are effective in all material respects to perform the functions for which they were established to the extent required by Rule 13a-15 of the Exchange Act.

 

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(r) No Change in Internal Controls. Since the date of the most recent balance sheets of the Company reviewed or audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, (i) the Company is not aware of any material deficiencies in the design or operation of internal controls and (ii) there have been no significant changes in internal controls or in other factors that has or could significantly and adversely affect internal controls.

(s) No Restrictions on Payments. WOGC is not currently prohibited, directly or indirectly, from making any payments on account of the Net Profits Interest to the Trust.

(t) Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. There has been no failure on the part of the Company or any members of its management team, in their capacities as such, to comply in all material respects with all applicable and effective provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the rules and regulations promulgated in connection therewith. At each of the Closing Date and the Additional Closing Date, the Company will be in compliance in all material respects with all applicable provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the rules and regulations promulgated therewith and the rules of the NYSE that are effective and applicable to the Company.

(u) No Material Changes. Except as disclosed in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto), since the respective dates as of which information is given in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus, (i) none of the Company Entities has incurred any material liabilities or obligations, indirect, direct or contingent, or entered into any transaction that is not in the ordinary course of business, (ii) none of the Company Entities or the Underlying Properties has sustained any loss to its business or properties from fire, flood, windstorm, accident or other calamity, whether or not covered by insurance, that could reasonably be expected to result in a Company Material Adverse Affect, (iii) the Company is not in default under the terms of any class of capital stock of the Company or any outstanding debt obligations, (iv) there has not been any material change in the indebtedness of the Company (other than in the ordinary course of business) and (v) there has not been any material adverse change, or any development involving or that may reasonably be expected to result in a Company Material Adverse Effect, in the condition (financial or otherwise), business, properties, prospects, net worth or result of operations of the Company or the Underlying Properties.

(v) Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions. Except as set forth in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus, there are no transactions with “affiliates” (as defined in Rule 405 promulgated under the Act) or any officer, director or security holder of the Company (whether or not an affiliate) that are required by the Act to be disclosed in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information or the Prospectus. Additionally, no relationship, direct or indirect, exists between any of the Company Entities, on the one hand, and the directors, officers, stockholders, customers or suppliers of any of the Company Entities, on the other hand, that is required by the Act to be disclosed in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus that is not so disclosed.

 

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(w) Investment Company. The Company is not, and after giving effect to the Transactions, will not be an “investment company” or an “affiliated person” of, or “promoter” or “principal underwriter” for, an investment company within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

(x) Title to Properties. WOGC has and, as of the Closing Date and the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, will have good and defensible title to the Subject Interests and, with respect to each well set forth in Exhibit B to the Supplemental Agreement, by and between WOGC and the Trustee, WOGC is (i) entitled to receive not less than the percentage set forth in such Exhibit B as the “Net Revenue Interest” of all Minerals (as defined in the Conveyance) produced, saved and marketed from such well to which such Net Revenue Interest corresponds without reduction of such interest throughout the duration of the Conveyance, except as specifically set forth in such Exhibit B, and (ii) obligated to bear the percentage of the costs and expenses relating to the maintenance, development and operation of such well not greater than the “Working Interest” shown in such Exhibit B with respect to such well, without increase throughout the duration of the Conveyance, except as specifically set forth in such Exhibit B, subject (in each case) to the (x) Permitted Encumbrances (as defined in the Conveyance and none of which in the aggregate materially adversely affect the value of the Subject Interests and do not materially interfere with the Net Profits Interest and the Pre-Effective Time Payment or the conveyance or the use made and proposed to be made of such property by the Company and WOGC) and (y) upon conveyance of the Net Profits Interest and Pre-Effective Time Payment to the Trust pursuant to the Conveyance, the Net Profits Interest and the Pre-Effective Time Payment. All contracts, agreements and underlying leases, which comprise a portion of the Subject Interests and which individually or in the aggregate are material to the Subject Interests taken as a whole, are in full force and effect, each of the Company and WOGC, as applicable, has paid all rents and other charges or amounts to the extent due and payable thereunder, is not in default under any of such underlying contracts, agreements or leases, has received no notice of default from any other party thereto and knows of no material default by any other party thereto. The working interests and net revenue interests in oil, gas and mineral leases and mineral interests that constitute a portion of the Subject Interests held by WOGC reflect in all material respects the right of WOGC to own, operate and receive production from such Subject Interests, and the care taken by the Company and WOGC with respect to acquiring or otherwise procuring such leases and mineral interests was generally consistent with standard industry practices for acquiring or procuring leases and interests therein to develop and produce such for hydrocarbons. Upon recordation and filing of the Conveyance, the Trust will have good and defensible title to the Net Profits Interest and the Pre-Effective Time Payment, free and clear of all liens, encumbrances and defects, except Permitted Encumbrances.

(y) Reserve Engineers. The information underlying the estimates of reserves of the Company Entities, which was supplied by the Company Entities to Cawley, Gillespie & Associates, Inc. (“ Cawley Gillespie ”), independent petroleum engineers, for purposes of preparing the estimates of reserves attributable to of the Underlying Properties and the Net Profits Interest and the Pre-Effective Time Payment and preparing the letter (the “ Reserve Report Letter ”) of Cawley Gillespie, including, without limitation, production volumes, costs of operation and development, sales prices for production, agreements relating to current and future operations, sales of production and working interest and net revenue information relating to

 

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ownership interests of the Underlying Properties, was true and correct in all material respects on the dates such estimates were made and such information was supplied and was prepared in accordance with customary industry practices; other than normal production of the reserves and intervening spot market product price fluctuations described in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information, or the Prospectus, none of the Company Entities is aware of any facts or circumstances that would result in an adverse change in the reserves attributable to the Underlying Properties, or the present value of future net cash flows therefrom, as described in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information or the Prospectus and as reflected in the Reserve Report Letter, that would reasonably be expected to result in a Trust Material Adverse Effect; estimates of such reserves and present values of future net cash flows as described in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus and reflected in the Reserve Report Letter comply in all material respects with the applicable requirements of Regulation S-X and Regulation S-K under the 1933 Act. Cawley Gillespie, whose report as of December 9, 2011 is attached as Appendix A to the Prospectus, was, as of the date of such report, and is, as of the date hereof, an independent petroleum engineer with respect to the Trust and the Company Entities.

(z) Subordination of Liens. As of the Closing Date and the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, except for Permitted Encumbrances, any and all liens or encumbrances on the Subject Interests will be subordinated to the Net Profits Interest and the Pre-Effective Time Payment and all future liens or encumbrances on the Subject Interests shall be subordinate and inferior to the Net Profits Interest and the Pre-Effective Time Payment.

(aa) Permits. The Company Entities possess such permits, licenses, approvals, consents and other authorizations (collectively, “ Governmental Licenses ”) issued by the appropriate federal, state, local or foreign regulatory agencies or bodies necessary to conduct the business now operated by them, except where the failure so to possess would not, singly or in the aggregate, result in a Company Material Adverse Effect; the Company Entities are in compliance with the terms and conditions of all such Governmental Licenses, except where the failure so to comply would not, singly or in the aggregate, result in a Company Material Adverse Effect; all of the Governmental Licenses are valid and in full force and effect, except when the invalidity of such Governmental Licenses or the failure of such Governmental Licenses to be in full force and effect would not, singly or in the aggregate, result in a Company Material Adverse Effect; and none of the Company Entities has received any written notice of proceedings relating to the revocation or modification of any such Governmental Licenses which, singly or in the aggregate, if the subject of an unfavorable decision, ruling or finding, would result in a Company Material Adverse Effect.

(bb) Books and Records. The Company (i) makes and keeps books, records and accounts, which, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of its assets and (ii) maintain a system of internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurances that (A) transactions are executed in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization; (B) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP and to maintain accountability for assets; (C) access to assets is permitted only in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization; and (D) the recorded accountability for assets is compared with the existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences.

 

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(cc) Environmental Compliance and Review. Except as described in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus and except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, result in a Company Material Adverse Effect or a Trust Material Adverse Effect, (i) none of the Company Entities is in violation of any federal, state, local or foreign statute, law, rule, regulation, ordinance, code, policy or rule of common law or any judicial or administrative interpretation thereof, including any judicial or administrative order, consent, decree or judgment, relating to pollution or protection of human health, the environment (including, without limitation, ambient air, surface water, groundwater, land surface or subsurface strata) or wildlife, including, without limitation, laws and regulations relating to the release or threatened release of chemicals, pollutants, contaminants, wastes, toxic substances, hazardous substances, petroleum or petroleum products, asbestos-containing materials or mold (collectively, “ Hazardous Materials ”) or to the manufacture, processing, distribution, use, treatment, storage, disposal, transport or handling of Hazardous Materials (collectively, “ Environmental Laws ”), (ii) the Company Entities have all permits, authorizations and approvals required under any applicable Environmental Laws and are each in compliance with their requirements, (iii) there are no pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened administrative, regulatory or judicial actions, suits, demands, demand letters, claims, liens, notices of noncompliance or violation, investigation or proceedings relating to any Environmental Law against the Company or any of its subsidiaries and (iv) there are no events or circumstances that would reasonably be expected to form the basis of an order for clean-up or remediation, or an action, suit or proceeding by any private party or governmental body or agency, against or affecting any of the Company Entities relating to Hazardous Materials or any Environmental Laws.

(dd) Intellectual Property. The Company Entities own or possess, or can acquire on reasonable terms, adequate patents, patent rights, licenses, inventions, copyrights, know how (including trade secrets and other unpatented and/or unpatentable proprietary or confidential information, systems or procedures), trademarks, service marks, trade names or other intellectual property (collectively, “ Intellectual Property ”) necessary to carry on the business now operated by them, and none of the Company Entities has received any written notice or is otherwise aware of any infringement of or conflict with asserted rights of others with respect to any Intellectual Property or of any facts or circumstances which would render any Intellectual Property invalid or inadequate to protect the interest of the Company Entities therein, and which infringement or conflict (if the subject of any unfavorable decision, ruling or finding) or invalidity or inadequacy, singly or in the aggregate, would result in a Company Material Adverse Effect or a Trust Material Adverse Effect.

(ee) FINRA Affiliations. No officer or director of the Company has a direct or indirect affiliation or association with any member of FINRA.

(ff) Insurance. Each of the Company Entities maintain insurance covering their properties, operations, personnel and businesses, including the Underlying Properties, that, in the Company’s reasonable judgment, insures against such losses and risks in amounts as are adequate in accordance with customary industry practices to protect the Company and its subsidiaries and their businesses and properties.

 

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(gg) Forward-Looking Statements and Supporting Information . The statements (including the assumptions described therein) included in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus under the headings “Prospectus Summary,” “Risk Factors,” “Projected Cash Distributions” and “The Underlying Properties” (i) are within the coverage of Rule 175(b) under the Act to the extent such data constitute forward looking statements as defined in Rule 175(c) and (ii) were made by the Company and the Trust with a reasonable basis and reflect the Company’s good faith estimate of the matters described therein.

(hh) Accuracy of Descriptions. The statements set forth in the Prospectus under the caption “Description of the Trust Units,” insofar as they purport to constitute a summary of the terms of the Trust Units, and the statements under the captions “The Trust,” “Computation of Net Proceeds,” “Description of the Trust Agreement,” “Description of the Trust Units,” “U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences,” “State Tax Considerations,” “ERISA Considerations” and “Underwriting,” fairly and accurately describe the provisions of the laws and documents referred to therein in all material respects.

(ii) Transfer Taxes. On the Closing Date and any Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, all stock transfer and other taxes that are required to be paid in connection with the sale of the Units to be sold by the Company to the Underwriters will have been fully paid by the Company and all laws imposing such taxes will have been complied with.

(jj) Anti-Corruption. None of the Company Entities nor, to the knowledge of the Company, any director, officer, agent, employee or affiliate of any Company Entity is aware of or has taken any action, directly or indirectly, that would result in a violation by such person of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder (the “ FCPA ”), including, without limitation, making use of the mails or any means or instrumentality of interstate commerce corruptly in furtherance of an offer, payment, promise to pay or authorization of the payment of any money, or other property, gift, promise to give, or authorization of the giving of anything of value to any “foreign official” (as such term is defined in the FCPA) or any foreign political party or official thereof or any candidate for foreign political office, in contravention of the FCPA; and each of the Company Entities and, to the knowledge of the Company, its affiliates have conducted their businesses in compliance with the FCPA.

(kk) Money Laundering Laws. Except as would not reasonably be expected to result in a Company Material Adverse Effect, the operations of the Company Entities are and have been conducted at all times in compliance with applicable financial recordkeeping and reporting requirements of the Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act of 1970, as amended, the money laundering statutes of all jurisdictions, the rules and regulations thereunder and any related or similar rules, regulations or guidelines, issued, administered or enforced by any governmental agency (collectively, the “ Money Laundering Laws ”) and no action, suit or proceeding by or before any court or governmental agency, authority or body or any arbitrator involving any of the Company Entities with respect to the Money Laundering Laws is pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened.

 

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(ll) Office of Foreign Assets Control. Neither of the Company Partiesnor, to the knowledge of the Company, any director, officer, agent, employee or affiliate of either any Company Entity is currently subject to any U.S. sanctions administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Treasure Department (“ OFAC ”).

(mm) No Labor Disputes. No labor dispute with the employees of either Company Party exists or, to the knowledge of the Company, is imminent, that will result in a Company Material Adverse Effect.

(nn) Private Placement. The sale and issuance of 18,400,000 Trust Units to WOGC pursuant to the Conveyance is exempt from the registration requirements of the Act and securities laws of any state having jurisdiction with respect thereto, and none of the Trust, the Company or WOGC has taken or will take any action that would cause the loss of such exemption. The Trust has not issued or sold any securities that would be integrated with the offering of the Units contemplated by this Agreement pursuant to the Act or the interpretations thereof by the Commission.

Any certificate signed by any officer of the Company or the Trust and delivered to the Representatives or to counsel for the Underwriters pursuant to this Agreement shall be deemed a representation and warranty by the Company or the Trust, as applicable, to each Underwriter as to the matters covered thereby.

7. Expenses . Whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby are consummated or this Agreement becomes effective or is terminated (except as set forth in clause (xi) below), the Company agrees to pay or cause to be paid the following: (i) the fees, disbursements and expenses of the Company’s counsel and accountants in connection with the registration of the Units under the Act and all other expenses in connection with the preparation, printing and filing of the Registration Statement and the Prospectus and amendments and supplements thereto and the mailing and delivering of copies thereof and of any Preliminary Prospectus to the Underwriters and dealers; (ii) the printing or reproduction and delivery (including postage, air freight charges and charges for counting and packaging) of such copies of the Registration Statement, Prospectus, each Preliminary Prospectus, the Time of Sale Information, any Blue Sky memoranda, the Master Agreement Among Underwriters, this Agreement and all amendments or supplements to any of them, as may be reasonably requested for use in connection with the offering and sale of the Units; (iii) consistent with the provisions of Section 5(s), all expenses in connection with the qualification of the Units for offering and sale under state securities laws or Blue Sky laws, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and out-of-pocket expenses of the counsel for the Underwriters in connection therewith (provided that counsel fees in connection therewith do not exceed $5,000); (iv) the filing fees incident to securing any required review by FINRA of the fairness of the terms of the sale of the Units; (v) the fees and expenses associated with listing the Units on the NYSE; (vi) the cost of preparing unit certificates, if any; (vii) the costs and charges of any transfer agent or registrar; (viii) the cost of the tax stamps, if any, in connection with the issuance and delivery of the Units to the respective Underwriters; (ix) all other fees, costs and expenses referred to in Item 13 of the Registration Statement; (x) the transportation, lodging, graphics and other expenses incidental to the Company’s preparation for and participation in the “roadshow” for the offering contemplated hereby; and (xi) if the proposed offering is completed, a structuring fee equal to $1,600,000 to Raymond James & Associates,

 

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Inc. for advisory services in connection with the evaluation, analysis and structuring of the Trust (plus an additional 0.50% of the aggregate public offering price of any Additional Units, such additional fee due only if the Additional Units are sold pursuant hereto). Except as provided in this Section 7 and in Section 8 hereof, the Underwriters shall pay their own expenses, including the fees and disbursements of their counsel. In addition, in the event that the proposed offering is terminated for the reasons set forth in Section 5(i) hereof, the Company agrees to reimburse the Underwriters as provided in Section 5(i).

8. Indemnification and Contribution . Subject to the limitations in this paragraph, the Company and the Trust agree, jointly and severally, to indemnify and hold harmless you and each other Underwriter, the directors, officers, employees and agents of each Underwriter, and each person, if any, who controls any Underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act and any “affiliate” (within the meaning of Rule 405 of the Act) of such Underwriter participating in the offering of the Units from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses, including reasonable costs of investigation and attorneys’ fees and expenses (collectively, “ Damages ”) arising out of or based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Preliminary Prospectus, in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or the Prospectus or in any amendment or supplement thereto, or any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein (in the case of the Preliminary Prospectus, the Time of Sale Information, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or the Prospectus, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made) not misleading, except to the extent that any such Damages arise out of or are based upon an untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission that has been made therein or omitted therefrom in reliance upon and in conformity with the information furnished in writing to the Company by or on behalf of any Underwriter expressly for use in connection therewith as set forth in Section 14 hereof; provided, however, that with respect to any untrue statement or omission made in any Preliminary Prospectus, the indemnity agreement contained in this paragraph shall not inure to the benefit of any Underwriter (or to the benefit of any person controlling such Underwriter or to any officer, director, employee or agent of any Underwriter or to any such affiliate) from whom the person asserting any such Damages purchased the Units concerned if both (A) a copy of the Time of Sale Information was not sent or given to such person at or prior to the written confirmation of the sale of such Units to such person as required by the Act and (B) the untrue statement or omission in the Preliminary Prospectus was corrected in the Time of Sale Information. This indemnification shall be in addition to any liability that the Company or the Trust may otherwise have.

In addition to their other obligations under this Section 8, the Company and Trust agree that, as an interim measure during the pendency of any claim, action, investigation, inquiry or other proceeding arising out of or based upon any statement or omission, or any inaccuracy in the representations and warranties of the Company or the Trust herein or failure to perform their respective obligations hereunder, all as set forth in this Section 8, the party against whom indemnification is being sought will reimburse each Underwriter on a monthly basis for all reasonable legal or other out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with investigating or defending any such claim, action, investigation, inquiry or other proceeding (to the extent documented by reasonably itemized invoices therefor), notwithstanding the absence of a judicial determination as to the propriety and enforceability of the obligation of the Company to

 

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reimburse each Underwriter for such expenses and the possibility that such payments might later be held to have been improper by a court of competent jurisdiction. To the extent that any such interim reimbursement payment is so held to have been improper, each Underwriter shall promptly return it to the person(s) from whom it was received.

If any action or claim shall be brought against any Underwriter or any person controlling any Underwriter in respect of which indemnity may be sought against the Company or Trust, such Underwriter or such controlling person or any affiliate (within the meaning of Rule 405 of the Act) of such Underwriter participating in the offering of the Units (each, an “ indemnified party ”) shall promptly notify in writing the party against whom indemnification is being sought (the “ indemnifying party ”), but failure to so notify an indemnifying party shall not relieve such indemnifying party from any liability hereunder to the extent it is not materially prejudiced as a result thereof and in any event shall not relieve it from any liability which it may have otherwise than on account of this Section 8, and such indemnifying party shall assume the defense thereof, including the employment of counsel reasonably acceptable to such Underwriter or such controlling person and the payment of all reasonable fees of and expenses incurred by such counsel. Such indemnified party shall have the right to employ separate counsel in any such action and participate in the defense thereof, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of such indemnified party, unless (i) the indemnifying party has agreed in writing to pay such fees and expenses, (ii) the indemnifying party has failed to assume the defense and employ counsel reasonably acceptable to the indemnified party or (iii) the named parties to any such action (including any impleaded parties) include both the indemnified party and the indemnifying party, and the indemnified party shall have been advised by its counsel that one or more legal defenses may be available to the indemnified party that may not be available to the Company, or that representation of such indemnified party and any indemnifying party by the same counsel would be inappropriate under applicable standards of professional conduct (whether or not such representation by the same counsel has been proposed) due to actual or potential differing interests between them (in which case the indemnifying party shall not have the right to assume the defense of such action on behalf of such indemnified party (but the Company and the Trust, as appropriate, shall not be liable for the fees and expenses of more than one counsel (in addition to any local counsel) for the indemnified party)). It is understood that the indemnifying party shall not, in respect of the legal expenses of the indemnified party in connection with any proceeding or related proceedings in the same jurisdiction, be liable for fees and expenses of more than one separate firm (in addition to any local counsel) for all indemnified parties. In the case of any such separate firm for an indemnified party, such firm shall be designated in writing by the Representatives. The indemnifying party shall not be liable for any settlement of any such action effected without its written consent, but if settled with such written consent, or if there be a final judgment for the plaintiff in any such action, the indemnifying party agrees to indemnify and hold harmless any indemnified party from and against any loss, claim, damage, liability or expense by reason of such settlement or judgment, but in the case of a judgment only to the extent stated in the first paragraph of this Section 8. If at any time any Underwriter shall have requested an indemnifying party to reimburse such Underwriter for fees and expenses of counsel, such indemnifying party agrees that it shall be liable for any settlement of the nature contemplated by this paragraph effected without its written consent if (i) such settlement is entered into 45 days after receipt by such indemnifying party of the aforesaid request, (ii) such indemnifying party shall have received notice of the terms of such settlement at least 30 days prior to such settlement being entered and (iii) such indemnifying party shall not have reimbursed such Underwriter in accordance with such request prior to the date of such settlement.

 

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Each Underwriter agrees, severally and not jointly, to indemnify and hold harmless the Trust, its trustees, the Company, its directors or its officers who sign the Registration Statement and any person who controls the Company or the Trust within the meaning of Section 15 of the Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act, to the same extent as the foregoing several indemnity from the Company and the Trust to each Underwriter, but only with respect to information furnished in writing by or on behalf of such Underwriter expressly for use in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus, the Time of Sale Information, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or any Preliminary Prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto, which such information is specified in Section 14. If any action or claim shall be brought or asserted against the Trust, its trustees, the Company, any of its directors, any of its officers, or any such controlling person based on the Registration Statement, the Prospectus, the Time of Sale Information or any Preliminary Prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto, and in respect of which indemnity may be sought against any Underwriter pursuant to this paragraph, such Underwriter shall have the rights and duties given to the Company and the Trust by the immediately preceding paragraph (except that if the Trust, its trustees or the Company shall have assumed the defense thereof such Underwriter shall not be required to do so, but may employ separate counsel therein and participate in the defense thereof, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at such Underwriter’s expense), and the Trust, its trustees, the Company, its directors or its officers and any such controlling persons, shall have the rights and duties given to the Underwriters by the immediately preceding and following paragraph.

In any event, the Company and the Trust will not, without the prior written consent of the Representatives, settle, compromise or consent to the entry of any judgment in any proceeding or threatened claim, action, suit or proceeding in respect of which the indemnification may be sought hereunder (whether or not the Representatives or any person who controls any Representative within the meaning of Section 15 of the Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act is a party to such claim, action, suit or proceeding) unless such settlement, compromise or consent includes an unconditional release of all Underwriters and such controlling persons from all liability arising out of such claim, action, suit or proceeding and does not include a statement as to or an admission of fault, culpability or a failure to act by or on behalf of any Underwriter or such controlling persons.

If the indemnification provided for in this Section 8 is unavailable or insufficient for any reason whatsoever to an indemnified party in respect of any Damages referred to herein, then an indemnifying party, in lieu of indemnifying such indemnified party, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified party as a result of such Damages (i) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Company and the Trust, respectively, on the one hand, and the Underwriters, on the other hand, from the offering and sale of the Units or (ii) if the allocation provided by clause (i) above is not permitted by applicable law, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits referred to in clause (i) above but also the relative and several fault of the Company and the Trust, respectively, on the one hand, and the Underwriters, on the other hand, in connection with the statements or omissions that resulted in such Damages as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative and several benefits received by the Company and the Trust,

 

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respectively, on the one hand, and the Underwriters, on the other hand, shall be deemed to be in the same proportion as the total net proceeds from the offering (before deducting expenses) received by the Company and the Trust, as the case may be, bear to the total underwriting discounts and commissions received by the Underwriters, in each case as set forth in the table on the cover page of the Prospectus (and the relative benefits received by the Trust shall be deemed to be $0); provided that, in the event that the Underwriters shall have purchased any Additional Units hereunder, any determination of the relative benefits received by the Company and the Trust or the Underwriters from the offering of the Units shall include the net proceeds (before deducting expenses) received by the Company and the Trust, and the underwriting discounts and commissions received by the Underwriters, from the sale of such Additional Units, in each case computed on the basis of the respective amounts set forth in the second table in the section of the Prospectus entitled “Underwriting.” The relative fault of the Company and the Trust, respectively, on the one hand, and the Underwriters on the other hand, shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Company or the Trust, on the one hand, or by the Underwriters, on the other hand and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission.

The Company, the Trust and the Underwriters agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 8 was determined by a pro rata allocation (even if the Underwriters were treated as one entity for such purpose) or by any other method of allocation that does not take into account the equitable considerations referred to in the immediately preceding paragraph. The amount paid or payable by an indemnified party as a result of the Damages referred to in the immediately preceding paragraph shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth above, any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in connection with investigating or defending any such action or claim. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 8, no Underwriter shall be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount of the underwriting commissions received by such underwriter in connection with the Units underwritten by it and distributed to the public. No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. The Underwriters’ obligations to contribute pursuant to this Section 8 are several in proportion to the respective numbers of Firm Units set forth opposite their names in Schedule I hereto (or such numbers of Firm Units increased as set forth in Section 12 hereof) and not joint.

Notwithstanding the second paragraph of this Section 8, any Damages for which an indemnified party is entitled to indemnification or contribution under this Section 8 shall be paid by the indemnifying party to the indemnified party as Damages are incurred after receipt of reasonably itemized invoices therefor. The indemnity, contribution and reimbursement agreements contained in this Section 8 and the representations and warranties of the Company and the Trust set forth in this Agreement shall remain operative and in full force and effect, regardless of (i) any investigation made by or on behalf of any Underwriter or any person controlling any Underwriter, the Company, its directors, its officers or any person controlling the Company, (ii) acceptance of any Units and payment therefor hereunder and (iii) any termination of this Agreement. A successor to any Underwriter or any person controlling any Underwriter,

 

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or to the Company, its directors, its officers or any person controlling the Company, shall be entitled to the benefits of the indemnity, contribution and reimbursement agreements contained in this Section 8.

9. Conditions of Underwriters’ Obligations . The several obligations of the Underwriters to purchase the Firm Units hereunder are subject to the following conditions:

(a) The Registration Statement shall have become effective not later than 4:00 p.m., St. Petersburg, Florida time, on the date hereof, or at such later date and time as shall be consented to in writing by the Representatives, and all filings required by Rules 424(b), 430A and 462 under the Act shall have been timely made.

(b) All corporate proceedings and other legal matters incident to the authorization, form and validity of this Agreement, the Organizational Trust Agreement, the Trust Agreement, the Administrative Services Agreement, the Conveyance, the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus, and all other legal matters relating to this Agreement and the Transactions and any other transactions contemplated hereby shall be reasonably satisfactory in all material respects to counsel for the Underwriters, and the Company shall have furnished to such counsel all documents and information that they may reasonably request to enable them to pass upon such matters.

(c) You shall be reasonably satisfied that since the respective dates as of which information is given in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information and Prospectus, (i) except as set forth or contemplated by the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus, there shall not have been any change in the Trust Units or any material change in the indebtedness (other than in the ordinary course of business) of the Company or the Trust, (ii) except as set forth or contemplated by the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus, no material oral or written agreement or other transaction shall have been entered into by the Company or the Trust that is not in the ordinary course of business or by the Company or the Trust that could reasonably be expected to result in a material reduction in the future earnings of the Trust, (iii) no loss or damage (whether or not insured) to the property of the Company shall have been sustained that had or could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect or have a material adverse effect on the Subject Interests, (iv) no legal or governmental action, suit or proceeding affecting the Company or the Trust or any of its properties that could reasonably be expected to result in a Company Material Adverse Effect or a Trust Material Adverse Affect or that affects or could reasonably be expected to affect the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall have been instituted or threatened and (v) there shall not have been any material change in the condition (financial or otherwise), business, management, results of operations or business prospects of any of the Company Parties or the Trust that makes it impractical or inadvisable in your judgment to proceed with the public offering or purchase of the Units as contemplated hereby.

 

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(d) You shall have received on the Closing Date (and the Additional Closing Date, if any) an opinion of Richards, Layton & Finger, P.A., special Delaware counsel to the Trust, substantially to the effect that:

(i) The Trust has been duly created and is validly existing in good standing as a statutory trust under the Delaware Statutory Trust Act, 12 Del. C. § 3801 et seq. (the “ DST Act ”), and all filings required under the laws of the State of Delaware with respect to the creation and valid existence of the Trust as a statutory trust have been made.

(ii) Under the DST Act and the Trust Agreement, the Trust has the trust power and authority to own property and conduct its business, all as described in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus.

(iii) Under the DST Act and the Trust Agreement, the Trust has the trust power and authority to (a) execute and deliver, and to perform its obligations under, the Underwriting Agreement and (b) issue the Trust Units and perform its obligations with respect thereto.

(iv) The Trust Agreement is a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company and the Trustees, and is enforceable against the Company and the Trustees, in accordance with its terms.

(v) The Trust Units have been duly authorized for issuance by the Trust Agreement and, upon (i) each Person to whom a Trust Unit is to be issued by the Trust (collectively, the “ Trust Unit Holders ”) having been issued such Trust Unit and paid for the Trust Unit acquired by it, in accordance with the Trust Agreement and the Registration Statement, and (ii) the Trust Units having been issued and sold to the Trust Unit Holders in accordance with the Trust Agreement and the Registration Statement, the Trust Units will constitute valid and, subject to the qualifications set forth in paragraph (vi) below, fully paid and nonassessable undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust.

(vi) Neither the execution, delivery and performance by the Trust of the Underwriting Agreement and the issuance of the Trust Units, nor the consummation by the Trust of any of the Transactions, requires the consent or approval of, the withholding of objection on the part of, the giving of notice to, the filing, registration or qualification with, or the taking of any other action in respect of, any governmental authority or agency of the State of Delaware, other than the filing of the Certificate of Trust with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware pursuant to the Trust Agreement.

(vii) The Trust Unit Holders, as beneficial owners of the Trust, are entitled to the same limitation of personal liability extended to stockholders of private corporations for profit organized under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware. We note that the Trust Unit Holders may be obligated to make payments as set forth in the Trust Agreement.

In rendering such opinion, counsel may rely, to the extent they deem such reliance proper, as to matters of fact upon certificates of officers of the Company and of government officials, provided that counsel shall state their belief that they and you are justified in relying thereon. Copies of all such certificates shall be furnished to you and your counsel on the Closing Date and the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be.

 

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(e) You shall have received on the Closing Date (and the Additional Closing Date, if any) an opinion of Foley & Lardner LLP, counsel to the Company and WOGC, substantially to the effect that:

(i) The Company has been duly incorporated and is validly existing as a corporation in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware.

(ii) The Company is duly qualified as a foreign corporation to transact business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which such qualification is required, whether by reason of the ownership or leasing of property or the conduct of business, except where the failure so to qualify or to be in good standing would not result in a Company Material Adverse Effect or a Trust Material Adverse Effect.

(iii) The Company has corporate power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and to conduct its business as described in the Prospectus and to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement.

(iv) WOGC has all requisite corporate power and authority to enter into the Organizational Trust Agreement, the Trust Agreement and the Administrative Services Agreement. Each of the Organizational Trust Agreement, the Trust Agreement and the Administrative Services Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by WOGC. Each of the Organizational Trust Agreement, the Trust Agreement and the Administrative Services Agreement is a valid and binding agreement of WOGC, enforceable against WOGC in accordance with its terms, except as to the extent enforceability may be limited by (A) the application of bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency (including, without limitation, all laws relating to fraudulent transfers), moratorium or other laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally and (B) equitable principles being applied at the discretion of a court before which any proceeding may be brought (regardless of whether enforcement is considered in a proceeding at equity or law), and except as rights to indemnity and contribution thereunder may be limited by federal or state securities laws, as to which we express no opinion.

(v) The Conveyance has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by WOGC.

(vi) The Company has duly authorized the sale of the Units to be sold by the Company to the Underwriters pursuant to this Agreement.

(vii) This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company.

(viii) No filing with, or authorization, approval, consent, license, registration, qualification or decree of, any domestic court or regulatory body,

 

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administrative agency or other governmental body, agency or official having jurisdiction over the Company or any of its properties (together, the “ Consents ”) is required on the part of the Company for the valid sale of the Units to the Underwriters under this Agreement, the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement, the Organizational Trust Agreement, the Trust Agreement or the Administrative Services Agreement or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, except for such Consents (i) as required under the Act or the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder and state securities or “Blue Sky” laws or under the rules and regulations of FINRA, as to which such counsel need not express an opinion, (ii) which have been, or prior to the Closing Date will be, obtained, or (iii) which, if not obtained, would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Company Material Adverse Effect or a Trust Material Adverse Effect.

(ix) None of (i) the offer, sale or delivery of the Units by the Company, (ii) the execution, delivery or performance by the Company of this Agreement, the Organizational Trust Agreement, the Trust Agreement or the Administrative Services Agreement, or (iii) the consummation by the Company of the Transactions, (A) constitutes or will constitute a breach of, or a default under, any agreement identified in Schedule I to this opinion or (B) violates or will result in any violation of the laws of any state or federal law having jurisdiction over the Company or any of its properties, except in all cases for any breach, default or violation that would not reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect; provided, however, that for purposes of this Section 9(e)(ix), such counsel need not express any opinion with respect to federal or state securities laws or other antifraud laws.

(x) To such counsel’s knowledge, there is no agreement, contract, indenture, lease or other instrument to which the Company or the Trust is a party that is required to be described in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus or to be filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement that is not described or filed as required by the Securities Act.

(xi) The Registration Statement has been declared effective by the Commission under the Act. To the knowledge of such counsel, no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement has been issued under the Act and no proceedings for such purpose have been instituted or are pending by the Commission. Any required filing of the Prospectus and any supplement thereto pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Act has been made in the manner and within the time period required by such Rule 424(b).

(xii) The Registration Statement, including any Rule 462 Registration Statement, the Prospectus and each amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, as of their respective effective or issue dates (except for the financial statements and notes and the schedules thereto and the auditor’s report thereon, the oil and gas reserve data and the other financial, statistical and accounting data included therein or in exhibits to or excluded from the Registration Statement, as to which such counsel need not express any opinion) each appeared on its face appropriately responsive in all material respects to the requirements of the Act.

 

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(xiii) The Company’s Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K and other documents and exhibits filed pursuant to the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference into the Registration Statement, including any Rule 462 Registration Statement, the Prospectus and each amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement and the Prospectus (except for the financial statements and notes and the schedules thereto and the auditor’s reports thereon, the oil and gas reserve data and the other financial, statistical and accounting data included therein or in exhibits to or excluded from such documents, as to which such counsel need not express any opinion) each appeared on its face to comply as to form in all material respects with the requirements of the Exchange Act.

(xiv) Neither the Company nor the Trust is an “investment company” as such term is defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

(xv) The Units have been approved for listing on the New York Stock Exchange.

(xvi) The statements (A) in the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus under the captions “The Trust,” “Computation of Net Proceeds,” “Description of the Trust Agreement,” “Description of the Trust Units,” “Federal Income Tax Considerations” and “ERISA Considerations” and (B) in Item 14 of the Registration Statement, insofar as such statements constitute a description of contracts or legal proceedings or refer to statements of law or legal conclusions, have been reviewed by such counsel and are accurate descriptions in all material respects of the legal matters described therein.

(xvii) Assuming the sale of the Additional Units by the Company as described in the Prospectus, the Additional Units are fungible, for federal income tax purposes, with the Firm Units.

(xviii) Upon the registration by American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC (acting as transfer agent for the Trust) (the “ Transfer Agent ”) of the Firm Units in the name of Cede & Co. (as nominee for DTC) as the owner of such Firm Units, the crediting by DTC (acting in its capacity as a “securities intermediary” within the meaning of Section 8-102(a)(14) of the Uniform Commercial Code of the State of New York (the “ NYUCC ”)) by means of book entry of the Firm Units to the securities accounts (within the meaning of Section 8-501(a) of the NYUCC) of the Underwriters maintained with DTC (the “ Securities Accounts ”), and the payment of the purchase price for the Firm Units pursuant to this Agreement, and assuming that neither DTC nor any Underwriter has “notice of an adverse claim” (within the meaning of Section 8-105 of the NYUCC), each of the Underwriters will acquire a valid “security entitlement” (within the meaning of Section 8-102(a)(17) of the NYUCC) to the Firm Units so credited to such Underwriter’s Securities Account, free of any “adverse claim” (within the meaning of Section 8-102(a)(1) of the NYUCC) to the securities underlying such security entitlement, whether framed in conversion, replevin, constructive trust, equitable lien, or other theory.

 

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(xix) Upon the registration by the Transfer Agent of the Additional Units in the name of Cede & Co. (as nominee for DTC) as the owner of such Additional Units, the crediting by DTC (acting in its capacity as a “securities intermediary” within the meaning of Section 8-102(a)(14) of the NYUCC) by means of book entry of the Additional Units to the Securities Accounts, and the payment of the purchase price for the Additional Units pursuant to this Agreement, and assuming that neither DTC nor any Underwriter has “notice of an adverse claim” (within the meaning of Section 8-105 of the NYUCC), each of the Underwriters will acquire a valid “security entitlement” (within the meaning of Section 8-102(a)(17) of the NYUCC) to the Additional Units so credited to such Underwriter’s Securities Account, free of any “adverse claim” (within the meaning of Section 8-102(a)(1) of the NYUCC) to the securities underlying such security entitlement, whether framed in conversion, replevin, constructive trust, equitable lien, or other theory.

In rendering such opinion, counsel may rely, to the extent they deem such reliance proper, as to matters of fact upon certificates of officers of the Company and of government officials, provided that counsel shall state their belief that they and you are justified in relying thereon. Copies of all such certificates shall be furnished to you and your counsel on the Closing Date and the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be. In rendering such opinion, counsel may, as to all matters governed by laws of jurisdictions other than the laws of the States of New York and Wisconsin, the federal law of the United States and the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, assume that the applicable laws of such other jurisdictions are identical in all relevant respects to the substantive laws of the State of Wisconsin.

In addition to the opinion set forth above, such counsel shall provide a separate letter stating that such counsel has participated in conferences with officers and employees of the Company, with representatives of the independent registered public accounting firm and independent engineering firm of the Company, and with representatives of and counsel for the Underwriters, at which the contents of the Registration Statement and the Prospectus were discussed, and although such counsel did not independently verify such information, and is not passing upon and does not assume any responsibility for, the accuracy, completeness or fairness of the statements contained in the Registration Statement or Prospectus (except to the extent set forth in paragraph (xvi) above), on the basis of the foregoing, no facts have come to such counsel’s attention that lead such counsel to believe that (i) the Registration Statement (except for the financial statements and schedules, the notes thereto and the auditors’ reports thereon, the oil and gas reserve data, the other financial, statistical and accounting data included therein or omitted therefrom and the exhibits thereto, as to which such counsel has not been asked to comment), as of the Effective Date, contained an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, (ii) the Time of Sale Information (except for the financial statements and schedules, the notes thereto and the auditors’ reports thereon, the oil and gas reserve data, the other financial, statistical and accounting data included therein or omitted therefrom and the exhibits thereto, as to which such counsel has not been asked to comment), as of the Time of Sale, contained an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be

 

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stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading and (iii) the Prospectus (except for the financial statements and schedules, the notes thereto and the auditors’ reports thereon, the oil and gas reserve data, the other financial, statistical and accounting data included therein or omitted therefrom and the exhibits thereto, as to which such counsel has not been asked to comment), as of its issue date and as of the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, contained or contains an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted or omits to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

(f) You shall have received on the Closing Date (and the Additional Closing Date, if any) an opinion from each of Holland & Hart LLP, Butler, Snow, O’Mara, Stevens & Canada PLLC, Modrall, Sperling, Roehl, Harris & Sisk, P.A., Crowley Fleck, PLL and Cotton Bledsoe Tighe & Dawson, P.C. local counsel to the Company in the state listed opposite such counsel’s name on Schedule V, substantially to the effect that:

(i) The form of the Conveyance to be filed is adequate and sufficient under the laws of the applicable state or states to transfer title to the Net Profits Interest and the Pre-Effective Time Payment to the Trust and complies with the laws of the applicable state relating to recording, filing and registration laws and regulations; the recording of the Conveyance in the appropriate real property records in each county in the applicable state where the Subject Interests are located is sufficient to provide the Trust the protections afforded under the recordation laws of the applicable state against purchasers or creditors of the Company subsequently acquiring interests in the Subject Interests, and such purchasers and creditors of the Company will be deemed to purchase with notice of, and subject to, such Net Profits Interest and Pre-Effective Time Payment and the Conveyance and the related Net Profits Interest and Pre-Effective Time Payment should not constitute executory contracts as such term is used in the federal bankruptcy code; the Company is not required to make any recordings or filings of the Conveyance under the laws of the applicable state other than those recordings or filings described in the immediately preceding clause.

(ii) Neither the Trust nor the Trustee is required to qualify to transact business or appoint an agent for service of process in the applicable state as a result of the ownership, operation or activities of the Trust or the Trustee with respect to the Trust, and the activities of the Trustee pursuant to the Trust Agreement will not require the appointment of an ancillary trustee in the applicable state.

(iii) A beneficial owner of a Trust Unit will not be subject to personal liability under state and local laws in the applicable state or states by virtue of said ownership, including liability regulating the discharge of materials into the environment or otherwise relating to the protection of the environment.

(iv) The execution, delivery and performance by the Trustee of the Trust Agreement will not violate or conflict with any law, administrative ruling or regulation of the applicable state.

 

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(v) No consent, approval, authorization or filing is required under any law, rule or regulation of the applicable state (A) to permit the Trustee to act as trustee with respect to the Net Profits Interest and the Pre-Effective Time Payment or (B) in connection with the execution and delivery of the Conveyance, or is necessary to ensure the validity, legality or enforceability of the Conveyance.

In rendering such opinion, counsel may rely, to the extent they deem such reliance proper, as to matters of fact upon certificates of officers of the Company and of government officials, provided that counsel shall state their belief that they and you are justified in relying thereon. Copies of all such certificates shall be furnished to you and your counsel on the Closing Date and the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be.

(g) You shall have received on the Closing Date (and the Additional Closing Date, if any) an opinion from Holland & Hart LLP substantially to the effect that, assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery thereof by WOGC and the Trustee, the Conveyance is a valid and legally binding agreement of WOGC, enforceable against WOGC in accordance with its terms, except as to the extent enforceability may be limited by (A) the application of bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency (including, without limitation, all laws relating to fraudulent transfers), moratorium or other laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally and (B) equitable principles being applied at the discretion of a court before which any proceeding may be brought (regardless of whether enforcement is considered in a proceeding at equity or law), and except as rights to indemnity and contribution thereunder may be limited by federal or state securities laws, as to which such counsel may express no opinion.

(h) You shall have received on the Closing Date (and the Additional Closing Date, if any) an opinion of Bruce R. DeBoer, Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary of the Company, substantially to the effect that:

(i) Each Subsidiary has been duly incorporated and is validly existing as a corporation in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation, has corporate power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and to conduct its business as described in the Prospectus and is duly qualified as a foreign corporation to transact business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which such qualification is required, whether by reason of the ownership or leasing of property or the conduct of business, except where the failure so to qualify or to be in good standing would not result in a Material Adverse Effect. Except as otherwise disclosed in the Registration Statement, all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of each Subsidiary has been duly authorized and validly issued, is fully paid and nonassessable and, to the best of such counsel’s knowledge, is owned by the Company, directly or through subsidiaries, free and clear of any security interest, mortgage, pledge, lien, encumbrance, claim or equity; and, to the best of such counsel’s knowledge, none of the outstanding shares of capital stock of any Subsidiary was issued in violation of the preemptive or similar rights of any securityholder of such Subsidiary.

(ii) To the best of such counsel’s knowledge, there is not pending or threatened any action, suit, proceeding, inquiry or investigation, to which the Company or any subsidiary of the Company is a party, or to which the property of the Company or

 

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any subsidiary of the Company is subject, before or brought by any domestic court or governmental agency or body, which would reasonably be expected to result in a Company Material Adverse Effect, or which would reasonably be expected to materially and adversely affect the properties or assets thereof or the consummation of the transactions contemplated in this Agreement or the performance by the Company or the Trust of their respective obligations hereunder.

(iii) All descriptions in the Registration Statement of contracts and other documents to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries are a party are, to the best of such counsel’s knowledge, accurate in all material respects; to the best of such counsel’s knowledge, there are no franchises, contracts, indentures, mortgages, loan agreements, notes, leases or other instruments required to be described or referred to in the Registration Statement or to be filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement other than those described or referred to therein or filed as exhibits thereto.

(iv) The information in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 as filed with the Commission on February 23, 2012 under “Business—Title to Properties” and “Legal Proceedings,” to the extent that it constitutes matters of law, summaries of legal matters or legal proceedings, or legal conclusions, has been reviewed by me and is correct in all material respects.

(v) The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement, the Organizational Trust Agreement, the Conveyance, the Trust Agreement or the Administrative Services Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated in this Agreement and in the Registration Statement (including the offering, issuance and sale of the Units pursuant to this Agreement) and compliance by the Company with its obligations under this Agreement do not and will not, whether with or without the giving of notice or lapse of time or both, conflict with or constitute a breach of, or default or Debt Repayment Triggering Event under or result in the creation or imposition of any lien, charge or encumbrance upon any property or assets of the Company or any subsidiary of the Company pursuant to any contract, indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan or credit agreement, note, lease or any other agreement or instrument, known to me, to which the Company or any subsidiary of the Company is a party or by which it or any of them may be bound, or to which any of the property or assets of the Company or any subsidiary of the Company is subject (except for such conflicts, breaches, defaults or Debt Repayment Triggering Events or liens, charges or encumbrances that would not have a Company Material Adverse Effect).

In rendering such opinion, such counsel may rely, as to matters of fact (but not as to legal conclusions), to the extent he deems proper, on certificates of responsible officers of the Company and public officials. In giving such opinion such counsel may, as to all matters governed by the laws of jurisdictions other than the law of the State of Colorado, the federal law of the United States, and the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, assume that the applicable laws of such other jurisdictions are identical in all relevant respects to the substantive laws of the State of Colorado. Such opinion shall not state that it is to be governed or qualified by, or that it is otherwise subject to, any treatise, written policy or other document relating to legal opinions, including, without limitation, the Legal Opinion Accord of the ABA Section of Business Law (1991).

 

40


(i) You shall have received on the Closing Date or Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, an opinion of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P., as counsel for the Underwriters, dated the Closing Date or Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, with respect to the sale of the Units, the Registration Statement and other related matters as you may reasonably request, and the Company and its counsel shall have furnished to your counsel such documents as they may reasonably request for the purpose of enabling them to pass upon such matters.

(j) You shall have received on the Closing Date or Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, a certificate of the Trustee, dated the Closing Date or Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, executed by a duly authorized officer of the Trustee, representing and warranting to each of the Underwriters that:

(i) The Trustee is a national banking association authorized and empowered to act as trustee of the Trust pursuant to the Trust Agreement, and no consent, approval, authorization or filing is required under any law, rule or regulation of the State of Delaware or of the United States of America in order to permit the Trustee to act as trustee of the Trust;

(ii) The representations and warranties of the Trust contained in this Agreement are true and correct as of such Closing Date or Additional Closing Date;

(iii) The Trust Agreement has been executed and delivered by the Trustee and, assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery thereof by WOGC and the Delaware Trustee, is a valid and binding obligation of the Trustee, enforceable against the Trustee in accordance with its terms, except as the enforceability thereof may be limited by (A) the application of bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, moratorium or other laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and (B) by general principles of equity (regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law); and the Operative Agreements to which the Trust is a party have been duly and validly executed by the Trustee;

(iv) There are 18,400,000 Trust Units authorized and outstanding under the Trust Agreement, all of which have been duly and validly issued in accordance with the Trust Agreement; and holders of the Trust Units are entitled to the benefits of the Trust Agreement;

(v) The Trust has complied with all of the agreements and satisfied all of the conditions on the part of the Trust to be performed or satisfied hereunder on or before such Closing Date or Additional Closing Date; and

(vi) No order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or the qualification or registration of the Units under the securities or Blue Sky laws of any jurisdiction shall be in effect and no proceeding for such purpose shall be pending or, to the knowledge of the Trust, threatened or contemplated by the authorities of any jurisdiction.

 

41


(k) You shall have received letters addressed to you and dated the date hereof and the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, from the firm of Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent certified public accountants, substantially in the forms heretofore approved by you, concerning statements and information of the type ordinarily included in accountants’ “comfort letters” to underwriters with respect to the financial statements and certain financial information contained in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus; provided that the letter delivered on the date hereof shall use a “cut off date” within three business days of the date hereof and each letter delivered on the Closing Date or any Additional Closing Date shall use a “cut off date” within two business days of such date.

(l) (i) No stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement shall have been issued by the Commission and no proceedings for that purpose shall be pending or, to the knowledge of the Company or the Trust, shall be threatened or contemplated by the Commission at or prior to the Closing Date or Additional Closing Date, as the case may be; (ii) no order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or the qualification or registration of the Units under the securities or Blue Sky laws of any jurisdiction shall be in effect and no proceeding for such purpose shall be pending or, to the knowledge of the Company or the Trust, threatened or contemplated by the authorities of any jurisdiction; (iii) any request for additional information on the part of the staff of the Commission or any such authorities shall have been complied with to the satisfaction of the staff of the Commission or such authorities; (iv) after the date hereof, no amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement or the Prospectus or any Free Writing Prospectus shall have been filed unless a copy thereof was first submitted to you and you did not object thereto in good faith; (v) all of the representations and warranties of the Company and the Trust contained in this Agreement shall be true and correct in all material respects (except for such representations and warranties qualified by materiality, which representations and warranties shall be true and correct in all respects) on and as of the date hereof and on and as of the Closing Date or Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, as if made on and as of the Closing Date or Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, and you shall have received a certificate, dated the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, and signed by the chief executive officer and the chief financial officer of the Company (or such other officers as are acceptable to you) to the effect set forth in this Section 9(l) and in Sections 9(c) and 9(m) hereof.

(m) Neither the Company nor the Trust shall have failed in any material respect at or prior to the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, to have performed or complied with any of its agreements herein contained and required to be performed or complied with by it hereunder at or prior to the Closing Date or Additional Closing Date, as the case may be.

(n) At or prior to the effective date of the Registration Statement, you shall have received a letter from the Corporate Financing Department of FINRA confirming that such Department has determined to raise no objections with respect to the fairness or reasonableness of the underwriting terms and arrangements of the offering contemplated hereby.

(o) You shall have received letters addressed to you and dated the date hereof and the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, from Cawley Gillespie stating the conclusions and findings of such firm with respect to oil and gas reserves of the Company relating to the Subject Interests, substantially in the form approved by you.

 

42


All such opinions, certificates, letters and other documents will be in compliance with the provisions hereof only if they are reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to you and your counsel.

The several obligations of the Underwriters to purchase Additional Units hereunder are subject to the satisfaction on and as of the Additional Closing Date of the conditions set forth in this Section 9, except that, if the Additional Closing Date is other than the Closing Date, the certificates, opinions and letters referred to in this Section 9 shall be dated as of the Additional Closing Date, the opinions called for by paragraph (f) that were delivered on the Closing Date shall contemplate and cover such Additional Units and the opinions called for by paragraphs (d), (e) and (g) shall be revised to reflect the sale of Additional Units. In addition, the several obligations of the Underwriters to purchase Additional Units hereunder are subject to the receipt of certificates dated the Additional Closing Date from the Company and the Trust to the effect that, as of the Additional Closing Date: (i) the representations and warranties made by the Company and the Trust herein are true and correct in all material respects and (ii) the Company and the Trust have complied with all obligations and satisfied all conditions that are required to be performed or satisfied on its part at or prior to the Additional Closing Date.

If any of the conditions hereinabove provided for in this Section 9 shall not have been satisfied when and as required by this Agreement, this Agreement may be terminated by you by notifying the Company of such termination in writing at or prior to such Closing Date, but you shall be entitled to waive any of such conditions.

10. Effective Date of Agreement . This Agreement shall become effective upon the later of (a) the execution and delivery hereof by the parties hereto and (b) release of notification of the effectiveness of the Registration Statement by the Commission; provided, however, that the provisions of Sections 7 and 8 shall at all times be effective.

11. Use of Free Writing Prospectus . Each Underwriter severally covenants with the Company that it has not made and will not make any offer relating to the Units that would constitute a “free writing prospectus,” as defined in Rule 405 under the Act, required to be filed with the Commission without the consent of the Company, not to be unreasonably withheld, other than any such offer included in an Issuer Free Writing Prospectus. The Company and the Trust covenant with the Underwriters that they have not made and will not make any offer relating to the Units that would constitute a “free writing prospectus,” as defined in Rule 405 under the Act, required to be filed with the Commission without the consent of the Representatives, not to be unreasonably withheld, other than any such offer included in an Issuer Free Writing Prospectus included in the Time of Sale Information.

12. Defaulting Underwriters . If any one or more of the Underwriters shall fail or refuse to purchase Firm Units that it or they have agreed to purchase hereunder, and the aggregate number of Firm Units that such defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters agreed but failed or refused to purchase is not more than one-tenth of the aggregate number of the Firm Units, each non-defaulting Underwriter shall be obligated, severally, in the proportion in which

 

43


the number of Firm Units set forth opposite its name in Schedule I hereto bears to the aggregate number of Firm Units set forth opposite the names of all non-defaulting Underwriters or in such other proportion as you may specify in the Agreement Among Underwriters, to purchase the Firm Units that such defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters agreed, but failed or refused to purchase. If any Underwriter or Underwriters shall fail or refuse to purchase Firm Units and the aggregate number of Firm Units with respect to which such default occurs is more than one-tenth of the aggregate number of Firm Units and arrangements satisfactory to you and the Company for the purchase of such Firm Units are not made within 48 hours after such default, this Agreement will terminate without liability on the part of any non-defaulting Underwriter or the Company. In any such case that does not result in termination of this Agreement, either you or the Company shall have the right to postpone the Closing Date, but in no event for longer than seven (7) days, in order that the required changes, if any, in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus or any other documents or arrangements may be effected. Any action taken under this paragraph shall not relieve any defaulting Underwriter from liability in respect of any such default of any such Underwriter under this Agreement.

13. Termination of Agreement . The Representatives may terminate this Agreement, by notice to the Company, at any time at or prior to Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date (if different from the Closing Date and then only as to the Additional Units) (i) if there has been, since the time of execution of this Agreement or since the respective dates as of which information is given in the Prospectus (exclusive of any amendment or supplement thereto subsequent to the date of this Agreement) or the Time of Sale Information, any material adverse change in the condition, financial or otherwise, or in the earnings, business affairs or business prospects of the Company Entities considered as one enterprise, whether or not arising in the ordinary course of business, or (ii) if there has occurred after the date hereof and prior to the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as applicable, any material adverse change in the financial markets in the United States or the international financial markets, any outbreak of hostilities or escalation thereof or other calamity or crisis or any change or development involving a prospective change in national or international political, financial or economic conditions, in each case the effect of which is such as to make it, in the reasonable judgment of the Representatives, impracticable or inadvisable to market the Units or to enforce contracts for the sale of the Units, or (iii) if trading in any securities of the Company has been suspended or materially limited by the Commission or the New York Stock Exchange, or if trading generally on the American Stock Exchange or the New York Stock Exchange or in the Nasdaq Stock Market has been suspended or materially limited, or minimum or maximum prices for trading have been fixed, or maximum ranges for prices have been required, by any of said exchanges or by such system or by order of the Commission, FINRA or any other governmental authority, or (iv) if a material disruption has occurred in commercial banking or securities settlement or clearance services in the United States, or (v) if a general moratorium on commercial banking has been declared by either federal or New York authorities, or (vi) if S&P and/or Moody’s downgrades or announces a potential downgrade or a review for possible ratings changes in any of the Company’s outstanding debt.

14. Information Furnished by the Underwriters . The Company and the Trust acknowledge that (i) the list of Underwriters and their respective participation in the sale of Units, (ii) the first and second sentences of the fourth paragraph, (iii) the twelfth through seventeeth paragraphs, the nineteenth paragraph and the twenty-second paragraph, each under

 

44


the caption “Underwriting” in the most recent Preliminary Prospectus, constitute the only information furnished by or on behalf of the Underwriters through you or on your behalf as such information is referred to in Sections 6.1(d), 6.1(e), 6.1(f) and 6.1(g) and 8 hereof.

15. Miscellaneous . Notice given pursuant to any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be delivered:

 

  (i) to the Company

Whiting Petroleum Corporation

1700 Broadway, Suite 2300

Denver, Colorado 80290-2300

Attention: Chief Financial Officer

with a copy to

Foley & Lardner LLP

777 East Wisconsin Avenue

Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202

Attention: Benjamin F. Garmer, III

 

  (ii) to the Trust

The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A.

Global Corporate Trust

919 Congress Ave., Suite 500

Austin, Texas 78701

Attention: Mike J. Ulrich

with a copy to

Bracewell & Giuliani LLP

111 Congress Avenue

Suite 2300

Austin, Texas 78701

Attention: Thomas Adkins

 

  (iii) to the Underwriters

Raymond James & Associates, Inc.

880 Carillon Parkway

St. Petersburg, Florida 33716

Attention: John Critchlow

Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated

1585 Broadway

New York, New York 10036

Attention: Janet Livingston

 

45


with a copy to

Vinson & Elkins L.L.P.

1001 Fannin Street, Suite 2300

Houston, Texas 77002

Attention: David P. Oelman

This Agreement has been and is made solely for the benefit of the several Underwriters, the Company and its directors and officers and the Trust.

16. No Fiduciary Duty . Notwithstanding any preexisting relationship, advisory or otherwise, between the parties or any oral representations or assurances previously or subsequently made by any of the Underwriters, each of the Company and the Trust acknowledges and agrees that (i) nothing herein shall create a fiduciary or agency relationship between the Company and the Trust, on the one hand, and the Underwriters, on the other hand; (ii) the Underwriters have been retained solely to act as underwriters and, except to the extent set out in clause (xi) of Section 7 hereof are not acting as advisors, expert or otherwise, to either the Company or the Trust in connection with this offering, the sale of the Units or any other services the Underwriters may be deemed to be providing hereunder, including, without limitation, with respect to the public offering price of the Units; (iii) the relationship between the Company and the Trust, on the one hand, and the Underwriters, on the other hand, is entirely and solely commercial, and the price of the Units was established by the Company and the Underwriters based on discussions and arms’ length negotiations and each of the Company and the Trust understands and accepts the terms, risks and conditions of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; (iv) any duties and obligations that the Underwriters may have to the Company or the Trust shall be limited to those duties and obligations specifically stated herein; and (v) notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, each of the Company and the Trust acknowledges that the Underwriters may have financial interests in the success of the Offering that are not limited to the difference between the price to the public and the purchase price paid to the Company by the Underwriters for the Units and that such interests may differ from the interests of the Company and the Trust, and the Underwriters have no obligation to disclose, or account to the Company or the Trust for any benefit that they may derive from, such additional financial interests. Each of the Company and the Trust hereby waives and releases, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any claims that the Company or the Trust may have against the Underwriters with respect to any breach or alleged breach of fiduciary duty and agree that the Underwriters shall have no liability (whether direct or indirect) to the Company or the Trust in respect of such a fiduciary duty claim or to any person asserting a fiduciary duty claim on behalf of or in right of the Company or the Trust or any of their respective members, managers, employees or creditors.

17. Applicable Law; Counterparts . This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York without reference to choice of law principles thereunder.

This Agreement may be signed in various counterparts, which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

 

46


This Agreement shall be effective when, but only when, at least one counterpart hereof shall have been executed on behalf of each party hereto.

The Company, the Trust and the Underwriters each hereby irrevocably waive any right they may have to a trial by jury in respect to any claim based upon or arising out of this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.

18. Limitation of Trustee’s Liability . It is expressly understood and agreed by the parties hereto that (i) this Agreement is executed and delivered by the Trustee not individually or personally, but solely as Trustee on behalf of the Trust and (ii) under no circumstances shall the Trustee be liable for the breach or failure of any obligation, representation, warranty or covenant made or undertaken by the Trust under this Agreement.

19. Patriot Act Compliance . In accordance with the requirements of the USA Patriot Act (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001)), the Underwriters are required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies their respective clients, including the Company, which information may include the name and address of their respective clients, as well as other information that will allow the Underwriters to properly identify their respective clients.

 

47


Please confirm that the foregoing correctly sets forth the agreement among the Company, the Trust and the several Underwriters.

 

Very truly yours,
WHITING PETROLEUM CORPORATION
By:  

    /s/  James J. Volker

  Name: James J. Volker
  Title:   Chairman and CEO

 


WHITING USA TRUST II

By:

  The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee
By:  

    /s/ Mike Ulrich

  Name: Mike Ulrich
  Title:   Vice President

 


CONFIRMED as of the date first above mentioned, on behalf of the Representatives and the other several Underwriters named in Schedule I hereto.
RAYMOND JAMES & ASSOCIATES, INC.
By:  

/s/ Bob Coble

  Authorized Representative
MORGAN STANLEY & CO. LLC
By:  

/s/ Peter Bowden

  Authorized Representative

 

I-1


SCHEDULE I

 

Name

   Number
Firm Units
 

Raymond James & Associates, Inc.

     5,600,000   

Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC

     4,640,000   

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC.

     960,000   

Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated

     960,000   

Oppenheimer & Co. Inc.

     960,000   

RBC Capital Markets, LLC

     960,000   

Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated

     960,000   

Morgan Keegan & Co., Inc.

     480,000   

Wunderlich Securities, Inc.

     480,000   
  

 

 

 

Total:

     16,000,000   
  

 

 

 

 

I-2


SCHEDULE II

Free Writing Prospectuses

Issuer Free Writing Prospectuses included in the Time of Sale Information: None.

Issuer Free Writing Prospectus not included in the Time of Sale Information: Electronic roadshow as made available on http://www.netroadshow.com.

 

II-1


SCHEDULE III

Information Included in “Time of Sale Information”

 

Trust units offered:    16,000,000   
Public offering price:    $20.00 per Trust Unit   

 

III-1


SCHEDULE IV

LIST OF STATES

Arkansas

Colorado

Michigan

Mississippi

Montana

New Mexico

North Dakota

Oklahoma

Texas

Wyoming

 

IV-1


SCHEDULE V

 

Colorado and Wyoming      Holland & Hart LLP
Mississippi      Butler, Snow, O’Mara, Stevens & Canada PLLC
New Mexico      Modrall, Sperling, Roehl, Harris & Sisk, P.A.
North Dakota      Crowley Fleck, PLLP
Texas      Cotton Bledsoe Tighe & Dawson, P.C.

 

V-1

Exhibit 3.1

AMENDED AND RESTATED

TRUST AGREEMENT

OF

WHITING USA TRUST II

Among

WHITING OIL AND GAS CORPORATION

and

THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A.

and

WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

Dated: As of March 28, 2012


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS      2   
ARTICLE II NAME AND PURPOSE OF THE TRUST; DECLARATION OF TRUST      7   

Section 2.01

   Name; Certificate of Trust      7   

Section 2.02

   Purpose      7   

Section 2.03

   Transfer of Trust Property to the Trust      8   

Section 2.04

   Creation of the Trust      8   

Section 2.05

   Principal Offices      9   

ARTICLE III ADMINISTRATION OF THE TRUST AND POWERS OF THE TRUSTEE AND THE DELAWARE TRUSTEE

     9   

Section 3.01

   General Authority      9   

Section 3.02

   Limited Power of Disposition      10   

Section 3.03

   No Power to Engage in Business or Make Investments or Issue Additional Securities      12   

Section 3.04

   Interest on Cash Reserves      12   

Section 3.05

   Power to Settle Claims      13   

Section 3.06

   Power to Contract for Services      13   

Section 3.07

   Payment of Liabilities of Trust      13   

Section 3.08

   Income and Principal      14   

Section 3.09

   Term of Contracts      14   

Section 3.10

   Transactions with Entity Serving as the Trustee or the Delaware Trustee      14   

Section 3.11

   No Security Required      14   

Section 3.12

  

Filing of Securities Act Registration Statement, Exchange Act Registration Statement and Other Reports, Listing of Trust Units, etc.; Certain Fees and Expenses

     14   

Section 3.13

   Reserve Report      16   

Section 3.14

   No Liability for Recordation      16   
ARTICLE IV TRUST UNITS AND UNCERTIFICATED BENEFICIAL INTEREST      16   

Section 4.01

   Creation and Distribution      16   

Section 4.02

   Rights of Trust Unitholders; Limitation on Personal Liability of Trust Unitholders      16   

Section 4.03

   Effect of Transfer      17   

Section 4.04

   Determination of Ownership      17   

Section 4.05

   Transfer Agent      18   
ARTICLE V ACCOUNTING AND DISTRIBUTIONS; REPORTS      18   

Section 5.01

   Fiscal Year and Accounting Method      18   

Section 5.02

   Quarterly Distributions      18   

Section 5.03

   Reports to Trust Unitholders and Others      18   

Section 5.04  

   Federal Income Tax Provisions      19   

 

-i-


ARTICLE VI LIABILITY OF DELAWARE TRUSTEE AND TRUSTEE AND METHOD OF SUCCESSION      20   

Section 6.01

   Liability of Delaware Trustee, Trustee and Agents      20   

Section 6.02

   Indemnification of Trustee or Delaware Trustee      21   

Section 6.03

   Resignation of Delaware Trustee and Trustee      22   

Section 6.04

   Removal of Delaware Trustee and Trustee      23   

Section 6.05

   Appointment of Successor Delaware Trustee or Trustee      23   

Section 6.06

   Laws of Other Jurisdictions      24   

Section 6.07

   Reliance on Experts      24   

Section 6.08

   Force Majeure      25   

Section 6.09

   Failure of Action by Trustor      25   

Section 6.10

   Action Upon Instructions      25   

Section 6.11

   Management of Trust Estate      25   

Section 6.12

   Validity      26   

Section 6.13

   Rights and Powers; Litigation      26   

Section 6.14

   No Duty to Act Under Certain Circumstances      26   
ARTICLE VII COMPENSATION OF THE TRUSTEE AND THE DELAWARE TRUSTEE      26   

Section 7.01

   Compensation of Trustee and Delaware Trustee      26   

Section 7.02

   Reimbursement of Trustor      27   

Section 7.03

   Source of Funds      27   

Section 7.04

   Ownership of Units by Trustor, the Delaware Trustee and the Trustee      27   
ARTICLE VIII MEETINGS OF TRUST UNITHOLDERS      27   

Section 8.01

   Purpose of Meetings      27   

Section 8.02

   Call and Notice of Meetings      27   

Section 8.03

   Method of Voting and Vote Required      28   

Section 8.04

   Conduct of Meetings      28   
ARTICLE IX DURATION, REVOCATION AND TERMINATION OF TRUST      28   

Section 9.01

   Revocation      28   

Section 9.02

   Termination      29   

Section 9.03

   Disposition and Distribution of Assets and Properties      29   

Section 9.04

   Reorganization or Business Combination      29   
ARTICLE X AMENDMENTS      30   

Section 10.01

   Prohibited Amendments      30   

Section 10.02

   Permitted Amendments      31   
ARTICLE XI ARBITRATION      31   
ARTICLE XII MISCELLANEOUS      34   

Section 12.01

   Inspection of Books      34   

Section 12.02

   Disability of a Trust Unitholder      34   

Section 12.03

   Interpretation.      34   

 

-ii-


Section 12.04

   Merger or Consolidation of Delaware Trustee or Trustee      34   

Section 12.05

   Change in Trust Name      35   

Section 12.06

   Filing of this Agreement      35   

Section 12.07

   Choice of Law      35   

Section 12.08

   Separability      35   

Section 12.09

   Notices      36   

Section 12.10

   Counterparts      37   

Section 12.11

   Stand-by Letter of Credit      37   

 

-iii-


AMENDED AND RESTATED

TRUST AGREEMENT

OF

WHITING USA TRUST II

This Amended and Restated Trust Agreement of WHITING USA TRUST II, a Delaware statutory trust created pursuant to the Organizational Trust Agreement (hereinafter defined) and continued and administered under the terms of this Agreement (hereinafter defined) (the “ Trust ”), is entered into effective as of the 28th day of March, 2012, by and among WHITING OIL AND GAS CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation with its principal office in Denver, Colorado (referred to herein as the “ Trustor ”), as trustor, and WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, a national banking association with its principal office in Wilmington, Delaware and its successors and assigns (“ Wilmington Trust ”), as Delaware Trustee (as hereinafter defined), and THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., a national association with its principal place of business in New York, New York (the “ Bank ”), as Trustee (as hereinafter defined).

W I T N E S S E T H:

WHEREAS, As part of an integrated plan for the formation of the Trust, Trustor has determined to convey to the Trust the Net Profits Interest (hereinafter defined) and Pre-Effective Time Payment (as herein defined) pursuant to the Conveyance (hereinafter defined) in exchange for 18,400,000 Trust Units (hereinafter defined);

WHEREAS, Trustor, Wilmington Trust and the Bank have previously formed the Trust pursuant to the Organizational Trust Agreement (hereinafter defined) in accordance with the provisions of the Trust Act (hereinafter defined) and, in connection therewith, Trustor has previously delivered to the Bank, on behalf of the Trust, good and valuable consideration, which the Bank has accepted, to have and to hold, in trust, such property and all other properties that may hereafter be received hereunder, for the purposes and subject to the terms and conditions hereinafter provided;

WHEREAS, Trustor and the Trust have determined to enter into the Administrative Services Agreement (hereinafter defined) outlining Trustor’s provision of administrative services to the Trust and its compensation therefor;

WHEREAS, Trustor has agreed with the Bank to enter into a stand-by letter of credit in the amount of $1 million for the benefit of the Bank; and

WHEREAS, Trustor has agreed to deliver to the Bank, on behalf of the Trust, good and valuable consideration, which consideration the Bank has agreed to accept, to have and to hold, in trust, together with such other property that may hereafter be received hereunder, for the purposes and subject to the terms and conditions hereinafter provided.


NOW, THEREFORE, Trustor, Wilmington Trust and the Bank hereby amend and restate the Organizational Trust Agreement in its entirety.

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS

As used herein, the following terms have the meanings indicated:

AAA ” has the meaning assigned to that term in Article XI .

Administrative Services Agreement ” means the Administrative Services Agreement dated March 28, 2012 entered into between Whiting Oil and Gas Corporation and the Trust.

Affiliate ” means, for any specified Person, another Person that controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, the specified Person. “Control,” in the preceding sentence, refers to the possession by one Person, directly or indirectly, of the right or power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of another Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract, or otherwise.

Agent ” has the meaning assigned to that term in Section 3.06 .

Agreement ” means this Amended and Restated Trust Agreement of Whiting USA Trust II, as it may be further amended, supplemented or restated from time to time.

Beneficial Interest ” means the aggregate beneficial ownership interest of all Trust Unitholders in the Trust Estate, including without limitation the proceeds from the conversion of the Net Profits Interest and Pre-Effective Time Payment to cash, and in the right to cash resulting from such conversion of the Net Profits Interest and Pre-Effective Time Payment, which beneficial ownership interest is expressed in Trust Units. A Trust Unitholder’s beneficial ownership interest in the Trust is personal property notwithstanding the nature of the property of the Trust.

Business Day ” means any day that is not a Saturday, Sunday, a holiday determined by NYSE Regulation Inc. as affecting “ex’ dates” or any other day on which national banking institutions in New York, New York, Denver, Colorado or Wilmington, Delaware are closed as authorized or required by law.

Claimant ” has the meaning assigned to that term in Article XI(c) .

Closing ” means the closing of the initial public offering of Trust Units contemplated by the Securities Act Registration Statement.

Closing Date ” means the date of Closing.

Commission ” means the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

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Conveyance ” means the Conveyance of Term Net Profits Interest, dated as of March 28, 2012, from Trustor, as grantor, to the Trust, as grantee, pursuant to which the Net Profits Interest and Pre-Effective Time Payment is conveyed.

Delaware Trustee ” means the Entity serving as a trustee (other than as the Trustee) hereunder having its principal place of business in Delaware, not in its individual capacity but solely in its fiduciary capacity, and having the rights and obligations specified with respect to the Delaware Trustee in this Agreement. Further, any benefit, indemnity, release or protection granted to the Delaware Trustee herein shall extend to and shall be fully applicable and effective with regard to any Entity serving as the Delaware Trustee, including, without limitation, Wilmington Trust.

Entity ” means a corporation, partnership, trust, limited liability company, estate or other entity, organization or association.

Exchange Act ” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

Exchange Act Registration Statement ” means the registration statement on Form 8-A pursuant to which the Trust Units may be registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act.

Expenses ” has the meaning assigned to that term in Section 6.02(a) .

Fair Value ” means, with respect to any portion of the Net Profits Interest to be released pursuant to Section 3.02(b) in connection with a sale of Underlying Properties, an amount of net proceeds which could reasonably be expected to be obtained from the sale of such portion of the Net Profits Interest to a party which is not an Affiliate of Trustor or the Trust on an arms’-length negotiated basis, taking into account relevant market conditions and factors existing at the time of any such proposed sale or release, such net proceeds to be determined by deducting the Trust’s proportionate share of sales costs, commissions and brokerage fees, if any (based on the relative fair market value of the Underlying Properties being transferred without giving effect to either the portion of the Net Profits Interest being released or the fair market value of the portion of the Net Profits Interest being released).

Indemnified Party ” has the meaning assigned to that term in Section 6.02(c) .

Indemnifying Party ” has the meaning assigned to that term in Section 6.02(c) .

Independent Reserve Engineers ” means Cawley, Gillespie & Associates, Inc., independent petroleum engineers, or any successor petroleum engineering consultants employed by the Trust to provide information and reports with respect to the Net Profits Interest and Pre-Effective Time Payment.

Liquidation Date ” means the “Termination Date” as such term is defined in the Conveyance.

NASDAQ ” has the meaning assigned to that term in Section 3.12(a)(iii) .

 

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Net Profits Interest ” means the term net profits interest to be conveyed to the Trust pursuant to the Conveyance.

NYSE ” has the meaning assigned to that term in Section 3.12(a)(iii) .

Organizational Trust Agreement ” means the Trust Agreement of Whiting USA Trust II, entered into and effective as of December 5, 2011 by and among Trustor, the Bank and Wilmington Trust.

Person ” means a natural person or an Entity.

Pre-Effective Time Payment ” means the “Pre-Effective Time Payment” as such term is defined in the Conveyance.

Prior Reversionary Interest ” has the meaning assigned to that term in the Conveyance.

Quarterly Cash Distribution ” means, for each Quarterly Period, an amount determined by the Trustee pursuant to Section 5.02 to be equal to the excess, if any, of (a) the cash received by the Trust, attributable to the Net Profits Interest prior to such Quarterly Cash Distribution, plus (b) any decrease prior to such Quarterly Cash Distribution in any cash reserve theretofore established by the Trustee for the payment of liabilities of the Trust, plus any other cash receipts of the Trust prior to such Quarterly Cash Distribution (including Sales Proceeds Amounts and any cash received from interest earned pursuant to Section 3.04 ), minus (c) the liabilities of the Trust paid prior to such Quarterly Cash Distribution, plus the amount of any cash used prior to such Quarterly Cash Distribution by the Trustee to establish or increase a cash reserve established for the payment of any liabilities of the Trust; provided, that for the initial Quarterly Period, the amounts referred to in (a) above shall instead be the cash received by the Trust attributable to the Pre-Effective Time Payment from January 1, 2012 through, but excluding, the effective date of the Conveyance and the cash received by the Trust attributable to the Net Profits Interests from the effective date of the Conveyance through and including March 31, 2012.

Quarterly Payment Date ” means the date of a distribution, which shall be on or before the tenth day (or, if such day is on a Business Day, the next Business Day) following the Quarterly Record Date for such distribution; provided that the first Quarterly Payment Date shall be May 30, 2012.

Quarterly Period ” means, for the initial period, the period which commences on January 1, 2012 and continues through and includes March 31, 2012 and for succeeding periods the periods which commence on the first day of each calendar quarter and continues through and includes the last day of such calendar quarter, provided that the last Quarterly Period shall mean any portion of the calendar quarter during which the Liquidation Date occurs from the beginning of such calendar quarter until and including the Liquidation Date.

Quarterly Record Date ” means, for each Quarterly Period, the close of business on the fiftieth day following the end of such Quarterly Period or such other date established by the Trustee in order to comply with applicable law or the rules of any securities exchange or

 

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quotation system on which the Trust Units may be listed or admitted to trading, in which event “Quarterly Record Date” means such other date. The first Quarterly Record Date shall be May 20, 2012.

Record Date Trust Unitholders ” has the meaning assigned to that term in Section 8.02 .

Registration Rights Agreement ” means the Registration Rights Agreement dated March 28, 2012 entered into between Whiting Petroleum Corporation and the Trust.

Respondent ” has the meaning assigned to that term in Article XI(c) .

Responsible Officer ” means (a) with respect to the Delaware Trustee, any officer in the Corporate Trust Administration office of the Delaware Trustee having direct responsibility for the administration of this Agreement, and with respect to a particular corporate trust matter, any officer of the Delaware Trustee to whom such matter is referred because of his or her knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject, and (b) with respect to the Trustee, any officer in the Institutional Trust Services department of the Trustee having direct responsibility for the administration of this Agreement, and with respect to a particular corporate trust matter, any officer of the Trustee to whom such a matter is referred because of his or her knowledge of and familiarity with the subject.

Rules ” has the meaning assigned to that term in Article XI .

Sales Proceeds Amount ” means any cash paid to the Trust in consideration for any of the Net Profits Interest pursuant to Sections 3.02 and 9.03 hereof after deduction of Trust expenses related to such sale or the establishment by the Trustee of cash reserves in such amounts as the Trustee in its discretion deems appropriate for contingent liabilities related thereto in accordance with Section 3808 of the Trust Act.

Sarbanes-Oxley Act ” means the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as amended.

Securities Act ” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

Securities Act Registration Statement ” means the Registration Statement on Form S-l/Form S-3 (Registration No. 333-178586) as it has been or as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, filed by the Trust and Whiting Petroleum Corporation with the Commission under the Securities Act to register the offering and sale of up to 18,400,000 Trust Units by Whiting Petroleum Corporation.

Special Provisions ” has the meaning assigned to that term in Article XI .

Subject Well ” has the meaning assigned to that term in the Conveyance.

Transaction Documents ” means this Agreement, the Conveyance, the Registration Rights Agreement, the Administrative Services Agreement and the Underwriting Agreement.

 

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Transferee ” means, as to any Trust Unitholder or former Trust Unitholder, any Person succeeding to the interest of such Trust Unitholder or former Trust Unitholder in one or more Trust Units, whether as purchaser, donee, legatee or otherwise.

Trust Act ” means the Delaware Statutory Trust Act, Title 12, Chapter 38 of the Delaware Code, Sections 3801 et seq., as amended from time to time during the term of this Agreement.

Trust Estate ” means the assets held by the Trust under this Agreement, including both income and principal.

Trust Unit ” means an uncertificated, undivided pro rata fractional interest in the Beneficial Interest, determined as hereinafter provided.

Trust Unitholder ” means the owner of one or more Trust Units as reflected on the books of the Trustee pursuant to Section 4.01 .

Trustee ” means the Entity serving as a trustee (other than the Delaware Trustee) under this Agreement, not in its individual capacity but solely in its fiduciary capacity. Further, any benefit, indemnity, release or protection granted to the Trustee herein shall extend to and shall be fully applicable and effective with regard to any Entity serving as Trustee, including, without limitation, the Bank. The term “principal office” of the Trustee shall mean the principal office of the Trustee in Austin, Texas, or the principal office at which at any particular time its institutional or corporate trust business may be administered.

Trustee Conveyance ” means a conveyance executed by the Trustee pursuant to Section 3.02 covering that portion of the Net Profits Interest to be conveyed pursuant to said Section and in such form as the Trustee is advised by counsel is sufficient to transfer the right, title and interest of the Trust therein and to provide for payment to the Trustee of all the net proceeds attributable thereto through the effective date of such Trustee Conveyance.

Underlying Properties ” means the Subject Interests subject to the Net Profits Interest and Pre-Effective Time Payment, as “Subject Interests” is defined in the Conveyance.

Underwriters ” means each Person named as an underwriter in Schedule I to the Underwriting Agreement who purchases Trust Units pursuant thereto.

Underwriting Agreement ” means the Underwriting Agreement dated as of March 22, 2012 among the Underwriters, the Trustee on behalf of the Trust and Whiting, providing for the purchase of 16,000,000 Trust Units and any additional Trust Units to be sold by Whiting pursuant to the Underwriters’ over-allotment option.

Whiting ” means Whiting Petroleum Corporation, a Delaware corporation.

 

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ARTICLE II

NAME AND PURPOSE OF THE TRUST; DECLARATION OF TRUST

Section 2.01 Name; Certificate of Trust. The Trust continued by this Agreement shall remain a Delaware statutory trust under the Trust Act. The Trust shall continue to be known as Whiting USA Trust II, and the Trustee may transact the Trust’s affairs in that name. The continuation and operation of the Trust shall be in accordance with this Agreement, which shall constitute the “governing instrument” of the Trust within the meaning of Section 3801(f) of the Trust Act. In the event that a Responsible Officer of either the Delaware Trustee or the Trustee becomes aware that any statement contained or matter described in the Trust’s Certificate of Trust has changed, making it false in any material respect, it will notify the other trustee and the Delaware Trustee shall promptly file or cause to be filed in the office of the Secretary of State of Delaware an amendment of same at the written direction of the Trustee, duly executed in accordance with Section 3811 of the Trust Act, in order to effect such change thereto, such filing to be in accordance with Section 3810(b) of the Trust Act. Upon the completion of the dissolution and winding up of the Trust in accordance with Section 3808 of the Trust Act and Sections 9.02 and 9.03 , the Delaware Trustee shall, at the written direction of the Trustee, file or cause to be filed a certificate of cancellation of the Trust’s Certificate of Trust, duly executed in accordance with Section 3811 of the Trust Act.

Section 2.02 Purpose. The purposes of the Trust are, and the Trust (and the Trustee on behalf of the Trust) shall have the power and authority and is hereby authorized:

(a) to acquire, hold, protect and conserve, for the benefit of the Trust Unitholders, the Trust Estate;

(b) to receive and hold the Net Profits Interest and Pre-Effective Time Payment, the Administrative Services Agreement and the other assets of the Trust Estate;

(c) to issue 18,400,000 Trust Units on the Closing Date and to perform its obligations with respect thereto;

(d) to invest cash reserves as provided in Section 3.04;

(e) to convert the Net Profits Interest and Pre-Effective Time Payment into cash either by (1) retaining the Net Profits Interest and Pre-Effective Time Payment and collecting the proceeds of production payable with respect to the Net Profits Interest and Pre-Effective Time Payment until production has ceased or the Net Profits Interest has been sold or transferred or the Net Profits Interest has otherwise terminated or (2) selling or otherwise disposing of all or any portion of the Net Profits Interest in accordance with the terms of this Agreement;

(f) to pay, or provide for the payment of, any liabilities incurred in carrying out the purposes of the Trust, and thereafter to distribute the remaining amounts of cash received by the Trust to the Trust Unitholders on a pro rata basis determined by the number of Trust Units held by each Trust Unitholder in accordance with Section 5.02 ;

(g) to distribute the Quarterly Cash Distribution;

 

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(h) to incur indebtedness in order to pay the liabilities of the Trust as they become due, if necessary; provided however, that such indebtedness shall not be granted any security interests in or otherwise encumber the Trust Estate;

(i) to enter into, execute, deliver and perform its obligations and enforce its rights under the Transaction Documents to which it is a party;

(j) to cause to be prepared and file (i) reports required to be filed under the Exchange Act, (ii) any reports required by the rules of any securities exchange or quotation system on which the Trust Units are listed or admitted to trading, and (iii) any reports or forms required to be filed pursuant to tax laws and other applicable laws and regulations, and to establish, evaluate and maintain a system of internal control over financial reporting in compliance with the requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act;

(k) to conduct and wind up its business as described in the Securities Act Registration Statement; and

(l) to engage in such other activities as are necessary or convenient for the attainment of any of the foregoing or are incident thereto and which may be engaged in or carried on by a statutory trust under the Trust Act.

Section 2.03 Transfer of Trust Property to the Trust. Upon the formation of the Trust, Trustor paid good and valuable consideration to the Trust, in trust, for the uses and purposes provided in the Organizational Trust Agreement and in this Agreement. At (and subject to the occurrence of) the Closing, Trustor shall grant, bargain, sell, convey and assign to the Trust for the uses and purposes provided herein the Net Profits Interest and Pre-Effective Time Payment pursuant to the Conveyance in consideration for 18,400,000 Trust Units to be issued by the Trust to Trustor, which Trust Units shall collectively represent the entire Beneficial Interest in accordance with Section 4.01 . The issuance of the 18,400,000 Trust Units is hereby duly authorized and, upon issuance at the Closing, such Trust Units shall be duly and validly issued and outstanding and, upon receipt by the Trust at the Closing of the consideration described in the preceding sentence, the Trust Units will be fully paid and non-assessable without the requirement of any further consideration.

Section 2.04 Creation of the Trust. The Trustee declares that it shall hold the Trust Estate in trust for the benefit of the Trust Unitholders, upon the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement. As set forth above and amplified herein, the Trust is intended to be a passive entity limited to the receipt of revenues attributable to the Net Profits Interest and Pre-Effective Time Payment and the distribution of such revenues, after payment of or provision for Trust expenses and liabilities, to the Trust Unitholders. It is not the intention of the parties hereto to create, and nothing in this Agreement shall be construed as creating, for any purpose, a partnership, joint venture, joint stock company or similar business association, between or among Trust Unitholders, present or future, or between or among Trust Unitholders, or any of them, the Delaware Trustee, the Trustee and/or Trustor. Neither the Trustee nor the Delaware Trustee, in its individual capacity, makes any representation as to the validity or sufficiency of this Trust Agreement.

 

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Section 2.05 Principal Offices. Unless and until changed by the Trustee, the address of the principal office of the Trustee is 919 Congress Avenue, Suite 500, Austin, Texas 78701, Attention: Michael J. Ulrich. Unless and until changed by the Delaware Trustee, the principal place of business of the Delaware Trustee is Rodney Square North, 1100 North Market Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19890, Attention: Corporate Trust Administration. The Trust may maintain offices at such other place or places within or without the State of Delaware as the Trustee deems advisable.

ARTICLE III

ADMINISTRATION OF THE TRUST AND POWERS OF THE TRUSTEE

AND THE DELAWARE TRUSTEE

Section 3.01 General Authority.

(a) The Trustee accepts the trust hereby continued and agrees to perform its duties hereunder with respect to the same, but only upon the express terms of this Agreement. Subject to the limitations set forth in this Agreement, the Trustee, acting alone, without the approval or consent of, or notice to, the Delaware Trustee or any Trust Unitholder, is authorized to take such action as in its judgment is necessary, desirable or advisable to best achieve the purposes of the Trust, including the authority to enter into, deliver and perform on behalf of the Trust the Registration Rights Agreement and the Administrative Services Agreement (which the Trustee is hereby directed to do), to re-convey on behalf of the Trust the Net Profits Interest to Trustor and to agree on behalf of the Trust to modifications of the terms of the Conveyance to correct errors or ambiguities or to settle disputes with respect thereto, in each case so long as such modifications or settlements do not alter the nature of the Net Profits Interest and Pre-Effective Time Payment as the right to receive a share of the net proceeds from production from the Underlying Properties in accordance with the Conveyance and comply with Section 10.02 . The Trustee shall not (i) dispose of any part of the Trust Estate except as provided in Sections 3.02 and 9.03 or (ii) except as provided in Section 10.02 , agree to amend or waive any provision of, give any consent or release with respect to, or terminate the Conveyance without the approval of holders of a majority of the outstanding Trust Units as provided in Article VIII .

(b) The Delaware Trustee accepts the Trust hereby continued and agrees to perform its duties hereunder with respect to the same, but only upon the express terms of this Agreement. The Delaware Trustee is authorized to take only such actions, and shall be required to perform only such duties and obligations, with respect to the Trust as are specifically set forth in this Agreement, and no implied duties, obligations or powers shall be read into this Agreement in respect to the Delaware Trustee. The Delaware Trustee shall not otherwise manage or take part in the business or affairs of the Trust in any manner.

(c) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, unless specifically authorized in writing by the Trustee and consented to by the Delaware Trustee, the Delaware Trustee shall not participate in any decisions or possess any authority with respect to the administration of the Trust, the investment of the Trust’s property or the payment of dividends or other distributions of income or principal to the Trust Unitholders. The Delaware Trustee shall have the power and authority to execute, deliver, acknowledge and file all necessary documents and to maintain all necessary records of the Trust as required by the Trust Act. The Delaware

 

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Trustee shall provide prompt written notice to the Trustee of its performance of any of the foregoing acts. The Trustee shall reasonably keep the Delaware Trustee informed of any material action taken by the Trustee with respect to the Trust.

Section 3.02 Limited Power of Disposition.

(a) In the event that Trustor notifies the Trustee that it desires the Trustee to sell or dispose of all or any part of the Trust Estate, including, without limitation, all or any portion of the Net Profits Interest, or any interest therein, the Trustee may sell, at any time and from time to time, all or any part of any of the Trust Estate for cash in such a manner as it deems in the best interest of the Trust Unitholders if approved by Trust Unitholders holding a majority of the outstanding Trust Units present or represented at a meeting held in accordance with the requirements of Article VIII . This Section 3.02(a) shall not be construed to require approval of the Trust Unitholders for any sale or other disposition of all or any part of the Trust Estate pursuant to Sections 3.02(b) or 9.03 .

(b) Except as provided in Sections 3.02(a) and (c), the Trustee shall not sell or otherwise dispose of all or any part of the Trust Estate, including, without limitation, all or any portion of the Net Profits Interest, or any interest therein, except that the Trustee is directed to sell and convey all or any portion of the Net Profits Interest as provided in this Section 3.02(b) and in Section 9.03 and no Trust Unitholder approval shall be required for any sale or conveyance in accordance with any of such provisions. Any sale or conveyance by the Trustee of any part of the Trust Estate other than pursuant to this Section 3.02(b) , 3.02(c) or 9.03 shall be subject to Section 3.02(a) .

(i) Trustor and its Affiliates may at any time and from time to time sell, but only in accordance with the provisions set forth below and in accordance with the terms of the Conveyance, a divided or undivided portion of their interests in the Underlying Properties, free from and unburdened by the Net Profits Interest without the consent of the Trustee or the Trust Unitholders. Upon receipt of written notice of such a sale given by Trustor or its Affiliates, the Trustee shall execute and deliver at the closing of such sale a Trustee Conveyance and such other instruments, agreements and documents as Trustor or its Affiliates may reasonably request, to evidence or effect the transfer of such portion of Trustor’s or its Affiliates’ interests in the Underlying Properties, free from and unburdened by the Net Profits Interest, provided that:

(A) no sale of a portion of Trustor’s or its Affiliates’ interests in the Underlying Properties free from and unburdened by the Net Profits Interest that would otherwise burden such portion of Trustor’s or its Affiliates’ interests shall be permitted under this paragraph (i) if (1) the sale is to a Person who is an Affiliate of Trustor, (2) the sale relates to an interest in the Underlying Properties that accounted for in excess of 0.25% of the total production from all Underlying Properties during the most recently completed 12 calendar months, or (3) the Fair Value received by the Trust pursuant to clause (B) of this paragraph (i) with respect to the portion of the Net Profits Interest to be reconveyed by the Trustee, plus the Fair Value received by the Trust pursuant to clause (B) of this paragraph (i) with respect to all other portions of the Net Profits Interest previously released by the Trustee pursuant to this paragraph (i) during the most recently completed 12 calendar months, would exceed $1,000,000;

 

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(B) in connection with any sale pursuant to this paragraph (i), the Trust shall receive credit pursuant to the Conveyance in an amount equal to the Fair Value to the Trust for the portion of the Net Profits Interest to be reconveyed by the Trustee in connection with the sale of the Underlying Properties; and

(C) the Trustee shall have received a certificate from Trustor executed by or on behalf of the manager thereof certifying to the Trustee and the Trust that the credit pursuant to the Conveyance to be received by the Trust pursuant to clause (B) above represents the Fair Value to the Trust for the portion of the Net Profits Interest to be reconveyed by the Trustee in connection therewith.

Any other sale of all or any portion of the Underlying Properties will not relieve Trustor of its obligations with respect to the Net Profits Interest.

(ii) In the event that a portion of the Net Profits Interest is to be reconveyed pursuant to Section 3.02(b)(i) , upon receipt of (A) an accurate description of said portion of the Net Profits Interest and (B) sufficient information to evidence conclusively that the conditions to purchase referred to in the applicable section of the Conveyance have been satisfied, then within a reasonable time thereafter, and upon advice of such experts as may be retained by the Trustee with the written consent of Trustor, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed, the Trustee shall execute and deliver a Trustee Conveyance covering said portion of the Net Profits Interest to Trustor or its assignee.

(iii) Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee shall not agree to any distribution of the Net Profits Interest or any other asset of the Trust that would cause the interest of a Trust Unitholder to be treated (except for tax purposes) as other than an intangible personal property interest. Unless required to sell pursuant to this Section 3.02 or pursuant to Section 9.03 , or to distribute the Quarterly Cash Distribution pursuant to Section 5.02 , the Trustee is authorized to retain any part of the Trust Estate in the form in which such property was transferred to the Trustee, without regard to any requirement to diversify investments or other requirements.

(c) Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, in the event that any Person notifies Trustor that, pursuant to a Prior Reversionary Interest, Trustor is required to convey any of the Underlying Properties to such Person or cease production from any Subject Well, Trustor may provide such conveyance with respect to such Underlying Property or permanently cease production from any such Subject Well. In connection with any conveyance or permanent cessation of production pursuant to this Section 3.02(c), Trustee shall, on request, immediately prior to such event, execute, acknowledge, and deliver to Trustor a recordable instrument (reasonably acceptable to Trustor) that reconveys the Net Profits Interest with respect to any such Underlying Property or Subject Interests to Grantor.

 

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(i) Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, in the event that Trustor receives compensation pursuant to any Prior Reversionary Interest Trustee shall not be entitled to any share of such compensation.

(ii) From and after the actual date of any conveyance or permanent cessation of production provided for in this Section 3.02(c), Trustor and any assignee, purchaser, transferee or grantee of such Subject Interest shall be relieved of all obligations, requirements, and responsibilities arising under the Net Profits Interest or the Conveyance with respect to the Underlying Property transferred (and no credits or debits shall be made pursuant to the Conveyance for the portion of the Net Profits Interest to be transferred), except for those that accrued prior to such date.

Section 3.03 No Power to Engage in Business or Make Investments or Issue Additional Securities. Neither the Trustee nor the Delaware Trustee shall cause or permit the Trust to (a) acquire any asset other than the Net Profits Interest and Pre-Effective Time Payment and proceeds therefrom, other than in connection with the rights of the Trust to enforce the terms and provisions of the Transaction Document to which it is a part, and to collect other amounts paid to the Trust as set forth herein, (b) engage in any business or investment activity of any kind whatsoever, except for the activities permitted herein or (c) issue Trust Units or other securities after the Closing Date. Neither the Trustee nor the Delaware Trustee shall have any responsibility or authority relating to the development or operations of the Underlying Properties or the marketing of any production therefrom.

Section 3.04 Interest on Cash Reserves. Cash being held by the Trustee as a reserve for, or in anticipation of, the distribution of a Quarterly Cash Distribution or for the payment of any liabilities, other than current routine administrative costs, shall be placed by the Trustee with one or more banks or financial institutions (which, to the extent to which authorized pursuant to the Trust Act and other applicable laws, may be, or may include, any bank serving as the Trustee or the Delaware Trustee) and be invested in (a) accounts payable on demand (b) money market funds that invest in only United States government securities, (c) interest bearing obligations issued by (or unconditionally guaranteed by) the United States of America or any agency or instrumentality thereof (provided such agency or instrumentality obligations are guaranteed by the full faith and credit of the United States of America), (d) repurchase agreements secured by obligations qualifying under (c) above or (e) certificates of deposit of any bank or banks having combined capital, surplus and undivided profits in excess of $100,000,000 which, in the case of (c), (d) and (e) above, mature prior to the date on which such Quarterly Cash Distribution is to be distributed or any such liability is to be paid. Any government obligation, repurchase agreement or certificate of deposit held by the Trustee shall be held until maturity. The interest rate on reserves placed with any bank or financial institution serving as the Trustee or the Delaware Trustee shall be the interest rate that such bank pays in the normal course of business on amounts placed with it, taking into account the amount involved, the period held and other relevant factors. Subject to Section 6.01 , the Trustee shall not be liable for its selection of permitted investments or for any investment losses resulting from such investments. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Delaware Trustee shall not be obligated to accept any such cash or other assets for investment or otherwise. To the extent that the Delaware Trustee decides in its sole and absolute discretion to accept cash for investment pursuant to this Section 3.04 , the Delaware Trustee shall invest such cash pursuant to the written instructions of the Trustee, and

 

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the Delaware Trustee shall not be liable to the Trust for any losses resulting from such investments absent its own fraud or acts or omissions in bad faith or which constitute gross negligence.

Section 3.05 Power to Settle Claims.

(a) The Trustee is authorized to prosecute or defend, and to settle by arbitration or otherwise, any claim of or against the Trustee, the Trust or the Trust Estate, to waive or release rights of any kind and to pay or satisfy any debt, tax or claim upon any evidence by it deemed sufficient, without the joinder or consent of any Trust Unitholder, including enforcing the rights of the Trust under the Transaction Documents. The Trust Unitholders shall have no power to prosecute any claim of the Trust or the Trust Estate against any Person other than to prosecute a claim to compel performance by the Trustee on behalf of the Trust or the Trust Estate.

(b) The Trustee is authorized and empowered to require any Trust Unitholder to dispose of his Trust Units if an administrative or judicial proceeding seeks to cancel or forfeit any of the property in which the Trust holds an interest because of the nationality or any other status of such Trust Unitholder. If a Trust Unitholder fails to dispose of his Trust Units as required by the Trustee pursuant to this Section 3.05(b), the Trustee is authorized to purchase such Trust Units on behalf of the Trust and to borrow funds to make that purchase.

Section 3.06 Power to Contract for Services. In the administration of the Trust, the Trustee is empowered to employ oil and natural gas consultants (which may include the Independent Reserve Engineers), accountants (with the consent of Trustor, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed), attorneys (who may, but need not be, counsel to Trustor or any of its Affiliates) and other professional and expert Persons, to employ or contract for clerical and other administrative assistance (including assistance from Trustor or any of its Affiliates), to delegate to agents, employees, officers, directors, custodians or nominees (individually, an “ Agent ” and collectively, “ Agents ”) any matter, whether ministerial or discretionary, and to act through such Agents and to make payments of all fees for services or expenses in any manner thus incurred out of the Trust Estate.

Section 3.07 Payment of Liabilities of Trust. Except as otherwise provided herein, the Trustee may and shall use all money received by it for the payment or reimbursement of all liabilities of the Trust, including, but without limiting the generality of the foregoing, all expenses, taxes, liabilities incurred of all kinds, compensation to it for its services hereunder, as provided for in Article VII , and compensation to such parties as may be employed as provided for in Section 3.06 . With respect to any liability that is contingent or uncertain in amount or that otherwise is not currently due and payable, the Trustee may, but is not obligated to, establish a cash reserve for the payment of such liability. Except to the extent permitted under applicable law, the Trustee shall not pay any liability of the Trust with funds set aside pursuant to Section 5.02 for the payment of a Quarterly Cash Distribution. If at any time the cash on hand and to be received by the Trustee and available to pay liabilities is not, or will not be, in the judgment of the Trustee, sufficient to pay liabilities of the Trust as they become due, the Trustee is authorized to cause the Trust to borrow the funds required to pay such liabilities. In such event, no further distributions will be made to Trust Unitholders (except in respect of previously determined Quarterly Cash Distribution) until the indebtedness created by such borrowings,

 

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including interest thereon, has been paid in full. Such funds may be borrowed from any Person, including, without limitation, the Bank, including its Affiliates, while serving as Trustee or any other Entity serving as a fiduciary hereunder, on an unsecured basis; provided that neither the Bank nor any other Entity shall be required to make any such loan. The Trustee is not authorized or permitted to mortgage, pledge, grant security interests in or otherwise encumber the Trust Estate, or any portion thereof, including the Net Profits Interest and Pre-Effective Time Payment. Under no circumstances shall the Trustee or the Delaware Trustee be personally liable for any indebtedness of the Trust. If such funds are loaned to the Trust by the Trustee or any other such Entity while the Trustee or such other Entity is serving as a fiduciary hereunder, the terms of such indebtedness and security interest shall be similar to the terms which the Trustee or such other Entity would grant to a similarly situated commercial customer with whom it did not have, directly or indirectly, a fiduciary relationship, and the Trustee or such other Entity shall be entitled to enforce its rights with respect to any such indebtedness and security interest as if it were not, directly or indirectly, and had never been, directly or indirectly, the Trustee or a fiduciary hereunder. No provision of this Trust Agreement shall require the Delaware Trustee, the Trustee or any other Entity serving as a fiduciary hereunder, to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur personal financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers under any circumstances whatsoever.

Section 3.08 Income and Principal. The Trustee shall not be required to keep separate accounts or records for income and principal. However, if the Trustee does keep such separate accounts or records, then the Trustee is authorized to treat all or any part of the receipts from the Net Profits Interest and Pre-Effective Time Payment as income or principal, without having to maintain any reserve therefor, and in general to determine all questions as between income and principal and to credit or charge to income or principal or to apportion between them any receipt or gain and any charge, disbursement or loss as is deemed advisable under the circumstances of each case.

Section 3.09 Term of Contracts. In exercising the rights and powers granted hereunder, the Trustee is authorized to make the term of any transaction or contract or other instrument extend beyond the term of the Trust.

Section 3.10 Transactions with Entity Serving as the Trustee or the Delaware Trustee. To the extent such conduct is not prohibited by applicable law and except as otherwise provided herein, both the Trustee and the Delaware Trustee are each authorized in exercising its powers under this Agreement to make contracts and have dealings with itself or its Affiliates, directly and indirectly, in any other fiduciary or individual capacity.

Section 3.11 No Security Required. No Entity serving as a trustee hereunder shall be required to furnish any bond or security of any kind.

Section 3.12 Filing of Securities Act Registration Statement, Exchange Act Registration Statement and Other Reports, Listing of Trust Units, etc.; Certain Fees and Expenses .

 

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(a) In connection with the initial public offering of Trust Units, the Trustee shall, on behalf of the Trust, use commercially reasonable efforts without the incurrence of unreasonable expense to cause:

(i) the Securities Act Registration Statement to be prepared, signed, filed with the Commission, and declared effective by the Commission;

(ii) the Exchange Act Registration Statement to be prepared, signed, filed with the Commission, and declared effective by the Commission; and

(iii) the Trust Units to be listed for trading on the New York Stock Exchange LLC (the “ NYSE ”), the NASDAQ Stock Market LLC (the “ NASDAQ ”) or another national securities exchange, as Trustor shall select.

(b) After the registration of the Trust Units pursuant to the Exchange Act and/or the listing of the Trust Units for trading on the NYSE, NASDAQ or another national securities exchange, the Trustee, on behalf of the Trust and acting upon the advice of counsel, shall cause the Trust to comply with all applicable rules, orders and regulations of the Commission, such exchange or the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. related to such registration or listing, as the case may be, and take all such other reasonable actions necessary for the Trust Units to remain so registered or listed until the Trust is terminated. In addition, the Trustee is authorized to make, and the Trustee shall take, all reasonable actions to prepare and, to the extent required by this Agreement or by law, mail to Trust Unitholders any reports, press releases or statements, financial or otherwise, that the Trustee determines are required to be provided to Trust Unitholders by applicable law or governmental regulation or the requirements of any securities exchange or quotation system on which the Trust Units are listed or admitted to trading. In addition, the Trustee, on behalf of the Trust and acting upon the advice of counsel, shall cause the Trust to comply with all of the provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission related thereto, including but not limited to, establishing, evaluating and maintaining a system of internal control over financial reporting in compliance with the requirements of Section 404 thereof and making all required certifications pursuant to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the rules and regulations adopted by the Commission related thereto.

(c) The Trustee shall execute, by and on behalf of the Trust, any documents incidental or related to the objectives specified in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this Section 3.12 .

(d) The Trust is hereby authorized and empowered to take all steps, make all filings and applications and pay all fees necessary, customary or appropriate to the accomplishment of the objectives set forth in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this Section 3.12 including, without limitation, the entering into the Administrative Services Agreement with Whiting Oil and Gas Corporation.

(e) Except as otherwise provided in Article VI , the fees, charges, expenses, disbursements and other costs incurred by the Trustee or the Delaware Trustee in connection with the discharge of its duties pursuant to this Agreement, including, without limitation, trustee fees, engineering, audit, accounting and legal fees, printing and mailing costs, amounts reimbursed or paid to Trustor pursuant to Section 3.06 or Section 7.02 , and the fees and expenses of legal counsel for the Trustee, the Delaware Trustee, and the Trust (including legal fees and expenses incurred by the Trustee or the Delaware Trustee in connection with the formation of the Trust and issuance of Trust Units), shall be paid out of the Trust Estate as an administrative expense of the Trust, provided that the Trustee’s and the Delaware Trustee’s acceptance fees

 

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paid by Trustor upon execution hereof shall be reimbursed to Trustor. All other organizational expenses of the Trust will be paid by Trustor, and Trustor shall not be entitled to reimbursement thereof.

(f) The Trustee is hereby authorized and empowered to take all steps, make all filings and applications and pay all fees necessary, customary or appropriate in order to perform the obligations of the Trust under the Registration Rights Agreement.

Section 3.13 Reserve Report . The Trustee shall cause a reserve report to be prepared by or for the Trust by the Independent Reserve Engineers as of December 31 of each year in accordance with criteria established by the Commission showing estimated proved oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids reserves attributable to the Net Profits Interest as of December 31 of such year and other reserve information required to comply with Section 5.03 . Trustor, to the extent it is the operator of the Underlying Properties, shall, and to the extent any of its Affiliates is the operator of the Underlying Properties, shall cause such Affiliate or Affiliates to, use commercially reasonable efforts to cooperate with the Trust and the Independent Reserve Engineers in connection with the preparation of any such reserve report, and, to the extent Trustor is not the operator of the Underlying Properties, shall use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain and provide to the Trustee and the Independent Reserve Engineers such information as may be reasonably necessary in connection with the preparation of the reserve report. The Trustee shall cause each reserve report prepared pursuant to this Section 3.13 to be completed and delivered to it within 75 days of the last day of the prior calendar year or such shorter period of time as may be required to enable the Trustee to comply with the provisions of Section 5.03 .

Section 3.14 No Liability for Recordation . Trustor shall be solely responsible, and the Trustee and the Delaware Trustee shall have no responsibility, for the filing of the Conveyance in the real property records of any jurisdiction in which the Underlying Properties are located. Neither the Trustee, the Delaware Trustee, the Bank nor any of their respective Agents shall be liable to the Trust Estate or any Trust Unitholder for any loss, claim or damage resulting from, or arising out of, the failure to file, or failure to properly file, the Conveyance in any real property records of any jurisdiction.

ARTICLE IV

TRUST UNITS AND UNCERTIFICATED BENEFICIAL INTEREST

Section 4.01 Creation and Distribution . Ownership of the entire Beneficial Interest shall be divided into 18,400,000 Trust Units. The Trust Units shall be uncertificated and ownership thereof shall be evidenced by entry of a notation in an ownership ledger maintained for such purpose by the Trustee or a transfer agent designated by the Trustee. The holders of the Trust Units from time to time shall be the sole beneficiaries of principal and interest of the Trust.

Section 4.02 Rights of Trust Unitholders; Limitation on Personal Liability of Trust Unitholders . Each Trust Unit shall represent pro rata undivided ownership of the Beneficial Interest and shall entitle its holder to participate pro rata in the rights and benefits of holders of Trust Units under this Agreement. A Trust Unitholder (whether by assignment or otherwise) shall take and hold each Trust Unit subject to all the terms and provisions of this Agreement,

 

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which shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the successors, assigns, legatees, heirs and personal representatives of such Trust Unitholder. By an assignment or a transfer of one or more Trust Units, the assignor thereby shall, with respect to such assigned or transferred Trust Unit or Trust Units, part with, except as required by federal or state tax laws and as provided in Section 4.03 in the case of a transfer after a Quarterly Record Date and prior to the corresponding Quarterly Payment Date, (a) all of its Beneficial Interest attributable to such Trust Unit or Trust Units and (b) all interests, rights and benefits of a Trust Unitholder under the Trust and this Agreement that are attributable to such Trust Unit or Trust Units as against all other Trust Unitholders, the Trust and the Trustee, including, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, any and all rights to any Quarterly Cash Distribution, or any portion thereof, attributable to any Trust Units so assigned or transferred, for any Quarterly Period or Quarterly Periods subsequent to the Quarterly Period which relates to the last Quarterly Record Date on which the assignor owned such Trust Units. The Trust Units and the rights, benefits and interests evidenced thereby (including, without limiting the foregoing, the entire Beneficial Interest) are and, for all purposes, shall be construed (except for tax purposes), to be in all respects intangible personal property, and the Trust Units shall be bequeathed, assigned, disposed of and distributed as intangible personal property. No Trust Unitholder as such shall have any title, legal or equitable, in or to any real property interest or tangible personal property interest that may be considered a part of the Trust Estate, including, without limiting the foregoing, the Net Profits Interest and Pre-Effective Time Payment or any part thereof, or in or to any asset of the Trust Estate to the extent that an interest in such asset would cause the interest of a Trust Unitholder to be treated as other than an intangible personal property interest, but the sole interest of each Trust Unitholder shall be his ownership in the Beneficial Interest. No Trust Unitholder shall have the right to call for or demand or secure any partition or distribution of the Net Profits Interest and Pre-Effective Time Payment or any other asset of the Trust Estate or any accounting during the continuance of the Trust or during the period of liquidation and winding up under Section 9.03 . Pursuant to Section 3803(a) of the Trust Act, the Trust Unitholders shall be entitled, to the fullest extent permitted by law, to the same limitation of personal liability extended to stockholders of private corporations for profit organized under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

Section 4.03 Effect of Transfer . As to matters affecting the title, ownership, warranty or transfer of Trust Units, Article 8 of the Uniform Commercial Code, the Uniform Act for Simplification of Fiduciary Security Transfers, and other statutes and rules with respect to the transfer of securities, each as is adopted and then in force in the State of Delaware, shall govern and apply. The death of any Trust Unitholder shall not entitle the Transferee of such Trust Unitholder to an accounting or valuation for any purpose pursuant to the terms hereof.

Section 4.04 Determination of Ownership . In the event of any disagreement between Persons claiming to be Transferees of any Trust Unit, or in the event of any question on the part of the Trustee when presented with a request for transfer of a Trust Unit, which the Trustee believes is not fully resolved by opinions of counsel or other documents obtained in connection therewith, then, in addition to other rights which it may have under applicable law, the Trustee shall be entitled at its option to refuse to recognize any such claim so long as such disagreement or question shall continue. In so refusing, the Trustee, and any Entity serving in such capacity, may elect to make no disposition of the interest represented by the Trust Unit involved, or any part thereof, or of any sum or sums of money accrued or accruing thereunder, and, in so doing,

 

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the Trustee shall not be or become liable to any Person for the failure or refusal of the Trustee to comply with such conflicting claims or requests for transfer, and shall be entitled to continue so to refrain and refuse so to act, until:

(a) the rights of the adverse claimants or the questions of the Trustee have been adjudicated by a final nonappealable judgment of a court assuming and having jurisdiction of the parties and the interest and money involved, or

(b) all differences have been adjusted by valid agreement between said parties and the Trustee shall have been notified thereof in writing signed by all of the interested parties.

Section 4.05 Transfer Agent . The Trustee may serve as transfer agent or may designate a transfer agent at any time. The initial transfer agent shall be American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC. The Trustee may dismiss the transfer agent and designate a successor transfer agent at any time with or without reason. Any entity serving as transfer agent shall be entitled to payment of its fees in accordance with the terms of its engagement.

ARTICLE V

ACCOUNTING AND DISTRIBUTIONS; REPORTS

Section 5.01 Fiscal Year and Accounting Method . The Trust shall adopt the calendar year as its fiscal year and shall maintain its books on an appropriate basis to comply with Sections 5.03 and 5.04 , except to the extent such books must be maintained on any other basis pursuant to applicable law.

Section 5.02 Quarterly Distributions . On (or, to the extent possible, prior to) the Quarterly Record Date, the Trustee shall, in the manner required by the rules of any securities exchange or quotation system on which the Trust Units are listed or admitted to trading, communicate to the Trust Unitholders its determination of the amount of the Quarterly Cash Distribution for the relevant Quarterly Period based on (a) information provided to the Trustee by Trustor pursuant to the terms of the Conveyance with respect to the cash proceeds to be received by the Trust in respect of the Net Profits Interest and Pre-Effective Time Payment for the relevant Quarterly Period and (b) the amount of interest earned during the relevant Quarterly Period on such cash proceeds held by the Trust. On each Quarterly Payment Date, the Trustee shall distribute pro rata the Quarterly Cash Distribution with respect to the immediately preceding Quarterly Period to Trust Unitholders of record on the Quarterly Record Date for such Quarterly Period.

Section 5.03 Reports to Trust Unitholders and Others .

(a) Within 75 days following the end of each of the calendar quarters, except the fourth calendar quarter of each calendar year, or such shorter period of time as may be required by the rules and regulations of the Commission adopted with respect to the Exchange Act or by the rules of any securities exchange or quotation system on which the Trust Units are listed or admitted to trading, the Trustee shall mail to each Person who was a Trust Unitholder of record on the Quarterly Record Date for such Quarterly Period a report, which may be a copy of the Trust’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q under the Exchange Act, which shall show in reasonable

 

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detail the assets and liabilities and receipts and disbursements of the Trust for such calendar quarter. The obligation to mail a report to each Trust Unitholder of record on a Quarterly Record Date shall be deemed to be satisfied if the Trustee files a copy of the Trust’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q on the Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis, and Retrieval system (EDGAR) maintained by the Commission or any successor system or otherwise makes such report publicly available on an Internet website that is generally accessible to the public.

(b) Within 120 days following the end of each fiscal year or such shorter period of time as may be required by the rules and regulations of the Commission adopted with respect to the Exchange Act or by the rules of any securities exchange or quotation system on which the Trust Units are listed or admitted to trading, the Trustee shall mail to each Person who was a Trust Unitholder of record on a date to be selected by the Trustee an annual report, containing financial statements audited by a nationally recognized independent registered public accounting firm selected by the Trustee, plus such annual reserve information regarding the Net Profits Interest and Pre-Effective Time Payment as may be required under Section 3.13 or by any regulatory authority having jurisdiction. The obligation to mail an annual report to each Trust Unitholder of record shall be deemed to be satisfied if the Trustee files a copy of the Trust’s Annual Report on Form 10-K on the Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis, and Retrieval system (EDGAR) maintained by the Commission or any successor system or otherwise makes such report publicly available on an Internet website that is generally accessible to the public; provided that upon filing the Annual Report on Form 10-K on EDGAR, the Trust shall issue a press release specifying that such report has been filed and is available on the Trust’s website and that Trust Unitholders may request a copy of such report, free of charge, by contacting the Trustee.

(c) Notwithstanding any time limit imposed by paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section 5.03 , if, due to a delay in receipt by the Trustee of information necessary for preparation of a report or reports required by such paragraphs, the Trustee shall be unable to prepare and mail such report or reports within such time limit, the Trustee shall prepare and mail such report or reports as soon thereafter as practicable.

Section 5.04 Federal Income Tax Provisions . For federal or state income tax purposes, the Trustee shall file for the Trust such returns and statements as in its judgment are required to comply with applicable provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the regulations thereunder and any applicable state laws and regulations, in either case to permit each Trust Unitholder to report such Trust Unitholder’s share of the income and deductions of the Trust. The Trustee will treat all income and deductions of the Trust for each month as having been realized on the Quarterly Record Date for such quarter unless otherwise advised by its counsel. The Trustee will treat the Trust and report with respect to the Trust as a grantor trust until and unless it receives an opinion of tax counsel that such reporting is no longer proper. Within 75 days following the end of each fiscal year, the Trustee shall mail to each Person who was a Trust Unitholder of record on a Quarterly Record Date during such fiscal year, a report which shall show in reasonable detail such information as is necessary to permit all holders of record of Trust Units on a Quarterly Record Date during such fiscal year to make calculations necessary for tax purposes.

 

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ARTICLE VI

LIABILITY OF DELAWARE TRUSTEE AND TRUSTEE

AND METHOD OF SUCCESSION

Section 6.01 Liability of Delaware Trustee, Trustee and Agents.

(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, each of the Delaware Trustee and the Trustee, in carrying out its powers and performing its duties, may act directly or in its discretion, at the expense of the Trust, through Agents (including attorneys) pursuant to agreements entered into with any of them, and each Entity serving as Delaware Trustee or Trustee shall be personally or individually liable only for (i) its own fraud or acts or omissions in bad faith or which constitute gross negligence and (ii) taxes, fees or other charges on, based on or measured by any fees, commissions or compensation received by it in connection with any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and shall not otherwise be individually or personally liable under any circumstances whatsoever, including but not limited to any act or omission of any Agent unless such Entity has acted with fraud or in bad faith or with gross negligence in the selection or retention of such Agent. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, each Agent of the Delaware Trustee and the Trustee (including Trustor and any of its Affiliates when acting as Agents), in carrying out its powers and performing its duties, may act directly or in its discretion, at the expense of the Trust, through agents or attorneys engaged by such Agent, and shall not otherwise be individually or personally liable for any act or omission unless such Agent has acted in bad faith or with gross negligence. Neither the Trustee nor the Delaware Trustee shall have any liability to any Persons other than the Trust Unitholders in accordance with Section 3803 of the Trust Act and, for the avoidance of any doubt, shall not have any liability hereunder to the Trust Unitholders absent its own fraud or acts or omissions in bad faith or which constitute gross negligence. No Entity serving as Trustee or Delaware Trustee shall be individually liable by reason of any act or omission of any other Entity serving as Trustee or Delaware Trustee.

(b) Each of the Delaware Trustee and the Trustee, and each Entity serving in any such fiduciary capacity or as an Agent of the Delaware Trustee or the Trustee (including Trustor and any of its Affiliates when acting as Agents), shall be protected in reasonably relying or acting upon any notice, certificate, assignment, opinion or advice of counsel or tax advisors, report of certified accountant, petroleum engineer, geologist, auditor or other expert, credential, or any other document or instrument. Each of the Delaware Trustee and the Trustee, and each Entity serving in any such fiduciary capacity or as an Agent of the Delaware Trustee or the Trustee (including Trustor and any of its Affiliates when acting as Agents), is specifically authorized to rely upon the application of Article 8 of the Uniform Commercial Code, the application of the Uniform Act for Simplification of Fiduciary Security Transfers and the application of other statutes and rules with respect to the transfer of securities, each as is adopted and then in force in the State of Delaware, as to all matters affecting title, ownership, warranty or transfer of the Trust Units, without any personal liability for such reliance, and the indemnity granted under Section 6.02 shall specifically extend to any matters arising as a result thereof. Further, and without limiting the foregoing, each of the Delaware Trustee, the Trustee and each Entity serving in either such capacity is specifically authorized and directed to rely upon the validity of the Conveyance and the title held by the Trust in the Net Profits Interest and Pre-Effective Time Payment pursuant thereto and is further specifically authorized and directed to rely upon opinions of counsel in each of the states in which Underlying Properties are located, without any liability in any capacity for such reliance.

 

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Section 6.02 Indemnification of Trustee or Delaware Trustee.

(a) Each Entity serving as the Trustee or the Delaware Trustee, as well as each of their respective Agents (including Trustor and any of its Affiliates when acting as Agents) and equityholders, shall be indemnified and held harmless by, and receive reimbursement from, the Trust Estate against and from any and all liabilities, obligations, actions, suits, costs, expenses, claims, damages, losses, penalties, taxes, fees and other charges (collectively, “ Expenses ,” excluding, however, any taxes and fees payable by the Trustee and the Delaware Trustee on, based on or measured by any fees, commissions or compensation received by the Trustee and the Delaware Trustee for their services hereunder) incurred by it individually in the administration of the Trust and the Trust Estate or any part or parts thereof, or in the doing of any act done or performed or omission occurring on account of its being Trustee or Delaware Trustee, except such Expenses as to which it is liable under Section 6.01 (it being understood that each Entity serving as the Trustee or the Delaware Trustee (and their respective Agents (including Trustor and any of its Affiliates when acting as Agents) and equityholders) shall be indemnified by, and receive reimbursement from, the Trust Estate against such Entity’s own negligence which does not constitute gross negligence). Each Entity serving as the Trustee or the Delaware Trustee shall have a lien upon the Trust Estate for payment of such indemnification and reimbursement (including, without limitation, repayment of any funds borrowed from any Entity serving as a fiduciary hereunder), as well as for compensation to be paid to such Entity, in each case entitling such Entity to priority as to payment thereof over payment to any other Person under this Agreement. Neither the Trustee, the Delaware Trustee nor any Entity serving in either of such capacities, nor any Agent thereof shall be entitled to any reimbursement or indemnification from any Trust Unitholder for any Expense incurred by the Delaware Trustee or the Trustee or any such Entity or Agent thereof, their right of reimbursement and indemnification, if any, except as provided in Section 6.02(b) , being limited solely to the Trust Estate, whether or not the Trust Estate is exhausted without full reimbursement or indemnification of the Trustee, the Delaware Trustee or any such Entity or Agent thereof. All legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by the Trustee or the Delaware Trustee in connection with the investigation or defense of any Expenses as to which such Entity is entitled to indemnity under this Section 6.02(a) shall be paid out of the Trust Estate.

(b) If the Trust Estate is exhausted without the Trustee, the Delaware Trustee or any Agent or equityholder thereof being fully reimbursed as provided in Section 6.02(a) , Trustor shall fulfill the remaining indemnity obligation to the Trustee and the Delaware Trustee.

(c) If any action or proceeding shall be brought or asserted against the Trustee or the Delaware Trustee or any Agent or equityholder thereof (each referred to as an “ Indemnified Party ” and, collectively, the “ Indemnified Parties ”) in respect of which indemnity may be sought from Trustor (the “ Indemnifying Party ”) pursuant to Section 6.02(b) , of which the Indemnified Party shall have received notice, the Indemnified Party shall promptly notify the Indemnifying Party in writing, and the Indemnifying Party shall assume the defense thereof, including the employment of counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Party and the payment of all expenses. The Indemnified Party shall have the right to employ separate counsel in any such

 

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action and to participate in the defense thereof, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of the Indemnified Party unless (i) the Indemnifying Party has agreed to pay such fees and expenses, (ii) the Indemnifying Party shall have failed to assume the defense of such action or proceeding and employ counsel reasonably satisfactory (including the qualifications of such counsel) to the Indemnified Party on any such action or proceeding or (iii) the named parties to any such action or proceeding include both the Indemnified Party and the Indemnifying Party, and the Indemnified Party shall have been advised by counsel that there may be one or more legal defenses available to such Indemnified Party that are different from or additional to those available to the Indemnifying Party (in which case, if the Indemnified Party notifies the Indemnifying Party in writing that it elects to employ separate counsel at the expense of the Indemnifying Party, the Indemnifying Party shall not have the right to assume the defense of such action or proceeding on behalf of the Indemnified Party and the Indemnified Party may employ such counsel for the defense of such action or proceeding as is reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnifying Party; it being understood, however, that the Indemnifying Party shall not, in connection with any one such action or proceeding or separate but substantially similar or related actions or proceedings in the same jurisdiction arising out of the same general allegations or circumstances, be liable for the fees and expenses of more than one separate firm of attorneys for the Indemnified Parties at any time). The Indemnifying Party shall not be liable for any settlement of any such action or proceeding effected without the written consent of the Indemnifying Party (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed), but, if settled with such written consent, or if there be a final judgment for the plaintiff in any such action or proceeding, the Indemnifying Party agrees (to the extent stated above) to indemnify and hold harmless the Indemnified Party from and against any loss or liability by reason of such settlement or judgment.

(d) Any claim for indemnification pursuant to this Section 6.02 shall survive the termination of this Agreement and the resignation or removal of any Indemnified Party.

(e) Except as expressly set forth in this Agreement, none of the Trustee, the Delaware Trustee or any other Indemnified Party shall have any duties or liabilities, other than the contractual obligations as expressly set forth in this Agreement, or any fiduciary duties, to the Trust or any Trust Unitholder, and the provisions of this Agreement, to the extent they restrict, eliminate or otherwise modify the duties and liabilities, including fiduciary duties, of any Indemnified Party otherwise existing at law or in equity, are agreed by the Trust Unitholders to replace such other duties and liabilities of such Indemnified Party. To the extent that, at law or in equity, an Indemnified Party has duties, including fiduciary duties, and liabilities relating thereto to the Trust or any Trust Unitholder, any Indemnified Party acting in connection with the Trust’s business or affairs shall not be liable to the Trust or to any Trust Unitholder for its good faith reliance on the provisions of this Agreement.

Section 6.03 Resignation of Delaware Trustee and Trustee . Any Entity serving as the Delaware Trustee or the Trustee may resign, as such, with or without cause, at any time by written notice to Trustor, to any other Entity serving as the Delaware Trustee or the Trustee. Upon receiving the notice of resignation from the Delaware Trustee or the Trustee, as applicable, the resigning Delaware Trustee or Trustee, as the case may be, shall provide notice to each of the then Trust Unitholders of record in accordance with Section 12.08 . Such notice shall specify a date when such resignation shall take effect, which shall be a Business Day not less than 60 days

 

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after the date such notice is mailed; provided, however, that in no event shall any resignation of the Trustee be effective until a successor Trustee has accepted its appointment as Trustee (including a temporary trustee appointed pursuant to Section 6.05 ) pursuant to the terms hereof; and provided further that in no event shall any resignation of the Delaware Trustee be effective until a successor Delaware Trustee has accepted its appointment as Delaware Trustee pursuant to the terms hereof.

Section 6.04 Removal of Delaware Trustee and Trustee . Each Entity serving as the Delaware Trustee or the Trustee may be removed as trustee hereunder, with or without cause, by the vote of not less than a majority of the then outstanding Trust Units at a meeting held in accordance with the requirements of Article VIII , provided that any removal of the Delaware Trustee shall be effective only at such time as a successor Delaware Trustee, fulfilling the requirements of Section 3807(a) of the Trust Act, has been appointed and has accepted such appointment, and provided further that any removal of the Trustee shall be effective only at such time as a successor Trustee has been appointed and has accepted such appointment. The Trust Unitholders present or represented at any such meeting where a trustee is removed may elect, in accordance with the requirements of Article VIII , a successor trustee at such meeting, who may accept such appointment effective as of the close of such meeting.

Section 6.05 Appointment of Successor Delaware Trustee or Trustee . In the event of the resignation or removal of the Entity serving as the Delaware Trustee or the Trustee or if any such Entity has given notice of its intention to resign as the Delaware Trustee or the Trustee, (i) with respect to the Delaware Trustee, the Trustee may appoint a successor Delaware Trustee, or (ii) with respect to either the Delaware Trustee or the Trustee, the Trust Unitholders represented at a meeting held in accordance with the requirements of Article VIII may appoint a successor trustee. Nominees for appointment may be made by (i) Trustor, (ii) the resigned, resigning or removed trustee or (iii) any Trust Unitholder or Trust Unitholders owning of record at least 10% of the then outstanding Trust Units. Any successor to the Trustee shall be a bank or trust company having combined capital, surplus and undivided profits of at least $100,000,000. Any successor to the Delaware Trustee shall be a bank or trust company having its principal place of business in the State of Delaware and having combined capital, surplus and undivided profits of at least $20,000,000. Notwithstanding any provision herein to the contrary, in the event that a new trustee has not been approved within 60 days after a notice of resignation, a vote of Trust Unitholders removing a Trustee or other occurrence of a vacancy, a successor trustee may be appointed by any State or Federal District Court having jurisdiction in New Castle County, Delaware, upon the application of any Trust Unitholder, Trustor or the Entity tendering its resignation or being removed as trustee filed with such court, and in the event any such application is filed, such court may appoint a temporary trustee at any time after such application is filed, which shall, pending the final appointment of a trustee, have such powers and duties as the court appointing such temporary trustee shall provide in its order of appointment, consistent with the provisions of this Agreement. Any such temporary trustee need not meet the minimum standards of capital, surplus and undivided profits otherwise required of a successor trustee under this Section 6.05 . Nothing herein shall prevent the same Entity from serving as both the Delaware Trustee and the Trustee if it meets the qualifications thereof.

Immediately upon the appointment of any successor trustee, all rights, titles, duties, powers and authority of the succeeded trustee hereunder (except to the succeeded

 

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trustee’s rights to amounts payable under Article VII or Section 6.02 accruing through the appointment of such successor trustee) shall be vested in and undertaken by the successor trustee, which shall be entitled to receive from the predecessor trustee all of the Trust Estate held by it hereunder and all records and files of the predecessor trustee in connection therewith. Any resigning or removed trustee shall account to its successor for its administration of the Trust. All successor trustees shall be fully protected in relying upon such accounting and no successor trustee shall be obligated to examine or seek alteration of any account of any preceding trustee, nor shall any successor trustee be personally liable for failing to do so or for any act or omission of any preceding trustee. The preceding sentence shall not prevent any successor trustee or anyone else from taking any action otherwise permissible in connection with any such account.

Section 6.06 Laws of Other Jurisdictions . If notwithstanding the other provisions of this Agreement (including, without limitation, Section 12.07 ) the laws of jurisdictions other than the State of Delaware (each being referred to below as “such jurisdiction”) apply to the administration of the Trust or the Trust Estate under this Agreement, the following provisions shall apply. If it is necessary or advisable for a trustee to serve in such jurisdiction and if the Trustee is disqualified from serving in such jurisdiction or for any other reason fails or ceases to serve there, the ancillary trustee in such jurisdiction shall be such Entity, which need not meet the requirements set forth in the third sentence of Section 6.05 , as shall be designated in writing by Trustor and the Trustee. To the extent permitted under the laws of such jurisdiction, Trustor and the Trustee may remove the trustee in such jurisdiction, without cause and without necessity of court proceeding, and may or may not appoint a successor trustee in such jurisdiction from time to time. The trustee serving in such jurisdiction shall, to the extent not prohibited under the laws of such jurisdiction, appoint the Trustee to handle the details of administration in such jurisdiction. The trustee in such jurisdiction shall have all rights, powers, discretions, responsibilities and duties as are delegated in writing by the Trustee, subject to such limitations and directions as shall be specified by the Trustee in the instrument evidencing such appointment. Any trustee in such jurisdiction shall be responsible to the Trustee for all assets with respect to which such trustee is empowered to act. To the extent the provisions of this Agreement and Delaware law cannot be made applicable to the administration in such jurisdiction, the rights, powers, duties and liabilities of the trustee in such jurisdiction shall be the same (or as near the same as permitted under the laws of such jurisdiction if applicable) as if governed by Delaware law. In all events, the administration in such jurisdiction shall be as free and independent of court control and supervision as permitted under the laws of such jurisdiction. The fees and expenses of any ancillary trustee shall constitute an administrative expense of the Trust payable from the Trust Estate. Whenever the term “Trustee” is applied in this Agreement to the administration in such jurisdiction, it shall refer only to the trustee then serving in such jurisdiction.

Section 6.07 Reliance on Experts . The Trustee and the Delaware Trustee may, but shall not be required to, consult with counsel (which may but need not be counsel to Trustor), accountants, tax advisors, geologists, engineers and other parties deemed by the Trustee or the Delaware Trustee to be qualified as experts on the matters submitted to them, and, subject to Section 6.01 but notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement the opinion or advice of any such party on any matter submitted to it by the Trustee or the Delaware Trustee shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, omitted or suffered by the Trustee or the Delaware Trustee hereunder in reasonable reliance upon and in accordance

 

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with the opinion or advice of any such party. Each of the Trustee and the Delaware Trustee is authorized to make payments of all reasonable fees for services and expenses thus incurred out of the Trust Estate. Neither the Delaware Trustee nor the Trustee shall incur any liability to anyone in acting upon any signature, instrument, notice, resolution, request, consent, order, certificate, report, opinion, bond or other document or paper reasonably believed by it to be genuine and reasonably believed by it to be signed by the proper party or parties. The Delaware Trustee and the Trustee may accept a certified copy of a resolution of the board of directors or other governing body of any corporate party as conclusive evidence that such resolution has been duly adopted by such body and that the same is in full force and effect. As to any fact or matter the manner or ascertainment of which is not specifically prescribed herein, the Delaware Trustee and the Trustee may for all purposes hereof rely on a certificate, signed by the president or any vice president or by the treasurer or any assistant treasurer and by the secretary or any assistant secretary of the relevant party, as to such fact or matter, and such certificate shall constitute full protection and authorization to the Delaware Trustee and the Trustee for any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in reasonable reliance thereon.

Section 6.08 Force Majeure . The Trustee and the Delaware Trustee shall not incur any liability to any Trust Unitholder if, by reason of any current or future law or regulation thereunder of the federal government or any other governmental authority, or by reason of any act of God, war or other circumstance beyond its control, the Trustee or the Delaware Trustee is prevented or forbidden from doing or performing any act or thing required by the terms hereof to be done or performed; nor shall the Trustee or the Delaware Trustee incur any liability to any Trust Unitholder by reason of any nonperformance or delay caused as aforesaid in the performance of any act or thing required by the terms hereof to be done or performed, or by reason of any exercise of, or failure to exercise, any discretion provided for herein caused as aforesaid.

Section 6.09 Failure of Action by Trustor . In the event that Trustor shall fail or is unable to take any action as required under any provision of this Agreement or the Conveyance, the Trustee is empowered to take such action.

Section 6.10 Action Upon Instructions . Whenever the Delaware Trustee is unable to decide between alternative courses of action permitted or required by the terms of this Agreement, or is unsure as to the application, intent, interpretation or meaning of any provision of this Agreement, the Delaware Trustee shall promptly give notice (in such form as shall be appropriate under the circumstances) to the Trustee requesting instruction as to the course of action to be adopted, and, to the extent the Delaware Trustee acts in good faith in accordance with any such instruction received, the Delaware Trustee shall not be liable on account of such action to any Person. If the Delaware Trustee shall not have received appropriate instructions within ten calendar days of sending such notice to the Trustee (or within such shorter period of time as reasonably may be specified in such notice or may be necessary under the circumstances) it may, but shall be under no duty to, take or refrain from taking such action which is consistent, in its view, with this Agreement, and the Delaware Trustee shall have no liability to any Person for any such action or inaction.

Section 6.11 Management of Trust Estate . The Delaware Trustee shall have no duty or obligation to manage, control, prepare, file or maintain any report, license or registration, use,

 

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sell, dispose of or otherwise deal with the Trust Estate, or otherwise to take or refrain from taking any action under or in connection with this Agreement, or any other document or instrument, except as expressly required hereby.

Section 6.12 Validity . The Delaware Trustee shall not be responsible for or in respect of and makes no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of any provision of this Agreement or for the due execution hereof by the other parties hereto or for the form, character, genuineness, sufficiency, value or validity of any of the Trust Estate, and the Delaware Trustee shall in no event assume or incur any liability, duty or obligation to Trustor, the Trustee or any Trust Unitholder, other than as expressly provided for herein. The Delaware Trustee shall at no time have any responsibility or liability for or with respect to the legality, validity and enforceability of any of the Trust Units.

Section 6.13 Rights and Powers; Litigation . The Delaware Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Agreement, or to institute, conduct or defend any litigation or arbitration under this Agreement or otherwise or in relation to this Agreement, at the request, order or direction of the Trustee, any Trust Unitholder or Trustor unless the Trustee, Trust Unitholder or Trustor, as the case may be, has or have offered to the Delaware Trustee security or indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities that may be incurred by the Delaware Trustee therein or thereby. The Delaware Trustee shall be under no obligation to appear in, prosecute or defend any action, or to take any other action other than the giving of notices, which in its opinion may require it to incur any out-of-pocket expense or any liability unless it shall be furnished with such security and indemnity against such expense or liability as it may reasonably require. The right of the Delaware Trustee to perform any discretionary act enumerated in this Agreement shall not be construed as a duty, and the Delaware Trustee shall not be personally liable or accountable for the performance of any such act except as specifically provided in Section 6.01 .

Section 6.14 No Duty to Act Under Certain Circumstances . Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, the Delaware Trustee will not be required to take any action in any jurisdiction other than in the State of Delaware if the taking of such action would (a) require the consent of approval or authorization or order of or the giving of notice to, or the registration with or taking of any action in respect of, any state or other governmental authority or agency of any jurisdiction other than in the State of Delaware, (b) result in any fee, tax or governmental charge under the laws of any jurisdiction or any political subdivisions thereof other than the State of Delaware becoming payable by the Delaware Trustee or (c) subject the Delaware Trustee to personal jurisdiction in any jurisdiction other than the State of Delaware for causes of action arising from acts unrelated to the consummation of the transactions by the Delaware Trustee contemplated hereby.

ARTICLE VII

COMPENSATION OF THE TRUSTEE AND THE DELAWARE TRUSTEE

Section 7.01 Compensation of Trustee and Delaware Trustee . The Entity serving as the Trustee hereunder shall receive an annual fee of $175,000 as compensation for its services as the Trustee hereunder; provided, however such annual fee shall increase 2.5% annually starting on January 1, 2017. The Entity serving as the Delaware Trustee hereunder shall receive an annual

 

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fee of $3,500 as compensation for its services as the Delaware Trustee hereunder. Entities serving as the Trustee or the Delaware Trustee hereunder shall be reimbursed for all actual expenditures made in connection with administration of the Trust, including those made on account of any unusual duties in connection with matters pertaining to the Trust and the reasonable compensation and expenses of their counsel, accountants or other skilled persons and of all other persons not regularly in their employ. Any unusual or extraordinary services rendered by the Entity serving as Trustee or by the Entity serving as Delaware Trustee in connection with the administration of the Trust shall be treated as trustee administrative services for purpose of computing the respective administrative fee to be paid to each Entity serving as trustee hereunder.

Section 7.02 Reimbursement of Trustor . Trustor shall be entitled to reimbursement from the Trust for all out-of-pocket costs and expenses paid by Trustor, acting in its capacity as Agent of the Trust (including without limitation legal, accounting, engineering and printing costs), but excluding those costs and expenses specified in Section 6.02(b) as costs and expenses to be paid by Trustor and excluding any costs and expenses which have been or will be reimbursed pursuant to the Administrative Services Agreement, promptly upon submission of written evidence thereof to the Trustee.

Section 7.03 Source of Funds . Except as provided in Section 6.02(b) , all compensation, reimbursements, and other charges owing to any Entity as a result of its services as a trustee hereunder shall constitute indebtedness hereunder, shall be payable by the Trust out of the Trust Estate and such Entity shall have a lien on the Trust Estate for payment of such compensation, reimbursements and other charges, entitling such Entity to priority as to payment thereof over payment to any other Person under this Agreement.

Section 7.04 Ownership of Units by Trustor, the Delaware Trustee and the Trustee . Each of the Delaware Trustee and the Trustee, in its individual or other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Trust Units with the same rights it would have if it were not a trustee hereunder. Trustor and each of its Affiliates may become the owner of Trust Units with the same rights and entitled to the same benefits as any other Trust Unitholder.

ARTICLE VIII

MEETINGS OF TRUST UNITHOLDERS

Section 8.01 Purpose of Meetings . A meeting of the Trust Unitholders may be called at any time and from time to time pursuant to the provisions of this Article VIII to transact any matter that the Trust Unitholders may be authorized to transact.

Section 8.02 Call and Notice of Meetings . Any such meeting of the Trust Unitholders may be called by the Trustee or by Trust Unitholders owning of record not less than 10% in number of the then outstanding Trust Units. The Trustee may, but shall not be obligated to, call meetings of Trust Unitholders to consider amendments, waivers, consents and other changes relating to the Transaction Documents to which the Trust is a party. In addition, at the written request of the Delaware Trustee, unless the Trustee appoints a successor Delaware Trustee in accordance with Section 6.05 , the Trustee shall call such a meeting but only for the purpose of appointing a successor to the Delaware Trustee upon its resignation. All such meetings shall be

 

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held at such time and at such place as the notice of any such meeting may designate. Except as may otherwise be required by any applicable law or by any securities exchange on which the Trust Units may be listed or admitted to trading, the Trustee shall provide written notice of every meeting of the Trust Unitholders signed by the Trustee or the Trust Unitholders calling the meeting, setting forth the time and place of the meeting and in general terms the matters proposed to be acted upon at such meeting, which notice shall be given in person or by mail not more than 60 nor less than 20 days before such meeting is to be held to all of the Trust Unitholders of record at the close of business on a record date selected by the Trustee (the “ Record Date Trust Unitholders ”), which shall be not more than 60 days before the date of such mailing. If such notice is given to any Trust Unitholder by mail, it shall be directed to such Trust Unitholder at its last address as shown by the ownership ledger of the Trustee and shall be deemed duly given when so addressed and deposited in the United States mail, postage paid. No matter other than that stated in the notice shall be acted upon at any meeting unless such action is approved by the Trust Unitholders. Only Record Date Trust Unitholders shall be entitled to notice of and to exercise rights at or in connection with the meeting. All costs associated with calling any meeting of the Trust Unitholders shall be borne by the Trust other than a meeting of the Trust Unitholders called by Trust Unitholders owning of record not less than 10% in number of the then outstanding Trust Units, which costs shall be borne by the Trust Unitholders that called such meeting of Trust Unitholders.

Section 8.03 Method of Voting and Vote Required . Each Record Date Trust Unitholder shall be entitled to one vote for each Trust Unit owned by such Record Date Trust Unitholder, and any Record Date Trust Unitholder may vote in person or by duly executed written proxy. At any such meeting, the presence in person or by proxy of Record Date Trust Unitholders holding a majority of the Trust Units held by all Record Date Trust Unitholders shall constitute a quorum, and, except as otherwise provided herein, any matter shall be deemed to have been approved by the Trust Unitholders (including, but not limited to, appointment of a successor trustee and approval of amendments, waivers, consents and other changes relating to the Conveyance) if it is approved by the vote of Record Date Trust Unitholders holding more than 50% of the Trust Units represented at the meeting.

Section 8.04 Conduct of Meetings . The Trustee may make such reasonable regulations consistent with the provisions hereof as it may deem advisable for any meeting of the Trust Unitholders, for the appointment of proxies, and in regard to the appointment and duties of inspectors of votes, the submission and examination of proxies, certificates and other evidence of the right to vote, the preparation and use at the meeting of a list authenticated by or on behalf of the Trustee of the Trust Unitholders entitled to vote at the meeting and such other matters concerning the conduct of the meeting as it shall deem advisable.

ARTICLE IX

DURATION, REVOCATION AND TERMINATION OF TRUST

Section 9.01 Revocation . The Trust is and shall be irrevocable and Trustor, as trustor, after the Closing, retains no power to alter, amend (except as provided otherwise in this Article IX and in Section 10.02 ), revoke or terminate the Trust. The Trust shall be terminable only as provided in Section 9.02 , and shall continue until so terminated.

 

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Section 9.02 Termination . The Trust shall dissolve and commence winding-up its business and affairs upon the first to occur of the following events or times:

(a) the disposition of all of the Net Profits Interest and any assets (other than cash), tangible or intangible, including accounts receivable and claims or rights to payment, constituting the Trust Estate;

(b) the action by Trust Unitholders of record holding a majority of the then outstanding Trust Units in accordance with Article VIII to terminate the Trust;

(c) annual cash proceeds received by the Trust attributable to the Net Profits Interest and Pre-Effective Time Payment are less than $2 million for each of two consecutive years;

(d) the entry of a decree of judicial dissolution of the Trust pursuant to the provisions of the Trust Act; and

(e) the Liquidation Date.

Section 9.03 Disposition and Distribution of Assets and Properties . Notwithstanding the dissolution of the Trust pursuant to Section 9.02 , the Trustee and the Delaware Trustee shall continue to act as trustees of the Trust Estate and as such shall exercise the powers granted under this Agreement until their duties have been fully performed and the Trust Estate finally distributed so that the affairs of the Trust may be liquidated and wound up. Upon the dissolution of the Trust, the Trustee shall sell for cash in one or more sales all the properties other than cash then constituting the Trust Estate. The net proceeds from any sale of the Net Profits Interest made as provided in Section 3.02 or the properties other than cash then constituting the Trust Estate shall be Sales Proceeds Amounts, which are treated as cash receipts of the Trust during the Quarterly Period in which the net proceeds are received; provided that the Trustee shall first pay, satisfy and discharge all liabilities of the Trust, or if necessary, set up cash reserves in such amounts as the Trustee in its discretion deems appropriate for contingent liabilities in accordance with Section 3808 of the Trust Act. The Trustee shall not be required to obtain approval of the Trust Unitholders prior to performing any of its duties pursuant to this Section 9.03 . Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, in no event may the Trustee distribute the Net Profits Interest and Pre-Effective Time Payment to the Trust Unitholders. Upon making final distribution to the Trust Unitholders, the Trustee shall direct the Delaware Trustee to file, and Delaware Trustee shall file or cause to be filed, a certificate of cancellation of the Trust’s Certificate of Trust in accordance with Section 2.01 and Section 3811 of the Trust Act. Upon the filing of such certificate of cancellation, neither the Trustee nor the Entity serving in such capacity shall have any further duty or obligation hereunder, and neither the Trustee nor the Entity serving in such capacity shall be under further liability except as provided in Section 6.01 .

Section 9.04 Reorganization or Business Combination .

(a) Subject to Section 12.04 , the Trust may merge or consolidate with or into one or more limited partnerships, general partnerships, corporations, statutory trusts, common law trusts, limited liability companies, or associations, or unincorporated businesses in accordance with Section 3815 of the Trust Act if such transaction (i) is agreed to by the Trustee and by the affirmative vote of Trust Unitholders owning more than 50% of the then outstanding Trust Units

 

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at a meeting duly called and held in accordance with Article VIII , and (ii) is permitted under the Trust Act and any other applicable law. The Trustee shall give prompt notice of such reorganization or business combination to the Delaware Trustee. Pursuant to and in accordance with the provisions of Section 3815(f) of the Trust Act, and notwithstanding anything else herein, an agreement of merger or consolidation approved in accordance with this Section 9.04 and Section 3815(a) of the Trust Act may effect any amendment to this Agreement or effect the adoption of a new trust agreement if it is the surviving or resulting trust in the merger or consolidation.

(b) Upon the effective date of a certificate of merger duly filed in accordance with the Trust Act, the following shall be deemed to occur, in addition to such effects as may be specified under the Trust Act as then in effect:

(i) all of the rights, privileges and powers of each of the business entities that have merged or consolidated, and all property, real, personal and mixed, and all debts due to any of those business entities and all other things and causes of action belonging to each of those business entities shall be vested in the surviving business entity and, after the merger or consolidation, shall be the property of the surviving business entity to the extent they were part of each constituent business entity;

(ii) the title to any real property vested by deed or otherwise in any of those constituent business entities shall not revert and shall not be in any way impaired because of the merger or consolidation;

(iii) all rights of creditors and all liens on or security interest in property of any of those constituent business entities shall be preserved unimpaired;

(iv) all debts, liabilities and duties of those constituent business entities shall attach to the surviving or resulting business entity, and may be enforced against it to the same extent as if the debts, liabilities and duties had been incurred or contacted by it; and

(v) if the Trust is the surviving or resulting entity, the governing instrument of the Trust shall be amended or a new governing instrument adopted as set forth in the certificate of merger.

(c) A merger or consolidation effected pursuant to this Section 9.04 shall not be deemed to result in a transfer or assignment of assets or liabilities from one entity to another having occurred.

ARTICLE X

AMENDMENTS

Section 10.01 Prohibited Amendments . After the Closing, no amendment may be made to any provision of this Agreement that would:

(a) increase the power of the Delaware Trustee or the Trustee to engage in business or investment activities;

 

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(b) alter the right of the Trust Unitholders vis-a-vis each other; or

(c) unless consented to in writing by Trustor, have the effect of amending Sections 3.02 , 6.02 , 7.02 , 9.02 , 9.03 , 10.01 or 10.02 .

Section 10.02 Permitted Amendments . The Delaware Trustee and the Trustee may, jointly, from time to time supplement or amend the Transaction Documents to which the Trust is a party without the approval of Trust Unitholders in order to cure any ambiguity, to correct or supplement any provision contained herein or therein which may be defective or inconsistent with any other provisions herein or therein, to grant any benefit to all of the Trust Unitholders, or to change the name of the Trust, provided that such supplement or amendment does not adversely affect the interests of the Trust Unitholders in any material respect, and provided further that any amendment to this Agreement made to change the name of the Trust in accordance with Section 12.05 or otherwise shall be conclusively deemed not to affect adversely the interests of the Trust Unitholders or result in a variance of the investment of the Trust or the Trust Unitholders. Additionally, the Trustee may, from time to time supplement or amend the Transaction Documents without the approval of Trust Unitholders provided that such supplement or amendment would not increase the costs or expenses of the Trust in any material respect or adversely affect the economic interests of the Trust Unitholders in any material respect. The Trustee and the Delaware Trustee, subject to the provisions of Sections 6.01 and 6.07 are entitled to, and may rely upon, a written opinion of counsel or a certificate of Trustor as conclusive evidence that any amendment or supplement pursuant to the immediately preceding sentences complies with the provisions of this Section 10.02 . All other permitted amendments to the provisions of the Transaction Documents may be made only by a vote of the Trust Unitholders of record holding a majority of the then outstanding Trust Units at a meeting held in accordance with the requirements of Article VIII . No amendment that increases the obligations, duties or liabilities or affects the rights of the Delaware Trustee, the Trustee or any Entity serving in any such capacity shall be effective without the express written approval of such trustee or Entity.

ARTICLE XI

ARBITRATION

THE TRUST UNITHOLDERS, TRUSTEE AND TRUSTOR AGREE THAT, EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH (I) OF THIS ARTICLE XI , ANY DISPUTE, CONTROVERSY OR CLAIM THAT MAY ARISE BETWEEN OR AMONG TRUSTOR (ON THE ONE HAND) AND THE TRUST OR THE TRUSTEE (ON THE OTHER HAND) IN CONNECTION WITH OR OTHERWISE RELATING TO THE TRANSACTION DOCUMENTS TO WHICH THE TRUST IS A PARTY OR THE APPLICATION, IMPLEMENTATION, VALIDITY OR BREACH OF THE TRANSACTION DOCUMENTS TO WHICH THE TRUST IS A PARTY OR ANY PROVISION OF THE TRANSACTION DOCUMENTS TO WHICH THE TRUST IS A PARTY (INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, CLAIMS BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR STATUTE), SHALL BE FINALLY, CONCLUSIVELY AND EXCLUSIVELY SETTLED BY BINDING ARBITRATION IN DENVER, COLORADO IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE COMMERCIAL ARBITRATION RULES (THE “ RULES ”) OF THE AMERICAN ARBITRATION ASSOCIATION OR ANY SUCCESSOR THERETO (“ AAA ”) THEN IN EFFECT. THE TRUST UNITHOLDERS, TRUSTEE AND TRUSTOR (AND ON BEHALF OF THE TRUST)

 

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HEREBY EXPRESSLY WAIVE THEIR RIGHT TO SEEK REMEDIES IN COURT, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, THE RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY, WITH RESPECT TO ANY MATTER SUBJECT TO ARBITRATION PURSUANT TO THIS ARTICLE XI . THE TRUST UNITHOLDERS, TRUSTEE OR TRUSTOR MAY BRING AN ACTION, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, A SUMMARY OR EXPEDITED PROCEEDING, IN ANY COURT HAVING JURISDICTION, TO COMPEL ARBITRATION OF ANY DISPUTE, CONTROVERSY OR CLAIM TO WHICH THIS ARTICLE XI APPLIES. EXCEPT WITH RESPECT TO THE FOLLOWING PROVISIONS (THE “ SPECIAL PROVISIONS ”) WHICH SHALL APPLY WITH RESPECT TO ANY ARBITRATION PURSUANT TO THIS ARTICLE XI , THE INITIATION AND CONDUCT OF ARBITRATION SHALL BE AS SET FORTH IN THE RULES, WHICH RULES ARE INCORPORATED IN THIS AGREEMENT BY REFERENCE WITH THE SAME EFFECT AS IF THEY WERE SET FORTH IN THIS AGREEMENT.

(a) In the event of any inconsistency between the Rules and the Special Provisions, the Special Provisions shall control. References in the Rules to a sole arbitrator shall be deemed to refer to the tribunal of arbitrators provided for under subparagraph (c) below in this Article XI .

(b) The arbitration shall be administered by AAA.

(c) The arbitration shall be conducted by a tribunal of three arbitrators. Within ten days after arbitration is initiated pursuant to the Rules, the initiating party or parties (the “ Claimant ”) shall send written notice to the other party or parties (the “ Respondent ”), with a copy to the Fresno, California office of AAA, designating the first arbitrator (who shall not be a representative or agent of any party but may or may not be an AAA panel member and, in any case, shall be reasonably believed by the Claimant to possess the requisite experience, education and expertise in respect of the matters to which the claim relates to enable such person to completely perform arbitral duties). Within ten days after receipt of such notice, the Respondent shall send written notice to the Claimant, with a copy to the Fresno, California office of AAA and to the first arbitrator, designating the second arbitrator (who shall not be a representative or agent of any party, but may or may not be an AAA panel member and, in any case, shall be reasonably believed by the Respondent to possess the requisite experience, education and expertise in respect of the matters to which the claim relates to enable such person to competently perform arbitral duties). Within ten days after such notice from the Respondent is received by the Claimant, the Respondent and the Claimant shall cause their respective designated arbitrators to select any mutually agreeable AAA panel member as the third arbitrator. If the respective designated arbitrators of the Respondent and the Claimant cannot so agree within said ten day period, then the third arbitrator will be determined pursuant to the Rules. For purposes of this Article XI , Trustor (on the one hand) and the Trust and the Trustee (on the other hand) shall each be entitled to the selection of one arbitrator. Prior to commencement of the arbitration proceeding, each arbitrator shall have provided the parties with a resume outlining such arbitrator’s background and qualifications and shall certify that such arbitrator is not a representative or agent of any of the parties. If any arbitrator shall die, fail to act, resign, become disqualified or otherwise cease to act, then the arbitration proceeding shall be delayed for 15 days and the party by or on behalf of whom such arbitrator was appointed shall be entitled to appoint a substitute arbitrator (meeting the qualifications set forth in this Article XI ) within such 15-day period; provided, however, that if the party by or on behalf of whom such

 

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arbitrator was appointed shall fail to appoint a substitute arbitrator within such fifteen day period, the substitute arbitrator shall be a neutral arbitrator appointed by the AAA arbitrator within 15 days thereafter.

(d) All arbitration hearings shall be commenced within 120 days after arbitration is initiated pursuant to the Rules, unless, upon a showing of good cause by a party to the arbitration, the tribunal of arbitrators permits the extension of the commencement of such hearing; provided, however, that any such extension shall not be longer than 60 days.

(e) All claims presented for arbitration shall be particularly identified and the parties to the arbitration shall each prepare a statement of their position with recommended courses of

action. These statements of position and recommended courses of action shall be submitted to the tribunal of arbitrators chosen as provided hereinabove for binding decision. The tribunal of arbitrators shall not be empowered to make decisions beyond the scope of the position papers.

(f) The arbitration proceeding will be governed by the substantive laws of the State of Delaware and will be conducted in accordance with such procedures as shall be fixed for such purpose by the tribunal of arbitrators, except that (i) discovery in connection with any arbitration proceeding shall be conducted in accordance with the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and applicable case law, (ii) the tribunal of arbitrators shall have the power to compel discovery and (iii) unless the parties otherwise agree and except as may be provided in this Article XI , the arbitration shall be governed by the United States Arbitration Act, 9 U.S.C. §§ 1-16, to the exclusion of any provision of state law or other applicable law or procedure inconsistent therewith or which would produce a different result. The parties shall preserve their right to assert and to avail themselves of the attorney-client and attorney-work-product privileges, and any other privileges to which they may be entitled pursuant to applicable law. No party to the arbitration or any arbitrator may compel or require mediation and/or settlement conferences without the prior written consent of all such parties and the tribunal of arbitrators.

(g) The tribunal of arbitrators shall make an arbitration award as soon as possible after the later of the close of evidence or the submission of final briefs, and in all cases the award shall be made not later than thirty days following submission of the matter. The finding and decision of a majority of the arbitrators shall be final and shall be binding upon the parties. Judgment upon the arbitration award or decision may be entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof or application may be made to any such court for a judicial acceptance of the award and an order of enforcement, as the case may be. The tribunal of arbitrators shall have the authority to assess liability for pre-award and post-award interest on the claims, attorneys’ fees, expert witness fees and all other expenses of arbitration as such arbitrators shall deem appropriate based on the outcome of the claims arbitrated. Unless otherwise agreed by the parties to the arbitration in writing, the arbitration award shall include findings of fact and conclusions of law.

(h) Nothing in this Article XI shall be deemed to (i) limit the applicability of any otherwise applicable statute of limitations or repose or any waivers contained in this Agreement, (ii) constitute a waiver by any party hereto of the protections afforded by 12 U.S.C. § 91 or any successor statute thereto or any substantially equivalent state law, (iii) restrict the right of the Trustee to make application to any state or federal district court having jurisdiction in Denver, Colorado, to appoint a successor Trustee or to request instructions with regard to any provision in this Agreement when the Trustee is unsure of its obligations thereunder, or (iv) apply to the Delaware Trustee.

 

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(i) This Article XI shall preclude participation by the Trust in any class action brought against Trustor by any Person who is not a Trust Unitholder and the Trustee shall opt out of any such class action in which the Trust is a purported class member, but shall not preclude participation by the Trust in any such action brought by a Trust Unitholders or in which Trust Unitholders holding more than 50% of the Trust Units represented at a duly called and held meeting of the Trust Unitholders in accordance with Section 8.02 request the Trustee to participate.

ARTICLE XII

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 12.01 Inspection of Books . Each Trust Unitholder and its duly authorized agents and attorneys shall have the right, at its own expense and during reasonable business hours upon reasonable prior notice, to examine and inspect the records (including, without limitation, the ownership ledger) of the Trust and the Trustee in reference thereto for any purpose reasonably related to the Trust Unitholder’s interest as a Trust Unitholder. The Trustee and its duly authorized Agents (including attorneys) shall have the right, at the expense of the Trust and during reasonable business hours upon reasonable prior written notice, to examine and inspect the records of Trustor relating to the Net Profits Interest, the Pre-Effective Time Payment and the Underlying Properties.

Section 12.02 Disability of a Trust Unitholder . Any payment or distribution to a Trust Unitholder may be made by check of the Trustee drawn to the order of the Trust Unitholder, regardless of whether or not the Trust Unitholder is a minor or under other legal disability, without the Trustee having further responsibility with respect to such payment or distribution. This Section 12.02 shall not be deemed to prevent the Trustee from making any payment or distribution by any other method that is appropriate under law.

Section 12.03 Interpretation . It is intended that this Agreement shall be interpreted in a manner such that the Trustee shall be prohibited from taking any action if the effect of such action would constitute a power under this Trust Agreement to “vary the investment of the certificate holders” as defined by Section 301.7701-4(c)(1) of the Treasury Regulations promulgated under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, as such regulations may be amended, and as further interpreted by Revenue Ruling 2004-86, 2004-33 I.R.B. 191, or any successor ruling, notice or other pronouncement by the Internal Revenue Service.

Section 12.04 Merger or Consolidation of Delaware Trustee or Trustee . Neither a change of name of either the Delaware Trustee or the Trustee, nor any merger or consolidation of its corporate powers with another bank or with a trust company, nor the sale or transfer of all or substantially all of its institutional and corporate trust operations to a separate bank, trust company, corporation or other business entity shall adversely affect such resulting or successor party’s right or capacity to act hereunder; provided, however, that the Delaware Trustee or any successor thereto shall maintain its principal place of business in the State of Delaware; and provided further that, in the case of any successor Trustee or Delaware Trustee, it shall continue to meet the requirements of Section 6.05 .

 

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Section 12.05 Change in Trust Name . Upon the written request by Trustor submitted to the Trustee and the Delaware Trustee, the Trustee shall, without the vote or consent of any Trust Unitholders, take all action necessary to change the name of the Trust to a name mutually agreeable to the Trustee and Trustor and, upon effecting such name change, the Delaware Trustee, acting pursuant to the written instructions of the Trustee, shall amend the Certificate of Trust on file in the office of the Secretary of State of Delaware to reflect such name change.

Section 12.06 Filing of this Agreement . There is no obligation on the part of the Trustee that this Agreement or any executed copy hereof be filed in any county in which any of the Trust Estate is located, but the same may be filed for record in any county by the Trustee. In order to avoid the necessity of filing this Agreement for record, each of the Delaware Trustee and the Trustee agrees that for the purpose of vesting the record title to the Trust Estate in any successor trustee, the succeeded trustee shall, upon appointment of any successor trustee, execute and deliver to such successor trustee appropriate assignments or conveyances.

Section 12.07 Choice of Law . This Agreement and the Trust shall be governed by the laws of the State of Delaware (without regard to the conflict of laws principles thereof) in effect at any applicable time in all matters, including the validity, construction and administration of this Agreement and the Trust, the enforceability of the provisions of this Agreement, all rights and remedies hereunder, and the services of the Delaware Trustee and Trustee hereunder. Furthermore, except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, the rights, powers, duties and liabilities of the Delaware Trustee, the Trustee and the Trust Unitholders shall be as provided under the Trust Act and other applicable laws of the State of Delaware in effect at any applicable time; provided, however, that to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law there shall not be applicable to the Trustee, the Delaware Trustee, the Trust Unitholders, the Trust or this Agreement any provision of the laws (common or statutory) of the State of Delaware pertaining to trusts that relate to or regulate, in a manner inconsistent with the terms hereof, (i) the filing with any court or governmental body or agency of trustee accounts or schedules of trustee fees and charges, (ii) affirmative requirements to post bonds for trustees, officers, agents or employees of a trust, (iii) the necessity for obtaining court or other governmental approval concerning the acquisition, holding or disposition of real or personal property, (iv) fees or other sums payable to trustees, officers, agents or employees of a trust, (v) the allocation of receipts and expenditures to income or principal, (vi) restrictions or limitations on the permissible nature, amount or concentration of Trust investments or requirements relating to the titling, storage or other manner of holding or investing trust assets or (vii) the establishment of fiduciary or other standards of responsibility or limitations on the acts or powers of trustees that are inconsistent with the limitations or authorities and powers of the trustees hereunder as set forth or referenced in this Agreement. Section 3540 of Title 12 of the Delaware Code shall not apply to the Trust.

Section 12.08 Separability . If any provision of this Agreement or the application thereof to any Person or circumstances shall be finally determined by a court of proper jurisdiction to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable to any extent, the remainder of this Agreement or the application of such provision to Persons or circumstances other than those as to which it is held illegal, invalid or unenforceable shall not be affected thereby, and every remaining provision of this Agreement shall be valid and enforced to the fullest extent permitted by law.

 

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Section 12.09 Notices . Any and all notices or demands permitted or required to be given under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be validly given or made if (a) personally delivered, (b) delivered and confirmed by facsimile or like instantaneous transmission service, or by Federal Express or other overnight courier delivery service, which shall be effective as of confirmation of receipt by the courier at the address for notice hereinafter stated, (c) solely in the case of notice to any Trust Unitholder, by press release in a nationally recognized and distributed media or (d) deposited in the United States mail, first class, postage prepaid, certified or registered, return receipt requested, addressed as follows:

If to the Trustee, to:

The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A.

919 Congress Avenue, Suite 500

Austin, Texas 78701

Attention: Michael J. Ulrich

Facsimile No.: (512) 236-9275

With a copy to:

Bracewell & Giuliani LLP

111 Congress Avenue, Suite 2300

Austin, Texas 78701

Attention: Tom Adkins

Facsimile No.: (512) 479-3940

If to the Delaware Trustee, to:

Wilmington Trust, National Association

Rodney Square North

1100 North Market Street

Wilmington, Delaware 19890-1615

Attention: Corporate Trust Administration

Facsimile No.: (302) 636-4140

With a copy to:

Richards, Layton & Finger, P.A.

One Rodney Square

920 North King Street

Wilmington, Delaware 19801

Attention: Tara J. Hofner

Facsimile No.: (302) 498-7708

 

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If to Trustor, to:

Whiting Oil and Gas Corporation

1700 Broadway, Suite 2300

Denver, Colorado 80290-2300

Attention: Michael J. Stevens

Facsimile No.: (303) 390-5590

With a copy to:

Foley & Lardner LLP

777 East Wisconsin Avenue

Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202-5306

Attention:   Benjamin F. Garmer, III
  John K. Wilson

Facsimile No.: (414) 297-4900

If to a Trust Unitholder, to:

The Trust Unitholder at its last address as shown on the ownership

records maintained by the Trustee

Notice that is mailed in the manner specified shall be conclusively deemed given three days after the date postmarked or upon receipt, whichever is sooner. Any party to this Agreement may change its address for the purpose of receiving notices or demands by notice given as provided in this Section 12.09 .

Section 12.10 Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in a number of counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original, but such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.

Section 12.11 Stand-by Letter of Credit . Trustor hereby agrees to provide and maintain a $1.0 million stand-by letter of credit in a form reasonably acceptable to the Bank, in its capacity as Trustee.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Trustor, the Bank and Wilmington Trust have caused this Agreement to be duly executed the day and year first above written.

 

ATTEST:     WHITING OIL AND GAS CORPORATION

/s/ Bruce R. DeBoer

    By:  

/s/ James T. Brown

Name: Bruce R. DeBoer       Name: James T. Brown
Title: Secretary       Title: President and Chief Operating Officer
ATTEST:     THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST
COMPANY, N.A.

/s/ Sarah Newell

    By:  

/s/ Michael J. Ulrich

Name: Sarah Newell       Name: Michael J. Ulrich
Title: Senior Associate       Title: Vice President
ATTEST:     WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL
ASSOCIATION

/s/ Yvette L. Howell

    By:  

/s/ Adam B. Scozzafava

Name: Yvette L. Howell       Name: Adam B. Scozzafava
Title: Assistant Vice President       Title: Financial Services Officer

 

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Exhibit 10.1

CONVEYANCE AND ASSIGNMENT

This Conveyance of Term Net Profits Interest and Assignment of Pre-Effective Time Payment (this “ Conveyance ”) is made, as of March 28, 2012, from Whiting Oil and Gas Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “ Grantor ”) to The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., with offices at 919 Congress Avenue, Suite 500, Austin, Texas 78701, Attention: Michael J. Ulrich, as trustee (the “ Trustee ”), acting not in its individual capacity but solely as trustee of the Whiting USA Trust II (the “ Trust ”), a statutory trust created under the Delaware Statutory Trust Act as of December 5, 2011 (such Trustee acting as trustee of the Trust, the “ Grantee ”). Capitalized terms shall have the meaning set forth in Article II below.

ARTICLE I

GRANT OF NET PROFITS INTEREST

For and in consideration of Ten and No/100 Dollars ($10.00) and other good and valuable consideration (including the issuance by Grantee to Grantor of 18,400,000 Trust Units) to Grantor paid by Grantee, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged by Grantor, Grantor hereby GRANTS, BARGAINS, SELLS, CONVEYS, TRANSFERS, ASSIGNS, SETS OVER AND DELIVERS unto Grantee subject to the terms and conditions set forth hereinafter, effective as of the Effective Time, a net profits interest (the “ Net Profits Interest ”) in and to the Subject Leases and the Subject Minerals if, as, and when produced, saved and sold, in an amount equal to the product of the Proceeds Percentage times the Net Profits attributable to the Subject Interests, calculated in accordance with the provisions of Article III below and payable solely out of gross proceeds attributable to the sale of the Subject Minerals produced and saved through the Subject Wells, during the Net Profits Period, all as more fully provided herein below.

TO HAVE AND TO HOLD the Net Profits Interest, together with all and singular the rights and appurtenances thereto in anywise belonging, unto Grantee, its successors and assigns, subject, however, to the following terms and provisions, to-wit:

ARTICLE II

DEFINITIONS

As used herein, the following terms shall have the meaning ascribed to them below:

Affiliate ” shall mean with respect to a specified Person, any Person that directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, the specified Person. As used in this definition, the term “control” (and the correlative terms “controlling,” “controlled by,” and “under common control”) shall mean the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether through ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.

Average Annual Capital Expenditure Amount ” shall mean the quotient of (a) the sum of (i) the capital expenditures to be debited to the Net Profits Account and (ii) the amounts debited to the Net Profits Account pursuant to Section 3.1(b)(xvi) for capital expenditure projects, in each case attributable to the three twelve-month periods ending on the Capital Expenditure Limitation Date, divided by (b) three. Commencing on the Capital Expenditure


Limitation Date, and each anniversary of the Capital Expenditure Limitation Date thereafter, the Average Annual Capital Expenditure Amount will be increased by 2.5% to account for expected increased costs due to inflation.

BOE ” shall mean (a) for Oil included in the Subject Minerals, one barrel, (b) for Gas Liquids included in the Subject Minerals, one barrel, and (c) for Gas included in the Subject Minerals, the amount of such hydrocarbons equal to one barrel, determined using the ratio of six Mcf of Gas to one barrel of Oil.

Business Day ” shall mean any day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or any other day on which national banking institutions in New York, New York, Denver, Colorado or Wilmington, Delaware are closed as authorized or required by law.

Capital Expenditure Limitation Date ” shall mean the later to occur of (a) December 31, 2017 and (b) the last day of the Payment Period during which the total volumes of the Subject Minerals produced, saved and sold equal the volume of (i) 8.24 MMBOE less (ii) the total volume of the Subject Minerals produced, saved and sold during the Production Period Prior to the Effective Time and less (iii) the aggregate volume of proved reserves attributable to the Subject Interests that are Transferred by Grantor pursuant to Section 5.1 hereof (with the volume of proved reserves attributable to any individual Subject Interest so Transferred determined solely by reference to the quantity of reserves attributable to such Subject Interest that are expected to be produced during the then applicable remainder of the term of the Net Profits Interest in the most recent reserve report prepared by an independent reserve engineer in accordance with the methodology specified in the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, provided that, in the event an independent reserve engineer has not prepared a reserve report satisfying the foregoing requirements within twelve (12) months prior to the date of the Transfer of such Subject Interest, no volume of proved reserves for such Subject Interest shall be included in such aggregate volume pursuant to this clause (iii)).

Contingent Debt Regulations ” shall have the meaning given such term in Section 9.9(b).

Code ” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

Conveyance ” shall mean this Conveyance of Term Net Profits Interest and Assignment of Pre-Effective Time Payment, as the same may be amended or modified from time to time by one or more instruments executed by both Grantor and Grantee.

Debit Balance ” shall have the meaning given such term in Section 3.2(c).

Effective Time ” shall mean 12:01 a.m., local time in effect where the Subject Interests are located, on the date of this Conveyance.

Eligible Materials ” shall mean Materials for which amounts in respect of the cost of such Materials were properly debited to the Net Profits Account.

 

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Existing Hedges ” shall mean the Hedges entered into by Grantor with respect to the Subject Minerals prior to the date hereof as described in Exhibit A to the Supplemental Agreement.

Fair Value ” shall mean, with respect to any portion of the Net Profits Interest to be released pursuant to Section 5.1 in connection with a sale or release of any Subject Interest, an amount equal to the excess of (i) the proceeds which could reasonably be expected to be obtained from the sale of such portion of the Net Profits Interest to a party which is not an Affiliate of either Grantor or the Trust on an arms’-length negotiated basis, taking into account relevant market conditions and factors existing at the time of any such proposed sale or release, over (ii) Grantee’s proportionate share of any sales costs, commissions and brokerage fees.

Farmout Agreement ” shall mean any farmout agreement, participation agreement, exploration agreement, development agreement or any similar agreement.

Gas ” shall mean natural gas and other gaseous hydrocarbons or minerals, including helium, but excluding any Gas Liquids.

Gas Liquids ” shall mean those natural gas liquids and other liquid hydrocarbons, including ethane, propane, butane and natural gasoline, and mixtures thereof, that are removed from a Gas stream by the liquids extraction process of any field facility or gas processing plant and delivered by the facility or plant as natural gas liquids.

Grantee ” shall mean Grantee as defined in the first paragraph of this Conveyance, and its successors and assigns; and, unless the context in which used shall otherwise require, such term shall include any successor owner at the time in question of any or all of the Net Profits Interest.

“Grantor” shall have the meaning given such term in the first paragraph of this Conveyance.

Hedge ” shall mean any commodity hedging transaction pertaining to Subject Minerals, whether in the form of (i) forward sales and options to acquire or dispose of a futures contract solely on an organized commodities exchange, (ii) derivative agreements for a swap, cap, collar or floor of the commodity price, or (iii) similar types of financial transactions classified as “notional principal contracts” pursuant to Treasury Regulation § 1.988-1(a)(2)(iii)(B)(2).

Hedge Settlement Costs ” shall mean any and all payments required to be made by Grantor to the counterparties in connection with the settlement or mark-to-market of trades made under any Existing Hedge and all payments made by Grantor for any early termination of any Existing Hedge.

Hedge Settlement Revenues ” shall mean any and all payments received by Grantor from the counterparties in connection with the settlement or mark-to-market of trades made under any Existing Hedge and all payments received by Grantor for any early termination of any Existing Hedge.

 

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Lease ” shall mean (i) a lease of one or more Minerals described in Exhibit A attached hereto as to all lands and depths described in such lease (or the applicable part or portion thereof, if limited in depth and/or areal extent in Exhibit A) and any interest therein and any leasehold interest in any other lease of Minerals derived from the pooling or unitization of such lease (or portion thereof, if limited in depth and/or areal extent in Exhibit A) with other leases, together with any interest acquired or maintained by Grantor in any and all extensions of such lease, (ii) any replacement lease taken upon or in anticipation of termination of such lease (if executed and delivered during the term of or within one year after the expiration of the predecessor lease), as to all lands and depths described in the predecessor lease (unless the extended or predecessor lease is specifically limited in depth or areal extent in Exhibit A, in which event only the corresponding portion of such lease shall be considered a renewal or extension or a replacement lease subject to this Conveyance), and (iii) any other Mineral leasehold, royalty, overriding royalty or Mineral fee interest described in Exhibit A attached hereto (or the applicable part or portion thereof if limited in depth and/or areal extent in Exhibit A); and “Leases” shall mean all such Leases and all such renewal and extensions and replacement Leases.

Manufacturing Costs ” shall mean the costs of Processing that generate Manufacturing Proceeds received by Grantor.

Manufacturing Proceeds ” shall mean the excess, if any, of (i) proceeds received by Grantor from the sale of Subject Minerals that are the result of any Processing over (ii) the part of such proceeds that represents the Payment Value of such Subject Minerals before any Processing.

Materials ” shall mean materials, supplies, equipment and other personal property or fixtures located on or used in connection with the Subject Interests.

Mcf ” shall mean one thousand cubic feet.

Minerals ” shall mean Oil, Gas and Gas Liquids.

MMBOE ” shall mean one million BOE.

Money Market Interest Rate ” shall mean the lesser of (a) the rate of interest per annum publicly announced from time to time in the Midwest edition of the Wall Street Journal as the “money market” interest rate on an annual yield basis, but if such rate is not available, then such similar rate as reported by a nationally recognized financial news source or (b) the maximum rate of interest permitted under applicable law.

Net Profits ” shall have the meaning given such term in Section 3.2(b).

Net Profits Account ” shall mean the account maintained in accordance with the provisions of Section 3.1.

Net Profits Interest ” shall have the meaning given such term in Article I.

Net Profits Period ” shall mean the period from and after the Effective Time until and including the Termination Date.

 

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Oil ” shall mean crude oil, condensate and other liquid hydrocarbons recovered by field equipment or facilities, excluding Gas Liquids.

Payment Period ” shall mean a calendar quarter, provided that for purposes of the Net Profits Interest the first Payment Period shall mean the period from and after the Effective Time until March 31, 2012, and the last Payment Period shall mean any portion of the calendar quarter during which the Termination Date occurs from the beginning of such calendar quarter until and including the Termination Date, and provided further that for purposes of the Pre-Effective Time Payment the first Payment Period shall mean the period from and after January 1, 2012 until, but excluding, the Effective Time.

Payment Value ” of any Subject Minerals shall mean:

(a) With respect to Oil and Gas Liquids, (i) the highest price available to Grantor for such Oil and Gas Liquids at the applicable Subject Lease on the date of delivery pursuant to a bona fide offer, posted price or other generally available marketing arrangement from or with a non-Affiliate purchaser, or (ii) if no such offer, posted price or arrangement is available, the fair market value of such Oil and/or Gas Liquids, on the date of delivery at the applicable Subject Lease, determined in accordance with generally accepted and usual industry practices;

(b) With respect to Gas, (i) the price specified in any Production Sales Contract for the sale of such Gas or (ii) if such Gas cannot be sold pursuant to a Production Sales Contract, (A) the average of the three highest prices (adjusted for all material differences in quality) being paid at the time of production for Gas produced from the same field in sales between non-affiliated Persons (or, if there are not three such prices within such field, within a 50-mile radius of such field) but, for any Gas subject to price restrictions established, prescribed or otherwise imposed by any governmental authority having jurisdiction over the sale of such Gas, no more than the highest price permitted for such category or type of Gas after all applicable adjustments (including without limitation tax reimbursement, dehydration, compression and gathering allowances, inflation and other permitted escalations), or (B) if subsection (b)(ii)(A) above is not applicable, the fair market value of such Gas, on the date of delivery, at the applicable Subject Lease, determined in accordance with generally accepted and usual industry practices.

Permitted Encumbrances ” shall mean the following whether now existing or hereinafter created but only insofar as they cover, describe or relate to the Subject Interests or the lands described in any Lease:

(a) the terms, conditions, restrictions, exceptions, reservations, limitations and other matters contained in the agreements, instruments and documents that create or reserve to Grantor its interests in any of the Leases, including any Prior Reversionary Interest; provided, however, that none of the foregoing shall operate to reduce Grantor’s “Net Revenue Interest” for any Subject Well or Subject Lease to below the “Net Revenue Interest” set forth in Exhibit B to the Supplemental Agreement for such Subject Well or Subject Lease or increase the “Working Interest” of Grantor for any Subject Well or Subject Lease above that “Working Interest” set forth in Exhibit B to the Supplemental Agreement for such Subject Well or Subject Lease (unless there is a proportionate increase in Grantor’s corresponding “Net Revenue Interest” for such Subject Well or Subject Lease);

 

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(b) any (i) undetermined or inchoate liens or charges constituting or securing the payment of expenses that were incurred incidental to maintenance, development, production or operation of the Leases or for the purpose of developing, producing or processing Minerals therefrom or therein, and (ii) materialman’s, mechanics’, repairman’s, employees’, contractors’, operators’ or other similar liens or charges for liquidated amounts, in each case arising in the ordinary course of business that Grantor has agreed to pay or is contesting in good faith in the ordinary course of business;

(c) any liens for taxes and assessments not yet delinquent or, if delinquent, that are being contested in good faith by Grantor in the ordinary course of business;

(d) any liens or security interests created by law or reserved in any Lease for the payment of royalty, bonus or rental, or created to secure compliance with the terms of the agreements, instruments and documents that create or reserve to Grantor its interests in the Leases;

(e) any obligations or duties affecting the Leases to any municipality or public authority with respect to any franchise, grant, license or permit, and all applicable laws, rules, regulations and orders of any governmental authority;

(f) any (i) easements, rights-of-way, servitudes, permits, surface leases and other rights in respect of surface operations, pipelines, grazing, hunting, lodging, canals, ditches, reservoirs or the like, and (ii) easements for streets, alleys, highways, pipelines, telephone lines, power lines, railways and other similar rights-of-way, on, over or in respect of the lands described in the Leases, provided that, in the case of clauses (i) and (ii), such easements, rights-of-way, servitudes, permits, surface leases and other rights do not materially impair the value of the Net Profits Interest;

(g) all lessors’ royalties, overriding royalties, net profits interests, carried interests, production payments, reversionary interests and other burdens on or deductions from the proceeds of production created or in existence as of the Effective Time; provided, however, that none of the foregoing shall operate to reduce Grantor’s “Net Revenue Interest” for any Subject Well or Subject Lease to below the “Net Revenue Interest” set forth in Exhibit B to the Supplemental Agreement for such Subject Well or Subject Lease or increase the “Working Interest” of Grantor for any Subject Well or Subject Lease above that “Working Interest” set forth in Exhibit B to the Supplemental Agreement for such Subject Well or Subject Lease (unless there is a proportionate increase in Grantor’s corresponding “Net Revenue Interest” for such Subject Well or Subject Lease);

(h) preferential rights to purchase or similar agreements and required third party consents to assignments or similar agreements other than any such rights, agreements or third party consents restricting Grantor’s right to convey the Net Profits Interest to Grantee pursuant to this Conveyance;

(i) all rights to consent by, required notices to, filings with, or other actions by any governmental authority in connection with the sale or conveyance of the Leases or interests therein;

 

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(j) production sales contracts; division orders; contracts for sale, purchase, exchange, refining or processing of Minerals; unitization and pooling designations, declarations, orders and agreements; operating agreements; agreements for development; area of mutual interest agreements; gas balancing or deferred production agreements; processing agreements; plant agreements; pipeline, gathering and transportation agreements; injection, repressuring and recycling agreements; salt water or other disposal agreements; seismic or geophysical permits or agreements; and any and all other agreements entered into by Grantor or its Affiliates in connection with the exploration or development of the Leases or the extraction, processing or marketing of production therefrom or to which any of the Leases were subject when acquired by Grantor or its Affiliates; provided, however, that none of the foregoing shall operate to reduce Grantor’s “Net Revenue Interest” for any Subject Well or Subject Lease to below the “Net Revenue Interest” set forth in Exhibit B to the Supplemental Agreement for such Subject Well or Subject Lease or increase the “Working Interest” of Grantor for any Subject Well or Subject Lease above that “Working Interest” set forth in Exhibit B to the Supplemental Agreement for such Subject Well or Subject Lease (unless there is a proportionate increase in Grantor’s corresponding “Net Revenue Interest” for such Subject Well or Subject Lease); and

(k) conventional rights of reassignment that obligate Grantor to reassign all or part of a property to a third party if Grantor intends to release or abandon such property.

Person ” shall mean any individual, partnership, limited liability company, corporation, trust, unincorporated association, governmental agency, subdivision, instrumentality, or other entity or association.

Possible Refundable Amounts ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.1(a)(v).

Pre-Effective Time Payment ” shall have the meaning given such term in Article VIII.

Prior Reversionary Interest ” shall mean any contract, agreement, Farmout Agreement, lease, deed, conveyance or operating agreement that exists as of the Effective Time or that burdened the Subject Interests at the time such Subject Interests were acquired by Grantor, that by the terms thereof requires a Person to convey a part of the Subject Interests to another Person or to permanently cease production of any Subject Well, including obligations arising pursuant to any operating agreements, Leases, coal leases, and other similar agreements or instruments affecting the Subject Interests.

Proceeds Percentage ” shall mean ninety percent (90%).

Processing ” or “ Processed ” shall mean to manufacture, fractionate or refine Subject Minerals, but such terms do not mean or include activities involving the use of normal lease or well equipment (such as dehydrators, gas treating facilities, mechanical separators, heater-treaters, lease compression facilities, injection or recycling equipment, tank batteries, field gathering systems, pipelines and equipment and so forth) to treat or condition Minerals or other normal operations on any of the Subject Interests.

Production Period Prior to Effective Time ” shall mean the period commencing on and including January 1, 2012 through, but excluding, the day of the Effective Time.

 

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Production Sales Contracts ” shall mean all contracts, agreements and arrangements for the sale or disposition of Minerals.

Quarterly Record Date ” shall mean the 50 th day following the close of each Payment Period. The first Quarterly Record Date shall be May 20, 2012.

Reserve Account ” shall mean an account to be maintained by Grantor pursuant to Section 3.1; provided that the balance in such account at the Effective Time shall be zero and at any time shall not exceed $2,000,000, and provided further that amounts held in such account shall be expended by Grantor only with respect to the development, maintenance or operation of the Subject Interests and related activities.

Subject Interests ” shall mean each kind and character of right, title, claim, or interest (collectively the “rights,”) that Grantor has or owns in or to the Subject Leases and the Subject Wells whether such right be under or by virtue of a lease, a unitization or pooling order or agreement, an operating agreement, a division order, or a transfer order or be under or by virtue of any other type of claim or title, legal or equitable, recorded or unrecorded, all as such rights shall be (a) enlarged or diminished by virtue of the provisions of Section 4.2, and (b) enlarged by the discharge of any payments out of production or by the removal of any charges or encumbrances to which any of such rights are subject at the Effective Time ( provided that such removal is pursuant to the express terms of the instrument that created such charge or encumbrance) and any and all renewals and extensions of the right occurring within one year after the expiration of such rights.

Subject Leases ” shall mean each kind and character of right, title, claim, or interest (collectively the “rights,”) that Grantor has or owns in or to the Leases whether such right be under or by virtue of a lease, a unitization or pooling order or agreement, an operating agreement, a division order, or a transfer order or be under or by virtue of any other type of claim or title, legal or equitable, recorded or unrecorded, all as such rights shall be (a) enlarged or diminished by virtue of the provisions of Section 4.2, and (b) enlarged by the discharge of any payments out of production or by the removal of any charges or encumbrances to which any of such rights are subject at the Effective Time ( provided that such removal is pursuant to the express terms of the instrument that created such charge or encumbrance) and any and all renewals and extensions of the right occurring within one year after the expiration of such rights.

Subject Minerals ” shall mean all Minerals in and under and that may be produced, saved, and sold from, and are attributable to, the Subject Interests from and after the Effective Time, after deducting the appropriate share of all royalties and any overriding royalties, production payments and other similar charges (except the Net Profits Interest) burdening the Subject Interests at the Effective Time, provided that, (a) there shall not be included in the Subject Minerals (i) any Minerals attributable to non-consent operations conducted with respect to the Subject Interests (or any portion thereof) as to which Grantor shall be a non-consenting party as of the Effective Time that are dedicated to the recoupment or reimbursement of costs and expenses of the consenting party or parties by the terms of the relevant operating agreement, unit agreement, contract for development, or other instrument providing for such non-consent operations (including any interest, penalty or other amounts related thereto), or (ii) any Minerals unavoidably lost in production or used by Grantor for production operations (including without

 

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limitation, fuel, secondary or tertiary recovery) conducted solely for the purpose of producing Subject Minerals from the Subject Interests, and (b) there shall be included in the Subject Minerals any Minerals attributable to non-consent operations conducted with respect to the Subject Interests (or any portion thereof) as to which Grantor shall be a non-consenting party as of the Effective Time that are produced, saved, and sold from, and are attributable to the Subject Interests after the Effective Time from and after the recoupment or reimbursement of costs and expenses (including any interest, penalty or other amounts related thereto) of the consenting party or parties by the terms of the relevant operating agreement, unit agreement, contract agreement, contract development, or other instruments providing for such non-consent operations.

Subject Well ” shall mean each well (whether now existing or hereinafter drilled) on the Subject Leases in respect of which Grantor owns any interest or is entitled to any of the Minerals production or the proceeds therefrom (whether directly or indirectly by virtue of the effect of any farmout or farmin provisions or other provisions).

“Supplemental Agreement” shall mean the Supplemental Agreement entered into between the Grantor and Grantee on even date herewith.

Termination Date ” shall mean the later of (a) December 31, 2021 and (b) the day on which the total volume of the Subject Minerals produced, saved and sold from and after the Effective Time equals a volume of (i) 11.79 MMBOE less (ii) the total volume of the Subject Minerals produced, saved and sold during the Production Period Prior to the Effective Time and less (iii) the aggregate volume of proved reserves attributable to the Subject Interests that are Transferred by Grantor pursuant to Section 5.1 hereof (with the volume of proved reserves attributable to any individual Subject Interest so Transferred determined solely by reference to the quantity of reserves attributable to such Subject Interest that are expected to be produced during the then applicable remainder of the term of the Net Profits Interest in the most recent reserve report prepared by an independent reserve engineer in accordance with the methodology specified in the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, provided that, in the event an independent reserve engineer has not prepared a reserve report satisfying the foregoing requirements within twelve (12) months prior to the date of the Transfer of such Subject Interest, no volume of proved reserves for such Subject Interest shall be included in such aggregate volume pursuant to this clause (iii)).

Transfer ” including its syntactical variants, shall mean any assignment, sale, transfer, conveyance, or disposition of any property; provided , however, “Transfer” as used herein does not include the granting of a security interest, pledge, or mortgage in Grantor’s interest in any property, including the Subject Interests or the Subject Minerals.

Trust Agreement ” shall mean the Amended and Restated Trust Agreement of Whiting USA Trust II, dated of even date herewith, by and among Grantor, Grantee and Wilmington Trust Company, a banking corporation organized under the laws of the State of Delaware.

Trust Units ” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the Trust Agreement.

 

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ARTICLE III

ESTABLISHMENT OF NET PROFITS ACCOUNT AND RESERVE ACCOUNT

3.1 Net Profits Account and Reserve Account . Grantor shall establish and maintain true and correct books and records in order to determine the credits and debits to the Net Profits Account and the Reserve Account to be maintained by Grantor at all times during the Net Profits Period, in accordance with the terms of this Conveyance and prudent and accepted accounting practices. For purposes of this Section 3.1:

(a) The Net Profits Account shall be credited with an amount equal to the sum, from and after the Effective Time with respect to each Payment Period, of the gross proceeds (determined before calculating the Net Profits) received by Grantor from the sale of all Subject Minerals; provided , however, that:

 

  (i) subject to the following provisions of this Section 3.1(a), gross proceeds to be credited to the Net Profits Account shall include all consideration received, directly or indirectly, for Transfers of Subject Minerals as, if and when produced, including without limitation, subject to clause (v) below, advance payments and payments under take or pay, ratable take and similar provisions of Production Sales Contracts when credited against the price for delivery of production;

 

  (ii) if any proceeds are withheld from Grantor for any reason (other than at the request of Grantor), such proceeds shall not be considered to be gross proceeds to be credited to the Net Profits Account until such proceeds are actually received by Grantor;

 

  (iii) if Grantor becomes an underproduced party under any Gas balancing or similar arrangement affecting the Subject Interests, then the Net Profits Account shall not be credited with any amounts for any Gas attributable to the Subject Interests that is deemed to be stored for Grantor’s account under the terms of such Gas balancing arrangement, and if Grantor becomes an overproduced party under any Gas balancing or similar arrangement affecting the Subject Interests, then the Net Profits Account shall not be credited with any amount for any Gas taken by an underproduced party as “make-up” Gas that would otherwise be attributable to the Subject Interests. The Net Profits Account shall be credited with amounts received by Grantor (1) for any “make up” Gas taken by Grantor as a result of its position as an underproduced party under any Gas balancing or similar arrangement affecting the Subject Interests, (2) as a balancing of accounts under a Gas balancing or other similar arrangement affecting the Subject Interests either as an interim balancing or at the depletion of the reservoir, and (3) for any Gas taken by Grantor attributable to the Subject Interests in excess of its entitlement share of such Gas;

 

  (iv) if Grantor shall be a party as to any non-consent operations conducted with respect to all or any of the Subject Interests from and after the Effective Time, all gross proceeds to be credited to the Net Profits Account with respect thereto shall be governed by Section 4.3;

 

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  (v) if a controversy or possible controversy exists (whether by reason of any statute, order, decree, rule, regulation, contract, or otherwise) as to the correct or lawful sales price of any Subject Minerals, or if any amounts received or to be received by Grantor as “take-or-pay” or “ratable take” payments are subject to refund to any purchasers of Subject Minerals (in each case, such amounts together with any other gross proceeds withheld from, or repayable by, Grantor, “ Possible Refundable Amounts ”), then:

 

  (A) amounts withheld by such purchaser or deposited by it with an escrow agent shall not be considered to have been received by Grantor and shall not be credited to the Net Profits Account until actually collected by Grantor; provided , however, that the Net Profits Account shall not be credited with any interest, penalty, or other amount that is not derived from the sale of Subject Minerals; and

 

  (B) amounts received or to be received by Grantor and promptly deposited or to be deposited by it with a non-Affiliate escrow agent, to be placed in interest bearing accounts under usual and customary terms, shall not be considered to have been received by Grantor and shall not be credited to the Net Profits Account until actually disbursed to Grantor by such escrow agent; provided , however, that the Net Profits Account shall not be credited with any interest, penalty, or other amount that is not derived from the sale of Subject Minerals; and

 

  (C) for clarity, amounts received or to be received by Grantor and not promptly deposited or to be deposited by it with a non-Affiliate escrow agent shall be included in gross proceeds to be credited to the Net Profits Account;

 

  (vi) gross proceeds to be credited to the Net Profits Account shall not include any amount received by Grantor in respect of any production of Subject Minerals prior to the Effective Time;

 

  (vii) gross proceeds to be credited to the Net Profits Account shall not include any amount that Grantor shall receive for any sale or other disposition of any of the Subject Interests or in connection with any adjustment of any well or leasehold equipment upon unitization of any of the Subject Interests;

 

  (viii) gross proceeds to be credited to the Net Profits Account shall not include any Manufacturing Proceeds or other amounts that are reductions of debits to the Net Profits Account under the proviso of Section 3.1(b);

 

  (ix) in the event that Subject Minerals are Processed prior to sale, gross proceeds to be credited to the Net Profits Account shall include only the Payment Value of such Subject Minerals before any such Processing;

 

  (x) the amount of gross proceeds to be credited to the Net Profits Account during any Payment Period shall be reduced by overpayments pursuant to Section 3.4(a);

 

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  (xi) gross proceeds to be credited to the Net Profits Account shall not include any amount to which Grantor is entitled by virtue of a judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction resolving a dispute hereunder between Grantee and Grantor in favor of Grantor, or any amount paid to Grantor in settlement of such dispute; and

 

  (xii) gross proceeds to be credited to the Net Profits Account shall not include any additional proceeds from the sale of Minerals related to any Subject Well with respect to which Grantor elects to be a participating party (whether pursuant to an operating agreement or other agreement or arrangement, including without limitation, non-consent rights and obligations imposed by statute or regulatory agency) with respect to any operation with respect to such Subject Well where another party or parties have elected not to participate in such operation (or have elected to abandon such Subject Well) and Grantor elects to pay the costs of such nonparticipating or abandoning party and as a result of which Grantor becomes entitled to receive, either temporarily (i.e., through a period of recoupment) or permanently any additional proceeds from the sale of Minerals related to such Subject Well.

(b) The Net Profits Account shall be debited with an amount equal to the sum of the following (excluding in all events Manufacturing Costs), to the extent that the same relate to the Existing Hedges or are properly allocable to the Subject Interests (and any related equipment or property used in connection therewith) and the production and (subject to Section 4.4) marketing of Subject Minerals therefrom and have been incurred or accrued (as described below) by Grantor from and after the Effective Time and attributable to periods ending on or before the Termination Date:

 

  (i)

all direct costs (including capital costs) paid by Grantor (A) for all direct labor (including fringe benefits) and other services necessary for developing, operating, producing, reworking and maintaining the Subject Interests and workovers of any Subject Well on the Subject Interests, (B) for dehydration, compression, separation and transportation of the Subject Minerals, and (C) for all Materials purchased for use on, or in connection with, any of the Subject Interests (including without limitation (1) all amounts charged Grantor for conformance of investment if the Subject Interests or any part or parts thereof are hereafter from time to time unitized or if any participating area in a federal divided-type unit is changed, (2) the costs of any seismic (including 3-D seismic surveys), geological or geophysical operations to the extent relating to the search for Subject Minerals, (3) the costs of drilling, completing, testing, equipping, plugging back, reworking and recompleting any Subject Well on the Subject Interests, whether or not such Subject Well is a producer or is abandoned as a dry hole or junked, (4) the cost of constructing gathering facilities, tanks and other production and delivery facilities on the Subject Interests and (5) the cost of secondary recovery, pressure maintenance, repressuring, recycling and other operations conducted for the purpose of enhancing production); provided , however, that the debits made to the Net Profits Account pursuant to this subsection (and, to the extent applicable, pursuant to the other applicable provisions of this Conveyance) with respect to

 

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  any Subject Interest shall be made on the same basis as such costs are charged under the operating agreement (if any) applicable to such Subject Interest at the time the transaction giving rise to such debit occurred (including any producing overhead in such operating agreement), except that in the event a Subject Interest is operated at such time by a non-Affiliate of Grantor but is not subject to an operating agreement, such debit shall be made on the same basis as Grantor is charged by such non-Affiliate of Grantor; provided , further , if Grantor elects to pay the costs of a nonconsenting party or nonparticipating party with respect to which the gross proceeds derived from such costs are not credited to the Net Profits Account pursuant to Section 3.1(a), Grantor shall be solely responsible for such costs;

 

  (ii) all costs (including without limitation outside legal, accounting and engineering services) attributable to the Subject Interests of (A) handling, investigating and/or settling litigation, administrative proceedings and claims (including without limitation lien claims other than liens for borrowed funds) and (B) payment of judgments, penalties and other liabilities (including interest thereon), paid by Grantor (and not reimbursed under insurance maintained by Grantor or others) and involving any of the Subject Interests, or incident to the development, operation or maintenance of the Subject Interests, or requiring the payment or restitution of any proceeds of Subject Minerals, or arising from tax or royalty audits, except that there shall not be debited to the Net Profits Account any expenses incurred by Grantor in litigation of any claim or dispute arising hereunder between Grantor and Grantee or amounts paid by Grantor to Grantee pursuant to a final order entered by a court of competent jurisdiction resolving any such claim or dispute or amounts paid by Grantor to Grantee in connection with the settlement of any such claim or dispute;

 

  (iii) all taxes (except federal and state income, transfer, mortgage, inheritance, estate, franchise and like taxes) incurred, accrued or paid by Grantor with respect to the ownership of the Subject Interests or the extraction of the Subject Minerals, including without limitation production, severance, sales and/or excise and other similar taxes assessed against, and/or measured by, the production of (or the proceeds or value of production of) Subject Minerals, occupation taxes, sales and use taxes, and ad valorem taxes assessed against or attributable to the Subject Interests or any equipment used in connection with production from any of the Subject Interests and any extraordinary or windfall profits taxes that may be assessed in the future based upon profits realized or prices received from the sale of Subject Minerals; provided , however, that if Grantee is assessed any of such taxes individually and Grantee pays such taxes, then the taxes which Grantee is assessed individually and has paid shall not be debited to the Net Profits Account;

 

  (iv)

insurance premiums attributable to the ownership or operation of the Subject Interests paid by Grantor for insurance actually carried for periods after the Effective Time with respect to the Subject Interests, or any equipment located on any of the Subject Interests, or incident to the development, operation or maintenance of the Subject Interests, it being recognized that where the coverage

 

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  is general in nature, or relates to a group of properties (or more than one interest in the same property), only that portion which is reasonably allocated to the Subject Interests shall be debited hereunder;

 

  (v) all amounts paid by Grantor attributable to the Subject Interests and consisting of rent and other consideration paid for the use or damage to the surface;

 

  (vi) amounts attributable to the Subject Interests and charged by the relevant operator as overhead charges specified in the applicable operating agreements or other arrangements now or hereafter covering the Subject Interests or Grantor’s operations with respect thereto;

 

  (vii) to the extent Grantor is the operator of a Subject Interest and there is no operating agreement covering such Subject Interest now or hereafter, those overhead charges that are allocated by Grantor to such Subject Interest, to the extent that such charges are allocated in the same manner that Grantor allocates to other similarly owned and operated properties;

 

  (viii) if as a result of the occurrence of the bankruptcy or insolvency or similar occurrence of the purchaser of Subject Minerals any amounts previously credited to the Net Profits Account are reclaimed from Grantor or its representative, then the amounts reclaimed as promptly as practicable following Grantor’s payment thereof;

 

  (ix) if Grantor shall be a party to any non-consent operations conducted with respect to all or any of the Subject Interests, all costs related to such non-consent operations to be debited to the Net Profits Account with respect thereto, if any, shall be governed by Section 4.3;

 

  (x) the costs paid by Grantor in connection with the exercise of its rights pursuant to Section 4.6;

 

  (xi) all costs attributable to the Subject Interests associated with complying with tariffs and with federal policies related to the use of interstate pipeline capacity, obtaining and maintaining any permits, licenses, franchises, drilling bonds, approvals and certificates from federal, state or local governmental authorities, and reporting obligations imposed by federal, state or local governmental authorities;

 

  (xii) any amounts previously included in gross proceeds, if such amounts have subsequently been refunded or paid out as interest or a penalty;

 

  (xiii) without duplication of the costs described elsewhere in this Section 3.1(b), all other direct costs paid by Grantor for the necessary or proper testing, drilling, completing, recompleting, workovers, equipping, plugging back, operating and producing Minerals from the Subject Wells and Subject Interests;

 

  (xiv) any Debit Balance carried forward pursuant to Section 3.2(c);

 

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  (xv) the aggregate Hedge Settlement Costs paid by Grantor; and

 

  (xvi) the amount of any increase in amounts included in the Reserve Account related to future development, maintenance or operation costs that have been approved by Grantor in writing;

provided that the costs referred to in this Section 3.1(b) shall be reduced by the following amounts received by Grantor from and after the Effective Time: (A) any amounts received by Grantor as delay rentals, bonus, royalty or other similar payments in connection with any Farmout Agreement or for dry hole, bottom hole or other similar contributions related to the Subject Interests or otherwise, (B) any cash payments received by Grantor as a result of any pooling or unitization of the Subject Interests if the costs giving rise to such payments were charged to the Net Profits Account, directly or indirectly, (C) any insurance proceeds received by Grantor in respect of the Subject Interests, Subject Minerals or Eligible Materials if the cost of such insurance was charged to the Net Profits Account, directly or indirectly, (D) any amounts received by Grantor from third parties as rental or use fees for Eligible Materials, (E) the gross proceeds of any judgments or claims received by Grantor for damages occurring on or after the Effective Time to the Subject Interests (or any part thereof or interest therein) or any Materials (or any part thereof or interest therein) used in connection with the operation of the Subject Interests or any Subject Minerals, (F) any proceeds (other than those received upon salvage or scrap disposition) from the sale of Eligible Materials, (G) any payments made to Grantor in connection with the drilling or deferring of drilling of any Subject Well, (H) if, from and after the Effective Time, any Subject Minerals shall be Processed before sale, the excess, if any, of the Manufacturing Proceeds arising therefrom over the Manufacturing Costs of such Processing, (I) any interest, penalty or other amount not derived from the sale of the Subject Minerals that is paid to Grantor by the purchaser of production or escrow agent in connection with Possible Refundable Amounts withheld or deposited with an escrow agent, (J) the Hedge Settlement Revenues and (K) any amounts in the Reserve Account that are used to pay for any costs specified in clauses (i) through (xiii) of this Section 3.1(b) (which amounts so used shall reduce the amount of the Reserve Account); provided , that in any Payment Period where the reduction in costs described in subparts (A) through (K) above exceeds the amounts described in Sections 3.1(b)(i) through (xvi) above for such Payment Period, then such excess, plus interest at the Money Market Interest Rate on such amount, commencing on the expiration date of the preceding Payment Period to the date such amounts have been used to reduce the costs referred to in this Section 3.1(b) shall not be applied to reduce the costs described in Sections 3.1(b)(i) through (xvi) below zero but instead shall be applied to reduce such costs in each succeeding Payment Period, subject to this limitation, until exhausted; provided , that if any portion of such excess remains on the Termination Date, such amount will be forfeited and Grantee will not be entitled to benefit from such amount, and provided, further that (1) during each 12-month period beginning on the Capital Expenditure Limitation Date, the sum of (x) the capital expenditures to be debited to the Net Profits Account and (y) the amounts debited to the Net Profits Accounts pursuant to Section 3.1(b)(xiv) may not exceed the Average Annual Capital Expenditure Amount, and (2) any amounts in the Reserve Account referred to in Section 3.1(b)(xvi) immediately preceding the Termination Date shall be credited to Net Profits Account as of the Termination Date.

 

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(c) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the amounts debited to the Net Profits Account shall not include any of the following: (A) any amount that has also been used to reduce or offset the amount of the Subject Minerals (or proceeds of production thereof) or has otherwise not been included therein (including, by way of example and without limitation, proceeds attributable to royalties, overriding royalties, production payments and other charges burdening the Subject Interests at the Effective Time); (B) any overriding royalty, production payment or other charge burdening the Subject Interests which was created by Grantor after the Effective Time; (C) any general, administrative or overhead costs paid or incurred by Grantor or its Affiliates, except for those permitted under Sections 3.1(b)(vi) and (vii); (D) any amounts paid by Grantor (initial or a successor) to such Grantor’s predecessor in interest with respect to part or all of the Subject Interests (including without limitation any purchase price or other consideration paid by Grantor to such predecessor in interest to acquire all or part of the Subject Interests); and (E) any interest, premiums, fees or similar charges arising out of borrowings or purchases of any goods, equipment or other items on credit, whether or not used on or otherwise related to the Subject Interests.

(d) Nothing set forth in this Section 3.1 shall be interpreted or applied in any manner that shall ever require or permit any duplication of all or any part of any credit or debit (or reduction thereto) to the Net Profits Account with respect to the same transaction, item of expense or charge, under this Conveyance, or that shall ever require or permit any inclusion of any charge to the Net Profits Account that is reimbursed to Grantor by any Person.

(e) GRANTEE, BY ITS ACCEPTANCE OF THE NET PROFITS INTEREST, CLEARLY AND UNEQUIVOCALLY EXPRESSES ITS INTENT THAT THE DEBITS TO THE NET PROFITS ACCOUNT CONTAINED IN SECTION 3.1(b) SHALL BE APPLICABLE REGARDLESS OF WHETHER OR NOT THE LOSSES, COSTS, EXPENSES AND DAMAGES THAT MAY BE DEBITED IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUCH SECTION AROSE SOLELY OR IN PART FROM THE ACTIVE, PASSIVE OR CONCURRENT NEGLIGENCE, STRICT LIABILITY OR OTHER FAULT OF GRANTOR OR ANY OF ITS AFFILIATES, OTHER THAN THE GROSS NEGLIGENCE OR WILLFUL MISCONDUCT OF GRANTOR OR ANY OF ITS AFFILIATES, EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT THAT ANY SUCH LOSSES, COSTS, EXPENSES OR DAMAGES RESULT, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, FROM ANY BREACH OR NONCOMPLIANCE WITH THE OPERATIONS STANDARD SET FORTH IN SECTION 4.1 HEREOF, AND NOTHING CONTAINED HEREIN OR ELSEWHERE IN THIS CONVEYANCE SHALL BE CONSTRUED AS A WAIVER OR RELEASE OF GRANTOR FROM ANY CLAIM, ACTION OR LIABILITY ARISING UNDER SECTION 4.1 HEREOF .

3.2 Accounting .

(a) After the end of each Payment Period, a calculation of net profits shall be made by Grantor by deducting (i) the total debits (net of reductions thereof) properly made to the Net Profits Account during such Payment Period pursuant to Section 3.1(b) from (ii) the total credits properly made to such Net Profits Account during such Payment Period pursuant to Section 3.1(a).

 

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(b) If the computation made in accordance with Section 3.2(a) results in a positive amount with respect to a Payment Period (the “ Net Profits ”), then (i) the Net Profits shall be subtracted from the balance of the Net Profits Account to cause the Net Profits Account to have a zero balance immediately following the end of such Payment Period, (ii) the Net Profits shall be multiplied by the Proceeds Percentage to determine the Net Profits Interest and (iii) the resulting product from the calculations in (ii) above shall be payable to Grantee as specified in Section 3.3.

(c) If the computation made in accordance with Section 3.2(a) results in a negative amount with respect to a Payment Period, the negative sum shall be deemed the “ Debit Balance .” Any Debit Balance shall be carried forward as a debit to the Net Profits Account for the following Payment Period. If there is a Debit Balance at the end of any Payment Period, no payments shall be made to Grantee in respect of the Net Profits Interest nor shall Grantee ever be liable to make any payment to Grantor in respect of the Debit Balance. In the event that any Debit Balance exists, then an amount shall be computed equal to interest on such Debit Balance at the Money Market Interest Rate for the period between the last day of the Payment Period that resulted in such Debit Balance and the last day of the next Payment Period, which amount shall, on the last day of such next Payment Period, be debited to the Net Profits Account in the same manner as other debits to the Net Profits Account for such Payment Period.

(d) All amounts received by Grantor from the sale of the Subject Minerals for any Payment Period shall be held by Grantor in one of its general bank accounts and Grantor shall not be required to maintain a segregated account for such funds.

3.3 Payment of Proceeds Percentage of Net Profits . On or before the tenth day (or, if such day is not a Business Day, the next Business Day) following the Quarterly Record Date for each Payment Period, Grantor shall transfer or cause to be transferred to Grantee an amount in respect of the Subject Interests equal to the product of the Proceeds Percentage times the Net Profits with respect to such Payment Period in accordance with Section 3.2(b). All funds delivered to Grantee on account of the Net Profits Interest shall be calculated and paid entirely and exclusively out of the gross proceeds attributable to the Subject Interests.

3.4 Overpayment; Past Due Payments .

(a) If Grantor ever pays Grantee more than the amount of money then due and payable to Grantee under this Conveyance, Grantee shall not be obligated to return the overpayment, but Grantor may, subject to the next sentence, reduce the gross proceeds used to calculate the Net Profits and retain for its own account an amount equal to the overpayment, plus interest at the Money Market Interest Rate on such amount, commencing on the sixth (6th) day from the date of the overpayment to the date such amount is recovered by Grantor from such proceeds. In order to exercise its rights under this Section 3.4, Grantor must notify Grantee in writing, together with supporting worksheets and data, within 120 days after the end of the fiscal year to which the quarterly statement (as required by Section 3.5(a)) containing such overpayment relates.

(b) Any amount not paid by Grantor to Grantee with respect to the Net Profits Interest when due shall bear, and Grantor hereby agrees to pay, interest at the Money Market Interest Rate from the due date until such amount has been paid.

 

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(c) Within 45 days after discovering an underpayment, Grantor shall give Grantee written notice with respect to any underpayment described in this Section 3.4(b), together with supporting worksheets and data.

3.5 Statements .

(a) On or before each Quarterly Record Date, Grantor shall deliver to Grantee a statement showing the computation of the Net Profits and the Proceeds Percentage of the Net Profits, including gross proceeds and debits therefrom (including any reductions to such gross proceeds and/or debits), with respect to the preceding Payment Period.

(b) On or before the first Quarterly Record Date after the end of each calendar year and on or before the Quarterly Record Date after the Termination Date, such statement shall also show the computation of the Net Profits and the Proceeds Percentage of the Net Profits, including gross proceeds and debits therefrom (including any reductions to such gross proceeds and/or debits), for the preceding calendar year (or portion thereof when the Net Profits Interest was in effect).

(c) If Grantee takes exception to any item or items included in any quarterly statement required by Section 3.5(a), Grantee must notify Grantor in writing within one hundred and twenty (120) days after the end of the fiscal year with respect to which such statements relate. Such notice must set forth in reasonable detail the specific debits complained of and to which exception is taken or the specific credits which should have been made and allowed. Adjustments shall be made for all complaints and exceptions that are agreed to by the parties; provided that if the parties do not agree, such disputed matters shall be subject to the arbitration provisions set forth in Article XI of the Trust Agreement.

(d) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, all matters reflected in Grantor’s statements for the preceding calendar year (or portion thereof) that are not objected to by Grantee in the manner provided by this Section 3.5(c) shall be deemed correct as rendered by Grantor to Grantee.

3.6 Information/Access .

(a) Grantor shall maintain true and correct books, records, and accounts of (i) all transactions required or permitted by this Conveyance and (ii) the financial information necessary to reflect such transactions, including the financial information needed to calculate the Net Profits with respect to any Payment Period.

(b) Grantee or its representative, at the Trust’s expense, may inspect and copy such books, records, and accounts, and such other documents, contracts and information as may be reasonably requested by the Trustee, in the offices of Grantor during normal business hours and upon reasonable notice.

(c) At Grantee’s request, subject to applicable restrictions on disclosure and transfer of information, Grantor shall give Grantee and its designated representatives (on behalf of the Trust) reasonable access in Grantor’s office during normal business hours to (i) all geological, Subject Well and production data in Grantor’s possession or Grantor’s Affiliates’ possession,

 

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relating to operations on the Subject Interests and (ii) all reserve reports and reserve studies in the possession of Grantor or of Grantor’s Affiliates, relating to the Subject Interests, whether prepared by Grantor, by Grantor’s Affiliates, or by consulting engineers.

(d) Grantor makes no representations or warranties about the accuracy or completeness of any such data, reports, or studies referred to in Section 3.6(c) and shall have no liability to Grantee, the Trust or any other Person resulting from such data, studies, or reports.

ARTICLE IV

OPERATION OF THE SUBJECT INTERESTS

4.1 Operations Standard . To the extent that Grantor controls such matters and notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, with respect to each Subject Interest, Grantor agrees that it will conduct and carry on, or use commercially reasonable efforts to cause the operator thereof to conduct and carry on, the maintenance and operation of such Subject Interest in the same manner as a reasonably prudent operator in the State in which such Subject Interest is located would under the same or similar circumstances acting with respect to its own properties (without regard to the existence of the Net Profits Interest). Grantee acknowledges that Grantor is and shall be an undivided interest owner with respect to the Subject Interests. Grantee agrees that the acts or omissions of Grantor’s co-owners shall not be deemed to constitute a violation of the provisions of this Section 4.1, nor shall any action required by a vote of co-owners be deemed to constitute such a violation so long as Grantor has voted its interest in a manner designed to comply with this Section 4.1. Nothing contained in this Section 4.1 shall be deemed to prevent or restrict Grantor from electing not to participate in any operations that are to be conducted under the terms of any operating agreement, unit operating agreement, contract for development, or similar instrument affecting or pertaining to the Subject Interests (or any portion thereof) and permitting consenting parties to conduct non-consent operations thereon if a reasonably prudent operator in the State in which the Subject Interest affected thereby is located acting with respect to its own properties (without regard to the existence of the Net Profits Interest) would make such elections.

4.2 Pooling and Unitization . Grantor shall have the right to pool or unitize all or any of the Leases as to any one or more of the formations or horizons thereunder, and as to any of the Subject Minerals, when, in the reasonable judgment of Grantor, it is necessary or advisable to do so in order to form a drilling or proration unit to facilitate the orderly development of the Subject Interests or to comply with the requirements of any law or governmental order or regulation relating to the spacing of wells or proration of the production therefrom. For purposes of computing the Net Profits, there shall be allocated to the Subject Interests included in such unit a pro rata portion of the Minerals produced from the pooled unit on the same basis that production from the pool or unit is allocated to other working interests in such pool or unit. The interest in any such unit attributable to the Subject Interests (or any part thereof) included therein shall become a part of the Subject Interests and shall be subject to the Net Profits Interest in the same manner and with the same effect as if such unit and the interest of Grantor therein were specifically described in Exhibit A to this Conveyance.

4.3 Non-Consent . Subject to Section 4.1, if Grantor elects to be a non-participating party (whether pursuant to an operating agreement or other agreement or arrangement, including

 

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without limitation, non-consent rights and obligations imposed by statute or regulatory agency) with respect to any operation on any Subject Interest or elects to be an abandoning party with respect to a Subject Well located on any Subject Interest, the consequence of which election is that Grantor’s interest in such Subject Interest or part thereof is temporarily (i.e., during a recoupment period) or permanently forfeited to the parties participating in such operations, or electing not to abandon such Subject Well, then the costs and proceeds attributable to such forfeited interest shall not, for the period of such forfeiture (which may be a continuous and permanent period), be debited or credited to the Net Profits Account and such forfeited interest shall not, for the period of such forfeiture, be subject to the Net Profits Interest. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, Grantor shall not elect, as to any Subject Interest, to be a non-participating party with respect to any operation contemplated in this Section 4.3 in the event any Affiliate of Grantor will also be a participating party in such operation.

4.4 Marketing/Hedges . As between Grantor and Grantee, Grantor shall have exclusive charge and control of the marketing of all Subject Minerals. Grantor shall market, or cause to be marketed, the Subject Minerals allocable to the Net Profits Interest in the same manner that it markets its Subject Minerals and Grantor shall not be entitled to deduct from the calculation of the Net Profits any fee for marketing the Subject Minerals allocable to the Net Profits Interest other than fees for marketing paid to non-Affiliates. Grantor shall not enter into any Hedges (other than the Existing Hedges) with respect to the Subject Minerals from and after the Effective Time or modify or terminate the Existing Hedges.

4.5 Amendment of Leases . Grantor shall have the unrestricted right to renew, extend, modify, amend, or supplement the Leases with respect to any of the lands covered thereby in any particular without the consent of Grantee; provided , that the Net Profits Interest shall apply to all renewals, extensions, modifications, amendment, supplements and other similar arrangements (and/or interests therein) of the Leases, whether or not such renewals, extensions modifications, amendment, supplements or arrangements have heretofore been obtained, or are hereafter obtained, by Grantor and no renewal, extension, modification, amendment, or supplementation shall adversely affect any of Grantee’s rights hereunder, including, without limitation, the amount, computation, or method of payment of the Net Profits Interest; provided further that any fees payable with respect to such renewal, extension, modification, amendment or supplementation may be debited to the Net Profits Account pursuant to Section 3.1(b). Grantor shall furnish Grantee with written notice of any renewal, extension, modification, amendment, or supplementation, which materially affects the Net Profits Interest, within 30 days after Grantor has entered into the same, which notice shall specify the date thereof and the location and the acreage covered thereby.

4.6 Abandonment . Grantor shall have the right without the joinder of Grantee to release, surrender and/or abandon its interest in the Subject Interests, or any part thereof, or interest therein even though the effect of such release, surrender or abandonment will be to release, surrender or abandon the Net Profits Interest the same as though Grantee had joined therein insofar as the Net Profits Interest covers the Subject Interests, or any part thereof or interest therein, so released, surrendered or abandoned by Grantor; provided , however, that Grantor shall not release, surrender or abandon any Subject Interest unless and until Grantor has determined (acting like a reasonably prudent operator in the State in which such Subject Interests are located with respect to its own properties, without regard to the existence of the Net Profits

 

20


Interest) that such Subject Interest will no longer produce Subject Minerals in commercially paying quantities; and provided further that Grantor will promptly after the release, surrender or abandonment of any Subject Interest, or any part thereof or interest therein, notify Grantee in writing, giving a description of such Subject Interest, or part thereof or interest therein, that has been released, surrendered or abandoned, and the date on which such release, surrender or abandonment has occurred. Grantor shall have an unequivocal right to abandon a Subject Interest, or any part thereof if such abandonment is necessary for health, safety or environmental reasons, or the Subject Minerals that would have been produced from the abandoned Subject Interest would otherwise be produced from Subject Wells located on the remaining Subject Interests.

4.7 Contracts with Affiliates . Grantor or its Affiliates may perform services and furnish supplies and/or equipment with respect to the Subject Interests that are required to operate the Subject Interests in accordance with the operations standard set forth in Section 4.1 hereof and, except for any fees for marketing the Subject Interests, debit the Net Profits Account for the costs of such services and/or furnishing of such supplies and/or equipment, provided that the terms of the provision of such services or furnishing of supplies and/or equipment shall not be less favorable than those terms available from non-Affiliates in the same area as such Subject Interests that are engaged in the business of rendering comparable services or furnishing comparable equipment and supplies, taking into consideration all such terms, including the price, term, condition of supplies or equipment, availability of supplies and/or equipment, and all other terms.

ARTICLE V

RELEASES AND TRANSFERS OF SUBJECT INTERESTS/SUBJECT WELLS

5.1 Sale and Release of Properties .

(a) Grantor may from time to time Transfer the Subject Interests, or any part thereof or undivided interest therein, free of the Net Profits Interest and this Conveyance, provided that:

 

  (i) no Subject Interest or portion thereof may be Transferred pursuant to this Section 5.1 where the production of Subject Minerals from such Subject Interest or part thereof for the twelve (12) months immediately preceding the proposed sale date for such Subject Interest or part thereof exceeds one quarter of one percent (0.25%) of the total production of total Subject Minerals produced from all of the Subject Interests for the twelve (12) months immediately preceding the proposed sale date for such Subject Interest or part thereof;

 

  (ii) in connection with any such Transfer, Grantee shall receive as compensation for the release of its Net Profits Interest in the Subject Interest (or portion thereof) so Transferred the Fair Value of the portion of the Net Profits Interest so released; and;

 

  (iii) the aggregate fair market value of all portions of the Net Profits Interest released pursuant to Section 5.1(a) during any consecutive twelve (12) month period shall not exceed $1,000,000.

 

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(b) Grantor shall make such payment described in Section 5.1(a)(ii) to Grantee on or before the Quarterly Record Date for the payment period in which the Grantor receives the payment with respect to any such Transfer of the Subject Interest.

(c) In connection with any Transfer provided for in this Section 5.1, Grantee shall, on request, immediately prior to any such Transfer, execute, acknowledge, and deliver to Grantor a recordable instrument (reasonably acceptable to Grantor) that reconveys the Net Profits Interest with respect to the Subject Interests being Transferred to Grantor.

(d) From and after the actual date of any such Transfer by Grantor, Grantor and any assignee, purchaser, transferee or grantee of such Subject Interest shall be relieved of all obligations, requirements, and responsibilities arising under the Net Profits Interest or this Conveyance with respect to the Subject Interests Transferred, except for those that accrued prior to such date.

(e) The Grantee shall be entitled to rely on a certificate from Grantor regarding the Fair Value of Subject Interests transferred pursuant to Section 5.1.

5.2 Release of Other Properties .

(a) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, in the event that any Person notifies Grantor that, pursuant to a Prior Reversionary Interest, Grantor is required to convey any of the Subject Interests to such Person or cease production from any Subject Well, Grantor may provide such conveyance with respect to such Subject Interest or permanently cease production from any such Subject Well.

(b) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, in the event that Grantor receives compensation pursuant to any Prior Reversionary Interest Grantee shall not be entitled to any share of such compensation.

(c) In connection with any conveyance or permanent cessation of production provided for in Section 5.2(a) above, Grantee shall, on request, immediately prior to such event, execute, acknowledge, and deliver to Grantor a recordable instrument (reasonably acceptable to Grantor) that reconveys the Net Profits Interest with respect to any such Subject Well or Subject Interests to Grantor.

(d) From and after the actual date of any conveyance or permanent cessation of production provided for in Section 5.2(a), Grantor and any assignee, purchaser, transferee or grantee of such Subject Interest shall be relieved of all obligations, requirements, and responsibilities arising under the Net Profits Interest or this Conveyance with respect to the Subject Interests Transferred (and no credits or debits shall be made to the Net Profits Account therefor), except for those that accrued prior to such date.

5.3 Farmouts .

(a) Grantor may from time to time enter into Farmout Agreements with third parties with respect to a Subject Interest. In the event that Grantor enters into any Farmout Agreement with a third party, the Net Profits Interest and this Conveyance shall burden the retained interest in the Subject Interest after giving effect to any interest in the Subject Interest that a counterparty to the Farmout Agreement may earn under such Farmout Agreement.

 

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(b) In connection with Grantor entering into any Farmout Agreement, Grantee shall, upon request, execute, acknowledge, and deliver to Grantor a recordable instrument (reasonably acceptable to Grantor) that reconveys the Net Profits Interest and this Conveyance with respect to the Subject Interests being Transferred pursuant to such Farmout Agreement.

ARTICLE VI

OWNERSHIP OF PROPERTY; LIABILITY OF GRANTEE; NO RIGHT OF

OPERATIONS BY GRANTEE

6.1 Ownership of Certain Property . The Net Profits Interest does not include any right, title, or interest in and to any personal property, fixtures, or equipment and is exclusively an interest in and to the Subject Leases and the Subject Minerals in and under and produced and saved from the Subject Interests, and Grantee shall look solely to the Subject Minerals and payments in respect thereof (as provided herein) for the satisfaction and realization of the Net Profits Interest.

6.2 No Personal Liability . NOTWITHSTANDING ANYTHING TO THE CONTRARY CONTAINED IN THIS CONVEYANCE, GRANTEE SHALL NEVER PERSONALLY BE RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYMENT OF ANY PART OF THE COSTS, EXPENSES OR LIABILITIES INCURRED IN CONNECTION WITH THE EXPLORING, DEVELOPING, OPERATING AND MAINTAINING OF THE SUBJECT INTERESTS; PROVIDED , HOWEVER, ALL SUCH COSTS AND EXPENSES SHALL, TO THE EXTENT THE SAME RELATE TO ACTS, OMISSIONS, EVENTS, CONDITIONS OR CIRCUMSTANCES OCCURRING FROM AND AFTER THE EFFECTIVE TIME, NEVERTHELESS BE CHARGED AGAINST THE NET PROFITS ACCOUNT AS AND TO THE EXTENT HEREIN PERMITTED.

6.3 No In-Kind Rights . Grantee shall have no right to take in kind any Subject Minerals allocable to the Net Profits Interest.

6.4 No Operating Rights . IT IS THE EXPRESS INTENT OF GRANTOR AND GRANTEE THAT THE NET PROFITS INTEREST SHALL CONSTITUTE (AND THIS CONVEYANCE SHALL CONCLUSIVELY BE CONSTRUED FOR ALL PURPOSES AS CREATING) A SINGLE, SEPARATE NON-OPERATING NET PROFITS INTEREST IN AND TO THE SUBJECT LEASES AND MINERALS IN AND UNDER AND PRODUCED AND SAVED FROM THE SUBJECT INTERESTS DURING THE NET PROFITS PERIOD FOR ALL PURPOSES AND A FULLY VESTED AND FULLY CONVEYED INTEREST IN PROPERTY. WITHOUT LIMITATION OF THE GENERALITY OF THE IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING SENTENCE, GRANTOR AND GRANTEE ACKNOWLEDGE THAT GRANTEE HAS NO RIGHT OR POWER TO PARTICIPATE IN THE SELECTION OF A DRILLING CONTRACTOR, TO PROPOSE THE DRILLING OF A WELL, TO DETERMINE THE TIMING OR SEQUENCE OF DRILLING OPERATIONS, TO COMMENCE OR SHUT DOWN PRODUCTION, TO TAKE OVER OPERATIONS, OR TO SHARE IN ANY OPERATING DECISION WHATSOEVER OR IN ANY DECISION PERTAINING TO THE

 

23


MARKETING AND SALE OF PRODUCTION WHATSOEVER. GRANTOR AND GRANTEE HEREBY EXPRESSLY NEGATE ANY INTENT TO CREATE (AND THIS CONVEYANCE SHALL NEVER BE CONSTRUED AS CREATING) A MINING OR OTHER PARTNERSHIP OR JOINT VENTURE OR OTHER RELATIONSHIP SUBJECTING GRANTOR AND GRANTEE TO JOINT LIABILITY.

ARTICLE VII

WARRANTY AND NEGATIVE COVENANT

7.1 Warranty . Grantor agrees to warrant and forever defend, all and singular, the Net Profits Interest unto Grantee, its successors and assigns, against all persons whomsoever claiming or to claim the same, or any part thereof, by, through or under Grantor, but not otherwise, subject to the Permitted Encumbrances. Subject to the Net Profits Interest and the Permitted Encumbrances, Grantor further warrants to Grantee that with respect to claims made by, through or under Grantor or its Affiliates, immediately prior to the transfer made pursuant to this Conveyance, with respect to each Subject Well or Subject Lease set forth in Exhibit B to the Supplemental Agreement, Grantor is (i) entitled to receive not less than the percentage set forth in Exhibit B to the Supplemental Agreement hereto as the “Net Revenue Interest” of all Minerals produced, saved and sold from such Subject Well or Subject Lease to which such Net Revenue Interest corresponds without reduction of such interest throughout the duration of the life of such Subject Well or Subject Lease except as specifically set forth in Exhibit B to the Supplemental Agreement, and (ii) obligated to bear the percentage of the costs and expenses relating to the maintenance, development and operation of such Subject Well or Subject Lease not greater than the “Working Interest” shown in Exhibit B to the Supplemental Agreement with respect to such Subject Well or Subject Lease, without increase throughout the duration of the life of such Subject Well or Subject Lease, as applicable, except as specifically set forth in Exhibit B to the Supplemental Agreement. Grantor also hereby transfers to Grantee by way of substitution and subrogation (to the fullest extent that same may be transferred), all rights or actions over and against all predecessors (other than Affiliates of Grantor), covenantors or warrantors of title.

7.2 Senior Obligation . Grantor and Grantee acknowledge and agree that the Net Profits Interest is intended to be a real property conveyance and, as such, each agreement, indenture, bond, deed of trust, filing, application or other instrument that creates or purports to create a lien, mortgage, security interest or other charge secured by the Subject Interests, Subject Minerals or the proceeds from the sale of the Subject Minerals or the Existing Hedges that is entered into on or after the date hereof shall be subject to the Net Profits Interest and the Net Profits Interest shall be senior in right of payment and collection to any and all obligations created thereby in respect of the Subject Interests, Subject Minerals or the proceeds from the sale of the Subject Minerals or the Existing Hedges; provided, however, that this Section 7.2 shall not apply to any agreement, indenture, bond, deed of trust, filing, application or other instrument that creates a lien, mortgage, security interest or other charge secured by not more than Grantor’s residual interest in the Subject Interests, Subject Minerals or the proceeds from the sale of the Subject Minerals, (in each case) subject and subordinate to the Net Profits Interest (and the Net Profits Interest shall not be burdened or encumbered by any such lien, mortgage, security interest or other charge).

 

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ARTICLE VIII

ASSIGNMENT OF PRE-EFFECTIVE TIME PAYMENT

For and in consideration of Ten and No/100 Dollars ($10.00) and other good and valuable consideration (including the issuance by Grantee to Grantor of the Trust Units identified in Article I) to Grantor paid by Grantee, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged by Grantor, Grantor hereby GRANTS, BARGAINS, SELLS, CONVEYS, TRANSFERS, ASSIGNS, SETS OVER AND DELIVERS unto Grantee, effective as of the Effective Time, an amount, payable by wire transfer of immediately available funds on or before the tenth day (or, if such day is not a Business Day, the next Business Day) following the Quarterly Record Date for the initial Payment Period, equal to the product of the Proceeds Percentage times the Net Profits that would have been payable by Grantor to Grantee pursuant to the terms of the Net Profits Interest calculated by reference to the production of the Subject Interests for the Production Period Prior to the Effective Time as if the Net Profits Interest had been in existence and this Conveyance been dated and in effect as of January 1, 2012 (the “ Pre-Effective Time Payment ) . In no event shall any item of gross proceeds, cost, revenue or other amount used in determining the Pre-Effective Time Payment be duplicated with any such item of gross proceeds, cost, revenue or other amount pursuant to the calculation of the Net Profits Interest.

ARTICLE IX

MISCELLANEOUS

9.1 Notices . All notices and other communications required or permitted under this Conveyance shall be in writing and, unless otherwise specifically provided, shall be delivered personally, by electronic transmission, by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, or by delivery service for which a receipt is obtained (except for quarterly statements provided for under Section 3.5 above which may be sent by regular mail), to the respective addresses of Grantor and Grantee shown below, and shall be deemed delivered on the date of receipt. Either party may specify his proper address or any other post office address within the continental limits of the United States by giving notice to the other party, in the manner provided in this Section, at least fifteen (15) days prior to the effective date of such change of address. For purposes of notice, the addresses of Grantor and Grantee shall be as follows:

 

If to Grantor:    Whiting Oil and Gas Corporation
   1700 Broadway, Suite 2300
   Denver, Colorado 80290-2300
   Attention: Chief Financial Officer
If to Grantee:    The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A.
   919 Congress Avenue, Suite 500
   Austin, Texas 78701
   Attention: Michael J. Ulrich

9.2 Payments . Grantor shall transfer or cause to be transferred all monies to which Grantee is entitled hereunder by Federal funds wire transfer not later than the date when due, to Grantee at the bank account specified by Grantee in writing to Grantor.

 

25


9.3 Amendments . This Conveyance may not be amended, altered, or modified except pursuant to a written instrument executed by Grantor and Grantee.

9.4 Further Assurances . Grantor and Grantee shall from time to time do and perform such further acts and execute and deliver such further instruments, conveyances, and documents as may be required or reasonably requested by the other party to establish, maintain, or protect the respective rights and remedies of Grantor and Grantee and to carry out and effectuate the intentions and purposes of this Conveyance, provided in each case the same does not conflict with any provision of this Conveyance.

9.5 Waivers . The failure of Grantor or Grantee to insist upon strict performance of any provision hereof shall not constitute a waiver of or estoppel against asserting the right to require such performance in the future, nor shall a waiver or estoppel in any one instance constitute a waiver or estoppel with respect to a later breach of a similar nature or otherwise.

9.6 No Partition . Grantor and Grantee acknowledge that Grantee has no right or interest that would permit Grantee to partition any portion of the Subject Interests, and Grantee hereby waives any such right.

9.7 Governing Law . THIS CONVEYANCE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF COLORADO EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT THE PROPERTY LAWS OF THE STATE IN WHICH THE SUBJECT INTERESTS ARE LOCATED ARE APPLICABLE.

9.8 Rule Against Perpetuities . It is not the intent of Grantor or Grantee that any provision herein violate any applicable law regarding the rule against perpetuities, the suspension of the absolute power of alienation, or other rules regarding the vesting or duration of estates, and this Conveyance shall be construed as not violating any such applicable law to the extent the same can be so construed consistent with the intent of the parties. In the event, however, that any provision hereof is determined to violate any such applicable law, then such provision shall nevertheless be effective for the maximum period (but not longer than the maximum period) permitted by any such applicable law that will result in no violation. To the extent such maximum period is permitted to be determined by reference to “lives in being”, Grantor and Grantee agree that “lives in being” shall refer to the lifetime of the last to die of the now living lineal descendants of the late Joseph P. Kennedy (father of the late President of the United States of America).

9.9 Tax Matters .

(a) Nothing herein contained shall be construed to constitute a partnership or to cause either party hereto (under state law or for tax purposes) to be treated as being the agent of, or in partnership with, the other party. In addition, the parties hereto intend that the Net Profits Interest conveyed hereby to Grantee shall at all times be treated as (i) an incorporeal (i.e., a non-possessory) interest in real property or land under the laws of the state in which the Subject Interests are located, and (ii) a production payment under Section 636 of the Code, and therefore, for tax purposes, debt, payable out of net profits from the production of Subject Minerals (rather than as a working or any other interest). The parties hereto intend that the Pre-Effective Time

 

26


Payment conveyed hereby to Grantee shall at all times be treated for United States federal income tax purposes as a payment obligation of Grantor separate and apart from the Net Profits Interest.

(b) Grantor and Grantee agree, and by acquisition of an interest in Grantee each holder of an interest in Grantee shall be deemed to have agreed, for United States federal income tax purposes, (1) to treat the Net Profits Interest as indebtedness that is subject to Treasury Regulations Section 1.1275-4 (the “ Contingent Debt Regulations ”) and, for purposes of the Contingent Debt Regulations, to treat payments received with respect to the Net Profits Interest as contingent payments, and (2) to accrue interest with respect to the Net Profits Interest according to the “noncontingent bond method” set forth in Treasury Regulations Section 1.1275-4(b), using the comparable yield of 9.0% per annum compounded semi-annually.

(c) Grantor and Grantee acknowledge and agree, and by acquisition of an interest in Grantee each holder of an interest in Grantee shall be deemed to have agreed, that (i) the comparable yield and the schedule of projected payments are not determined for any purpose other than for the determination of interest accruals and adjustments thereof in respect of the Net Profits Interest for United States federal income tax purposes and (ii) the comparable yield and the schedule of projected payments do not constitute a projection or representation regarding the amounts payable on the Net Profits Interest.

(d) Grantor may cause to be withheld from any payment hereunder any tax withholding required by law or regulations, including, in the case of any withholding obligation arising from income that does not give rise to any cash or property from which any applicable withholding tax could be satisfied, by way of set off against any subsequent payment of cash or property hereunder.

9.10 Counterparts; Termination .

(a) Multiple counterparts of this Conveyance have been recorded in the counties of the States of Arkansas, Colorado, Michigan, Mississippi, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Texas and Wyoming where the Subject Interests are located. The counterparts are identical except that, to facilitate recordation, the counterpart recorded in each county may contain property descriptions relating only to the Subject Interests located in that county. A counterpart of this Conveyance containing all property descriptions of Subject Interests will be maintained in the offices of the Grantor.

(b) If any Subject Interests are located in more than one county, the description of such Subject Interests may be included in any one or more counterparts prepared for recordation in separate counties, but the inclusion of the same property description in more than one counterpart of this Conveyance shall not be construed as having effected any cumulative, multiple, or overlapping interest in the Subject Interests in question.

(c) On the Termination Date, Grantee shall, on request, execute, acknowledge, and deliver to Grantor a recordable instrument (reasonably acceptable to Grantor) that terminates and releases the Net Profits Interest with respect to the Subject Interests.

 

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9.11 Binding Effect . All the covenants and agreements of Grantor herein contained shall be deemed to be covenants running with Grantor’s interest in the Subject Interests and the lands affected thereby. All of the provisions hereof shall inure to the benefit of Grantee and its successors and assigns and shall be binding upon Grantor and its successors and assigns and all other owners of the Subject Interests or any part thereof or any interest therein.

 

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EXECUTED effective for all purposes as of the Effective Time.

 

      GRANTOR:
ATTEST:     WHITING OIL AND GAS CORPORATION
By:  

/s/ Bruce R. DeBoer

    By:  

/s/ James T. Brown

Name: Bruce R. DeBoer     Name: James T. Brown
Title: Secretary     Title: President and Chief Operating Officer

 

GRANTEE:
WHITING USA TRUST II
By its Trustee, The Bank of New York Mellon
Trust Company, N.A.
By:  

/s/ Michael J. Ulrich

Name:   Michael J. Ulrich
Title:   Vice President

This Conveyance was drafted by John K. Wilson from the law firm of Foley & Lardner LLP, located at 777 E. Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53202, phone number (414) 297-2400.

 

Signature Page to Conveyance of Net Profits Interest


STATE OF COLORADO

                    §

 

                      §

 

COUNTY OF DENVER

                    §

 

ARKANSAS,

On this day personally appeared before the undersigned, a Notary Public within and for the County and State aforesaid, duly qualified, commissioned and acting, the within named James T. Brown , to me personally well known, who stated that he was President and Chief Operating Officer of Whiting Oil and Gas Corporation, and stated and acknowledged that he was duly authorized in that capacity to execute the foregoing instrument for and in the name and behalf of said corporation and further stated and acknowledged that he had so signed, executed and delivered said foregoing instrument for the consideration and purposes therein mentioned and set forth.

 

COLORADO,

The foregoing instrument was acknowledged before me this 28th day of March, 2012, by James T. Brown, President and Chief Operating Officer of Whiting Oil and Gas Corporation. Witness my hand and official seal.

 

MISSISSIPPI,

Personally appeared before me, the undersigned authority in and for the said county and state, on this 28th day of March, 2012, within my jurisdiction, the within named James T. Brown, who acknowledged that he is President and Chief Operating Officer of Whiting Oil and Gas Corporation, a Delaware corporation, and that for and on behalf of the said corporation, and as its act and deed he executed the above and foregoing instrument, after first having been duly authorized by said corporation so to do.

MICHIGAN,

MONTANA,

NEW MEXICO,

NORTH DAKOTA,

OKLAHOMA,

TEXAS, and

WYOMING

This instrument was acknowledged before me on this day, by James T. Brown, President and Chief Operating Officer of Whiting Oil and Gas Corporation, a Delaware Corporation, on behalf of said corporation.

 

  

/s/ Yvette A. Arceneaux

   Notary Public in and for the State of Colorado
   Full Name:    Yvette A. Arceneaux
   Residing at: (city):    Denver
(Affix official seal, if applicable)    Notarial Identification Number:    N/A
   My commission expires on March 16, 2013

 

Acknowledgment Page to Conveyance of Net Profits Interest


STATE OF TEXAS

                    §

 

                      §

 

COUNTY OF TRAVIS

                    §

 

ARKANSAS,

On this day personally appeared before the undersigned, a Notary Public within and for the County and State aforesaid, duly qualified, commissioned and acting, the within named Michael J. Ulrich, to me personally well known, who stated that he was Vice President of The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., the Trustee of Whiting USA Trust II, and stated and acknowledged that he was duly authorized in that capacity to execute the foregoing instrument for and in the name and on behalf of said Trustee and further stated and acknowledged that he had so signed, executed and delivered said foregoing instrument for the consideration and purposes therein mentioned and set forth.

 

COLORADO,

The foregoing instrument was acknowledged before me this 28th day of March, 2012, by Michael J. Ulrich, Vice President of The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A, the Trustee of Whiting USA Trust II.

 

MISSISSIPPI,

Personally appeared before me, the undersigned authority in and for the said county and state, on this 28th day of March, 2012, within my jurisdiction, the within named Michael J. Ulrich, who acknowledged that he is Vice President of The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., a national association and Trustee of Whiting USA Trust II, a Delaware statutory trust, and that for and on behalf of the said national association, in said fiduciary capacity, and as its act and deed in said capacity, he executed the above and foregoing instrument, after first having been duly authorized by said national association so to do.

MICHIGAN,

MONTANA,

NEW MEXICO,

NORTH DAKOTA,

OKLAHOMA,

TEXAS, and

WYOMING

This instrument was acknowledged before me on this day, by Michael J. Ulrich, Vice President of The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., a national association and Trustee of Whiting USA Trust II, on behalf of said Trust.

 

    

/s/ Sarah Newell

   Notary Public in and for the State of Texas
   Full Name:    Sarah Newell
   Residing at: (city):    Pflugerville
(Affix official seal, if applicable)    Notarial Identification Number: 01072729-08
   My commission expires on 02-06-2014

 

Acknowledgment Page to Conveyance of Net Profits Interest


EXHIBIT A

 

Exhibit A – Page 1

Exhibit 10.2

ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AGREEMENT

This ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”) is dated as of March 28, 2012 by and between Whiting Oil and Gas Corporation, a Delaware corporation, (the “ Company ”), and Whiting USA Trust II, a statutory trust formed under the laws of the State of Delaware (the “ Trust ”).

WHEREAS, pursuant to a Conveyance of Term Net Profits Interest of even date herewith (the “ Conveyance ”), the Company has conveyed to the Trust a net profits interest in certain oil and gas properties (the “ Net Profits Interest ”);

WHEREAS, in connection with the conveyance of the Net Profits Interest, the Company has agreed to provide certain administrative services for the Trust in exchange for an administrative services fee as described herein.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the covenants hereinafter contained and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, and intended to be legally bound hereby, it is agreed as follows:

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS

Section 1.01 Definitions . As used in this Agreement, the following terms have the respective meanings set forth below or set forth in the Sections referred to below:

Administrative Services Fee ” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.01 .

Affiliate ” means with respect to a specified person, any person that directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, the specified person. As used in this definition, the term “control” (and the correlative terms “controlling,” “controlled by,” and “under common control”) shall mean the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a person, whether through ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.

Agreement ” has the meaning set forth in the introductory paragraph.

Business Day ” means each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday that is not a day on which banking institutions in New York, New York or Denver, Colorado are authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close.

Company ” has the meaning set forth in the introductory paragraph.

Conveyance ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals.

External Expenses ” means the actual out-of-pocket fees, costs and expenses incurred by the Company in connection with the provision of the Services.


Force Majeure ” shall mean any cause beyond the reasonable control of the Company, including the following causes: acts of God, strikes, lockouts, acts of the public enemy, wars or warlike action (whether actual or impending), arrests and other restraints of government (civil or military), blockades, embargoes, insurrections, riots, epidemics, landslides, lightning, earthquakes, fires, sabotage, tornadoes, named tropical storms and hurricanes, and floods, civil disturbances, terrorism, mechanical breakdown of machinery or equipment, explosions, confiscation or seizure by any government or other public authority, any order of any court of competent jurisdiction, regulatory agency or governmental body having jurisdiction.

Net Profits Interest ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals.

person ” shall mean any individual, partnership, limited liability company, corporation, trust, unincorporated association, governmental agency, subdivision, or instrumentality, or other entity or association.

Services ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.01 .

Termination Date ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Conveyance.

Trust ” has the meaning set forth in the introductory paragraph.

Trust Agreement ” means that certain Amended and Restated Trust Agreement of even date herewith among the Company, the Trustee and Wilmington Trust Company, as the same may be amended from time to time.

Trustee ” means The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A..

Section 1.02 Construction . Unless the context requires otherwise: (a) any pronoun used in this Agreement shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine or neuter forms, and the singular form of nouns, pronouns and verbs shall include the plural and vice versa; (b) references to Articles and Sections refer to Articles and Sections of this Agreement; (c) the terms “include,” “includes,” “including” or words of like import shall be deemed to be followed by the words “without limitation;” and (d) the terms “hereof,” “herein” or “hereunder” refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement. The headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only, and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

ARTICLE II

SERVICES

Section 2.01 Services . Subject to the terms of this Agreement and in exchange for the payment described in Section 3.01 , the Company hereby agrees to provide the Trust with such accounting, bookkeeping and informational services as are necessary for the Trust and the Trustee to comply with the Trust Agreement and Article III of the Conveyance and such other administrative services of similar character and scope to the foregoing that the Trustee may reasonably request the Company to provide during the term of this Agreement, including, without limitation, such services necessary for the preparation of reports the Trust is or may be required to prepare pursuant to applicable tax and securities law, including, without limitation, reserve reports (the “ Services ”).

 

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Section 2.02 Performance of Services by Others . The parties hereby agree that in discharging the Company’s obligations under this Agreement, the Company may, in its sole discretion, engage any other person, including its Affiliates, to perform the Services (or any part of the Services) on its behalf and that the performance of the Services (or any part of the Services) by any such person shall be treated as if the Company performed such Services itself. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing contained herein shall relieve the Company of its obligations hereunder.

Section 2.03 Intellectual Property . Any (i) inventions, whether patentable or not, developed or invented, or (ii) copyrightable material (and the intangible rights of copyright therein) developed, in each case by the Company, its Affiliates or its or their employees in connection with the performance of the Services shall be the property of the Company; provided, however , that the Trust shall be granted an irrevocable, royalty-free, non-exclusive and non-transferable right and license to use such inventions or material; and provided further, however , that the Trust shall only be granted such a right and license to the extent such grant does not conflict with, or result in a breach, default, or violation of a right or license to use such inventions or material granted to the Company by any person other than an Affiliate of the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company will use all commercially reasonable efforts to grant such right and license to the Trust.

Section 2.04 Independent Status . It is expressly acknowledged by the parties hereto that each party is an “independent contractor” and nothing in this Agreement is intended nor shall be construed to create an employer/employee relationship, or a joint venture or partnership relationship, or to allow any party to exercise control or direction over the other party. Except as required in connection with the performance of the Services, neither the Company nor any agent, employee, servant, contractor or subcontractor of the Company or any of its Affiliates shall have the authority to bind the Trust to any contract or arrangement. Neither the Trust nor the Trustee shall be liable for the salary, wages or benefits, including workers’ compensation insurance and unemployment insurance, of any employee, agent, servant, contractor or subcontractor of the Company or its Affiliates by virtue of this Agreement.

Section 2.05 Warranties; Limitation of Liability . The Company will use commercially reasonable efforts to provide the Services in a good and workmanlike manner in accordance with the sound and prudent practices of providers of similar services. EXCEPT AS SET FORTH IN THE PRECEDING SENTENCE, THE COMPANY MAKES NO (AND HEREBY DISCLAIMS AND NEGATES ANY AND ALL) WARRANTIES OR REPRESENTATIONS WHATSOEVER, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, WITH RESPECT TO THE SERVICES. IN NO EVENT WILL THE COMPANY OR ANY OF ITS AFFILIATES BE LIABLE TO ANY OF THE PERSONS RECEIVING ANY SERVICES OR TO ANY OTHER PERSON FOR ANY EXEMPLARY, PUNITIVE, DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL OR SPECIAL DAMAGES RESULTING FROM ANY ERROR IN THE PERFORMANCE OF SUCH SERVICE, REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THE PERSON PROVIDING SUCH SERVICE, ITS AFFILIATES OR OTHERS MAY BE WHOLLY, CONCURRENTLY, PARTIALLY OR SOLELY NEGLIGENT OR OTHERWISE AT FAULT,

 

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EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT SUCH EXEMPLARY, PUNITIVE, DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL OR SPECIAL DAMAGES ARE PAID BY THE PARTY INCURRING SUCH DAMAGES TO A PERSON THAT IS NOT A PARTY TO THIS AGREEMENT. THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION 2.05 WILL SURVIVE TERMINATION OF THIS AGREEMENT.

Section 2.06 Disputes . Should there be a dispute over the nature or quality of the Services or the calculation or allocation of the Administrative Services Fee, the Company and the Trustee, on behalf of the Trust, shall first attempt to resolve such dispute, acting diligently and in good faith, using the past practices of the Company and the Trustee as guidelines for such resolution. If the Company and the Trustee are unable to resolve any such dispute within thirty days, or such additional time as may be reasonable under the circumstances, the dispute shall be resolved by arbitration in accordance with the provisions of Article XI of the Trust Agreement. The provisions of this Section 2.06 will survive termination of this Agreement.

ARTICLE III

ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES FEE

Section 3.01 Administrative Services Fee . The Trust shall pay to the Company in immediately available funds, on or before the 60th day following each calendar quarter, an administrative services fee of $50,000 (the “ Administrative Services Fee ”). In the event that this Agreement is terminated during a calendar quarter pursuant to Section 5.01 , the amount of the Administrative Services Fee for such calendar quarter shall be based upon the pro rata portion of the Administrative Services Fee that shall have accrued during such quarter up to and including the date of termination of this Agreement. In addition to the Administrative Services Fee, the Trust shall reimburse the Company on or before the 60th day following each calendar quarter for all reasonable and necessary External Expenses associated with the provision of Services in the preceding quarter as set forth in a reasonably detailed invoice provided by the Company to the Trust on or before the 50th day following each calendar quarter, but only to the extent that the Company certifies to the Trustee that the Company was unable to perform the Services in the ordinary course of its business for which it incurred the External Expenses.

Section 3.02 Set-Off . In the event that the Company owes the Trust a sum certain in an uncontested amount under any other agreement, then any such amounts may, in the sole discretion of the Company, be aggregated and the Trust and the Company shall discharge their obligations by netting those amounts against any amounts owed by the Trust to the Company under this Agreement.

ARTICLE IV

FORCE MAJEURE

Section 4.01 Force Majeure . The Company’s obligation under this Agreement shall be excused when and to the extent its performance of that obligation is prevented due to Force Majeure. The Company shall promptly notify the Trustee that it is prevented from performing its obligations by reason of Force Majeure and shall exercise due diligence to end its inability to perform as promptly as practicable. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall not be required to settle any strike, lockout or other labor dispute in which it or any of its Affiliates may be involved.

 

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ARTICLE V

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 5.01 Term and Termination . This Agreement shall become effective on the date of this Agreement and shall continue until the Termination Date unless earlier terminated by mutual agreement of the parties to this Agreement. Upon termination of this Agreement in accordance with this Section 5.01 , all rights and obligations under this Agreement shall cease except for (i) obligations that expressly survive termination of this Agreement, (ii) liabilities and obligations that have accrued prior to such termination, including the obligation to pay any amounts that have become due and payable prior to such termination, and (iii) the obligation to pay any portion of the Administrative Services Fee that has accrued prior to such termination, even if such portion has not become due and payable at the time of termination.

Section 5.02 Notice . All notices and other communications provided for or permitted hereunder shall be made in writing by hand delivery, by facsimile, by courier guaranteeing overnight delivery or by first-class mail, return receipt requested, and shall be deemed given (i) when made, if made by hand delivery, (ii) upon confirmation, if made by facsimile, (iii) one (1) Business Day after being deposited with such courier, if made by overnight courier or (iv) on the date indicated on the notice of receipt, if made by first-class mail, to the parties as follows:

 

  (a) if to the Trust or the Trustee, to:

Whiting USA Trust II

c/o The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A.

919 Congress Avenue, Suite 500

Austin, Texas 78701

Attention: Mike J. Ulrich

Facsimile No.: (512) 236-9275

with a copy to:

Bracewell & Giuliani LLP

111 Congress Avenue Suite, 2300

Austin, Texas 78701

Attention: Tom Adkins

Facsimile No.: (512) 479-3940

if to the Company, to:

Whiting Petroleum Corporation

1700 Broadway, Suite 2300

Denver, Colorado 80290-2300

Attention: Michael J. Stevens

Facsimile No.: (303) 390-5590

 

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with a copy to:

Foley & Lardner LLP

777 East Wisconsin Avenue

Milwaukee, WI 53202-5306

Attention:   Benjamin F. Garmer, III
  John K. Wilson

Facsimile No.: (414) 297-4900

or to such other address as such person may have furnished to the other persons identified in this Section 5.02 in writing in accordance herewith.

Section 5.03 Entire Agreement, Supersedure . This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement of the parties relating to the matters contained herein, superseding all prior contracts or agreements, whether written or oral, relating to the matters contained herein.

Section 5.04 Effect of Waiver or Consent . Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, a waiver or consent, express or implied, to or of any breach or default by any party in the performance by that party of its obligations under this Agreement is not a consent or waiver to or of any other breach or default in the performance by that party of the same or any other obligations of that party under this Agreement.

Section 5.05 Amendment or Modification . This Agreement may be amended or modified from time to time only by a written instrument executed by each of the parties to this Agreement.

Section 5.06 Assignment . Except as provided in Section 2.02 , and except for any transfer of rights of the Trustee hereunder to a successor trustee of the Trust, no party to this Agreement shall have the right to assign its rights or obligations under this Agreement without the consent of the other party to this Agreement.

Section 5.07 Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts with the same effect as if all parties to this Agreement had signed the same document. All counterparts shall be construed together and shall constitute one and the same instrument.

Section 5.08 Severability . If any provision of this Agreement or the application thereof to any party to this Agreement or circumstance shall be held invalid or unenforceable to any extent, the remainder of this Agreement and the application of such provision to the other party to this Agreement or circumstances shall not be affected thereby and shall be enforced to the greatest extent permitted by law.

Section 5.09 Further Assurances . In connection with this Agreement and all transactions contemplated by this Agreement, each party hereto agrees to execute and deliver

 

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such additional documents and instruments and to perform such additional acts as may be necessary or appropriate to effectuate, carry out and perform all of the terms, provisions and conditions of this Agreement and all such transactions.

Section 5.10 Governing Law. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE, WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO ANY CHOICE OR CONFLICT OF THE LAWS OF ANY OTHER JURISDICTION.

 

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

 

WHITING OIL AND GAS CORPORATION
By:  

/s/ James T. Brown

Name:   James T. Brown
Title:   President and Chief Operating Officer
WHITING USA TRUST II
By:   The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., not in its individual capacity but solely as trustee
By:  

/s/ Michael J. Ulrich

Name:   Michael J. Ulrich
Title:   Vice President

 

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