UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 8-K

 

 

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 OR 15(d)

of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): October 13, 2016

 

 

RSP PERMIAN, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   001-36264   90-1022997

(State or Other Jurisdiction

of Incorporation)

 

(Commission

File Number)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

 

3141 Hood Street, Suite 500

Dallas, Texas 75219

(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

(214) 252-2700

(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 CFR 230.425)

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

 

 


Item 1.01 Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.

SHEP Purchase Agreements

On October 13, 2016, RSP Permian, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”) entered into (i) a Membership Interest Purchase and Sale Agreement (the “SHEP I Purchase Agreement”) by and among Silver Hill Energy Partners Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “SHEP I Seller”), Silver Hill Energy Partners, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“SHEP I”), and RSP Permian, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company (“Buyer”), and (ii) a Membership Interest Purchase and Sale Agreement (the “SHEP II Purchase Agreement,” and together with the SHEP I Purchase Agreement, the “SHEP Purchase Agreements”) by and among Silver Hill Energy Partners II, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (together with the SHEP I Seller, the “SHEP Sellers”), Silver Hill E&P II, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“SHEP II,” and together with SHEP I, “SHEP”) and Buyer.

Pursuant to the terms of the SHEP Purchase Agreements, the Company has agreed to cause Buyer, its wholly-owned subsidiary, to acquire the membership interests in SHEP from the SHEP Sellers for aggregate consideration at closing of $2.4 billion, which shall consist of (1) $1.25 billion in cash (the “Cash Consideration”) consisting of $604 million in cash pursuant to the SHEP I Purchase Agreement and $646 million in cash pursuant to the SHEP II Purchase Agreement and (2) the issuance of 31.0 million shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share (“Company Common Stock”), consisting, subject to adjustment, of approximately 15.0 million shares of Company Common Stock pursuant to the SHEP I Purchase Agreement (the “SHEP I Issuance”) and approximately 16.0 million shares of Company Common Stock pursuant to the SHEP II Purchase Agreement (the “SHEP II Issuance” and collectively with the SHEP I Issuance, the “SHEP Issuance,” and such number of shares of Company Common Stock, the “SHEP Issuance Amount”). The Cash Consideration is subject to certain adjustments, including reductions to reflect the retirement of debt of SHEP assumed by Buyer and increases, in the case of the SHEP II Purchase Agreement, in the event the Company is unable to obtain Company Stockholder Approval (as defined below) on or prior to March 1, 2017. The transactions contemplated by the SHEP I Purchase Agreement and the SHEP II Purchase Agreement are referred to herein as the “SHEP I Transaction” and the “SHEP II Transaction,” respectively, and collectively as the “SHEP Transactions.” Following the consummation of the SHEP Transactions, both SHEP I and SHEP II will be indirect, wholly owned subsidiaries of the Company.

Pursuant to the terms of the SHEP II Purchase Agreement, the Company will convene a special meeting of the Company stockholders at which the Company stockholders will be asked to vote to approve the SHEP II Issuance (such approval, the “Company Stockholder Approval”). The Company has agreed to prepare and file a preliminary proxy statement with respect to the SHEP II Issuance. In the event the Company Stockholder Approval is not obtained on or prior to March 1, 2017, the Cash Consideration will be increased by an amount equal to the product of (1) the positive difference between (a) the SHEP Issuance Amount, minus (b) the product of (x) 0.199, multiplied by (y) the number of shares of Company Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the execution of the SHEP Purchase Agreements, multiplied by (2) a price per share of Company Common Stock determined in accordance with the terms of the SHEP Purchase Agreements.

Completion of the SHEP Transactions is subject to the satisfaction or waiver of customary closing conditions set forth in the SHEP Purchase Agreements, including, if applicable, the expiration or termination of the applicable waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976. While both of the SHEP Transactions will have an effective date of November 1, 2016, the SHEP Transactions will close separately. The SHEP I Transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2016, and the SHEP II Transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2017. The closing of the SHEP II Transaction is conditioned upon, among other factors, the closing of the SHEP I Transaction.

The SHEP I Purchase Agreement and the SHEP II Purchase Agreement are filed as Exhibit 10.1 and Exhibit 10.2., respectively, to this Current Report on Form 8-K, and the foregoing description of the SHEP Purchase Agreements is qualified in its entirety by reference to such exhibits. The SHEP Purchase Agreements are filed herewith to provide investors with information regarding their respective terms. The SHEP Purchase Agreements are not intended to provide any other factual information about the parties. In particular, the assertions embodied in the representations and warranties contained in the SHEP Purchase Agreements were made as of the date of the SHEP Purchase Agreements only and are qualified by

 

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information in confidential disclosure schedules provided by the parties to each other in connection with the signing of the SHEP Purchase Agreements. These disclosure schedules contain information that modifies, qualifies and creates exceptions to the representations and warranties set forth in the SHEP Purchase Agreements. Moreover, certain representations and warranties in the SHEP Purchase Agreements may have been used for the purpose of allocating risk between the parties rather than establishing matters of fact. Accordingly, you should not rely on the representations and warranties in the SHEP Purchase Agreements as characterizations of the actual statements of fact about the parties.

Stockholder’s Agreement

Upon the closing of the SHEP II Transaction, the Company and Kayne Anderson Capital Advisors, LP, an affiliate of the SHEP Sellers (the “Principal Stockholder”), will enter into a stockholder agreement (the “Stockholder’s Agreement”), pursuant to which, the Principal Stockholder will be limited or prohibited from, among other things, for the period commencing upon the closing of the SHEP I Transaction and ending on the earlier of the second anniversary of the closing of the SHEP I Transaction and the date on which the Principal Stockholder and its affiliates beneficially own less than 10% of the outstanding shares of Company Common Stock (1) acquiring beneficial ownership of additional shares of Company Common Stock such that the Principal Stockholder and its affiliates would own more than 29.9% in the aggregate of the outstanding shares of Company Common Stock, (2) engaging in any certain hostile or takeover activities with respect to the Company, or (3) “soliciting” any “proxies” (as such terms are used in the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).

The foregoing description is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the form of Stockholder’s Agreement, which is attached as Exhibit 4.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated in this Item 1.01 by reference.

Registration Rights Agreement

Upon the closing of each of the SHEP Transactions, the Company and the SHEP Sellers will enter into separate registration rights agreements (each a “SHEP Registration Rights Agreement”) pursuant to which the Company will (1) prepare, file with the SEC and cause to become effective within 180 days of the execution of the SHEP Registration Rights Agreement, a shelf registration statement with respect to the shares of Company Common Stock to be issued to the SHEP Sellers under the SHEP Purchase Agreements (the “SHEP Registrable Securities”) that would permit some or all of the SHEP Registrable Securities to be resold in registered transactions and (2) use its reasonable best efforts to maintain the effectiveness of the shelf registration statement while the SHEP Sellers and their affiliates hold the SHEP Registrable Securities. In addition, under certain circumstances, the SHEP Registration Rights Agreement permits the SHEP Sellers to demand or participate in an underwritten public offering by the Company.

The foregoing description is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the form of each of the SHEP Registration Rights Agreements, which are attached as Exhibits 4.2 and 4.3 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated in this Item 1.01 by reference.

Anticipated Equity Ownership

Following the SHEP Transactions, the Company is expected to have outstanding approximately 132.6 million shares of Company Common Stock on a fully diluted basis, with the existing Company stockholders beneficially owning approximately 76.6%, and the SHEP Sellers and their affiliates beneficially owning approximately 23.3% % on a fully diluted basis.

 

Item 2.02 Results of Operations and Financial Condition

On October 13, 2016, the Company issued a news release announcing the SHEP Transactions. The news release contained certain information regarding its results of operations for the quarter ended September 30, 2016. A copy of the news release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1.

The information furnished in this Item 2.02 shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, nor shall such information be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, regardless of any general incorporation language in such filing, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.

 

Item 3.02 Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities.

Pursuant to the SHEP Purchase Agreements, the Company will issue 31.0 million shares of Company Common Stock to the SHEP Sellers upon completion of the SHEP Transactions.

The information set forth in Item 1.01 is incorporated herein by reference.

 

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Item 3.03 Material Modification to Rights of Security Holders.

The information provided in Item 1.1 hereto under the headings “Stockholder’s Agreement” and “Registration Rights Agreement” is incorporated by reference into this Item 3.03.

 

Item 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure.

On October 13, 2016, the Company issued a news release announcing the SHEP Transactions. A copy of the news release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1.

On October 13, 2016 the Company issued a news release announcing the commencement of an underwritten public offering of 20,000,000 shares of its common stock. The Company has granted the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional 3,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock. A copy of the news release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.2

On October 14, 2016, the Company intends to post an investor presentation on the Company’s website, www.rsppermian.com.

In accordance with General Instruction B.2. of Form 8-K, the information furnished in this Item 7.01, including Exhibits 99.1 and 99.2 hereto, shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”), or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that Section, and shall not be incorporated by reference into any registration statement or other document filed under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) or the Exchange Act, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.

Additional Information about the SHEP Transactions

This communication does not constitute an offer to buy or sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy or sell any securities or a solicitation of any vote or approval. This communication relates to the SHEP Transactions.

In connection with the SHEP Transactions, the Company intends to file with the SEC a preliminary proxy statement. The Company also plans to file other relevant documents with the SEC regarding the SHEP Transactions. Any definitive proxy statement for the Company (if and when available) will be mailed to Company stockholders.

INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS OF THE COMPANY ARE URGED TO READ THE PROXY STATEMENT(S) AND OTHER DOCUMENTS THAT MAY BE FILED WITH THE SEC CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY IF AND WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE SHEP TRANSACTIONS.

Investors and security holders will be able to obtain free copies of these documents (if and when available) and other documents containing important information about the Company, once such documents are filed with the SEC, through the website maintained by the SEC at http://www.sec.gov. Copies of the documents filed with the SEC by the Company will be available free of charge on the Company’s internet website at http://www.rsppermian.com or by contacting the Company’s Investor Relations Department by email at IR@rspermian.com or by phone at 214-252-2790.

Participants in the Solicitation

The Company and certain of its directors and executive officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies in respect of the SHEP Transactions. Information about the directors and executive officers of the Company is set forth in the Company’s proxy statement for its 2016 annual meeting of stockholders, which was filed with the SEC on April 29, 2016. This document can be obtained free of charge from the sources indicated above.

Other information regarding the participants in the proxy solicitations and a description of their direct and indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, will be contained in the proxy statement and other relevant materials to be filed with the SEC when such materials become available. Investors should read the proxy statement carefully when it becomes available before making any voting or investment decisions. You may obtain free copies of these documents from the Company using the sources indicated above.

 

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Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

Certain statements in this Current Report on Form 8-K, including, without limitation, statements containing the words “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “intend,” “foresee,” “will,” “may,” “should,” “would,” “could” or other similar expressions, and statements regarding the Company’s business strategy and plans, constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. These forward-looking statements are based on the Company’s current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effect on the Company. While management believes that these forward-looking statements are reasonable as and when made, there can be no assurance that future developments affecting the Company will be those that management anticipates. The Company’s forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties (some of which are beyond the Company’s control) and assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company’s historical experience and present expectations or projections. Important known factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, failure to obtain the Company Stockholder Approval; the timing to consummate the SHEP Transactions; satisfaction of the conditions to closing of the SHEP Transactions or that the closing of the SHEP Transactions otherwise does not occur; the risk that a regulatory approval that may be required for the SHEP Transactions is not obtained or is obtained subject to conditions that are not anticipated; the diversion of management time on transaction-related issues; the ultimate timing, outcome and results of integrating SHEP into the Company; the effects of the SHEP Transactions, including the Company’s future financial condition, results of operations, strategy and plans; potential adverse reactions or changes to business relationships resulting from the announcement or completion of the SHEP Transactions; expected synergies and other benefits from the SHEP Transactions and the ability of the Company to realize such synergies and other benefits; the volatility of commodity prices, product supply and demand, competition, access to and cost of capital, uncertainties about estimates of reserves and resource potential and the ability to add proved reserves in the future, the assumptions underlying production forecasts, the quality of technical data, environmental and weather risks, including the possible impacts of climate change, the ability to obtain environmental and other permits and the timing thereof, government regulation or action, the costs and results of drilling and operations, the availability of equipment, services, resources and personnel required to complete the Company’s operating activities, access to and availability of transportation, processing and refining facilities, the financial strength of counterparties to the Company’s credit facility and derivative contracts and the purchasers of the Company’s production and service providers to the Company, and acts of war or terrorism. For additional information regarding known material factors that could cause the Company’s actual results to differ from the Company’s projected results, please see “Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 and our subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q.

Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements after the date they are made, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

 

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

  (a) Financial Statements

 

    Audited financial statements of Silver Hill Energy, LLC as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 and the related notes to the financial statements, attached as Exhibit 99.3 hereto.

 

    Unaudited financial statements of Silver Hill Energy, LLC comprised of the balance sheet as of December 31, 2015 and June 30, 2016, the related statement of operations for the six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, the related statement of cash flows for the six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, the related statement of changes in members’ equity for the six months ended June 30, 2016 and the related notes to the unaudited financial statements, attached as Exhibit 99.4 hereto.

 

    Audited statements of revenues and direct operating expenses of the Concho Properties Working Interest for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 and the related notes to the statements of revenues and direct operating expenses, attached as Exhibit 99.5 hereto.

 

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    Unaudited statement of revenues and direct operating expenses of the Concho Properties Working Interest from January 1, 2016 to February 29, 2016, attached as Exhibit 99.6 hereto.

 

    Unaudited financial statements of Silver Hill Energy Partners II, LLC comprised of the balance sheet as of June 30, 2016, the related statement of operations for the period from January 12, 2016 (inception) to June 30, 2016, the related statement of cash for the period from January 12, 2016 (inception) to June 30, 2016, the related statement of members capital from January 12, 2016 (inception) to June 30, 2016 and the related notes to the unaudited financial statements, attached as Exhibit 99.7 hereto.

 

  (b) Pro Forma Financial Statements

The following unaudited pro forma combined financial information of the Company, giving effect to the SHEP Transaction and the related financing transactions, which include an anticipated offering of securities and the application of the net proceeds from such offering, is included in Exhibit 99.8 hereto:

 

    Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Balance Sheet as of June 30, 2016.

 

    Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Statements of Operations for the six months ended June 30, 2016 and the year ended December 31, 2015.

 

    Notes to the Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial Statements.

 

  (d) Exhibits .

 

Exhibit
No.

  

Description

  4.1    Form of Stockholder’s Agreement
  4.2    Form of Registration Rights Agreement (Silver Hill Energy Partners, LLC)
  4.3    Form of Registration Rights Agreement (Silver Hill E&P II, LLC)
10.1    Membership Interest Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated as of October 13, 2016, by and among Silver Hill Energy Partners Holdings, LLC, Silver Hill Energy Partners, LLC, RSP Permian, L.L.C. and RSP Permian, Inc.*
10.2    Membership Interest Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated as of October 13, 2016, by and among Silver Hill Energy Partners II, LLC, Silver Hill E&P II, LLC, RSP Permian, L.L.C. and RSP Permian, Inc.*
23.1    Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP
23.2    Consent of Grant Thornton LLP
23.3    Consent of Netherland, Sewell & Associates, Inc.
99.1    News Release, dated October 13, 2016, titled “Strategic Acquisition of 103,000 Net Acre Pure Play in the Permian Core”
99.2    News Release, dated October 13, 2016, titled “RSP Permian, Inc. Announces Public Offering of Common Stock.”
99.3    Historical audited financial statements of Silver Hill Energy, LLC
99.4    Historical unaudited financial statements of Silver Hill Energy, LLC
99.5    Historical audited statements of revenues and direct operating expenses of the Concho Properties Working Interest
99.6    Historical unaudited statements of revenues and direct operating expenses of the Concho Properties Working Interest for the period from January 1, 2016 to February 29, 2016.

 

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99.7    Historical unaudited financial statements of Silver Hill Energy Partners II, LLC Interest
99.8    Unaudited pro forma combined financial information
99.9    Netherland, Sewell & Associates, Inc. Summary of Reserves at June 30, 2016 (Silver Hill Energy, LLC)
99.10    Netherland, Sewell & Associates, Inc. Summary of Reserves at June 30, 2016 (Silver Hill E&P II, LLC)

 

* Schedules have been omitted pursuant to Item 601(b)(2) of Regulation S-K. The Company undertakes to furnish supplemental copies of any of the omitted schedules upon request by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

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SIGNATURES

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

 

RSP PERMIAN, INC.
By:  

/s/ James E. Mutrie

  James E. Mutrie
  General Counsel and Vice President

Dated: October 13, 2016

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit
No.

  

Description

  4.1    Form of Stockholder’s Agreement
  4.2    Form of Registration Rights Agreement (Silver Hill Energy Partners, LLC)
  4.3    Form of Registration Rights Agreement (Silver Hill E&P II, LLC)
10.1    Membership Interest Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated as of October 13, 2016, by and among Silver Hill Energy Partners Holdings, LLC, Silver Hill Energy Partners, LLC, RSP Permian, L.L.C. and RSP Permian, Inc.*
10.2    Membership Interest Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated as of October 13, 2016, by and among Silver Hill Energy Partners II, LLC, Silver Hill E&P II, LLC, RSP Permian, L.L.C. and RSP Permian, Inc.*
23.1    Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP
23.2    Consent of Grant Thornton LLP
23.3    Consent of Netherland, Sewell & Associates, Inc.
99.1    News Release, dated October 13, 2016, titled “Strategic Acquisition of 103,000 Net Acre Pure Play in the Permian Core”
99.2    News Release, dated October 13, 2016, titled “RSP Permian, Inc. Announces Public Offering of Common Stock.”
99.3    Historical audited financial statements of Silver Hill Energy, LLC
99.4    Historical unaudited financial statements of Silver Hill Energy, LLC
99.5    Historical audited statements of revenues and direct operating expenses of the Concho Properties Working Interest
99.6    Historical unaudited statements of revenues and direct operating expenses of the Concho Properties Working Interest for the period from January 1, 2016 to February 29, 2016.
99.7    Historical unaudited financial statements of Silver Hill Energy Partners II, LLC Interest
99.8    Unaudited pro forma combined financial information
99.9    Netherland, Sewell & Associates, Inc. Summary of Reserves at June 30, 2016 (Silver Hill Energy, LLC)
99.10    Netherland, Sewell & Associates, Inc. Summary of Reserves at June 30, 2016 (Silver Hill E&P II, LLC)

 

* Schedules have been omitted pursuant to Item 601(b)(2) of Regulation S-K. The Company undertakes to furnish supplemental copies of any of the omitted schedules upon request by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

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Exhibit 4.1

FORM OF STOCKHOLDER’S AGREEMENT

This STOCKHOLDER’S AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”), dated as of             , 2016, is entered into by and among RSP Permian, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), and Kayne Anderson Capital Advisors, LP, a California limited partnership (“ Kayne Anderson ”).

RECITALS

WHEREAS, the Company is a party to (i) that certain Membership Interest Purchase and Sale Agreement by and among Silver Hill Energy Partners Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ SHEP I Partners ”), Silver Hill Energy Partners, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ SHEP I ”), RSP Permian, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company (“ RSP LLC ”), and the Company dated as of October 11, 2016 (the “ SHEP I MIPSA ”) and (ii) that certain Membership Interest Purchase and Sale Agreement by and among Silver Hill Energy Partners II, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ SHEP II Partners ”), Silver Hill E&P II, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ SHEP II” ), RSP LLC and the Company dated as of October 11, 2016 (the “ SHEP II MIPSA ”); and

WHEREAS, this Agreement is being entered into in connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the SHEP I MIPSA to set forth certain understandings among the Company and Kayne Anderson with respect to certain corporate governance matters.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants contained herein and for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS

Section 1.1 Certain Definitions . As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

Affiliate ” of a specified Person is a Person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, the Person specified.

Agreement ” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.

Beneficial Owner ” of a security is a Person who directly or indirectly, through any contract, arrangement, understanding, relationship or otherwise has or shares voting power, which includes the power to vote, or to direct the voting of, such security and/or investment power, which includes the power to dispose, or to direct the disposition of, such security. The terms “ Beneficially Own ” and “ Beneficial Ownership ” shall have correlative meanings.

Board ” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

Closing ” has the meaning set forth in the SHEP II MIPSA.


Common Stock ” means the common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company.

Company ” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.

Equity Securities ” means any equity securities of the Company or any options, warrants or other securities that are directly or indirectly convertible into, or exercisable or exchangeable for, any equity securities of the Company.

Kayne Anderson ” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.

Kayne Entities ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(a) of this Agreement.

Person ” means any individual, corporation, firm, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company, estate, trust, business association, organization, any court, administrative agency, regulatory body, commission or other governmental authority, board, bureau or instrumentality, domestic or foreign and any subdivision thereof or other entity, and also includes any managed investment account.

Proceeding ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.7 of this Agreement.

RSP LLC ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals of this Agreement

Selected Courts ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.7 of this Agreement.

SHEP I ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals of this Agreement.

SHEP I MIPSA ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals of this Agreement.

SHEP I Partners ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals of this Agreement.

SHEP II ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals of this Agreement.

SHEP II MIPSA ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals of this Agreement.

SHEP II Partners ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals of this Agreement.

Section 1.2 Rules of Construction . Unless the context otherwise requires:

(a) References in the singular or to “his,” “her,” “it,” “itself” or other like references, and references in the plural or the feminine or masculine reference, as the case may be, shall also, when the context so requires, be deemed to include the plural or singular, or the masculine or feminine reference, as the case may be;

(b) References to Articles and Sections shall refer to articles and sections of this Agreement, unless otherwise specified;

(c) The headings in this Agreement are for convenience and identification only and are not intended to describe, interpret, define or limit the scope, extent or intent of this Agreement or any provision thereof;

 

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(d) This Agreement shall be construed without regard to any presumption or other rule requiring construction against the party that drafted and caused this Agreement to be drafted; and

(e) References to “including” in this Agreement shall mean “including, without limitation,” whether or not so specified.

ARTICLE II

STANDSTILL AND GOVERNANCE MATTERS

Section 2.1 Standstill . During the period commencing on the date hereof and ending on the termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 3.1 , without the prior written consent of the Board, Kayne Anderson shall not, and shall cause the investment funds controlled by Kayne Anderson (together with Kayne Anderson, the “ Kayne Entities ”) not to, directly or indirectly:

(a) acquire Beneficial Ownership of additional shares of Common Stock such that, upon the consummation of such acquisition, the Kayne Entities would own in the aggregate more than 29.9% of the Common Stock, whether directly or indirectly;

(b) engage in a hostile takeover of the Company (including by means of a tender offer or soliciting proxies or written consents, other than as recommended by the Board), whether by merger, consolidation, recapitalization, business combination, partnership, joint venture, acquisition or similar transaction involving the Company;

(c) form, join or participate in a “group” (within the meaning of Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act) with respect to any voting securities of the Company in respect of any action otherwise prohibited pursuant to this Section 2.1 ; or

(d) “solicit” any “proxies” (as such terms are used in the proxy rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission) or consents in favor of any action prohibited by this Section 2.1 ; or

(e) enter into agreements with any third party to do any of the foregoing.

Section 2.2 Limitations . Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this Agreement shall in any way limit the right of the Kayne Entities or their respective Affiliates to (and it shall not be deemed a breach of this Agreement for them to):

(a) privately communicate with, including making any offer or proposal to, the Board;

(b) vote their shares of Common Stock at any meeting of the stockholders of the Company or otherwise exercise their rights as stockholders; or

(c) sell, transfer, distribute, hedge or otherwise dispose of any of their shares of Common Stock.

 

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ARTICLE III

TERMINATION

Section 3.1 T ermination . This Agreement shall terminate and Section 2.1 shall automatically be inoperative and of no force or effect upon the earlier to occur of (a) any Person or group shall have acquired or entered into a definitive agreement to acquire more than 50% of the equity securities of the Company or assets of the Company representing more than 50% of the consolidated earning power of the Company, whether by merger, tender offer or otherwise (including any merger or similar transaction involving the Company in which the shareholders of any third party own, directly or indirectly, 50% or more of the combined company), (b) a third party makes a tender offer for more than 50% of the equity securities of Company, (c) the Company or any of its subsidiaries makes an assignment for the benefit of creditors or commences any proceeding under any bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency, dissolution or liquidation law of any jurisdiction, (d) any such petition is filed or any such proceeding is commenced against the Company or any of its subsidiaries and either (i) the Company or such subsidiary by any act indicates its approval thereof, consent thereto or acquiescence therein or (ii) such petition, application or proceeding is not dismissed within thirty (30) days, (e) the date of the second anniversary this Agreement or (f) the date on which the Kayne Entities Beneficially Own in the aggregate less than 10% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock.

ARTICLE IV

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 4.1 Notices . All notices, requests, consents and other communications hereunder to any party shall be in writing and shall be personally delivered, sent by nationally recognized overnight courier or mailed by registered or certified mail to such party at the address set forth below (or such other address as shall be specified by like notice). Notices will be deemed to have been given hereunder when personally delivered, one calendar day after deposit with a nationally recognized overnight courier and five calendar days after deposit in U.S. mail.

 

  (a) if to the Company, to:

RSP Permian, Inc.

3141 Hood Street, Suite 701

Dallas, Texas 75219

Attention: Jim Mutrie

with a copy to:

Vinson & Elkins LLP

1001 Fannin Street

Suite 2500, Houston, TX 77002

Attn: Stephen M. Grill

E-mail:  sgill@velaw.com

 

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  (b) if to Kayne Anderson, to:

Kayne Anderson Capital Advisors, LP

Floor 14, 811 Main Street

Houston, Texas 77002

Attention: Kevin Brophy

with a copy to:

DLA Piper LLP (US)

1000 Louisiana Street, Suite 2800

Houston, Texas 77002-5005

Attn: Jack Langlois

Phone: 713-425-8419

Fax: 713-300-6019

Email: jack.langlois@dlapiper.com

Section 4.2 Severability . The provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed severable, and the invalidity or unenforceability of any provision shall not affect the validity or enforceability of the other provisions hereof. If any provision of this Agreement, or the application thereof to any Person or any circumstance, is found to be invalid or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, a suitable and equitable provision shall be substituted therefor in order to carry out, so far as may be valid and enforceable, the intent and purpose of such invalid or unenforceable provision and the remainder of this Agreement and the application of such provision to other Persons or circumstances shall not be affected by such invalidity or unenforceability, nor shall such invalidity or unenforceability affect the validity or enforceability of such provision, or the application thereof, in any other jurisdiction.

Section 4.3 Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which, taken together, shall be considered one and the same agreement.

Section 4.4 Entire Agreement; No Third Party Beneficiaries . This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement and supersedes all other prior agreements, both written and oral, among the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and is not intended to confer upon any Person, other than the parties hereto, any rights or remedies hereunder.

Section 4.5 Further Assurances . Each party shall execute, deliver, acknowledge and file such other documents and take such further actions as may be reasonably requested from time to time by the other parties hereto to give effect to and carry out the transactions contemplated herein.

Section 4.6 Governing Law; Equitable Remedies . THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE (WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO CONFLICT OF LAWS PRINCIPLES THEREOF). The parties hereto agree that irreparable damage would occur in the event that any of the provisions of this Agreement were not performed in accordance with its specific terms or was otherwise breached. It is accordingly agreed that the parties hereto shall be entitled to seek an injunction or injunctions and other equitable remedies to prevent breaches of this Agreement and to seek to enforce specifically the terms and provisions hereof in any of the

 

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Selected Courts (as defined below), this being in addition to any other remedy to which they are entitled to seek at law or in equity. Any requirements for the securing or posting of any bond with respect to such remedy are hereby waived by each of the parties hereto.

Section 4.7 Consent To Jurisdiction . With respect to any suit, action or proceeding (“ Proceeding ”) arising out of or relating to this Agreement, each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware and the United States District Court for the District of Delaware and the appellate courts therefrom (the “ Selected Courts ”) and waives any objection to venue being laid in the Selected Courts whether based on the grounds of forum non conveniens or otherwise and hereby agrees not to commence any such Proceeding other than before one of the Selected Courts; provided , however , that a party may commence any Proceeding in a court other than a Selected Court solely for the purpose of enforcing an order or judgment issued by one of the Selected Courts; consents to service of process in any Proceeding by the mailing of copies thereof by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, or by recognized international express carrier or delivery service, to the Company or Kayne Anderson at their respective addresses referred to in Section 4.1 hereof; provided , however , that nothing herein shall affect the right of any party hereto to serve process in any other manner permitted by law; and TO THE EXTENT NOT PROHIBITED BY APPLICABLE LAW THAT CANNOT BE WAIVED, WAIVES, AND COVENANTS THAT IT WILL NOT ASSERT (WHETHER AS PLAINTIFF, DEFENDANT OR OTHERWISE) ANY RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION ARISING IN WHOLE OR IN PART UNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT, WHETHER NOW EXISTING OR HEREAFTER ARISING, AND WHETHER SOUNDING IN CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE, AND AGREES THAT ANY OF THEM MAY FILE A COPY OF THIS PARAGRAPH WITH ANY COURT AS WRITTEN EVIDENCE OF THE KNOWING, VOLUNTARY AND BARGAINED-FOR AGREEMENT AMONG THE PARTIES IRREVOCABLY TO WAIVE THE RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY PROCEEDING WHATSOEVER BETWEEN THEM RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT AND TO HAVE ALL MATTERS RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT BE TRIED IN A COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION BY A JUDGE SITTING WITHOUT A JURY.

Section 4.8 Amendments; Waivers .

(a) No provision of this Agreement may be amended or waived unless such amendment or waiver is in writing and signed, in the case of an amendment, by each of the parties hereto, or in the case of a waiver, by each of the parties against whom the waiver is to be effective.

(b) No failure or delay by any party in exercising any right, power or privilege hereunder shall operate as waiver thereof nor shall any single or partial exercise thereof preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege. The rights and remedies herein provided shall be cumulative and not exclusive of any rights or remedies provided by law.

Section 4.9 Assignment . Neither this Agreement nor any of the rights or obligations hereunder shall be assigned by any of the parties hereto without the prior written consent of the other parties. Subject to the preceding sentence, this Agreement will be binding upon, inure to

 

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the benefit of and be enforceable by the parties and their respective successors and assigns; provided however, that this Agreement shall not be binding upon or enforceable against (i) any un-Affiliated buyer, transferee, distributee or other successor-in-interest of Common Stock held by any Kayne Entity or (ii) any limited partner of a Kayne Entity.

SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be duly executed and delivered, all as of the date first set forth above.

 

RSP PERMIAN, INC.

 

Name:
Title:
KAYNE ANDERSON CAPITAL ADVISORS, LP

 

Name:
Title:

 

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Exhibit 4.2

FORM OF REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

This REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT , dated as of             , 2016 (this “ Agreement ”), is by and among RSP Permian, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), and the holders of Company Common Stock listed on the signature page hereof.

RECITALS

WHEREAS , on October     , 2016, the Company entered into a Membership Interest Purchase and Sale Agreement by and among Silver Hill Energy Partners, LLC, Silver Hill Energy Partners Holdings, LLC, RSP Permian, L.L.C. and the Company (the “ Purchase Agreement ”);

WHEREAS , under the Purchase Agreement, the Holders will receive shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “ Common Stock ”), of the Company; and

WHEREAS , resales by the Holders of the Common Stock may be required to be registered under the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws, depending upon the status of a Holder or the intended method of distribution of the Common Stock.

NOW, THEREFORE , in consideration of the premises, mutual covenants and agreements hereinafter contained and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:

ARTICLE I - DEFINITIONS

1.1 Definitions .

(a) For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings specified in this Section   1.1 ; provided , however , that capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meaning ascribed to such terms in the Purchase Agreement.

Affiliate ” means, with respect to any Person, any Person who, directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by or is under common control with any Person.

Automatic Shelf Registration Statement ” means an “Automatic Shelf Registration Statement,” as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act.

Beneficial Ownership ” and terms of similar import shall be as defined under and determined pursuant to Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act.

Business Day ” means any day other than (a) a Saturday, Sunday or a federal holiday, or (b) a day on which commercial banks in New York City, New York are authorized or required to be closed.

Exchange Act ” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or any similar federal statute, and the rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC thereunder.


Excluded Registration ” means a registration under the Securities Act of (i) securities pursuant to one or more Demand Requests pursuant to Section   2.1 hereof, (ii) securities registered on Form S-8 or any similar successor form and (iii) securities registered to effect the acquisition of or combination with another Person.

Existing Holders ” means any securityholder who has registration rights pursuant to the Existing Registration Rights Agreement.

Existing Registration Rights Agreement ” means that certain Registration Rights Agreement dated as of January 23, 2014 by and among the Company and each of the other parties listed on the signature pages thereto, as may be amended from time to time.

Holder ” means (i) a securityholder listed on the signature page hereof and (ii) any direct or indirect transferee of any such securityholder, including any securityholder that receives shares of Common Stock upon a distribution or liquidation of a Holder, who has been assigned the rights of the transferor Holder under this Agreement in accordance with Section   2.8 .

Person ” or “ person ” means any individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization or government or other agency or political subdivision thereof.

Prospectus ” means the prospectus (including any preliminary, final or summary prospectus) included in any Registration Statement, all amendments and supplements to such prospectus and all other material incorporated by reference in such prospectus.

Overnight Underwritten Offering ” means an underwritten offering that is launched after the close of trading on one trading day and priced before the open of trading on the next succeeding trading day.

register ,” “ registered ” and “ registration ” refer to a registration effected by preparing and filing a Registration Statement in compliance with the Securities Act, and the declaration or ordering of the effectiveness of such Registration Statement.

Registrable Securities ” means (a) the Common Stock issued to the Holders pursuant to the Purchase Agreement and (b) any shares of Common Stock which may be issued or distributed in respect of such shares of Common Stock by way of conversion, concession, stock dividend or stock split or other distribution, recapitalization or reclassification or similar transaction; provided , however , that Registrable Securities shall not include any shares (i) the sale of which has been registered pursuant to the Securities Act and which shares have been sold pursuant to such registration, (ii) which have been sold pursuant to Rule 144 and (iii) which have been sold or disposed of in a private transaction in which the transferor’s rights under this Agreement are not assigned to the transferee of such securities pursuant to Section 2.8 hereof.

Registration Expenses ” means all expenses (other than underwriting discounts and commissions) arising from or incident to the Company’s performance of or compliance with this Agreement, including, without limitation: (i) SEC, stock exchange, FINRA and other registration and filing fees; (ii) all fees and expenses incurred in connection with complying with any securities or blue sky laws (including, without limitation, fees, charges and disbursements of

 

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counsel in connection with blue sky qualifications of the Registrable Securities); (iii) all printing, messenger and delivery expenses; (iv) the fees, charges and disbursements of counsel to the Company and of its independent public accountants, reserve engineers, and any other accounting and legal fees, charges and expenses incurred by the Company (including, without limitation, any expenses arising from any special audits or “comfort” letters required in connection with or incident to any registration); (v) the fees and expenses incurred in connection with the listing of the Registrable Securities on the New York Stock Exchange (or NASDAQ or any other national securities exchange) or the quotation of Registrable Securities on any inter-dealer quotation system; (vi) the fees and expenses incurred by the Company in connection with any road show for underwritten offerings; (vii) any stock transfer taxes and (viii) reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of counsel to the Holders, including, for the avoidance of doubt, any expenses of counsel to the Holders in connection with the filing or amendment of any Registration Statement or Prospectus hereunder; provided that Registration Expenses shall only include the fees and expenses of one counsel to the Holders (and one local counsel per jurisdiction) with respect to any offering.

Registration Statement ” means any registration statement of the Company that covers the resale of any Registrable Securities pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement filed with, or to be filed with, the SEC under the rules and regulations promulgated under the Securities Act, including the related Prospectus, amendments and supplements to such registration statement, including pre- and post-effective amendments, and all exhibits, financial information and all other material incorporated by reference in such registration statement.

Required Holders ” means Holders who then own beneficially more than 50% of the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock subject to this Agreement.

Rule 144 ” means Rule 144 promulgated by the SEC pursuant to the Securities Act, as such rule may be amended from time to time, or any similar rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the SEC as a replacement thereto having substantially the same effect as such rule.

SEC ” means the Securities and Exchange Commission or any other Federal agency at the time administering the Securities Act.

Securities Act ” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any similar Federal statute, and the rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC thereunder.

Selling Expenses ” means the underwriting fees, discounts and selling commissions applicable to all Registrable Securities registered by the Holders and legal expenses not included within the definition of Registration Expenses.

Shelf Registration Statement ” means a “shelf” registration statement of the Company that covers all the Registrable Securities (and may cover other securities of the Company) on Form S-3 and under Rule 415 under the Securities Act or, if the Company is not then eligible to file on Form S-3, on Form S-1 under the Securities Act, or any successor rule that may be adopted by the SEC, including without limitation any such registration statement filed pursuant to Section   2.1 , and all amendments and supplements to such “shelf” registration statement, including post-effective amendments, in each case, including the Prospectus contained therein, all exhibits thereto and any document incorporated by reference therein.

 

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(b) For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms have the meanings set forth in the sections indicated:

 

Term

  

Section

Advice    2.5
Agreement    Introductory Paragraph
Common Stock    Recitals
Company    Introductory Paragraph
Company Notice    2.1(c)
Company Underwritten Offering    2.3
Demand Request    2.1(c)
Effective Date    2.1(a)
Material Adverse Effect    2.2(b)
Purchase Agreement    Recitals
Participating Majority    2.1(d)
Records    2.4(l)
Requesting Holder    2.1(c)
Seller Affiliates    2.7
Suspension Period    2.1(f)
Suspension Notice    2.5
Underwritten Shelf Takedown    2.1(b)

1.2 Other Definitional and Interpretive Matters . Unless otherwise expressly provided or the context otherwise requires, for purposes of this Agreement the following rules of interpretation apply.

(a) When calculating the period of time before which, within which or following which any act is to be done or step taken pursuant to this Agreement, the date that is the reference date in calculating such period is excluded. If the last day of such period is a non-Business Day, the period in question ends on the next succeeding Business Day.

(b) Any reference in this Agreement to $ means U.S. dollars.

(c) Any reference in this Agreement to gender includes all genders, and words imparting the singular number also include the plural and vice versa.

(d) The provision of a Table of Contents, the division of this Agreement into Articles, Sections and other subdivisions and the insertion of headings are for convenience of reference only and do not affect, and should not be utilized in, the construction or interpretation of this Agreement.

(e) All references in this Agreement to any “Article” or “Section” are to the corresponding Article or Section of this Agreement.

 

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(f) The words “ herein ,” “ hereinafter ,” “ hereof ,” and “ hereunder ” refer to this Agreement as a whole and not merely to a subdivision in which such words appear unless the context otherwise requires.

(g) The word “ including ” or any variation thereof means “ including , but not limited to ,” and does not limit any general statement that it follows to the specific or similar items or matters immediately following it.

ARTICLE II - REGISTRATION RIGHTS

2.1 Shelf Registration .

(a) The Company will prepare, file (to the extent not previously filed) and use reasonable best efforts to cause to become effective no later than the 180th day following the date of this Agreement (the “ Effective Date ”), a Shelf Registration Statement (which Shelf Registration Statement shall be an Automatic Shelf Registration Statement if the Company is then eligible to file an Automatic Shelf Registration Statement), registering for resale the Registrable Securities under the Securities Act. The plan of distribution indicated in the Shelf Registration Statement will include all such methods of sale as any Holder may reasonably request in writing prior to the filing of the Shelf Registration Statement and that can be included in the Shelf Registration Statement under the rules and regulations of the SEC. Until the earlier of (a) four years after the Effective Date or (b) such time as all Registrable Securities cease to be Registrable Securities or the Company is no longer eligible to maintain a Shelf Registration Statement, the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to keep current and effective such Shelf Registration Statement and file such supplements or amendments to such Shelf Registration Statement (or file a new Shelf Registration Statement (which Shelf Registration Statement shall be an Automatic Shelf Registration Statement if the Company is then eligible to file an Automatic Shelf Registration Statement) when such preceding Shelf Registration Statement expires pursuant to the rules of the SEC) as may be necessary or appropriate in order to keep such Shelf Registration Statement continuously effective and useable for the resale of all Registrable Securities under the Securities Act. Any Shelf Registration Statement when declared effective (including the documents incorporated therein by reference) will comply in all material respects as to form with all applicable requirements of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act 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 not misleading.

(b) Any one or more Holders of Registrable Securities may request to sell all or any portion of their Registrable Securities in an underwritten offering that is registered pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement (each, an “ Underwritten Shelf Takedown ”); provided , however , that in the case of each such Underwritten Shelf Takedown, such Holder or Holders will be entitled to make such demand only if the proceeds from the sale of Registrable Securities in the offering (before the deduction of underwriting discounts) is reasonably expected to exceed, in the aggregate, $50 million. Subject to the other limitations contained in this Agreement, the Company will not be obligated hereunder to effect (a) an Underwritten Shelf Takedown within 90 days after the closing of any Company Underwritten Offering (as defined below) or Underwritten Shelf Takedown and (b) more than a total of two Underwritten Shelf Takedown offerings per calendar year.

 

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(c) All requests (a “ Demand Request ”) for Underwritten Shelf Takedowns shall be made by the Holder or Holders making such request (the “ Requesting Holder ”) by giving written notice to the Company. Each Demand Request shall specify the approximate number of Registrable Securities to be sold in the Underwritten Shelf Takedown and the expected price range of such Underwritten Shelf Takedown. Within three Business Days after receipt of any Demand Request, the Company shall send written notice of such requested Underwritten Shelf Takedown to all other Holders of Registrable Securities (the “ Company Notice ”) and shall include in such Underwritten Shelf Takedown all Registrable Securities with respect to which the Company has received written requests for inclusion therein within five Business Days after sending the Company Notice.

(d) The Company shall select one or more nationally prominent firms of investment bankers reasonably acceptable to the Participating Majority to act as the lead managing underwriter or underwriters in connection with such Underwritten Shelf Takedown. All Holders proposing to distribute their securities through such underwriting shall enter into an underwriting agreement with such underwriter or underwriters in accordance with Section   2.1(g) . The “ Participating Majority ” shall mean, with respect to any particular Underwritten Shelf Takedown, the Holder(s) of a majority of the Registrable Securities requested to be included in such Underwritten Shelf Takedown. The Company will ensure that members of senior management fully cooperate with the underwriter(s) in connection with the Underwritten Shelf Takedown and make themselves available to participate in all of the marketing processes in connection with the Underwritten Shelf Takedown as recommended by the underwriter(s) and providing any additional information recommended by the underwriter(s) (in addition to the minimum information required by law, rule or regulation) in any prospectus relating to the Underwritten Shelf Takedown.

(e) If the managing underwriters for such Underwritten Shelf Takedown advise the Company and the participating Holders in writing that, in their opinion, marketing factors require a limitation of the amount of securities to be underwritten (including Registrable Securities) because the amount of securities to be underwritten is likely to have an adverse effect on the price, timing or the distribution of the securities to be offered, then the Company shall so advise all Holders of Registrable Securities and the Existing Holders which would otherwise be underwritten pursuant hereto, and the amount of Registrable Securities that may be included in the underwriting shall be allocated among the participating Holders and participating Existing Holders, (i)  first among the participating Holders as nearly as possible on a pro rata basis based on the total amount of Registrable Securities held by such Holders requested to be included in such underwriting and (ii)  second to the extent all Registrable Securities requested to be included in such underwriting by the participating Holders have been included, to any participating Existing Holders as nearly as possible on a pro rata basis based on the total amount of Registrable Securities (as defined in the Existing Registration Rights Agreement) held by such Existing Holders requested to be included in such underwriting. The Company shall prepare preliminary and final prospectus supplements for use in connection with the Underwritten Shelf Takedown, containing such additional information as may be reasonably requested by the underwriter(s).

(f) Upon written notice to the Holders of Registrable Securities, the Company shall be entitled to suspend, for a period of time (each, a “ Suspension Period ”), the use of any

 

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Registration Statement or Prospectus and shall not be required to amend or supplement the Registration Statement, any related Prospectus or any document incorporated therein by reference if (i) the Company receives any request by the SEC or any other federal or state governmental authority for amendments or supplements to such Registration Statement or Prospectus or for additional information that pertains to such Holders as sellers of Registrable Securities; (ii) the SEC issues any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement covering any or all of the Registrable Securities or the initiation of any proceedings for that purpose; (iii) the Company receives any notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification or exemption from qualification of any of the Registrable Securities for sale in any jurisdiction, or the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for such purpose; and (iv) the board of directors, chief executive officer or chief financial officer of the Company determines in its or his or her reasonable good faith judgment that the Registration Statement or any Prospectus may contain an untrue statement of a material fact or may omit any fact necessary to make the statements in the Registration Statement or Prospectus not misleading; provided , that the Company shall use its good faith efforts to amend the Registration Statement or Prospectus to correct such untrue statement or omission as promptly as reasonably practicable, unless the Company determines in good faith that such amendment would reasonably be expected to have a materially detrimental effect on the Company. The Holders acknowledge and agree that written notice of any Suspension Period may constitute material non-public information regarding the Company and shall keep the existence and contents of any such written notice confidential.

(g) If requested by the underwriters for an Underwritten Shelf Takedown, the Company shall enter into an underwriting agreement with such underwriters for such offering, such agreement to be form and substance (including with respect to representations and warranties by the Company) as is customarily given by the Company to underwriters in an underwritten public offering, and to contain indemnities to the effect and to the extent provided in Section   2.7 . The Holders of Registrable Securities participating in the Underwritten Shelf Takedown shall be parties to such underwriting agreement; provided , however , that no such Holder shall be required to (i) make any representations or warranties in connection with any such registration other than representations and warranties as to (A) such Holder’s ownership of his or its Registrable Securities to be sold or transferred free and clear of all liens, claims and encumbrances, (B) such Holder’s power and authority to effect such transfer and (C) such matters pertaining to compliance with securities laws as may be reasonably requested or (ii) undertake any indemnification obligations to the Company or the underwriters with respect thereto except as otherwise provided in Section   2.7 . No Holder may participate in the Underwritten Shelf Takedown unless such Holder agrees to sell its Registrable Securities on the basis provided in such underwriting agreement and completes and executes all questionnaires, powers of attorney, indemnities and other documents reasonably required under the terms of such underwriting agreement. Each participating Holder may, at its option, require that any or all of the representations and warranties by, and the other agreements on the part of, the Company to and for the benefit of such underwriters also be made to and for such participating Holder’s benefit and that any or all of the conditions precedent to the obligations of such underwriters under such underwriting agreement also be conditions precedent to its obligations.

 

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2.2 Piggyback Registrations .

(a) Each time the Company proposes to register any of its equity securities (other than pursuant to an Excluded Registration) under the Securities Act for sale to the public (whether for the account of the Company or the account of any Existing Holder) and the form of registration statement to be used permits the registration of Registrable Securities, the Company shall give prompt written notice to each Holder of Registrable Securities (which notice shall be given not less than 30 days prior to the anticipated filing date or two Business Days in the case of an Overnight Underwritten Offering or similar “bought deal”), which notice shall offer each such Holder the opportunity to include any or all of its or his Registrable Securities in such registration statement, subject to the limitations contained in Section   2.2(b) hereof. Each Holder who desires to have its or his Registrable Securities included in such registration statement shall so advise the Company in writing (stating the number of shares desired to be registered) within 20 days (or one Business Day in the case of an Overnight Underwritten Offering or similar “bought deal”) after the date of such notice from the Company. Any Holder shall have the right to withdraw such Holder’s request for inclusion of such Holder’s Registrable Securities in any registration statement pursuant to this Section   2.2(a) by giving written notice to the Company of such withdrawal. Subject to Section   2.2(b) below, the Company shall include in such registration statement all such Registrable Securities so requested to be included therein; provided, however, that the Company may at any time withdraw or cease proceeding with any such registration if it shall at the same time withdraw or cease proceeding with the registration of all other equity securities originally proposed to be registered. For the avoidance of doubt, any registration or offering pursuant to this Section   2.2 shall not be considered an Underwritten Shelf Takedown for purposes of Section   2.1 of this Agreement.

(b) With respect to any registration pursuant to Section   2.2(a) , if the managing underwriter advises the Company that the inclusion of Registrable Securities requested to be included in the Registration Statement will materially and adversely affect the price or success of the offering (a “ Material Adverse Effect ”), the Company will be obligated to include in the Registration Statement (after all such shares for its own account or for the account of any Existing Holder), as to each Requesting Holder, only a portion of the shares such Holder has requested be registered equal to the product of: (i) the ratio which such Holder’s requested shares bears to the total number of shares requested to be included in such Registration Statement by all Persons (including Holders) who have requested (pursuant to this Agreement or other contractual registration rights) that their shares be included in such Registration Statement; and (ii) the maximum number of Registrable Securities that the managing underwriter advises may be sold in an offering covered by the Registration Statement without a Material Adverse Effect. If, as a result of the provisions of this Section   2.2(b) , any Holder shall not be entitled to include all Registrable Securities in a registration that such Holder has requested to be so included, such Holder may withdraw such Holder’s request to include Registrable Securities in such Registration Statement. No Person may participate in any Registration Statement pursuant to Section   2.2(a) unless such Person (i) agrees to sell such person’s Registrable Securities on the basis provided in any underwriting arrangements approved by the Company and (ii) completes and executes all questionnaires, powers of attorney, indemnities, underwriting agreements and other documents, each in customary form, reasonably required under the terms of such underwriting arrangements; provided , however , that no such Person shall be required to (A) make any representations or warranties in connection with any such registration other than

 

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representations and warranties as to (1) such Person’s ownership of his or its Registrable Securities to be sold or transferred free and clear of all liens, claims and encumbrances, (2) such Person’s power and authority to effect such transfer and (3) such matters pertaining to compliance with securities laws as may be reasonably requested or (B) undertake any indemnification obligations to the Company or the underwriters with respect thereto except as otherwise provided in Section   2.7 .

2.3 Holdback Agreement .   By electing to include Registrable Shares in a Company registration statement pursuant to Section 2.2 , the Holder shall be deemed to have agreed not to effect any sale or distribution of securities of the Company of the same or similar class or classes of the securities included in the Company registration statement or any securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for such securities, including a sale pursuant to Rule 144, during such periods as reasonably requested (but in no event for a period longer than 90 days following the effective date of such Company registration statement, provided each of the executive officers and directors of the Company that hold shares of Common Stock of the Company or securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for shares of Common Stock of the Company are subject to the same restriction for the entire time period required of the Holders hereunder) by the representatives of the underwriters, if an underwritten offering by the Company (a “ Company Underwritten Offering ”). The provisions of this Section   2.3 will no longer apply to a Holder once such Holder ceases to hold at least 1% of the Registrable Securities acquired as a result of the transactions contemplated in the Purchase Agreement . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Section   2.3 , (i) each Holder may sell or transfer any Registrable Securities to any Affiliate of such Holder, so long as such Affiliate agrees to be and remains bound hereby, (ii) each Holder may enter into a bona fide pledge of any Registrable Securities (and any foreclosure on any such pledge shall also be permitted), and (iii) any hedging transaction with respect to an index or basket of securities where the equity securities of the Company constitute a de minimis amount shall not be prohibited pursuant to this Section   2.3 .

2.4 Registration Procedures .   In connection with the registration and sale of Registrable Securities pursuant to this Agreement, the Company will use its reasonable best efforts to effect the registration and the sale of such Registrable Securities in accordance with the intended method of disposition thereof, and pursuant thereto the Company will:

(a) if the Registration Statement is not automatically effective upon filing, use reasonable best efforts to cause such Registration Statement to become effective as promptly as reasonably practicable;

(b) promptly notify each selling Holder, promptly after the Company receives notice thereof, of the time when such Registration Statement has been declared effective or a supplement to any prospectus forming a part of such Registration Statement has been filed;

(c) after the Registration Statement becomes effective, promptly notify each selling Holder of any request by the SEC that the Company amend or supplement such Registration Statement or Prospectus;

 

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(d) prepare and file with the SEC such amendments and supplements to the Registration Statement and the Prospectus used in connection therewith as may be reasonably necessary to keep the Registration Statement effective and to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act with respect to the disposition of all Registrable Securities covered by the Registration Statement for the period required to effect the distribution of the Registrable Securities as set forth in Section   2 hereof;

(e) furnish to the selling Holders such numbers of copies of such Registration Statement, each amendment and supplement thereto, each Prospectus (including each preliminary Prospectus and Prospectus supplement) and such other documents as the Holder and any underwriter(s) may reasonably request in order to facilitate the disposition of the Registrable Securities;

(f) use its reasonable best efforts to register and qualify the Registrable Securities under such other securities or blue-sky laws of such jurisdictions as shall be reasonably requested by the Holders and any underwriter(s) and do any and all other acts and things that may be reasonably necessary or advisable to enable the Holders and any underwriter(s) to consummate the disposition of the Registrable Securities in such jurisdictions; provided , however , that the Company shall not be required in connection therewith or as a condition thereto to qualify to do business in or to file a general consent to service of process in any jurisdiction, unless the Company is already subject to service in such jurisdiction and except as may be required by the Securities Act, or subject itself to taxation in any such jurisdiction, unless the Company is already subject to taxation in such jurisdiction;

(g) use its reasonable best efforts to cause all such Registrable Securities to be listed on a national securities exchange or trading system and each securities exchange and trading system (if any) on which similar equity securities issued by the Company are then listed;

(h) provide a transfer agent and registrar for the Registrable Securities and provide a CUSIP number for all such Registrable Securities, in each case not later than the effective date of the Registration Statement;

(i) use its reasonable best efforts to furnish, on the date that shares of Registrable Securities are delivered to the underwriters for sale, if such securities are being sold through underwriters, (i) an opinion, dated as of such date, of the counsel representing the Company for the purposes of such registration, in form and substance as is customarily given to underwriters by the Company in an underwritten public offering, addressed to the underwriters, (ii) a letter dated as of such date, from the independent public accountants of the Company, in form and substance as is customarily given by independent public accountants to underwriters in an underwritten public offering, addressed to the underwriters and (iii) an engineers’ reserve report letter as of such date, from the independent petroleum engineers of the Company, in form and substance as is customarily given by independent petroleum engineers to underwriters in an underwritten public offering, addressed to the underwriters;

(j) if requested by the Holders, cooperate with the Holders and the managing underwriter (if any) to facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of certificates (which shall not bear any restrictive legends unless required under applicable law) representing securities sold

 

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under the Registration Statement, and enable such securities to be in such denominations and registered in such names as such Holders or the managing underwriter (if any) may request and keep available and make available to the Company’s transfer agent prior to the effectiveness of such Registration Statement a supply of such certificates;

(k) in the event of any underwritten public offering, enter into and perform its obligations under an underwriting agreement, in form and substance as is customarily given by the Company to underwriters in an underwritten public offering, with the underwriter(s) of such offering;

(l) upon execution of confidentiality agreements in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Company, promptly make available for inspection by the selling Holders, any underwriter(s) participating in any disposition pursuant to such Registration Statement, and any attorney or accountant or other agent retained by any such underwriter or selected by the selling Holders, all financial and other records, pertinent corporate documents, and properties of the Company (collectively, “ Records ”), and use reasonable best efforts to cause the Company’s officers, directors, employees, and independent accountants to supply all information reasonably requested by any such seller, underwriter, attorney, accountant, or agent, in each case, as necessary or advisable to verify the accuracy of the information in such Registration Statement and to conduct appropriate due diligence in connection therewith; provided , Records that the Company determines, in good faith, to be confidential and that it notifies the selling Holders are confidential shall not be disclosed by the selling Holders unless the release of such Records is ordered pursuant to a subpoena or other order from a court of competent jurisdiction or is otherwise required by applicable law .   Each Holder agrees that information obtained by it as a result of such inspections shall be deemed confidential and shall not be used by it or its affiliates (other than with respect to such Holders’ due diligence) unless and until such information is made generally available to the public, and further agrees that, upon learning that disclosure of such Records is sought in a court of competent jurisdiction, to the extent permitted and to the extent practicable it shall give notice to the Company and allow the Company to undertake appropriate action to prevent disclosure of the Records deemed confidential;

(m) promptly notify the selling Holders and any underwriter(s) of the notification to the Company by the SEC of its initiation of any proceeding with respect to the issuance by the SEC of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, and in the event of the issuance of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of such Registration Statement, or of any order suspending or preventing the use of any related Prospectus or suspending the qualification of any Registrable Securities included in such Registration Statement for sale in any jurisdiction, use its reasonable best efforts to obtain promptly the withdrawal of such order;

(n) promptly notify the selling Holders and any underwriter(s) at any time when a Prospectus relating thereto is required to be delivered under the Securities Act of the happening of any event as a result of which the Prospectus included in the Registration Statement, as then in effect, includes an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading in light of the circumstances under which they were made, and at the request of any

 

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Holder promptly prepare and furnish to such Holder a reasonable number of copies of a supplement to or an amendment of such Prospectus, or a revised Prospectus, as may be necessary so that, as thereafter delivered to the purchasers of such securities, such Prospectus shall not include 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 in light of the circumstances under which they were made (following receipt of any supplement or amendment to any Prospectus, the selling Holders shall deliver such amended, supplemental or revised Prospectus in connection with any offers or sales of Registrable Securities, and shall not deliver or use any Prospectus not so supplemented, amended or revised);

(o) promptly notify the selling Holders and any underwriter(s) of the receipt by the Company of any notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification of any Registrable Securities for sale under the applicable securities or blue sky laws of any jurisdiction;

(p) make available to each Holder (i) promptly after the same is prepared and publicly distributed, filed with the SEC, or received by the Company, one copy of each Registration Statement and any amendment thereto, each preliminary Prospectus and Prospectus and each amendment or supplement thereto, each letter written by or on behalf of the Company to the SEC or the staff of the SEC (or other governmental agency or self-regulatory body or other body having jurisdiction, including any domestic or foreign securities exchange), and each item of correspondence from the SEC or the staff of the SEC (or other governmental agency or self-regulatory body or other body having jurisdiction, including any domestic or foreign securities exchange), in each case relating to such Registration Statement or to any of the documents incorporated by reference therein, and (ii) such number of copies of each Prospectus, including a preliminary Prospectus, and all amendments and supplements thereto and such other documents as any Holder or any underwriter may reasonably request in order to facilitate the disposition of the Registrable Securities .   The Company will promptly notify the Holders of the effectiveness of each Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment or the filing of any supplement or amendment to such Registration Statement or of any Prospectus supplement .   The Company will promptly respond to any and all comments received from the SEC, with a view towards causing each Registration Statement or any amendment thereto to be declared effective by the SEC as soon as practicable and shall file an acceleration request, if necessary, as soon as practicable following the resolution or clearance of all SEC comments or, if applicable, following notification by the SEC that any such Registration Statement or any amendment thereto will not be subject to review;

(q) take no direct or indirect action prohibited by Regulation M under the Exchange Act; provided , that, to the extent that any prohibition is applicable to the Company, the Company will take all reasonable action to make any such prohibition inapplicable;

(r) provide a transfer agent and registrar for all such Registrable Securities not later than the effective date of such Registration Statement;

(s) take all such other actions as are reasonably necessary in order to facilitate the disposition of such Registrable Securities; and

(t) notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Company shall not be required to file a Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto) or effect a Requested Underwritten Shelf Takedown (or, if the Company has filed a Shelf Registration Statement and has included Registrable Securities therein, the Company shall be entitled to suspend the offer and sale of Registrable Securities pursuant to such Registration Statement) for a period of up to 60 days if (i) the board of directors determines that a postponement is in the best interest of the Company and its stockholders generally due to a pending transaction involving the Company (including a pending securities offering by the Company), (ii) the board of directors determines such registration would render the Company unable to comply with applicable securities laws or (iii) the board of directors determines such registration would require disclosure of material information that the Company has a bona fide business purpose for preserving as confidential (any such period, a “ Blackout Period ”); provided, however, that in no event shall any Blackout Period together with any Suspension Period exceed an aggregate of 120 days in any 12-month period.

 

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2.5 Suspension of Dispositions .   Each Holder agrees by acquisition of any Registrable Securities that, upon receipt of any notice (a “ Suspension Notice ”) from the Company of the happening of any event of the kind described in Section 2.4(f) , Section   2.4(n) or Section 2.4(t) such Holder will forthwith discontinue disposition of Registrable Securities pursuant to the Registration Statement until such Holder’s receipt of the copies of the supplemented or amended Prospectus, or until it is advised in writing (the “ Advice ”) by the Company that the use of the Prospectus may be resumed, and has received copies of any additional or supplemental filings which are incorporated by reference in the Prospectus .   The Company shall extend the period of time during which the Company is required to maintain the Registration Statement effective pursuant to this Agreement by the number of days during the period from and including the date of the giving of such Suspension Notice to and including the date such Holder either receives the supplemented or amended Prospectus or receives the Advice .   If so directed by the Company, such Holder will deliver to the Company all copies, other than permanent file copies then in such Holder’s possession, of the Prospectus covering such Registrable Securities current at the time of receipt of such notice .   The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts and take such actions as are reasonably necessary to render the Advice as promptly as practicable .   The Holders acknowledge and agree that receipt of a Suspension Notice may constitute material non-public information regarding the Company and shall keep the existence and contents of any such Suspension Notice confidential.

2.6 Registration Expenses .   All Registration Expenses shall be borne by the Company .   In addition, for the avoidance of doubt, the Company shall pay its internal expenses in connection with the performance of or compliance with this Agreement (including, without limitation, all salaries and expenses of its officers and employees performing legal or accounting duties), the expense of any annual audit or quarterly review, the expense of any liability insurance and the expenses and fees for listing the securities to be registered on each securities exchange on which they are to be listed .   All Selling Expenses relating to Registrable Securities registered shall be borne by the Holders of such Registrable Securities pro rata on the basis of the number of Registrable Securities sold.

 

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2.7 Indemnification .

(a) The Company agrees to indemnify and reimburse, to the fullest extent permitted by law, each Holder that is a seller of Registrable Securities, and each of its employees, advisors, agents, representatives, partners, officers, and directors and each Person who controls such Holder (within the meaning of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act) and any agent or investment advisor thereof (collectively, the “ Seller Affiliates ”) (i) against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses, joint or several (including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees and disbursements except as limited by Section   2.7(c) ) based upon, arising out of, related to or resulting from any untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Registration Statement or Prospectus or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto, or any omission or alleged omission of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, (ii) against any and all losses, liabilities, claims, damages and expenses whatsoever, as incurred, to the extent of the aggregate amount paid in settlement of any litigation or investigation or proceeding by any governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, or of any claim whatsoever based upon, arising out of, related to or resulting from any such untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission, and (iii) against any and all costs and expenses (including reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of counsel) as may be reasonably incurred in investigating, preparing or defending against any litigation, investigation or proceeding by any governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, or any claim whatsoever based upon, arising out of, related to or resulting from any such untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission, or such violation of the Securities Act or Exchange Act, to the extent that any such expense or cost is not paid under subparagraph (i) or (ii) above; except insofar as any such statements are made in reliance upon information furnished to the Company in writing by such seller or any Seller Affiliate expressly for use therein .   The reimbursements required by this Section   2.7(a) will be made by periodic payments during the course of the investigation or defense, as and when bills are received or expenses incurred.

(b) In connection with any Registration Statement in which a Holder that is a seller of Registrable Securities is participating, each such Holder will furnish to the Company such information and affidavits as the Company reasonably requests for use in connection with any such Registration Statement or Prospectus and, to the fullest extent permitted by law, each such seller will indemnify the Company and its directors and officers and each Person who controls the Company (within the meaning of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act) against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses (including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees and disbursements except as limited by Section   2.7(c) ) resulting from any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement, Prospectus or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto or any omission or alleged omission of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, but only to the extent that such untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission is contained in any information or affidavit so furnished by such seller or any of its Seller Affiliates in writing specifically for inclusion in the Registration Statement; provided that the obligation to indemnify will be several, not joint and several, among such sellers of Registrable Securities, and the liability of each such seller of Registrable Securities will be in proportion to the amount of Registrable Securities registered by them, and, provided , further , that such liability will be limited to the net amount received by such seller from the sale of Registrable Securities pursuant to such Registration Statement; provided , however , that such seller of Registrable Securities shall not be liable in any such case to the

 

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extent that prior to the filing of any such Registration Statement or Prospectus, such seller has furnished to the Company information expressly for use in such Registration Statement or Prospectus or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto which corrected or made not misleading information previously furnished to the Company.

(c) Any Person entitled to indemnification hereunder will (i) give prompt written notice to the indemnifying party of any claim with respect to which it seeks indemnification (provided that the failure to give such notice shall not limit the rights of such Person) and (ii) unless in such indemnified party’s reasonable judgment a conflict of interest between such indemnified and indemnifying parties may exist with respect to such claim, permit such indemnifying party to assume the defense of such claim with counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party; provided, however, that any person entitled to indemnification hereunder shall have the right to employ separate counsel and to participate in the defense of such claim, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of such person unless (A) the indemnifying party has agreed to pay such fees or expenses or (B) the indemnifying party shall have failed to assume the defense of such claim and employ counsel reasonably satisfactory to such person .   If such defense is not assumed by the indemnifying party as permitted hereunder, the indemnifying party will not be subject to any liability for any settlement made by the indemnified party without its consent (but such consent will not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed) .   If such defense is assumed by the indemnifying party pursuant to the provisions hereof, such indemnifying party shall not settle or otherwise compromise the applicable claim unless (i) such settlement or compromise contains a full and unconditional release of the indemnified party or (ii) the indemnified party otherwise consents in writing (which consent will not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed) .   An indemnifying party who is not entitled to, or elects not to, assume the defense of a claim will not be obligated to pay the fees and expenses of more than one counsel for all parties indemnified by such indemnifying party with respect to such claim, unless in the reasonable judgment of any indemnified party, a conflict of interest may exist between such indemnified party and any other of such indemnified parties with respect to such claim, in which event the indemnifying party shall be obligated to pay the reasonable fees and disbursements of such additional counsel or counsels.

(d) Each party hereto agrees that, if for any reason the indemnification provisions contemplated by Section   2.7(a) or Section   2.7(b) are unavailable to or insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party in respect of any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses (or actions in respect thereof) referred to therein, then each indemnifying party shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified party as a result of such losses, claims, liabilities or expenses (or actions in respect thereof) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the indemnifying party and the indemnified party in connection with the actions which resulted in the losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses as well as any other relevant equitable considerations . The relative fault of such indemnifying party and indemnified party shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by such indemnifying party or indemnified party, and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission .   The parties hereto agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section   2.7(d) were determined by pro rata allocation (even if the

 

15


Holders or any underwriters or all of them were treated as one entity for such purpose) or by any other method of allocation which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to in this Section   2.7(d) .   The amount paid or payable by an indemnified party as a result of the losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses (or actions in respect thereof) referred to above shall be deemed to include any legal or other fees or expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in connection with investigating or, except as provided in Section   2.7(c) , defending any such action or claim .   Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section   2.7(d) , no Holder shall be required to contribute an amount greater than the dollar amount by which the net proceeds received by such Holder with respect to the sale of any Registrable Securities exceeds the amount of damages which such Holder has otherwise been required to pay by reason of any and all untrue or alleged untrue statements of material fact or omissions or alleged omissions of material fact made in any Registration Statement or Prospectus or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto related to such sale of Registrable Securities .   No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation .   The Holders’ obligations in this Section   2.7(d) to contribute shall be several in proportion to the amount of Registrable Securities registered by them and not joint.

If indemnification is available under this Section   2.7 , the indemnifying parties shall indemnify each indemnified party to the full extent provided in Section   2.7(a) and Section   2.7(b) without regard to the relative fault of said indemnifying party or indemnified party or any other equitable consideration provided for in this Section   2.7(d) subject, in the case of the Holders, to the limited dollar amounts set forth in Section   2.7(b) .

(e) The indemnification and contribution provided for under this Agreement will remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of the indemnified party or any officer, director or controlling Person of such indemnified party and will survive the transfer of securities.

2.8 Transfer of Registration Rights .   The registration rights of a Holder under this Agreement with respect to any Registrable Securities may be transferred or assigned to any purchaser or transferee of Registrable Securities;  provided ,   however , that (i) such Holder shall give Parent written notice prior to the time of such transfer stating the name and address of the transferee and identifying the securities with respect to which the rights under this Agreement are being transferred; (ii) such transferee shall agree in writing, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Parent, to be bound as a Holder by the provisions of this Agreement; and (iii) immediately following such transfer the further disposition of such securities by such transferee shall be restricted to the extent set forth under applicable law.

2.9 Current Public Information .   With a view to making available to the Holders of Registrable Securities the benefits of Rule 144 and Rule 144A promulgated under the Securities Act and other rules and regulations of the SEC that may at any time permit a Holder of Registrable Securities to sell securities of the Company to the public without registration, the Company covenants that it will (i) use its reasonable best efforts to file in a timely manner all reports and other documents required, if any, to be filed by it under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations adopted thereunder and (ii) make available information necessary to comply with Rule 144 and Rule 144A, if available with respect to

 

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resales of the Registrable Securities under the Securities Act, at all times, all to the extent required from time to time to enable such Holder to sell Registrable Securities without registration under the Securities Act within the limitation of the exemptions provided by (x) Rule 144 and Rule 144A promulgated under the Securities Act (if available with respect to resales of the Registrable Securities), as such rules may be amended from time to time or (y) any other rules or regulations now existing or hereafter adopted by the SEC.

2.10 Company Obligations Regarding Transfers .   In connection with any sale or transfer of Registrable Securities by any Holder, including any sale or transfer pursuant to Rule 144 and Rule 144A promulgated under the Securities Act and other rules and regulations of the SEC that may at any time permit a Holder of Registrable Securities to sell securities of the Company to the public without registration, the Company shall, to the extent allowed by law, take any and all action necessary or reasonably requested by such Holder in order to permit or facilitate such sale or transfer, including, without limitation, at the sole expense of the Company, by (i) issuing such directions to any transfer agent, registrar or depositary, as applicable, (ii) delivering such opinions to the transfer agent, registrar or depositary as are requested by the same, and (iii) taking or causing to be taken such other actions as are reasonably necessary (in each case on a timely basis) in order to cause any legends, notations or similar designations restricting transferability of the Registrable Securities held by such Holder to be removed and to rescind any transfer restrictions (other than as may apply pursuant to Section   2.3) with respect to such Registrable Securities.

2.11 No Conflict of Rights .   The Company represents and warrants that, except for the Existing Registration Rights Agreement, it has not granted, and is not subject to, any registration rights that are superior to, inconsistent with or that in any way violate or subordinate the rights granted to the Holders hereby. The Company shall not, prior to the termination of this Agreement, grant any registration rights that are superior to, inconsistent with or that in any way violate or subordinate to the rights granted to the Holders hereby.

2.12 Free Writing Prospectuses .   The Company shall not permit any officer, director, underwriter, broker or any other person acting on behalf of the Company to use any free writing prospectus (as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act) in connection with any registration statement covering Registrable Securities, without the prior written consent of each participating Holder and any underwriter .   No Holder shall, or permit any officer, manager, underwriter, broker or any other person acting on behalf of such Holder to use any free-writing prospectus in connection with any registration statement covering Registrable Securities, without the prior written consent of the Company.

ARTICLE III - TERMINATION

3.1 Termination .   The provisions of this Agreement shall terminate and be of no further force and effect upon the date when there shall no longer be any Registrable Securities outstanding; provided, however, that notwithstanding the foregoing, the obligations of the Company under Section   2.10 shall not terminate and shall remain in effect until there shall no longer be any Registrable Securities outstanding.

 

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ARTICLE IV - MISCELLANEOUS

4.1 Notices .   Any notice or other communication required or permitted hereunder shall be in writing and shall be delivered by hand, by facsimile transmission or electronic mail transmission, or by certified or registered mail, postage prepaid and return receipt requested .   Notices shall be deemed to have been given upon delivery, if delivered by hand, three days after mailing, if mailed, and upon receipt of an appropriate electronic confirmation, if delivered by facsimile or electronic mail transmission .   Notices shall be delivered to the parties at the addresses set forth below:

 

   If to the Company:
  

RSP Permian, Inc.

3141 Hood Street, Suite 500

Dallas, Texas 75219

Attention: James E. Mutrie

Facsimile: 214-252-2750

Email: jmutrie@rsppermian.com

With copies to (which shall not constitute notice):   

Vinson & Elkins LLP

1001 Fannin Street, Suite 2500

Houston, Texas 77002

Attention: Stephen M. Gill

Facsimile: 713-758-4458

Email: sgill@velaw.com

If to any Holder, at its address listed on the signature pages hereof.   

Any party may from time to time change its address or designee for notification purposes by giving the other parties prior notice in the manner specified above of the new address or the new designee and the subsequent date upon which the change shall be effective.

4.2 Choice of Law; Exclusive Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial .

(a) This Agreement shall be constructed, interpreted and enforced in accordance with, and the respective rights and obligations of the parties shall be governed by, the laws of the State of Delaware without regard to principles of conflicts of law.

(b) All actions and proceedings for the enforcement of or based on, arising out of or relating to this Agreement shall be heard and determined exclusively in the Delaware Court of Chancery (or, only if the Delaware Court of Chancery declines to accept jurisdiction over the particular matter, any other court of the State of Delaware, or any federal court sitting in the State of Delaware), and each of the parties hereto hereby (i) irrevocably submits to the exclusive

 

18


jurisdiction of such courts (and, in the case of appeals, appropriate appellate courts therefrom) in any such action or proceeding, (ii) irrevocably waives the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of any such action or proceeding, (iii) agrees that it shall not bring any such action in any court other than the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware (or, only if the Delaware Court of Chancery declines to accept jurisdiction over the particular matter, any other court of the State of Delaware, or any federal court sitting in the State of Delaware), and (iv) irrevocably consents to service of process by first class certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, to the address at which the Company or Holder, as the case may be, is to receive notice in accordance with Section   5.1 . The parties hereto agree that a final judgment in any such action or proceeding shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by applicable law.

(c) Each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably waives any and all rights to trial by jury in any legal proceeding arising out of or related to this Agreement.

4.3 No Third-Party Beneficiaries .   This Agreement is for the sole benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns and nothing herein, express or implied, is intended to or shall confer upon any other Person any legal or equitable right, benefit or remedy of any nature whatsoever, under or by reason of this Agreement; provided, however, the parties hereto hereby acknowledge that the Persons set forth in Section   2.7 are express third-party beneficiaries of the obligations of the parties hereto set forth in Section   2.7 , respectively.

4.4 Successors and Assigns .   Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, this Agreement shall be binding upon and benefit the Company, each Holder and their respective successors and assigns .   The Company shall not, directly or indirectly, enter into any merger, consolidation or reorganization in which the Company shall not be the surviving entity unless the surviving entity shall, prior to such merger, consolidation or reorganization, agree in writing to assume the obligations of the Company under this Agreement, and for that purpose references hereunder to “Registrable Securities” shall be deemed to include the common equity interests or other securities, if any, which the Holders would be entitled to receive in exchange for Registrable Securities under any such merger, consolidation or reorganization, provided that, to the extent the Holders receive securities that are by their terms convertible into common equity interests of the issuer thereof, then any such common equity interests as are issued or issuable upon conversion of said convertible securities shall be included within the definition of “Registrable Securities.”

4.5 Counterparts .   This Agreement may be executed by the parties in separate counterparts (including by means of executed counterparts delivered via facsimile or other electronic means), each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

4.6 Severability .   In case any provision in this Agreement shall be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect for any reason, the validity, legality and enforceability of any such provision in every other respect and the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

 

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4.7 No Waivers; Amendments .

(a) No failure or delay on the part of the Company or any Holder in exercising any right, power or remedy hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right, power or remedy preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or remedy .   The remedies provided for herein are cumulative and are not exclusive of any remedies that may be available to the Company or any Holder at law or in equity or otherwise.

(b) Any provision of this Agreement may be amended or waived if, but only if, such amendment or waiver is in writing and is signed by the Company and the Required Holders.

4.8 Entire Agreement .   This Agreement and the other writings referred to herein or therein or delivered pursuant hereto or thereto, contain the entire agreement between the Holders and the Company with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede all prior and contemporaneous arrangements or understandings with respect thereto.

4.9 Remedies; Specific Performance .

(a) Each Holder shall have all rights and remedies reserved for such Holder pursuant to this Agreement and all rights and remedies which such Holder has been granted at any time under any other agreement or contract and all of the rights which such Holder has under any law or equity. Any Person having any rights under any provision of this Agreement will be entitled to enforce such rights specifically, to recover damages by reason of any breach of any provision of this Agreement and to exercise all other rights granted by law or equity.

(b) The parties hereto recognize and agree that money damages may be insufficient to compensate the Holders of any Registrable Securities for breaches by the Company of the terms hereof and, consequently, that the equitable remedies of injunctive relief and of specific performance of the terms hereof will be available in the event of any such breach. If any action should be brought in equity to enforce any of the provisions of this Agreement, none of the parties hereto shall raise the defense that there is an adequate remedy at law.

4.10 Negotiated Agreement .   This Agreement was negotiated by the parties with the benefit of legal representation, and any rule of construction or interpretation otherwise requiring this Agreement to be construed or interpreted against any party shall not apply to the construction or interpretation hereof.

[THE REMAINDER OF THIS PAGE IS INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed by their respective authorized officers as of the date first written above.

 

RSP PERMIAN, INC.
By:  

 

Name:   James E. Mutrie
Title:   Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary

 

Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement


SILVER HILL ENERGY PARTNERS HOLDINGS, LLC
By:  

 

Name:   Kyle D. Miller
Title:   President and Chief Executive Officer
Address:
5949 Sherry Lane
Suite 1550
Dallas, Texas 75225
Attention: Kyle Miller
Email: kmiller@silverhillenergy.com
Copy to:
Thompson & Knight LLP
1722 Routh Street, Suite 1500
Dallas, Texas 75201
Attn:   Ann Marie Cowdrey
  Arthur Wright
Phone: 214-969-1700
Fax: 214-969-1751
E-mail:   AnnMarie.Cowdrey@tklaw.com
  Arthur.Wright@tklaw.com
Kayne Anderson Capital Advisors, L.P.
811 Main Street, 14th Floor
Houston, Texas 77002
Attn: Kevin Brophy
Phone: 713-655-7559
Fax: 713- 655-7355
Email: kbrophy@kaynecapital.com
DLA Piper LLP (US)
1000 Louisiana Street, Suite 2800
Houston, Texas 77002-5005
Attn: Jack Langlois
Phone: 713-425-8419
Fax: 713-300-6019
Email: jack.langlois@dlapiper.com

 

Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement

Exhibit 4.3

FORM OF REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

This REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT , dated as of             , 2017 (this “ Agreement ”), is by and among RSP Permian, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), and the holders of Company Common Stock listed on the signature page hereof.

RECITALS

WHEREAS , on October     , 2016, the Company entered into a Membership Interest Purchase and Sale Agreement by and among Silver Hill Energy Partners II, LLC, Silver E&P II, LLC, RSP Permian, L.L.C. and the Company (the “ Purchase Agreement ”);

WHEREAS , under the Purchase Agreement, the Holders will receive shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “ Common Stock ”), of the Company; and

WHEREAS , resales by the Holders of the Common Stock may be required to be registered under the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws, depending upon the status of a Holder or the intended method of distribution of the Common Stock.

NOW, THEREFORE , in consideration of the premises, mutual covenants and agreements hereinafter contained and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:

ARTICLE I - DEFINITIONS

1.1 Definitions .

(a) For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings specified in this Section   1.1 ; provided , however , that capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meaning ascribed to such terms in the Purchase Agreement.

Affiliate ” means, with respect to any Person, any Person who, directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by or is under common control with any Person.

Automatic Shelf Registration Statement ” means an “Automatic Shelf Registration Statement,” as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act.

Beneficial Ownership ” and terms of similar import shall be as defined under and determined pursuant to Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act.

Business Day ” means any day other than (a) a Saturday, Sunday or a federal holiday, or (b) a day on which commercial banks in New York City, New York are authorized or required to be closed.

Exchange Act ” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or any similar federal statute, and the rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC thereunder.


Excluded Registration ” means a registration under the Securities Act of (i) securities pursuant to one or more Demand Requests pursuant to Section   2.1 hereof, (ii) securities registered on Form S-8 or any similar successor form and (iii) securities registered to effect the acquisition of or combination with another Person.

Existing Holders ” means any securityholder who has registration rights pursuant to the Existing Registration Rights Agreement.

Existing Registration Rights Agreement ” means that certain Registration Rights Agreement dated as of January 23, 2014 by and among the Company and each of the other parties listed on the signature pages thereto, as may be amended from time to time.

Holder ” means (i) a securityholder listed on the signature page hereof and (ii) any direct or indirect transferee of any such securityholder, including any securityholder that receives shares of Common Stock upon a distribution or liquidation of a Holder, who has been assigned the rights of the transferor Holder under this Agreement in accordance with Section   2.8 .

Person ” or “ person ” means any individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization or government or other agency or political subdivision thereof.

Prospectus ” means the prospectus (including any preliminary, final or summary prospectus) included in any Registration Statement, all amendments and supplements to such prospectus and all other material incorporated by reference in such prospectus.

Overnight Underwritten Offering ” means an underwritten offering that is launched after the close of trading on one trading day and priced before the open of trading on the next succeeding trading day.

register ,” “ registered ” and “ registration ” refer to a registration effected by preparing and filing a Registration Statement in compliance with the Securities Act, and the declaration or ordering of the effectiveness of such Registration Statement.

Registrable Securities ” means (a) the Common Stock issued to the Holders pursuant to the Purchase Agreement and (b) any shares of Common Stock which may be issued or distributed in respect of such shares of Common Stock by way of conversion, concession, stock dividend or stock split or other distribution, recapitalization or reclassification or similar transaction; provided , however , that Registrable Securities shall not include any shares (i) the sale of which has been registered pursuant to the Securities Act and which shares have been sold pursuant to such registration, (ii) which have been sold pursuant to Rule 144 and (iii) which have been sold or disposed of in a private transaction in which the transferor’s rights under this Agreement are not assigned to the transferee of such securities pursuant to Section 2.8 hereof.

Registration Expenses ” means all expenses (other than underwriting discounts and commissions) arising from or incident to the Company’s performance of or compliance with this Agreement, including, without limitation: (i) SEC, stock exchange, FINRA and other registration and filing fees; (ii) all fees and expenses incurred in connection with complying with any securities or blue sky laws (including, without limitation, fees, charges and disbursements of

 

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counsel in connection with blue sky qualifications of the Registrable Securities); (iii) all printing, messenger and delivery expenses; (iv) the fees, charges and disbursements of counsel to the Company and of its independent public accountants, reserve engineers, and any other accounting and legal fees, charges and expenses incurred by the Company (including, without limitation, any expenses arising from any special audits or “comfort” letters required in connection with or incident to any registration); (v) the fees and expenses incurred in connection with the listing of the Registrable Securities on the New York Stock Exchange (or NASDAQ or any other national securities exchange) or the quotation of Registrable Securities on any inter-dealer quotation system; (vi) the fees and expenses incurred by the Company in connection with any road show for underwritten offerings; (vii) any stock transfer taxes and (viii) reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of counsel to the Holders, including, for the avoidance of doubt, any expenses of counsel to the Holders in connection with the filing or amendment of any Registration Statement or Prospectus hereunder; provided that Registration Expenses shall only include the fees and expenses of one counsel to the Holders (and one local counsel per jurisdiction) with respect to any offering.

Registration Statement ” means any registration statement of the Company that covers the resale of any Registrable Securities pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement filed with, or to be filed with, the SEC under the rules and regulations promulgated under the Securities Act, including the related Prospectus, amendments and supplements to such registration statement, including pre- and post-effective amendments, and all exhibits, financial information and all other material incorporated by reference in such registration statement.

Required Holders ” means Holders who then own beneficially more than 50% of the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock subject to this Agreement.

Rule 144 ” means Rule 144 promulgated by the SEC pursuant to the Securities Act, as such rule may be amended from time to time, or any similar rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the SEC as a replacement thereto having substantially the same effect as such rule.

SEC ” means the Securities and Exchange Commission or any other Federal agency at the time administering the Securities Act.

Securities Act ” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any similar Federal statute, and the rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC thereunder.

Selling Expenses ” means the underwriting fees, discounts and selling commissions applicable to all Registrable Securities registered by the Holders and legal expenses not included within the definition of Registration Expenses.

Shelf Registration Statement ” means a “shelf” registration statement of the Company that covers all the Registrable Securities (and may cover other securities of the Company) on Form S-3 and under Rule 415 under the Securities Act or, if the Company is not then eligible to file on Form S-3, on Form S-1 under the Securities Act, or any successor rule that may be adopted by the SEC, including without limitation any such registration statement filed pursuant to Section   2.1 , and all amendments and supplements to such “shelf” registration statement, including post-effective amendments, in each case, including the Prospectus contained therein, all exhibits thereto and any document incorporated by reference therein.

 

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(b) For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms have the meanings set forth in the sections indicated:

 

Term

  

Section

Advice    2.5
Agreement    Introductory Paragraph
Common Stock    Recitals
Company    Introductory Paragraph
Company Notice    2.1(c)
Company Underwritten Offering    2.3
Demand Request    2.1(c)
Effective Date    2.1(a)
Material Adverse Effect    2.2(b)
Purchase Agreement    Recitals
Participating Majority    2.1(d)
Records    2.4(l)
Requesting Holder    2.1(c)
Seller Affiliates    2.7
Suspension Period    2.1(f)
Suspension Notice    2.5
Underwritten Shelf Takedown    2.1(b)

1.2 Other Definitional and Interpretive Matters . Unless otherwise expressly provided or the context otherwise requires, for purposes of this Agreement the following rules of interpretation apply.

(a) When calculating the period of time before which, within which or following which any act is to be done or step taken pursuant to this Agreement, the date that is the reference date in calculating such period is excluded. If the last day of such period is a non-Business Day, the period in question ends on the next succeeding Business Day.

(b) Any reference in this Agreement to $ means U.S. dollars.

(c) Any reference in this Agreement to gender includes all genders, and words imparting the singular number also include the plural and vice versa.

(d) The provision of a Table of Contents, the division of this Agreement into Articles, Sections and other subdivisions and the insertion of headings are for convenience of reference only and do not affect, and should not be utilized in, the construction or interpretation of this Agreement.

(e) All references in this Agreement to any “Article” or “Section” are to the corresponding Article or Section of this Agreement.

 

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(f) The words “ herein ,” “ hereinafter ,” “ hereof ,” and “ hereunder ” refer to this Agreement as a whole and not merely to a subdivision in which such words appear unless the context otherwise requires.

(g) The word “ including ” or any variation thereof means “ including , but not limited to ,” and does not limit any general statement that it follows to the specific or similar items or matters immediately following it.

ARTICLE II - REGISTRATION RIGHTS

2.1 Shelf Registration .

(a) The Company will prepare, file (to the extent not previously filed) and use reasonable best efforts to cause to become effective no later than the 180th day following the date of this Agreement (the “ Effective Date ”), a Shelf Registration Statement (which Shelf Registration Statement shall be an Automatic Shelf Registration Statement if the Company is then eligible to file an Automatic Shelf Registration Statement), registering for resale the Registrable Securities under the Securities Act. The plan of distribution indicated in the Shelf Registration Statement will include all such methods of sale as any Holder may reasonably request in writing prior to the filing of the Shelf Registration Statement and that can be included in the Shelf Registration Statement under the rules and regulations of the SEC. Until the earlier of (a) four years after the Effective Date or (b) such time as all Registrable Securities cease to be Registrable Securities or the Company is no longer eligible to maintain a Shelf Registration Statement, the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to keep current and effective such Shelf Registration Statement and file such supplements or amendments to such Shelf Registration Statement (or file a new Shelf Registration Statement (which Shelf Registration Statement shall be an Automatic Shelf Registration Statement if the Company is then eligible to file an Automatic Shelf Registration Statement) when such preceding Shelf Registration Statement expires pursuant to the rules of the SEC) as may be necessary or appropriate in order to keep such Shelf Registration Statement continuously effective and useable for the resale of all Registrable Securities under the Securities Act. Any Shelf Registration Statement when declared effective (including the documents incorporated therein by reference) will comply in all material respects as to form with all applicable requirements of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act 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 not misleading.

(b) Any one or more Holders of Registrable Securities may request to sell all or any portion of their Registrable Securities in an underwritten offering that is registered pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement (each, an “ Underwritten Shelf Takedown ”); provided , however , that in the case of each such Underwritten Shelf Takedown, such Holder or Holders will be entitled to make such demand only if the proceeds from the sale of Registrable Securities in the offering (before the deduction of underwriting discounts) is reasonably expected to exceed, in the aggregate, $50 million. Subject to the other limitations contained in this Agreement, the Company will not be obligated hereunder to effect (a) an Underwritten Shelf Takedown within 90 days after the closing of any Company Underwritten Offering (as defined below) or Underwritten Shelf Takedown and (b) more than a total of two Underwritten Shelf Takedown offerings per calendar year.

 

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(c) All requests (a “ Demand Request ”) for Underwritten Shelf Takedowns shall be made by the Holder or Holders making such request (the “ Requesting Holder ”) by giving written notice to the Company. Each Demand Request shall specify the approximate number of Registrable Securities to be sold in the Underwritten Shelf Takedown and the expected price range of such Underwritten Shelf Takedown. Within three Business Days after receipt of any Demand Request, the Company shall send written notice of such requested Underwritten Shelf Takedown to all other Holders of Registrable Securities (the “ Company Notice ”) and shall include in such Underwritten Shelf Takedown all Registrable Securities with respect to which the Company has received written requests for inclusion therein within five Business Days after sending the Company Notice.

(d) The Company shall select one or more nationally prominent firms of investment bankers reasonably acceptable to the Participating Majority to act as the lead managing underwriter or underwriters in connection with such Underwritten Shelf Takedown. All Holders proposing to distribute their securities through such underwriting shall enter into an underwriting agreement with such underwriter or underwriters in accordance with Section   2.1(g) . The “ Participating Majority ” shall mean, with respect to any particular Underwritten Shelf Takedown, the Holder(s) of a majority of the Registrable Securities requested to be included in such Underwritten Shelf Takedown. The Company will ensure that members of senior management fully cooperate with the underwriter(s) in connection with the Underwritten Shelf Takedown and make themselves available to participate in all of the marketing processes in connection with the Underwritten Shelf Takedown as recommended by the underwriter(s) and providing any additional information recommended by the underwriter(s) (in addition to the minimum information required by law, rule or regulation) in any prospectus relating to the Underwritten Shelf Takedown.

(e) If the managing underwriters for such Underwritten Shelf Takedown advise the Company and the participating Holders in writing that, in their opinion, marketing factors require a limitation of the amount of securities to be underwritten (including Registrable Securities) because the amount of securities to be underwritten is likely to have an adverse effect on the price, timing or the distribution of the securities to be offered, then the Company shall so advise all Holders of Registrable Securities and the Existing Holders which would otherwise be underwritten pursuant hereto, and the amount of Registrable Securities that may be included in the underwriting shall be allocated among the participating Holders and participating Existing Holders, (i)  first among the participating Holders as nearly as possible on a pro rata basis based on the total amount of Registrable Securities held by such Holders requested to be included in such underwriting and (ii)  second to the extent all Registrable Securities requested to be included in such underwriting by the participating Holders have been included, to any participating Existing Holders as nearly as possible on a pro rata basis based on the total amount of Registrable Securities (as defined in the Existing Registration Rights Agreement) held by such Existing Holders requested to be included in such underwriting. The Company shall prepare preliminary and final prospectus supplements for use in connection with the Underwritten Shelf Takedown, containing such additional information as may be reasonably requested by the underwriter(s).

(f) Upon written notice to the Holders of Registrable Securities, the Company shall be entitled to suspend, for a period of time (each, a “ Suspension Period ”), the use of any

 

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Registration Statement or Prospectus and shall not be required to amend or supplement the Registration Statement, any related Prospectus or any document incorporated therein by reference if (i) the Company receives any request by the SEC or any other federal or state governmental authority for amendments or supplements to such Registration Statement or Prospectus or for additional information that pertains to such Holders as sellers of Registrable Securities; (ii) the SEC issues any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement covering any or all of the Registrable Securities or the initiation of any proceedings for that purpose; (iii) the Company receives any notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification or exemption from qualification of any of the Registrable Securities for sale in any jurisdiction, or the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for such purpose; and (iv) the board of directors, chief executive officer or chief financial officer of the Company determines in its or his or her reasonable good faith judgment that the Registration Statement or any Prospectus may contain an untrue statement of a material fact or may omit any fact necessary to make the statements in the Registration Statement or Prospectus not misleading; provided , that the Company shall use its good faith efforts to amend the Registration Statement or Prospectus to correct such untrue statement or omission as promptly as reasonably practicable, unless the Company determines in good faith that such amendment would reasonably be expected to have a materially detrimental effect on the Company. The Holders acknowledge and agree that written notice of any Suspension Period may constitute material non-public information regarding the Company and shall keep the existence and contents of any such written notice confidential.

(g) If requested by the underwriters for an Underwritten Shelf Takedown, the Company shall enter into an underwriting agreement with such underwriters for such offering, such agreement to be form and substance (including with respect to representations and warranties by the Company) as is customarily given by the Company to underwriters in an underwritten public offering, and to contain indemnities to the effect and to the extent provided in Section   2.7 . The Holders of Registrable Securities participating in the Underwritten Shelf Takedown shall be parties to such underwriting agreement; provided , however , that no such Holder shall be required to (i) make any representations or warranties in connection with any such registration other than representations and warranties as to (A) such Holder’s ownership of his or its Registrable Securities to be sold or transferred free and clear of all liens, claims and encumbrances, (B) such Holder’s power and authority to effect such transfer and (C) such matters pertaining to compliance with securities laws as may be reasonably requested or (ii) undertake any indemnification obligations to the Company or the underwriters with respect thereto except as otherwise provided in Section   2.7 . No Holder may participate in the Underwritten Shelf Takedown unless such Holder agrees to sell its Registrable Securities on the basis provided in such underwriting agreement and completes and executes all questionnaires, powers of attorney, indemnities and other documents reasonably required under the terms of such underwriting agreement. Each participating Holder may, at its option, require that any or all of the representations and warranties by, and the other agreements on the part of, the Company to and for the benefit of such underwriters also be made to and for such participating Holder’s benefit and that any or all of the conditions precedent to the obligations of such underwriters under such underwriting agreement also be conditions precedent to its obligations.

 

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2.2 Piggyback Registrations .

(a) Each time the Company proposes to register any of its equity securities (other than pursuant to an Excluded Registration) under the Securities Act for sale to the public (whether for the account of the Company or the account of any Existing Holder) and the form of registration statement to be used permits the registration of Registrable Securities, the Company shall give prompt written notice to each Holder of Registrable Securities (which notice shall be given not less than 30 days prior to the anticipated filing date or two Business Days in the case of an Overnight Underwritten Offering or similar “bought deal”), which notice shall offer each such Holder the opportunity to include any or all of its or his Registrable Securities in such registration statement, subject to the limitations contained in Section   2.2(b) hereof. Each Holder who desires to have its or his Registrable Securities included in such registration statement shall so advise the Company in writing (stating the number of shares desired to be registered) within 20 days (or one Business Day in the case of an Overnight Underwritten Offering or similar “bought deal”) after the date of such notice from the Company. Any Holder shall have the right to withdraw such Holder’s request for inclusion of such Holder’s Registrable Securities in any registration statement pursuant to this Section   2.2(a) by giving written notice to the Company of such withdrawal. Subject to Section   2.2(b) below, the Company shall include in such registration statement all such Registrable Securities so requested to be included therein; provided, however, that the Company may at any time withdraw or cease proceeding with any such registration if it shall at the same time withdraw or cease proceeding with the registration of all other equity securities originally proposed to be registered. For the avoidance of doubt, any registration or offering pursuant to this Section   2.2 shall not be considered an Underwritten Shelf Takedown for purposes of Section   2.1 of this Agreement.

(b) With respect to any registration pursuant to Section   2.2(a) , if the managing underwriter advises the Company that the inclusion of Registrable Securities requested to be included in the Registration Statement will materially and adversely affect the price or success of the offering (a “ Material Adverse Effect ”), the Company will be obligated to include in the Registration Statement (after all such shares for its own account or for the account of any Existing Holder), as to each Requesting Holder, only a portion of the shares such Holder has requested be registered equal to the product of: (i) the ratio which such Holder’s requested shares bears to the total number of shares requested to be included in such Registration Statement by all Persons (including Holders) who have requested (pursuant to this Agreement or other contractual registration rights) that their shares be included in such Registration Statement; and (ii) the maximum number of Registrable Securities that the managing underwriter advises may be sold in an offering covered by the Registration Statement without a Material Adverse Effect. If, as a result of the provisions of this Section   2.2(b) , any Holder shall not be entitled to include all Registrable Securities in a registration that such Holder has requested to be so included, such Holder may withdraw such Holder’s request to include Registrable Securities in such Registration Statement. No Person may participate in any Registration Statement pursuant to Section   2.2(a) unless such Person (i) agrees to sell such person’s Registrable Securities on the basis provided in any underwriting arrangements approved by the Company and (ii) completes and executes all questionnaires, powers of attorney, indemnities, underwriting agreements and other documents, each in customary form, reasonably required under the terms of such underwriting arrangements; provided , however , that no such Person shall be required to (A) make any representations or warranties in connection with any such registration other than

 

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representations and warranties as to (1) such Person’s ownership of his or its Registrable Securities to be sold or transferred free and clear of all liens, claims and encumbrances, (2) such Person’s power and authority to effect such transfer and (3) such matters pertaining to compliance with securities laws as may be reasonably requested or (B) undertake any indemnification obligations to the Company or the underwriters with respect thereto except as otherwise provided in Section   2.7 .

2.3 Holdback Agreement . By electing to include Registrable Shares in a Company registration statement pursuant to Section 2.2 , the Holder shall be deemed to have agreed not to effect any sale or distribution of securities of the Company of the same or similar class or classes of the securities included in the Company registration statement or any securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for such securities, including a sale pursuant to Rule 144, during such periods as reasonably requested (but in no event for a period longer than 90 days following the effective date of such Company registration statement, provided each of the executive officers and directors of the Company that hold shares of Common Stock of the Company or securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for shares of Common Stock of the Company are subject to the same restriction for the entire time period required of the Holders hereunder) by the representatives of the underwriters, if an underwritten offering by the Company (a “ Company Underwritten Offering ”). The provisions of this Section   2.3 will no longer apply to a Holder once such Holder ceases to hold at least 1% of the Registrable Securities acquired as a result of the transactions contemplated in the Purchase Agreement . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Section   2.3 , (i) each Holder may sell or transfer any Registrable Securities to any Affiliate of such Holder, so long as such Affiliate agrees to be and remains bound hereby, (ii) each Holder may enter into a bona fide pledge of any Registrable Securities (and any foreclosure on any such pledge shall also be permitted), and (iii) any hedging transaction with respect to an index or basket of securities where the equity securities of the Company constitute a de minimis amount shall not be prohibited pursuant to this Section   2.3 .

2.4 Registration Procedures . In connection with the registration and sale of Registrable Securities pursuant to this Agreement, the Company will use its reasonable best efforts to effect the registration and the sale of such Registrable Securities in accordance with the intended method of disposition thereof, and pursuant thereto the Company will:

(a) if the Registration Statement is not automatically effective upon filing, use reasonable best efforts to cause such Registration Statement to become effective as promptly as reasonably practicable;

(b) promptly notify each selling Holder, promptly after the Company receives notice thereof, of the time when such Registration Statement has been declared effective or a supplement to any prospectus forming a part of such Registration Statement has been filed;

(c) after the Registration Statement becomes effective, promptly notify each selling Holder of any request by the SEC that the Company amend or supplement such Registration Statement or Prospectus;

 

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(d) prepare and file with the SEC such amendments and supplements to the Registration Statement and the Prospectus used in connection therewith as may be reasonably necessary to keep the Registration Statement effective and to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act with respect to the disposition of all Registrable Securities covered by the Registration Statement for the period required to effect the distribution of the Registrable Securities as set forth in Section   2 hereof;

(e) furnish to the selling Holders such numbers of copies of such Registration Statement, each amendment and supplement thereto, each Prospectus (including each preliminary Prospectus and Prospectus supplement) and such other documents as the Holder and any underwriter(s) may reasonably request in order to facilitate the disposition of the Registrable Securities;

(f) use its reasonable best efforts to register and qualify the Registrable Securities under such other securities or blue-sky laws of such jurisdictions as shall be reasonably requested by the Holders and any underwriter(s) and do any and all other acts and things that may be reasonably necessary or advisable to enable the Holders and any underwriter(s) to consummate the disposition of the Registrable Securities in such jurisdictions; provided , however , that the Company shall not be required in connection therewith or as a condition thereto to qualify to do business in or to file a general consent to service of process in any jurisdiction, unless the Company is already subject to service in such jurisdiction and except as may be required by the Securities Act, or subject itself to taxation in any such jurisdiction, unless the Company is already subject to taxation in such jurisdiction;

(g) use its reasonable best efforts to cause all such Registrable Securities to be listed on a national securities exchange or trading system and each securities exchange and trading system (if any) on which similar equity securities issued by the Company are then listed;

(h) provide a transfer agent and registrar for the Registrable Securities and provide a CUSIP number for all such Registrable Securities, in each case not later than the effective date of the Registration Statement;

(i) use its reasonable best efforts to furnish, on the date that shares of Registrable Securities are delivered to the underwriters for sale, if such securities are being sold through underwriters, (i) an opinion, dated as of such date, of the counsel representing the Company for the purposes of such registration, in form and substance as is customarily given to underwriters by the Company in an underwritten public offering, addressed to the underwriters, (ii) a letter dated as of such date, from the independent public accountants of the Company, in form and substance as is customarily given by independent public accountants to underwriters in an underwritten public offering, addressed to the underwriters and (iii) an engineers’ reserve report letter as of such date, from the independent petroleum engineers of the Company, in form and substance as is customarily given by independent petroleum engineers to underwriters in an underwritten public offering, addressed to the underwriters;

(j) if requested by the Holders, cooperate with the Holders and the managing underwriter (if any) to facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of certificates (which shall not bear any restrictive legends unless required under applicable law) representing securities sold

 

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under the Registration Statement, and enable such securities to be in such denominations and registered in such names as such Holders or the managing underwriter (if any) may request and keep available and make available to the Company’s transfer agent prior to the effectiveness of such Registration Statement a supply of such certificates;

(k) in the event of any underwritten public offering, enter into and perform its obligations under an underwriting agreement, in form and substance as is customarily given by the Company to underwriters in an underwritten public offering, with the underwriter(s) of such offering;

(l) upon execution of confidentiality agreements in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Company, promptly make available for inspection by the selling Holders, any underwriter(s) participating in any disposition pursuant to such Registration Statement, and any attorney or accountant or other agent retained by any such underwriter or selected by the selling Holders, all financial and other records, pertinent corporate documents, and properties of the Company (collectively, “ Records ”), and use reasonable best efforts to cause the Company’s officers, directors, employees, and independent accountants to supply all information reasonably requested by any such seller, underwriter, attorney, accountant, or agent, in each case, as necessary or advisable to verify the accuracy of the information in such Registration Statement and to conduct appropriate due diligence in connection therewith; provided , Records that the Company determines, in good faith, to be confidential and that it notifies the selling Holders are confidential shall not be disclosed by the selling Holders unless the release of such Records is ordered pursuant to a subpoena or other order from a court of competent jurisdiction or is otherwise required by applicable law . Each Holder agrees that information obtained by it as a result of such inspections shall be deemed confidential and shall not be used by it or its affiliates (other than with respect to such Holders’ due diligence) unless and until such information is made generally available to the public, and further agrees that, upon learning that disclosure of such Records is sought in a court of competent jurisdiction, to the extent permitted and to the extent practicable it shall give notice to the Company and allow the Company to undertake appropriate action to prevent disclosure of the Records deemed confidential;

(m) promptly notify the selling Holders and any underwriter(s) of the notification to the Company by the SEC of its initiation of any proceeding with respect to the issuance by the SEC of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, and in the event of the issuance of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of such Registration Statement, or of any order suspending or preventing the use of any related Prospectus or suspending the qualification of any Registrable Securities included in such Registration Statement for sale in any jurisdiction, use its reasonable best efforts to obtain promptly the withdrawal of such order;

(n) promptly notify the selling Holders and any underwriter(s) at any time when a Prospectus relating thereto is required to be delivered under the Securities Act of the happening of any event as a result of which the Prospectus included in the Registration Statement, as then in effect, includes an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading in light of the circumstances under which they were made, and at the request of any

 

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Holder promptly prepare and furnish to such Holder a reasonable number of copies of a supplement to or an amendment of such Prospectus, or a revised Prospectus, as may be necessary so that, as thereafter delivered to the purchasers of such securities, such Prospectus shall not include 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 in light of the circumstances under which they were made (following receipt of any supplement or amendment to any Prospectus, the selling Holders shall deliver such amended, supplemental or revised Prospectus in connection with any offers or sales of Registrable Securities, and shall not deliver or use any Prospectus not so supplemented, amended or revised);

(o) promptly notify the selling Holders and any underwriter(s) of the receipt by the Company of any notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification of any Registrable Securities for sale under the applicable securities or blue sky laws of any jurisdiction;

(p) make available to each Holder (i) promptly after the same is prepared and publicly distributed, filed with the SEC, or received by the Company, one copy of each Registration Statement and any amendment thereto, each preliminary Prospectus and Prospectus and each amendment or supplement thereto, each letter written by or on behalf of the Company to the SEC or the staff of the SEC (or other governmental agency or self-regulatory body or other body having jurisdiction, including any domestic or foreign securities exchange), and each item of correspondence from the SEC or the staff of the SEC (or other governmental agency or self-regulatory body or other body having jurisdiction, including any domestic or foreign securities exchange), in each case relating to such Registration Statement or to any of the documents incorporated by reference therein, and (ii) such number of copies of each Prospectus, including a preliminary Prospectus, and all amendments and supplements thereto and such other documents as any Holder or any underwriter may reasonably request in order to facilitate the disposition of the Registrable Securities .   The Company will promptly notify the Holders of the effectiveness of each Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment or the filing of any supplement or amendment to such Registration Statement or of any Prospectus supplement .   The Company will promptly respond to any and all comments received from the SEC, with a view towards causing each Registration Statement or any amendment thereto to be declared effective by the SEC as soon as practicable and shall file an acceleration request, if necessary, as soon as practicable following the resolution or clearance of all SEC comments or, if applicable, following notification by the SEC that any such Registration Statement or any amendment thereto will not be subject to review;

(q) take no direct or indirect action prohibited by Regulation M under the Exchange Act; provided , that, to the extent that any prohibition is applicable to the Company, the Company will take all reasonable action to make any such prohibition inapplicable;

(r) provide a transfer agent and registrar for all such Registrable Securities not later than the effective date of such Registration Statement;

(s) take all such other actions as are reasonably necessary in order to facilitate the disposition of such Registrable Securities; and

(t) notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Company shall not be required to file a Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto) or effect a Requested Underwritten Shelf Takedown (or, if the Company has filed a Shelf Registration Statement and has included Registrable Securities therein, the Company shall be entitled to suspend the offer and sale of Registrable Securities pursuant to such Registration Statement) for a period of up to 60 days if (i) the board of directors determines that a postponement is in the best interest of the Company and its stockholders generally due to a pending transaction involving the Company (including a pending securities offering by the Company), (ii) the board of directors determines such registration would render the Company unable to comply with applicable securities laws or (iii) the board of directors determines such registration would require disclosure of material information that the Company has a bona fide business purpose for preserving as confidential (any such period, a “ Blackout Period ”); provided, however, that in no event shall any Blackout Period together with any Suspension Period exceed an aggregate of 120 days in any 12-month period.

 

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2.5 Suspension of Dispositions . Each Holder agrees by acquisition of any Registrable Securities that, upon receipt of any notice (a “ Suspension Notice ”) from the Company of the happening of any event of the kind described in Section 2.4(f) , Section   2.4(n) or Section 2.4(t) such Holder will forthwith discontinue disposition of Registrable Securities pursuant to the Registration Statement until such Holder’s receipt of the copies of the supplemented or amended Prospectus, or until it is advised in writing (the “ Advice ”) by the Company that the use of the Prospectus may be resumed, and has received copies of any additional or supplemental filings which are incorporated by reference in the Prospectus .   The Company shall extend the period of time during which the Company is required to maintain the Registration Statement effective pursuant to this Agreement by the number of days during the period from and including the date of the giving of such Suspension Notice to and including the date such Holder either receives the supplemented or amended Prospectus or receives the Advice .   If so directed by the Company, such Holder will deliver to the Company all copies, other than permanent file copies then in such Holder’s possession, of the Prospectus covering such Registrable Securities current at the time of receipt of such notice .   The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts and take such actions as are reasonably necessary to render the Advice as promptly as practicable .   The Holders acknowledge and agree that receipt of a Suspension Notice may constitute material non-public information regarding the Company and shall keep the existence and contents of any such Suspension Notice confidential.

2.6 Registration Expenses . All Registration Expenses shall be borne by the Company .   In addition, for the avoidance of doubt, the Company shall pay its internal expenses in connection with the performance of or compliance with this Agreement (including, without limitation, all salaries and expenses of its officers and employees performing legal or accounting duties), the expense of any annual audit or quarterly review, the expense of any liability insurance and the expenses and fees for listing the securities to be registered on each securities exchange on which they are to be listed .   All Selling Expenses relating to Registrable Securities registered shall be borne by the Holders of such Registrable Securities pro rata on the basis of the number of Registrable Securities sold.

 

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2.7 Indemnification .

(a) The Company agrees to indemnify and reimburse, to the fullest extent permitted by law, each Holder that is a seller of Registrable Securities, and each of its employees, advisors, agents, representatives, partners, officers, and directors and each Person who controls such Holder (within the meaning of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act) and any agent or investment advisor thereof (collectively, the “ Seller Affiliates ”) (i) against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses, joint or several (including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees and disbursements except as limited by Section   2.7(c) ) based upon, arising out of, related to or resulting from any untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Registration Statement or Prospectus or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto, or any omission or alleged omission of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, (ii) against any and all losses, liabilities, claims, damages and expenses whatsoever, as incurred, to the extent of the aggregate amount paid in settlement of any litigation or investigation or proceeding by any governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, or of any claim whatsoever based upon, arising out of, related to or resulting from any such untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission, and (iii) against any and all costs and expenses (including reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of counsel) as may be reasonably incurred in investigating, preparing or defending against any litigation, investigation or proceeding by any governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, or any claim whatsoever based upon, arising out of, related to or resulting from any such untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission, or such violation of the Securities Act or Exchange Act, to the extent that any such expense or cost is not paid under subparagraph (i) or (ii) above; except insofar as any such statements are made in reliance upon information furnished to the Company in writing by such seller or any Seller Affiliate expressly for use therein . The reimbursements required by this Section   2.7(a) will be made by periodic payments during the course of the investigation or defense, as and when bills are received or expenses incurred.

(b) In connection with any Registration Statement in which a Holder that is a seller of Registrable Securities is participating, each such Holder will furnish to the Company such information and affidavits as the Company reasonably requests for use in connection with any such Registration Statement or Prospectus and, to the fullest extent permitted by law, each such seller will indemnify the Company and its directors and officers and each Person who controls the Company (within the meaning of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act) against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses (including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees and disbursements except as limited by Section   2.7(c) ) resulting from any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement, Prospectus or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto or any omission or alleged omission of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, but only to the extent that such untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission is contained in any information or affidavit so furnished by such seller or any of its Seller Affiliates in writing specifically for inclusion in the Registration Statement; provided that the obligation to indemnify will be several, not joint and several, among such sellers of Registrable Securities, and the liability of each such seller of Registrable Securities will be in proportion to the amount of Registrable Securities registered by them, and, provided , further , that such liability will be limited to the net amount received by such seller from the sale of Registrable Securities pursuant to such Registration Statement; provided , however , that such seller of Registrable Securities shall not be liable in any such case to the

 

14


extent that prior to the filing of any such Registration Statement or Prospectus, such seller has furnished to the Company information expressly for use in such Registration Statement or Prospectus or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto which corrected or made not misleading information previously furnished to the Company.

(c) Any Person entitled to indemnification hereunder will (i) give prompt written notice to the indemnifying party of any claim with respect to which it seeks indemnification (provided that the failure to give such notice shall not limit the rights of such Person) and (ii) unless in such indemnified party’s reasonable judgment a conflict of interest between such indemnified and indemnifying parties may exist with respect to such claim, permit such indemnifying party to assume the defense of such claim with counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party; provided, however, that any person entitled to indemnification hereunder shall have the right to employ separate counsel and to participate in the defense of such claim, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of such person unless (A) the indemnifying party has agreed to pay such fees or expenses or (B) the indemnifying party shall have failed to assume the defense of such claim and employ counsel reasonably satisfactory to such person .   If such defense is not assumed by the indemnifying party as permitted hereunder, the indemnifying party will not be subject to any liability for any settlement made by the indemnified party without its consent (but such consent will not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed) . If such defense is assumed by the indemnifying party pursuant to the provisions hereof, such indemnifying party shall not settle or otherwise compromise the applicable claim unless (i) such settlement or compromise contains a full and unconditional release of the indemnified party or (ii) the indemnified party otherwise consents in writing (which consent will not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed) .   An indemnifying party who is not entitled to, or elects not to, assume the defense of a claim will not be obligated to pay the fees and expenses of more than one counsel for all parties indemnified by such indemnifying party with respect to such claim, unless in the reasonable judgment of any indemnified party, a conflict of interest may exist between such indemnified party and any other of such indemnified parties with respect to such claim, in which event the indemnifying party shall be obligated to pay the reasonable fees and disbursements of such additional counsel or counsels.

(d) Each party hereto agrees that, if for any reason the indemnification provisions contemplated by Section   2.7(a) or Section   2.7(b) are unavailable to or insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party in respect of any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses (or actions in respect thereof) referred to therein, then each indemnifying party shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified party as a result of such losses, claims, liabilities or expenses (or actions in respect thereof) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the indemnifying party and the indemnified party in connection with the actions which resulted in the losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses as well as any other relevant equitable considerations . The relative fault of such indemnifying party and indemnified party shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by such indemnifying party or indemnified party, and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission . The parties hereto agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section   2.7(d) were determined by pro rata allocation (even if the

 

15


Holders or any underwriters or all of them were treated as one entity for such purpose) or by any other method of allocation which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to in this Section   2.7(d) . The amount paid or payable by an indemnified party as a result of the losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses (or actions in respect thereof) referred to above shall be deemed to include any legal or other fees or expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in connection with investigating or, except as provided in Section   2.7(c) , defending any such action or claim .   Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section   2.7(d) , no Holder shall be required to contribute an amount greater than the dollar amount by which the net proceeds received by such Holder with respect to the sale of any Registrable Securities exceeds the amount of damages which such Holder has otherwise been required to pay by reason of any and all untrue or alleged untrue statements of material fact or omissions or alleged omissions of material fact made in any Registration Statement or Prospectus or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto related to such sale of Registrable Securities . No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation . The Holders’ obligations in this Section   2.7(d) to contribute shall be several in proportion to the amount of Registrable Securities registered by them and not joint.

If indemnification is available under this Section   2.7 , the indemnifying parties shall indemnify each indemnified party to the full extent provided in Section   2.7(a) and Section   2.7(b) without regard to the relative fault of said indemnifying party or indemnified party or any other equitable consideration provided for in this Section   2.7(d) subject, in the case of the Holders, to the limited dollar amounts set forth in Section   2.7(b) .

(e) The indemnification and contribution provided for under this Agreement will remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of the indemnified party or any officer, director or controlling Person of such indemnified party and will survive the transfer of securities.

2.8 Transfer of Registration Rights .   The registration rights of a Holder under this Agreement with respect to any Registrable Securities may be transferred or assigned to any purchaser or transferee of Registrable Securities; provided , however , that (i) such Holder shall give Parent written notice prior to the time of such transfer stating the name and address of the transferee and identifying the securities with respect to which the rights under this Agreement are being transferred; (ii) such transferee shall agree in writing, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Parent, to be bound as a Holder by the provisions of this Agreement; and (iii) immediately following such transfer the further disposition of such securities by such transferee shall be restricted to the extent set forth under applicable law.

2.9 Current Public Information .   With a view to making available to the Holders of Registrable Securities the benefits of Rule 144 and Rule 144A promulgated under the Securities Act and other rules and regulations of the SEC that may at any time permit a Holder of Registrable Securities to sell securities of the Company to the public without registration, the Company covenants that it will (i) use its reasonable best efforts to file in a timely manner all reports and other documents required, if any, to be filed by it under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations adopted thereunder and (ii) make available information necessary to comply with Rule 144 and Rule 144A, if available with respect to

 

16


resales of the Registrable Securities under the Securities Act, at all times, all to the extent required from time to time to enable such Holder to sell Registrable Securities without registration under the Securities Act within the limitation of the exemptions provided by (x) Rule 144 and Rule 144A promulgated under the Securities Act (if available with respect to resales of the Registrable Securities), as such rules may be amended from time to time or (y) any other rules or regulations now existing or hereafter adopted by the SEC.

2.10 Company Obligations Regarding Transfers .   In connection with any sale or transfer of Registrable Securities by any Holder, including any sale or transfer pursuant to Rule 144 and Rule 144A promulgated under the Securities Act and other rules and regulations of the SEC that may at any time permit a Holder of Registrable Securities to sell securities of the Company to the public without registration, the Company shall, to the extent allowed by law, take any and all action necessary or reasonably requested by such Holder in order to permit or facilitate such sale or transfer, including, without limitation, at the sole expense of the Company, by (i) issuing such directions to any transfer agent, registrar or depositary, as applicable, (ii) delivering such opinions to the transfer agent, registrar or depositary as are requested by the same, and (iii) taking or causing to be taken such other actions as are reasonably necessary (in each case on a timely basis) in order to cause any legends, notations or similar designations restricting transferability of the Registrable Securities held by such Holder to be removed and to rescind any transfer restrictions (other than as may apply pursuant to Section   2.3) with respect to such Registrable Securities.

2.11 No Conflict of Rights .   The Company represents and warrants that, except for the Existing Registration Rights Agreement, it has not granted, and is not subject to, any registration rights that are superior to, inconsistent with or that in any way violate or subordinate the rights granted to the Holders hereby. The Company shall not, prior to the termination of this Agreement, grant any registration rights that are superior to, inconsistent with or that in any way violate or subordinate to the rights granted to the Holders hereby.

2.12 Free Writing Prospectuses .   The Company shall not permit any officer, director, underwriter, broker or any other person acting on behalf of the Company to use any free writing prospectus (as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act) in connection with any registration statement covering Registrable Securities, without the prior written consent of each participating Holder and any underwriter .   No Holder shall, or permit any officer, manager, underwriter, broker or any other person acting on behalf of such Holder to use any free-writing prospectus in connection with any registration statement covering Registrable Securities, without the prior written consent of the Company.

ARTICLE III - TERMINATION

3.1 Termination .   The provisions of this Agreement shall terminate and be of no further force and effect upon the date when there shall no longer be any Registrable Securities outstanding; provided, however, that notwithstanding the foregoing, the obligations of the Company under Section   2.10 shall not terminate and shall remain in effect until there shall no longer be any Registrable Securities outstanding.

 

17


ARTICLE IV - MISCELLANEOUS

4.1 Notices .   Any notice or other communication required or permitted hereunder shall be in writing and shall be delivered by hand, by facsimile transmission or electronic mail transmission, or by certified or registered mail, postage prepaid and return receipt requested . Notices shall be deemed to have been given upon delivery, if delivered by hand, three days after mailing, if mailed, and upon receipt of an appropriate electronic confirmation, if delivered by facsimile or electronic mail transmission . Notices shall be delivered to the parties at the addresses set forth below:

 

   If to the Company:
  

RSP Permian, Inc.

3141 Hood Street, Suite 500

Dallas, Texas 75219

Attention: James E. Mutrie

Facsimile: 214-252-2750

Email: jmutrie@rsppermian.com

With copies to (which shall not constitute notice):   

Vinson & Elkins LLP

1001 Fannin Street, Suite 2500

Houston, Texas 77002

Attention: Stephen M. Gill

Facsimile: 713-758-4458

Email: sgill@velaw.com

If to any Holder, at its address listed on the signature pages hereof.   

Any party may from time to time change its address or designee for notification purposes by giving the other parties prior notice in the manner specified above of the new address or the new designee and the subsequent date upon which the change shall be effective.

4.2 Choice of Law; Exclusive Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial .

(a) This Agreement shall be constructed, interpreted and enforced in accordance with, and the respective rights and obligations of the parties shall be governed by, the laws of the State of Delaware without regard to principles of conflicts of law.

(b) All actions and proceedings for the enforcement of or based on, arising out of or relating to this Agreement shall be heard and determined exclusively in the Delaware Court of Chancery (or, only if the Delaware Court of Chancery declines to accept jurisdiction over the particular matter, any other court of the State of Delaware, or any federal court sitting in the State of Delaware), and each of the parties hereto hereby (i) irrevocably submits to the exclusive

 

18


jurisdiction of such courts (and, in the case of appeals, appropriate appellate courts therefrom) in any such action or proceeding, (ii) irrevocably waives the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of any such action or proceeding, (iii) agrees that it shall not bring any such action in any court other than the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware (or, only if the Delaware Court of Chancery declines to accept jurisdiction over the particular matter, any other court of the State of Delaware, or any federal court sitting in the State of Delaware), and (iv) irrevocably consents to service of process by first class certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, to the address at which the Company or Holder, as the case may be, is to receive notice in accordance with Section   5.1 . The parties hereto agree that a final judgment in any such action or proceeding shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by applicable law.

(c) Each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably waives any and all rights to trial by jury in any legal proceeding arising out of or related to this Agreement.

4.3 No Third-Party Beneficiaries .   This Agreement is for the sole benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns and nothing herein, express or implied, is intended to or shall confer upon any other Person any legal or equitable right, benefit or remedy of any nature whatsoever, under or by reason of this Agreement; provided, however, the parties hereto hereby acknowledge that the Persons set forth in Section   2.7 are express third-party beneficiaries of the obligations of the parties hereto set forth in Section   2.7 , respectively.

4.4 Successors and Assigns .   Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, this Agreement shall be binding upon and benefit the Company, each Holder and their respective successors and assigns .   The Company shall not, directly or indirectly, enter into any merger, consolidation or reorganization in which the Company shall not be the surviving entity unless the surviving entity shall, prior to such merger, consolidation or reorganization, agree in writing to assume the obligations of the Company under this Agreement, and for that purpose references hereunder to “Registrable Securities” shall be deemed to include the common equity interests or other securities, if any, which the Holders would be entitled to receive in exchange for Registrable Securities under any such merger, consolidation or reorganization, provided that, to the extent the Holders receive securities that are by their terms convertible into common equity interests of the issuer thereof, then any such common equity interests as are issued or issuable upon conversion of said convertible securities shall be included within the definition of “Registrable Securities.”

4.5 Counterparts .   This Agreement may be executed by the parties in separate counterparts (including by means of executed counterparts delivered via facsimile or other electronic means), each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

4.6 Severability .   In case any provision in this Agreement shall be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect for any reason, the validity, legality and enforceability of any such provision in every other respect and the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

 

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4.7 No Waivers; Amendments .

(a) No failure or delay on the part of the Company or any Holder in exercising any right, power or remedy hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right, power or remedy preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or remedy . The remedies provided for herein are cumulative and are not exclusive of any remedies that may be available to the Company or any Holder at law or in equity or otherwise.

(b) Any provision of this Agreement may be amended or waived if, but only if, such amendment or waiver is in writing and is signed by the Company and the Required Holders.

4.8 Entire Agreement .   This Agreement and the other writings referred to herein or therein or delivered pursuant hereto or thereto, contain the entire agreement between the Holders and the Company with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede all prior and contemporaneous arrangements or understandings with respect thereto.

4.9 Remedies; Specific Performance .

(a) Each Holder shall have all rights and remedies reserved for such Holder pursuant to this Agreement and all rights and remedies which such Holder has been granted at any time under any other agreement or contract and all of the rights which such Holder has under any law or equity. Any Person having any rights under any provision of this Agreement will be entitled to enforce such rights specifically, to recover damages by reason of any breach of any provision of this Agreement and to exercise all other rights granted by law or equity.

(b) The parties hereto recognize and agree that money damages may be insufficient to compensate the Holders of any Registrable Securities for breaches by the Company of the terms hereof and, consequently, that the equitable remedies of injunctive relief and of specific performance of the terms hereof will be available in the event of any such breach. If any action should be brought in equity to enforce any of the provisions of this Agreement, none of the parties hereto shall raise the defense that there is an adequate remedy at law.

4.10 Negotiated Agreement .   This Agreement was negotiated by the parties with the benefit of legal representation, and any rule of construction or interpretation otherwise requiring this Agreement to be construed or interpreted against any party shall not apply to the construction or interpretation hereof.

[THE REMAINDER OF THIS PAGE IS INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed by their respective authorized officers as of the date first written above.

 

RSP PERMIAN, INC.
By:  

 

Name:   James E. Mutrie
Title:   Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary

 

Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement


SILVER HILL ENERGY PARTNERS II, LLC

By:

 

 

Name:

 

Kyle D. Miller

Title:

 

President and Chief Executive Officer

 

Address:
5949 Sherry Lane
Suite 1550
Dallas, Texas 75225
Attention: Kyle Miller
Email: kmiller@silverhillenergy.com
Copy to:
Thompson & Knight LLP
1722 Routh Street, Suite 1500
Dallas, Texas 75201
Attn:    Ann Marie Cowdrey
   Arthur Wright
Phone:  214-969-1700
Fax:  214-969-1751
E-mail:    AnnMarie.Cowdrey@tklaw.com
   Arthur.Wright@tklaw.com
Kayne Anderson Capital Advisors, L.P.
811 Main Street, 14th Floor
Houston, Texas 77002
Attn: Kevin Brophy
Phone: 713-655-7559
Fax: 713- 655-7355
Email: kbrophy@kaynecapital.com
DLA Piper LLP (US)
1000 Louisiana Street, Suite 2800
Houston, Texas 77002-5005
Attn: Jack Langlois
Phone: 713-425-8419
Fax: 713-300-6019
Email: jack.langlois@dlapiper.com

 

Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement

Exhibit 10.1

Membership Interest

Purchase and Sale Agreement

by and among

Silver Hill Energy Partners Holdings, LLC,

as Seller,

Silver Hill Energy Partners, LLC,

the Company,

RSP Permian, L.L.C.,

as Buyer

and

RSP Permian, Inc.,

as Parent

Dated as of October 13, 2016


Table of Contents

 

            Page  

Article I. Definitions and References

     1   

Section 1.1.

     Defined Terms      1   

Section 1.2.

     Certain Additional Defined Terms      16   

Article II. Terms of the Transaction

     18   

Section 2.1.

     Agreement to Purchase and Sell Interests      18   

Section 2.2.

     Purchase Price      18   

Section 2.3.

     Adjustments to the Base Purchase Price      18   

Section 2.4.

     Payment of the Adjusted Cash Purchase Price      19   

Article III. Representations and Warranties of Seller

     20   

Section 3.1.

     Title to Interests      20   

Section 3.2.

     Organization and Standing      21   

Section 3.3.

     Power and Authority      21   

Section 3.4.

     Valid and Binding Agreement      21   

Section 3.5.

     Non-Contravention      21   

Section 3.6.

     Approvals      21   

Section 3.7.

     Pending Litigation      22   

Section 3.8.

     Accredited Investor; Investment Intent      22   

Section 3.9.

     Brokers      22   

Article IV. Representations and Warranties of Seller regarding the Company

     22   

Section 4.1.

     Organization and Standing      22   

Section 4.2.

     Governing Documents      22   

Section 4.3.

     Capital Structure      22   

Section 4.4.

     Power and Authority      23   

Section 4.5.

     Valid and Binding Agreement      23   

Section 4.6.

     Non-Contravention      23   

Section 4.7.

     Approvals      23   

Section 4.8.

     Subsidiaries      24   

Section 4.9.

     Intentionally Omitted      24   

Section 4.10.

     Financial Statements      24   

Section 4.11.

     Pending Proceedings      25   

Section 4.12.

     Compliance with Laws      25   

Section 4.13.

     Taxes      25   

Section 4.14.

     Contracts      26   

Section 4.15.

     Employment and Benefit Plan Matters      26   

Section 4.16.

     Wells      28   

Section 4.17.

     Imbalances      28   

Section 4.18.

     Non-Consent Elections      28   

Section 4.19.

     Outstanding Capital Commitments      28   

Section 4.20.

     Intellectual Property      29   

Section 4.21.

     Equipment      29   

Section 4.22.

     Consents to Change of Control      29   

Section 4.23.

     Bankruptcy      29   

Section 4.24.

     Insurance      29   

 

i


Section 4.25.

     Brokers      29   

Section 4.26.

     Permits      29   

Section 4.27.

     Environmental Matters      30   

Section 4.28.

     No Other Agreement to Sell      30   

Section 4.29.

     Special Warranty      30   

Section 4.30.

     Royalties      30   

Article V. Disclaimer and Disclosure Schedule

     31   

Section 5.1.

     Disclaimer      31   

Section 5.2.

     Updated Annexes, Disclosure Schedules and Exhibits      32   

Article VI. Representations and Warranties of Buyer Parties

     32   

Section 6.1.

     Organization and Standing      32   

Section 6.2.

     Power and Authority      33   

Section 6.3.

     Valid and Binding Agreement      33   

Section 6.4.

     Non-Contravention      33   

Section 6.5.

     Approvals      33   

Section 6.6.

     Proceedings      34   

Section 6.7.

     Financing      34   

Section 6.8.

     Investment Experience      34   

Section 6.9.

     Restricted Securities      34   

Section 6.10.

     Accredited Investor; Investment Intent      34   

Section 6.11.

     Independent Evaluation      34   

Section 6.12.

     Issuance of Parent Shares      35   

Section 6.13.

     Capitalization      35   

Section 6.14.

     SEC Reports; Financial Statements      35   

Section 6.15.

     No Registration      36   

Section 6.16.

     Investment Company      36   

Section 6.17.

     NYSE Listing      36   

Section 6.18.

     Form S-3 Eligibility      36   

Section 6.19.

     Anti-Takeover      36   

Section 6.20.

     Controls and Procedures      37   

Section 6.21.

     Registration Rights      37   

Section 6.22.

     Brokers      37   

Article VII. Certain Covenants

     37   

Section 7.1.

     Access      37   

Section 7.2.

     Exculpation and Indemnification      38   

Section 7.3.

     Assignment of Excluded Properties      39   

Section 7.4.

     Activities of the Company Pending Closing      39   

Section 7.5.

     Confidentiality Agreement      42   

Section 7.6.

     Officer and Director Resignation and Releases      42   

Section 7.7.

     Indemnification of Managers and Officers      42   

Section 7.8.

     Taxes      43   

Section 7.9.

     Press Releases      46   

Section 7.10.

     Books and Records      46   

Section 7.11.

     Name Change and Logo      47   

Section 7.12.

     HSR Filing      47   

Section 7.13.

     Seller Contracts      47   

 

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Section 7.14.

     Intentionally Omitted      48   

Section 7.15.

     Additional Listing Application      48   

Section 7.16.

     Parent Share Restriction      48   

Section 7.17.

     Company Records      48   

Section 7.18.

     Financial Statements; Financing      48   

Section 7.19.

     No Recourse to Financing Sources      50   

Section 7.20.

     Exclusivity      51   

Section 7.21.

     Employee Matters      51   

Article VIII. Buyer’s Due Diligence Examination

     51   

Section 8.1.

     Due Diligence Examination      51   

Section 8.2.

     Assertion of Title and Environmental Defects      52   

Section 8.3.

     Title Defect Amount      52   

Section 8.4.

     Defensible Title      53   

Section 8.5.

     Permitted Encumbrances      54   

Section 8.6.

     Title and Environmental Defects      56   

Section 8.7.

     Environmental Defects      57   

Section 8.8.

     Base Purchase Price Adjustments for Defects      57   

Article IX. Conditions Precedent to Closing Obligations

     58   

Section 9.1.

     Conditions Precedent to the Obligations of Buyer Parties      58   

Section 9.2.

     Conditions Precedent to the Obligations of Seller      60   

Article X. Closing

     61   

Section 10.1.

     Closing      61   

Section 10.2.

     Closing Obligations of Seller and the Company      62   

Section 10.3.

     Closing Obligations of Buyer Parties      63   

Article XI. Termination, Amendment and Waiver

     64   

Section 11.1.

     Termination      64   

Section 11.2.

     Effect of Termination      65   

Section 11.3.

     Return of Information      68   

Article XII. Accounting Adjustments

     68   

Section 12.1.

     Adjustments for Revenues and Expenses      68   

Section 12.2.

     Initial Adjustment at Closing      69   

Section 12.3.

     Adjustment Post Closing      69   

Section 12.4.

     No Further Adjustments      69   

Article XIII. Indemnification

     70   

Section 13.1.

     Indemnification by Buyer Parties      70   

Section 13.2.

     Indemnification by Seller      71   

Section 13.3.

     Survival of Provisions      71   

Section 13.4.

     Limitations      72   

Section 13.5.

     No Commissions Owed      73   

Section 13.6.

     Defense of Third Party Claims      74   

Section 13.7.

     Procedures for Claims Other Than Third Party Claims      75   

Section 13.8.

     Net Amounts; Escrow      76   

Section 13.9.

     No Contribution      76   

Article XIV. Casualty Losses

     77   

Article XV. Notices

     77   

Section 15.1.

     Notices      77   

 

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Article XVI. Dispute Resolution

     79   

Section 16.1.

     Disputes      79   

Section 16.2.

     Senior Management Meeting      79   

Section 16.3.

     Arbitration      79   

Article XVII. Miscellaneous Matters

     81   

Section 17.1.

     Further Assurances      81   

Section 17.2.

     Waiver of Consumer Rights      81   

Section 17.3.

     Parties Bear Own Expenses/No Special Damages      81   

Section 17.4.

     Entire Agreement      82   

Section 17.5.

     Disclosure Schedules      82   

Section 17.6.

     Choice of Law, Waiver of Jury Trial      82   

Section 17.7.

     Exclusive Venue      82   

Section 17.8.

     Time of Essence      83   

Section 17.9.

     No Assignment      83   

Section 17.10.

     Counterpart Execution      83   

Section 17.11.

     Exclusive Remedy      83   

Section 17.12.

     References, Titles and Construction      84   

Section 17.13.

     No Third-Person Beneficiaries      85   

Section 17.14.

     Severability      85   

Section 17.15.

     Waiver of Conflicts Regarding Representation; Attorney-Client Privilege      85   

Section 17.16.

     Amendment      86   

Section 17.17.

     Waiver      86   

 

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LIST OF ANNEXES, EXHIBITS AND DISCLOSURE SCHEDULES

 

Annex A:    Allocated Values

Exhibits:

 

A    Leases
B    Wells
C    Permits
D    Easements
E    Fee Interests
F    Contracts
G    Title Records
H    Registration Rights Agreement
I    Stockholder’s Agreement
1.1    Base Purchase Price; Adjustment Per Share Price
7.3    Form of Assignment and Assumption Agreement
7.6(a)    Form of Resignation of Officers and Directors
7.6(b)    Form of Release from Seller
7.7    Form of Officer and Director Indemnification Agreements
7.13    Seller Contracts
10.2(a)    Form of Assignment of Interests
10.2(m)    Form of Transition Services Agreement
12.2    Form of Initial Settlement Statement

Disclosure Schedules:

 

Section 3.5    Non-Contravention of Seller
Section 3.7    Pending Proceedings of Seller
Section 4.6    Non-Contravention of the Company
Section 4.10    Financial Statements
Section 4.11    Pending Proceedings of the Company
Section 4.12    Compliance with Laws
Section 4.14    Material Contracts
Section 4.15    Employee and Benefit Plan Matters
Section 4.16    Wells
Section 4.17    Imbalances
Section 4.18    Non-Consent Elections
Section 4.19    Capital Commitments
Section 4.22    Consents
Section 4.24    Insurance Policies
Section 4.27    Environmental Matters
Section 4.30    Royalties
Section 7.4(a)(iii)    Interim Operations

 

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MEMBERSHIP INTEREST

PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT

This MEMBERSHIP INTEREST PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT dated as of October 13, 2016 (the “ Execution Date ”), is by and among Silver Hill Energy Partners Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ Seller ”), Silver Hill Energy Partners, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Company ”), RSP Permian, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company (“ Buyer ”), and RSP Permian, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“ Parent ” and, together with Buyer, “ Buyer Parties ” and each a “ Buyer Party ”). Seller, the Company, Buyer and Parent are referred to collectively as the “ Parties ” and individually as a “ Party ”.

W I T N E S S E T H:

WHEREAS, Seller is the owner of 100% of the outstanding membership interests of the Company (the “ Interests ”);

WHEREAS, Seller desires to sell the Interests to Buyer, and Buyer desires to purchase the Interests from Seller, on the terms and conditions set forth herein; and

WHEREAS, the Company desires to join in the execution of this Agreement for the purpose of evidencing their consent to the consummation of the foregoing transaction and for the purpose of making certain covenants and agreements as provided herein.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements contained herein, Seller, the Company, Parent, and Buyer hereby agree as follows:

Article I.

Definitions and References

Section 1.1. Defined Terms . When used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the respective meanings assigned to them in this Section 1.1 or in the section, subsections or other subdivisions referred to below:

Adjustment Per Share Price ” has the meaning set forth on Exhibit 1.1 .

Affiliate ” means any Person directly or indirectly Controlling, Controlled by, or under common Control with any other Person; provided, however , except with respect to Section 7.20 and Section 13.1 , that Kayne Anderson Capital Advisors, L.P. and its Controlled entities shall not be deemed to be Affiliates of Seller or the Company, and Seller and the Company shall not be deemed to be Affiliates of Kayne Anderson Capital Advisors, L.P. and its Controlled entities and, with respect to Section 7.20 and Section 13.1 , Kayne Anderson Capital Advisors, L.P. and its Controlled entities shall be deemed Affiliates of Seller and the Company; provided, further , that the Company shall be deemed to be an Affiliate of Seller prior to the Closing and an Affiliate of Buyer Parties after the Closing.

Aggregate Base Purchase Price ” means the sum of (a) the Base Purchase Price set forth in this Agreement and (b) the Base Purchase Price set forth in the SHEP II MIPSA.

 

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Agreement ” means this Membership Interest Purchase and Sale Agreement, as hereafter changed, amended or modified in accordance with the terms hereof.

Allocated Value ” means the amount of the Base Purchase Price allocated to each Property on Annex A .

Applicable Environmental Laws ” means any Applicable Law relating to the environment, pollution, health and safety, hazardous materials, industrial hygiene, the environmental conditions on, under, or about any of the Properties, including soil, groundwater, and indoor and ambient air conditions or the reporting or remediation of environmental contamination and includes, without limitation, the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, including the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986, 42 U.S.C. § 9601 et seq.; the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, including the Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendments Act of 1984, 42 U.S.C. § 6901 et seq.; the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, 33 U.S.C. § 1251 et seq.; the Clean Air Act, 42 U.S.C. § 7401 et seq.; the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act, 49 U.S.C. § 5101 et seq.; the Toxic Substances Control Act, 15 U.S.C. §§ 2601 et seq.; the Oil Pollution Act, 33 U.S.C. § 2701 et seq.; the Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act, 42 U.S.C. § 11001 et seq.; the Safe Drinking Water Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 300f et seq.; the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899, 33 U.S.C. § 401 et seq.; and the Occupational Safety and Health Act, 29 U.S.C. § 651 et seq.

Applicable Laws ” means all laws, constitutions, treaties, statutes, common law principles, codes, acts, ordinances, rules, regulations, orders, judgments, decrees, rulings, proclamations, resolutions or other requirements issued, enacted, adopted, promulgated, implemented or otherwise put into effect by or under the authority of a Governmental Entity and applicable to Seller, Buyer, the Company, the Properties or this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby.

Base Purchase Price ” has the meaning set forth on Exhibit 1.1 .

Benefit Plan ” means an “employee benefit plan” as such term is defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA.

Business Day ” means a day other than a Saturday, Sunday or day on which commercial banks in New York, New York are authorized or required to be closed for business.

Code ” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

Company Records ” means all data, information, software, books, files and records of the Company, including all production records, operating records, correspondence, lease records, well logs and other well-related records, and division order records; prospect files; title records (including abstracts of title, title opinions and memoranda, and title curative documents); contract files; and maps, electric logs, core data, pressure data and decline curves; excluding, however:

(a) any data, information, software and records to the extent disclosure or change in ownership in connection with a sale of the Interests is prohibited, other than

 

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pursuant to any contract with Seller or any of its Affiliates, or subjected to payment of a fee or other consideration by any license agreement or other agreement with a Person other than Affiliates of Seller, or by Applicable Law, and for which no consent to transfer has been received or for which Buyer has not agreed in writing to pay the fee or other consideration, as applicable;

(b) all legal records and legal files of Seller including all work product of and attorney-client communications with Seller’s legal counsel (other than Seller’s legal records and legal files for litigation, claims or proceedings involving or relating to the Company or the Properties, including any files or records necessary or useful to defend or prosecute any such lawsuit or claim);

(c) data, records and agreements relating to the sale of the Interests, the Company or Properties, including bids received from and records of negotiations with third Persons (other than agreements binding on the Company or the Properties or pursuant to which the Company maintains rights against third parties);

(d) those original data, information, software and records retained by Seller pursuant to Section 7.10; and

(e) records which would constitute Company Records of Sopris Minerals, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and Silver Hill Midstream, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the records referred to in clauses (a) through (e) above, the “ Excluded Company Records ”).

Confidentiality Agreement ” means that certain Confidentiality Agreement dated August 16, 2016 by and between Company, SHEP II, and Buyer and/or Parent.

Contracts ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in subsection (h) of the definition of Properties.

Control ” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise, and “ Controlled ” and “ Controlling ” have the meanings correlative thereto.

Credit Facility ” means that certain Credit Agreement dated as of July 10, 2015, by and among Seller, as Borrower, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent, Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, as Sole Bookrunner and Sole Lead Arranger, and the other loan parties and lender parties thereto, as amended, supplemented, or otherwise modified as of the Execution Date.

Current Tax Period ” means any Tax period that includes but does not end at or before the Effective Date.

Defect ” means any Title Defect, as defined in Section 8.6 , or any Environmental Defect, as defined in Section 8.7(a) .

 

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Defect Amount ” means any Title Defect Amount, as defined in Section 8.3 , and any Environmental Defect Amount, as defined in Section 8.7(b) .

Disclosure Schedule ” means that certain Disclosure Schedule dated as of the Execution Date furnished by the Company to Buyer contemporaneously with the execution and delivery of this Agreement, as amended at any time prior to Closing in the manner permitted by Section 5.2 .

Dollar ” and “ $ ” means the United States of America dollar.

Easements ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in subsection (e) of the definition of Properties.

Effect ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in subsection (a) of the definition of Material Adverse Effect.

Effective Date ” means 12:01 a.m. Central Time on November 1, 2016.

Equipment ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in subsection (c) of the definition of Properties.

ERISA ” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended.

ERISA Affiliate ” means, with respect to a Person, any trade or business (whether or not incorporated) that is treated as a single employer with such Person under Section 4001 of ERISA or Section 414 of the Code.

Escrow Agent ” means Citibank, N.A.

Exchange Act ” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

Excluded Company Records ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in subsection (d) of the definition of Company Records.

Excluded Properties ” means:

(a) any accounts payable accruing before the Effective Date;

(b) all contracts of insurance or indemnity subject to Section 7.7 or Article XIV ;

(c) subject to Section 12.4 , any refund of costs, Taxes or expenses borne by Seller or the Company attributable to the period prior to the Effective Date;

(d) subject to Section 12.4 , all deposits, cash, checks, funds and accounts receivable attributable to the Company’s interests in the Properties with respect to any period of time prior to the Effective Date;

(e) the Excluded Company Records;

 

4


(f) subject to Section 7.17 , all servers and hardware related thereto owned, licensed or used by the Company;

(g) any logo, service mark, copyright, trade name or trademark of or associated with the Company or any Affiliate of the Company or any business of the Company or of any Affiliate of the Company;

(h) that certain Mutual Non-Disclosure Agreement by and among Haymaker Minerals & Royalties, LLC, Haymaker Minerals & Royalties II, LLC, Silver Hill Energy Partners, LLC, and Silver Hill Energy Partners II, LLC and dated effective as of July 1, 2016, and that certain Mineral Evaluation Agreement by and among Haymaker Minerals & Royalties, LLC, Haymaker Minerals & Royalties II, LLC, Silver Hill Energy Partners, LLC, and Silver Hill Energy Partners II, LLC and dated as of July 1, 2016;

(i) office furniture and fixtures, office equipment, vehicles, office supplies, computer equipment, telephone and communication equipment, together with all licenses and subscriptions for services utilized in connection therewith or related thereto that do not otherwise constitute Company Records, located at 5949 Sherry Lane, Suite 1550, Dallas, Texas 75225, and 2600 E. School Street, Kermit, Texas 79745 and the office lease agreements related thereto;

(j) that certain Master Geophysical Data-Use License dated effective as of May 13, 2016, executed by and between Seismic Exchange, Inc. and Company (the “ Seismic License ”); and

(k) Silver Hill Midstream, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and Sopris Minerals, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

Expenses ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the definition of Transaction Expenses.

Fee Interests ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in subsection (g) of the definition of Properties.

Financing ” means one or more debt or equity financing transactions (including registered public offerings of debt or equity securities, private placements under Rule 144A under the Securities Act, credit facilities and amendments, supplements and refinancings of the foregoing) by Parent, Buyer or one of their respective subsidiaries, as buyer or issuer, in each case, currently existing or consummated at or before the Closing.

Financing Source ” means the entities that have committed to provide or arrange, or otherwise are currently a party to or that later enter into agreements in connection with, all or any part of any Financing, including the parties to any joinder agreements, indentures or credit agreements entered into pursuant thereto, together with their respective affiliates and their and their respective affiliates’ officers, directors, employees, agents and representatives and their successors and assigns.

 

5


GAAP ” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America, consistently applied.

Governing Documents ” means, when used with respect to an entity, the documents governing the formation, operation and governance of such entity, including (a) in the instance of a corporation, the articles of incorporation and bylaws of such corporation, (b) in the instance of a partnership, the partnership agreement, (c) in the instance of a limited partnership, the certificate of formation and the limited partnership agreement, and (d) in the instance of a limited liability company, the articles of organization or certificate of formation and operating agreement or limited liability company agreement.

Governmental Entity ” means any court or tribunal in any jurisdiction (domestic or foreign) or any federal, state, county, municipal, tribal or other governmental, quasi-governmental or regulatory body, agency, authority, department, commission, board, bureau, or instrumentality (domestic or foreign).

Hydrocarbons ” means oil and gas and other hydrocarbons produced or processed in association therewith (whether or not such item is in liquid or gaseous form), or any combination thereof, and any minerals (whether in liquid or gaseous form) produced in association therewith, including all crude oil, gas, casinghead gas, condensate, natural gas liquids, and other gaseous or liquid hydrocarbons (including ethane, propane, iso-butane, nor-butane, gasoline, and scrubber liquids) of any type and chemical composition.

Imbalance ” means any over-production, under-production, over-delivery, under-delivery or similar imbalance of Hydrocarbons produced from or allocated to the Properties, regardless of whether such over-production, under-production, over-delivery, under-delivery or similar imbalance arises at the wellhead, pipeline, gathering system, transportation system, processing plant or other location.

Indebtedness ” means, without duplication: (i) all obligations (including the principal amount thereof and, if applicable, the accreted amount thereof and the amount of accrued and unpaid interest thereon) of a Person, whether or not represented by bonds, debentures, notes or other securities (and whether or not convertible into any other security), for the repayment of money borrowed, whether owing to banks, to financial institutions, on equipment leases or otherwise; (ii) all deferred liabilities of such Person for the payment of the purchase price of property or assets purchased (other than current accounts payable that were incurred in the ordinary course of business); (iii) all obligations of such Person to pay rent or other amounts under a lease which is required to be classified as a capital lease; (iv) all outstanding reimbursement obligations of such Person with respect to letters of credit, bankers’ acceptances or similar facilities issued for the account of such Person; (v) all obligations of such Person under any interest rate swap agreement, forward rate agreement, interest rate cap or collar agreement or other financial agreement or arrangement entered into for the purpose of limiting or managing interest rate risks; (vi) all obligations secured by any Lien (other than Permitted Encumbrances) existing on property or assets owned by such Person for borrowed money, whether or not indebtedness secured thereby has been assumed; (vii) all guaranties, endorsements and other similar contingent obligations of such Person in respect of, or to purchase or to otherwise acquire, indebtedness of others; and (viii) all premiums, penalties, fees, expenses, breakage costs and

 

6


change of control payments required to be paid or offered in respect of any of the foregoing on prepayment (regardless if any of such are actually paid), as a result of the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or any transaction in connection with any lender approval, consent, ratification, permission, waiver, order or authorization (including any Permit); provided, however , that Indebtedness shall not include accounts payable to trade creditors and accrued expenses arising in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice.

Indemnitee ” means either a Buyer Indemnitee or a Seller Indemnitee, as applicable.

Indemnity Escrowed Shares ” means 1,509,591 Parent Shares.

IRS ” means the United States Internal Revenue Service.

Knowledge ” (a) in the case of Seller or the Company (or similar references to Seller’s or the Company’s knowledge) means all information actually known by Kyle D. Miller, Patrick Halpin, and Chip Taylor and (b) in the case of Buyer or Parent, (or similar references to Buyer’s or Parent’s knowledge) means all information actually known by Steve Gray, Scott McNeill or Jim Mutrie, in the case of both (a) and (b), without any duty or obligation of investigation or inquiry.

Lands ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in subsection (a) of the definition of Properties.

Leases ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in subsection (a) of the definition of Properties.

Lien ” means any deed of trust, mortgage, security interest, hypothecation, encumbrance, lien, charge or pledge; provided, however , that, with respect to the Interests, Lien shall also include any title retention agreement, voting trust agreement or any other restriction or limitation of any kind or character, including any restriction on transferability.

Material Adverse Effect ” means:

(a) As to the Company, any circumstance, change or effect or other matter (collectively “ Effect ”) that is or would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the business, operations or financial condition of the Company and the Properties taken as a whole; provided, however , that the following shall be deemed not to constitute, create or cause a Material Adverse Effect of the Company:

(i) any changes in Hydrocarbon prices;

(ii) any Effects that affect generally the oil or gas industries or that result from international, national, regional, state or local economic conditions, from general developments or conditions in the oil or gas industries, from changes in laws, rules or regulations applicable to the Company or the Properties (or the interpretation or application thereof) or from other general economic conditions, facts or circumstances;

(iii) reductions in revenues and/or earnings of the Company in the ordinary course of business; provided that the underlying causes of such reductions may

 

7


be taken into account in determining whether a Material Adverse Effect has occurred except to the extent such underlying causes are otherwise deemed not to constitute, create or cause a “Material Adverse Effect”;

(iv) any disruption in the purchase or transportation of crude oil or natural gas produced or otherwise sold by the Company as a result of any shutdown, interruption or declaration of force majeure by any pipeline operator or other purchaser of such products;

(v) any Effects that result from any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the public announcement thereof;

(vi) any Effects that result from the effects of conditions or events resulting from an outbreak or escalation of hostilities (whether nationally or internationally), or the occurrence of any other calamity or crisis (whether nationally or internationally), including, without limitation terrorist attacks to the extent that such Effect does not have a disproportionate impact on the Company and the Properties, taken as a whole relative to other businesses in the industry in which the Company operates;

(vii) effects or changes that are cured or no longer exist by the earlier of the Closing and the termination of this Agreement;

(viii) any changes in accounting requirements or principles imposed by any change in GAAP or the interpretation thereof;

(ix) any actions or inactions of Seller or the Company taken in compliance with this Agreement or consented to by Buyer;

(x) any natural disasters or acts of God to the extent that such Effect does not have a disproportionate impact on the Company and the Properties, taken as a whole relative to other businesses in the industry in which the Company operates;

(xi) any failure to meet any projections, forecasts, or estimates of financial metrics for any period; provided that the underlying causes of such failures may be taken into account in determining whether a Material Adverse Effect has occurred except to the extent such underlying causes are otherwise deemed not to constitute, create or cause a “Material Adverse Effect”;

(xii) any Effect resulting from any action taken by Buyer or any Affiliate of Buyer, other than those not expressly permitted in accordance with the terms of this Agreement; or

(xiii) natural declines in well performance.

(b) As to Seller, any Effect that is or would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on Seller’s ability to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Transaction Documents or prevent the consummation of any of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby.

 

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(c) As to Parent or Buyer, either

(i) any Effect that is or would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the business, operations or financial condition of Buyer Parties; provided, however , that the following shall be deemed not to constitute, create or cause a Material Adverse Effect of Parent:

(A) any changes in Hydrocarbon prices;

(B) any Effects that affect generally the oil or gas industries or that result from international, national, regional, state or local economic conditions, from general developments or conditions in the oil or gas industries, from changes in laws, rules or regulations applicable to the Company or the Properties (or the interpretation or application thereof) or from other general economic conditions, facts or circumstances;

(C) reductions in revenues and/or earnings of the Company in the ordinary course of business; provided that the underlying causes of such reductions may be taken into account in determining whether a Material Adverse Effect has occurred except to the extent such underlying causes are otherwise deemed not to constitute, create or cause a “Material Adverse Effect”;

(D) any disruption in the purchase or transportation of crude oil or natural gas produced or otherwise sold by the Company as a result of any shutdown, interruption or declaration of force majeure by any pipeline operator or other purchaser of such products;

(E) any Effects that result from any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the public announcement thereof;

(F) any Effects that result from the effects of conditions or events resulting from an outbreak or escalation of hostilities (whether nationally or internationally), or the occurrence of any other calamity or crisis (whether nationally or internationally), including, without limitation terrorist attacks to the extent that such Effect does not have a disproportionate impact on the Company and the Properties, taken as a whole relative to other businesses in the industry in which the Company operates;

(G) effects or changes that are cured or no longer exist by the earlier of the Closing and the termination of this Agreement;

(H) any changes in accounting requirements or principles imposed by any change in GAAP or the interpretation thereof;

(I) any actions or inactions of Parent or Buyer taken in compliance with this Agreement or consented to by Seller;

 

9


(J) any natural disasters or acts of God to the extent that such Effect does not have a disproportionate impact on the Company and the Properties, taken as a whole relative to other businesses in the industry in which the Company operates;

(K) any failure to meet any projections, forecasts, or estimates of financial metrics for any period; provided that the underlying causes of such failures may be taken into account in determining whether a Material Adverse Effect has occurred except to the extent such underlying causes are otherwise deemed not to constitute, create or cause a “Material Adverse Effect”;

(L) any Effect resulting from any action taken by Seller or the Company or any Affiliate of Seller or the Company, other than those not expressly permitted in accordance with the terms of this Agreement;

(M) natural declines in well performance; or

(ii) any Effect that is or would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on Buyer Parties’ ability to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Transaction Documents or prevent the consummation of any of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby.

Material Contract ” to the extent binding on the Oil and Gas Properties or the Company’s ownership thereof after Closing, any Contract which is one or more of the following types and which, only in the case of subsections (ii) or (iii), below, can reasonably be expected to result in gross revenue per fiscal year in excess of Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000) or in the case of subsections (ii) or (vi) below, can reasonably be expected to result in expenditures per fiscal year in excess of Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000), in each case, net to the aggregate interests of the Company:

(i) Contracts with any Affiliate of the Company that will not be terminated on or prior to Closing, except for any assignments to any Affiliate of the Company of any overriding royalty interest or other similar interest which will burden the Properties after the Closing and are filed of record;

(ii) Contracts for the sale, purchase, exchange, or other disposition of Hydrocarbons produced from the Oil and Gas Properties which are not cancelable without penalty to the Company, its Affiliates, or its or their permitted successors and assigns, on at least one hundred twenty (120) days prior written notice;

(iii) To the extent currently pending, Contracts to sell, lease, farmout, exchange, or otherwise dispose of all or any part of the Oil and Gas Properties after Closing, but excluding right of reassignment upon intent to abandon any such Oil and Gas Property;

(iv) Contracts for the gathering, treatment, processing, storage or transportation of Hydrocarbons;

 

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(v) Operating agreements, area of mutual interest agreements, joint venture agreements, exploration agreements, surface use agreements, development agreements (including all such Contracts containing unfulfilled obligations for the Company to drill additional wells), participation agreements, farmin and farmout agreements, drag-along agreements, put agreements, call agreements, and any other similar agreements for which any terms remain executory and which materially affect any interest in the Properties;

(vi) All Contracts that provide for any take-or-pay arrangements, call upon production, option to purchase or similar rights with respect to the Properties or to the production therefrom or the processing thereof, or that contain a dedication of production;

(vii) Any Contract that is a water rights agreement, disposal agreements, or similar agreement relating to sourcing, transportation, or disposal of water; and

(viii) Any Contract to which the Company is a party with respect to any swap, forward, future or derivative transaction or option or similar agreement, whether exchange traded, “over-the-counter” or otherwise, involving, or settled by reference to, one or more rates, currencies, commodities, equity or debt instruments or securities, or economic, financial or pricing indices or measures of economic, financial or pricing risk or value or any similar transaction or any combination of these transactions.

Net Mineral Acre ” means, as to each parcel or tract burdened by a Lease, the product of (a) the number of surface acres of land that are described in such parcel or tract (i.e. gross acres), multiplied by (b) the lessor’s aggregated undivided interest, on an 8/8ths basis, in the fee minerals, non-executive interests and other mineral fee interests in the lands covered by such parcel or tract burdened by the applicable Lease, multiplied by (c) the Company’s Working Interest in such Lease ( provided , however , if items (a) and (b) of this definition vary as to different areas within any tracts or parcels burdened by such Lease, a separate calculation shall be performed with respect to each such area).

Net Revenue Interest ” means, with respect to any Oil and Gas Property, the percentage interest in and to all production of Hydrocarbons saved, produced and sold from or allocated to such Oil and Gas Property, after giving effect to all Royalties.

Oil and Gas Properties ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in subsection (b) of the definition of Properties.

Parent Common Stock ” means the common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of Parent, as traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the trading symbol “RSPP”.

Permits ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in subsection (d) of the definition of Properties.

 

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Person ” means any individual, sole proprietorship, corporation, partnership, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, enterprise, unincorporated organization or other entity or Governmental Entity.

Price Per Share ” means the arithmetic average of the daily VWAP of a share of Parent Common Stock for the fifteen (15) consecutive trading days immediately prior to payment of an amount from the Indemnity Escrow Account.

Proceedings ” means all proceedings, actions, claims, suits, investigations, hearings, audits, demands, charges, complaints, examinations, and inquiries (in each case, whether civil, criminal, judicial, administrative, investigative, appellate or otherwise) brought, conducted or heard by or before, or otherwise involving, any arbitrator, arbitration panel, court or Governmental Entity other than Permit and zoning applications pursued in the ordinary course of business.

Properties ” means, except for the Excluded Properties, all of the Company’s right, title and interest in and to the following described properties, rights and interests:

(a) the working interests and net revenue interests set forth on Exhibit A , together with all other interest of the Company in the Hydrocarbon leases described on Exhibit   A , whether such right, title and interest are legal or equitable, vested or contingent, (collectively, the “ Leases ”), together with all pooled, communitized or unitized acreage or rights which includes or constitutes all or part of any Leases or any Wells, and all tenements, hereditaments and appurtenances belonging to the Leases (collectively, the “ Lands ”);

(b) the working interests and net revenue interests set forth on Exhibit B , together with all other interest of the Company in any and all Hydrocarbon, water, CO 2, injection wells or other wells located on, under or within the Lands, to the extent described on Exhibit   B attached hereto (the “ Wells ” and together with the Leases, the “ Oil and Gas Properties ”), in each case whether producing, non-producing, permanently or temporarily plugged and abandoned;

(c) all tank batteries, pipelines, metering facilities, interconnections and other equipment, machinery, facilities, fixtures and other tangible personal property and improvements, flowlines, gathering lines and Well equipment (both surface and subsurface) located on the Lands that are primarily used in connection with the ownership or operation of the Oil and Gas Properties or the production, transportation or processing of Hydrocarbons produced from the Oil and Gas Properties (the “ Equipment ”);

(d) all permits, licenses, certificates, approvals, consents, notices, waivers, franchises, registrations and other governmental authorizations (“ Permits ”) held by the Company, as described on Exhibit C , and any other Permits that are used by the Company for the ownership, operation, maintenance, repair or replacement of the Oil and Gas Properties;

(e) all easements, servitudes, rights of way, surface leases and other rights to use the surface appurtenant to, and used or held primarily for use in connection with, the ownership or operation of the Oil and Gas Properties including the property described on Exhibit D (the “ Easements ”);

 

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(f) all Hydrocarbons in, on under or that may be produced from or attributable to the Leases or Wells after the Effective Date, including all Hydrocarbon inventories of the Company from the Oil and Gas Properties in storage or constituting linefill as of the Effective Date;

(g) The fee interests in land of the Company, as described on Exhibit   E , and any other fee interests in land owned by the Company that are used for the ownership, operation, maintenance, repair or replacement of the Oil and Gas Interests (the “ Fee Interests ”);

(h) The contracts and agreements listed on Exhibit F and any other currently effective contracts, agreements and instruments that are binding on the Oil and Gas Properties or that relate primarily to the ownership or operation of the Oil and Gas Properties (but only to the extent applicable to the Oil and Gas Properties) including operating agreements, unitization, pooling, and communitization agreements, declarations and orders, area of mutual interest agreements, joint venture agreements, farmin and farmout agreements, exchange agreements, purchase and sale agreements and other contracts in which the Company acquired interests in any other Properties, transportation agreements, agreements for the sale and purchase of Hydrocarbons and processing agreements but excluding any contracts, agreements and instruments included within the definition of “Excluded Properties,” and provided that the defined term “Contracts” shall not include the Leases and other instruments constituting the Company’s chain of title to the Leases to the extent that such instruments are filed of record and not merely referred to in record title (subject to such exclusion and proviso, the “ Contracts ”);

(i) Any and all unexpired warranties, claims, rights, or causes of action that the Company may have against third parties that relate to the assets set forth in items (a) through (h) above; and

(j) Geological, reservoir, drilling and completion data relating to the ownership and operation of the Properties set forth in items (a) through (h) above.

Property Costs ” means (i) all operating and production expenses (including costs of insurance, rentals, shut-in payments and royalty payments; customary title examination and curative actions taken in connection with the drilling of wells; ad valorem, property, severance, production and similar Taxes attributable to the ownership or operation of the Properties or the production or the sale of Hydrocarbons therefrom; and gathering, processing and transportation costs in respect of Hydrocarbons produced from the Properties) and capital expenditures (including bonuses, broker fees, and other lease acquisition costs, costs of drilling and completing wells and costs of acquiring equipment) incurred in the ownership and operation of the Properties in the ordinary course of business, (ii) general and administrative costs with respect to the Properties and (iii) overhead costs charged to the Properties under the applicable operating agreement; provided , that “Property Costs” shall not include casualty losses which are addressed by Article XVI .

 

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Reasonable Documentation ” means with respect to any Defect asserted by Buyer, a copy of or reference to:

(a) Any available title opinion or landman’s title report describing the asserted Title Defect;

(b) The relevant document to the extent the alleged Defect is or arises from a document;

(c) The deed preceding and following a gap in the chain of title or a title opinion describing the gap in reasonable detail, to the extent the basis of the alleged Defect is a gap in the Company’s chain of title;

(d) Any document creating or evidencing the Lien or encumbrance, to the extent the basis of the alleged Defect is a Lien or encumbrance;

(e) The Site Assessment describing the Defect, to the extent necessary to show the alleged Defect is an Environmental Defect; and

(f) Any other documents in the possession of Buyer or Parent reasonably necessary for the other Parties (as well as any title attorney, examiner or environmental consultant hired by such Parties) to verify or investigate the existence of the alleged Defect.

Reasonable Efforts ” means a party’s reasonable efforts in accordance with reasonable commercial practice without incurring unreasonable expenses.

Royalties ” means all royalties, overriding royalties, reversionary interests, net profit interests, production payments, carried interests, non-participating royalty interests and other royalty burdens and other interests payable out of production of Hydrocarbons from or allocated to the Properties or the proceeds thereof to third parties.

Securities Act ” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

SHEP II ” means Silver Hill E&P II, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

SHEP II Holdings ” means Silver Hill Energy Partners II, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

SHEP II MIPSA ” means that certain Membership Interest Purchase and Sale Agreement by and among SHEP II, SHEP II Holdings, Parent and Buyer of even date herewith.

SHEP II Oil and Gas Permits ” means the Permits relating to the “Oil and Gas Properties”, as such term is defined in the SHEP II MIPSA.

SHEP II Parent Shares ” means the issuance to SHEP II of the Parent Shares pursuant to the SHEP II MIPSA.

 

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Stockholder’s Agreement ” means that certain Stockholder’s Agreement between Parent and Kayne Anderson Capital Advisors, L.P. in the form attached hereto as Exhibit I .

Suspended Funds ” means proceeds of production which Seller or Company is holding (including funds held in suspense for unleased interests and penalties and interest) which are owing to third party owners of royalty, overriding royalty, working, or other interests in respect of past production,

Tax ” or “ Taxes ” means any federal, state, local, or non-U.S. income, gross receipts, license, payroll, employment, excise, severance, stamp, occupation, premium, windfall profits, environmental, customs duties, capital stock, franchise, profits, withholding, social security (or similar), unemployment, disability, real property, personal property, sales, use, transfer, registration, value added, alternative or add-on minimum, estimated, or other tax of any kind whatsoever imposed by any Governmental Entity, whether computed on a separate or consolidated, unitary or combined basis or in any other manner, including any interest, penalty, or addition thereto, whether disputed or not and including any obligation to indemnify or otherwise assume or succeed to the Tax liability of any other Person.

Tax Return ” means any return, declaration, report, claim for refund, or information return or statement relating to Taxes, including any schedule or attachment thereto, and including any amendment thereof.

Transaction Documents ” means this Agreement, the SHEP II MIPSA, the Registration Rights Agreement and the other agreements, documents, instruments, and certificates to be delivered by any Party at the Closing, and any other agreements, documents, instruments and certificates to be delivered by any Party in connection with this Agreement or the Closing.

Transaction Expenses ” means all unpaid fees, costs, expenses, payments, expenditures or liabilities (collectively, “ Expenses ”), incurred or created prior to the Execution Date, or during the period after the Execution Date and prior to the Closing Date (and whether or not invoiced prior to the Closing Date), by Seller or any of its Affiliates or the Company, in connection with any of the transactions contemplated hereby, including: (a) Expenses payable to legal counsel or to any financial advisor, broker, accountant or other Person who performed services for or provided advice to Seller or any of its Affiliates or the Company prior to the Closing, or who is otherwise entitled to any compensation or payment from Seller or any of their respective Affiliates or the Company with respect to services provided prior to the Closing, in connection with any of the transactions contemplated hereby; (b) Expenses that arise or are expected to arise, or are triggered or become due or payable, as a direct or indirect result of the consummation (whether alone or in combination with any other event or circumstance) of any of the transactions contemplated hereby (including any payments to employees, managers, agents or consultants, whether under a deferred compensation plan, bonus plan or other employee plan or arrangement); (c) Expenses for any unpaid severance obligations owed by the Company to any employee, manager, agent or consultant of the Company to the extent in effect and triggered prior to or as a result of the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, (d) Expenses for any unpaid amounts owed to an employee, manager or consultant in connection with any equity appreciation right triggered prior to or as a result of the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and (e) the employer portion of any unpaid

 

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payroll, social security, unemployment or similar Tax required to be paid by the Company under Applicable Law in connection with the payment of any Expenses, but excluding Expenses for which Buyer has agreed to be responsible pursuant to this Agreement and any Expenses paid or incurred directly by Seller or any of its Affiliates (other than the Company).

Transfer Tax ” means any all federal, state and local transfer, sales, use, stamp, documentary, registration or other similar Taxes or assessments resulting from the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

VWAP ” per share of Parent Common Stock on any trading day shall mean the per share volume-weighted average price as displayed on Bloomberg page “RSPP.N <equity> AQR” (or its equivalent if such a page is not available) in respect of the period from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., New York City time, on such trading day; or if such price is not available, “ VWAP ” shall mean the market value per share of Parent Common Stock on such trading day as determined, using a volume-weighted average method, by a nationally recognized independent investment banking firm retained by Seller for this purpose.

Wells ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in subsection (b) of the definition of Properties.

Willful and Material Breach ” shall mean a material breach that is a consequence of an act or failure to take an act by the breaching party with the actual knowledge that the taking of such act (or the failure to take such act) would constitute a material breach of this Agreement.

Working Interest ” means, with respect to any Oil and Gas Property, the percentage of costs and expenses associated with the exploration, drilling, development, operation, maintenance and abandonment on or in connection with such Oil and Gas Property required to be borne with respect thereto, but without regard to the effect of any Royalties.

Section 1.2. Certain Additional Defined Terms . In addition to such terms as are defined in the preamble of and recitals to this Agreement and in Section 1.1 , the following terms are used in this Agreement as defined in the Articles or Sections set forth opposite such terms:

 

Defined Term

  

Reference

Additional Listing Application    Section 7.14
Adjusted Cash Purchase Price    Section 2.3(b)
Adjusted Parent Shares    Section 2.3(c)
Arbitration Decision    Section 16.3(d)
Arbitration Notice    Section 16.3(a)
Arbitrator    Section 16.3(a)
Assignment    Section 10.2(a)
Audited Financial Statements    Section 4.10
Bank    Section 2.4(a)
Base Purchase Price    Section 2.2
Buyer    Preamble
Buyer Indemnitees    Section 13.2

 

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Defined Term

  

Reference

Buyer Parties    Preamble
Buyer’s Indemnified Claims    Section 13.1
Buyer’s Review    Section 8.1
Cash Purchase Price    Section 2.2
Closing    Section 10.1
Closing Date    Section 10.1
Common Interest Parties    Section 17.15
Company    Preamble
Consents    Section 4.22
Damages    Section 7.2
Defect Notice    Section 8.2
Defensible Title    Section 8.4
Deposit    Section 2.4(a)
Deposit Account    Section 2.4(a)
Disputes    Section 16.1
Environmental Defect    Section 8.7(a)
Environmental Defect Amount    Section 8.7(a)
Environmental Defect Threshold    Section 8.7(a)
Examination Period    Section 8.1
Execution Date    Preamble
Final Settlement Statement    Section 12.3
Finance Related Parties    Section 7.19
Financial Statements    Section 4.10
HSR Act    Section 7.12
Indemnity Deductible    Section 13.4(a)
Indemnity Escrow Account    Section 2.4(b)
Indemnity Escrow Agreement    Section 2.4(b)
Initial Settlement Statement    Section 12.2
Inspection Indemnitees    Section 7.2
Insurance Policies    Section 4.24
Interests    Recitals
Interim Financial Statements    Section 4.10
Joint Instructions    Section 2.4(a)
Lock-Up Period    Section 7.16
Outstanding Capital Commitments    Section 4.19
Parent    Preamble
Parent SEC Reports    Section 6.14
Parent Shares    Section 2.2
Parties    Preamble
Permitted Encumbrances    Section 8.5
Property Records    Section 7.1
Purchase Price Allocation    Section 7.8(e)(i)
Registration Rights Agreement    Section 10.2(g)
Required Financial Information    Section 7.18(b)
Required Permit    Section 4.26

 

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Defined Term

  

Reference

Seller    Preamble
Seller Contracts    Section 7.13(a)
Seller Indemnitees    Section 13.1
Seller Related Parties    Section 7.19
Seller’s Indemnified Claims    Section 13.1
Site Assessment    Section 7.1
Surviving Provisions    Section 11.2(a)
T&K    Section 17.15
Target Closing Date    Section 10.1
Tail Policy    Section 7.7(b)
Termination Date    Section 11.1(b)(i)
Third Party Claim    Section 13.6(b)
Third-Party Operators    Section 7.1
Title Defect    Section 8.6
Title Defect Amount    Section 8.3
Title Defect Property    Section 8.3
Title Defect Threshold    Section 8.3
Transition Services Agreement    Section 10.2(m)

Article II.

Terms of the Transaction

Section 2.1. Agreement to Purchase and Sell Interests . For the consideration hereinafter set forth, and subject to the terms and provisions herein contained, Seller agrees to sell to Buyer, and Buyer agrees to purchase from Seller, the Interests.

Section 2.2. Purchase Price . The Base Purchase Price consists of (i) Six Hundred Four Million Forty-Six Thousand Eight Hundred Fifty-Seven and No/100 Dollars ($604,046,857) in cash or other immediately available funds (the “ Cash Purchase Price ”), and (ii) 14,980,362 shares of Parent Common Stock (the “ Parent Shares ”). The Base Purchase Price shall be subject to adjustment both prior to, and after, Closing as set forth herein. The Parent Shares issued to Seller at the Closing shall be subject to adjustment in the event of stock split, combination, re-classification, recapitalization, exchange, stock dividend, or other distribution payable in Parent Common Stock with respect to shares of Parent Common Stock that occurs prior to Closing and shall be issued in the name of Seller. The Parties acknowledge and agree that the Base Purchase Price was derived based on the aggregate Allocated Values of the Properties as set forth on Annex A .

Section 2.3. Adjustments to the Base Purchase Price .

(a) At Closing, the Cash Purchase Price to be paid by the Buyer Parties at Closing shall be:

(i) without duplication, reduced by the sum of (A) the amount, if any, of Indebtedness of the Company described in clause (i) of the definition of Indebtedness

 

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and outstanding as of Closing, (B) the amount of any Transaction Expenses outstanding as of Closing, (C) the amount of Suspended Funds that are not held by the Company and that are attributable to the period prior to the Effective Date, (D) the aggregate amount, if any, of adjustments for Property Costs under Article XII hereof which result in a credit to Buyer and (E) an amount equal to the Deposit, plus any interest thereon, which the Bank will deliver to Seller in accordance with Joint Instructions delivered to the Bank immediately prior to Closing; and

(ii) increased by the aggregate amount, if any, of adjustments for Property Costs under Article XII hereof which result in a credit to Seller.

(b) The amount resulting after making the reductions and increases outlined above shall be referred to as the “ Adjusted Cash Purchase Price ”. The Adjusted Cash Purchase Price shall be further adjusted after the Closing in accordance with Article XII to update adjustments for Property Costs under Article XII that were estimated for purposes of Closing.

(c) At Closing, the number of Parent Shares to be issued to Seller shall be reduced by (i) the Indemnity Escrowed Shares to be delivered to the Escrow Agent at Closing, and (ii) the number of shares of Parent Common Stock calculated by dividing the sum of (A) the Defect Amounts, if any, and (B) the Allocated Value of any Property excluded pursuant to Section 7.1 , if any, in each case, for which an adjustment to the number of Parent Shares should be made pursuant to Article VII or Article VIII hereof by the Adjustment Per Share Price. Any fractional shares resulting from such calculation shall be rounded up to the nearest whole share. The number of Parent Shares resulting after making the reductions outlined above shall be referred to as the “ Adjusted Parent Shares ”.

Section 2.4. Payment of the Adjusted Cash Purchase Price . The Cash Purchase Price shall be payable as follows:

(a) As of the Execution Date, (i) Buyer, Seller, and Citibank, N.A. (the “ Bank ”) shall have executed an escrow agreement, and (ii) Buyer shall have paid the amount equal to $59,945,852 (such amount being herein called the “ Deposit ”) into an interest bearing joint control account (the “ Deposit Account ”) to be established by Buyer and Seller at the Bank and requiring the written authorization of a representative of each party for the disbursal of funds therefrom (“ Joint Instructions ”). The Deposit shall bear interest at the rate established by Bank. In the event the transaction contemplated hereby is consummated in accordance with the terms hereof, the Deposit plus the earned interest shall be applied to the Cash Purchase Price to be paid by Buyer at the Closing, and Buyer and Seller shall deliver Joint Instructions to the Bank to deliver, and the Bank shall deliver to Seller by wire transfer of immediately available funds in Dollars to an account designated in writing by Seller to the Bank, an amount equal to the Deposit plus interest earned thereon. In the event this Agreement is terminated by Buyer or Seller in accordance with Section 11.1 below, the Deposit shall be returned to Buyer or retained by Seller as provided in Article XI . If the Deposit is paid to Buyer, or if Buyer receives credit for same against the Cash Purchase Price paid at Closing, such payment, or credit, shall be in the amount of the Deposit plus the amount of earned interest. All interest earned on the Deposit Account shall be treated as income of Buyer for all Tax purposes.

 

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(b) At the Closing, (i) Buyer shall deliver to Seller, by wire transfer of immediately available funds in Dollars to an account designated in writing by Seller to Buyer, an amount equal to the Adjusted Cash Purchase Price as calculated in accordance with Section 2.3(a) , (ii) Buyer will deposit stock certificates for the Indemnity Escrowed Shares in an escrow account (the “ Indemnity Escrow Account ”) with the Bank as the source of payment for the indemnification of Buyer Indemnitees pursuant to Article XIII hereof and the terms of a customary escrow agreement (the “ Indemnity Escrow Agreement ”) containing the applicable terms of this Section 2.4(b) and Section 13.8 , which agreement is otherwise consistent with the terms of this Agreement and provides for a release of the Indemnity Escrowed Shares (other than those distributed to Buyer pursuant Section 13.8(b) or subject to outstanding claims) on the date that is twelve (12) months after the Closing Date, (iii) Buyer will cause to be paid to the Persons entitled thereto, all of the Indebtedness of the Company described in clause (i) of the definition of Indebtedness as set forth in the payoff letters delivered by Seller hereto, (iv) Buyer will cause to be paid to the Persons entitled thereto, the Transaction Expenses as set forth in the invoices delivered by Seller pursuant hereto (provided that Transaction Expenses payable to employees and other service providers shall be paid at the time required pursuant to the terms and conditions of the agreements providing for such obligations); and (v) Parent shall deliver the Adjusted Parent Shares as set forth in Section 10.3(b) . Except to the extent otherwise required by Applicable Law, Buyer shall treat any amounts it pays relating to Transaction Expenses pursuant to this Section 2.4(b) as part of the Cash Purchase Price (and any adjustment thereto) for U.S. federal income and any other applicable Tax purposes (and therefore included in the basis of the Properties acquired for such purposes) and will not take any tax deduction for such amounts.

Article III.

Representations and Warranties of Seller

Seller represents and warrants to Buyer as follows:

Section 3.1. Title to Interests .

(a) The Interests are duly authorized, validly issued and fully paid (to the extent required by the Company’s Governing Documents) and non-assessable except as such nonassessibility may be affected by Section 18-607 or Section 18-804 of the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act.

(b) Seller is the record and beneficial owner of, and has good and valid title to, the Interests, and upon consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, Buyer will acquire good and valid title to, the Interests, in each case, free and clear of all Liens, other than (i) those that may arise by virtue of any actions taken by or on behalf of Buyer or its Affiliates, (ii) restrictions on transfer that may be imposed by federal or state securities laws, (iii) restrictions on transfer that are cancelled as of the Closing, (iv) Liens to be released at or prior to Closing, (v) Liens for Taxes not yet due or (vi) any covenants or restrictions set forth in this Agreement or the Governing Documents of the Company.

 

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Section 3.2. Organization and Standing . Seller is a limited liability company, duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware and has full limited liability company power and authority to own, lease and otherwise hold its assets and to carry on its business as now being conducted.

Section 3.3. Power and Authority . Seller has full limited liability company power and authority to execute, deliver, and perform this Agreement and each other Transaction Document to which it is a party, and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby. The execution, delivery and performance by Seller of this Agreement and each other Transaction Document executed or to be executed by Seller, and the consummation by it of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, have been duly authorized by all limited liability company action of Seller and no other proceedings or approvals on the part of Seller or its owners under their respective Governing Documents are necessary to authorize this Agreement and each other Transaction Document executed or to be executed by Seller, or to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby.

Section 3.4. Valid and Binding Agreement . This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by Seller and constitutes, and each other Transaction Document has been, or when executed will be, duly executed and delivered by Seller and constitutes, or when executed and delivered will constitute, a valid and legally binding obligation of Seller, enforceable against Seller in accordance with their respective terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium or other similar laws affecting or relating to the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and the application of general principles of equity (regardless of whether that enforceability is considered in a proceeding at law or in equity).

Section 3.5. Non-Contravention . Except as provided under the Credit Facility (which will be terminated at Closing) or as set forth in Section 3.5 of the Disclosure Schedules, neither the execution, delivery and performance by Seller of this Agreement and each other Transaction Document to which Seller is a party, nor the consummation by Seller of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby do or will (i) conflict with or result in a violation of any provision of Seller’s Governing Documents, (ii) conflict with or result in a violation of any provision of, or constitute (with or without the giving of notice or the passage of time or both) a default under, or give rise (with or without the giving of notice or the passage of time or both) to any right of termination, cancellation, or acceleration under, any bond, debenture, note, mortgage or indenture, in each case, to which Seller or any of the Interests may be bound, (iii) result in the creation or imposition of any Lien, other than Permitted Encumbrances, on the Interests, or (iv) result, in any material respect, in a violation of any Applicable Law binding upon Seller.

Section 3.6. Approvals . Except in connection with the HSR Act or as required under the Credit Facility (which will be terminated at Closing), no consent, approval, order or authorization of, or declaration, filing or registration with, any Governmental Entity or of any other Person is required to be obtained or made by Seller in connection with the execution, delivery, compliance, or performance by Seller of this Agreement or any other Transaction Document to which Seller is a party or the consummation by Seller of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby.

 

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Section 3.7. Pending Litigation . Except as set forth in Section 3.7 of the Disclosure Schedule, there are no Proceedings pending or, to Seller’s Knowledge, threatened, in which Seller is or may be a party adversely affecting the execution and delivery of this Agreement or any Transaction Document by Seller or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby by Seller.

Section 3.8. Accredited Investor; Investment Intent . Seller is an accredited investor as defined in Regulation D under the Securities Act. Seller is acquiring the Parent Shares for its own account for investment and not with a view to, or for sale or other disposition in connection with, any distribution of all or any part thereof, except in compliance with applicable federal and state securities laws.

Section 3.9. Brokers . Seller has not incurred any liability, contingent or otherwise, for brokers’ or finders’ fees in respect of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement for which Buyer or any Buyer Party will have any responsibility whatsoever.

Article IV.

Representations and Warranties of Seller regarding the Company

Seller represents and warrants to Buyer as follows with respect to the Company:

Section 4.1. Organization and Standing . The Company is a limited liability company duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware and has full limited liability company power and authority to own and operate its assets, including the Properties, and to carry on its business as now being conducted. The Company is duly qualified or licensed to do business and in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the nature of its business or the ownership or leasing of its properties makes such qualification or licensing necessary. No Proceedings to dissolve or liquidate the Company are pending or, to Seller’s Knowledge, threatened.

Section 4.2. Governing Documents . The Company has made available to Buyer accurate and complete copies of the Governing Documents of the Company. Such Governing Documents accurately reflect the equity ownership of the Company.

Section 4.3. Capital Structure . No membership interests or other equity of the Company are subject to, nor have any been issued in violation of, preemptive rights, rights of first refusal or similar rights. Seller is the sole member of the Company, and the Interests constitute all of the issued and outstanding membership interests and equity of the Company. Except for the Interests, there are outstanding or in existence (i) no membership interests or other equity or debt securities of the Company, (ii) no securities of the Company convertible into or exchangeable for membership interests or other voting securities of the Company, (iii) no options, warrants, calls, subscriptions or other rights to acquire from such Company, and no obligation of the Company to issue or sell, any membership interests or other voting securities of the Company or any securities of the Company convertible into or exchangeable for such membership interests or voting securities, (iv) no equity equivalents, interests in the ownership

 

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or earnings, or other similar rights of or with respect to the Company and (v) other than the Company’s Governing Documents, no voting trust, proxy or other agreement or understanding with respect to the voting of any of the Interests attributable to the Company. There are no outstanding obligations of the Company to repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any of the foregoing shares, securities, options, equity equivalents, interests or rights. The Interests are not certificated.

Section 4.4. Power and Authority . The Company has full limited liability company power and authority to execute, deliver and perform this Agreement and each other Transaction Document to which it is a party and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby. The execution, delivery, and performance by the Company of this Agreement and each other Transaction Document to which it is a party, and the consummation by it of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, have been duly authorized by all necessary limited liability company action of the Company and no other proceedings or approvals on the part of the Company or its owners under their respective Governing Documents are necessary to authorize this Agreement and each other Transaction Document executed or to be executed by the Company, or to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby.

Section 4.5. Valid and Binding Agreement . This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the Company and constitutes, and each other Transaction Document to which it is a party has been, or when executed will be, duly executed and delivered by the Company, and constitutes, or when executed and delivered will constitute, a valid and legally binding obligation of the Company, enforceable against it in accordance with their respective terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium or other similar laws affecting or relating to the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and the application of general principles of equity (regardless of whether that enforceability is considered in a proceeding at law or in equity).

Section 4.6. Non-Contravention . Except as provided under the Credit Facility (which will be terminated at Closing) or as set forth in Section 4.6 of the Disclosure Schedule or consents customarily obtained following Closing and assuming the receipt of all consents required to be set forth on Section 4.22 of the Disclosure Schedule for any consents, neither the execution, delivery, and performance by the Company of this Agreement and each other Transaction Document to which it is a party, nor the consummation by it of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby do or will (i) conflict with or result in a violation of any provision of the Company’s Governing Documents, (ii) conflict with or result in a violation of any provision of, or constitute (with or without the giving of notice or the passage of time or both) a default under, or give rise (with or without the giving of notice or the passage of time or both) to any right of termination, cancellation, or acceleration under, any bond, debenture, note, mortgage, indenture or any Material Contract in each case, to which the Company is a party or by which the Company or its properties may be bound, (iii) result in the creation or imposition of any Lien, other than Permitted Encumbrances, on any of the Company’s properties or other assets, or (iv) result, in any material respect, in a violation of any Applicable Law binding upon the Company or its assets or properties.

Section 4.7. Approvals . To Seller’s Knowledge, no material consent, waiver, notice, approval, order, or authorization of, or declaration, filing, or registration with, any Governmental

 

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Entity or of any other Person is required to be obtained or made by the Company in connection with the execution, delivery, or performance by the Company of this Agreement, each other Transaction Document to which it is a party or the consummation by them of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, other than (i) Consents set forth on Section 4.22 of the Disclosure Schedule , (ii) compliance with, and filings under, the HSR Act, (iii) consents customarily obtained following Closing and (iv) consents, approvals, authorizations, filings and notifications, the failure of which to obtain any such consent, approval, authorization or action, or to make any such filing or notification, would not reasonably be expected to prevent or materially delay the consummation by Company of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

Section 4.8. Subsidiaries . The Company does not own, directly or indirectly, any capital stock of, or other equity interest in, any corporation or have any direct or indirect equity or ownership interest in any other Person. The Company has no joint venture or other similar interests in any Person or obligations, whether contingent or otherwise, to consummate any material additional investment in any Person.

Section 4.9. Intentionally Omitted .

Section 4.10. Financial Statements . Set forth on Section 4.10 of the Disclosure Schedule are: (i) the audited consolidated balance sheets and statements of income, cash flow and members’ equity of the Company as of and for the years ended December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, together with all related notes and accompanied by reports thereon of Deloitte LLP, the Company’s independent auditors (the “ Audited Financial Statements ”), and (ii) the unaudited balance sheet of the Company as of June 30, 2016 and the related statements of income and cash flows of the Company for the six month period then ended, together with all related notes and schedules thereto (the “ Interim Financial Statements ”). The Audited Financial Statements have been prepared from the books and records of the Company in accordance with GAAP applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods covered thereby (except for the footnotes related thereto). The Interim Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with GAAP (except that such unaudited financial statements do not contain all footnotes required under GAAP and are subject to normal year-end adjustments (which will not be material individually or in the aggregate) and include assets of other subsidiaries of the Company). Each of the Interim Financial Statements and the Audited Financial Statements presents fairly in all material respects the consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows of the Company as of the dates thereof and for the periods covered thereby, in each case except as disclosed in the Interim Financial Statements or the Audited Financial Statements (or in the notes thereto). Since June 30, 2016, the Company has not effected any change in any method of accounting or accounting practice, except for any such change required because of a concurrent change in GAAP and set forth in Section 4.10 of the Disclosure Schedule. The Company has no liabilities of a type required to be reflected on a balance sheet prepared in accordance with GAAP, except for liabilities (a) adequately provided for, reflected or reserved on the balance sheet of the Company, dated June 30, 2016, (b) that have arisen after June 30, 2016 in the ordinary course of business, (c) that constitute Indebtedness that will be paid off at the Closing, (d) for Transaction Expenses, or (e) that have not had, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect with respect to the Company.

 

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Section 4.11. Pending Proceedings . Except as set forth in Section 4.11 of the Disclosure Schedule, there are no Proceedings pending or, to Seller’s Knowledge, threatened in writing, against or affecting the Company or any of the Properties. There are no Proceedings pending or, to Seller’s Knowledge, threatened, in which the Company is or may be a party affecting the execution and delivery of this Agreement or any Transaction Document by the Company or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby by the Company. The Company is not subject to or otherwise bound by any material and unsatisfied judgment, order, consent order, injunction, decree or writ of or with any Governmental Entity, other than any Permitted Encumbrances.

Section 4.12. Compliance with Laws . Except as set forth in Section 4.12 of the Disclosure Schedule, to Seller’s Knowledge, the Properties and the Company, with respect to the Properties, have been during the Company’s period of ownership of the Properties, and are currently in material compliance with all Applicable Laws. The Company has not received any written notice from any Governmental Entity or any other Person that the Properties or the Company are in material violation of, or have materially violated, any Applicable Laws. To Seller’s Knowledge, the Company, or, where Properties are not operated by the Company, the operator of the Properties, possesses all material Permits necessary for it to own, lease or operate (if applicable) the Properties and to carry on its business as now conducted, all such Permits are in full force and effect and there has occurred no material default under any such Permit. Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement by Seller or the Company, nor the consummation by Seller or the Company of the transactions contemplated hereby, will result in a material violation or material breach of, or constitute a default (or give rise to a right of termination or cancellation) of any material Permit. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Section 4.12 does not relate to Taxes, which are the subject of Section 4.13 , or Applicable Environmental Laws, which are the subject of Section 4.27 .

Section 4.13. Taxes .

(a) The Company has filed all Tax Returns that it was required to file, and all such Tax Returns were correct and complete in all material respects.

(b) All Taxes owed by the Company (whether or not shown or required to be shown on any Tax Return) have been paid. There are no Liens on any of the assets of the Company that arose in connection with any failure (or alleged failure) to pay any Tax.

(c) The Company has withheld and paid all material Taxes required to have been withheld and paid in connection with any amounts paid to any employee, independent contractor, creditor, stockholder, or other third party, and all Forms W-2 and 1099 required with respect thereto have been properly completed and timely filed.

(d) There are no claims or disputes concerning any Tax liability of the Company pending or, to the Company’s Knowledge, threatened. No adjustment to Tax has been proposed in writing (and none is pending) by any Governmental Entity in connection with any Tax Returns filed by the Company. No waiver of any statute of limitations with respect to, or any extension of a period for the assessment of, any Tax affecting or which may be expected to affect the Company or the Properties in any

 

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manner which is materially adverse is currently in force. No written claim has been made by any Governmental Entity in a jurisdiction where the Company does not file Tax Returns that the Company is or may be subject to taxation by that jurisdiction and no such claim has been threatened in writing and received by the Company.

(e) The Company is and has always been treated as either an entity disregarded as separate from its owner or a partnership for U.S. federal income Tax purposes and has never elected to be treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income Tax purposes.

(f) None of the Properties is subject to any tax partnership as defined in Section 761 of the Code.

(g) The Company is not a party to any Tax allocation or sharing agreement. The Company (i) has not been a member of an any affiliated group within the meaning of Section 1504(a) of the Code filing a consolidated federal income Tax Return or any similar group defined under a similar provision of state, local, or non-U.S. law (other than of a group the common parent of which is Seller or the Company) and (ii) has no liability for the Taxes of any Person (other than its former subsidiaries and Seller) under Treasury Regulations Section 1.1502-6 (or any similar provision of state, local, or non-U.S. law), as a transferee or successor, by contract, or otherwise.

(h) The Company is not or has never been a party to any “listed transaction,” as defined in Section 6707A(c)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code and Treasury Regulations Section 1.6011-4(b)(2).

Section 4.14. Contracts . To Seller’s Knowledge, all Material Contracts are included on Section 4.14 of the Disclosure Schedule. Except as set forth in Section 4.14 of the Disclosure Schedule, to Seller’s Knowledge: (i) each Material Contract, assuming due execution and delivery by the other counterparties thereto, constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company and, to Seller’s Knowledge as of the Execution Date, the other counterparties thereto, in each case in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium and similar Applicable Laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and to general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforceability is considered in a proceeding at law or in equity) and (ii) the Company has not received any written notice of the Company’s default or breach of any Material Contract, the resolution of which is currently outstanding.

Section 4.15. Employment and Benefit Plan Matters .

(a) Neither Seller, the Company, nor their respective ERISA Affiliates have ever sponsored, maintained, contributed to or had any liability or obligation to contribute to (i) any “pension plan” within the meaning of Section 3(2) of ERISA that is subject to Section 412 of the Code or Title IV of ERISA, (ii) any “multiemployer plan” within the meaning of Section 3(37) or 4001(a)(3) of ERISA, (iii) any “multiple employer plan” within the meaning of Section 413 of the Code or Section 4063 or 4064 of ERISA, (iv) any “multiple employer welfare arrangement” within the meaning of Section 3(40) of

 

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ERISA, or (v) any “welfare plan” within the meaning of Section 3(1) of ERISA which provides medical, health or other welfare-type benefits to any former employee, director or independent contractor of Seller, the Company, or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates other than in accordance with Part 6 of Subtitle B of Title I of ERISA, Section 4980B of the Code, or any similar state or local laws. Silver Hill Midstream, LLC and Sopris Minerals, LLC are not participating employers and do not sponsor or contribute to any Benefit Plan or other compensation plan, policy, agreement or arrangement of any kind that is maintained by the Company.

(b) There is no pending or, to Seller’s Knowledge, threatened Proceeding relating to a Benefit Plan (other than routine claims for benefits), and no Benefit Plan has within the three years prior to the date hereof been the subject of an examination or audit by a Governmental Entity or the subject of an application or filing under, or is a participant in, an amnesty, voluntary compliance, self-correction or similar program sponsored by any Governmental Entity.

(c) Except as set forth in Section 4.15 of the Disclosure Schedules:

(i) No labor associations, organizations, or unions have been certified to represent any employee of the Company, and no collective bargaining agreement or other labor union contract has been requested by any employee or group of employees of the Company, and no discussions or negotiations with respect to any such agreement or contract have occurred.

(ii) There are no unfair labor practice complaints pending or, to the Knowledge of Seller, threatened against the Company before the National Labor Relations Board or any other Governmental Entity or any current union representation questions or certification petitions involving employees of the Company. There is no labor strike, slowdown, stoppage, picketing, interruption of work or lockout pending or, to the knowledge of Seller, threatened against or affecting the Company.

(iii) The Company is in material compliance with all Applicable Laws relating to employment and employment practices, equal employment opportunity, non-discrimination, non-harassment, non-retaliation, terms and conditions of employment, labor relations, wages, hours of work and overtime.

(iv) No employee of the Company is a party to any employment or consulting agreement or contract that cannot be terminated at will by, and at no expense to, the Company.

(v) The Company has timely paid or properly accrued for in the Interim Financial Statements, and will timely pay and accrue for through the Closing Date, all wages, salaries, commissions, bonuses, severance pay, benefits and other compensation or remuneration owed to its current and former employees for or on account of employment.

(vi) The Company will not owe any severance payment, stay-on or incentive payment, change-in-control payment, vacation or other paid leave payment, or similar payment or obligation for or on account of employees whose employment is terminated by the Company before the Closing in accordance with this Agreement.

(d) In connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the SHEP II MIPSA, no payments of money or property, acceleration of benefits, or provisions of other rights have or will be made under this Agreement, under the SHEP II MIPSA, under any agreement, plan or other program contemplated in this Agreement or the SHEP II MIPSA, or under any other employee benefit or compensation plan, program, policy, agreement or arrangement of any kind which, in the aggregate, would result in imposition of the sanctions imposed under Sections 280G and 4999 of the Code, whether or not some other subsequent action or event would be required to cause such payment, acceleration or provision to be triggered.

 

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Section 4.16. Wells . Except as set forth in Section 4.16 of the Disclosure Schedule, to Seller’s Knowledge as of the Execution Date:

(a) all Wells have been drilled and completed within the limits permitted by all applicable Leases related to such Leases;

(b) other than wells that have been plugged and abandoned in accordance with all Applicable Laws, there are no dry holes, or shut in or otherwise inactive wells drilled by the Company that are located on lands burdened by the Leases or on lands pooled or unitized therewith that the Company is currently obligated or liable to plug and abandon; and

(c) there are no Wells in respect of which Seller or the Company has received a written notice, claim, demand or order from any Governmental Entity notifying, claiming, demanding or requiring that such Well(s) be temporarily or permanently plugged and abandoned, and which Wells have not been temporarily or permanently plugged and abandoned.

Section 4.17. Imbalances . To Seller’s Knowledge, as of the date or dates reflected thereon, there are no material Imbalances existing with respect to the Properties.

Section 4.18. Non-Consent Elections . Other than as identified on Section 4.18 of the Disclosure Schedule, from ninety (90) days prior to the Execution Date through the Execution Date, neither the Company nor Seller has elected or been deemed to have elected to “non-consent”, or failed to participate in, the drilling or reworking of a well, any seismic program or any other operation which would cause Seller or the Company to lose or forfeit any interests in the wells constituting part of the Properties under any applicable operating agreement.

Section 4.19. Outstanding Capital Commitments . Except as set forth in Section 4.19 of the Disclosure Schedule, as of the Execution Date there are no outstanding authorizations for expenditure or similar request or invoice for funding or participation under any Contract which are binding on the Company or the Properties and which Seller reasonably anticipates will

 

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require expenditures by the owner of the Properties attributable to periods on or after the Effective Date in excess of One Million Dollars ($1,000,000) (net to the Company’s Working Interests).

Section 4.20. Intellectual Property . To Seller’s Knowledge, the Company or its Affiliates either own or have valid licenses or other rights to use all patents, copyrights, trademarks, software, databases, engineering data, maps, interpretations and other technical information used in their businesses as presently conducted, subject to the limitations contained in the agreements governing the use of the same.

Section 4.21. Equipment . To Seller’s Knowledge, the Equipment has been maintained in a state of repair so as to be reasonably adequate, in all material respects, for normal operations consistent with the Company’s past practices.

Section 4.22. Consents to Change of Control . To Seller’s Knowledge, Section 4.22 of the Disclosure Schedule is a complete and accurate list of the Properties and related agreements that require any third-party consents to any change of control of the Company (“ Consents ”) or preferential rights to purchase in order for the Company to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

Section 4.23. Bankruptcy . There are no bankruptcy, reorganization, receivership, or arrangement proceedings pending, being contemplated by or, to Seller’s Knowledge, threatened against the Company.

Section 4.24. Insurance Section 4.24 of the Disclosure Schedule lists all insurance policies (by policy number, insurer, annual premium, premium payment dates, expiration date and type of coverage) held by or on behalf of the Company as of the Execution Date, relating to the business and operations of the Company, copies of which have been provided to Buyer (collectively, the “ Insurance Policies ”). As of the Execution Date, all premiums due through the Execution Date have been paid for the Insurance Policies. To Seller’s Knowledge, the Insurance Policies are in full force and effect, enforceable and valid and binding. No written notice of cancellation or termination has been received by the Company with respect to any Insurance Policy. Since January 1, 2016, the Company has not received any written notice, or any other written communication, regarding any refusal of any coverage or rejection of any pending claim under any Insurance Policy. To Seller’s Knowledge, there are no claims under such Insurance Policies that are reasonably likely to exhaust the applicable limit of liability. To Seller’s Knowledge, the Company has reported in a timely manner all reportable events to its insurers.

Section 4.25. Brokers . The Company has not incurred any liability, contingent or otherwise, for brokers’ or finders’ fees in respect of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement for which Buyer or any Buyer Party will have any responsibility whatsoever.

Section 4.26. Permits . The Company and Seller have all material licenses, orders, franchises, registrations and permits of all Governmental Entities required to permit the operation of the Properties as presently operated (the “ Required Permits ”) and each is in full force and effect. To Seller’s Knowledge, there are no outstanding violations of any of the Required Permits. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Section 4.26 shall not relate to Required Permits related to Applicable Environmental Laws, which is the subject of Section 4.27 .

 

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Section 4.27. Environmental Matters . Except as set forth in Section 4.27 of the Disclosure Schedules:

(a) as of the Execution Date, neither Seller nor the Company has received written notice that the Company or the Properties are not in compliance with any Applicable Environmental Laws, and neither the Company nor Seller has received any unwritten notice of any pending or, to Seller’s Knowledge, threatened written demands or claims which would require the Company, under Applicable Environmental Law, to conduct any investigation, remediation or corrective action or which would subject the Company to material liability;

(b) to Seller’s Knowledge, there are no material uncured violations of any Applicable Environmental Laws with respect to the Company or to the Properties; and

(c) with respect to the Properties, the Company has not entered into, and, to Seller’s Knowledge, the Company is not subject to, any written agreements, consents, orders, decrees or judgments, of any Governmental Entity or other binding agreement pursuant to or based on Applicable Environmental Laws that require Seller to perform any remediation of any of the Properties, that require Seller or the Company to perform any investigation, remediation, or corrective actions regarding any of the Properties or that materially restrict Seller’s ability to develop and operate the Properties (other than orders or agreements of general applicability regarding plugging, abandonment and restoration of oil and gas equipment and facilities).

Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, this Section 4.27 is the sole and exclusive representation or warranty of Seller regarding Applicable Environmental Laws.

Section 4.28. No Other Agreement to Sell . Except (a) with respect to the transactions contemplated herein, or (b) as otherwise required pursuant to the terms of any Lease or Material Contract or securities laws, Seller and/or the Company does not have any legal obligation, absolute or contingent, to any other Person with respect to the sale, encumbrance or other transfer of any of the Property (other than sales of Hydrocarbons in the ordinary course of business) or the Interests or any other equity securities of Seller, the Company or their respective Affiliates or to enter into any agreement with respect thereto.

Section 4.29. S pecial Warranty . Subject to the Permitted Encumbrances and as of the Closing Date, the Company has Defensible Title to its right, title and interest in and to the Oil and Gas Properties solely as to the lawful claims of any Person (other than the Buyer Parties or their respective Affiliates) claiming by, through or under the Company, Seller or any of Seller’s Affiliates, but not otherwise.

Section 4.30. Royalties . Except for Suspended Funds and as set forth in Section 4.30   of the Disclosure Schedules, with respect to Wells operated by the Company and, to Seller’s Knowledge, with respect to the Wells operated by third parties, all oil and gas production proceeds payable by the Company, Seller or any of Seller’s Affiliates, to others from the Wells have been disbursed in all material respects in accordance with all of the terms and conditions of the applicable Leases, other Contracts and Applicable Law.

 

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Article V.

Disclaimer and Disclosure Schedule

Section 5.1. Disclaimer . EXCEPT FOR THE SPECIFIC REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES MADE BY SELLER IN ARTICLE III AND ARTICLE IV OF THIS AGREEMENT, THE DOCUMENTS DELIVERED BY SELLER AT CLOSING, OR SELLER’S CERTIFICATE, THE BUYER PARTIES HEREBY REPRESENT, WARRANT AND AGREE THAT NEITHER THE COMPANY OR SELLER, NOR ANY OF THEIR AGENTS IS MAKING, SELLER DISCLAIMS AND THE BUYER PARTIES ARE NOT RELYING UPON ANY STATEMENT, REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY, EXPRESS, STATUTORY, OR IMPLIED, AT LAW OR IN EQUITY, IN RESPECT OF (I) THE COMPANY, (II) TITLE OF THE COMPANY IN AND TO THE PROPERTIES, (III) THE CONDITION OF THE PROPERTIES, (IV) ANY IMPLIED OR EXPRESS WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OF THE PROPERTIES, ANY IMPLIED OR EXPRESS WARRANTY OF THE FITNESS OF THE PROPERTIES FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, (V) ANY IMPLIED OR EXPRESS WARRANTY OF CONFORMITY TO MODELS OR SAMPLES OF MATERIALS, (VI) ANY AND ALL OTHER IMPLIED WARRANTIES EXISTING UNDER APPLICABLE LAW NOW OR HEREAFTER IN EFFECT, OR (VII) ANY IMPLIED OR EXPRESS WARRANTY REGARDING COMPLIANCE WITH ANY APPLICABLE ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS, THE RELEASE OF MATERIALS INTO THE ENVIRONMENT, OR PROTECTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT OR HEALTH. NOTWITHSTANDING THE FOREGOING, NOTHING CONTAINED IN THIS SECTION 5.1 WILL LIMIT, RESTRICT OR OTHERWISE AFFECT BUYER’S RIGHT TO RAISE ENVIRONMENTAL DEFECTS UNDER SECTION 8.7 OR SELLER’S INDEMNIFICATION OBLIGATIONS UNDER SECTION 13.2 WITH RESPECT TO THE SPECIFIC REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES MADE BY SELLER IN ARTICLE III AND ARTICLE IV OF THIS AGREEMENT. EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY SET FORTH IN ARTICLE III AND ARTICLE IV OF THIS AGREEMENT, THE DOCUMENTS DELIVERED BY SELLER AT CLOSING, OR SELLER’S CERTIFICATE, IN PURCHASING THE INTERESTS BUYER ACCEPTS THE PROPERTIES “AS IS,” “WHERE IS,” AND “WITH ALL FAULTS” AND IN THEIR PRESENT CONDITION AND STATE OF REPAIR, SUBJECT ONLY TO THE SPECIFIC REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES SET FORTH IN ARTICLE III AND ARTICLE IV OF THIS AGREEMENT, EACH AS FURTHER LIMITED BY THE SPECIFICALLY BARGAINED FOR LIMITATIONS ON REMEDIES SET FORTH IN THIS AGREEMENT. WITHOUT LIMITING THE GENERALITY OF THE FOREGOING, EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY SET FORTH IN ARTICLE III AND ARTICLE IV OF THIS AGREEMENT, THE DOCUMENTS DELIVERED BY SELLER AT CLOSING, OR SELLER’S CERTIFICATE, NEITHER SELLER, THE COMPANY NOR THEIR AGENTS MAKES ANY REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY AS TO, SELLER DISCLAIMS, AND THE BUYER PARTIES ARE NOT RELYING UPON (A) THE PHYSICAL, OPERATING, REGULATORY COMPLIANCE, SAFETY, OR ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITION OF THE PROPERTIES, (B) THE CONDITION OF THE PROPERTIES OR ANY VALUE THEREOF, OR (C) THE ACCURACY, COMPLETENESS, OR MATERIALITY OF ANY DATA, INFORMATION, OR RECORDS FURNISHED OR MADE AVAILABLE TO THE BUYER

 

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PARTIES IN CONNECTION WITH THEIR REVIEW OF THE COMPANY OR THE PROPERTIES OR OTHERWISE IN CONNECTION WITH THE CONSUMMATION OF THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT, AND THE BUYER PARTIES SPECIFICALLY REPRESENT AND WARRANT THAT THEY ARE NOT RELYING UPON OR HAVE NOT RELIED UPON ANY SUCH REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF SELLER, THE COMPANY OR THEIR AGENTS EXCEPT FOR THE SPECIFIC REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES MADE BY SELLER IN ARTICLE III AND ARTICLE IV OF THIS AGREEMENT. THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION 5.1 , TOGETHER WITH THE LIMITED REMEDIES SET FORTH IN PROVIDED HEREIN, WERE SPECIFICALLY BARGAINED FOR BETWEEN PARENT, BUYER, THE COMPANY AND SELLER AND WERE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT BY PARENT, BUYER, THE COMPANY AND SELLER IN ARRIVING AT THE PURCHASE PRICE. THE BUYER PARTIES ACKNOWLEDGE AND AGREE TO THE FOREGOING AND AGREE, REPRESENT AND WARRANT THAT THE FOREGOING DISCLAIMER IS “CONSPICUOUS” AND THE RESULT OF ARM’S-LENGTH NEGOTIATION, THAT THE BUYER PARTIES ARE SOPHISTICATED AND KNOWLEDGEABLE ABOUT BUSINESS MATTERS AND WERE REPRESENTED BY COUNSEL, THAT THIS DISCLAIMER IS NOT BOILERPLATE AND THAT THIS DISCLAIMER IS TO BE A CLEAR, UNEQUIVOCAL AND EFFECTIVE DISCLAIMER OF RELIANCE UNDER TEXAS LAW.

Section 5.2. Updated Annexes, Disclosure Schedules and Exhibits . Each Party to this Agreement and its counsel has received a complete set of Annexes, Disclosure Schedules and Exhibits prior to and as of the execution of this Agreement. Seller is permitted to update the Annexes, Disclosure Schedules and Exhibits before Closing and shall deliver any updated Annexes, Disclosure Schedules and Exhibits to Buyer prior to Closing, solely to the extent that such updates are necessary to reflect actions or matters that were either expressly permitted under the terms of this Agreement or which Buyer has approved or consented to in writing as a change to the terms of the Agreement, in which case such updates shall be incorporated in this Agreement by reference and constitute a part of this Agreement. Seller shall have the right to update or modify Disclosure Schedules without the prior written consent of Buyer, solely to reflect matters that either occurred after the Execution Date or were not Known by Seller on or prior to the Execution Date, provided such updates shall not be deemed to amend or become a change to this Agreement, and such updates may be the basis for claim by Buyer that the conditions set forth in Section 9.1(a) and Section 9.1(b) have not been satisfied and/or may be asserted as an Environmental Defect or Title Defect or indemnification claim under Article XIII .

Article VI.

Representations and Warranties of Buyer Parties

Buyer Parties jointly and severally represent to Seller, as of the Execution Date and as of the Closing Date, as follows:

Section 6.1. Organization and Standing . Buyer is a Delaware limited liability company duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware and has full limited liability company power and authority to carry on its business as now being conducted. Parent is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware and has full corporate power and authority to

 

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carry on its business as now being conducted. Each Buyer Party is duly qualified or licensed to do business and in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the nature of its business or the ownership or leasing of its properties makes such qualification or licensing necessary, except in such jurisdictions where the failure to be so duly qualified or licensed and in good standing would not prevent or materially delay the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

Section 6.2. Power and Authority . Each Buyer Party has all requisite power and authority to execute, and deliver this Agreement and each other agreement, instrument, or document executed or to be executed by it in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby to which it is a party to perform and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby. The execution, delivery, and performance by Buyer Parties of this Agreement and each other agreement, instrument, or document executed or to be executed by them in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby to which it is a party, and the consummation by it of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, have been duly authorized by all necessary action of Buyer Parties.

Section 6.3. Valid and Binding Agreement . This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by each Buyer Party and constitutes, and each other Transaction Document to which it is a party has been, or when executed will be, duly executed and delivered by such Buyer Party, and constitutes, or when executed and delivered will constitute, a valid and legally binding obligation of such Buyer Party, enforceable against such Buyer Party in accordance with its respective terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium or other similar laws affecting or relating to the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and the application of general principles of equity (regardless of whether that enforceability is considered in a proceeding at law or in equity).

Section 6.4. Non-Contravention . Neither the execution, delivery, and performance by a Buyer Party of this Agreement and each other Transaction Document to which it is a party, nor the consummation by it of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby do or will (i) conflict with or result in a violation of any provision of such Buyer Party’s Governing Documents, (ii) conflict with or result in a violation of any provision of, or constitute (with or without the giving of notice or the passage of time or both) a default under, or give rise (with or without the giving of notice or the passage of time or both) to any right of termination, cancellation, or acceleration under, any bond, debenture, note, mortgage or indenture to which such Buyer Party is a party or by which such Buyer Party or its properties may be bound, (iii) result in the creation or imposition of any Lien, other than Permitted Encumbrances, on any of such Buyer Party’s properties or other assets, or (iv) result, in any material respect, in a violation of any Applicable Law binding upon such Buyer Party.

Section 6.5. Approvals . Except in connection with the HSR Act, filings that have been made, or will be made, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the New York Stock Exchange in order to cause the Parent Shares to be listed thereon, and filings pursuant to applicable federal and state securities laws, no consent, approval, order, or authorization of, or declaration, filing, or registration with any Governmental Entity or of any third party is required to be obtained or made by a Buyer Party in connection with the execution, delivery, or performance by a Buyer Party of this Agreement, each other agreement, instrument, or document

 

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executed or to be executed by a Buyer Party in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby to which it is a party or the consummation by it of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby.

Section 6.6. Proceedings . There are no Proceedings pending or, to Buyer’s Knowledge, threatened, in which a Buyer Party is or may be a party affecting the execution and delivery of this Agreement or any Transaction Document by a Buyer Party or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby.

Section 6.7. Financing . Buyer Parties will have, within ten (10) days after the Execution Date, binding commitments, related to one or more Financings or cash on hand or availability under their credit facilities that ensure they will have at Closing, and Buyer Parties will have at Closing, all amounts required to be paid by them under this Agreement and in connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby. No approval or authorization of any stockholder of Parent is required in connection with any financing arrangements to be made by the Buyer Parties or their Affiliates in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

Section 6.8. Investment Experience . Each Buyer Party acknowledges that it can bear the economic risk of its investment in the Interests, and has such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters that it is capable of evaluating the merits and risks of an investment in the Interests.

Section 6.9. Restricted Securities . Each Buyer Party acknowledges that the Interests have not been registered under applicable federal and state securities laws and that the Interests may not be sold, transferred, offered for sale, pledged, hypothecated or otherwise disposed of unless such transfer, sale, assignment, pledge, hypothecation or other disposition is registered under applicable federal and state securities laws or pursuant to an exemption from registration under any federal or state securities laws.

Section 6.10. Accredited Investor; Investment Intent . Each Buyer Party is an accredited investor as defined in Regulation D under the Securities Act. Buyer is acquiring the Interests for its own account for investment and not with a view to, or for sale or other disposition in connection with, any distribution of all or any part thereof, except in compliance with applicable federal and state securities laws.

Section 6.11. Independent Evaluation . Each Buyer Party is an experienced and knowledgeable investor in the crude oil and natural gas exploration, development, production and marketing business. Each Buyer Party has had access to the Properties, the officers, consultants and other representatives of the Company, and the books, records, and files of the Company relating to the Properties. As of the Closing, (i) each Buyer Party has conducted, to its satisfaction, its own independent investigation of the condition, operation and business of the Company, and each Buyer Party has been provided access to and an opportunity to review any and all information respecting the Company and the Properties requested by such Buyer Party in order for such Buyer Party to make its own determination to proceed with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; (ii) each Buyer Party has solely relied on (x) the basis of its own independent due diligence investigation of the Properties, and (y) the limited representations

 

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and warranties made by Seller in Article III and Article IV , respectively; and (iii) each Buyer Party has been advised by and has relied solely on its own expertise and legal, land, tax, engineering, and other professional counsel concerning this transaction, the Properties, and the value thereof.

Section 6.12. Issuance of Parent Shares . The issuance of the Parent Shares pursuant to this Agreement has been duly authorized and upon consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, the Parent Shares will have been validly issued, fully paid, non-assessable and issued without application of preemptive rights, will have the rights, preferences and privileges specified in Parent’s Governing Documents, and will be free and clear of all Liens and restrictions, other than the restrictions imposed by this Agreement and applicable securities laws.

Section 6.13. Capitalization . As of September 30, 2016, the authorized capital stock of Parent consisted solely of (a) 300,000,000 shares of Parent Common Stock, of which 101,644,294 shares were issued and outstanding, and (b) no shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share, no shares of which were issued and outstanding. No other class of capital stock of Parent is authorized, issued, reserved for issuance or outstanding. All outstanding shares of capital stock of Parent are duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable. Except as disclosed in the Parent SEC Reports, there are no (i) securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for shares of Parent capital stock, (ii) subscriptions, options, warrants, calls, rights, convertible securities or other contracts, agreements or commitments of any kind or character obligating Parent to issue, transfer or sell any of its capital stock, (iii) any equity equivalents or any agreements, arrangements or understandings granting any person any rights in Parent similar to capital stock. There are no outstanding obligations of Parent to repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any Parent capital stock. All securities of Parent have been issued in compliance with all applicable state and federal securities laws. Parent has, and at Closing will have, sufficient authorized shares of Parent Common Stock to enable it to issue the Adjusted Parent Shares and Indemnity Escrowed Shares at Closing.

Section 6.14. SEC Reports ; Financial Statements .

(a) Parent has filed and made available to Seller via EDGAR all forms, reports and other documents publicly filed by Parent with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, since January 1, 2015. All such forms, reports and other documents, including any audited or unaudited financial statements and any notes thereto or schedules included therein (including those that Parent may file after the Execution Date and prior to the Closing Date) are referred to herein as the “ Parent SEC Reports .” The Parent SEC Reports (a) were filed on a timely basis, (b) comply in all material respects with the applicable requirements of the Securities Act, the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder and (c) did not, at the time they were filed, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. As of their respective dates, the financial statements included in the Parent SEC Reports (x) comply in all material respects with applicable accounting requirements and with the published rules and

 

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regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission with respect thereto, (y) were prepared in accordance with GAAP (except as may be indicated in the notes thereto or, in the case of unaudited statements, as permitted by Form 10-Q promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission), and (z) fairly present (subject in the case of unaudited statements to normal, recurring and year-end audit adjustments) in all material respects the consolidated financial position and status of the business of Parent as of the dates thereof and the consolidated results of its operations and cash flows for the periods then ended.

(b) There are no liabilities of Parent or any of its subsidiaries of a type required to be reflected on a balance sheet prepared in accordance with GAAP, except for liabilities (i) adequately provided for on the balance sheet of Parent dated as of June 30, 2016 (including the notes thereto) contained in Parent’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2016; (ii) that have arisen after June 30, 2016, in the ordinary course of business; (iii) for fees and expenses incurred in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Transaction Documents; or (iv) which have not had, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect with respect to Parent.

Section 6.15. No Registration . Assuming the accuracy of the representations and warranties of Seller contained in this Agreement, the sale and issuance of the Parent Shares to Seller pursuant to this Agreement is exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act, and neither any Buyer Party nor any authorized agent acting on its behalf has taken or will take any action hereafter that would cause the loss of such exemptions.

Section 6.16. Investment Company . Neither Buyer nor Parent is (a) an investment company or a company controlled by an investment company within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, or (b) subject in any respect to the provisions of that act.

Section 6.17. NYSE Listing . The Parent Common Stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange, and Parent has not received any notice of delisting. Subject to the receipt of the New York Stock Exchange listing approval with respect to the Parent Shares, the issuance and sale of the Parent Shares does not contravene the New York Stock Exchange rules and regulations.

Section 6.18. Form S-3 Eligibility . As of the Execution Date, Parent is (a) eligible to register the resale of the Parent Shares for resale by Seller under Form S-3 promulgated under the Securities Act and (b) a “well-known seasoned issuer” as defined in Rule 405 promulgated under the Securities Act.

Section 6.19. Anti-Takeover . Parent does not have in effect any stockholder rights plan or similar device or arrangement, commonly or colloquially known as a “poison pill” or “anti-takeover” plan, any similar plan, device or arrangement, and the board of directors of Parent has not adopted or authorized the adoption of such a plan, device or arrangement.

 

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Section 6.20. Controls and Procedures . Parent has implemented and maintains disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) of the Exchange Act) designed to give reasonable assurance that information relating to Parent, including its subsidiaries, required to be disclosed in the Parent SEC Reports is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified by the Securities and Exchange Commission and is communicated to Parent’s chief executive officer and chief financial officer.

Section 6.21. Registration Rights . As of the date hereof, except as set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement of Parent dated as of January 23, 2014, by and among Parent and the signatories thereto, no Person has the right, contractual or otherwise, to cause Parent to register under the Securities Act any shares of Parent Common Stock or any other Parent capital stock, or to include any such shares in any registration statement of Parent.

Section 6.22. Brokers . Buyer has not incurred any liability, contingent or otherwise, for brokers’ or finders’ fees in respect of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement for which Seller or the Company will have any responsibility whatsoever.

Article VII.

Certain Covenants

Section 7.1. Access . Insofar as related to the Properties, from and after the Execution Date and through the Closing Date, the Company will give Buyer and Buyer’s authorized representatives reasonable access to Lease files, abstracts and title opinions, division order files, production records, Well files, and other similar files and records which directly relate to the Properties (the “ Property Records ”) at the Company’s offices during normal business hours, to the extent in the Company’s or Seller’s possession, custody or control. The Company’s obligation to provide access as set forth in the immediately preceding sentence shall only apply to the extent that the Company has authority to grant such access without breaching any restriction binding on the Company, and without (i) violating Applicable Laws, (ii) waiving any legal privilege of the Company, any of its Affiliates or its counselors, attorneys, accountants or consultants or (iii) violating any obligations to any third party. Furthermore, the Company shall give Buyer, or Buyer’s authorized representatives, at all reasonable times before the Closing Date and upon adequate notice to the Company, physical access to the Properties operated by Seller or its Affiliates for the purpose of inspecting same, and shall use its Reasonable Efforts to cause the operators of any Oil and Gas Properties which are not operated by Seller or its Affiliates (“ Third-Party Operators ”) to grant physical access to such Oil and Gas Properties for purposes of inspecting same. Buyer agrees to comply fully with the rules, regulations and instructions issued by the Company, its Affiliates or the Third-Party Operators regarding the actions of Buyer while upon, entering or leaving the Properties. Buyer shall have reasonable access to the Properties to conduct, or cause to be conducted, an investigation of the Properties in order to determine whether any Environmental Defects exist, which shall be limited to performing an inspection and assessment of the physical and environmental condition of the Properties and an evaluation of their compliance with Applicable Environmental Laws (a “ Phase I Environmental Site Assessment ”) with respect to all or any portion of the Properties; provided however , that Buyer’s right of access, inspection and assessment shall not entitle Buyer to operate equipment or conduct testing or sampling of any kind. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that Buyer conducts a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment, and any written

 

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report prepared by a Third Party environmental consultant in connection with the Site Assessment recommends a Phase II Environmental Site Assessment (as defined in the applicable ASTM International Standards) based on specific surface conditions identified during the Phase I Environmental Assessment with respect to a specific Property or Properties, Buyer may submit a written request to Seller that Buyer be allowed to conduct a Phase II Environmental Site Assessment on such Property or Properties (any Phase I or Phase II Environmental Site Assessment individually a “ Site Assessment ”). Seller shall have the right to grant or deny such a request for a Phase II Environmental Site Assessment described in the preceding sentence at Seller’s sole discretion, but if Seller denies such a request, Buyer shall have the right, but not the obligation, to exclude from this transaction the Property or Properties for which the Phase II Environmental Site Assessment was recommended by providing Seller a written notice to such effect at any time during the Examination Period, and at Closing, the Allocated Value of all such Properties for which Seller denied the request for a Phase II Environmental Site Assessment, if so excluded pursuant to this Section 7.1, shall be deducted from the Parent Shares to be issued at Closing by Buyer to Seller. If Closing does not occur, upon the written request of Seller or Company, Buyer shall furnish, free of costs, to Company or Seller with a copy of any written report prepared by or for Buyer related to any Site Assessment of the Properties as soon as reasonably practical after Buyer’s receipt of such request. All environmental reports prepared by or for Buyer shall be maintained in strict confidence and for use solely in connection with the evaluation of the Properties. Except for the obligations to provide reports to the Company or Seller as set forth in the preceding sentence, if Closing does not occur, (1) Buyer shall promptly return to the Company or destroy all copies of the records, reports, summaries, evaluations, due diligence memos and derivative materials related thereto in the possession or control of Buyer or any of Buyer’s representatives and (2) such reports shall not be disclosed to any other party. The obligations set forth in the two immediately preceding sentences shall survive the termination of this Agreement.

Section 7.2. Exculpation and Indemnification . If Buyer exercises rights of access under this Article VII or otherwise, or conducts examinations or inspections under this Section or otherwise, then (a) such access, examination and inspection shall be at Buyer’s sole risk, cost and expense and Buyer waives and releases all claims against Seller, its Affiliates, other working interest owners in the Properties, Third-Party Operators, and the respective members, managers, directors, employees, officers, attorneys, contractors and agents of all of the foregoing Persons (collectively the “ Inspection Indemnitees ”) arising in any way therefrom or in any way related thereto or arising in connection with the conduct of the Inspection Indemnitees and (b) Buyer shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Inspection Indemnitees from any and all claims, actions, causes of action liabilities, losses, damages, fines, penalties, costs or expenses (including, without limitation, court costs, consultants’ and attorneys’ fees) of any kind or character (collectively, “ Damages ”), or Liens for labor or materials, arising out of or in any way connected with, Buyer or its representatives’, access to the Properties or the Company Records, or any examination or inspection, of the Properties or the Company Records.  THE FOREGOING RELEASE AND INDEMNIFICATION SHALL APPLY WHETHER OR NOT SUCH CLAIMS, ACTIONS, CAUSES OF ACTION, LIABILITIES, DAMAGES, LOSSES, COSTS OR EXPENSES ARISE OUT OF (i) NEGLIGENCE (INCLUDING SOLE NEGLIGENCE, SIMPLE NEGLIGENCE, CONCURRENT NEGLIGENCE, ACTIVE OR PASSIVE NEGLIGENCE, BUT EXCLUDING THE GROSS NEGLIGENCE OR WILLFUL MISCONDUCT) OF AN INSPECTION INDEMNITEE.

 

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Section 7.3. Assignment of Excluded Properties . Prior to Closing, Seller shall cause the Company to convey the Excluded Properties to Seller or its designee, as appropriate, using the form of assignment attached hereto as Exhibit 7.3 .

Section 7.4. Activities of the Company Pending Closing .

(a) Between the Execution Date and the Closing, Seller shall cause the Company to:

(i) conduct its business in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice;

(ii) timely pay or cause to be paid (or dispute in good faith) all renewal and extension payments required to renew and extend the Oil and Gas Properties to the extent that the interests comprising such Oil and Gas Properties would otherwise expire prior to Closing;

(iii) keep Buyer reasonably informed, and, except for the operations set forth on Section 7.4(a)(iii) of the Disclosure Schedule, obtain consent of Buyer (which shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned, or delayed), regarding current and proposed operations relating to the Properties reasonably expected to result in expenditures by Company in excess of One Million Dollars ($1,000,000), and consult with Buyer regarding drilling and completion operations on the Properties to the extent that the applicable authorities for expenditure for such operations are in excess of One Million Dollars ($1,000,000), net to the Company’s interest, and are issued after the Execution Date, and except for emergency operations, it being expressly agreed that the Company shall be permitted to conduct and consent to operations relating to the Properties without the consent of Buyer if any such operation is not reasonably expected to result in expenditures by the Company in excess of One Million Dollars ($1,000,000), or if such operation is set forth on Section 7.4(a)(iii) of the Disclosure Schedule;

(iv) maintain insurance coverage on the Properties presently furnished by nonaffiliated third parties in the amounts and of the types presently in force;

(v) maintain the books of account and records relating to the Properties in the ordinary course of business and in accordance with the usual accounting practices of Seller and GAAP;

(vi) assign all its right, title and interest in and to that certain Management Services Agreement dated as of February 25, 2016, and executed by and between SHEP I and SHEP II, to SHEP Holdings; and

(vii) assign all right, title and interest in and to the SHEP II Oil and Gas Permits to SHEP II.

(b) Except as expressly permitted by this Agreement or as required by Applicable Law, between the Execution Date and the Closing Date and without the prior written consent of Parent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld), the Company shall not:

(i) Except as disclosed in Section 4.16 of the Disclosure Schedule, abandon any Oil and Gas Property (except the abandonment of Leases after the expiration of their primary terms, or which are subject to rights of reassignment or release, except with regard to application of any non-consent penalties, and except with regard to wells, pipelines or facilities that are required to be immediately abandoned or decommissioned under Applicable Law);

 

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(ii) terminate, cancel, or materially amend or modify any Lease, unless such Lease has expired by its terms and such Lease requires the Company to execute a release of such Lease;

(iii) voluntarily waive or release any material right with respect to any Oil and Gas Property or relinquish the Company’s position as operator of any Oil and Gas Property;

(iv) amend the applicable Governing Documents of the Company;

(v) issue, sell or deliver (whether through the issuance or granting of options, warrants, commitments, subscriptions, rights to purchase or otherwise) any membership interests of any class or any other securities or equity equivalents in the Company;

(vi) (1) declare, set aside, or pay any dividend or other distribution (whether in cash, stock, or property or any combination thereof) in respect of the Interests except for any declaration, set aside or dividend that is related to the Excluded Properties; (2) repurchase, redeem, or otherwise acquire any of the Interests; (3) split, combine, subdivide or reclassify any of the Interests; or (4) amend (including by reducing an exercise price or extending a term) or waive any of its rights under, or accelerate the vesting under, any provision of any Company incentive plan; or (5) adopt a plan of complete or partial liquidation or resolutions providing for or authorizing a liquidation, dissolution, merger, consolidation, conversion, restructuring, recapitalization, or other reorganization or winding up of the Company;

(vii) incur or assume any Indebtedness or guarantee any Indebtedness (or enter into a “keep well” or similar agreement) or issue or sell any debt securities or options, warrants, calls or other rights to acquire any debt securities of the Company;

(viii) acquire, sell, lease, transfer, license, mortgage, encumber, abandon, or otherwise dispose of, directly or indirectly, or subject to any Lien (including pursuant to a sale-leaseback transaction or an asset securitization transaction) any of its properties or assets, except for (A) sales and dispositions of Hydrocarbons in the ordinary course of business, (B) sales and dispositions of equipment and materials that are surplus, obsolete or replaced and (C) sales and dispositions of Excluded Property;

 

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(ix) form any subsidiary, acquire (by merger, consolidation, or acquisition of equity interests or assets or otherwise) any Person or any equity interests, assets or properties of any Person;

(x) make any investment (by contribution to capital, property transfers, purchase of securities or otherwise) in, or loan or advance (other than travel and similar advances to its employees in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice) to, any Person;

(xi) pay, discharge, settle or satisfy any claims, liabilities, or obligations in excess of Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000), other than the payment, discharge, or satisfaction in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice or the failure of which would result in breach of any Contract, or in accordance with their terms, the payment of any amounts in respect of terminating the Credit Facility and payment of any amounts required to early terminate, unwind or otherwise liquidate any hedging agreements entered into between Seller and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.;

(xii) enter into any lease, contract, agreement, commitment, arrangement, right-of-way, easement, option, or transaction outside the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice that, if executed, would constitute a Material Contract;

(xiii) (1) amend, modify, or change in any material respect any Material Contract, (2) enter into any Contract which would constitute a Material Contract that would be breached by, or require the consent of any third party in order to continue in full force following, consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, or (3) release any Person from, or modify or waive any provision of, any confidentiality, standstill or similar agreement; (4) enter into any Contract with an Affiliate except as set forth in Section 4.19 of the Disclosure Schedule.

(xiv) change any of the accounting principles or practices used by the Company, except for any change required by reason of a concurrent change in GAAP and notice of which is given in writing by the Company to Buyer;

(xv) make or change any material election concerning Taxes, file any amended Tax Return, enter into any material closing agreement with respect to Taxes, settle any material Tax claim or assessment, surrender any right to claim a material refund of Taxes or obtain any Tax ruling;

(xvi) enter into any new line of business or make any material change in the business policies of the Company or its subsidiaries;

(xvii) commence any material Proceedings, or settle or compromise any material Proceedings other than those that provide for a complete release of the Company from all claims subject to such dispute and do not provide for any admission of liability by the Company; and

(xviii) agree, in writing or otherwise, to take any of the foregoing actions.

 

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Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 7.4 , (i) Seller or the Company may take, in the sole discretion of Seller or the Company, any actions to cure or attempt to cure any Defects so long as Seller bears all costs, expenses and liability incurred with respect to such cure or attempted cure of any such Defects and (ii) in the event of an emergency or risk of loss, damage or injury to any person, property or the environment, Seller or the Company may take such action as reasonably necessary and shall notify Buyer of such action promptly thereafter. Further, Buyer acknowledges that the Company owns undivided interests in certain of the Properties with respect to which it is not the operator, and Buyer agrees that the acts or omissions of the other working interest owners (including any Third-Party Operators) who are not the Company shall not constitute a breach of the provisions of this Section 7.4 , and no action required pursuant to a vote of working interest owners shall constitute a breach of the provisions of this Section 7.4 so long as the Company voted (or Seller caused the Company to vote) its interest in such a manner that complies with the provisions of this Section 7.4 . Requests for approval of any action restricted by this Section 7.4 shall be delivered to the person designated in Section 15.1 to receive notices on behalf of Buyer whom shall have full authority to grant or deny such requests for approval on behalf of Buyer.

Section 7.5. Confidentiality Agreement . The Confidentiality Agreement, except to the extent modified herein, will remain in full force and effect; provided, however , that, subject to the provisions of Section 7.9 , upon Closing, the Confidentiality Agreement shall terminate, and for a period of one-year following the Closing, Seller shall, and shall cause its Affiliates to, not make disclosure to third parties of any confidential or proprietary information relating to the Company or the Properties, except with the prior consent of Buyer or as required by Applicable Law, except to the extent that such information (a) is generally available to and known by the public through no fault of Seller or any of its Affiliates or (b) is lawfully acquired by Seller or any of its Affiliates from and after the Closing from sources which are not known to Seller to be prohibited from disclosing such information by a legal, contractual or fiduciary obligation; provided, further , that nothing shall prohibit Seller or its Affiliates from using their knowledge or mental impressions of such information or their general knowledge of the industry or geographic area in the conduct of their respective businesses following Closing.

Section 7.6. Officer and Director Resignation and Releases . At the Closing, Company shall deliver to Buyer and Seller (a) resignations of the officers of Company in the form and substance attached hereto as Exhibit 7.6(a) , such resignations to be effective immediately upon the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and (b) subject to the provisions of Section 7.7 releases among (i) all officers of the Company, (ii) the Company, and (iii) Seller and its Affiliates (and their respective officers, managers and members), releasing each other party from any and all claims of such Person against the other party, substantially in the form and substance attached hereto as Exhibit 7.6(b) .

Section 7.7. Indemnification of Managers and Officers .

(a) After Closing, neither Buyer nor the Company nor the Company’s members shall amend, repeal or otherwise modify the Governing Documents of the Company or manage the Company in any manner that would affect adversely the rights thereunder of persons who at and any time prior to the Closing Date were members, managers, officers, employees or agents of the Company or which would affect any

 

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elimination from liability of any such Persons. After Closing, Buyer shall, and shall cause the Company to, honor any indemnification arrangements between the Company and any of its members, managers, officers, employees or agents. To the extent not already in existence, member, manager and officer indemnification agreements in the form attached hereto as Exhibit 7.7 will be executed by the Company in favor of each of the Company’s members, managers, officers, employees or agents prior to the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby. In the event any claim or claims are asserted or made pursuant to the indemnification rights set forth in this Section 7.7 , all rights to indemnification in respect of any such claim or claims shall continue until the disposition of any and all such claims. Any determination required to be made with respect to whether a person’s conduct complies with the applicable standard of conduct shall be made by independent legal counsel selected by any such member, manager, officer, employee or other agent and reasonably acceptable to Buyer.

(b) Prior to the Closing, the Company will purchase a six (6) year directors’ and officers’ liability insurance and fiduciary liability insurance (a “ Tail Policy ”) covering the managers and officers of the Company who are currently covered by any existing directors’ and officers’ liability insurance or fiduciary liability insurance policies applicable to the Company and Buyer will take no action which would interfere with the benefit of such Tail Policy during such term.

Section 7.8. Taxes .

(a) Tax Treatment . The Parties agree to treat the purchase and sale of the Interests for federal income Tax purposes as a purchase and sale of all of the assets of the Company, other than the Excluded Properties.

(b) Tax Filings . From the Effective Date through the Closing Date, Seller shall cause the Company to file with the appropriate taxing authorities the applicable Tax Returns for Taxes included in the definition of Property Costs that are required to be filed on or before the Closing Date and pay the Taxes required to be reflected on such Tax Returns as due and owing (provided that to the extent such Taxes relate to the periods from and after the Effective Date, promptly following the Closing Date, Buyer shall pay to Seller any such Taxes, but only to the extent such amounts have not already been accounted for under Section 2.3 or Article XII ). Buyer shall cause the Company to file with the appropriate taxing authorities the applicable Tax Returns for Taxes included in the definition of Property Costs that are required to be filed after the Closing Date and pay the Taxes required to be reflected on such Tax Returns as due and owing; provided, however , to the extent such Taxes relate to the periods prior to the Effective Date, promptly following the filing of such Tax Returns, Seller shall pay to Buyer any such Taxes, but only to the extent such amounts have not already been accounted for under Section 2.3 or Article XII ; and provided , further , that in the event that Seller is required by applicable Tax law to file a Tax Return with respect to such Taxes after the Closing Date which includes all or a portion of a Tax period for which Buyer is responsible for such Taxes, Seller shall file such Tax Return and pay the taxes reflected on such Tax Return and following Seller’s request, Buyer shall promptly pay to Seller all such Taxes allocable to the period or portion thereof beginning on or after the Effective Date (but

 

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only to the extent that such amounts have not already been accounted for under Section 2.3 or Article XII ), whether such Taxes arise out of the filing of an original return or a subsequent audit or assessment of Taxes. Seller shall be entitled to all Tax credits and Tax refunds which relate to any Taxes allocable to any Tax period, or portion thereof, ending before the Effective Date (determined in accordance with Section 7.8(c) ). To the extent that the Company receives any Tax refund or credit with respect to Taxes for which Seller is responsible, Buyer shall cause the Company to immediately pay such amount to Seller to the extent the Base Purchase Price has not been increased pursuant to Section 2.3 or Article XII on account thereof.

(c) Allocation of Taxes . Seller shall be responsible for all Taxes attributable to the ownership or operation of the Company and its assets for any period or portion thereof ending on or before the Closing Date, in the case of income or franchise Taxes, and before the Effective Date in the case of all other Taxes (except to the extent such Taxes are Transfer Taxes or are accounted for under Section 2.3 or Article XII ). Buyer shall be responsible for all Taxes attributable to the ownership or operation of the Company and its assets for any period or portion thereof beginning on or after the Closing Date, in the case of income or franchise Taxes, and on or after the Effective Date in the case of all other Taxes. Ad valorem, property, severance, production and similar Taxes assessed against the Company and its assets with respect to any Current Tax Period, but excluding ad valorem, property, severance production or similar Taxes which are based on quantity of or the value of production of Hydrocarbons, shall be apportioned between Seller and Buyer as of the Effective Date with (i) Seller being obligated to pay a proportionate share of the actual amount of such Taxes for the Current Tax Period determined by multiplying such actual Taxes by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days in the Current Tax Period prior to the Effective Date and the denominator of which is the total number of days in the Current Tax Period and (ii) Buyer being obligated to pay a proportionate share of the actual amount of such Taxes for the Current Tax Period determined by multiplying such actual Taxes by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days (including the Effective Date) in the Current Tax Period on and after the Effective Date and the denominator of which is the total number of days in the Current Tax Period. As described in Article XII , ad valorem, property, severance, production and similar Taxes which are based on quantity of or the value of production of Hydrocarbons shall be apportioned between Seller and Buyer based on the number of units or value of production actually produced, as applicable, before, and at or after, the Effective Date. In the event that Buyer or Seller makes any payment for which the other Party is responsible under this Section 7.8 and such payment has not been taken into account in Section 2.3 or Article XII , such other Party shall reimburse the paying Party promptly but in no event later than ten (10) Days after the presentation of a statement setting forth the amount of reimbursement to which the paying Party is entitled along with such supporting evidence as is reasonably necessary to calculate the amount of the reimbursement.

(d) Transfer Taxes . No Transfer Tax will be collected at Closing from Buyer in connection with any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. If, however, any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement is later deemed to be subject to Transfer Tax, for any reason, Buyer agrees to be solely responsible for, and shall

 

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indemnify and hold Seller harmless, for any and all Transfer Taxes due by virtue of any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and Buyer shall timely remit such Transfer Taxes. Seller and Buyer agree to cooperate with each other in demonstrating that the requirements for exemptions, if any, from such Transfer Taxes have been met.

(e) Allocation of Purchase Price .

(i) No later than thirty (30) days after Closing, Seller shall prepare and deliver to Buyer an allocation of the Base Purchase Price and assumed obligations among the Properties in accordance with Section 1060 of the Code and the Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder (the “ Purchase Price Allocation ”). Buyer shall have twenty (20) days from the receipt of the Purchase Price Allocation or any update thereto to review and comment on the Purchase Price Allocation. Seller and Buyer shall thereafter use commercially reasonable efforts to agree upon the Purchase Price Allocation. The Purchase Price Allocation shall be consistent with the allocation set forth on Annex A , taking into account any adjustments to the Base Purchase Price. Seller shall use commercially reasonable efforts to update the Purchase Price Allocation in a manner consistent with Section 1060 of the Code following any applicable adjustments to the Base Purchase Price pursuant to this Agreement. Seller shall provide Buyer with any such updated Purchase Price Allocation, and Buyer shall have thirty (30) days from the receipt of the Purchase Price Allocation or any update thereto to review and comment on such adjustments to the Purchase Price Allocation, after which Seller and Buyer shall reasonably agree on such adjustments. Seller and Buyer shall report the transactions contemplated hereby on all Tax Returns (including Form 8594 and all other information returns and supplements thereto required to be filed by the parties under Section 1060 of the Code) in a manner consistent with such Purchase Price Allocation.

(ii) If, notwithstanding Section 7.8(e)(i) , Seller and Buyer do not agree on the Purchase Price Allocation or any adjustment thereto, Seller shall promptly engage a firm experienced in such matters and reasonably acceptable to Buyer, to conduct an appraisal and determine the fair market value of the Properties consistent with the allocation set forth on Annex A taking into account any adjustments to the Base Purchase Price. The cost of such appraisal shall be borne one-half by Seller and one-half by Buyer. Seller and Buyer agree to allocate the Purchase Price among the Properties and report the transactions contemplated hereby on all Tax Returns (including Form 8594 and all other information returns and supplements thereto required to be filed by the parties under Section 1060 of the Code) in a manner consistent with the values of the Properties as so appraised.

(iii) Neither Seller nor Buyer shall take, or shall permit any of their respective Affiliates to take, any position inconsistent with the allocation under Section 7.8(e) on any Tax Return or otherwise, unless required to do so by Applicable Laws or a “determination,” within the meaning of Section 1313(a)(1) of the Code.

 

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(f) Cooperation . The Parties shall cooperate fully, as and to the extent reasonably requested by any other Party, in connection with the filing of any Tax Return of or relating to the Company and any audit, litigation or other proceeding with respect to Taxes of or relating to the Company. Such cooperation shall include the retention and (upon any other Party’s request) the provision of records and information which are reasonably relevant to any such audit, litigation or other proceeding and making employees available on a mutually convenient basis to provide additional information and explanation of any material provided hereunder. Each Party agrees (i) to retain all books and records with respect to Tax matters pertinent to the Company relating to any taxable period beginning before the Closing Date until the expiration of the statute of limitations (and, to the extent notified by a Party, any extensions thereof) of the respective taxable periods, and to abide by all record retention agreements entered into with any taxing authority, and (ii) to give any other Party reasonable written notice prior to transferring, destroying or discarding any such books and records and, if the other Party so requests, each Party shall allow the other Party the option of taking possession of such books and records prior to their disposal. The Parties further agree, upon request, to use their commercially reasonable efforts to obtain any certificate or other document from any taxing authority or any other Person as may be necessary to mitigate, reduce or eliminate any Tax that could be imposed with respect to the transactions contemplated.

(g) Notification of Audit . Until the Closing Date, Seller shall promptly notify Buyer in writing upon receipt by Seller of notice of any pending or threatened Tax audits or assessments relating to the income, properties or operations of Seller that reasonably may be expected to relate to or give rise to a Lien on the assets of the Company that would not be released at Closing. Each Party shall promptly notify the other Parties in writing upon receipt of notice of any pending or threatened Tax audit or assessment challenging the Purchase Price Allocation. No Party shall settle any tax audit or tax litigation involving Taxes of or relating to the Company that affects the Tax liability of any other Party without such other Party’s approval, which may not be unreasonably withheld.

(h) Characterization of Certain Payments . Any payments made to any party pursuant to this Section 7.8 shall constitute an adjustment of the Base Purchase Price for Tax purposes and shall be treated as such by each Party on their Tax Returns to the extent permitted by law.

Section 7.9. Press Releases . Unless consultation is prohibited by Applicable Law, Buyer and Seller shall consult with each other before issuing any press release or otherwise making any public statement with respect to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby and shall not issue any such press release or make any such public statement prior to such consultation (but no approval thereof shall be required in any event).

Section 7.10. Books and Records .

(a) As soon as reasonably practicable after the Closing Date, Seller shall deliver or cause to be delivered to Buyer Parties any Company Records that are in its possession or under its control, subject to Section 7.10(b) .

(b) Seller may retain the originals of those Company Records relating to Tax and accounting matters and provide Buyer with copies of such Company Records. Seller may retain copies of any other Company Records.

 

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Section 7.11. Name Change and Logo . Promptly after the Closing Date, Buyer shall make the filings required in the Company’s jurisdiction of organization to eliminate the name “Silver Hill” and any variants thereof from the name of the Company. As promptly as practicable, but in any case within ninety (90) days after the Closing Date, Buyer shall (i) make all other filings (including assumed name filings) required to reflect the change of name in all applicable records of Governmental Entities and (ii) eliminate the use of the name “Silver Hill” and variants thereof from the Properties, and, except with respect to such grace period for eliminating existing usage, shall have no right to use any logos, trademarks or trade names belonging to any Seller or any of its Affiliates. Buyer shall be solely responsible for any direct or indirect costs or expenses resulting from the change in use of name, and any resulting notification or approval requirements.

Section 7.12. HSR Filing . If a filing is required under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended (the “ HSR Act ”), in connection with the transactions contemplated under this Agreement, as promptly as practicable and in any event not later than ten (10) Business Days following the Execution Date, Seller, Parent and Buyer or their ultimate parent entity will file with the Federal Trade Commission and the Department of Justice, as applicable, the required notification and report forms and will as promptly as practicable furnish any supplemental information which may be requested in connection therewith. Seller, Parent and Buyer or their ultimate parent entity will request early termination of the applicable HSR Act waiting period and use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain the termination of such waiting period as promptly as possible. Parent and Buyer will bear its own costs and expenses relating to the compliance with this Section 7.12 . Parent shall pay the filing fees associated with any filings required under the HSR Act.

Section 7.13. Seller Contracts .

(a) The contracts, easements and rights-of-way described on Exhibit 7.13 are held by Seller and are used for ownership, operation, maintenance, repair or replacement of the Oil and Gas Properties (collectively, the “ Seller Contracts ”). Seller agrees to (i) assign Seller Contracts to the Company on or before the Closing, except as provided in subsection (b) below, and (ii) use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain any consents required in connection therewith. Upon such assignment, Seller Contracts shall be deemed to be Properties for the purposes of this Agreement.

(b) If (i) a Seller Contract is subject to a required consent that Seller is unable to obtain after using commercially reasonable efforts, and (ii) there is a provision in such Seller Contract stating that an assignment without such required consent (A) is void or voidable, (B) causes termination of Seller Contract to be assigned, or (C) triggers the payment of specified liquidated damages (unless Buyer agrees to pay such specified liquidated damages), then Seller shall not assign such Seller Contract to the Company. After Closing, Seller shall continue to hold such Seller Contract for the economic benefit of the Company and Buyer, for the duration of the term of such Seller Contract unless

 

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earlier released in writing from such obligation by Buyer, provided that if the required consent to assign such Seller Contract to the Company or Buyer is obtained after Closing, Seller shall promptly thereafter assign such Seller Contract to the Company or Buyer, as applicable. Buyer shall be responsible for, and shall timely pay, any and all costs, expenses and other amounts payable under any such Seller Contracts.

Section 7.14. Intentionally Omitted .

Section 7.15. Additional Listing Application . As promptly as practicable after the date of this Agreement, but in any event after taking into consideration the rules and regulations of the New York Stock Exchange with respect to the timing of the Additional Listing Application (as hereinafter defined) and the supporting documents required to accompany the Additional Listing Application, Parent shall submit to the New York Stock Exchange an additional listing application relating to the Parent Shares (the “ Additional Listing Application ”) and shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to secure the New York Stock Exchange’s approval of the Additional Listing Application, subject to official notice of issuance.

Section 7.16. Parent Share Restriction . During the period beginning on the Closing Date and ending on the one hundred eightieth (180 th ) day after the Closing Date (excluding the Closing Date for purposes of calculating such date) (the “ Lock-Up Period ”), Seller will not lend; offer; pledge; sell; contract to sell; sell any option or contract to purchase; purchase any option or contract to sell; grant any option, right, or warrant to purchase; or otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any Parent Shares acquired pursuant to this Agreement, whether any such transaction is to be settled by delivery of Parent Shares or other securities, in cash, or otherwise. In the interest of clarity, nothing in this Section 7.16 shall restrict Seller from utilizing customary hedging strategies that may involve the pledge of Parent Shares as collateral until such time as the Parent Shares are ultimately disposed on or after expiration of the Lock-Up Period. Nothing in this Section 7.16 shall prohibit or limit the ability of Seller to effect any transfer of Parent Shares as a bona fide gift or gifts or any other similar transfer or distribution that does not involve a sale or other disposition for value so long as the transferee agrees in writing to be bound by all the terms of this Section 7.16 .

Section 7.17. Company Records . Seller shall deliver or cause to be delivered to Buyer all of the Company Records maintained on hardware or servers being retained by Seller hereunder, in each case, in a form that can be loaded on a server in a searchable and manipulative format reasonably acceptable to Buyer as soon as practicable after Closing.

Section 7.18. Financial Statements; Financing .

(a) The Seller and its Affiliates shall use their Reasonable Efforts to, as soon as practicable, provide to the Buyer (i) the audited statements of revenues over direct operating expenses of the Acquired Properties (as such term is defined in the SHEP II MIPSA) for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 of SHEP II, that will be prepared in accordance with GAAP and shall include the required oil and gas disclosures, including estimates of quantities of proved reserves as of, and a reconciliation of proved oil and gas reserves for, each of the fiscal years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, and the standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows as of, and a reconciliation

 

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of the standardized measure of future discounted cash flows for, each of the fiscal years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 and (ii) unaudited statements of revenues less direct operating expenses of the Acquired Properties for the period from January 1, 2016 through February 26, 2016, that will be prepared in accordance with GAAP.

(b) Without limiting the foregoing, the Company acknowledges that, following execution of this Agreement, Parent or Buyer may enter into Financings requiring registration under the Securities Act or the need for other financial information relating to the Company or the Properties (such information, together with the Audited Financial Statements, the “ Required Financial Information ”). Therefore, from and after the date of this Agreement until the Closing (and from time to time after Closing until such date that is one (1) year after the Closing), the Company and the Seller will, and, to the extent appropriate, will cause their respective Affiliates, employees, representatives, agents and accountants to, use commercially reasonable efforts to provide such cooperation and assistance to Buyer, Parent or any Financing Source as Buyer, Parent or any Financing Source may reasonably request in connection with the arrangement or consummation of one or more Financings, including, without limitation, (i) providing cooperation in connection with the Buyer Parties’ preparation of financial statements, reports and filings relating to the transactions contemplated in this Agreement (including any pro forma financial statements of Parent or any of its Affiliates that are derived in part from the Required Financial Information) that Buyer or Parent have determined in good faith are required under Applicable Laws, rules and regulations, including, without limitation, the rules and regulations of the SEC and the New York Stock Exchange, (ii) providing information in connection with Buyer Parties’ preparation of responses to any inquiries by regulatory authorities, including the SEC and the New York Stock Exchange, relating to the foregoing financial statements, reports and filings, (iii) furnishing information to Parent, Buyer and any Financing Source with respect to the Company as may be reasonably requested by Buyer, Parent or such Financing Source in order to arrange, market or consummate any such Financing, (iv) providing customary access to information for any Financing Source to perform its due diligence in connection with any such Financing, and causing senior management of the Company to participate in reasonably scheduled diligence meetings in connection with any such Financing, and (v) providing information with respect to property descriptions of the Oil and Gas Properties necessary to execute and record a deed of trust for any such Financing. Without limiting the foregoing, such cooperation and assistance shall include (x) consenting to the inclusion or incorporation by reference of the Required Financial Information in any registration statement, offering memorandum, report or other filing of Parent or any of its Affiliates, (y) providing Parent and its employees, representatives, agents and external accountants, with access to, and the right to copy, relevant books, records, files, and documentation in the possession or under control of the Company or its employees, representatives, agents and accountants (except for those proprietary and confidential tax, engineering and accounting records otherwise excluded from this Agreement), (z) using commercially reasonable efforts to cause (1) its independent accountants to consent to the inclusion or incorporation by reference of its audit opinion with respect to any of the financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries in any such registration statement, report or other filing of Parent or its Affiliates, and (2) representation letters, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to its independent

 

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accountants, to be executed and delivered to its independent accountants in connection with obtaining any such consent from its independent accountants. In so doing, the Company will make appropriate persons available to answer questions as may be reasonably requested by Buyer or Parent. Parent will promptly reimburse all reasonable out of pocket expenses incurred in complying with this Section 7.18 incurred by Seller or its Affiliates or the Company. Buyer Parties shall, jointly and severally, release, indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Company, Seller and their respective Affiliates from and against any Damages suffered or incurred in connection with the cooperation or assistance provided in connection with this Section 7.18 or any claim against the Seller or any of its respective Affiliates by any Financing Source or any Financing Related Party, EVEN IF SUCH DAMAGES ARE CAUSED IN WHOLE OR IN PART BY THE NEGLIGENCE (WHETHER SOLE, JOINT OR CONCURRENT), STRICT LIABILITY OR OTHER LEGAL FAULT OF SELLER OR ITS AFFILIATES (other than Damages that arise from the bad faith, gross negligence or willful misconduct).

(c) The Seller and its Affiliates shall use their Reasonable Efforts to provide to Buyer, prior to the Closing Date, a restatement of the Audited Financial Statements containing footnotes prepared in accordance with GAAP applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods covered thereby (except as otherwise stated in the footnotes).

Section 7.19. No Recourse to Financing Sources . NOTWITHSTANDING ANYTHING HEREIN TO THE CONTRARY, SELLER AGREES THAT NEITHER IT, NOR ANY OF ITS FORMER, CURRENT OR FUTURE OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, MANAGERS, EMPLOYEES, MEMBERS, PARTNERS, AGENTS OR OTHER REPRESENTATIVES AND AFFILIATES (COLLECTIVELY, “SELLER RELATED PARTIES”), SHALL HAVE ANY CLAIM AGAINST ANY FINANCING SOURCE, ANY LENDER PARTICIPATING IN THE FINANCING OR ANY OF THEIR RESPECTIVE FORMER, CURRENT OR FUTURE GENERAL OR LIMITED PARTNERS, STOCKHOLDERS, MANAGERS, MEMBERS, AGENTS, REPRESENTATIVES, AFFILIATES, SUCCESSORS OR ASSIGNS (COLLECTIVELY, “FINANCE RELATED PARTIES”), NOR SHALL ANY FINANCING RELATED PARTY HAVE ANY LIABILITY WHATSOEVER TO ANY SELLER RELATED PARTY, IN CONNECTION WITH THE FINANCING CONTEMPLATED BY SECTION 7.18 OR IN ANY WAY RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OF THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY, WHETHER AT LAW, IN EQUITY, IN CONTRACT, IN TORT OR OTHERWISE, IN EACH CASE, WHETHER ARISING, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, OUT OF COMPARATIVE, CONTRIBUTORY OR SOLE NEGLIGENCE BY ANY FINANCE RELATED PARTY; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT THIS SECTION 7.19 SHALL NOT LIMIT ANY LIABILITY OF BUYER OR BUYER PARTY IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OF THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, each Financing Source and Financing Related Party shall be an express third party beneficiary of, and shall have the right to enforce, this Section 7.19 . Each of the Parties hereto agrees that, Section 17.6 notwithstanding, this provision shall be interpreted, and any action relating to this provision, shall be governed by the laws of the State of New York. This Section 7.19 is intended to benefit and may be enforced by any Financing Source and the Finance Related Parties. In no

 

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event will Seller or any of its Affiliates have any liability of any kind or nature to any Financing Source or any Financing Related Party arising or resulting from any cooperation or assistance provided pursuant to Section 7.18 .

Section 7.20. Exclusivity . Between the Execution Date and the earlier of the Closing Date or the date this Agreement is terminated, Seller and the Company shall not, and shall cause their Affiliates not to, directly or indirectly, encourage, initiate, solicit or engage in any proposal or inquiry from, or discussion or negotiation with, any Person (other than Buyer, Parent and their respective representatives) with respect to the sale of any Interests or the Properties (other than the sale of any Hydrocarbons in the ordinary course of business or sales of equipment and materials that are surplus, obsolete or replaced).

Section 7.21. Employee Matters .

(a) Effective as of immediately before the Closing, the Company shall transfer the employment of its employees to Seller or an Affiliate (other than SHEP II) such that the employees shall not be employed by the Company (or SHEP II) as of the Closing.

(b) At least 10 days before the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the SHEP II MIPSA, Buyer shall notify Seller of which employees of Seller (or an Affiliate, as set forth in Section 7.21(a) ) that Buyer or its Affiliate desires to employ on and after the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the SHEP II MIPSA.

(c) Effective as of immediately before the Closing, the Company will terminate or transfer all Benefit Plans sponsored by the Company.

Article VIII.

Buyer’s Due Diligence Examination

Section 8.1. Due Diligence Examination . From the Execution Date until 5:00 p.m. (local time in Dallas, Texas) on the thirtieth (30th) day thereafter (the “ Examination Period ”), the Company shall afford Buyer and its authorized representatives reasonable access during normal business hours to the Property Records and Properties as provided in Section 7.1 above for the purposes of determining whether Title Defects and/or Environmental Defects (as defined below) exist (“ Buyer’s Review ”); provided, however , that such investigation shall be upon reasonable notice and shall not unreasonably disrupt the personnel and operations of Seller or the Company or impede the efforts of Seller or the Company to comply with their other obligations under this Agreement. The cost and expense of Buyer’s Review, if any, shall be borne solely by Buyer. Buyer shall not contact any of the customers or suppliers of Seller in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, whether in person or by telephone, mail or other means of communication, without the specific prior authorization of Seller, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, Buyer acknowledges and agrees that Buyer’s access to the Company and Seller personnel in accordance with this Section 8.1 is being provided as an accommodation, and shall not alter the applicability of the disclaimer set forth in Section 5.1 .

 

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Section 8.2. Assertion of Title and Environmental Defects . If Buyer discovers any Defects prior to the expiration of the Examination Period, Buyer shall notify Seller of such alleged Defect as soon as possible, but no later than the expiration of the Examination Period. Buyer shall provide, on at least a weekly basis, updates as to any alleged Defects it has discovered during the previous week, provided that such updates may be amended as necessary until the expiration of the Examination Period. To be effective, such notice (“ Defect Notice ”) must (i) be in writing, (ii) be received by Seller prior to the expiration of the Examination Period, (iii) describe the Defect in reasonable detail including the basis therefor, (iv) identify the specific Properties to which such Defect relates, (v) include the Defect Amount as determined by Buyer in good faith, (vi) with respect to any Environmental Defect, reference to the specific section of all Applicable Environmental Laws of which the Company is in breach, violation or non-compliance, and (vii) include Reasonable Documentation supporting Buyer’s assertion of such Defect. Any matters that may otherwise constitute Defects, but of which Seller has not been specifically notified by Buyer in compliance with the foregoing requirements prior to the expiration of the Examination Period, shall be deemed to have been waived by Buyer for all purposes; provided that the foregoing shall not limit Buyer’s right to recover for breach of the representations and warranties set forth in Section 4.29 . It being expressly understood and agreed that, notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary in this Agreement, Buyer’s sole and exclusive rights and remedies with respect to any matter that constitutes a Defect, or any other matter arising in connection with title to, or the environmental condition of or any environmental liability with respect to, the Properties shall be those set forth in this Article VIII EVEN IF SUCH DEFECT, MATTER, CONDITION OR LIABILITY IS CAUSED IN WHOLE OR IN PART BY THE NEGLIGENCE (WHETHER SOLE, JOINT OR CONCURRENT), STRICT LIABILITY OR OTHER LEGAL FAULT OF SELLER OR ITS AFFILIATES , and Buyer shall not be entitled to refuse to close (other than pursuant to Section 9.1(d) ), to indemnification under Article XIII , or any other right or remedy with respect to any Defect or such other title or environmental matter; provided that the foregoing shall not limit Buyer’s right to recover for breach of the representations and warranties set forth in Section 4.29 .

Section 8.3. Title Defect Amount Annex A , as prepared by Buyer and agreed to by Seller, shows the Allocated Value assigned to the Properties. With respect to each Title Defect that is not cured on or before the Closing, the number of Parent Shares to be issued at Closing shall be reduced, subject to this Article VIII , by reference to the Title Defect Amount with respect to such Title Defect Property. The reduction in the number of Parent Shares shall be determined in the aggregate as described in Section 2.3(c) . The Property affected by such uncured Title Defect shall be a “ Title Defect Property .” The “ Title Defect Amount ” resulting from a Title Defect shall be determined in accordance with the following terms and conditions:

(a) if Buyer and Seller agree on the Title Defect Amount, then that amount shall be the Title Defect Amount;

(b) if a Title Defect is a deed of trust, mortgage or pledge that is undisputed and liquidated in amount, then the Title Defect Amount shall be the amount necessary to be paid to remove the Title Defect from the Title Defect Property;

(c) if a Title Defect as to any Well or Lease represents solely a negative discrepancy between (A) the actual Net Revenue Interest for any such Well or Lease and

 

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(B) the “Net Revenue Interest” percentage stated on Exhibit A or Exhibit B for such Well or Lease, then the Defect Amount shall be equal to (1) the product of the Allocated Value of such Well or Lease multiplied by (2) a fraction, the numerator of which is (x) the remainder of (I) the “Net Revenue Interest” percentage stated on Exhibit A or Exhibit B for such Well or Lease minus (II) the actual Net Revenue Interest of such Well or Lease, and the denominator of which is (y) the “Net Revenue Interest” percentage stated on Exhibit A or Exhibit B for such Well or Lease; provided that if the Title Defect does not affect the “Net Revenue Interest” percentage stated on Exhibit A or Exhibit B for such Well or Lease throughout its entire productive life, the Defect Amount determined under this Section 8.3(c) shall be reduced to take into account the applicable time period only;

(d) if a Title Defect solely constitutes a reduction in the number of Net Mineral Acres as to any Lease (or portion thereof), then the Defect Amount for such Title Defect shall be equal to the product of (1) the Net Mineral Acre price therefor multiplied by (2) the remainder of (x) the number of Net Mineral Acres purported to be included in such Undeveloped Lease as set forth on Exhibit   A minus (y) the actual number of Net Mineral Acres included in such Lease after giving effect to such Title Defect;

(e) if the Title Defect represents an obligation, encumbrance, burden or charge upon or other defect in title to the affected Oil and Gas Property of a type not described in Section (a) through (d) above, the Defect Amount shall be determined by taking into account the Allocated Value of the Oil and Gas Property so affected, the portion of the Company’s interest in the Oil and Gas Property affected by the Title Defect, the legal effect of the Title Defect, the potential present value economic effect of the Title Defect over the life of the affected Oil and Gas Property, the values placed upon the Title Defect by the Parties, the estimated capital and operational costs and expenses (or reduction or increases thereof) attributable to the Company’s Working Interest, and such other factors as are necessary to make an evaluation and determination of such value;

(f) the Title Defect Amount with respect to a Title Defect Property shall be determined without duplication of any costs or losses included in another Title Defect Amount hereunder; and

(g) notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the Defect Amounts attributable to Title Defects for an Oil and Gas Property shall not exceed the Allocated Value of the affected Oil and Gas Property (after giving effect to any applicable adjustments due to prior Title Defects).

Section 8.4. Defensible Title . “ Defensible Title ” means, as of the Effective Date, such title and ownership by the Company that, subject to and except for Permitted Encumbrances:

(a) entitles the Company to receive a Net Revenue Interest in any Well (as to all currently producing formations for such Well) or Lease (as to all depths set forth on Exhibit A for such Lease), that is not less than the Net Revenue Interest percentage

 

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shown for such Well or Lease in Exhibit A or Exhibit B , except, in each case of subsections (i) and (ii) of this subsection (a), (A) any decreases in connection with those operations in which the Company may elect after the Execution Date to be a non-consenting co-owner (B) any decreases resulting from reversion of interest to co-owners with respect to operations in which the Company elects, after the Execution Date, not to consent, (C) any decreases resulting from the establishment or amendment, after the Execution Date, of pools or units and (D) any matters as otherwise expressly stated in Exhibit A or Exhibit B ;

(b) obligates the Company, in the aggregate, to bear a Working Interest in any Well (as to all currently producing formations for such Well) or Lease (as to all depths set forth on Exhibit A for such Lease) no greater than the Working Interest shown for such Well or Lease in Exhibit A or Exhibit B with respect to such Well or Lease, except (i) as expressly stated in Exhibit A or Exhibit B , (ii) any increases resulting from contribution requirements with respect to defaulting co-owners under applicable operating agreements or Applicable Law and (iii) increases that are accompanied by at least a proportionate increase in the Company’s Net Revenue Interest;

(c) as to any Lease (or portion thereof), as to all depths set forth on Exhibit A for such Lease, entitles the Company, in the aggregate, to the number of Net Mineral Acres in and to such Lease (or portion thereof) as set forth therefor on Exhibit A ; and

(d) is free and clear of any deed of trust, mortgage or pledge.

Section 8.5. Permitted Encumbrances . “ Permitted Encumbrances ” shall mean (A) Liens for Taxes which are not yet delinquent or which are being contested in good faith by appropriate Proceedings; (B) Liens created under the terms of the Leases, Easements, or Contracts, (C) materialman’s Liens, warehouseman’s Liens, workman’s Liens, carrier’s Liens, mechanic’s Liens, vendor’s Liens, repairman’s Liens, employee’s Liens, contractor’s, operator’s Liens, construction Liens and other similar Liens arising in the ordinary course of business that, in each case, secure amounts or obligations not yet delinquent (including any amounts being withheld as provided by Applicable Law), or if delinquent, being contested in good faith by appropriate actions; (D) required third party consents to assignments and similar agreements unless the failure to obtain such consents would void the transfer or terminate a material right under a Contract, Easement, Lease, or Permit; (E) any consents required in connection with the assignment of Seller Contracts contemplated by Section 7.13 ; (F) all Royalties if the net cumulative effect of such burdens do not, individually or in the aggregate, reduce the Company’s Net Revenue Interest in the applicable Oil and Gas Property below that shown in Exhibit A or B , as applicable; (G) the terms of any Lease, Contract, Easement, unit agreement, pooling agreement, operating agreement, production sales contract, division order and other contract, agreement or instrument applicable to the Properties, including provisions for penalties, suspensions or forfeitures contained therein, to the extent that the terms thereof do not materially detract from the use, operation or ownership of the Properties (as operated as of Effective Date), reduce the Company’s Net Revenue Interest or Net Mineral Acres in the applicable Oil and Gas Property below that shown in Exhibit A or B , as applicable, or increase the Company’s Working Interest in the applicable Oil and Gas Property above that shown in Exhibit A or B , as applicable, without a corresponding increase in Net Revenue Interest; (H) rights of reassignment

 

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arising upon the expiration or final intention to abandon or release any of the Properties; (I) any easement, right of way, surface use agreement, covenant, servitude, permit, surface lease, condition, restriction, and other rights included in or burdening the Properties for the purpose of surface or subsurface operations, roads, alleys, highways, railways, pipelines, transmission lines, transportation lines, distribution lines, power lines, telephone lines, removal of timber, grazing, logging operations, canals, ditches, reservoirs, and other like purposes, or for the joint or common use of real estate, rights of way, facilities and equipment, in each case, to the extent recorded in the applicable Governmental Entity recording office as of the Effective Date or that does not materially detract from the use, operation or ownership of the Properties subject thereto or affected thereby (as operated as of Effective Date); (J) all Applicable Laws and rights reserved to or vested in any Governmental Entities (i) to assess Tax with respect to the Properties, the ownership, use or operation thereof, or revenue, income or capital gains with respect thereto, (ii) by the terms of any right, power, franchise, grant, license or permit, or by any provision of Applicable Law, to terminate such right, power, franchise grant, license or permit or to purchase, condemn, expropriate or recapture or to designate a purchaser of any of the Properties, (iii) to use such property in a manner which does not impair the use of such property for the purposes for which it is currently owned and operated as of the Effective Date or (iv) to enforce any obligations or duties affecting the Properties to any Governmental Entity with respect to any franchise, grant, license or permit; (K) any other Liens, defects, burdens or irregularities which are based solely on (i) a lack of information in the Company’s files or of record or (ii) the inability to locate an unrecorded instrument of which Buyer has constructive or inquiry notice by virtue of a reference to such unrecorded instrument in a recorded instrument (or a reference to a further unrecorded instrument in such unrecorded instrument), if no claim has been made under such unrecorded instruments within the last ten (10) years; (L) any Liens, defects, irregularities or other matters which are expressly waived (or deemed to have waived), cured, assumed, bonded, indemnified for or otherwise discharged at or prior to Closing; (M) calls on production under existing Contracts, provided that the holder of such right must pay an index-based price for any production purchased by virtue of such call on production; (N) Liens created under deeds of trust, mortgages and similar instruments by the lessor under a Lease covering the lessor’s surface and mineral interests in the land covered thereby to the extent such mortgages, deeds of trust or similar instruments (i) do not contain express language that prohibits the lessors from entering into an oil and gas lease and (ii) no mortgagee or lienholder of any such deeds of trust, mortgage and similar instrument has, prior to the end of the Examination Period, initiated foreclosure or similar proceedings against the interest of lessor in such Lease nor has the Company received any written notice of default under any such mortgage, deed of trust or similar instrument; (O) lack of a division order or an operating agreement covering any Property (including portions of a Property that were formerly within a unit but which have been excluded from the unit as a result of a contraction of the unit) or failure to obtain waivers of maintenance of uniform interest, restriction on zone transfer or similar provisions in operating agreements with respect to assignments in the Company’s chain of title to the Property unless there is an outstanding and pending, unresolved claim from a third party with respect to the failure to obtain such waiver; (P) the treatment or classification of any horizontal Well as an allocation well that crosses more than one Lease or leasehold tract, including (i) the failure of such Leases or leasehold tracts as to such Well to be governed by a common pooling or unit agreement, or subject to a production sharing agreement or similar agreement, whether in whole or in part, and (ii) the allocation of Hydrocarbons produced from such well among such Leases or leasehold tracts based upon the

 

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length of the “as drilled” horizontal wellbore open for production, the total length of the horizontal wellbore, or other methodology that is intended to reasonably attribute to each such Lease or leasehold tract its share of such production; and (Q) Liens which (i) do not, individually or in the aggregate, materially detract from the value of the Properties subject thereto or affected thereby or materially interfere with the operation, maintenance, repair, replacement, and/or use of the Properties subject thereto or affected thereby, or (ii) are of a nature that would be reasonably acceptable to prudent owner or operator of crude oil and natural gas assets and facilities of a type similar to the Properties.

Section 8.6. Title and Environmental Defects . “ Title Defect ” shall mean a defect exists that (A) causes Seller to not have Defensible Title to the Oil and Gas Properties and (B) for which a Defect Notice has been timely and otherwise validly delivered. Notwithstanding any other provision in this Agreement to the contrary, the following matters shall not constitute, and shall not be asserted as, a Title Defect: (1) defects or irregularities arising out of lack of corporate or other entity authorization or variation in corporate or entity name; (2) defects or irregularities that have been cured or remedied by the applicable statutes of limitation or statutes for prescription, including adverse possession and the doctrine of laches or which have existed for more than twenty (20) years and no affirmative evidence shows that another Person has asserted a superior claim of title to the Properties; (3) defects or irregularities in the chain of title consisting of the failure to recite marital status in documents or omissions of heirship proceedings; (4) the absence of any lease amendment or consent by any royalty interest or mineral interest holder authorizing the pooling of any leasehold interest, royalty interest or mineral interest, and the failure of Exhibit A to reflect any lease or any unleased mineral interest where the owner thereof was treated as a non-participating co-tenant during the drilling of any wells; (5) any defect arising out of lack of survey or lack of metes and bounds descriptions, unless a survey is expressly required by Applicable Law; (6) any gap in the chain of title unless affirmative evidence shows that there is a superior chain of title as evidenced by an abstract of title, title opinion or landman’s title chain or runsheet; (7) any defect arising from prior oil and gas leases relating to the lands burdened by the Leases that are terminated but are not surrendered or released of record; (8) future adjustments in acreage, Working Interest and Net Revenue Interest as a result of pooling or unitization of the Leases; (9) references in the chain of title to unrecorded agreements, unless affirmative evidence shows that there is a superior chain of title as evidenced by an abstract of title, title opinion or landman’s title chain or runsheet; and (10) Permitted Encumbrances. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Title Defect may be asserted with respect to the Properties listed on Exhibit G , to the extent that any such Title Defect arises from the failure of the Company to hold record title to such Properties in accordance with the provisions of the joint operating agreements set forth on Exhibit G . Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to each Title Defect that is not cured on or before the Closing (other than a Title Defect caused by Seller or the Company), there shall be no adjustment to the number of Parent Shares to be issued at Closing, if the Title Defect Amount does not exceed $150,000 (the “ Title Defect Threshold ”), it being expressly understood that if any single Title Defect Amount exceeds the Title Defect Threshold, the entire amount of such Title Defect Amount shall be included in the calculation of any applicable adjustment to the number of Parent Shares to be issued at Closing pursuant to Section 8.8(a) .

 

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Section 8.7. Environmental Defects .

(a) The term “ Environmental Defect ” means a condition existing on the Effective Date with respect to any of Company’s operations on the Properties that (i) is identified by the Site Assessment conducted by or on behalf of Buyer, and (ii) causes such Property (or Company with respect to such Property) not to be in compliance with Applicable Environmental Laws or to be subject to a remedial or corrective action obligation under Applicable Environmental Laws; provided, however , the following matters shall be excluded from and in no event constitute an “Environmental Defect”: (a) the presence or absence of NORM, (b) plugging and abandonment obligations or liabilities, or (c) the physical condition of any surface or subsurface production equipment (including water or oil tanks, separators or other ancillary equipment) except with respect to equipment (x) that causes or has caused any environmental pollution, contamination or degradation where remediation is presently required (or if known or confirmed, would be presently required) under Applicable Environmental Laws or (y) the use or condition of which is a violation of Applicable Environmental Law. Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to each Environmental Defect that is not cured on or before the Closing, there shall be no adjustment to the Parent Shares to be issued at Closing if the Environmental Defect Amount does not exceed $150,000, it being expressly understood that if any single Environmental Defect Amount exceeds $150,000, the entire amount of such Environmental Defect Amount shall be included in the calculation of any applicable adjustment to the Parent Shares to be issued at Closing pursuant to Section 8.8(a) .

(b) The “ Environmental Defect Amount ” shall mean the reasonable cost to investigate, remediate and take any corrective action in the most cost-effective manner, incorporating the least stringent clean-up standards that, based upon the use classification of the subject Property, are allowed by the applicable Governmental Entity and under Applicable Environmental Law and that do not prevent the continuation of the current use of the Property.

Section 8.8. Base Purchase Price Adjustments for Defects .

(a) If the Company and Buyer are unable to reach an agreement as to whether (i) an Environmental Defect exists or the Environmental Defect Amount attributable to such Environmental Defect or (ii) a Title Defect exists or the Title Defect Amount attributable to such Title Defect, the provisions of Article XVI shall be applicable.

(b) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, if the product of the adjustment to the number of Parent Shares to be issued at Closing, as applied to all Defects for which an adjustment is to be made, multiplied by the Adjustment Per Share Price does not exceed two and one-half percent (2.5%) of the Base Purchase Price, then no adjustment to the number of Parent Shares to be issued at Closing shall occur. If the product of the adjustment to the number of Parent Shares to be issued at Closing which would result from the above provided for procedure as applied to all Defects for which an adjustment is to be made multiplied by the Adjustment Per Share Price exceeds two and one-half percent (2.5%) of the Base Purchase Price, the number of

 

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Parent Shares to be issued at Closing shall be adjusted by the amount by which such adjustment exceeds two and one-half percent (2.5%) of the Base Purchase Price as calculated pursuant to Section 2.3(c)(ii) .

Article IX.

Conditions Precedent to Closing Obligations

Section 9.1. Conditions Precedent to the Obligations of Buyer Parties . The obligations of Buyer Parties to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement are subject to each of the following conditions being met or waived by Buyer Parties:

(a) Each and every representation and warranty of Seller contained in Article III shall be true and accurate in all respects on and as of the Execution Date and as of the Closing Date as if made on and as of such date except (i) as affected by transactions contemplated by this Agreement and (ii) to the extent that any such representation or warranty is made as of a specified date, in which case such representation or warranty shall have been true and correct in all respects as of such specified date; provided, however , that this condition shall be deemed to have been satisfied unless the individual or aggregate impact of all inaccuracies of such representations and warranties, other than Sections 3.1 and 3.3 , which shall be true and correct in all respects, and Section 3.4 which shall be true and correct in all material respects, have had or would be reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect on Seller or the Company (and disregarding any Material Adverse Effect or other materiality qualifier in Article III for purposes of this Section 9.1(a) ).

(b) Each of the representations and warranties of Seller contained in Article IV shall be true and correct in all respects on and as of the Execution Date and as of the Closing Date as if made on and as of such date, except (i) as affected by transactions contemplated by this Agreement, (ii) to the extent that any such representation or warranty is made as of a specified date, in which case such representation or warranty shall have been true and correct in all respects as of such specified date and (iii) to the extent that an adjustment to the number of Parent Shares to be issued at Closing has been made in respect of any inaccuracies or breaches in accordance with Section 8.8 ; provided, however , that this condition shall be deemed to have been satisfied unless the individual or aggregate impact of all inaccuracies of such representations and warranties, other than Sections 4.3 and 4.4 , which shall be true and correct in all respects, and Section 4.5 which shall be true and correct in all material respects, have had or would be reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company (and disregarding any Material Adverse Effect or other materiality qualifier in Article IV for purposes of this Section 9.1(b) ).

(c) Each of Seller and the Company shall have performed and complied in all material respects with (or compliance therewith shall have been waived in writing by Buyer) each and every covenant and agreement required by this Agreement to be performed or complied with by them prior to or at the Closing, except for those failures to perform and comply with Section 7.18 that, individually or in the aggregate, have not had or would not be reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company.

 

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(d) The sum of (i) the reduction in the number of Parent Shares to be issued at Closing required pursuant to Section 2.3(c)(ii) multiplied by the Adjustment Per Share Price plus (ii) the reduction in the number of Parent Shares to be issued at closing of the transactions contemplated by the SHEP II MIPSA pursuant to Section 2.3(c)(ii) of the SHEP II MIPSA ( provided, however , that if the closing of the transactions contemplated by the SHEP II MIPSA has not occurred prior to the Closing, such reduction shall be calculated as if such closing occurred at the Closing and shall disregard any Defect (as defined in the SHEP II MIPSA) for which SHEP II has delivered, in good faith, written notice to Buyer that it intends to cure and is in the process of attempting to cure in good faith), multiplied by the Adjustment Per Share Price does not exceed twenty percent (20%) of the Aggregate Base Purchase Price.

(e) No Proceeding shall, on the date of Closing, be pending before any court or Governmental Entity seeking to restrain or prohibit the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (other than any such Proceeding filed by either Buyer Party or any of its Affiliates).

(f) No order, writ, injunction or decree shall have been entered and be in effect by any court or any Governmental Entity of competent jurisdiction, and no statute, rule, regulation or other requirement shall have been promulgated or enacted and be in effect, that on a temporary or permanent basis restrains, enjoins or invalidates the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.

(g) Buyer Parties shall have received the items described in Section 10.2(b) and Seller shall be ready, willing and able to deliver to Buyer Parties all other agreements, instruments and documents which are required by other terms of this Agreement to be executed or delivered by Seller or the Company or any other Party to Buyer prior to or in connection with the Closing.

(h) The consummation of the transactions contemplated under the terms of this Agreement is not prevented from occurring by (and the required waiting period (or any agreed upon extension of any waiting period), if any, has expired under) the HSR Act and the rules and regulations of the Federal Trade Commission and the Department of Justice.

(i) Subject to Parent’s compliance with Section 7.14 , the Additional Listing Application shall have been approved and the Parent Shares shall have been approved for listing on the New York Stock Exchange

(j) At the Closing, all Liens securing the Credit Facility shall have been released and/or terminated and Seller shall have delivered releases or other evidence of termination of the deeds of trust, mortgages and all other liens under the Credit Facility with respect to the Properties concurrently with the payment of the Adjusted Purchase Price and Seller shall have delivered to Buyer payoff letters from each holder of Indebtedness under the Credit Facility.

 

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(k) The SHEP II MIPSA shall not have terminated in accordance its terms and there is no breach, inaccuracy in or failure to perform any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement of Seller or Company pursuant to the SHEP II MIPSA that would give rise to the failure of any of the conditions specified in Section 9.1 of the SHEP II MIPSA.

(l) From the date of this Agreement, there shall not have occurred and be continuing any Material Adverse Effect of the Company, nor shall any event or events have occurred that, individually or in the aggregate, with or without the lapse of time, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect of the Company.

Section 9.2. Conditions Precedent to the Obligations of Seller . The obligations of Seller to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement are subject to each of the following conditions being met or waived by Seller:

(a) Each and every representation and warranty of Buyer contained in Article VI shall be true and accurate in all respects on and as of the Execution Date and as of the Closing Date as if made on and as of such date, except (i) as affected by transactions contemplated by this Agreement and (ii) to the extent that any such representation or warranty is made as of a specified date, in which case such representation or warranty shall have been true and correct in all respects as of such specified date. provided, however , that this condition shall be deemed to have been satisfied unless the individual or aggregate impact of all inaccuracies of such representations and warranties, other than Section 6.13 , have had or would be reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect on Buyer or Parent (and disregarding any Material Adverse Effect or other materiality qualifier in Article VI for purposes of this Section 9.2(a) ).

(b) Each Buyer Party shall have performed and complied in all material respects with (or compliance therewith shall have been waived in writing by Seller) each and every covenant and agreement required by this Agreement to be performed or complied with by each Buyer Party prior to or at the Closing.

(c) The sum of (i) the reduction in the number of Parent Shares to be issued at Closing required pursuant to Section 2.3(c)(ii) multiplied by the Adjustment Per Share Price plus (ii) the reduction in the number of Parent Shares to be issued at closing of the transactions contemplated by the SHEP II MIPSA pursuant to Section 2.3(c)(ii) of the SHEP II MIPSA ( provided, however , that if the closing of the transactions contemplated by the SHEP II MIPSA has not occurred prior to the Closing, such reduction shall be calculated as if such closing occurred at the Closing and shall disregard any Defect (as defined in the SHEP II MIPSA) for which SHEP II has delivered, in good faith, written notice to Buyer that it intends to cure and is in the process of attempting to cure in good faith), multiplied by the Adjustment Per Share Price does not exceed twenty percent (20%) of the Aggregate Base Purchase Price.

(d) No Proceeding shall, on the date of Closing, be pending before any court or Governmental Entity seeking to restrain or prohibit the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (other than any such Proceeding filed by Seller or any of its Affiliates).

 

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(e) No order, writ, injunction or decree shall have been entered and be in effect by any court or any Governmental Entity of competent jurisdiction, and no statute, rule, regulation or other requirement shall have been promulgated or enacted and be in effect, that on a temporary or permanent basis restrains, enjoins or invalidates the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.

(f) Seller shall have received the items described in Section 10.3(c) and the Buyer Parties shall be ready, willing and able to deliver to Seller and the Company all other agreements, payments, deliveries, stock certificates, instruments and documents which are required by other terms of this Agreement to be executed or delivered by Buyer Parties prior to or in connection with the Closing.

(g) The consummation of the transactions contemplated under the terms of this Agreement is not prevented from occurring by (and the required waiting period (or any agreed upon extension of any waiting period), if any, has expired under) the HSR Act and the rules and regulations of the Federal Trade Commission and the Department of Justice.

(h) The Additional Listing Application shall have been approved and the Parent Shares shall have been approved for listing on the New York Stock Exchange.

(i) The SHEP II MIPSA shall not have terminated in accordance its terms and there is no breach, inaccuracy in or failure to perform any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement of either Buyer Party pursuant to the SHEP II MIPSA that would give rise to the failure of any of the conditions specified in Section 9.2 of the SHEP II MIPSA.

(j) From the date of this Agreement, there shall not have occurred and be continuing any Material Adverse Effect of Parent, nor shall any event or events have occurred that, individually or in the aggregate, with or without the lapse of time, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect of Parent.

Article X.

Closing

Section 10.1. Closing . The closing of the transaction contemplated hereby (the “ Closing ”) shall take place in the offices of Thompson & Knight LLP in Dallas, Texas, at 1722 Routh Street, Suite 1500 at 10:00 a.m. Central Standard Time on Monday, November 28, 2016 (the “ Target Closing Date ”); provided, however , that, if on the Target Closing Date, the conditions set forth in Article IX (excluding conditions that, by their terms, cannot be satisfied until the Closing) are not satisfied or waived, the Closing shall occur on the date that is three (3) Business Days after the date on which all conditions set forth in Article IX shall have been satisfied or waived (excluding conditions that, by their terms, cannot be satisfied until the Closing), or at such other date and time as Buyer and Seller may mutually agree upon (such date and time, as changed pursuant to any such mutual agreement, being herein called the “ Closing Date ”).

 

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Section 10.2. Closing Obligations of Seller and the Company . At the Closing:

(a) Seller shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to Buyer an assignment of the Interests (the “ Assignment ”), in the form attached hereto as Exhibit 10.2(a) .

(b) Seller shall deliver a certificate executed by a duly authorized officer of Seller dated as of the Closing Date, representing and certifying (i) that the conditions described in Section 9.1(a) , Section 9.1(b) and (as to Company only) Section 9.1(c) have been satisfied, (ii) the incumbency of Seller’s officers, and (iii) that true, correct and complete copies of its (A) Governing Documents and (B) resolutions duly authorizing and approving this Agreement and the Transaction Documents, the execution thereof and the consummation of the transactions therein and herein, are attached thereto, are accurate and complete, have not been amended or rescinded and remain in full force and effect as of the Closing Date.

(c) Seller shall provide to Buyer a duly executed certificate of non-foreign status in the form and manner that complies with Section 1445 of the Code and the Treasury Regulations thereunder.

(d) Seller shall provide Buyer with the resignations of each of the officers of Company.

(e) Seller shall provide Buyer with executed mutual releases in the form of Exhibit 7.6(b) .

(f) Seller shall execute and deliver the Joint Instructions.

(g) Seller shall execute and deliver the Registration Rights Agreement in the form set forth as Exhibit H (the “ Registration Rights Agreement ”).

(h) Seller shall deliver final invoices in customary form with respect to each Transaction Expense.

(i) Seller shall deliver evidence regarding unwinding of all hedges of the Company.

(j) Seller shall execute and deliver a copy of the Indemnity Escrow Agreement.

(k) Seller shall deliver a reasonably current certificate of good standing for the Company issued by the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware.

(l) Seller shall deliver evidence to Buyer of all consents required to be set forth on Section 3.5 and Section 4.6 of the Disclosure Schedule.

 

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(m) Seller shall execute and deliver a copy of transition services agreement in the form attached hereto as Exhibit 10.2(m) (the “ Transition Services Agreement ”).

(n) Seller shall deliver a copy of the Stockholder’s Agreement executed by Kayne Anderson Capital Advisors, L.P.

Section 10.3. Closing Obligations of Buyer Parties . At the Closing:

(a) Buyer shall deliver to Seller, by wire transfer of immediately available funds in Dollars to an account designated in writing by Seller to Buyer, an amount equal to the Adjusted Cash Purchase Price as calculated in accordance with Section 2.3(a) ;

(b) Parent shall deliver to Seller a certificate evidencing the Adjusted Parent Shares, free and clear of all liens and restrictions, other than the restrictions imposed by this Agreement and applicable securities laws.

(c) Each Buyer Party shall deliver a certificate executed by a duly authorized officer of such Buyer Party dated as of the Closing Date, representing and certifying (i) that the conditions described in Section 9.2(a) and Section 9.2(b) have been satisfied, (ii) the incumbency of each Buyer Party’s officers, and (iii) that true, correct and complete copies of each of Buyer Party’s (A) Governing Documents and (B) resolutions duly authorizing and approving this Agreement and the Transaction Documents, the execution thereof and the consummation of the transactions therein and herein, are attached thereto, are accurate and complete, have not been amended or rescinded and remain in full force and effect as of the Closing Date.

(d) Buyer shall execute and deliver the Joint Instructions.

(e) Parent shall execute and deliver the Registration Rights Agreement.

(f) Buyer shall execute and deliver a copy of the Indemnity Escrow Agreement, and Parent shall deliver to the Escrow Agent a certificate evidencing the Indemnity Escrowed Shares free and clear of all liens and restrictions, other than the liens or restrictions imposed by this Agreement, the Indemnity Escrow Agreement or applicable securities laws.

(g) Buyer and Parent shall each deliver a current certificate of good standing issued by the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware.

(h) Buyer shall cause the Company to execute and deliver a copy of the Transition Services Agreement.

(i) Parent shall execute and deliver a copy of the Stockholder’s Agreement.

 

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Article XI .

Termination, Amendment and Waiver

Section 11.1. Termination . Subject to Section 11.2 , this Agreement may be terminated and the transactions contemplated hereby abandoned at any time prior to the Closing in the following manner:

(a) by mutual written consent of Seller and Buyer; or

(b) by either Seller or Buyer, if:

(i) the Closing shall not have occurred on or before 5:00 p.m., Dallas time, on December 29, 2016, (the “ Termination Date ”), provided, however , that (A) if the failure to close on or before the Termination Date is due to a failure of the conditions set forth in Section 9.1(h) or Section 9.2(g) then Buyer or Seller may extend the Termination Date by an additional thirty (30) days by providing written notice to the other Party on or before the Termination Date; and (B) a Party shall not be entitled to terminate this Agreement under this Section 11.1(b)(i) if (x) the Closing has failed to occur because such Party is at such time in material breach of any of its representations, warranties or covenants contained in this Agreement or (y) the other Party has filed (and is then pursuing) on action to seek specific performance as permitted by Section 11.2(b) , Section 11.2(c) , or Section 11.2(e) ;

(ii) any of the conditions set forth in Section 9.1(f) or Section 9.2(e) have not been satisfied on or before the Termination Date, except for temporary orders, writs, injunctions or decrees;

(iii) the SHEP II MIPSA is terminated pursuant to its terms; or

(iv) the sum of (i) the reduction in the number of Parent Shares to be issued at Closing required pursuant to Section 2.3(c)(ii) multiplied by the Adjustment Per Share Price plus (ii) the reduction in the number of Parent Shares to be issued at closing of the transactions contemplated by the SHEP II MIPSA pursuant to Section 2.3(c)(ii) of the SHEP II MIPSA ( provided, however , that if the closing of the transactions contemplated by the SHEP II MIPSA has not occurred prior to the Closing, such reduction shall be calculated as if such closing occurred at the Closing and shall disregard any Defect (as defined in the SHEP II MIPSA) for which SHEP II has delivered, in good faith, written notice to Buyer that it intends to cure and is in the process of attempting to cure in good faith), multiplied by the Adjustment Per Share Price exceeds twenty percent (20%) of the Aggregate Base Purchase Price; or

(c) by Buyer if (i) neither of Buyer Parties is then in material breach of any provision of this Agreement or, to the extent the closing of the transactions contemplated by the SHEP II MIPSA has not occurred, neither of the Buyer Parties has materially breached any provision of the SHEP II MIPSA, and (ii) there has been a breach, inaccuracy in or failure to perform any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement made by Seller or the Company pursuant to this Agreement that would give rise to the failure of any of the conditions specified in Section 9.1 and such breach, inaccuracy or

 

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failure is incapable of being cured, or if capable of being cured, has not been cured by Seller or the Company within ten (10) Business Days of Seller’s or the Company’s receipt of written notice of such breach from Buyer; or

(d) by Seller if (i) neither of Seller or the Company is then in material breach of any provision of this Agreement and, to the extent the closing of the transactions contemplated by the SHEP II MIPSA has not occurred, neither of SHEP II Holdings or SHEP II has materially breached any provision of the SHEP II MIPSA, and (ii) there has been a breach, inaccuracy in or failure to perform any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement made by any of Buyer Parties pursuant to this Agreement that would give rise to the failure of any of the conditions specified Section 9.2 and such breach, inaccuracy or failure is incapable of being cured or if capable of being cured, has not been cured by Buyer Parties within ten (10) Business Days of Buyer’s or Parent’s receipt of written notice of such breach from Seller; provided , that for purposes of this Section 11.1(d) , there shall be no ten (10)-Business Day cure period for Buyer’s failure to obtain all funds or approvals on or prior to the Closing Date necessary to deliver the Adjusted Cash Purchase Price and the Adjusted Parent Shares and Indemnity Escrowed Shares in accordance with the terms and conditions hereof (which failure shall constitute a material breach of this Agreement that would give rise to a termination provision under this Section 11.1(d) ).

Section 11.2. Effect of Termination .

(a) In the event of a valid termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 11.1 by Seller, on the one hand, or Buyer, on the other, written notice thereof shall forthwith be given to the other party or parties specifying the provision hereof pursuant to which such termination is made, and this Agreement shall become void and have no effect, except that the agreements contained in this Article XI , in Section 7.1 (Access) to the extent expressly provided, Section 7.2 (Exculpation and Indemnification), Section 7.5 (Confidentiality Agreement), Section 11.3 (Return of Information), Section 13.5 (No Commissions Owed), Section 15.1 (Notices), Section 17.3 (Parties Bear Own Expenses/No Special Damages), Section 17.4 (Entire Agreement), Section 17.5 (Disclosure Schedules), Section 17.6 (Choice of Law, Waiver of Jury Trial), Section 17.7 (Exclusive Venue), Section 17.8 (Time of Essence), Section 17.9 (No Assignment), Section 17.12 (References, Titles and Construction), Section 17.13 (No Third-Person Beneficiaries) and Section 17.14 (Severability), collectively referred to herein as the “ Surviving Provisions ”, shall survive the termination hereof; provided , however , that notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 11.2(a) , no such termination shall relieve any Party from liability for any damages for a Willful and Material Breach of a representation or warranty hereunder or a Willful and Material Breach of any covenant, agreement or obligation hereunder or intentional and knowing fraud that would constitute common law fraud with respect to the representations and warranties hereunder.

(b) In the event that (i) Buyer is entitled to terminate this Agreement under (A) Section 11.1(b)(i) and Seller is in material breach of its representations, warranties or covenants contained in this Agreement, (B) Section 11.1(c) or (C) Section 11.1(b)(iii)

 

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because Buyer has validly terminated the SHEP II MIPSA under Section 11.1(c) of the SHEP II MIPSA and (ii) Buyer has performed or is ready, willing and able to perform all of its agreements and covenants contained herein which are to be performed or observed at Closing, then Buyer, at its sole option, (A) shall be entitled to specific performance of the terms of this Agreement in lieu of termination (plus the recovery from Seller of all costs and expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, incurred by Buyer in enforcing such right of specific performance) or (B) may terminate this Agreement pursuant to Section 11.1(b)(i), Section 11.1(c) or Section 11.1(b)(iii), as applicable, in which case (y) the Parties shall promptly execute and deliver Joint Instructions instructing the Bank to disburse the entirety of the Deposit to Buyer, and (z) Buyer shall be entitled to all actual damages which Buyer is legally entitled at law or equity by virtue of such material breach or failure by Seller, provided that, unless such breach or failure by Seller was a Willful and Material Breach or constituted knowing and intentional fraud hereunder that would constitute common law fraud with respect to the representations and warranties hereunder, Buyer may not recover amounts in excess of an amount equal to five percent (5%) of the Base Purchase Price (it being understood by the Parties that such amount is in addition to, and not in lieu of, the obligation of Seller to instruct the Bank to return the entirety of the Deposit to Buyer as required hereunder).

(c) In the event that (i) Seller is entitled to terminate this Agreement under (A) Section 11.1(b)(i) and either Buyer Party is in material breach of its representations, warranties or covenants contained in this Agreement, (B) Section 11.1(d) or (C) under Section 11.1(b)(iii) because SHEP II Holdings has validly terminated the SHEP II MIPSA under Section 11.1(d) of the SHEP II MIPSA and (ii) Seller has performed, or is ready, willing and able to perform if Buyer Parties would perform the obligations under Section 10.3 , all of its agreements and covenants contained herein which are to be performed or observed at Closing, then Seller, at its sole option, (A) shall be entitled to specific performance of the terms of this Agreement by Buyer and Parent in lieu of termination (plus the recovery from the Buyer Parties of all costs and expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, incurred by Seller in enforcing such right of specific performance) or (B) may terminate this Agreement pursuant to Section 11.1(b)(i) , Section 11.1(d) or Section 11.1(b)(iii) , as applicable, in which case the Parties shall promptly execute and deliver Joint Instructions instructing the Bank to disburse the entirety of the Deposit to Seller as liquidated damages for such termination, unless such breach or failure by Buyer was a Willful and Material Breach or constituted knowing and intentional fraud that would constitute common law fraud with respect to the representations and warranties hereunder, in which case Seller may seek additional damages.

(d) If this Agreement is terminated under Section 11.1 under circumstances other than those described in Section 11.2(b) , Section 11.2(c) or Section 11.2(e) or if Closing does not occur for any reason other than as set forth in Section 11.2(b) , Section 11.2(c) or Section 11.2(e) then the Parties shall promptly execute and deliver Joint Instructions instructing the Bank to disburse the entirety of the Deposit to Buyer, and no Party hereunder shall have any further obligations to the other Party except to the extent provided in those provisions hereof that under Section 11.2(a) expressly survive the termination of this Agreement.

 

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(e) In the event that Seller is entitled to terminate this Agreement under Section 11.1(b)(i) because of the failure of Buyer to close in the instance where, as of the Termination Date, (i) all of the conditions in Section 9.1 (excluding conditions that, by their terms, cannot be satisfied until the Closing) have been satisfied (or waived by Buyer), (ii) Seller is ready, willing and able to perform all its obligations under Section 10.2 if Buyer Parties would perform the obligations under Section 10.3 , and (iv) Buyer nevertheless elects not to or is not able to Close, then, in either such event, Seller, at its option, (A) shall be entitled to specific performance of the terms of this Agreement by Buyer and Parent in lieu of termination (plus the recovery from the Buyer Parties of all costs and expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, incurred by Seller in enforcing such right of specific performance) or (B) may terminate this Agreement pursuant to Section 11.1(b)(i) , in which the Parties shall promptly execute and deliver Joint Instructions instructing the Bank to disburse the entirety of the Deposit to Seller as liquidated damages for such termination.

(f) Seller’s retention of the Deposit under Section 11.2(e) shall constitute liquidated damages hereunder, which remedy shall be the sole and exclusive remedy available to Seller for any breach or failure of any representation, warranty or covenant of any Buyer Party contained in this Agreement (including any Buyer Party’s failure to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement upon satisfaction of the conditions set forth herein). THE PARTIES HEREBY ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THE EXTENT OF DAMAGES TO SELLER OCCASIONED BY THE FAILURE OF THIS TRANSACTION TO BE CONSUMMATED WOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE OR EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO ASCERTAIN AND THAT THE AMOUNT OF THE DEPOSIT IS A FAIR AND REASONABLE ESTIMATE OF SUCH DAMAGES UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A PENALTY.

(g) If either Buyer or Seller elects to seek specific performance pursuant to Section 11.2(b) , Section 11.2(c) or Section 11.2(e) , respectively, the Party electing specific performance (the “ Electing Party ”) must deliver notice in writing to the other Party (the “ Non-Electing Party ”) of the Electing Party’s election to seek specific performance within ten (10) days counted from and after the Termination Date (or, if earlier, the date on which the Electing Party became entitled to seek such remedy under Section 11.2(b) or Section 11.2(c) , as applicable). When the Electing Party elects to seek specific performance pursuant to Section 11.2(b) , Section 11.2(c) or Section 11.2(e) , the Deposit shall be held by the Bank until a non-appealable final judgment or award on the Electing Party’s claim for specific performance is rendered, at which time the Deposit shall be distributed as provided in the judgment or award resolving the specific performance claim. The Non-Electing Party hereby agrees, without any requirement of proof of immediate, irreparable, or actual damages, not to raise any objections to the availability of the equitable remedy of specific performance to specifically enforce the terms and provisions of this Agreement or to enforce compliance with the covenants and agreements of the Electing Party under this Agreement to close the transactions contemplated hereby subject to the terms hereof. The Electing Party shall not be required to provide any bond or other security in connection with seeking an injunction or injunctions to enforce specifically the terms and provisions of this Agreement. Subject to Section 11.2(f) (it being understood to the extent Seller validly

 

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terminates the Agreement in circumstances described in Section 11.2(c) or Section 11.2(e) and is entitled to retain the Deposit, Seller shall not also be entitled to seek specific performance, as Seller’s retention of the Deposit would be the sole and exclusive remedy available to Seller), the Parties agree that (i) by seeking the remedies provided for in this Section 11.2(g) , including by the institution of a court proceeding, the Electing Party shall not in any respect waive its right to seek any other form of relief that may be available to it under this Article XI in the event that the remedies provided for in this paragraph are not available or otherwise are not granted, and (ii) nothing set forth in this Section 11.2(g) shall require the Electing Party to institute any Proceeding for (or limit the Electing Party’s right to institute a Proceeding for) specific performance prior or as a condition to exercising any termination right under this Article XI , nor shall the commencement of any Proceeding pursuant to this paragraph restrict or limit Seller’s right to terminate this Agreement in accordance with this Article XI .

Section 11.3. Return of Information . Within ten (10) Business Days following termination of this Agreement in accordance with Section 11.1 , Buyer shall, and shall cause its Affiliates and representatives to, at Buyer’s option, return to Seller or destroy all Confidential Information (as defined in the Confidentiality Agreement), subject to the provisions of Section 4 of the Confidentiality Agreement with respect to retaining copies in archival or back-up computers or other electronic storage and retaining copies for purposes of complying with Applicable Law or government regulation.

Article XII.

Accounting Adjustments

Section 12.1. Adjustments for Revenues and Expenses . Appropriate adjustments to the Cash Purchase Price shall be made between Buyer and Seller so that:

(a) Buyer will bear all Property Costs which are incurred by the Company or by Seller (to the extent they directly or indirectly benefit or relate to the Company), in the operation and development of the Properties on or after the Effective Date (all such Property Costs incurred on or after the Effective Date but prior to the Closing Date shall be added to the Cash Purchase Price) to the extent such Property Costs are paid with cash on hand at the Company as of the Effective Date or cash contributed to the Company by Seller after the Effective Date or otherwise paid by Seller, and Buyer will receive all proceeds (net of applicable Taxes) which are attributable to the Properties and which are accrued on or after the Effective Date.

(b) Except as provided in Section 12.4 below, Seller will bear all Property Costs which are incurred in the operation and development of the Properties before the Effective Date and Seller will receive all proceeds (net of applicable Taxes) which are attributable to the Properties and which are accrued before the Effective Date.

(c) It is agreed that, in making such adjustments:

(i) Ad valorem, property, severance, production and similar Taxes will be allocated in accordance with Section 7.8(c) ;

 

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(ii) casualty losses shall be handled in accordance with Article XIV ; and

(iii) no consideration shall be given to the local, state or federal income Tax liabilities of any party.

Section 12.2. Initial Adjustment at Closing . At least five (5) days before the Closing Date, Seller shall provide to Buyer a statement (the “ Initial Settlement Statement ”) in the form attached hereto as Exhibit 12.2 showing Seller’s computations of (a) the amount of the adjustments provided for in Section 12.1 and based on amounts which prior to such time have actually been paid or received by Seller, (b) the amount of the adjustments provided for in Article VIII , if any, and (c) the amount of the adjustments provided for in Section 2.3(a)(i)(A) , Section 2.3(a)(i)(B) and Section 2.3(a)(i)(C) . Buyer and Seller shall attempt to agree upon such adjustments prior to Closing, subject to further adjustment under Section 12.3 below, provided that if agreement is not reached, Seller’s computation shall be used at Closing. Without duplication of adjustment to the Cash Purchase Price contemplated in Section 12.1 , if the amount of adjustments so determined which would result in a credit to Buyer exceed the amount of adjustments so determined which would result in a credit to Seller, Buyer shall receive a credit at Closing for the amount of such excess, and if the converse is true, then the amount to be paid by Buyer to Seller at Closing shall be increased by the amount of such excess.

Section 12.3. Adjustment Post Closing . On or before ninety (90) days after Closing, Seller shall prepare a “ Final Settlement Statement ” and deliver same to Buyer setting forth any additional adjustments to the Cash Purchase Price not reflected in the Initial Settlement Statement (whether the same be made to account for expenses or revenues not considered in making the adjustments made at Closing, or to correct errors made in the adjustments made at Closing) or confirming Seller’s view that no additional adjustments are required. Buyer will assist Seller in the preparation of the Final Settlement Statement by providing Seller with any data or information reasonably requested by Seller. The Final Settlement Statement shall become final and binding upon the parties on the thirtieth (30th) day following receipt thereof by Buyer, unless Buyer gives written notice of its disagreement to Seller prior to such date. In order to be valid, any such notice shall specify in reasonable detail the dollar amount, nature and basis of any disagreement so asserted. Any such disagreements will be resolved in accordance with Article XVI . If the amount of the Adjusted Cash Purchase Price as set forth on the Final Settlement Statement exceeds the amount of the Adjusted Cash Purchase Price paid at the Closing, then Buyer shall pay to Seller in cash the amount of such excess within five (5) Business Days after the Final Settlement Statement is agreed to or otherwise becomes final in accordance with this Section 12.3 . If the amount of the Adjusted Cash Purchase Price as set forth on the Final Settlement Statement is less than the amount of the Adjusted Cash Purchase Price paid at the Closing, then Seller shall pay to Buyer in cash the amount of such deficit within five (5) Business Days after the Final Settlement Statement is agreed to or otherwise becomes final in accordance with this Section 12.3 .

Section 12.4. No Further Adjustments . Following the adjustments under Section 12.3 , no further adjustments shall be made under this Article XII . Should any Property Costs be charged to (or received by) Seller or Buyer after the earlier of (i) the conclusion of such adjustments under Section 12.3 or (ii) ninety (90) days after Closing, the same shall be

 

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forwarded to and borne by Buyer and Company, regardless of the periods to which the same relate. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Section 12.4 shall not affect Buyer Parties’ right to indemnification under Section 13.2(d) .

Article XIII.

Indemnification

Section 13.1. Indemnification by Buyer Parties . From and after the Closing, Buyer Parties shall, jointly and severally, defend, indemnify and hold harmless Seller and its Affiliates and their respective owners, members, directors, officers, managers, employees, insurers and, in each case, their respective successors and assigns (collectively, the “ Seller Indemnitees ”) from and against any and all Damages (individually, a “ Seller’s Indemnified Claim ” and collectively, “ Seller’s Indemnified Claims ”) which are suffered or incurred by any of Seller Indemnitees or to which any of Seller Indemnitees may otherwise become subject (regardless of whether or not such Damages relate to any third-party claim) and which arise from or as a result of, or are connected with:

(a) any inaccuracy in or breach of any representation or warranty made by Buyer Parties in this Agreement or in the certificates delivered pursuant to Section 10.3(c) hereto (without giving effect to any materiality or Material Adverse Effect qualifications limiting the scope of such representation or warranty);

(b) the operation of the Company and the Properties prior to and after the Effective Date, or the ownership of the Company, except to the extent that Seller has agreed to indemnify the Buyer Indemnitees pursuant to Section 13.2(a) ;

(c) the condition of the Properties before, on or after the Effective Date, regardless of whether such condition or events giving rise to such condition arose or occurred before, on or after the Effective Date, except to the extent that Seller has agreed to indemnify the Buyer Indemnitees pursuant to Section 13.2(a) ; and

(d) any breach of any of Buyer’s or Parent’s covenants, obligations or agreements contained in this Agreement that survive the Closing; and

(e) any Taxes for which Buyer is responsible pursuant to Section 7.8 .

THE FOREGOING ASSUMPTIONS AND INDEMNIFICATIONS BY THE BUYER PARTIES SHALL APPLY WHETHER OR NOT SUCH DUTIES, OBLIGATIONS OR LIABILITIES, OR SUCH CLAIMS, ACTIONS, CAUSES OF ACTION, LIABILITIES, DAMAGES, LOSSES, COSTS OR EXPENSES ARISE OUT OF (i) NEGLIGENCE (INCLUDING SOLE NEGLIGENCE, SIMPLE NEGLIGENCE, CONCURRENT NEGLIGENCE, ACTIVE OR PASSIVE NEGLIGENCE, BUT EXPRESSLY NOT INCLUDING GROSS NEGLIGENCE OR WILLFUL MISCONDUCT) OF ANY INDEMNITEE, (ii) STRICT LIABILITY, OR (iii) ANY VIOLATION OF ANY LAW, RULE, REGULATION OR ORDER RELATED TO THE OWNERSHIP OR OPERATION OF THE PROPERTIES, INCLUDING APPLICABLE ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS.

 

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Section 13.2. Indemnification by Seller . From and after the Closing, Seller shall defend, indemnify and hold harmless Buyer, Parent and their respective Affiliates and each of their respective members, directors, officers, managers, employees, insurers and, in each case, their respective successors and assigns (collectively, the “ Buyer Indemnitees ”) from and against any and all Damages (individually a “ Buyer’s Indemnified Claim ” and collectively “ Buyer’s Indemnified Claims ”) which are suffered or incurred by any of Buyer Indemnitees or to which any of Buyer Indemnitees may otherwise become subject (regardless of whether or not such Damages relate to any third-party claim) and which arise from or as a result of, or are connected with:

(a) any inaccuracy in or breach of any representation or warranty made by Seller or the Company in this Agreement or in the certificates delivered pursuant to Section 10.2(b) hereto (without giving effect to (i) any materiality or Material Adverse Effect qualifications limiting the scope of such representation or warranty, provided , however , that this Clause (i) shall not apply to any reference to Material Contract therein, or (ii) any update of or modification to the Disclosure Schedule made or purported to have been made on or after the date of this Agreement);

(b) any breach of any of (i) Seller’s covenants, obligations or agreements contained in this Agreement that survive the Closing or (ii) the Company’s covenants, obligations or agreements contained in this Agreement that survive the Closing and arising prior to the Closing;

(c) any Indebtedness of the Company described in clauses (i), (iv) or (v) in the definition of Indebtedness arising prior to the Closing and outstanding as of the Closing Date or Transaction Expenses incurred prior to the Closing Date which were not specifically included and counted such that they reduced the Cash Purchase Price on a dollar-for-dollar basis;

(d) any Taxes for which Seller is responsible pursuant to Section 7.8 ;

(e) any Excluded Properties;

(f) the injury or death of any person to the extent arising out of or relating to the ownership or operation of the Properties by the Company prior to Closing; and

(g) any contamination or condition that is the result of the Company’s off site transport or disposal, or arrangement for transport or disposal, of any hazardous substance from the Properties that occurred prior to Closing or are attributable to the Company’s operations prior to Closing.

Section 13.3. Survival of Provisions . Except with respect to the representations and warranties set forth in Section 4.27 , which shall expire upon the Closing and be of no further force or effect, all representations and warranties of Seller contained in this Agreement and in the certificates delivered pursuant to Section 9.1(b) and Section 9.1(c) hereto shall survive the Closing until 11:59 p.m. Central Time on the date that is twelve (12) months after the Closing Date, at which time such representations and warranties shall expire and be of no further force or effect, except for the representations and warranties set forth in Section 4.29 which shall survive

 

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the Closing until 11:59 p.m. Central Time on the date that is two (2) years after the Closing Date; provided , that any representation or warranty the breach or inaccuracy of which is made the basis of a claim for indemnification hereunder will survive solely with respect to such claim until such claim is resolved if a Buyer Indemnitee or Seller Indemnitee, as applicable, delivers notification to the indemnifying party of such claim in accordance with this Article XIII prior to the date on which such representation or warranty would otherwise expire hereunder. The respective covenants, obligations and agreements of Seller, the Company and Buyer Parties made in this Agreement will survive the Closing until the date on which such covenant, obligation or agreement expressly terminates or expires, or if no such period is specified, indefinitely; provided, however , that Section 13.2(c) , Section 13.2(f) and Section 13.2(g) shall expire on the date that is twelve (12) months after the Closing. Section 13.2(b) shall expire at Closing with respect to any breach of any covenant, obligation or agreement by Seller or the Company arising prior to the Closing other than those set forth in Section 7.3 , Section 7.4(a) (provided that, to the extent any breach of Section 7.4(a)(i) is a result of the Company’s, or any of its Affiliates’, actions or omission in its operations of the Properties, such party shall only be liable to the extent its actions or omissions constituted gross negligence or willful misconduct), Section 7.4(b) , Section 7.7 , Section 7.8 , Section 7.13(a) , Section 7.19, and Section 7.21 , which shall survive for one (1) year with respect to claims for breach thereof that are delivered in writing to Seller prior to the expiration of such one (1)-year period, and in the case of Section 7.20 , which shall survive for a period of four (4) years after the Closing with respect to claims for breach thereof that are delivered in writing to Seller prior to the expiration of such four (4)-year period.

Section 13.4. Limitations .

(a) If the Closing occurs, Seller shall have no liability under Section 13.2(a) for any individual Damage that does not exceed $200,000 (and such Damage shall not be applied towards the Indemnity Deductible) and Seller shall have no liability under Section 13.2(a) until the aggregate amount of otherwise indemnifiable Damages thereunder exceeds a deductible (not a threshold) of 3% of the Base Purchase Price (the “ Indemnity Deductible ”), and then Seller shall be liable for only the amount by which the total of such Damages exceeds such deductible. Notwithstanding the foregoing and anything to the contrary in the Agreement, the limitations set forth above shall not apply to Damages under Section 13.2(a) that arise from or as a result of, or are directly or indirectly connected with an inaccuracy in, or a breach of, the representations and warranties contained in Section 3.1 (Title to Interests), Section 3.2 (Organization and Standing), Section 3.3 (Power and Authority), Section 3.4 (Valid and Binding Agreement), Section 3.8 (Accredited Investor; Investment Intent), Section 4.1 (Organization and Standing), Section 4.2 (Governing Documents), Section 4.3 (Capital Structure), Section 4.4 (Power and Authority), Section 4.5 (Valid and Binding Agreement) and Section 4.29 (Special Warranty) (the “ Seller Fundamental Representations ”).

(b) If the Closing occurs, the maximum aggregate amount of Damages that may be recovered from Seller under Section 13.2(a) shall not exceed the value of the Indemnity Escrowed Shares. Notwithstanding the foregoing and anything to the contrary in the Agreement, (i) the cap limitation set forth above shall not apply to Damages under Section 13.2(a) that arise from or as a result of, or are connected with an inaccuracy in,

 

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or a breach of, the Seller Fundamental Representations; (ii) in no event shall Seller’s liability under this Agreement exceed the consideration received by Seller at the Closing, and (iii) in no event shall any Damages arising from any breach of Section 4.29 with respect to any Oil and Gas Property (when aggregated with any Defect Amount attributable to any Title Defect asserted under Article VIII with respect to such Oil and Gas Property) exceed the Allocated Value of such Oil and Gas Property.

(c) If the Closing occurs, Buyer shall have no liability under Section 13.1(a) until the aggregate amount of otherwise indemnifiable Damages thereunder exceeds a deductible (not a threshold) of 3% of the Base Purchase Price, and then Buyer shall be liable for only the amount by which the total of such Damages exceeds such deductible. Notwithstanding the foregoing and anything to the contrary in the Agreement, the deductible limitation set forth above shall not apply to Damages under Section 13.1(a) that arise from or as a result of, or are directly or indirectly connected with an inaccuracy in, or a breach of, the representations and warranties contained in Section 6.1 (Organization and Standing), Section 6.2 (Power and Authority), Section 6.3 (Valid and Binding Agreement), Section 6.10 (Accredited Investor; Investment Intent), Section 6.12 (Issuance of Parent Shares), Section 6.13 (Capitalization), Section 6.15 (No Registration), Section 6.17 (NYSE Listing), Section 6.18 (S-3 Eligibility) and Section 6.21 (Registration Rights) (the “ Buyer Fundamental Representations ”).

(d) If the Closing occurs, the maximum aggregate amount of Damages that may be recovered from Buyer under Section 13.1(a) shall not exceed the 3% of the Base Purchase Price. Notwithstanding the foregoing and anything to the contrary in the Agreement, the cap limitation set forth above shall not apply to Damages under Section 13.1(a) that arise directly or indirectly from or as a result of, or are directly or indirectly connected with an inaccuracy in, or a breach of, the Buyer Fundamental Representations.

(e) THE LIMITATIONS ON LIABILITY IN SECTION 13.3 OR SECTION 13.4 SHALL APPLY TO THE APPLICABLE LIABILITY EVEN IF SUCH LIABILITY IS CAUSED IN WHOLE OR IN PART BY THE NEGLIGENCE (WHETHER SOLE, JOINT OR CONCURRENT), STRICT LIABILITY OR OTHER LEGAL FAULT OF THE PARTY WHOSE LIABILITY IS SO LIMITED.

Section 13.5. No Commissions Owed . Seller agrees to indemnify, defend and hold each Buyer Party (and its partners and its and their Affiliates, and the respective owners, officers, directors, employees, attorneys, contractors and agents of such parties) harmless from and against any and all claims, actions, causes of action, liabilities, damages, losses, costs or expenses (including, without limitation, court costs and attorneys’ fees) of any kind or character arising out of or resulting from any agreement, arrangement or understanding alleged to have been made by, or on behalf of, Seller or, to the extent arising or resulting prior to the Closing, the Company with any broker or finder in connection with this Agreement or the transaction contemplated hereby. Each Buyer Party agrees to indemnify, defend and hold Seller (and its partners and its and their Affiliates and the respective owners, officers, directors, employees, attorneys, contractors and agents of such parties) harmless from and against any and all claims, actions, causes of action, liabilities, damages, losses, costs or expenses (including, without

 

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limitation, court costs and attorneys’ fees) of any kind or character arising out of or resulting from any agreement, arrangement or understanding alleged to have been made by, or on behalf of, Buyer Parties, with any broker or finder in connection with this Agreement or the transaction contemplated hereby.

Section 13.6. Defense of Third Party Claims .

(a) For purposes of this Article XIII , the term “indemnifying Party” when used in connection with particular Damages shall mean the Party having an obligation to indemnify another Person or Persons with respect to such Damages pursuant to this Article XIII , and the term “indemnified party” when used in connection with particular Damages shall mean the party having the right to be indemnified, with respect to such Damages by the other Party pursuant to this Article XIII .

(b) Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under Section 13.1 or Section 13.2 of a third party claim for Damages or notice of the commencement of any Proceeding against it (each a “ Third Party Claim ”), such indemnified party shall, if a claim is to be made against an indemnifying Party under such Section, give notice to the indemnifying Party of the commencement of such Third Party Claim, together with a claim for indemnification pursuant to this Article XIII . The failure of any indemnified party to give a notice of a Third Party Claim as provided in this Section 13.6 shall not alter or relieve the indemnifying Party of its obligations under this Article XIII except to the extent, but only to the extent, such failure materially prejudices the indemnifying Party.

(c) If any Third Party Claim is brought against an indemnified party and the indemnified party gives a notice to the indemnifying Party of the commencement of such Third Party Claim, the indemnifying Party shall have fifteen (15) days from its receipt of the notice to notify the indemnified party whether it admits or denies its liability to defend the indemnified party against such Third Party Claim at the sole cost and expense of the indemnifying Party. The indemnified party is authorized, prior to and during such fifteen (15) day period, to file any motion, answer or other pleading that it shall deem necessary or appropriate to protect its interests or those of the indemnifying Party and that is not prejudicial to the indemnifying Party, and any costs, fees or expenses incurred by the indemnified party in furtherance of investigating, review and responding to such Third Party Claim shall be Damages subject to indemnification hereunder.

(d) If the indemnifying Party admits its liability to defend the indemnified party against such Third Party Claim, it shall have the right and obligation to diligently defend, at its sole cost and expense, the indemnified party against such Third Party Claim with counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party, and, after notice from the indemnifying Party to the indemnified party of the indemnifying Party’s election to assume the defense of such Third Party Claim, the indemnifying Party shall not, as long as it diligently conducts such defense, be liable to the indemnified party under this Article XIII for any fees of other counsel or any other expenses with respect to the defense of such Third Party Claim, in each case subsequently incurred by the indemnified party in connection with the defense of such claim or Proceeding (provided, however,

 

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that the indemnifying Party shall not have the right to assume the defense of such Third Party Claim if (i) the indemnifying Party fails to provide reasonable assurance to the indemnified party of its financial capacity to defend such Third Party Claim and provide indemnification with respect to such Third Party Claim, (ii) the Third Party Claim primarily seeks injunctive or other non-monetary or equitable relief against the indemnified party or (iii) the Third Party Claim relates to any criminal proceeding, indictment, allegation or investigation). If the indemnifying Party assumes the defense of a Third Party Claim, no compromise or settlement of such Third Party Claim may be effected by the indemnifying Party without the indemnified party’s prior written consent unless (A) there is no finding or admission of any violation of Applicable Laws or any violation of the rights of any Person and no effect on any other third party claims that may be made against the indemnified party, (B) there is a full general release in customary form of all the claims in connection with the Third Party Claim against the indemnified party from all parties to the Third Party Claim, and (C) the sole relief provided is monetary damages that are paid in full by the indemnifying Party (i.e., neither the indemnified party nor any of its Affiliates are required to perform any covenant or refrain from engaging in any activity), and (D) the indemnified party shall have no liability with respect to any compromise or settlement of such Third Party Claim effected without its consent.

(e) If the indemnifying Party does not admit its liability or admits its liability to defend the indemnified party against a Third Party Claim, but is either unable to assume the defense of such Third Party Claim as set forth above or fails to diligently prosecute, indemnify against or settle the Third Party Claim, then the indemnified party shall have the right to defend against the Third Party Claim at the sole cost and expense of the indemnifying Party, with counsel of the indemnified party’s choosing, subject to the right of the indemnifying Party to admit its liability and assume the defense of the Third Party Claim at any time prior to settlement or final determination thereof (unless the indemnifying Party is unable to assume the defense of such Third Party Claim as set forth above). If the indemnifying Party has not yet admitted its liability to defend the indemnified party against a Third Party Claim, the indemnified party shall send written notice to the indemnifying Party of any proposed settlement and the indemnifying Party shall have the option for ten (10) days following receipt of such notice to (i) admit in writing its liability to indemnify the indemnified party from and against the liability and either consent to or reject such proposed settlement, in its reasonable judgment, or (ii) deny liability. Any failure to respond to such notice by the indemnified party shall be deemed to be an election under subsection (ii) above.

Section 13.7. Procedures for Claims Other Than Third Party Claims . A claim for indemnification for any matter not involving a Third Party Claim may be asserted by notice to the Party from whom indemnification is sought. The indemnifying Party shall have thirty (30) days from its receipt of the notice to (a) cure the Damages complained of, (b) admit its liability for such Damage or (c) dispute the claim for such Damages. If the indemnifying Party does not notify the indemnified party within such thirty (30) day period that it has cured the Damages or that it disputes the claim for such Damages, the amount of such Damages shall conclusively be deemed disputed by the indemnifying Party hereunder. If the indemnifying Party notifies the indemnified party within such thirty (30) day period that it disputes the claim for such Damages, then the indemnified party may continue to seek remedies available to it on the terms and subject to the provisions of this Agreement.

 

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Section 13.8. Net Amounts; Escrow .

(a) Any amounts recoverable by any party pursuant to this Article XIII with respect to any Seller’s Indemnified Claims or Buyer’s Indemnified Claims shall be decreased by any insurance proceeds or indemnification rights relating to such Seller’s Indemnified Claims or Buyer’s Indemnified Claims actually paid to such Indemnitee by any Person (other than any Affiliate of such Indemnitee) not a party to this Agreement, net of any reasonable out of pocket third party expenses incurred in obtaining such recovery and premium adjustments directly attributable thereto. If any such proceeds or rights are actually received by such Indemnitee with respect to any Damage for which such Indemnitee has received payment under this Article XIII , such party shall refund such payment to Seller or Buyer, as applicable. Buyer shall use commercially reasonable efforts to recover under insurance policies or agreements containing rights to indemnification for any Damages prior to seeking indemnification under this Agreement. For federal income tax purposes, the Parties agree to treat (and shall cause each of their respective Affiliates to treat) any indemnity payment under this Agreement as an adjustment to the Purchase Price payable to Seller hereof unless a final and non-appealable determination by an appropriate Governmental Entity (which shall include the execution of an IRS Form 870-AD or successor form) provides otherwise.

(b) Buyer Indemnitees shall recover with respect to all Damages subject to indemnification obligations owed by Seller under this Article XIII initially from the Indemnity Escrow Account through the Escrow Agent’s release of Indemnity Escrowed Shares to Buyer with a Price Per Share equal to the amount of Damages finally determined to be due to Buyer. To the extent the Indemnity Escrowed Shares in the Indemnity Escrow Account have been exhausted or distributed or are being held subject to the resolution of other outstanding claims hereunder, Buyer Indemnitees may recover with respect to such Damages directly from Seller, subject to the limitations set forth in this Article XIII .

(c) Neither Party shall be liable for any Damage under this Article XIII to the extent such Damage is (i) accounted for in any adjustment under Section 2.3 or (ii) recovered under any other provision of this Agreement or any Transaction Document.

(d) Upon payment of a Damage by a Party to any Buyer Indemnitee or Seller Indemnitee pursuant to this Article XIII , such Party, without any further action, shall be subrogated to any and all claims that such indemnitee may have against any third Person relating to such Damage, but only to the extent of the amount paid to such indemnitee by such Party in respect of such Damage, and such indemnitee shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cooperate with such Party, at the expense of such Party in order to enable such Party to pursue such claims.

Section 13.9. No Contribution . Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, Seller waives, and acknowledges and agrees that Seller shall not have and shall not exercise or assert

 

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(or attempt to exercise or assert) any right of contribution, right of indemnity or other right or remedy against Buyer, Parent or the Company in connection with any Buyer’s Indemnified Claim under this Agreement.

Article XIV.

Casualty Losses

In the event of damage by fire, explosion, wild well, hurricane, storm, weather event or other casualty to the Properties, or if any portion of the Properties are taken by condemnation or under the right of eminent domain, after the date of this Agreement but prior to the Closing, then: (a) this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect; (b) there shall be no adjustment to the Base Purchase Price; and (c) if such damage or condemnation loss has an adverse effect on the value of the affected Properties in an amount that exceeds Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000), Seller shall, at Seller’s sole election, either (i) assign (or cause the Company to assign, if applicable) to Buyer any property damage insurance claims (and payments with respect thereto) related to such damage and pay any deductibles, or (ii) repair or replace such damaged property to a condition similar to the condition of the affected Property immediately prior to the fire or other casualty and retain all insurance claims and payments with respect thereto. Until the Closing Date, Seller shall maintain the existing insurance coverage, and in the event of a casualty loss or condemnation which is not covered by insurance, except as provided in this Section, Seller shall have no obligation to Buyer with respect thereto; provided that , if Buyer so requests, and if Seller has not repaired the damage or replaced the affected Property, Seller will assign any rights it may have against third parties with respect to such damage or condemnation.

Article XV.

Notices

Section 15.1. Notices . All notices and other communications required under this Agreement shall (unless otherwise specifically provided herein) be in writing and be delivered personally, by recognized commercial courier or delivery service which provides a receipt, by telecopier (with receipt acknowledged), by registered or certified mail (postage prepaid), or by electronic transmission at the following addresses:

 

If to Buyer or Parent:   

RSP Permian, Inc.

3141 Hood Street, Suite 500

Dallas, Texas 75219

Attn: James E. Mutrie

Phone: 214-252-2728

Fax: 214-252-2750

E-mail: jmutrie@rsppermian.com

 

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With a copy to:   

Vinson & Elkins LLP

1001 Fannin Street

Suite 2500, Houston, TX 77002

Attn: Stephen M. Gill

Phone: 713-758-4458

E-mail: sgill@velaw.com

If to Seller, or, prior to the Closing, Company:   

Silver Hill Energy Partners Holdings, LLC

5949 Sherry Lane, Suite 1550

Dallas, Texas 75225

Attn: Kyle Miller

Email: kmiller@silverhillenergy.com

With a copy to:   

Thompson & Knight LLP

1722 Routh Street, Suite 1500

Dallas, Texas 75201

Attn: Ann Marie Cowdrey

         Arthur Wright

Phone: 214-969-1700

Fax: 214-969-1751

E-mail: AnnMarie.Cowdrey@tklaw.com

             Arthur.Wright@tklaw.com

  

Kayne Anderson Capital Advisors, L.P.

811 Main Street, 14th Floor

Houston, Texas 77002

Attn: Kevin Brophy

Phone: 713-655-7559

Fax: 713- 655-7355

Email: kbrophy@kaynecapital.com

  

DLA Piper LLP (US)

1000 Louisiana Street, Suite 2800

Houston, Texas 77002-5005

Attn: Jack Langlois

Phone: 713-425-8419

Fax: 713-300-6019

Email: jack.langlois@dlapiper.com

or to such other place within the continental limits of the United States of America as a party may designate for itself by giving notice to the other party, in the manner provided in this Section, at least ten (10) days prior to the effective date of such change of address. All notices given by personal delivery or mail shall be effective on the date of actual receipt at the appropriate address. Notices given by telecopier shall be effective upon actual receipt if received during recipient’s normal business hours or at the beginning of the next Business Day after receipt if received after recipient’s normal business hours. All notices by telecopier shall be confirmed in writing on the day of transmission by either registered or certified mail (postage prepaid), or by personal delivery.

 

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Article XVI.

Dispute Resolution

Section 16.1. Disputes . Any and all claims, disputes, or controversies with respect to the matters expressly set forth in Section 8.8 and any notice of disagreement with the Final Settlement Statement delivered in accordance with Section 12.3 (all of which are referred to herein as “ Disputes ”) shall be resolved solely in accordance with this Article XVI , even though some or all of such Disputes are allegedly extra contractual in nature, whether such Disputes sound in contract, tort, or otherwise, at law or in equity, under state or federal law, whether provided by statute or the common law, for damages or any other relief. For the purposes of clarity, the procedures set forth in this Article XVI shall not be utilized to resolve any matter subject to indemnification under Article XIII .

Section 16.2. Senior Management Meeting . If a Dispute occurs that the senior representatives of the parties responsible for the transaction contemplated by this Agreement have been unable, in good faith, to settle or agree upon within a period of fifteen (15) days after written notice is given of such Dispute, Seller shall nominate and commit one of its senior officers, and Buyer shall nominate and commit one of its senior officers, to meet at a mutually agreed time and place not later than thirty (30) days after written notice of the Dispute to attempt to resolve same.

Section 16.3. Arbitration . If such senior management has been unable to resolve such Dispute within a period of five (5) days after such meeting, such Dispute, shall be exclusively and finally resolved in accordance with the following provisions of this Section 16.3 :

(a) Either Party may initiate a non-administered arbitration of any such dispute(s) conducted in accordance with the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association, to the extent that such rules do not conflict with the terms of this Section 16.3 , by written notice to the other Party (the “ Arbitration Notice ”).

(b) The arbitration shall be held before a one member arbitration panel (the “ Arbitrator ”), determined as follows. The Arbitrator shall be a mutually agreeable party, and shall meet the following criteria, as applicable: (i) in the case of Disputes relating to Title Defects, an attorney with at least ten (10) years’ experience examining oil and gas titles in the State of Texas, (ii) in the case of Disputes relating to Environmental Defects, an attorney with at least ten (10) years’ experience practicing environmental law in the State of Texas, and (iii) in the case of Disputes arising under Section 12.3 , an independent public accounting firm that has not been engaged by Seller, Buyer, or any of their respective Affiliates at any time in the last five (5) years. All Disputes with respect to Title Defects shall be addressed by the same Arbitrator, all Disputes with respect to Environmental Defects shall be addressed by the same Arbitrator, and all disputes arising under Section 12.3 shall be addressed by the same Arbitrator. Within two (2) Business Days following the delivery of the Arbitration

 

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Notice, Seller and Buyer shall each exchange lists of three acceptable, qualified arbitrators. Within two (2) Business Days following the exchange of lists of acceptable arbitrators, Seller and Buyer shall select by mutual agreement the Arbitrator from their original lists of three acceptable arbitrators. If no such agreement is reached within seven (7) Business Days following the delivery of Arbitration Notice, either Seller or Buyer may send the original lists of the Parties and a request to the Dallas, Texas office of the American Arbitration Association to select an arbitrator from the original lists provided by Seller and Buyer to serve as the Arbitrator.

(c) Within three (3) Business Days following the selection of the Arbitrator, the Parties shall submit one copy to the Arbitrator of (i) this Agreement, with specific reference to this Section 16.3 and the other applicable provisions of this Article XVI , (ii) each Party’s written description of the Dispute, together with any supporting documents, and (iii) the Arbitration Notice. Within five (5) Business Days following such submissions, each of the Parties may submit one written response to the other Party’s submission. The Arbitrator shall resolve the Dispute based only on the foregoing submissions. Neither Buyer nor Seller shall have the right to submit additional documentation to the Arbitrator nor to demand discovery on the other Party.

(d) The Arbitrator shall make its determination by written decision within thirty (30) days following Seller’s receipt of the Arbitration Notice (the “ Arbitration Decision ”). In the event that arbitration proceedings have been initiated in accordance with this Section 16.3 , but the Arbitration Decision has not yet been made prior to Closing, either Party shall have the right, upon written notice to the other Party, to delay the Closing for no longer than sixty (60) days until such time as the Arbitration Decision has been made.

(e) The Arbitration Decision shall be final and binding upon the Parties, without right of appeal. In making its determination, the Arbitrator shall be bound by the rules set forth in this Article XVI . The Arbitrator may consult with and engage disinterested third parties to advise the Arbitrator, but shall disclose to the Parties the identities of such consultants. Any such consultant shall not have worked as an employee or consultant for either Party or its Affiliates during the five (5) year period preceding the arbitration nor have any financial interest in the Dispute.

(f) The Arbitrator shall act as an expert for the limited purpose of determining the specific disputed Defects and Defect Amounts, or amounts owed under Section 12.3 (if any), as applicable, and shall not be empowered to award damages, interest or penalties to either Party with respect to any other matter, except as to the payment of its fees, which it may award as provided in Section 16.3(g) below.

(g) Each Party shall each bear its own legal fees and other costs of preparing and presenting its case. Seller shall bear one-half and Buyer shall bear one-half of the costs and expenses of the Arbitrator, including any costs incurred by the Arbitrator that are attributable to the consultation of any third party.

 

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(h) In connection with any determination with respect to a Defect or its associated Defect Amount pursuant to this Section 16.3, it is understood that: (i) Buyer may not introduce or otherwise use information obtained by Buyer after the end of the Examination Period with respect to the Defect in dispute or its associated Defect Amount, and in no event may the Arbitrator consider or give weight to any such information, (ii) with respect to Environmental Defects, Buyer may not assert any violation of Applicable Environmental Law that is not specified in the Defect Notice with respect to the Environmental Defect in dispute, and (iii) the Defect Amount may not exceed the amount thereof asserted by Buyer in the Defect Notice with respect thereto.

(i) Any dispute over the interpretation or application of this Section 16.3 shall be decided by the Arbitrator applying the Laws of the State of Texas.

Article XVII.

Miscellaneous Matters

Section 17.1. Further Assurances . After the Closing, Seller and each Buyer Party shall execute, acknowledge and deliver, and shall otherwise cause to be executed, acknowledged and delivered, from time to time, such further instruments, certificates, notices, filings, division orders, transfer orders and other documents, and each will do such other and further acts and things, as may be reasonably necessary to carry out their obligations under this Agreement and any other any document, certificate or other instrument delivered pursuant hereto or thereto or required by law to effect the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

Section 17.2. Waiver of Consumer Rights . Each of the Buyer Parties hereby waives its rights under the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices - Consumer Protection Act, Section 17.41 et seq., Business and Commerce Code, a law that gives consumers special rights and protections, and any similar law in any other state to the extent such Act or similar law would otherwise apply. After consultation with an attorney of each of the Buyer Parties’ own selection, each of the Buyer Parties voluntarily consents to this waiver. To evidence the Buyer Parties’ ability to grant such waiver, each of the Buyer Parties represents to Seller that it (a) is in the business of seeking or acquiring, by purchase or lease, goods or services for commercial or business use, (b) has knowledge and experience in financial and business matters that enable it to evaluate the merits and risks of the transactions contemplated hereby, (c) is not in a significantly disparate bargaining position, and (d) has consulted with, and is represented by, an attorney of each of the Buyer Parties’ own selection in connection with this transaction, and such attorney was not directly or indirectly identified, suggested, or selected by Seller or an agent of Seller.

Section 17.3. Parties Bear Own Expenses /No Special Damages . Except as provided in Section 7.12, each party shall bear and pay all expenses (including, without limitation, legal fees) incurred by it in connection with the transaction contemplated by this Agreement. NOTWITHSTANDING ANYTHING HEREIN TO THE CONTRARY NEITHER PARTY SHALL HAVE ANY OBLIGATIONS WITH RESPECT TO THIS AGREEMENT, OR OTHERWISE IN CONNECTION HEREWITH, FOR ANY INDIRECT, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, EXEMPLARY OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES EVEN IF SUCH DAMAGES ARE CAUSED IN WHOLE OR IN PART BY THE NEGLIGENCE (WHETHER SOLE, JOINT OR CONCURRENT), STRICT LIABILITY OR OTHER LEGAL FAULT OF THE

 

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PARTY WHOSE LIABILITY IS SO LIMITED. For purposes of the foregoing, actual damages may, however, include indirect, special, consequential, exemplary or punitive damages to the extent (i) the injuries or losses resulting in or giving rise to such damages are incurred or suffered by a Person which is not an Indemnitee pursuant to the Agreement or an Affiliate of such Indemnitee and (ii) such damages are recovered against an Indemnitee by a Person which is not Indemnitee or an Affiliate of such Indemnitee. This Section shall operate only to limit a party’s liability and shall not operate to increase or expand any contractual obligation of a party hereunder or cause any contractual obligation of a party hereunder to survive longer than provided in Section 13.3 . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the foregoing, nothing herein shall limit Seller’s ability to retain the Deposit.

Section 17.4. Entire Agreement . This Agreement and the Transaction Documents contain the entire understanding of the Parties with respect to subject matter hereof and supersede all prior agreements, understandings, negotiations, and discussions among the Parties with respect to such subject matter.

Section 17.5. Disclosure Schedules . Nothing in the Disclosure Schedules is intended to broaden the scope of any representation or warranty contained in the Agreement or to create any covenant unless clearly specified to the contrary herein. Inclusion of any item in the Disclosure Schedules (a) shall be deemed to be disclosure of such item in any other section of the Disclosure Schedules for which the applicability of such information and disclosure is reasonably apparent on its face, (b) does not represent a determination that such item is material nor shall it be deemed to establish a standard of materiality, (c) does not represent a determination that such item did not arise in the ordinary course of business, (d) does not represent a determination that the transactions contemplated by the Agreement require the consent of third parties and (e) shall not constitute, or be deemed to be, an admission to any third party concerning such item. The Disclosure Schedules include descriptions of instruments or brief summaries of certain aspects of the Company and its business and operations. The descriptions and brief summaries are not necessarily complete and are provided in the Schedules to identify documents or other materials previously delivered or made available.

Section 17.6. Choice of Law, Waiver of Jury Trial . Without regard to principles of conflicts of law, this Agreement, and all claims of causes of action (whether in contract or tort) that may be based upon, arise out of or relate to this Agreement or the negotiation, execution or performance of this Agreement (including any claim or cause of action based upon, arising out of or related to any representation or warranty made in or in connection with this Agreement or as an inducement to enter into this Agreement) shall be construed and enforced in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of Texas applicable to contracts made and to be performed entirely within such state and the laws of the United States of America. EACH PARTY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY ACTION, SUIT OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT.

Section 17.7. Exclusive Venue . Each Party consents to personal jurisdiction in any action brought in the state or federal courts located in the State of Texas with respect to any dispute, claim or controversy arising out of or in relation to or in connection with this Agreement (including any claims made in contract, tort or otherwise relating to this Agreement or the

 

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transactions contemplated hereby), and each of the Parties agrees that any action instituted by it against the other with respect to any such dispute, controversy or claim (except to the extent a claim, dispute, or controversy with respect to the matters set forth Section 8.8 and Section 12.3 is referred to an expert pursuant to Article XVI ) will be instituted exclusively in the state or federal courts located in the State of Texas).

Section 17.8. Time of Essence . Time is of the essence in this Agreement.

Section 17.9. No Assignment . This Agreement shall be binding on and inure to the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and assigns, provided that neither party shall have the right to assign this Agreement, including any indemnification rights, or any obligations or benefits hereunder, without the prior written consent of the other party first having been obtained. Any transfer in absence of such consent shall be null and void.

Section 17.10. Counterpart Execution . For execution, this Agreement may be executed in counterparts, all of which are identical and all of which constitute one and the same instrument. It shall not be necessary for Buyer, Seller and the Company to sign the same counterpart. This instrument may be validly executed and delivered by facsimile or other electronic transmission.

Section 17.11. Exclusive Remedy .

(A) THE PARTIES HAVE VOLUNTARILY AGREED TO DEFINE THEIR RIGHTS, LIABILITIES AND OBLIGATIONS RESPECTING THE SUBJECT MATTER OF THIS AGREEMENT EXCLUSIVELY IN CONTRACT PURSUANT TO THE EXPRESS TERMS AND PROVISIONS OF THIS AGREEMENT; AND, WITHOUT LIMITING THE RIGHT OF ANY PARTY TO RELY ON THE REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES MADE TO SUCH PARTY IN ARTICLE III , ARTICLE IV AND ARTICLE VI HEREIN, THE PARTIES EXPRESSLY DISCLAIM THAT THEY ARE OWED ANY DUTIES OR ARE ENTITLED TO ANY REMEDIES NOT EXPRESSLY SET FORTH IN THIS AGREEMENT. FURTHERMORE, THE PARTIES EACH HEREBY ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THIS AGREEMENT EMBODIES THE JUSTIFIABLE EXPECTATION OF SOPHISTICATED PARTIES KNOWLEDGEABLE IN BUSINESS AND DERIVED FROM VOLUNTARY, ARM’S LENGTH NEGOTIATIONS; ALL PARTIES TO THIS AGREEMENT SPECIFICALLY ACKNOWLEDGE THAT NO PARTY HAS ANY SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP WITH ANOTHER PARTY THAT WOULD JUSTIFY ANY EXPECTATION BEYOND THAT OF AN ORDINARY BUYER AND AN ORDINARY SELLER IN AN ARM’S LENGTH TRANSACTION; THAT IS, NO FIDUCIARY RELATIONSHIP OR DUTY EXISTS. WITHOUT LIMITING THE RIGHT OF ANY PARTY TO RELY ON THE REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES MADE TO SUCH PARTY IN ARTICLE III , ARTICLE IV AND ARTICLE VI HEREIN, THE PARTIES HEREBY EXPRESSLY DISCLAIM RELIANCE ON THE OTHER PARTY AND CLEARLY AND UNEQUIVOCALLY WAIVE AND RELEASE ANY AND ALL TORT CLAIMS AND CAUSES OF ACTION THAT MAY BE BASED UPON, ARISE OUT OF OR RELATE TO THIS AGREEMENT, OR THE NEGOTIATION, EXECUTION OR PERFORMANCE OF

 

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THIS AGREEMENT (INCLUDING ANY TORT CLAIM OR CAUSE OF ACTION BASED UPON, ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO ANY REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY MADE IN OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT OR AS AN INDUCEMENT TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT, INCLUDING RELEASING CLAIMS FOR BREACH OF FIDUCIARY DUTY, FRAUD, FRAUDULENT INDUCEMENT, AND FRAUDULENT INDUCEMENT INTO THE ARBITRATION CLAUSE EXCEPT AS SET FORTH IN SECTION 11.2) . WITHOUT LIMITATION OF THE FOREGOING, THE SOLE AND EXCLUSIVE REMEDY OF THE BUYER PARTIES FOR ANY AND ALL (A) CLAIMS RELATING TO ANY REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES, COVENANTS AND AGREEMENTS CONTAINED IN THIS AGREEMENT, (B) OTHER CLAIMS PURSUANT TO OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT AND (C) OTHER CLAIMS RELATING TO THE PROPERTIES, INTERESTS OR THE COMPANY AND THE PURCHASE AND SALE THEREOF (WHETHER IN CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE) SHALL BE THE RIGHTS EXPRESSLY PROVIDED(Y) PRIOR TO CLOSING, IN SECTION 11.2 AND (Z) AFTER THE CLOSING, ARTICLE XIII , AND IF NO SUCH RIGHT IS EXPRESSLY PROVIDED, THEN SUCH CLAIMS ARE HEREBY WAIVED TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, EVEN IF SUCH CLAIMS ARE CAUSED IN WHOLE OR IN PART BY THE NEGLIGENCE (WHETHER SOLE, JOINT OR CONCURRENT), STRICT LIABILITY OR OTHER LEGAL FAULT OF THE PARTY WHOSE LIABILITY IS SO LIMITED. EACH PARTY UNDERSTANDS THIS AGREEMENT AND ITS CONTENTS, AND SIGNS THIS AGREEMENT AS ITS OWN FREE ACT. EACH PARTY EXPRESSLY WARRANTS THAT IT HAS BEEN REPRESENTED BY LEGAL COUNSEL IN THIS MATTER, AND LEGAL COUNSEL HAS READ AND EXPLAINED TO EACH PARTY THE ENTIRE CONTENTS OF THIS AGREEMENT, AND ITS WAIVERS AND RELEASES IN FULL. EACH PARTY COVENANTS NOT TO SUE ON CLAIMS RELEASED OR WAIVED BY THIS AGREEMENT, AND AGREES THAT ANY SUCH SUIT SHALL BE A BREACH OF THIS AGREEMENT FOR WHICH THE NON-BREACHING PARTY MAY SEEK ACTUAL DAMAGES, WHICH SHALL INCLUDE ATTORNEYS’ FEES AND COSTS.

(B) UPON CLOSING, THE BUYER PARTIES SHALL ALSO BE DEEMED TO HAVE WAIVED, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED UNDER APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT TO CONTRIBUTION AGAINST SELLER (INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY CONTRIBUTION CLAIM ARISING UNDER ANY APPLICABLE ENVIRONMENTAL LAW) AND ANY AND ALL OTHER RIGHTS, CLAIMS AND CAUSES OF ACTION IT MAY HAVE AGAINST SELLER ARISING UNDER OR BASED ON ANY FEDERAL, STATE OR LOCAL STATUTE, LAW, ORDINANCE, RULE OR REGULATION OR COMMON LAW OR OTHERWISE.

Section 17.12. References, Titles and Construction .

(a) All references in this Agreement to articles, sections, subsections and other subdivisions refer to corresponding articles, sections, subsections and other subdivisions of this Agreement unless expressly provided otherwise.

 

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(b) Titles appearing at the beginning of any of such subdivisions are for convenience only and shall not constitute part of such subdivisions and shall be disregarded in construing the language contained in such subdivisions.

(c) The words “this Agreement,” “this instrument,” “herein,” “hereof,” “hereby,” “hereunder,” and words of similar import refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular subdivision unless expressly so limited.

(d) Words in the singular form shall be construed to include the plural and vice versa, unless the context otherwise requires. Pronouns in masculine, feminine and neuter genders shall be construed to include any other gender.

(e) Examples shall not be construed to limit, expressly or by implication, the matter they illustrate.

(f) The word “or” is not intended to be exclusive and the word “includes” and its derivatives means “includes, but is not limited to” and corresponding derivative expressions.

(g) The Annexes, Disclosure Schedules and Exhibits listed in the List of Annexes, Disclosure Schedules and Exhibits are attached hereto.

Section 17.13. No Third-Person Beneficiaries . Nothing in this Agreement shall entitle any Person other than each Buyer Party and Seller to any claim, cause of action, remedy or right of any kind, except the rights expressly provided to the Persons described in Section 7.7 , Section 13.1 and Section 13.2 .

Section 17.14. Severability . The provisions of this Agreement will be deemed severable and the invalidity or unenforceability of any provision will not affect the validity or enforceability of the other provisions hereof.

Section 17.15. Waiver of Conflicts Regarding Representation; Attorney-Client Privilege . Recognizing that Thompson & Knight LLP (“ T&K ”) has acted as legal counsel to Seller and certain of its Affiliates prior to the Closing, and that T&K may act as legal counsel to Seller after the Closing, the Company hereby expressly waives any current or future conflicts that may arise in connection with T&K representing Seller or any of its Affiliates after the Closing with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Each of the Parties also agrees that Seller has a reasonable expectation of privacy and privilege with respect to its communications (including, but not limited to, any e-mail or other electronic communications using the Company’s systems) with T&K prior to the Closing to the extent such communications concern this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby. Each of the Parties likewise agrees that third parties and their counsel with a common legal interest with Seller also have a reasonable expectation of privacy and privilege with respect to their communications prior to the Closing (“ Common Interest Parties ”). At and after the Closing, the attorney-client privilege of the Company with T&K with respect to such matters, and the Common Interest Parties with their counsel shall be deemed to be the right of Seller or the Common Interest Party respectively, and not that of the Company, and may be waived only by Seller or Common Interest Party as to their respective communications. Absent

 

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the consent of Seller, the Common Interest Party, or except as required to comply with any Applicable Law or other regulatory requirement applicable to Buyer or its Affiliates, neither Buyer nor the Company shall have a right to access attorney-client privileged material of the Company with respect to this Agreement and the other documents contemplated herein and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby following the Closing. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (a) nothing herein shall be construed as a waiver by the Company of the attorney-client privilege or the obligations of confidentiality owed by T&K to the Company with respect to matters not regarding this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, (b) in the event that a dispute arises between Buyer, Parent or the Company and a third Person other than a party to this Agreement after the Closing, (i) the Company may assert the attorney-client privilege to prevent disclosure of confidential communications by T&K to such third Person and (ii) to the extent any such privilege or client confidence is required to be waived or otherwise required to be released by any Governmental Entity, under law or pursuant to any orders, decrees, writs, injunctions, judgments, stipulations, determinations or awards entered by or with any Governmental Entity, none of the Company, Buyer, Parent or their Affiliates shall be in breach or violation of any provision of this Agreement or any Transaction Document for providing information, documents, communications or client confidences to any Governmental Entity in response to, and subject to the requirement limitation in, the foregoing.

Section 17.16. Amendment . This Agreement may not be amended or modified except by an instrument in writing specifically referring to the terms to be amended and/or modified and signed by all the Parties.

Section 17.17. Waiver . Compliance with any term or provision hereof may be waived only by a written instrument executed by each party entitled to the benefits of the same. No failure to exercise any right, power or privilege granted hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise thereof preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege granted hereunder.

[Signature Pages Follow]

 

86


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement is executed by the Parties on the date set forth above.

 

SELLER:
SILVER HILL ENERGY PARTNERS HOLDINGS, LLC
By:  

/s/ Kyle D. Miller

Name:   Kyle D. Miller
Title:   President & Chief Executive Officer
COMPANY:
SILVER HILL ENERGY PARTNERS, LLC
By:   Silver Hill Energy Partners Holdings, LLC
Its:   Sole Member
By:  

/s/ Kyle D. Miller

Name:   Kyle D. Miller
Title:   President & Chief Executive Officer
BUYER:
RSP PERMIAN, L.L.C.
By:  

/s/ Steven Gray

Name:   Steven Gray
Title:   Chief Executive Officer
PARENT:
RSP PERMIAN, INC.
By:  

/s/ Steven Gray

Name:   Steven Gray
Title:   Chief Executive Officer

Signature Page to Membership Interest

Purchase and Sale Agreement

Exhibit 10.2

Membership Interest

Purchase and Sale Agreement

by and among

Silver Hill Energy Partners II, LLC,

as Seller,

Silver Hill E&P II, LLC,

the Company,

RSP Permian, L.L.C.,

as Buyer

and

RSP Permian, Inc.,

as Parent

Dated as of October 13, 2016


Table of Contents

 

              Page  
Article I. Definitions and References      1   
  Section 1.1.   

Defined Terms

     1   
  Section 1.2.   

Certain Additional Defined Terms

     16   
Article II. Terms of the Transaction      18   
  Section 2.1.   

Agreement to Purchase and Sell Interests

     18   
  Section 2.2.   

Purchase Price

     18   
  Section 2.3.   

Adjustments to the Base Purchase Price

     18   
  Section 2.4.   

Payment of the Adjusted Cash Purchase Price

     19   
Article III. Representations and Warranties of Seller      20   
  Section 3.1.   

Title to Interests

     20   
  Section 3.2.   

Organization and Standing

     20   
  Section 3.3.   

Power and Authority

     21   
  Section 3.4.   

Valid and Binding Agreement

     21   
  Section 3.5.   

Non-Contravention

     21   
  Section 3.6.   

Approvals

     21   
  Section 3.7.   

Pending Litigation

     21   
  Section 3.8.   

Accredited Investor; Investment Intent

     22   
  Section 3.9.   

Brokers

     22   
Article IV. Representations and Warranties of Seller regarding the Company      22   
  Section 4.1.   

Organization and Standing

     22   
  Section 4.2.   

Governing Documents

     22   
  Section 4.3.   

Capital Structure

     22   
  Section 4.4.   

Power and Authority

     23   
  Section 4.5.   

Valid and Binding Agreement

     23   
  Section 4.6.   

Non-Contravention

     23   
  Section 4.7.   

Approvals

     23   
  Section 4.8.   

Subsidiaries

     24   
  Section 4.9.   

Intentionally Omitted

     24   
  Section 4.10.   

Financial Statements

     24   
  Section 4.11.   

Pending Proceedings

     24   
  Section 4.12.   

Compliance with Laws

     24   
  Section 4.13.   

Taxes

     25   
  Section 4.14.   

Contracts

     26   
  Section 4.15.   

Employment and Benefit Plan Matters

     26   
  Section 4.16.   

Wells

     26   
  Section 4.17.   

Imbalances

     27   
  Section 4.18.   

Non-Consent Elections

     27   
  Section 4.19.   

Outstanding Capital Commitments

     27   
  Section 4.20.   

Intellectual Property

     27   
  Section 4.21.   

Equipment

     27   
  Section 4.22.   

Consents to Change of Control

     27   
  Section 4.23.   

Bankruptcy

     27   
  Section 4.24.   

Insurance

     28   

 

i


 

Section 4.25.

  

Brokers

     28   
 

Section 4.26.

  

Permits

     28   
 

Section 4.27.

  

Environmental Matters

     28   
 

Section 4.28.

  

No Other Agreement to Sell

     29   
 

Section 4.29.

  

Special Warranty

     29   
 

Section 4.30.

  

Royalties

     29   

Article V. Disclaimer and Disclosure Schedule

     29   
 

Section 5.1.

  

Disclaimer

     29   
 

Section 5.2.

  

Updated Annexes, Disclosure Schedules and Exhibits

     31   

Article VI. Representations and Warranties of Buyer Parties

     31   
 

Section 6.1.

  

Organization and Standing

     31   
 

Section 6.2.

  

Power and Authority

     31   
 

Section 6.3.

  

Valid and Binding Agreement

     31   
 

Section 6.4.

  

Non-Contravention

     32   
 

Section 6.5.

  

Approvals

     32   
 

Section 6.6.

  

Proceedings

     32   
 

Section 6.7.

  

Financing

     32   
 

Section 6.8.

  

Investment Experience

     33   
 

Section 6.9.

  

Restricted Securities

     33   
 

Section 6.10.

  

Accredited Investor; Investment Intent

     33   
 

Section 6.11.

  

Independent Evaluation

     33   
 

Section 6.12.

  

Issuance of Parent Shares

     33   
 

Section 6.13.

  

Capitalization

     33   
 

Section 6.14.

  

SEC Reports; Financial Statements

     34   
 

Section 6.15.

  

No Registration

     35   
 

Section 6.16.

  

Investment Company

     35   
 

Section 6.17.

  

NYSE Listing

     35   
 

Section 6.18.

  

Form S-3 Eligibility

     35   
 

Section 6.19.

  

Anti-Takeover

     35   
 

Section 6.20.

  

Controls and Procedures

     35   
 

Section 6.21.

  

Registration Rights

     35   
 

Section 6.22.

  

Brokers

     35   

Article VII. Certain Covenants

     36   
 

Section 7.1.

  

Access

     36   
 

Section 7.2.

  

Exculpation and Indemnification

     37   
 

Section 7.3.

  

Assignment of Excluded Properties

     37   
 

Section 7.4.

  

Activities of the Company Pending Closing

     37   
 

Section 7.5.

  

Confidentiality Agreement

     40   
 

Section 7.6.

  

Officer and Director Resignation and Releases

     41   
 

Section 7.7.

  

Indemnification of Managers and Officers

     41   
 

Section 7.8.

  

Taxes

     42   
 

Section 7.9.

  

Press Releases

     45   
 

Section 7.10.

  

Books and Records

     45   
 

Section 7.11.

  

Name Change and Logo

     45   
 

Section 7.12.

  

HSR Filing

     45   
 

Section 7.13.

  

Seller Contracts

     46   

 

ii


 

Section 7.14.

  

Requisite Shareholder Approval

     46   
 

Section 7.15.

  

Additional Listing Application

     48   
 

Section 7.16.

  

Parent Share Restriction

     48   
 

Section 7.17.

  

Company Records

     48   
 

Section 7.18.

  

Financial Statements; Financing

     48   
 

Section 7.19.

  

No Recourse to Financing Sources

     50   
 

Section 7.20.

  

Exclusivity

     50   

Article VIII. Buyer’s Due Diligence Examination

     50   
 

Section 8.1.

  

Due Diligence Examination

     50   
 

Section 8.2.

  

Assertion of Title and Environmental Defects

     51   
 

Section 8.3.

  

Title Defect Amount

     51   
 

Section 8.4.

  

Defensible Title

     53   
 

Section 8.5.

  

Permitted Encumbrances

     53   
 

Section 8.6.

  

Title and Environmental Defects

     55   
 

Section 8.7.

  

Environmental Defects

     56   
 

Section 8.8.

  

Base Purchase Price Adjustments for Defects

     56   
Article IX. Conditions Precedent to Closing Obligations      57   
 

Section 9.1.

  

Conditions Precedent to the Obligations of Buyer Parties

     57   
 

Section 9.2.

  

Conditions Precedent to the Obligations of Seller

     59   
Article X. Closing      60   
 

Section 10.1.

  

Closing

     60   
 

Section 10.2.

  

Closing Obligations of Seller and the Company

     60   
 

Section 10.3.

  

Closing Obligations of Buyer Parties

     61   
Article XI. Termination, Amendment and Waiver      62   
 

Section 11.1.

  

Termination

     62   
 

Section 11.2.

  

Effect of Termination

     63   
 

Section 11.3.

  

Return of Information

     66   
Article XII. Accounting Adjustments      66   
 

Section 12.1.

  

Adjustments for Revenues and Expenses

     66   
 

Section 12.2.

  

Initial Adjustment at Closing

     67   
 

Section 12.3.

  

Adjustment Post Closing

     67   
 

Section 12.4.

  

No Further Adjustments

     68   
Article XIII. Indemnification      68   
 

Section 13.1.

  

Indemnification by Buyer Parties

     68   
 

Section 13.2.

  

Indemnification by Seller

     69   
 

Section 13.3.

  

Survival of Provisions

     71   
 

Section 13.4.

  

Limitations

     71   
 

Section 13.5.

  

No Commissions Owed

     72   
 

Section 13.6.

  

Defense of Third Party Claims

     73   
 

Section 13.7.

  

Procedures for Claims Other Than Third Party Claims

     75   
 

Section 13.8.

  

Net Amounts; Escrow

     75   
 

Section 13.9.

  

No Contribution

     76   
Article XIV. Casualty Losses      76   
Article XV. Notices      76   
 

Section 15.1.

  

Notices

     76   
Article XVI. Dispute Resolution      78   

 

iii


 

Section 16.1.

  

Disputes

     78   
 

Section 16.2.

  

Senior Management Meeting

     78   
 

Section 16.3.

  

Arbitration

     78   
Article XVII. Miscellaneous Matters      80   
 

Section 17.1.

  

Further Assurances

     80   
 

Section 17.2.

  

Waiver of Consumer Rights

     80   
 

Section 17.3.

  

Parties Bear Own Expenses/No Special Damages

     80   
 

Section 17.4.

  

Entire Agreement

     81   
 

Section 17.5.

  

Disclosure Schedules

     81   
 

Section 17.6.

  

Choice of Law, Waiver of Jury Trial

     81   
 

Section 17.7.

  

Exclusive Venue

     82   
 

Section 17.8.

  

Time of Essence

     82   
 

Section 17.9.

  

No Assignment

     82   
 

Section 17.10.

  

Counterpart Execution

     82   
 

Section 17.11.

  

Exclusive Remedy

     82   
 

Section 17.12.

  

References, Titles and Construction

     84   
 

Section 17.13.

  

No Third-Person Beneficiaries

     84   
 

Section 17.14.

  

Severability

     84   
 

Section 17.15.

  

Waiver of Conflicts Regarding Representation; Attorney-Client Privilege

     84   
 

Section 17.16.

  

Amendment

     85   
 

Section 17.17.

  

Waiver

     85   

 

iv


LIST OF ANNEXES, EXHIBITS AND DISCLOSURE SCHEDULES

 

Annex A:    Allocated Values

Exhibits:

 

A    Leases
B    Wells
C    Permits
D    Easements
E    Fee Interests
F    Contracts
G    Title Records
H    Registration Rights Agreement
1.1    Adjustment Per Share Price
7.6(a)    Form of Resignation of Officers and Directors
7.6(b)    Form of Release from Seller
7.7    Form of Officer and Director Indemnification Agreements
7.13    Seller Contracts
10.2(a)    Form of Assignment of Interests
12.2    Form of Initial Settlement Statement

Disclosure Schedules:

 

Section 3.5    Non-Contravention of Seller
Section 3.7    Pending Proceedings of Seller
Section 4.6    Non-Contravention of the Company
Section 4.10    Financial Statements
Section 4.11    Pending Proceedings of the Company
Section 4.12    Compliance with Laws
Section 4.14    Material Contracts
Section 4.16    Wells
Section 4.18    Non-Consent Elections
Section 4.19    Capital Commitments
Section 4.22    Consents
Section 4.24    Insurance Policies
Section 4.27    Environmental Matters
Section 4.30    Royalties
Section 7.4(a)(iii)    Interim Operations

 

v


MEMBERSHIP INTEREST

PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT

This MEMBERSHIP INTEREST PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT dated as of October 13, 2016 (the “ Execution Date ”), is by and among Silver Hill Energy Partners II, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ Seller ”), Silver Hill E&P II, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Company ”), RSP Permian, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company (“ Buyer ”), and RSP Permian, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“ Parent ” and, together with Buyer, “ Buyer Parties ” and each a “ Buyer Party ”). Seller, the Company, Buyer and Parent are referred to collectively as the “ Parties ” and individually as a “ Party ”.

W I T N E S S E T H:

WHEREAS, Seller is the owner of 100% of the outstanding membership interests of the Company (the “ Interests ”);

WHEREAS, Seller desires to sell the Interests to Buyer, and Buyer desires to purchase the Interests from Seller, on the terms and conditions set forth herein; and

WHEREAS, the Company desires to join in the execution of this Agreement for the purpose of evidencing their consent to the consummation of the foregoing transaction and for the purpose of making certain covenants and agreements as provided herein.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements contained herein, Seller, the Company, Parent, and Buyer hereby agree as follows:

Article I.

Definitions and References

Section 1.1. Defined Terms . When used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the respective meanings assigned to them in this Section 1.1 or in the section, subsections or other subdivisions referred to below:

Acquired Properties ” means those certain oil and gas properties acquired by Seller from COG Operating LLC pursuant to that certain Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated January 14, 2016, by and between COG Operating LLC and Seller.

Adjustment Per Share Price ” has the meaning set forth on Exhibit 1.1 .

Affiliate ” means any Person directly or indirectly Controlling, Controlled by, or under common Control with any other Person; provided, however , except with respect to Section 7.20 and Section 13.1 , that Kayne Anderson Capital Advisors, L.P. and its Controlled entities shall not be deemed to be Affiliates of Seller or the Company, and Seller and the Company shall not be deemed to be Affiliates of Kayne Anderson Capital Advisors, L.P. and its Controlled entities and, with respect to Section 7.20 and Section 13.1 , Kayne Anderson Capital Advisors, L.P. and its Controlled entities shall be deemed Affiliates of Seller and the Company; provided, further , that the Company shall be deemed to be an Affiliate of Seller prior to the Closing and an Affiliate of Buyer Parties after the Closing.

 

1


Aggregate Base Purchase Price ” means the sum of (a) the Base Purchase Price set forth in this Agreement and (b) the Base Purchase Price set forth in the SHEP I MIPSA.

Agreement ” means this Membership Interest Purchase and Sale Agreement, as hereafter changed, amended or modified in accordance with the terms hereof.

Allocated Value ” means the amount of the Base Purchase Price allocated to each Property on Annex A .

Applicable Environmental Laws ” means any Applicable Law relating to the environment, pollution, health and safety, hazardous materials, industrial hygiene, the environmental conditions on, under, or about any of the Properties, including soil, groundwater, and indoor and ambient air conditions or the reporting or remediation of environmental contamination and includes, without limitation, the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, including the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986, 42 U.S.C. § 9601 et seq.; the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, including the Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendments Act of 1984, 42 U.S.C. § 6901 et seq.; the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, 33 U.S.C. § 1251 et seq.; the Clean Air Act, 42 U.S.C. § 7401 et seq.; the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act, 49 U.S.C. § 5101 et seq.; the Toxic Substances Control Act, 15 U.S.C. §§ 2601 et seq.; the Oil Pollution Act, 33 U.S.C. § 2701 et seq.; the Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act, 42 U.S.C. § 11001 et seq.; the Safe Drinking Water Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 300f et seq.; the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899, 33 U.S.C. § 401 et seq.; and the Occupational Safety and Health Act, 29 U.S.C. § 651 et seq.

Applicable Laws ” means all laws, constitutions, treaties, statutes, common law principles, codes, acts, ordinances, rules, regulations, orders, judgments, decrees, rulings, proclamations, resolutions or other requirements issued, enacted, adopted, promulgated, implemented or otherwise put into effect by or under the authority of a Governmental Entity and applicable to Seller, Buyer, the Company, the Properties or this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby.

Base Purchase Price ” has the meaning set forth on Exhibit 1.1 .

Business Day ” means a day other than a Saturday, Sunday or day on which commercial banks in New York, New York are authorized or required to be closed for business.

Code ” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

Company Records ” means all data, information, software, books, files and records of the Company, including all production records, operating records, correspondence, lease records, well logs and other well-related records, and division order records; prospect files; title records (including abstracts of title, title opinions and memoranda, and title curative documents); contract files; and maps, electric logs, core data, pressure data and decline curves; excluding, however:

(a) any data, information, software and records to the extent disclosure or change in ownership in connection with a sale of the Interests is prohibited, other than

 

2


pursuant to any contract with Seller or any of its Affiliates, or subjected to payment of a fee or other consideration by any license agreement or other agreement with a Person other than Affiliates of Seller, or by Applicable Law, and for which no consent to transfer has been received or for which Buyer has not agreed in writing to pay the fee or other consideration, as applicable;

(b) all legal records and legal files of Seller including all work product of and attorney-client communications with Seller’s legal counsel (other than Seller’s legal records and legal files for litigation, claims or proceedings involving or relating to the Company or the Properties, including any files or records necessary or useful to defend or prosecute any such lawsuit or claim);

(c) data, records and agreements relating to the sale of the Interests, the Company or Properties, including bids received from and records of negotiations with third Persons (other than agreements binding on the Company or the Properties or pursuant to which the Company maintains rights against third parties); and

(d) those original data, information, software and records retained by Seller pursuant to Section 7.10 (the records referred to in clauses (a) through (d) above, the “ Excluded Company Records ”).

Confidentiality Agreement ” means that certain Confidentiality Agreement dated August 16, 2016 by and between SHEP I, the Company and Buyer and/or Parent.

Contracts ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in subsection (h) of the definition of Properties.

Control ” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise, and “ Controlled ” and “ Controlling ” have the meanings correlative thereto.

Credit Facility ” means that certain Credit Agreement dated as of February 26, 2016, by and among Seller, as Borrower, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent, Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, as Sole Bookrunner and Sole Lead Arranger, and the other loan parties and lender parties thereto, as amended, supplemented, or otherwise modified as of the Execution Date.

Current Tax Period ” means any Tax period that includes but does not end at or before the Effective Date.

Defect ” means any Title Defect, as defined in Section 8.6 , or any Environmental Defect, as defined in Section 8.7(a) .

Defect Amount ” means any Title Defect Amount, as defined in Section 8.3 , and any Environmental Defect Amount, as defined in Section 8.7(b) .

 

3


Disclosure Schedule ” means that certain Disclosure Schedule dated as of the Execution Date furnished by the Company to Buyer contemporaneously with the execution and delivery of this Agreement, as amended at any time prior to Closing in the manner permitted by Section 5.2 .

Dollar ” and “ $ ” means the United States of America dollar.

Easements ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in subsection (e) of the definition of Properties.

Effect ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in subsection (a) of the definition of Material Adverse Effect.

Effective Date ” means 12:01 a.m. Central Time on November 1, 2016.

Equipment ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in subsection (c) of the definition of Properties.

ERISA ” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended.

ERISA Affiliate ” means, with respect to a Person, any trade or business (whether or not incorporated) that is treated as a single employer with such Person under Section 4001 of ERISA or Section 414 of the Code.

Escrow Agent ” means Citibank, N.A.

Exchange Act ” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

Excluded Company Records ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in subsection (d) of the definition of Company Records.

Excluded Properties ” means:

(a) any accounts payable accruing before the Effective Date;

(b) all contracts of insurance or indemnity subject to Section 7.7 or Article XIV ;

(c) subject to Section 12.4 , any refund of costs, Taxes or expenses borne by Seller or the Company attributable to the period prior to the Effective Date;

(d) subject to Section 12.4 , all deposits, cash, checks, funds and accounts receivable attributable to the Company’s interests in the Properties with respect to any period of time prior to the Effective Date;

(e) the Excluded Company Records;

(f) subject to Section 7.17 , all servers and hardware related thereto owned, licensed or used by the Company; and

(g) any logo, service mark, copyright, trade name or trademark of or associated with the Company or any Affiliate of the Company or any business of the Company or of any Affiliate of the Company.

 

4


Expenses ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the definition of Transaction Expenses.

Fee Interests ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in subsection (g) of the definition of Properties.

Financing ” means one or more debt or equity financing transactions (including registered public offerings of debt or equity securities, private placements under Rule 144A under the Securities Act, credit facilities and amendments, supplements and refinancings of the foregoing) by Parent, Buyer or one of their respective subsidiaries, as buyer or issuer, in each case, currently existing or consummated at or before the Closing.

Financing Source ” means the entities that have committed to provide or arrange, or otherwise are currently a party to or that later enter into agreements in connection with, all or any part of any Financing, including the parties to any joinder agreements, indentures or credit agreements entered into pursuant thereto, together with their respective affiliates and their and their respective affiliates’ officers, directors, employees, agents and representatives and their successors and assigns.

GAAP ” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America, consistently applied.

Governing Documents ” means, when used with respect to an entity, the documents governing the formation, operation and governance of such entity, including (a) in the instance of a corporation, the articles of incorporation and bylaws of such corporation, (b) in the instance of a partnership, the partnership agreement, (c) in the instance of a limited partnership, the certificate of formation and the limited partnership agreement, and (d) in the instance of a limited liability company, the articles of organization or certificate of formation and operating agreement or limited liability company agreement.

Governmental Entity ” means any court or tribunal in any jurisdiction (domestic or foreign) or any federal, state, county, municipal, tribal or other governmental, quasi-governmental or regulatory body, agency, authority, department, commission, board, bureau, or instrumentality (domestic or foreign).

Hydrocarbons ” means oil and gas and other hydrocarbons produced or processed in association therewith (whether or not such item is in liquid or gaseous form), or any combination thereof, and any minerals (whether in liquid or gaseous form) produced in association therewith, including all crude oil, gas, casinghead gas, condensate, natural gas liquids, and other gaseous or liquid hydrocarbons (including ethane, propane, iso-butane, nor-butane, gasoline, and scrubber liquids) of any type and chemical composition.

Imbalance ” means any over-production, under-production, over-delivery, under-delivery or similar imbalance of Hydrocarbons produced from or allocated to the Properties, regardless of

 

5


whether such over-production, under-production, over-delivery, under-delivery or similar imbalance arises at the wellhead, pipeline, gathering system, transportation system, processing plant or other location.

Indebtedness ” means, without duplication: (i) all obligations (including the principal amount thereof and, if applicable, the accreted amount thereof and the amount of accrued and unpaid interest thereon) of a Person, whether or not represented by bonds, debentures, notes or other securities (and whether or not convertible into any other security), for the repayment of money borrowed, whether owing to banks, to financial institutions, on equipment leases or otherwise; (ii) all deferred liabilities of such Person for the payment of the purchase price of property or assets purchased (other than current accounts payable that were incurred in the ordinary course of business); (iii) all obligations of such Person to pay rent or other amounts under a lease which is required to be classified as a capital lease; (iv) all outstanding reimbursement obligations of such Person with respect to letters of credit, bankers’ acceptances or similar facilities issued for the account of such Person; (v) all obligations of such Person under any interest rate swap agreement, forward rate agreement, interest rate cap or collar agreement or other financial agreement or arrangement entered into for the purpose of limiting or managing interest rate risks; (vi) all obligations secured by any Lien (other than Permitted Encumbrances) existing on property or assets owned by such Person for borrowed money, whether or not indebtedness secured thereby has been assumed; (vii) all guaranties, endorsements and other similar contingent obligations of such Person in respect of, or to purchase or to otherwise acquire, indebtedness of others; and (viii) all premiums, penalties, fees, expenses, breakage costs and change of control payments required to be paid or offered in respect of any of the foregoing on prepayment (regardless if any of such are actually paid), as a result of the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or any transaction in connection with any lender approval, consent, ratification, permission, waiver, order or authorization (including any Permit); provided, however , that Indebtedness shall not include accounts payable to trade creditors and accrued expenses arising in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice.

Indemnitee ” means either a Buyer Indemnitee or a Seller Indemnitee, as applicable.

Indemnity Escrowed Shares ” means 1,614,320 Parent Shares.

IRS ” means the United States Internal Revenue Service.

Knowledge ” (a) in the case of Seller or the Company (or similar references to Seller’s or the Company’s knowledge) means all information actually known by Kyle D. Miller, Patrick Halpin, and Chip Taylor and (b) in the case of Buyer or Parent, (or similar references to Buyer’s or Parent’s knowledge) means all information actually known by Steve Gray, Scott McNeill or Jim Mutrie, in the case of both (a) and (b), without any duty or obligation of investigation or inquiry.

Lands ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in subsection (a) of the definition of Properties.

Leases ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in subsection (a) of the definition of Properties.

 

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Lien ” means any deed of trust, mortgage, security interest, hypothecation, encumbrance, lien, charge or pledge; provided, however , that, with respect to the Interests, Lien shall also include any title retention agreement, voting trust agreement or any other restriction or limitation of any kind or character, including any restriction on transferability.

Material Adverse Effect ” means:

(a) As to the Company, any circumstance, change or effect or other matter (collectively “ Effect ”) that is or would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the business, operations or financial condition of the Company and the Properties taken as a whole; provided, however , that the following shall be deemed not to constitute, create or cause a Material Adverse Effect of the Company:

(i) any changes in Hydrocarbon prices;

(ii) any Effects that affect generally the oil or gas industries or that result from international, national, regional, state or local economic conditions, from general developments or conditions in the oil or gas industries, from changes in laws, rules or regulations applicable to the Company or the Properties (or the interpretation or application thereof) or from other general economic conditions, facts or circumstances;

(iii) reductions in revenues and/or earnings of the Company in the ordinary course of business; provided that the underlying causes of such reductions may be taken into account in determining whether a Material Adverse Effect has occurred except to the extent such underlying causes are otherwise deemed not to constitute, create or cause a “Material Adverse Effect”;

(iv) any disruption in the purchase or transportation of crude oil or natural gas produced or otherwise sold by the Company as a result of any shutdown, interruption or declaration of force majeure by any pipeline operator or other purchaser of such products;

(v) any Effects that result from any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the public announcement thereof;

(vi) any Effects that result from the effects of conditions or events resulting from an outbreak or escalation of hostilities (whether nationally or internationally), or the occurrence of any other calamity or crisis (whether nationally or internationally), including, without limitation terrorist attacks to the extent that such Effect does not have a disproportionate impact on the Company and the Properties, taken as a whole relative to other businesses in the industry in which the Company operates;

(vii) effects or changes that are cured or no longer exist by the earlier of the Closing and the termination of this Agreement;

(viii) any changes in accounting requirements or principles imposed by any change in GAAP or the interpretation thereof;

 

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(ix) any actions or inactions of Seller or the Company taken in compliance with this Agreement or consented to by Buyer;

(x) any natural disasters or acts of God to the extent that such Effect does not have a disproportionate impact on the Company and the Properties, taken as a whole relative to other businesses in the industry in which the Company operates;

(xi) any failure to meet any projections, forecasts, or estimates of financial metrics for any period; provided that the underlying causes of such failures may be taken into account in determining whether a Material Adverse Effect has occurred except to the extent such underlying causes are otherwise deemed not to constitute, create or cause a “Material Adverse Effect”;

(xii) any Effect resulting from any action taken by Buyer or any Affiliate of Buyer, other than those not expressly permitted in accordance with the terms of this Agreement; or

(xiii) natural declines in well performance.

(b) As to Seller, any Effect that is or would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on Seller’s ability to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Transaction Documents or prevent the consummation of any of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby.

(c) As to Parent or Buyer, either

(i) any Effect that is or would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the business, operations or financial condition of Buyer Parties; provided, however , that the following shall be deemed not to constitute, create or cause a Material Adverse Effect of Parent:

(A) any changes in Hydrocarbon prices;

(B) any Effects that affect generally the oil or gas industries or that result from international, national, regional, state or local economic conditions, from general developments or conditions in the oil or gas industries, from changes in laws, rules or regulations applicable to the Company or the Properties (or the interpretation or application thereof) or from other general economic conditions, facts or circumstances;

(C) reductions in revenues and/or earnings of the Company in the ordinary course of business; provided that the underlying causes of such reductions may be taken into account in determining whether a Material Adverse Effect has occurred except to the extent such underlying causes are otherwise deemed not to constitute, create or cause a “Material Adverse Effect”;

(D) any disruption in the purchase or transportation of crude oil or natural gas produced or otherwise sold by the Company as a result of any shutdown, interruption or declaration of force majeure by any pipeline operator or other purchaser of such products;

 

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(E) any Effects that result from any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the public announcement thereof;

(F) any Effects that result from the effects of conditions or events resulting from an outbreak or escalation of hostilities (whether nationally or internationally), or the occurrence of any other calamity or crisis (whether nationally or internationally), including, without limitation terrorist attacks to the extent that such Effect does not have a disproportionate impact on the Company and the Properties, taken as a whole relative to other businesses in the industry in which the Company operates;

(G) effects or changes that are cured or no longer exist by the earlier of the Closing and the termination of this Agreement;

(H) any changes in accounting requirements or principles imposed by any change in GAAP or the interpretation thereof;

(I) any actions or inactions of Parent or Buyer taken in compliance with this Agreement or consented to by Seller;

(J) any natural disasters or acts of God to the extent that such Effect does not have a disproportionate impact on the Company and the Properties, taken as a whole relative to other businesses in the industry in which the Company operates;

(K) any failure to meet any projections, forecasts, or estimates of financial metrics for any period; provided that the underlying causes of such failures may be taken into account in determining whether a Material Adverse Effect has occurred except to the extent such underlying causes are otherwise deemed not to constitute, create or cause a “Material Adverse Effect”;

(L) any Effect resulting from any action taken by Seller or the Company or any Affiliate of Seller or the Company, other than those not expressly permitted in accordance with the terms of this Agreement;

(M) natural declines in well performance; or

(ii) any Effect that is or would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on Buyer Parties’ ability to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Transaction Documents or prevent the consummation of any of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby.

Material Contract ” to the extent binding on the Oil and Gas Properties or the Company’s ownership thereof after Closing, any Contract which is one or more of the following types and which, only in the case of subsections (ii) or (iii), below, can reasonably be expected to result in

 

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gross revenue per fiscal year in excess of Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000) or in the case of subsections (ii) or (vi) below, can reasonably be expected to result in expenditures per fiscal year in excess of Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000), in each case, net to the aggregate interests of the Company:

(i) Contracts with any Affiliate of the Company that will not be terminated on or prior to Closing, except for any assignments to any Affiliate of the Company of any overriding royalty interest or other similar interest which will burden the Properties after the Closing and are filed of record;

(ii) Contracts for the sale, purchase, exchange, or other disposition of Hydrocarbons produced from the Oil and Gas Properties which are not cancelable without penalty to the Company, its Affiliates, or its or their permitted successors and assigns, on at least one hundred twenty (120) days prior written notice;

(iii) To the extent currently pending, Contracts to sell, lease, farmout, exchange, or otherwise dispose of all or any part of the Oil and Gas Properties after Closing, but excluding right of reassignment upon intent to abandon any such Oil and Gas Property;

(iv) Contracts for the gathering, treatment, processing, storage or transportation of Hydrocarbons;

(v) Operating agreements, area of mutual interest agreements, joint venture agreements, exploration agreements, surface use agreements, development agreements (including all such Contracts containing unfulfilled obligations for the Company to drill additional wells), participation agreements, farmin and farmout agreements, drag-along agreements, put agreements, call agreements, and any other similar agreements for which any terms remain executory and which materially affect any interest in the Properties;

(vi) All Contracts that provide for any take-or-pay arrangements, call upon production, option to purchase or similar rights with respect to the Properties or to the production therefrom or the processing thereof, or that contain a dedication of production;

(vii) Any Contract that is a water rights agreement, disposal agreements, or similar agreement relating to sourcing, transportation, or disposal of water; and

(viii) Any Contract to which the Company is a party with respect to any swap, forward, future or derivative transaction or option or similar agreement, whether exchange traded, “over-the-counter” or otherwise, involving, or settled by reference to, one or more rates, currencies, commodities, equity or debt instruments or securities, or economic, financial or pricing indices or measures of economic, financial or pricing risk or value or any similar transaction or any combination of these transactions.

 

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Net Mineral Acre ” means, as to each parcel or tract burdened by a Lease, the product of (a) the number of surface acres of land that are described in such parcel or tract (i.e. gross acres), multiplied by (b) the lessor’s aggregated undivided interest, on an 8/8ths basis, in the fee minerals, non-executive interests and other mineral fee interests in the lands covered by such parcel or tract burdened by the applicable Lease, multiplied by (c) the Company’s Working Interest in such Lease ( provided , however , if items (a) and (b) of this definition vary as to different areas within any tracts or parcels burdened by such Lease, a separate calculation shall be performed with respect to each such area).

Net Revenue Interest ” means, with respect to any Oil and Gas Property, the percentage interest in and to all production of Hydrocarbons saved, produced and sold from or allocated to such Oil and Gas Property, after giving effect to all Royalties.

Oil and Gas Properties ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in subsection (b) of the definition of Properties.

Parent Common Stock ” means the common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of Parent, as traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the trading symbol “RSPP”.

Permits ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in subsection (d) of the definition of Properties.

Person ” means any individual, sole proprietorship, corporation, partnership, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, enterprise, unincorporated organization or other entity or Governmental Entity.

Price Per Share ” means the arithmetic average of the daily VWAP of a share of Parent Common Stock for the fifteen (15) consecutive trading days immediately prior to payment of an amount from the Indemnity Escrow Account.

Proceedings ” means all proceedings, actions, claims, suits, investigations, hearings, audits, demands, charges, complaints, examinations, and inquiries (in each case, whether civil, criminal, judicial, administrative, investigative, appellate or otherwise) brought, conducted or heard by or before, or otherwise involving, any arbitrator, arbitration panel, court or Governmental Entity other than Permit and zoning applications pursued in the ordinary course of business.

Properties ” means, except for the Excluded Properties, all of the Company’s right, title and interest in and to the following described properties, rights and interests:

(a) the working interests and net revenue interests set forth on Exhibit A , together with all other interest of the Company in the Hydrocarbon leases described on Exhibit   A , whether such right, title and interest are legal or equitable, vested or contingent, (collectively, the “ Leases ”), together with all pooled, communitized or unitized acreage or rights which includes or constitutes all or part of any Leases or any Wells, and all tenements, hereditaments and appurtenances belonging to the Leases (collectively, the “ Lands ”);

 

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(b) the working interests and net revenue interests set forth on Exhibit B , together with all other interest of the Company in any and all Hydrocarbon, water, CO 2 , injection wells or other wells located on, under or within the Lands, to the extent described on Exhibit   B attached hereto (the “ Wells ” and together with the Leases, the “ Oil and Gas Properties ”), in each case whether producing, non-producing, permanently or temporarily plugged and abandoned;

(c) all tank batteries, pipelines, metering facilities, interconnections and other equipment, machinery, facilities, fixtures and other tangible personal property and improvements, flowlines, gathering lines and Well equipment (both surface and subsurface) located on the Lands that are primarily used in connection with the ownership or operation of the Oil and Gas Properties or the production, transportation or processing of Hydrocarbons produced from the Oil and Gas Properties (the “ Equipment ”);

(d) all permits, licenses, certificates, approvals, consents, notices, waivers, franchises, registrations and other governmental authorizations (“ Permits ”) held by the Company, as described on Exhibit C , and any other Permits that are used by the Company for the ownership, operation, maintenance, repair or replacement of the Oil and Gas Properties;

(e) all easements, servitudes, rights of way, surface leases and other rights to use the surface appurtenant to, and used or held primarily for use in connection with, the ownership or operation of the Oil and Gas Properties including the property described on Exhibit D (the “ Easements ”);

(f) all Hydrocarbons in, on under or that may be produced from or attributable to the Leases or Wells after the Effective Date, including all Hydrocarbon inventories of the Company from the Oil and Gas Properties in storage or constituting linefill as of the Effective Date;

(g) The fee interests in land of the Company, as described on Exhibit   E , and any other fee interests in land owned by the Company that are used for the ownership, operation, maintenance, repair or replacement of the Oil and Gas Interests (the “ Fee Interests ”);

(h) The contracts and agreements listed on Exhibit F and any other currently effective contracts, agreements and instruments that are binding on the Oil and Gas Properties or that relate primarily to the ownership or operation of the Oil and Gas Properties (but only to the extent applicable to the Oil and Gas Properties) including operating agreements, unitization, pooling, and communitization agreements, declarations and orders, area of mutual interest agreements, joint venture agreements, farmin and farmout agreements, exchange agreements, purchase and sale agreements and other contracts in which the Company acquired interests in any other Properties, transportation agreements, agreements for the sale and purchase of Hydrocarbons and processing agreements but excluding any contracts, agreements and instruments included within the definition of “Excluded Properties,” and provided that the defined term

 

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“Contracts” shall not include the Leases and other instruments constituting the Company’s chain of title to the Leases to the extent that such instruments are filed of record and not merely referred to in record title (subject to such exclusion and proviso, the “ Contracts ”);

(i) Any and all unexpired warranties, claims, rights, or causes of action that the Company may have against third parties that relate to the assets set forth in items (a) through (h) above; and

(j) Geological, reservoir, drilling and completion data relating to the ownership and operation of the Properties set forth in items (a) through (h) above.

Property Costs ” means (i) all operating and production expenses (including costs of insurance, rentals, shut-in payments and royalty payments; customary title examination and curative actions taken in connection with the drilling of wells; ad valorem, property, severance, production and similar Taxes attributable to the ownership or operation of the Properties or the production or the sale of Hydrocarbons therefrom; and gathering, processing and transportation costs in respect of Hydrocarbons produced from the Properties) and capital expenditures (including bonuses, broker fees, and other lease acquisition costs, costs of drilling and completing wells and costs of acquiring equipment) incurred in the ownership and operation of the Properties in the ordinary course of business, (ii) general and administrative costs with respect to the Properties and (iii) overhead costs charged to the Properties under the applicable operating agreement; provided , that “Property Costs” shall not include casualty losses which are addressed by Article XVI .

Reasonable Documentation ” means with respect to any Defect asserted by Buyer, a copy of or reference to:

(a) Any available title opinion or landman’s title report describing the asserted Title Defect;

(b) The relevant document to the extent the alleged Defect is or arises from a document;

(c) The deed preceding and following a gap in the chain of title or a title opinion describing the gap in reasonable detail, to the extent the basis of the alleged Defect is a gap in the Company’s chain of title;

(d) Any document creating or evidencing the Lien or encumbrance, to the extent the basis of the alleged Defect is a Lien or encumbrance;

(e) The Site Assessment describing the Defect, to the extent necessary to show the alleged Defect is an Environmental Defect; and

(f) Any other documents in the possession of Buyer or Parent reasonably necessary for the other Parties (as we l l as any title attorney, examiner or environmental consultant hired by such Parties) to verify or investigate the existence of the alleged Defect.

 

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Reasonable Efforts ” means a party’s reasonable efforts in accordance with reasonable commercial practice without incurring unreasonable expenses.

Reduced Shares ” means the positive difference between (i) the sum of that number of Parent Shares issuable under this Agreement (after giving effect to the adjustments provided for in Section 2.3(c)(ii) ) upon the Closing plus that number of shares of Parent Common Stock issued or issuable under the SHEP I MIPSA (including the Indemnity Escrowed Shares (as defined in the SHEP I MIPSA)) upon the closing of the transactions contemplated by the SHEP I MIPSA, minus (ii) that number of shares of Parent Common Stock equal to the product of (x) .199, multiplied by , (y) that number of shares of Parent Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Execution Date; provided , that any resulting fractional share of Parent Common Stock shall be rounded up except to the extent that such rounding would cause the number of shares under clause (i) of this definition to exceed clause (ii) of this definition, in which case the resulting fractional share shall be rounded down.

Royalties ” means all royalties, overriding royalties, reversionary interests, net profit interests, production payments, carried interests, non-participating royalty interests and other royalty burdens and other interests payable out of production of Hydrocarbons from or allocated to the Properties or the proceeds thereof to third parties.

Securities Act ” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

SHEP Holdings ” means Silver Hill Energy Partners Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

SHEP I ” means Silver Hill Energy Partners, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

SHEP I MIPSA ” means that certain Membership Interest Purchase and Sale Agreement by and among SHEP I, SHEP Holdings, Parent and Buyer of even date herewith.

SHEP I Parent Shares ” means the issuance to SHEP Holdings of the Parent Shares pursuant to the SHEP I MIPSA.

“Suspended Funds”  means proceeds of production which Seller or Company is holding (including funds held in suspense for unleased interests and penalties and interest) which are owing to third party owners of royalty, overriding royalty, working, or other interests in respect of past production,

Tax ” or “ Taxes ” means any federal, state, local, or non-U.S. income, gross receipts, license, payroll, employment, excise, severance, stamp, occupation, premium, windfall profits, environmental, customs duties, capital stock, franchise, profits, withholding, social security (or similar), unemployment, disability, real property, personal property, sales, use, transfer, registration, value added, alternative or add-on minimum, estimated, or other tax of any kind whatsoever imposed by any Governmental Entity, whether computed on a separate or consolidated, unitary or combined basis or in any other manner, including any interest, penalty, or addition thereto, whether disputed or not and including any obligation to indemnify or otherwise assume or succeed to the Tax liability of any other Person.

 

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Tax Return ” means any return, declaration, report, claim for refund, or information return or statement relating to Taxes, including any schedule or attachment thereto, and including any amendment thereof.

Transaction Documents ” means this Agreement, the SHEP I MIPSA, the Registration Rights Agreement and the other agreements, documents, instruments, and certificates to be delivered by any Party at the Closing, and any other agreements, documents, instruments and certificates to be delivered by any Party in connection with this Agreement or the Closing.

Transaction Expenses ” means all unpaid fees, costs, expenses, payments, expenditures or liabilities (collectively, “ Expenses ”), incurred or created prior to the Execution Date, or during the period after the Execution Date and prior to the Closing Date (and whether or not invoiced prior to the Closing Date), by Seller or any of its Affiliates or the Company, in connection with any of the transactions contemplated hereby, including: (a) Expenses payable to legal counsel or to any financial advisor, broker, accountant or other Person who performed services for or provided advice to Seller or any of its Affiliates or the Company prior to the Closing, or who is otherwise entitled to any compensation or payment from Seller or any of their respective Affiliates or the Company with respect to services provided prior to the Closing, in connection with any of the transactions contemplated hereby; (b) Expenses that arise or are expected to arise, or are triggered or become due or payable, as a direct or indirect result of the consummation (whether alone or in combination with any other event or circumstance) of any of the transactions contemplated hereby (including any payments to employees, managers, agents or consultants, whether under a deferred compensation plan, bonus plan or other employee plan or arrangement); (c) Expenses for any unpaid severance obligations owed by the Company to any employee, manager, agent or consultant of the Company to the extent in effect and triggered prior to or as a result of the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, (d) Expenses for any unpaid amounts owed to an employee, manager or consultant in connection with any equity appreciation right triggered prior to or as a result of the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and (e) the employer portion of any unpaid payroll, social security, unemployment or similar Tax required to be paid by the Company under Applicable Law in connection with the payment of any Expenses, but excluding Expenses for which Buyer has agreed to be responsible pursuant to this Agreement and any Expenses paid or incurred directly by Seller or any of its Affiliates (other than the Company).

Transfer Tax ” means any all federal, state and local transfer, sales, use, stamp, documentary, registration or other similar Taxes or assessments resulting from the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

VWAP ” per share of Parent Common Stock on any trading day shall mean the per share volume-weighted average price as displayed on Bloomberg page “RSPP.N <equity> AQR” (or its equivalent if such a page is not available) in respect of the period from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., New York City time, on such trading day; or if such price is not available, “ VWAP ” shall mean the market value per share of Parent Common Stock on such trading day as determined, using a volume-weighted average method, by a nationally recognized independent investment banking firm retained by Seller for this purpose.

 

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Wells ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in subsection (b) of the definition of Properties.

Willful and Material Breach ” shall mean a material breach that is a consequence of an act or failure to take an act by the breaching party with the actual knowledge that the taking of such act (or the failure to take such act) would constitute a material breach of this Agreement.

Working Interest ” means, with respect to any Oil and Gas Property, the percentage of costs and expenses associated with the exploration, drilling, development, operation, maintenance and abandonment on or in connection with such Oil and Gas Property required to be borne with respect thereto, but without regard to the effect of any Royalties.

Section 1.2. Certain Additional Defined Terms . In addition to such terms as are defined in the preamble of and recitals to this Agreement and in Section 1.1 , the following terms are used in this Agreement as defined in the Articles or Sections set forth opposite such terms:

 

Defined Term

  

Reference

Additional Listing Application    Section 7.15
Adjusted Cash Purchase Price    Section 2.3(b)
Adjusted Parent Shares    Section 2.3(c)
Arbitration Decision    Section 16.3(d)
Arbitration Notice    Section 16.3(a)
Arbitrator    Section 16.3(a)
Assignment    Section 10.2(a)
Bank    Section 2.4(a)
Base Purchase Price    Section 2.2
Buyer    Preamble
Buyer Indemnitees    Section 13.2
Buyer Parties    Preamble
Buyer’s Indemnified Claims    Section 13.1
Buyer’s Review    Section 8.1
Cash Purchase Price    Section 2.2
Closing    Section 10.1
Closing Date    Section 10.1
Common Interest Parties    Section 17.15
Company    Preamble
Consents    Section 4.22
Corporate Actions    Section 7.14(c)
Damages    Section 7.2
Defect Notice    Section 8.2
Defensible Title    Section 8.4
Deposit    Section 2.4(a)
Deposit Account    Section 2.4(a)
Disputes    Section 16.1
Environmental Defect    Section 8.7(a)
Environmental Defect Amount    Section 8.7(a)
Environmental Defect Threshold    Section 8.7(a)

 

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Defined Term

  

Reference

Examination Period    Section 8.1
Execution Date    Preamble
Final Settlement Statement    Section 12.3
Finance Related Parties    Section 7.19
Financial Statements    Section 4.10
HSR Act    Section 7.12
Indemnity Deductible    Section 13.4(a)
Indemnity Escrow Account    Section 2.4(b)
Indemnity Escrow Agreement    Section 2.4(b)
Initial Settlement Statement    Section 12.2
Inspection Indemnitees    Section 7.2
Insurance Policies    Section 4.24
Interests    Recitals
Joint Instructions    Section 2.4(a)
Lock-Up Period    Section 7.16
Outstanding Capital Commitments    Section 4.19
Parent    Preamble
Parent SEC Reports    Section 6.14
Parent Shares    Section 2.2
Parent Stockholders’ Meeting    Section 7.14(a)
Parties    Preamble
Permitted Encumbrances    Section 8.5
Property Records    Section 7.1
Proxy Statement    Section 7.14(a)
Purchase Price Allocation    Section 7.8(e)(i)
Recommendation    Section 7.14(a)
Registration Rights Agreement    Section 10.2(g)
Required Financial Information    Section 7.18(b)
Required Permit    Section 4.26
Requisite Stockholder Approval    Section 7.14(a)
Seller    Preamble
Seller Contracts    Section 7.13(a)
Seller Indemnitees    Section 13.1
Seller Related Parties    Section 7.19
Seller’s Indemnified Claims    Section 13.1
SHEP I Parent Shares    Section 7.14(c)
Site Assessment    Section 7.1
Surviving Provisions    Section 11.2(a)
T&K    Section 17.15
Target Closing Date    Section 10.1
Tail Policy    Section 7.7(b)
Termination Date    Section 11.1(b)(i)
Third Party Claim    Section 13.6(b)
Third-Party Operators    Section 7.1
Title Defect    Section 8.6

 

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Defined Term

  

Reference

Title Defect Amount    Section 8.3
Title Defect Property    Section 8.3
Title Defect Threshold    Section 8.3

Article II.

Terms of the Transaction

Section 2.1. Agreement to Purchase and Sell Interests . For the consideration hereinafter set forth, and subject to the terms and provisions herein contained, Seller agrees to sell to Buyer, and Buyer agrees to purchase from Seller, the Interests.

Section 2.2. Purchase Price . The Base Purchase Price consists of (i) Six Hundred Forty-Five Million Nine Hundred Fifty-Three Thousand One Hundred Forty-Three and No/100 Dollars ($645,953,143) in cash or other immediately available funds (the “ Cash Purchase Price ”), and (ii) 16,019,638 shares of Parent Common Stock (the “ Parent Shares ”). The Base Purchase Price shall be subject to adjustment both prior to, and after, Closing as set forth herein. The Parent Shares issued to Seller at the Closing shall be subject to adjustment in the event of stock split, combination, re-classification, recapitalization, exchange, stock dividend, or other distribution payable in Parent Common Stock with respect to shares of Parent Common Stock that occurs prior to Closing and shall be issued in the name of Seller. The Parties acknowledge and agree that the Base Purchase Price was derived based on the aggregate Allocated Values of the Properties as set forth on Annex A .

Section 2.3. Adjustments to the Base Purchase Price .

(a) At Closing, the Cash Purchase Price to be paid by the Buyer Parties at Closing shall be:

(i) without duplication, reduced by the sum of (A) the amount, if any, of Indebtedness of the Company described in clause (i) of the definition of Indebtedness and outstanding as of Closing, (B) the amount of any Transaction Expenses outstanding as of Closing, (C) the amount of Suspended Funds that are not held by the Company and that are attributable to the period prior to the Effective Date, (D) the aggregate amount, if any, of adjustments for Property Costs under Article XII hereof which result in a credit to Buyer and (E) an amount equal to the Deposit, plus any interest thereon, which the Bank will deliver to Seller in accordance with Joint Instructions delivered to the Bank immediately prior to Closing;

(ii) increased by the aggregate amount, if any, of adjustments for Property Costs under Article XII hereof which result in a credit to Seller; and

(iii) in the event the Requisite Stockholder Approval is not obtained prior to March 1, 2017, increased by an amount equal to the greater of (A) the product of the number of Reduced Shares multiplied by the Adjustment Per Share Price or (B) the product of the number of Reduced Shares multiplied by the arithmetic average of the daily VWAP of a share of Parent Common Stock for the ten (10) consecutive trading days immediately prior to Closing.

 

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(b) The amount resulting after making the reductions and increases outlined above shall be referred to as the “ Adjusted Cash Purchase Price ”. The Adjusted Cash Purchase Price shall be further adjusted after the Closing in accordance with Article XII to update adjustments for Property Costs under Article XII that were estimated for purposes of Closing.

(c) At Closing, the number of Parent Shares to be issued to Seller shall be reduced by (i) the Indemnity Escrowed Shares to be delivered to the Escrow Agent at Closing, (ii) the number of shares of Parent Common Stock calculated by dividing the sum of (A) the Defect Amounts, if any, and (B) the Allocated Value of any Property excluded pursuant to Section 7.1 , if any, in each case, for which an adjustment to the number of Parent Shares should be made pursuant to Article VII or Article VIII hereof by the Adjustment Per Share Price and (iii) in the event the Requisite Stockholder Approval is not obtained prior to March 1, 2017, the Reduced Shares, if any. Any fractional shares resulting from such calculation shall be rounded up to the nearest whole share. The number of Parent Shares resulting after making the reductions outlined above shall be referred to as the “ Adjusted Parent Shares ”.

Section 2.4. Payment of the Adjusted Cash Purchase Price . The Cash Purchase Price shall be payable as follows:

(a) As of the Execution Date (i) Buyer, Seller, and Citibank, N.A. (the “ Bank ”) shall have executed an escrow agreement, and (ii) Buyer shall have paid the amount equal to $64,104,648 (such amount being herein called the “ Deposit ”) into an interest bearing joint control account (the “ Deposit Account ”) to be established by Buyer and Seller at the Bank and requiring the written authorization of a representative of each party for the disbursal of funds therefrom (“ Joint Instructions ”). The Deposit shall bear interest at the rate established by Bank. In the event the transaction contemplated hereby is consummated in accordance with the terms hereof, the Deposit plus the earned interest shall be applied to the Cash Purchase Price to be paid by Buyer at the Closing, and Buyer and Seller shall deliver Joint Instructions to the Bank to deliver, and the Bank shall deliver to Seller by wire transfer of immediately available funds in Dollars to an account designated in writing by Seller to the Bank, an amount equal to the Deposit plus interest earned thereon. In the event this Agreement is terminated by Buyer or Seller in accordance with Section 11.1 below, the Deposit shall be returned to Buyer or retained by Seller as provided in Article XI . If the Deposit is paid to Buyer, or if Buyer receives credit for same against the Cash Purchase Price paid at Closing, such payment, or credit, shall be in the amount of the Deposit plus the amount of earned interest. All interest earned on the Deposit Account shall be treated as income of Buyer for all Tax purposes.

(b) At the Closing, (i) Buyer shall deliver to Seller, by wire transfer of immediately available funds in Dollars to an account designated in writing by Seller to Buyer, an amount equal to the Adjusted Cash Purchase Price as calculated in accordance with Section 2.3(a) , (ii) Buyer will deposit stock certificates for the Indemnity Escrowed

 

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Shares in an escrow account (the “ Indemnity Escrow Account ”) with the Bank as the source of payment for the indemnification of Buyer Indemnitees pursuant to Article XIII hereof and the terms of a customary escrow agreement (the “ Indemnity Escrow Agreement ”) containing the applicable terms of this Section 2.4(b) and Section 13.8 , which agreement is otherwise consistent with the terms of this Agreement and provides for a release of the Indemnity Escrowed Shares (other than those distributed to Buyer pursuant Section 13.8(b) or subject to outstanding claims) on the date that is twelve (12) months after the Closing Date, (iii) Buyer will cause to be paid to the Persons entitled thereto, all of the Indebtedness of the Company described in clause (i) of the definition of Indebtedness as set forth in the payoff letters delivered by Seller hereto, (iv) Buyer will cause to be paid to the Persons entitled thereto, the Transaction Expenses as set forth in the invoices delivered by Seller pursuant hereto (provided that Transaction Expenses payable to employees and other service providers shall be paid at the time required pursuant to the terms and conditions of the agreements providing for such obligations); and (v) Parent shall deliver the Adjusted Parent Shares as set forth in Section 10.3(b) . Except to the extent otherwise required by Applicable Law, Buyer shall treat any amounts it pays relating to Transaction Expenses pursuant to this Section 2.4(b) as part of the Cash Purchase Price (and any adjustment thereto) for U.S. federal income and any other applicable Tax purposes (and therefore included in the basis of the Properties acquired for such purposes) and will not take any tax deduction for such amounts.

Article III.

Representations and Warranties of Seller

Seller represents and warrants to Buyer as follows:

Section 3.1. Title to Interests .

(a) The Interests are duly authorized, validly issued and fully paid (to the extent required by the Company’s Governing Documents) and non-assessable except as such nonassessibility may be affected by Section 18-607 or Section 18-804 of the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act.

(b) Seller is the record and beneficial owner of, and has good and valid title to, the Interests, and upon consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, Buyer will acquire good and valid title to, the Interests, in each case, free and clear of all Liens, other than (i) those that may arise by virtue of any actions taken by or on behalf of Buyer or its Affiliates, (ii) restrictions on transfer that may be imposed by federal or state securities laws, (iii) restrictions on transfer that are cancelled as of the Closing, (iv) Liens to be released at or prior to Closing, (v) Liens for Taxes not yet due or (vi) any covenants or restrictions set forth in this Agreement or the Governing Documents of the Company.

Section 3.2. Organization and Standing . Seller is a limited liability company, duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware and has full limited liability company power and authority to own, lease and otherwise hold its assets and to carry on its business as now being conducted.

 

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Section 3.3. Power and Authority . Seller has full limited liability company power and authority to execute, deliver, and perform this Agreement and each other Transaction Document to which it is a party, and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby. The execution, delivery and performance by Seller of this Agreement and each other Transaction Document executed or to be executed by Seller, and the consummation by it of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, have been duly authorized by all limited liability company action of Seller and no other proceedings or approvals on the part of Seller or its owners under their respective Governing Documents are necessary to authorize this Agreement and each other Transaction Document executed or to be executed by Seller, or to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby.

Section 3.4. Valid and Binding Agreement . This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by Seller and constitutes, and each other Transaction Document has been, or when executed will be, duly executed and delivered by Seller and constitutes, or when executed and delivered will constitute, a valid and legally binding obligation of Seller, enforceable against Seller in accordance with their respective terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium or other similar laws affecting or relating to the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and the application of general principles of equity (regardless of whether that enforceability is considered in a proceeding at law or in equity).

Section 3.5. Non-Contravention . Except as provided under the Credit Facility (which will be terminated at Closing) or as set forth in Section 3.5 of the Disclosure Schedules, neither the execution, delivery and performance by Seller of this Agreement and each other Transaction Document to which Seller is a party, nor the consummation by Seller of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby do or will (i) conflict with or result in a violation of any provision of Seller’s Governing Documents, (ii) conflict with or result in a violation of any provision of, or constitute (with or without the giving of notice or the passage of time or both) a default under, or give rise (with or without the giving of notice or the passage of time or both) to any right of termination, cancellation, or acceleration under, any bond, debenture, note, mortgage or indenture, in each case, to which Seller or any of the Interests may be bound, (iii) result in the creation or imposition of any Lien, other than Permitted Encumbrances, on the Interests, or (iv) result, in any material respect, in a violation of any Applicable Law binding upon Seller.

Section 3.6. Approvals . Except in connection with the HSR Act or as required under the Credit Facility (which will be terminated at Closing), no consent, approval, order or authorization of, or declaration, filing or registration with, any Governmental Entity or of any other Person is required to be obtained or made by Seller in connection with the execution, delivery, compliance, or performance by Seller of this Agreement or any other Transaction Document to which Seller is a party or the consummation by Seller of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby.

Section 3.7. Pending Litigation . Except as set forth in Section 3.7 of the Disclosure Schedule, there are no Proceedings pending or, to Seller’s Knowledge, threatened, in which Seller is or may be a party adversely affecting the execution and delivery of this Agreement or any Transaction Document by Seller or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby by Seller.

 

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Section 3.8. Accredited Investor; Investment Intent . Seller is an accredited investor as defined in Regulation D under the Securities Act. Seller is acquiring the Parent Shares for its own account for investment and not with a view to, or for sale or other disposition in connection with, any distribution of all or any part thereof, except in compliance with applicable federal and state securities laws.

Section 3.9. Brokers . Seller has not incurred any liability, contingent or otherwise, for brokers’ or finders’ fees in respect of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement for which Buyer or any Buyer Party will have any responsibility whatsoever.

Article IV.

Representations and Warranties of Seller regarding the Company

Seller represents and warrants to Buyer as follows with respect to the Company:

Section 4.1. Organization and Standing . The Company is a limited liability company duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware and has full limited liability company power and authority to own its assets, including the Properties, and to carry on its business as now being conducted. The Company is duly qualified or licensed to do business and in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the nature of its business or the ownership or leasing of its properties makes such qualification or licensing necessary. No Proceedings to dissolve or liquidate the Company are pending or, to Seller’s Knowledge, threatened.

Section 4.2. Governing Documents . The Company has made available to Buyer accurate and complete copies of the Governing Documents of the Company. Such Governing Documents accurately reflect the equity ownership of the Company.

Section 4.3. Capital Structure . No membership interests or other equity of the Company are subject to, nor have any been issued in violation of, preemptive rights, rights of first refusal or similar rights. Seller is the sole member of the Company, and the Interests constitute all of the issued and outstanding membership interests and equity of the Company. Except for the Interests, there are outstanding or in existence (i) no membership interests or other equity or debt securities of the Company, (ii) no securities of the Company convertible into or exchangeable for membership interests or other voting securities of the Company, (iii) no options, warrants, calls, subscriptions or other rights to acquire from such Company, and no obligation of the Company to issue or sell, any membership interests or other voting securities of the Company or any securities of the Company convertible into or exchangeable for such membership interests or voting securities, (iv) no equity equivalents, interests in the ownership or earnings, or other similar rights of or with respect to the Company and (v) other than the Company’s Governing Documents, no voting trust, proxy or other agreement or understanding with respect to the voting of any of the Interests attributable to the Company. There are no outstanding obligations of the Company to repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any of the foregoing shares, securities, options, equity equivalents, interests or rights. The Interests are not certificated.

 

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Section 4.4. Power and Authority . The Company has full limited liability company power and authority to execute, deliver and perform this Agreement and each other Transaction Document to which it is a party and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby. The execution, delivery, and performance by the Company of this Agreement and each other Transaction Document to which it is a party, and the consummation by it of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, have been duly authorized by all necessary limited liability company action of the Company and no other proceedings or approvals on the part of the Company or its owners under their respective Governing Documents are necessary to authorize this Agreement and each other Transaction Document executed or to be executed by the Company, or to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby.

Section 4.5. Valid and Binding Agreement . This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the Company and constitutes, and each other Transaction Document to which it is a party has been, or when executed will be, duly executed and delivered by the Company, and constitutes, or when executed and delivered will constitute, a valid and legally binding obligation of the Company, enforceable against it in accordance with their respective terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium or other similar laws affecting or relating to the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and the application of general principles of equity (regardless of whether that enforceability is considered in a proceeding at law or in equity).

Section 4.6. Non-Contravention . Except as provided under the Credit Facility (which will be terminated at Closing) or as set forth in Section 4.6 of the Disclosure Schedule or consents customarily obtained following Closing and assuming the receipt of all consents required to be set forth on Section 4.22 of the Disclosure Schedule for any consents, neither the execution, delivery, and performance by the Company of this Agreement and each other Transaction Document to which it is a party, nor the consummation by it of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby do or will (i) conflict with or result in a violation of any provision of the Company’s Governing Documents, (ii) conflict with or result in a violation of any provision of, or constitute (with or without the giving of notice or the passage of time or both) a default under, or give rise (with or without the giving of notice or the passage of time or both) to any right of termination, cancellation, or acceleration under, any bond, debenture, note, mortgage, indenture or any Material Contract in each case, to which the Company is a party or by which the Company or its properties may be bound, (iii) result in the creation or imposition of any Lien, other than Permitted Encumbrances, on any of the Company’s properties or other assets, or (iv) result, in any material respect, in a violation of any Applicable Law binding upon the Company or its assets or properties.

Section 4.7. Approvals . To Seller’s Knowledge, no material consent, waiver, notice, approval, order, or authorization of, or declaration, filing, or registration with, any Governmental Entity or of any other Person is required to be obtained or made by the Company in connection with the execution, delivery, or performance by the Company of this Agreement, each other Transaction Document to which it is a party or the consummation by them of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, other than (i) Consents set forth on Section 4.22 of the Disclosure Schedule , (ii) compliance with, and filings under, the HSR Act, (iii) consents customarily obtained following Closing and (iv) consents, approvals, authorizations, filings and notifications, the failure of which to obtain any such consent, approval, authorization or action,

 

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or to make any such filing or notification, would not reasonably be expected to prevent or materially delay the consummation by Company of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

Section 4.8. Subsidiaries . The Company does not own, directly or indirectly, any capital stock of, or other equity interest in, any corporation or have any direct or indirect equity or ownership interest in any other Person. The Company has no joint venture or other similar interests in any Person or obligations, whether contingent or otherwise, to consummate any material additional investment in any Person.

Section 4.9. Intentionally Omitted .

Section 4.10. Financial Statements . Set forth on Section 4.10 of the Disclosure Schedule are the unaudited balance sheet of the Seller as of June 30, 2016 and the related statements of income and cash flows of the Seller for the six month period then ended, together with all related notes and schedules thereto (the “ Unaudited Financial Statements ”). The Unaudited Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with GAAP (except that such unaudited financial statements do not contain all footnotes required under GAAP and are subject to normal year-end adjustments (which will not be material individually or in the aggregate) and include assets of other subsidiaries of Seller). The Unaudited Financial Statements present fairly in all material respects the consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows of the Seller as of the dates thereof and for the periods covered thereby, in each case except as disclosed in the Unaudited Financial Statements (or in the notes thereto). Since June 30, 2016, the Company has not effected any change in any method of accounting or accounting practice, except for any such change required because of a concurrent change in GAAP and set forth in Section 4.10 of the Disclosure Schedule. The Company has no liabilities of a type required to be reflected on a balance sheet prepared in accordance with GAAP, except for liabilities (a) adequately provided for, reflected or reserved on the balance sheet of the Company, dated June 30, 2016, (b) that have arisen after June 30, 2016 in the ordinary course of business, (c) that constitute Indebtedness that will be paid off at the Closing, (d) for Transaction Expenses, or (e) that have not had, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect with respect to the Company.

Section 4.11. Pending Proceedings . Except as set forth in Section 4.11 of the Disclosure Schedule, there are no Proceedings pending or, to Seller’s Knowledge, threatened in writing, against or affecting the Company or any of the Properties. There are no Proceedings pending or, to Seller’s Knowledge, threatened, in which the Company is or may be a party affecting the execution and delivery of this Agreement or any Transaction Document by the Company or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby by the Company. The Company is not subject to or otherwise bound by any material and unsatisfied judgment, order, consent order, injunction, decree or writ of or with any Governmental Entity, other than any Permitted Encumbrances.

Section 4.12. Compliance with Laws . Except as set forth in Section 4.12 of the Disclosure Schedule, to Seller’s Knowledge, the Properties and the Company, with respect to the Properties, have been during the Company’s period of ownership of the Properties, and are currently in material compliance with all Applicable Laws. The Company has not received any

 

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written notice from any Governmental Entity or any other Person that the Properties or the Company are in material violation of, or have materially violated, any Applicable Laws. To Seller’s Knowledge, the Company, or, where Properties are not operated by the Company, the operator of the Properties, possesses all material Permits necessary for it to own, lease or operate (if applicable) the Properties and to carry on its business as now conducted, all such Permits are in full force and effect and there has occurred no material default under any such Permit. Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement by Seller or the Company, nor the consummation by Seller or the Company of the transactions contemplated hereby, will result in a material violation or material breach of, or constitute a default (or give rise to a right of termination or cancellation) of any material Permit. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Section 4.12 does not relate to Taxes, which are the subject of Section 4.13 , or Applicable Environmental Laws, which are the subject of Section 4.27 .

Section 4.13. Taxes .

(a) The Company has filed all Tax Returns that it was required to file, and all such Tax Returns were correct and complete in all material respects.

(b) All Taxes owed by the Company (whether or not shown or required to be shown on any Tax Return) have been paid. There are no Liens on any of the assets of the Company that arose in connection with any failure (or alleged failure) to pay any Tax.

(c) The Company has withheld and paid all material Taxes required to have been withheld and paid in connection with any amounts paid to any employee, independent contractor, creditor, stockholder, or other third party, and all Forms W-2 and 1099 required with respect thereto have been properly completed and timely filed.

(d) There are no claims or disputes concerning any Tax liability of the Company pending or, to the Company’s Knowledge, threatened. No adjustment to Tax has been proposed in writing (and none is pending) by any Governmental Entity in connection with any Tax Returns filed by the Company. No waiver of any statute of limitations with respect to, or any extension of a period for the assessment of, any Tax affecting or which may be expected to affect the Company or the Properties in any manner which is materially adverse is currently in force. No written claim has been made by any Governmental Entity in a jurisdiction where the Company does not file Tax Returns that the Company is or may be subject to taxation by that jurisdiction and no such claim has been threatened in writing and received by the Company.

(e) The Company is and has always been treated as either an entity disregarded as separate from its owner or a partnership for U.S. federal income Tax purposes and has never elected to be treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income Tax purposes.

(f) None of the Properties is subject to any tax partnership as defined in Section 761 of the Code.

(g) The Company is not a party to any Tax allocation or sharing agreement. The Company (i) has not been a member of an any affiliated group within the meaning of

 

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Section 1504(a) of the Code filing a consolidated federal income Tax Return or any similar group defined under a similar provision of state, local, or non-U.S. law (other than of a group the common parent of which is Seller) and (ii) has no liability for the Taxes of any Person (other than Seller and its subsidiaries) under Treasury Regulations Section 1.1502-6 (or any similar provision of state, local, or non-U.S. law), as a transferee or successor, by contract, or otherwise.

(h) The Company is not or has never been a party to any “listed transaction,” as defined in Section 6707A(c)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code and Treasury Regulations Section 1.6011-4(b)(2).

Section 4.14. Contracts . To Seller’s Knowledge, all Material Contracts are included on Section 4.14 of the Disclosure Schedule. Except as set forth in Section 4.14 of the Disclosure Schedule, to Seller’s Knowledge: (i) each Material Contract, assuming due execution and delivery by the other counterparties thereto, constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company and, to Seller’s Knowledge as of the Execution Date, the other counterparties thereto, in each case in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium and similar Applicable Laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and to general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforceability is considered in a proceeding at law or in equity) and (ii) the Company has not received any written notice of the Company’s default or breach of any Material Contract, the resolution of which is currently outstanding.

Section 4.15. Employment and Benefit Plan Matters . The Company does not employ, and the Company has never employed, any employees. All services provided to the Company are provided by employees of SHEP I. The Company does not sponsor or have any liability with respect to any employee benefit or compensation plans, programs, policies, agreements or arrangements of any kind. During the past six years, Seller, the Company and their ERISA Affiliates have not made or been required to make contributions to any “multiemployer plan,” as defined in Section 3(37) of ERISA, or an employee pension plan subject to Title IV of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code. Seller, the Company and their ERISA Affiliates have paid and discharged promptly when due all liabilities and obligations arising under ERISA or the Code of a character which if unpaid or unperformed would result in the imposition of a Tax or penalty against the Company or a Lien against the Company or the Properties. No circumstance exists which could be expected to result in a Tax being imposed on the Company under Section 4980B or 4980H of the Code.

Section 4.16. Wells . Except as set forth in Section 4.16 of the Disclosure Schedule, to Seller’s Knowledge as of the Execution Date:

(a) all Wells have been drilled and completed within the limits permitted by all applicable Leases related to such Leases;

(b) other than wells that have been plugged and abandoned in accordance with all Applicable Laws, there are no dry holes, or shut in or otherwise inactive wells drilled by the Company that are located on lands burdened by the Leases or on lands pooled or unitized therewith that the Company is currently obligated or liable to plug and abandon; and

(c) there are no Wells in respect of which Seller or the Company has received a written notice, claim, demand or order from any Governmental Entity notifying, claiming, demanding or requiring that such Well(s) be temporarily or permanently plugged and abandoned, and which Wells have not been temporarily or permanently plugged and abandoned.

 

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Section 4.17. Imbalances . To Seller’s Knowledge, as of the date or dates reflected thereon, there are no material Imbalances existing with respect to the Properties.

Section 4.18. Non-Consent Elections . Other than as identified on Section 4.18 of the Disclosure Schedule, from ninety (90) days prior to the Execution Date through the Execution Date, neither the Company nor Seller has elected or been deemed to have elected to “non-consent”, or failed to participate in, the drilling or reworking of a well, any seismic program or any other operation which would cause Seller or the Company to lose or forfeit any interests in the wells constituting part of the Properties under any applicable operating agreement.

Section 4.19. Outstanding Capital Commitments . Except as set forth in Section 4.19 of the Disclosure Schedule, as of the Execution Date there are no outstanding authorizations for expenditure or similar request or invoice for funding or participation under any Contract which are binding on the Company or the Properties and which Seller reasonably anticipates will require expenditures by the owner of the Properties attributable to periods on or after the Effective Date in excess of One Million Dollars ($1,000,000) (net to the Company’s Working Interests).

Section 4.20. Intellectual Property . To Seller’s Knowledge, the Company or its Affiliates either own or have valid licenses or other rights to use all patents, copyrights, trademarks, software, databases, engineering data, maps, interpretations and other technical information used in their businesses as presently conducted, subject to the limitations contained in the agreements governing the use of the same.

Section 4.21. Equipment . To Seller’s Knowledge, the Equipment has been maintained in a state of repair so as to be reasonably adequate, in all material respects, for normal operations consistent with the Company’s past practices.

Section 4.22. Consents to Change of Control . To Seller’s Knowledge, Section 4.22 of the Disclosure Schedule is a complete and accurate list of the Properties and related agreements that require any third-party consents to any change of control of the Company (“ Consents ”) or preferential rights to purchase in order for the Company to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

Section 4.23. Bankruptcy . There are no bankruptcy, reorganization, receivership, or arrangement proceedings pending, being contemplated by or, to Seller’s Knowledge, threatened against the Company.

 

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Section 4.24. Insurance Section 4.24 of the Disclosure Schedule lists all insurance policies (by policy number, insurer, annual premium, premium payment dates, expiration date and type of coverage) held by or on behalf of the Company as of the Execution Date, relating to the business and operations of the Company, copies of which have been provided to Buyer (collectively, the “ Insurance Policies ”). As of the Execution Date, all premiums due through the Execution Date have been paid for the Insurance Policies. To Seller’s Knowledge, the Insurance Policies are in full force and effect, enforceable and valid and binding. No written notice of cancellation or termination has been received by the Company with respect to any Insurance Policy. Since January 1, 2016, the Company has not received any written notice, or any other written communication, regarding any refusal of any coverage or rejection of any pending claim under any Insurance Policy. To Seller’s Knowledge, there are no claims under such Insurance Policies that are reasonably likely to exhaust the applicable limit of liability. To Seller’s Knowledge, the Company has reported in a timely manner all reportable events to its insurers.

Section 4.25. Brokers . The Company has not incurred any liability, contingent or otherwise, for brokers’ or finders’ fees in respect of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement for which Buyer or any Buyer Party will have any responsibility whatsoever.

Section 4.26. Permits .

Except for the Required Permits described in the SHEP I MIPSA, the Company and Seller have all material licenses, orders, franchises, registrations and permits of all Governmental Entities required to permit the operation of the Properties as presently operated (the “ Required Permits ”) and each is in full force and effect. To Seller’s Knowledge, there are no outstanding violations of any of the Required Permits. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Section 4.26 shall not relate to Required Permits related to Applicable Environmental Laws, which is the subject of Section 4.27 .

Section 4.27. Environmental Matters . Except as set forth in Section 4.27 of the Disclosure Schedules:

(a) as of the Execution Date, neither Seller nor the Company has received written notice that the Company or the Properties are not in compliance with any Applicable Environmental Laws, and neither the Company nor Seller has received any unwritten notice of any pending or, to Seller’s Knowledge, threatened written demands or claims which would require the Company, under Applicable Environmental Law, to conduct any investigation, remediation or corrective action or which would subject the Company to material liability;

(b) to Seller’s Knowledge, there are no material uncured violations of any Applicable Environmental Laws with respect to the Company or to the Properties; and

(c) with respect to the Properties, the Company has not entered into, and, to Seller’s Knowledge, the Company is not subject to, any written agreements, consents, orders, decrees or judgments, of any Governmental Entity or other binding agreement pursuant to or based on Applicable Environmental Laws that require Seller to perform any remediation of any of the Properties, that require Seller or the Company to perform

 

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any investigation, remediation, or corrective actions regarding any of the Properties or that materially restrict Seller’s ability to develop and operate the Properties (other than orders or agreements of general applicability regarding plugging, abandonment and restoration of oil and gas equipment and facilities).

Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, this Section 4.27 is the sole and exclusive representation or warranty of Seller regarding Applicable Environmental Laws.

Section 4.28. No Other Agreement to Sell .  Except (a) with respect to the transactions contemplated herein, or (b) as otherwise required pursuant to the terms of any Lease or Material Contract or securities laws, Seller and/or the Company does not have any legal obligation, absolute or contingent, to any other Person with respect to the sale, encumbrance or other transfer of any of the Property (other than sales of Hydrocarbons in the ordinary course of business) or the Interests or any other equity securities of Seller, the Company or their respective Affiliates or to enter into any agreement with respect thereto.

Section 4.29. S pecial Warranty . Subject to the Permitted Encumbrances and as of the Closing Date, the Company has Defensible Title to its right, title and interest in and to the Oil and Gas Properties solely as to the lawful claims of any Person (other than the Buyer Parties or their respective Affiliates) claiming by, through or under the Company, Seller or any of Seller’s Affiliates, but not otherwise.

Section 4.30. Royalties . Except for Suspended Funds and as set forth in Section 4.30 of the Disclosure Schedules, with respect to Wells operated by the Company and, to Seller’s Knowledge, with respect to the Wells operated by third parties, all oil and gas production proceeds payable by the Company, Seller or any of Seller’s Affiliates, to others from the Wells have been disbursed in all material respects in accordance with all of the terms and conditions of the applicable Leases, other Contracts and Applicable Law.

Article V.

Disclaimer and Disclosure Schedule

Section 5.1. Disclaimer . EXCEPT FOR THE SPECIFIC REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES MADE BY SELLER IN ARTICLE III AND ARTICLE IV OF THIS AGREEMENT, THE DOCUMENTS DELIVERED BY SELLER AT CLOSING, OR SELLER’S CERTIFICATE, THE BUYER PARTIES HEREBY REPRESENT, WARRANT AND AGREE THAT NEITHER THE COMPANY OR SELLER, NOR ANY OF THEIR AGENTS IS MAKING, SELLER DISCLAIMS AND THE BUYER PARTIES ARE NOT RELYING UPON ANY STATEMENT, REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY, EXPRESS, STATUTORY, OR IMPLIED, AT LAW OR IN EQUITY, IN RESPECT OF (I) THE COMPANY, (II) TITLE OF THE COMPANY IN AND TO THE PROPERTIES, (III) THE CONDITION OF THE PROPERTIES, (IV) ANY IMPLIED OR EXPRESS WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OF THE PROPERTIES, ANY IMPLIED OR EXPRESS WARRANTY OF THE FITNESS OF THE PROPERTIES FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, (V) ANY IMPLIED OR EXPRESS WARRANTY OF CONFORMITY TO MODELS OR SAMPLES OF MATERIALS, (VI) ANY AND ALL OTHER IMPLIED WARRANTIES EXISTING UNDER APPLICABLE LAW NOW OR HEREAFTER IN EFFECT, OR (VII) ANY IMPLIED OR

 

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EXPRESS WARRANTY REGARDING COMPLIANCE WITH ANY APPLICABLE ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS, THE RELEASE OF MATERIALS INTO THE ENVIRONMENT, OR PROTECTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT OR HEALTH. NOTWITHSTANDING THE FOREGOING, NOTHING CONTAINED IN THIS SECTION 5.1 WILL LIMIT, RESTRICT OR OTHERWISE AFFECT BUYER’S RIGHT TO RAISE ENVIRONMENTAL DEFECTS UNDER SECTION 8.7 OR SELLER’S INDEMNIFICATION OBLIGATIONS UNDER SECTION 13.2 WITH RESPECT TO THE SPECIFIC REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES MADE BY SELLER IN ARTICLE III AND ARTICLE IV OF THIS AGREEMENT. EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY SET FORTH IN ARTICLE III AND ARTICLE IV OF THIS AGREEMENT, THE DOCUMENTS DELIVERED BY SELLER AT CLOSING, OR SELLER’S CERTIFICATE, IN PURCHASING THE INTERESTS BUYER ACCEPTS THE PROPERTIES “AS IS,” “WHERE IS,” AND “WITH ALL FAULTS” AND IN THEIR PRESENT CONDITION AND STATE OF REPAIR, SUBJECT ONLY TO THE SPECIFIC REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES SET FORTH IN ARTICLE III AND ARTICLE IV OF THIS AGREEMENT, EACH AS FURTHER LIMITED BY THE SPECIFICALLY BARGAINED FOR LIMITATIONS ON REMEDIES SET FORTH IN THIS AGREEMENT. WITHOUT LIMITING THE GENERALITY OF THE FOREGOING, EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY SET FORTH IN ARTICLE III AND ARTICLE IV OF THIS AGREEMENT, THE DOCUMENTS DELIVERED BY SELLER AT CLOSING, OR SELLER’S CERTIFICATE, NEITHER SELLER, THE COMPANY NOR THEIR AGENTS MAKES ANY REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY AS TO, SELLER DISCLAIMS, AND THE BUYER PARTIES ARE NOT RELYING UPON (A) THE PHYSICAL, OPERATING, REGULATORY COMPLIANCE, SAFETY, OR ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITION OF THE PROPERTIES, (B) THE CONDITION OF THE PROPERTIES OR ANY VALUE THEREOF, OR (C) THE ACCURACY, COMPLETENESS, OR MATERIALITY OF ANY DATA, INFORMATION, OR RECORDS FURNISHED OR MADE AVAILABLE TO THE BUYER PARTIES IN CONNECTION WITH THEIR REVIEW OF THE COMPANY OR THE PROPERTIES OR OTHERWISE IN CONNECTION WITH THE CONSUMMATION OF THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT, AND THE BUYER PARTIES SPECIFICALLY REPRESENT AND WARRANT THAT THEY ARE NOT RELYING UPON OR HAVE NOT RELIED UPON ANY SUCH REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF SELLER, THE COMPANY OR THEIR AGENTS EXCEPT FOR THE SPECIFIC REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES MADE BY SELLER IN ARTICLE III AND ARTICLE IV OF THIS AGREEMENT. THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION 5.1 , TOGETHER WITH THE LIMITED REMEDIES SET FORTH IN PROVIDED HEREIN, WERE SPECIFICALLY BARGAINED FOR BETWEEN PARENT, BUYER, THE COMPANY AND SELLER AND WERE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT BY PARENT, BUYER, THE COMPANY AND SELLER IN ARRIVING AT THE PURCHASE PRICE. THE BUYER PARTIES ACKNOWLEDGE AND AGREE TO THE FOREGOING AND AGREE, REPRESENT AND WARRANT THAT THE FOREGOING DISCLAIMER IS “CONSPICUOUS” AND THE RESULT OF ARM’S-LENGTH NEGOTIATION, THAT THE BUYER PARTIES ARE SOPHISTICATED AND KNOWLEDGEABLE ABOUT BUSINESS MATTERS AND WERE REPRESENTED BY COUNSEL, THAT THIS DISCLAIMER IS NOT BOILERPLATE AND THAT THIS DISCLAIMER IS TO BE A CLEAR, UNEQUIVOCAL AND EFFECTIVE DISCLAIMER OF RELIANCE UNDER TEXAS LAW.

 

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Section 5.2. Updated Annexes, Disclosure Schedules and Exhibits . Each Party to this Agreement and its counsel has received a complete set of Annexes, Disclosure Schedules and Exhibits prior to and as of the execution of this Agreement. Seller is permitted to update the Annexes, Disclosure Schedules and Exhibits before Closing and shall deliver any updated Annexes, Disclosure Schedules and Exhibits to Buyer prior to Closing, solely to the extent that such updates are necessary to reflect actions or matters that were either expressly permitted under the terms of this Agreement or which Buyer has approved or consented to in writing as a change to the terms of the Agreement, in which case such updates shall be incorporated in this Agreement by reference and constitute a part of this Agreement. Seller shall have the right to update or modify Disclosure Schedules without the prior written consent of Buyer, solely to reflect matters that either occurred after the Execution Date or were not Known by Seller on or prior to the Execution Date, provided such updates shall not be deemed to amend or become a change to this Agreement, and such updates may be the basis for claim by Buyer that the conditions set forth in Section 9.1(a) and Section 9.1(b) have not been satisfied and/or may be asserted as an Environmental Defect or Title Defect or indemnification claim under Article XIII .

Article VI.

Representations and Warranties of Buyer Parties

Buyer Parties jointly and severally represent to Seller, as of the Execution Date and as of the Closing Date, as follows:

Section 6.1. Organization and Standing . Buyer is a Delaware limited liability company duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware and has full limited liability company power and authority to carry on its business as now being conducted. Parent is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware and has full corporate power and authority to carry on its business as now being conducted. Each Buyer Party is duly qualified or licensed to do business and in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the nature of its business or the ownership or leasing of its properties makes such qualification or licensing necessary, except in such jurisdictions where the failure to be so duly qualified or licensed and in good standing would not prevent or materially delay the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

Section 6.2. Power and Authority . Each Buyer Party has all requisite power and authority to execute, and deliver this Agreement and each other agreement, instrument, or document executed or to be executed by it in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby to which it is a party and subject to the receipt of the Requisite Stockholder Approval, to perform and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby. Subject to the receipt of the Requisite Stockholder Approval, the execution, delivery, and performance by Buyer Parties of this Agreement and each other agreement, instrument, or document executed or to be executed by them in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby to which it is a party, and the consummation by it of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, have been duly authorized by all necessary action of Buyer Parties.

Section 6.3. Valid and Binding Agreement . This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by each Buyer Party and constitutes, and each other Transaction Document to

 

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which it is a party has been, or when executed will be, duly executed and delivered by such Buyer Party, and constitutes, or when executed and delivered will constitute, a valid and legally binding obligation of such Buyer Party, enforceable against such Buyer Party in accordance with its respective terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium or other similar laws affecting or relating to the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and the application of general principles of equity (regardless of whether that enforceability is considered in a proceeding at law or in equity).

Section 6.4. Non-Contravention . Neither the execution, delivery, and performance by a Buyer Party of this Agreement and each other Transaction Document to which it is a party, nor the consummation by it of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby do or will (i) conflict with or result in a violation of any provision of such Buyer Party’s Governing Documents, (ii) conflict with or result in a violation of any provision of, or constitute (with or without the giving of notice or the passage of time or both) a default under, or give rise (with or without the giving of notice or the passage of time or both) to any right of termination, cancellation, or acceleration under, any bond, debenture, note, mortgage or indenture to which such Buyer Party is a party or by which such Buyer Party or its properties may be bound, (iii) result in the creation or imposition of any Lien, other than Permitted Encumbrances, on any of such Buyer Party’s properties or other assets, or (iv) result, in any material respect, in a violation of any Applicable Law binding upon such Buyer Party.

Section 6.5. Approvals . Except in connection with the HSR Act, the Requisite Stockholder Approval, filings that have been made, or will be made, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the New York Stock Exchange in order to cause the Parent Shares to be listed thereon, and filings pursuant to applicable federal and state securities laws, no consent, approval, order, or authorization of, or declaration, filing, or registration with any Governmental Entity or of any third party is required to be obtained or made by a Buyer Party in connection with the execution, delivery, or performance by a Buyer Party of this Agreement, each other agreement, instrument, or document executed or to be executed by a Buyer Party in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby to which it is a party or the consummation by it of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby.

Section 6.6. Proceedings . There are no Proceedings pending or, to Buyer’s Knowledge, threatened, in which a Buyer Party is or may be a party affecting the execution and delivery of this Agreement or any Transaction Document by a Buyer Party or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby.

Section 6.7. Financing . Buyer Parties will have, within thirty (30) days prior to the Target Closing Date, binding commitments related to one or more Financings or cash on hand or availability under their credit facilities that ensure they will have thirty (30) days prior to the Target Closing Date, and will have at Closing, all amounts required to be paid by them under this Agreement and in connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby. No approval or authorization of any stockholder of Parent is required in connection with any financing arrangements to be made by the Buyer Parties or their Affiliates in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

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Section 6.8. Investment Experience . Each Buyer Party acknowledges that it can bear the economic risk of its investment in the Interests, and has such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters that it is capable of evaluating the merits and risks of an investment in the Interests.

Section 6.9. Restricted Securities . Each Buyer Party acknowledges that the Interests have not been registered under applicable federal and state securities laws and that the Interests may not be sold, transferred, offered for sale, pledged, hypothecated or otherwise disposed of unless such transfer, sale, assignment, pledge, hypothecation or other disposition is registered under applicable federal and state securities laws or pursuant to an exemption from registration under any federal or state securities laws.

Section 6.10. Accredited Investor; Investment Intent . Each Buyer Party is an accredited investor as defined in Regulation D under the Securities Act. Buyer is acquiring the Interests for its own account for investment and not with a view to, or for sale or other disposition in connection with, any distribution of all or any part thereof, except in compliance with applicable federal and state securities laws.

Section 6.11. Independent Evaluation . Each Buyer Party is an experienced and knowledgeable investor in the crude oil and natural gas exploration, development, production and marketing business. Each Buyer Party has had access to the Properties, the officers, consultants and other representatives of the Company, and the books, records, and files of the Company relating to the Properties. As of the Closing, (i) each Buyer Party has conducted, to its satisfaction, its own independent investigation of the condition, operation and business of the Company, and each Buyer Party has been provided access to and an opportunity to review any and all information respecting the Company and the Properties requested by such Buyer Party in order for such Buyer Party to make its own determination to proceed with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; (ii) each Buyer Party has solely relied on (x) the basis of its own independent due diligence investigation of the Properties, and (y) the limited representations and warranties made by Seller in Article III and Article IV , respectively; and (iii) each Buyer Party has been advised by and has relied solely on its own expertise and legal, land, tax, engineering, and other professional counsel concerning this transaction, the Properties, and the value thereof.

Section 6.12. Issuance of Parent Shares . The issuance of the Parent Shares pursuant to this Agreement has been duly authorized and upon consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, the Parent Shares will have been validly issued, fully paid, non-assessable and issued without application of preemptive rights, will have the rights, preferences and privileges specified in Parent’s Governing Documents, and will be free and clear of all Liens and restrictions, other than the restrictions imposed by this Agreement and applicable securities laws.

Section 6.13. Capitalization . As of September 30, 2016, the authorized capital stock of Parent consisted solely of (a) 300,000,000 shares of Parent Common Stock, of which 101,644,294 shares were issued and outstanding, and (b) no shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share, no shares of which were issued and outstanding. No other class of capital stock of Parent is authorized, issued, reserved for issuance or outstanding. All outstanding shares of

 

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capital stock of Parent are duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable. Except as disclosed in the Parent SEC Reports, there are no (i) securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for shares of Parent capital stock, (ii) subscriptions, options, warrants, calls, rights, convertible securities or other contracts, agreements or commitments of any kind or character obligating Parent to issue, transfer or sell any of its capital stock, (iii) any equity equivalents or any agreements, arrangements or understandings granting any person any rights in Parent similar to capital stock. There are no outstanding obligations of Parent to repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any Parent capital stock. All securities of Parent have been issued in compliance with all applicable state and federal securities laws. Parent has, and at Closing will have, sufficient authorized shares of Parent Common Stock to enable it to issue the Adjusted Parent Shares and Indemnity Escrowed Shares at Closing.

Section 6.14. SEC Reports ; Financial Statements .

(a) Parent has filed and made available to Seller via EDGAR all forms, reports and other documents publicly filed by Parent with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, since January 1, 2015. All such forms, reports and other documents, including any audited or unaudited financial statements and any notes thereto or schedules included therein (including those that Parent may file after the Execution Date and prior to the Closing Date) are referred to herein as the “ Parent SEC Reports .” The Parent SEC Reports (a) were filed on a timely basis, (b) comply in all material respects with the applicable requirements of the Securities Act, the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder and (c) did not, at the time they were filed, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. As of their respective dates, the financial statements included in the Parent SEC Reports (x) comply in all material respects with applicable accounting requirements and with the published rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission with respect thereto, (y) were prepared in accordance with GAAP (except as may be indicated in the notes thereto or, in the case of unaudited statements, as permitted by Form 10-Q promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission), and (z) fairly present (subject in the case of unaudited statements to normal, recurring and year-end audit adjustments) in all material respects the consolidated financial position and status of the business of Parent as of the dates thereof and the consolidated results of its operations and cash flows for the periods then ended.

(b) There are no liabilities of Parent or any of its subsidiaries of a type required to be reflected on a balance sheet prepared in accordance with GAAP, except for liabilities (i) adequately provided for on the balance sheet of Parent dated as of June 30, 2016 (including the notes thereto) contained in Parent’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2016; (ii) that have arisen after June 30, 2016, in the ordinary course of business; (iii) for fees and expenses incurred in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Transaction Documents; or (iv) which have not had, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect with respect to Parent.

 

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Section 6.15. No Registration . Assuming the accuracy of the representations and warranties of Seller contained in this Agreement, the sale and issuance of the Parent Shares to Seller pursuant to this Agreement is exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act, and neither any Buyer Party nor any authorized agent acting on its behalf has taken or will take any action hereafter that would cause the loss of such exemptions.

Section 6.16. Investment Company . Neither Buyer nor Parent is (a) an investment company or a company controlled by an investment company within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, or (b) subject in any respect to the provisions of that act.

Section 6.17. NYSE Listing . The Parent Common Stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange, and Parent has not received any notice of delisting. Subject to the receipt of the New York Stock Exchange listing approval with respect to the Parent Shares, the issuance and sale of the Parent Shares does not contravene the New York Stock Exchange rules and regulations.

Section 6.18. Form S-3 Eligibility . As of the Execution Date, Parent is (a) eligible to register the resale of the Parent Shares for resale by Seller under Form S-3 promulgated under the Securities Act and (b) a “well-known seasoned issuer” as defined in Rule 405 promulgated under the Securities Act.

Section 6.19. Anti-Takeover . Parent does not have in effect any stockholder rights plan or similar device or arrangement, commonly or colloquially known as a “poison pill” or “anti-takeover” plan, any similar plan, device or arrangement, and the board of directors of Parent has not adopted or authorized the adoption of such a plan, device or arrangement.

Section 6.20. Controls and Procedures . Parent has implemented and maintains disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) of the Exchange Act) designed to give reasonable assurance that information relating to Parent, including its subsidiaries, required to be disclosed in the Parent SEC Reports is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified by the Securities and Exchange Commission and is communicated to Parent’s chief executive officer and chief financial officer.

Section 6.21. Registration Rights . As of the date hereof, except as set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement of Parent dated as of January 23, 2014, by and among Parent and the signatories thereto, no Person has the right, contractual or otherwise, to cause Parent to register under the Securities Act any shares of Parent Common Stock or any other Parent capital stock, or to include any such shares in any registration statement of Parent.

Section 6.22. Brokers . Buyer has not incurred any liability, contingent or otherwise, for brokers’ or finders’ fees in respect of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement for which Seller or the Company will have any responsibility whatsoever.

 

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Article VII.

Certain Covenants

Section 7.1. Access . Insofar as related to the Properties, from and after the Execution Date and through the Closing Date, the Company will give Buyer and Buyer’s authorized representatives reasonable access to Lease files, abstracts and title opinions, division order files, production records, Well files, and other similar files and records which directly relate to the Properties (the “ Property Records ”) at the Company’s offices during normal business hours, to the extent in the Company’s or Seller’s possession, custody or control. The Company’s obligation to provide access as set forth in the immediately preceding sentence shall only apply to the extent that the Company has authority to grant such access without breaching any restriction binding on the Company, and without (i) violating Applicable Laws, (ii) waiving any legal privilege of the Company, any of its Affiliates or its counselors, attorneys, accountants or consultants or (iii) violating any obligations to any third party. Furthermore, the Company shall give Buyer, or Buyer’s authorized representatives, at all reasonable times before the Closing Date and upon adequate notice to the Company, physical access to the Properties operated by Seller or its Affiliates for the purpose of inspecting same, and shall use its Reasonable Efforts to cause the operators of any Oil and Gas Properties which are not operated by Seller or its Affiliates (“ Third-Party Operators ”) to grant physical access to such Oil and Gas Properties for purposes of inspecting same. Buyer agrees to comply fully with the rules, regulations and instructions issued by the Company, its Affiliates or the Third-Party Operators regarding the actions of Buyer while upon, entering or leaving the Properties. Buyer shall have reasonable access to the Properties to conduct, or cause to be conducted, an investigation of the Properties in order to determine whether any Environmental Defects exist, which shall be limited to performing an inspection and assessment of the physical and environmental condition of the Properties and an evaluation of their compliance with Applicable Environmental Laws (a “ Phase I Environmental Site Assessment ”) with respect to all or any portion of the Properties; provided however , that Buyer’s right of access, inspection and assessment shall not entitle Buyer to operate equipment or conduct testing or sampling of any kind. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that Buyer conducts a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment, and any written report prepared by a Third Party environmental consultant in connection with the Site Assessment recommends a Phase II Environmental Site Assessment (as defined in the applicable ASTM International Standards) based on specific surface conditions identified during the Phase I Environmental Assessment with respect to a specific Property or Properties, Buyer may submit a written request to Seller that Buyer be allowed to conduct a Phase II Environmental Site Assessment on such Property or Properties (any Phase I or Phase II Environmental Site Assessment individually a “ Site Assessment ”). Seller shall have the right to grant or deny such a request for a Phase II Environmental Site Assessment described in the preceding sentence at Seller’s sole discretion, but if Seller denies such a request, Buyer shall have the right, but not the obligation, to exclude from this transaction the Property or Properties for which the Phase II Environmental Site Assessment was recommended by providing Seller a written notice to such effect at any time during the Examination Period, and at Closing, the Allocated Value of all such Properties for which Seller denied the request for a Phase II Environmental Site Assessment, if so excluded pursuant to this Section 7.1, shall be deducted from the Parent Shares to be issued at Closing by Buyer to Seller. If Closing does not occur, upon the written request of Seller or Company, Buyer shall furnish, free of costs, to Company or Seller with a copy of any written report prepared by or for Buyer related to any Site Assessment of the Properties as soon as

 

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reasonably practical after Buyer’s receipt of such request. All environmental reports prepared by or for Buyer shall be maintained in strict confidence and for use solely in connection with the evaluation of the Properties. Except for the obligations to provide reports to the Company or Seller as set forth in the preceding sentence, if Closing does not occur, (1) Buyer shall promptly return to the Company or destroy all copies of the records, reports, summaries, evaluations, due diligence memos and derivative materials related thereto in the possession or control of Buyer or any of Buyer’s representatives and (2) such reports shall not be disclosed to any other party. The obligations set forth in the two immediately preceding sentences shall survive the termination of this Agreement.

Section 7.2. Exculpation and Indemnification . If Buyer exercises rights of access under this Article VII or otherwise, or conducts examinations or inspections under this Section or otherwise, then (a) such access, examination and inspection shall be at Buyer’s sole risk, cost and expense and Buyer waives and releases all claims against Seller, its Affiliates, other working interest owners in the Properties, Third-Party Operators, and the respective members, managers, directors, employees, officers, attorneys, contractors and agents of all of the foregoing Persons (collectively the “ Inspection Indemnitees ”) arising in any way therefrom or in any way related thereto or arising in connection with the conduct of the Inspection Indemnitees and (b) Buyer shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Inspection Indemnitees from any and all claims, actions, causes of action liabilities, losses, damages, fines, penalties, costs or expenses (including, without limitation, court costs, consultants’ and attorneys’ fees) of any kind or character (collectively, “ Damages ”), or Liens for labor or materials, arising out of or in any way connected with, Buyer or its representatives’, access to the Properties or the Company Records, or any examination or inspection, of the Properties or the Company Records. THE FOREGOING RELEASE AND INDEMNIFICATION SHALL APPLY WHETHER OR NOT SUCH CLAIMS, ACTIONS, CAUSES OF ACTION, LIABILITIES, DAMAGES, LOSSES, COSTS OR EXPENSES ARISE OUT OF (i) NEGLIGENCE (INCLUDING SOLE NEGLIGENCE, SIMPLE NEGLIGENCE, CONCURRENT NEGLIGENCE, ACTIVE OR PASSIVE NEGLIGENCE, BUT EXCLUDING THE GROSS NEGLIGENCE OR WILLFUL MISCONDUCT) OF AN INSPECTION INDEMNITEE.

Section 7.3. Assignment of Excluded Properties . Prior to Closing, Seller shall cause the Company to convey the Excluded Properties to Seller or its designee, as appropriate.

Section 7.4. Activities of the Company Pending Closing .

(a) Between the Execution Date and the Closing, Seller shall cause the Company to:

(i) conduct its business in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice;

(ii) timely pay or cause to be paid (or dispute in good faith) all renewal and extension payments required to renew and extend the Oil and Gas Properties to the extent that the interests comprising such Oil and Gas Properties would otherwise expire prior to Closing;

 

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(iii) keep Buyer reasonably informed, and, except for the operations set forth on Section 7.4(a)(iii)   of the Disclosure Schedule, obtain consent of Buyer (which shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned, or delayed), regarding current and proposed operations relating to the Properties reasonably expected to result in expenditures by Company in excess of One Million Dollars ($1,000,000), and consult with Buyer regarding drilling and completion operations on the Properties to the extent that the applicable authorities for expenditure for such operations are in excess of One Million Dollars ($1,000,000), net to the Company’s interest, and are issued after the Execution Date, and except for emergency operations, it being expressly agreed that the Company shall be permitted to conduct and consent to operations relating to the Properties without the consent of Buyer if any such operation is not reasonably expected to result in expenditures by the Company in excess of One Million Dollars ($1,000,000), or if such operation is set forth on Section 7.4(a)(iii) of the Disclosure Schedule;

(iv) maintain insurance coverage on the Properties presently furnished by nonaffiliated third parties in the amounts and of the types presently in force; and

(v) maintain the books of account and records relating to the Properties in the ordinary course of business and in accordance with the usual accounting practices of Seller and GAAP.

(b) Except as expressly permitted by this Agreement or as required by Applicable Law, between the Execution Date and the Closing Date and without the prior written consent of Parent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld), the Company shall not:

(i) Except as disclosed in Section 4.16 of the Disclosure Schedule, abandon any Oil and Gas Property (except the abandonment of Leases after the expiration of their primary terms, or which are subject to rights of reassignment or release, except with regard to application of any non-consent penalties, and except with regard to wells, pipelines or facilities that are required to be immediately abandoned or decommissioned under Applicable Law);

(ii) terminate, cancel, or materially amend or modify any Lease, unless such Lease has expired by its terms and such Lease requires the Company to execute a release of such Lease;

(iii) voluntarily waive or release any material right with respect to any Oil and Gas Property or relinquish the Company’s position as operator of any Oil and Gas Property;

(iv) amend the applicable Governing Documents of the Company;

(v) issue, sell or deliver (whether through the issuance or granting of options, warrants, commitments, subscriptions, rights to purchase or otherwise) any membership interests of any class or any other securities or equity equivalents in the Company;

 

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(vi) (1) declare, set aside, or pay any dividend or other distribution (whether in cash, stock, or property or any combination thereof) in respect of the Interests except for any declaration, set aside or dividend that is related to the Excluded Properties; (2) repurchase, redeem, or otherwise acquire any of the Interests; (3) split, combine, subdivide or reclassify any of the Interests; or (4) amend (including by reducing an exercise price or extending a term) or waive any of its rights under, or accelerate the vesting under, any provision of any Company incentive plan; or (5) adopt a plan of complete or partial liquidation or resolutions providing for or authorizing a liquidation, dissolution, merger, consolidation, conversion, restructuring, recapitalization, or other reorganization or winding up of the Company;

(vii) incur or assume any Indebtedness or guarantee any Indebtedness (or enter into a “keep well” or similar agreement) or issue or sell any debt securities or options, warrants, calls or other rights to acquire any debt securities of the Company;

(viii) acquire, sell, lease, transfer, license, mortgage, encumber, abandon, or otherwise dispose of, directly or indirectly, or subject to any Lien (including pursuant to a sale-leaseback transaction or an asset securitization transaction) any of its properties or assets, except for (A) sales and dispositions of Hydrocarbons in the ordinary course of business, (B) sales and dispositions of equipment and materials that are surplus, obsolete or replaced and (C) sales and dispositions of Excluded Property;

(ix) form any subsidiary, acquire (by merger, consolidation, or acquisition of equity interests or assets or otherwise) any Person or any equity interests, assets or properties of any Person;

(x) make any investment (by contribution to capital, property transfers, purchase of securities or otherwise) in, or loan or advance (other than travel and similar advances to its employees in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice) to, any Person;

(xi) pay, discharge, settle or satisfy any claims, liabilities, or obligations in excess of Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000), other than the payment, discharge, or satisfaction in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice or the failure of which would result in breach of any Contract, or in accordance with their terms, the payment of any amounts in respect of terminating the Credit Facility and payment of any amounts required to early terminate, unwind or otherwise liquidate any hedging agreements entered into between Seller and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.;

(xii) enter into any lease, contract, agreement, commitment, arrangement, right-of-way, easement, option, or transaction outside the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice that, if executed, would constitute a Material Contract;

(xiii) (1) amend, modify, or change in any material respect any Material Contract, (2) enter into any Contract which would constitute a Material Contract that would be breached by, or require the consent of any third party in order to continue in full

 

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force following, consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, or (3) release any Person from, or modify or waive any provision of, any confidentiality, standstill or similar agreement; (4) enter into any Contract with an Affiliate except as set forth in Section 4.19 of the Disclosure Schedule.

(xiv) change any of the accounting principles or practices used by the Company, except for any change required by reason of a concurrent change in GAAP and notice of which is given in writing by the Company to Buyer;

(xv) make or change any material election concerning Taxes, file any amended Tax Return, enter into any material closing agreement with respect to Taxes, settle any material Tax claim or assessment, surrender any right to claim a material refund of Taxes or obtain any Tax ruling;

(xvi) enter into any new line of business or make any material change in the business policies of the Company or its subsidiaries;

(xvii) commence any material Proceedings, or settle or compromise any material Proceedings other than those that provide for a complete release of the Company from all claims subject to such dispute and do not provide for any admission of liability by the Company; and

(xviii) agree, in writing or otherwise, to take any of the foregoing actions.

Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 7.4 , (i) Seller or the Company may take, in the sole discretion of Seller or the Company, any actions to cure or attempt to cure any Defects so long as Seller bears all costs, expenses and liability incurred with respect to such cure or attempted cure of any such Defects and (ii) in the event of an emergency or risk of loss, damage or injury to any person, property or the environment, Seller or the Company may take such action as reasonably necessary and shall notify Buyer of such action promptly thereafter. Further, Buyer acknowledges that the Company owns undivided interests in certain of the Properties with respect to which it is not the operator, and Buyer agrees that the acts or omissions of the other working interest owners (including any Third-Party Operators) who are not the Company shall not constitute a breach of the provisions of this Section 7.4 , and no action required pursuant to a vote of working interest owners shall constitute a breach of the provisions of this Section 7.4 so long as the Company voted (or Seller caused the Company to vote) its interest in such a manner that complies with the provisions of this Section 7.4 . Requests for approval of any action restricted by this Section 7.4 shall be delivered to the person designated in Section 15.1 to receive notices on behalf of Buyer whom shall have full authority to grant or deny such requests for approval on behalf of Buyer.

Section 7.5. Confidentiality Agreement . The Confidentiality Agreement, except to the extent modified herein, will remain in full force and effect; provided, however , that, subject to the provisions of Section 7.9 , upon Closing, the Confidentiality Agreement shall terminate, and for a period of one-year following the Closing, Seller shall, and shall cause its Affiliates to, not make disclosure to third parties of any confidential or proprietary information relating to the Company or the Properties, except with the prior consent of Buyer or as required by Applicable

 

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Law, except to the extent that such information (a) is generally available to and known by the public through no fault of Seller or any of its Affiliates or (b) is lawfully acquired by Seller or any of its Affiliates from and after the Closing from sources which are not known to Seller to be prohibited from disclosing such information by a legal, contractual or fiduciary obligation; provided, further , that nothing shall prohibit Seller or its Affiliates from using their knowledge or mental impressions of such information or their general knowledge of the industry or geographic area in the conduct of their respective businesses following Closing.

Section 7.6. Officer and Director Resignation and Releases . At the Closing, Company shall deliver to Buyer and Seller (a) resignations of the officers of Company in the form and substance attached hereto as Exhibit 7.6(a) , such resignations to be effective immediately upon the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and (b) subject to the provisions of Section 7.7 releases among (i) all officers of the Company, (ii) the Company, and (iii) Seller and its Affiliates (and their respective officers, managers and members), releasing each other party from any and all claims of such Person against the other party, substantially in the form and substance attached hereto as Exhibit 7.6(b) .

Section 7.7. Indemnification of Managers and Officers .

(a) After Closing, neither Buyer nor the Company nor the Company’s members shall amend, repeal or otherwise modify the Governing Documents of the Company or manage the Company in any manner that would affect adversely the rights thereunder of persons who at and any time prior to the Closing Date were members, managers, officers, employees or agents of the Company or which would affect any elimination from liability of any such Persons. After Closing, Buyer shall, and shall cause the Company to, honor any indemnification arrangements between the Company and any of its members, managers, officers, employees or agents. To the extent not already in existence, member, manager and officer indemnification agreements in the form attached hereto as Exhibit 7.7 will be executed by the Company in favor of each of the Company’s members, managers, officers, employees or agents prior to the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby. In the event any claim or claims are asserted or made pursuant to the indemnification rights set forth in this Section 7.7 , all rights to indemnification in respect of any such claim or claims shall continue until the disposition of any and all such claims. Any determination required to be made with respect to whether a person’s conduct complies with the applicable standard of conduct shall be made by independent legal counsel selected by any such member, manager, officer, employee or other agent and reasonably acceptable to Buyer.

(b) Prior to the Closing, the Company will purchase a six (6) year directors’ and officers’ liability insurance and fiduciary liability insurance (a “ Tail Policy ”) covering the managers and officers of the Company who are currently covered by any existing directors’ and officers’ liability insurance or fiduciary liability insurance policies applicable to the Company and Buyer will take no action which would interfere with the benefit of such Tail Policy during such term.

 

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Section 7.8. Taxes .

(a) Tax Treatment . The Parties agree to treat the purchase and sale of the Interests for federal income Tax purposes as a purchase and sale of all of the assets of the Company, other than the Excluded Properties.

(b) Tax Filings . From the Effective Date through the Closing Date, Seller shall cause the Company to file with the appropriate taxing authorities the applicable Tax Returns for Taxes included in the definition of Property Costs that are required to be filed on or before the Closing Date and pay the Taxes required to be reflected on such Tax Returns as due and owing (provided that to the extent such Taxes relate to the periods from and after the Effective Date, promptly following the Closing Date, Buyer shall pay to Seller any such Taxes, but only to the extent such amounts have not already been accounted for under Section 2.3 or Article XII ). Buyer shall cause the Company to file with the appropriate taxing authorities the applicable Tax Returns for Taxes included in the definition of Property Costs that are required to be filed after the Closing Date and pay the Taxes required to be reflected on such Tax Returns as due and owing; provided, however , to the extent such Taxes relate to the periods prior to the Effective Date, promptly following the filing of such Tax Returns, Seller shall pay to Buyer any such Taxes, but only to the extent such amounts have not already been accounted for under Section 2.3 or Article XII ; and provided , further , that in the event that Seller is required by applicable Tax law to file a Tax Return with respect to such Taxes after the Closing Date which includes all or a portion of a Tax period for which Buyer is responsible for such Taxes, Seller shall file such Tax Return and pay the taxes reflected on such Tax Return and following Seller’s request, Buyer shall promptly pay to Seller all such Taxes allocable to the period or portion thereof beginning on or after the Effective Date (but only to the extent that such amounts have not already been accounted for under Section 2.3 or Article XII ), whether such Taxes arise out of the filing of an original return or a subsequent audit or assessment of Taxes. Seller shall be entitled to all Tax credits and Tax refunds which relate to any Taxes allocable to any Tax period, or portion thereof, ending before the Effective Date (determined in accordance with Section 7.8(c) ). To the extent that the Company receives any Tax refund or credit with respect to Taxes for which Seller is responsible, Buyer shall cause the Company to immediately pay such amount to Seller to the extent the Base Purchase Price has not been increased pursuant to Section 2.3 or Article XII on account thereof.

(c) Allocation of Taxes . Seller shall be responsible for all Taxes attributable to the ownership or operation of the Company and its assets for any period or portion thereof ending on or before the Closing Date, in the case of income or franchise Taxes, and before the Effective Date in the case of all other Taxes (except to the extent such Taxes are Transfer Taxes or are accounted for under Section 2.3 or Article XII ). Buyer shall be responsible for all Taxes attributable to the ownership or operation of the Company and its assets for any period or portion thereof beginning on or after the Closing Date, in the case of income or franchise Taxes, and on or after the Effective Date in the case of all other Taxes. Ad valorem, property, severance, production and similar Taxes assessed against the Company and its assets with respect to any Current Tax Period, but excluding ad valorem, property, severance production or similar Taxes which

 

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are based on quantity of or the value of production of Hydrocarbons, shall be apportioned between Seller and Buyer as of the Effective Date with (i) Seller being obligated to pay a proportionate share of the actual amount of such Taxes for the Current Tax Period determined by multiplying such actual Taxes by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days in the Current Tax Period prior to the Effective Date and the denominator of which is the total number of days in the Current Tax Period and (ii) Buyer being obligated to pay a proportionate share of the actual amount of such Taxes for the Current Tax Period determined by multiplying such actual Taxes by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days (including the Effective Date) in the Current Tax Period on and after the Effective Date and the denominator of which is the total number of days in the Current Tax Period. As described in Article XII , ad valorem, property, severance, production and similar Taxes which are based on quantity of or the value of production of Hydrocarbons shall be apportioned between Seller and Buyer based on the number of units or value of production actually produced, as applicable, before, and at or after, the Effective Date. In the event that Buyer or Seller makes any payment for which the other Party is responsible under this Section 7.8 and such payment has not been taken into account in Section 2.3 or Article XII , such other Party shall reimburse the paying Party promptly but in no event later than ten (10) Days after the presentation of a statement setting forth the amount of reimbursement to which the paying Party is entitled along with such supporting evidence as is reasonably necessary to calculate the amount of the reimbursement.

(d) Transfer Taxes . No Transfer Tax will be collected at Closing from Buyer in connection with any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. If, however, any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement is later deemed to be subject to Transfer Tax, for any reason, Buyer agrees to be solely responsible for, and shall indemnify and hold Seller harmless, for any and all Transfer Taxes due by virtue of any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and Buyer shall timely remit such Transfer Taxes. Seller and Buyer agree to cooperate with each other in demonstrating that the requirements for exemptions, if any, from such Transfer Taxes have been met.

(e) Allocation of Purchase Price .

(i) No later than thirty (30) days after Closing, Seller shall prepare and deliver to Buyer an allocation of the Base Purchase Price and assumed obligations among the Properties in accordance with Section 1060 of the Code and the Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder (the “ Purchase Price Allocation ”). Buyer shall have twenty (20) days from the receipt of the Purchase Price Allocation or any update thereto to review and comment on the Purchase Price Allocation. Seller and Buyer shall thereafter use commercially reasonable efforts to agree upon the Purchase Price Allocation. The Purchase Price Allocation shall be consistent with the allocation set forth on Annex A , taking into account any adjustments to the Base Purchase Price. Seller shall use commercially reasonable efforts to update the Purchase Price Allocation in a manner consistent with Section 1060 of the Code following any applicable adjustments to the Base Purchase Price pursuant to this Agreement. Seller shall provide Buyer with any such updated Purchase Price Allocation, and Buyer shall have thirty (30) days

 

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from the receipt of the Purchase Price Allocation or any update thereto to review and comment on such adjustments to the Purchase Price Allocation, after which Seller and Buyer shall reasonably agree on such adjustments. Seller and Buyer shall report the transactions contemplated hereby on all Tax Returns (including Form 8594 and all other information returns and supplements thereto required to be filed by the parties under Section 1060 of the Code) in a manner consistent with such Purchase Price Allocation.

(ii) If, notwithstanding Section 7.8(e)(i) , Seller and Buyer do not agree on the Purchase Price Allocation or any adjustment thereto, Seller shall promptly engage a firm experienced in such matters and reasonably acceptable to Buyer, to conduct an appraisal and determine the fair market value of the Properties consistent with the allocation set forth on Annex A taking into account any adjustments to the Base Purchase Price. The cost of such appraisal shall be borne one-half by Seller and one-half by Buyer. Seller and Buyer agree to allocate the Purchase Price among the Properties and report the transactions contemplated hereby on all Tax Returns (including Form 8594 and all other information returns and supplements thereto required to be filed by the parties under Section 1060 of the Code) in a manner consistent with the values of the Properties as so appraised.

(iii) Neither Seller nor Buyer shall take, or shall permit any of their respective Affiliates to take, any position inconsistent with the allocation under Section 7.8(e) on any Tax Return or otherwise, unless required to do so by Applicable Laws or a “determination,” within the meaning of Section 1313(a)(1) of the Code.

(f) Cooperation . The Parties shall cooperate fully, as and to the extent reasonably requested by any other Party, in connection with the filing of any Tax Return of or relating to the Company and any audit, litigation or other proceeding with respect to Taxes of or relating to the Company. Such cooperation shall include the retention and (upon any other Party’s request) the provision of records and information which are reasonably relevant to any such audit, litigation or other proceeding and making employees available on a mutually convenient basis to provide additional information and explanation of any material provided hereunder. Each Party agrees (i) to retain all books and records with respect to Tax matters pertinent to the Company relating to any taxable period beginning before the Closing Date until the expiration of the statute of limitations (and, to the extent notified by a Party, any extensions thereof) of the respective taxable periods, and to abide by all record retention agreements entered into with any taxing authority, and (ii) to give any other Party reasonable written notice prior to transferring, destroying or discarding any such books and records and, if the other Party so requests, each Party shall allow the other Party the option of taking possession of such books and records prior to their disposal. The Parties further agree, upon request, to use their commercially reasonable efforts to obtain any certificate or other document from any taxing authority or any other Person as may be necessary to mitigate, reduce or eliminate any Tax that could be imposed with respect to the transactions contemplated.

 

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(g) Notification of Audit . Until the Closing Date, Seller shall promptly notify Buyer in writing upon receipt by Seller of notice of any pending or threatened Tax audits or assessments relating to the income, properties or operations of Seller that reasonably may be expected to relate to or give rise to a Lien on the assets of the Company that would not be released at Closing. Each Party shall promptly notify the other Parties in writing upon receipt of notice of any pending or threatened Tax audit or assessment challenging the Purchase Price Allocation. No Party shall settle any tax audit or tax litigation involving Taxes of or relating to the Company that affects the Tax liability of any other Party without such other Party’s approval, which may not be unreasonably withheld.

(h) Characterization of Certain Payments . Any payments made to any party pursuant to this Section 7.8 shall constitute an adjustment of the Base Purchase Price for Tax purposes and shall be treated as such by each Party on their Tax Returns to the extent permitted by law.

Section 7.9. Press Releases . Unless consultation is prohibited by Applicable Law, Buyer and Seller shall consult with each other before issuing any press release or otherwise making any public statement with respect to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby and shall not issue any such press release or make any such public statement prior to such consultation (but no approval thereof shall be required in any event).

Section 7.10. Books and Records .

(a) As soon as reasonably practicable after the Closing Date, Seller shall deliver or cause to be delivered to Buyer Parties any Company Records that are in its possession or under its control, subject to Section 7.10(b) .

(b) Seller may retain the originals of those Company Records relating to Tax and accounting matters and provide Buyer with copies of such Company Records. Seller may retain copies of any other Company Records.

Section 7.11. Name Change and Logo . Promptly after the Closing Date, Buyer shall make the filings required in the Company’s jurisdiction of organization to eliminate the name “Silver Hill” and any variants thereof from the name of the Company. As promptly as practicable, but in any case within ninety (90) days after the Closing Date, Buyer shall (i) make all other filings (including assumed name filings) required to reflect the change of name in all applicable records of Governmental Entities and (ii) eliminate the use of the name “Silver Hill” and variants thereof from the Properties, and, except with respect to such grace period for eliminating existing usage, shall have no right to use any logos, trademarks or trade names belonging to any Seller or any of its Affiliates. Buyer shall be solely responsible for any direct or indirect costs or expenses resulting from the change in use of name, and any resulting notification or approval requirements.

Section 7.12. HSR Filing . If a filing is required under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended (the “ HSR Act ”), in connection with the transactions contemplated under this Agreement, as promptly as practicable and in any event not later than

 

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ten (10) Business Days following the Execution Date, Seller, Parent and Buyer or their ultimate parent entity will file with the Federal Trade Commission and the Department of Justice, as applicable, the required notification and report forms and will as promptly as practicable furnish any supplemental information which may be requested in connection therewith. Seller, Parent and Buyer or their ultimate parent entity will request early termination of the applicable HSR Act waiting period and use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain the termination of such waiting period as promptly as possible. Parent and Buyer will bear its own costs and expenses relating to the compliance with this Section 7.12 . Parent shall pay the filing fees associated with any filings required under the HSR Act.

Section 7.13. Seller Contracts .

(a) The contracts, easements and rights-of-way described on Exhibit 7.13 are held by Seller and are used for ownership, operation, maintenance, repair or replacement of the Oil and Gas Properties (collectively, the “ Seller Contracts ”). Seller agrees to (i) assign Seller Contracts to the Company on or before the Closing, except as provided in subsection (b) below, and (ii) use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain any consents required in connection therewith. Upon such assignment, Seller Contracts shall be deemed to be Properties for the purposes of this Agreement.

(b) If (i) a Seller Contract is subject to a required consent that Seller is unable to obtain after using commercially reasonable efforts, and (ii) there is a provision in such Seller Contract stating that an assignment without such required consent (A) is void or voidable, (B) causes termination of Seller Contract to be assigned, or (C) triggers the payment of specified liquidated damages (unless Buyer agrees to pay such specified liquidated damages), then Seller shall not assign such Seller Contract to the Company. After Closing, Seller shall continue to hold such Seller Contract for the economic benefit of the Company and Buyer, for the duration of the term of such Seller Contract unless earlier released in writing from such obligation by Buyer, provided that if the required consent to assign such Seller Contract to the Company or Buyer is obtained after Closing, Seller shall promptly thereafter assign such Seller Contract to the Company or Buyer, as applicable. Buyer shall be responsible for, and shall timely pay, any and all costs, expenses and other amounts payable under any such Seller Contracts.

Section 7.14. Requisite Shareholder Approval .

(a) Subject to Applicable Law, the rules and regulations of the New York Stock Exchange and Parent’s Governing Documents, Parent shall establish a record date for, call, give notice of, convene and hold a meeting of the stockholders of the Parent (the “ Parent Stockholders Meeting ”), as promptly as practicable following the clearance of the proxy statement related thereto (the “ Proxy Statement ”) by the SEC, for the purpose of voting upon the approval, authorization and ratification of the Corporate Actions (as defined below), in accordance with Applicable Law and the rules and regulations of the New York Stock Exchange. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) if there are insufficient shares of Parent Common Stock necessary to establish a quorum at the Parent Stockholders’ Meeting, Parent shall postpone or adjourn the date of the Parent Stockholders’ Meeting and (ii) Parent may postpone or adjourn the Parent Stockholders’

 

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Meeting to solicit sufficient proxies to secure the favorable vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Parent Common Stock (other than the SHEP I Parent Shares) present in person or by proxy at the Parent Stockholders’ Meeting with respect to the Corporate Actions (the “ Requisite Stockholder Approval ”). Unless the Board of Directors of Parent determines in good faith, after consulting with outside counsel, that doing so would be inconsistent with its duties under Applicable Law, Parent shall solicit from stockholders of Parent proxies in favor of the approval, authorization and ratification of the Corporate Actions in accordance with Applicable Law and the rules and regulations of the New York Stock Exchange and Parent’s Board of Directors shall (x) recommend that Parent’s stockholders vote to adopt, authorize, approve and ratify the Corporate Actions (the “ Recommendation ”), (y) use commercially reasonable efforts to solicit such stockholders to vote in favor of the Corporate Actions and (z) use commercially reasonable efforts to take all other actions necessary or advisable to secure the favorable votes of such stockholders required to approve and effect all of the Corporate Actions. Parent shall establish a record date for, call, give notice of, convene and hold the Parent Stockholders’ Meeting in accordance with this Section 7.14, whether or not the Parent’s Board of Directors at any time subsequent to the date hereof shall have changed its position with respect to its Recommendation or determined that any or all of the Corporate Actions are no longer advisable and/or recommended that stockholders of the Parent reject any or all of the Corporate Actions.

(b) Parent shall prepare and file with the Commission the preliminary Proxy Statement sufficiently in advance of the time necessary to obtain clearance thereof with the SEC and the Requisite Stockholder Approval. Parent shall use commercially reasonable efforts to complete and disseminate the preliminary Proxy Statement to the stockholders of the Parent as soon as practicable following clearance of the Proxy Statement related thereto by the SEC. Seller shall reasonably cooperate with Parent in connection with the preparation and filing of the Proxy Statement, including furnishing Parent upon request with information as may be reasonably required under the Exchange Act to be set forth about Seller or the Company in the Proxy Statement. No filing of, or amendment or supplement to, or correspondence with the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff with respect to the Proxy Statement shall be made by Parent without providing Seller a reasonable opportunity to review and comment thereon. Parent shall advise Seller, promptly after it receives notice thereof, of any request by the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff for an amendment or revisions to the Proxy Statement or requests or comments thereon and responses thereto, and shall provide Seller with copies of all correspondence between Parent and any of its advisors or representatives, on the one hand, and the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff, on the other hand.

(c) “ Corporate Actions ” means approval of the issuance to Seller of the Parent Shares.

(d) The Buyer Parties shall jointly and severally indemnify and hold harmless Seller and the Company, and their respective representatives and Affiliates from and against any and all losses, damages, claims, costs and out-of-pocket expenses suffered or incurred by any of them in connection with the arrangement of any financing or any

 

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process to seek the Requisite Stockholder Approval and any information used in connection therewith, except to the extent they resulted from information provided by the Company or Seller containing any untrue statement of a material fact or omitting to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

Section 7.15. Additional Listing Application . Parent shall submit to the New York Stock Exchange an additional listing application relating to the Parent Shares (the “ Additional Listing Application ”) sufficiently in advance of the time necessary to obtain approval thereof by the New York Stock Exchange, but in any event after taking into consideration the rules and regulations of the New York Stock Exchange with respect to the timing of the Additional Listing Application and the supporting documents required to accompany the Additional Listing Application, and shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to secure the New York Stock Exchange’s approval of the Additional Listing Application, subject to official notice of issuance.

Section 7.16. Parent Share Restriction . During the period beginning on the Closing Date and ending on the one hundred eightieth (180 th ) day after the Closing Date under the SHEP I MIPSA (excluding the Closing Date for purposes of calculating such date) (the “ Lock-Up Period ”), Seller will not lend; offer; pledge; sell; contract to sell; sell any option or contract to purchase; purchase any option or contract to sell; grant any option, right, or warrant to purchase; or otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any Parent Shares acquired pursuant to this Agreement, whether any such transaction is to be settled by delivery of Parent Shares or other securities, in cash, or otherwise. In the interest of clarity, nothing in this Section 7.16 shall restrict Seller from utilizing customary hedging strategies that may involve the pledge of Parent Shares as collateral until such time as the Parent Shares are ultimately disposed on or after expiration of the Lock-Up Period. Nothing in this Section 7.16 shall prohibit or limit the ability of Seller to effect any transfer of Parent Shares as a bona fide gift or gifts or any other similar transfer or distribution that does not involve a sale or other disposition for value so long as the transferee agrees in writing to be bound by all the terms of this Section 7.16 .

Section 7.17. Company Records . Seller shall deliver or cause to be delivered to Buyer all of the Company Records maintained on hardware or servers being retained by Seller hereunder, in each case, in a form that can be loaded on a server in a searchable and manipulative format reasonably acceptable to Buyer as soon as practicable after Closing.

Section 7.18. Financial Statements; Financing .

(a) The Seller and the Company shall use their Reasonable Efforts to, as soon as practicable, provide to the Buyer (i) the audited statements of revenues over direct operating expenses of the Acquired Properties for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 (the “ Audited Financial Statements ”), that will be prepared in accordance with GAAP and shall include the required oil and gas disclosures, including estimates of quantities of proved reserves as of, and a reconciliation of proved oil and gas reserves for, each of the fiscal years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, and the standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows as of, and a reconciliation of the standardized measure of future discounted cash flows for, each of the fiscal years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 and (ii) unaudited statements of revenues less direct operating expenses of the Acquired Properties for the period from January 1, 2016 through February 26, 2016, that will be prepared in accordance with GAAP.

 

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(b) Without limiting the foregoing, the Company acknowledges that, following execution of this Agreement, Parent or Buyer may enter into Financings requiring registration under the Securities Act and the need for other financial information relating to the Company or the Properties (such information, together with the Audited Financial Statements, the “ Required Financial Information ”). Therefore, from and after the date of this Agreement until the Closing (and from time to time after Closing until such date that is one year after the consummation of the transactions contemplated in the SHEP I MIPSA), the Company and the Seller will, and, to the extent appropriate, will cause their respective Affiliates, employees, representatives, agents and accountants to use commercially reasonable efforts to provide such cooperation and assistance to Buyer or Parent as Buyer or Parent may reasonably request (i) in connection with the Buyer Parties’ preparation of financial statements, reports and filings relating to the transactions contemplated in this Agreement (including any pro forma financial statements of Parent or any of its Affiliates that are derived in part from the Required Financial Information) that Buyer or Parent have determined in good faith are required under Applicable Laws, rules and regulations, including, without limitation, the rules and regulations of the SEC and the New York Stock Exchange, and (ii) to provide information in connection with Buyer Parties’ preparation of responses to any inquiries by regulatory authorities, including the SEC and the New York Stock Exchange, relating to the foregoing financial statements, reports and filings. Without limiting the foregoing, such cooperation and assistance shall include (x) consenting to the inclusion or incorporation by reference of the Required Financial Information in any registration statement, offering memorandum, report or other filing of Parent or any of its Affiliates, (y) providing Parent and its employees, representatives, agents and external accountants, with access to, and the right to copy, relevant books, records, files, and documentation in the possession or under control of the Company or its employees, representatives, agents and accountants (except for those proprietary and confidential tax, engineering and accounting records otherwise excluded from this Agreement), (z) using commercially reasonable efforts to cause (1) its independent accountants to consent to the inclusion or incorporation by reference of its audit opinion with respect to any of the financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries in any such registration statement, report or other filing of Parent or its Affiliates, and (2) representation letters, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to its independent accountants, to be executed and delivered to its independent accountants in connection with obtaining any such consent from its independent accountants. In so doing, the Company will make appropriate persons available to answer questions as may be reasonably requested by Buyer or Parent. Parent will promptly reimburse all reasonable out of pocket expenses incurred in complying with this Section 7.18 incurred by Seller or its Affiliates or the Company. Buyer Parties shall, jointly and severally, release, indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Company, Seller and their respective Affiliates from and against any Damages suffered or incurred in connection with the cooperation or assistance provided in connection with this Section 7.18 or any claim against the Seller or any of its respective Affiliates by any Financing Source or any Financing Related Party, EVEN IF SUCH DAMAGES ARE CAUSED IN WHOLE OR IN PART BY THE NEGLIGENCE (WHETHER SOLE, JOINT OR CONCURRENT), STRICT LIABILITY OR OTHER LEGAL FAULT OF SELLER OR ITS AFFILIATES (other than Damages that arise from the bad faith, gross negligence or willful misconduct).

 

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Section 7.19. No Recourse to Financing Sources . NOTWITHSTANDING ANYTHING HEREIN TO THE CONTRARY, SELLER AGREES THAT NEITHER IT, NOR ANY OF ITS FORMER, CURRENT OR FUTURE OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, MANAGERS, EMPLOYEES, MEMBERS, PARTNERS, AGENTS OR OTHER REPRESENTATIVES AND AFFILIATES (COLLECTIVELY, “SELLER RELATED PARTIES”), SHALL HAVE ANY CLAIM AGAINST ANY FINANCING SOURCE, ANY LENDER PARTICIPATING IN THE FINANCING OR ANY OF THEIR RESPECTIVE FORMER, CURRENT OR FUTURE GENERAL OR LIMITED PARTNERS, STOCKHOLDERS, MANAGERS, MEMBERS, AGENTS, REPRESENTATIVES, AFFILIATES, SUCCESSORS OR ASSIGNS (COLLECTIVELY, “FINANCE RELATED PARTIES”), NOR SHALL ANY FINANCING RELATED PARTY HAVE ANY LIABILITY WHATSOEVER TO ANY SELLER RELATED PARTY, IN CONNECTION WITH THE FINANCING CONTEMPLATED BY SECTION 7.18 OR IN ANY WAY RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OF THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY, WHETHER AT LAW, IN EQUITY, IN CONTRACT, IN TORT OR OTHERWISE, IN EACH CASE, WHETHER ARISING, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, OUT OF COMPARATIVE, CONTRIBUTORY OR SOLE NEGLIGENCE BY ANY FINANCE RELATED PARTY; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT THIS SECTION 7.19 SHALL NOT LIMIT ANY LIABILITY OF BUYER OR BUYER PARTY IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OF THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, each Financing Source and Financing Related Party shall be an express third party beneficiary of, and shall have the right to enforce, this Section 7.19 . Each of the Parties hereto agrees that, Section 17.6 notwithstanding, this provision shall be interpreted, and any action relating to this provision, shall be governed by the laws of the State of New York. This Section 7.19 is intended to benefit and may be enforced by any Financing Source and the Finance Related Parties. In no event will Seller or any of its Affiliates have any liability of any kind or nature to any Financing Source or any Financing Related Party arising or resulting from any cooperation or assistance provided pursuant to Section 7.18 .

Section 7.20. Exclusivity . Between the Execution Date and the earlier of the Closing Date or the date this Agreement is terminated, Seller and the Company shall not, and shall cause their Affiliates not to, directly or indirectly, encourage, initiate, solicit or engage in any proposal or inquiry from, or discussion or negotiation with, any Person (other than Buyer, Parent and their respective representatives) with respect to the sale of any Interests or the Properties (other than the sale of any Hydrocarbons in the ordinary course of business or sales of equipment and materials that are surplus, obsolete or replaced).

Article VIII.

Buyer’s Due Diligence Examination

Section 8.1. Due Diligence Examination . From the Execution Date until 5:00 p.m. (local time in Dallas, Texas) on the thirtieth (30th) day thereafter (the “ Examination Period ”), the Company shall afford Buyer and its authorized representatives reasonable access during normal business hours to the Property Records and Properties as provided in Section 7.1 above for the purposes of determining whether Title Defects and/or Environmental Defects (as defined below) exist (“ Buyer’s Review ”); provided, however , that such investigation shall be upon

 

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reasonable notice and shall not unreasonably disrupt the personnel and operations of Seller or the Company or impede the efforts of Seller or the Company to comply with their other obligations under this Agreement. The cost and expense of Buyer’s Review, if any, shall be borne solely by Buyer. Buyer shall not contact any of the customers or suppliers of Seller in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, whether in person or by telephone, mail or other means of communication, without the specific prior authorization of Seller, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, Buyer acknowledges and agrees that Buyer’s access to the Company and Seller personnel in accordance with this Section 8.1 is being provided as an accommodation, and shall not alter the applicability of the disclaimer set forth in Section 5.1 .

Section 8.2. Assertion of Title and Environmental Defects . If Buyer discovers any Defects prior to the expiration of the Examination Period, Buyer shall notify Seller of such alleged Defect as soon as possible, but no later than the expiration of the Examination Period. Buyer shall provide, on at least a weekly basis, updates as to any alleged Defects it has discovered during the previous week, provided that such updates may be amended as necessary until the expiration of the Examination Period. To be effective, such notice (“ Defect Notice ”) must (i) be in writing, (ii) be received by Seller prior to the expiration of the Examination Period, (iii) describe the Defect in reasonable detail including the basis therefor, (iv) identify the specific Properties to which such Defect relates, (v) include the Defect Amount as determined by Buyer in good faith, (vi) with respect to any Environmental Defect, reference to the specific section of all Applicable Environmental Laws of which the Company is in breach, violation or non-compliance, and (vii) include Reasonable Documentation supporting Buyer’s assertion of such Defect. Any matters that may otherwise constitute Defects, but of which Seller has not been specifically notified by Buyer in compliance with the foregoing requirements prior to the expiration of the Examination Period, shall be deemed to have been waived by Buyer for all purposes; provided that the foregoing shall not limit Buyer’s right to recover for breach of the representations and warranties set forth in Section 4.29 . It being expressly understood and agreed that, notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary in this Agreement, Buyer’s sole and exclusive rights and remedies with respect to any matter that constitutes a Defect, or any other matter arising in connection with title to, or the environmental condition of or any environmental liability with respect to, the Properties shall be those set forth in this Article VIII EVEN IF SUCH DEFECT, MATTER, CONDITION OR LIABILITY IS CAUSED IN WHOLE OR IN PART BY THE NEGLIGENCE (WHETHER SOLE, JOINT OR CONCURRENT), STRICT LIABILITY OR OTHER LEGAL FAULT OF SELLER OR ITS AFFILIATES , and Buyer shall not be entitled to refuse to close (other than pursuant to Section 9.1(d) ), to indemnification under Article XIII , or any other right or remedy with respect to any Defect or such other title or environmental matter; provided that the foregoing shall not limit Buyer’s right to recover for breach of the representations and warranties set forth in Section 4.29 .

Section 8.3. Title Defect Amount Annex A , as prepared by Buyer and agreed to by Seller, shows the Allocated Value assigned to the Properties. With respect to each Title Defect that is not cured on or before the Closing, the number of Parent Shares to be issued at Closing shall be reduced, subject to this Article VIII , by reference to the Title Defect Amount with respect to such Title Defect Property. The reduction in the number of Parent Shares shall be determined in the aggregate as described in Section 2.3(c) . The Property affected by such uncured Title Defect shall be a “ Title Defect Property .” The “ Title Defect Amount ” resulting from a Title Defect shall be determined in accordance with the following terms and conditions:

(a) if Buyer and Seller agree on the Title Defect Amount, then that amount shall be the Title Defect Amount;

 

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(b) if a Title Defect is a deed of trust, mortgage or pledge that is undisputed and liquidated in amount, then the Title Defect Amount shall be the amount necessary to be paid to remove the Title Defect from the Title Defect Property;

(c) if a Title Defect as to any Well or Lease represents solely a negative discrepancy between (A) the actual Net Revenue Interest for any such Well or Lease and (B) the “Net Revenue Interest” percentage stated on Exhibit A or Exhibit B for such Well or Lease, then the Defect Amount shall be equal to (1) the product of the Allocated Value of such Well or Lease multiplied by (2) a fraction, the numerator of which is (x) the remainder of (I) the “Net Revenue Interest” percentage stated on Exhibit A or Exhibit B for such Well or Lease minus (II) the actual Net Revenue Interest of such Well or Lease, and the denominator of which is (y) the “Net Revenue Interest” percentage stated on Exhibit A or Exhibit B for such Well or Lease; provided that if the Title Defect does not affect the “Net Revenue Interest” percentage stated on Exhibit A or Exhibit B for such Well or Lease throughout its entire productive life, the Defect Amount determined under this Section 8.3(c) shall be reduced to take into account the applicable time period only;

(d) if a Title Defect solely constitutes a reduction in the number of Net Mineral Acres as to any Lease (or portion thereof), then the Defect Amount for such Title Defect shall be equal to the product of (1) the Net Mineral Acre price therefor multiplied by (2) the remainder of (x) the number of Net Mineral Acres purported to be included in such Undeveloped Lease as set forth on Exhibit   A minus (y) the actual number of Net Mineral Acres included in such Lease after giving effect to such Title Defect;

(e) if the Title Defect represents an obligation, encumbrance, burden or charge upon or other defect in title to the affected Oil and Gas Property of a type not described in Section (a) through (d) above, the Defect Amount shall be determined by taking into account the Allocated Value of the Oil and Gas Property so affected, the portion of the Company’s interest in the Oil and Gas Property affected by the Title Defect, the legal effect of the Title Defect, the potential present value economic effect of the Title Defect over the life of the affected Oil and Gas Property, the values placed upon the Title Defect by the Parties, the estimated capital and operational costs and expenses (or reduction or increases thereof) attributable to the Company’s Working Interest, and such other factors as are necessary to make an evaluation and determination of such value;

(f) the Title Defect Amount with respect to a Title Defect Property shall be determined without duplication of any costs or losses included in another Title Defect Amount hereunder; and

(g) notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the Defect Amounts attributable to Title Defects for an Oil and Gas Property shall not exceed the Allocated Value of the affected Oil and Gas Property (after giving effect to any applicable adjustments due to prior Title Defects).

 

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Section 8.4. Defensible Title . “ Defensible Title ” means, as of the Effective Date, such title and ownership by the Company that, subject to and except for Permitted Encumbrances:

(a) entitles the Company to receive a Net Revenue Interest in any Well (as to all currently producing formations for such Well) or Lease (as to all depths set forth on Exhibit A for such Lease), that is not less than the Net Revenue Interest percentage shown for such Well or Lease in Exhibit A or Exhibit B , except, in each case of subsections (i) and (ii) of this subsection (a), (A) any decreases in connection with those operations in which the Company may elect after the Execution Date to be a non-consenting co-owner (B) any decreases resulting from reversion of interest to co-owners with respect to operations in which the Company elects, after the Execution Date, not to consent, (C) any decreases resulting from the establishment or amendment, after the Execution Date, of pools or units and (D) any matters as otherwise expressly stated in Exhibit A or Exhibit B ;

(b) obligates the Company, in the aggregate, to bear a Working Interest in any Well (as to all currently producing formations for such Well) or Lease (as to all depths set forth on Exhibit A for such Lease) no greater than the Working Interest shown for such Well or Lease in Exhibit A or Exhibit B with respect to such Well or Lease, except (i) as expressly stated in Exhibit A or Exhibit B , (ii) any increases resulting from contribution requirements with respect to defaulting co-owners under applicable operating agreements or Applicable Law and (iii) increases that are accompanied by at least a proportionate increase in the Company’s Net Revenue Interest;

(c) as to any Lease (or portion thereof), as to all depths set forth on Exhibit A for such Lease, entitles the Company, in the aggregate, to the number of Net Mineral Acres in and to such Lease (or portion thereof) as set forth therefor on Exhibit A ; and

(d) is free and clear of any deed of trust, mortgage or pledge.

Section 8.5. Permitted Encumbrances . “ Permitted Encumbrances ” shall mean (A) Liens for Taxes which are not yet delinquent or which are being contested in good faith by appropriate Proceedings; (B) Liens created under the terms of the Leases, Easements, or Contracts, (C) materialman’s Liens, warehouseman’s Liens, workman’s Liens, carrier’s Liens, mechanic’s Liens, vendor’s Liens, repairman’s Liens, employee’s Liens, contractor’s, operator’s Liens, construction Liens and other similar Liens arising in the ordinary course of business that, in each case, secure amounts or obligations not yet delinquent (including any amounts being withheld as provided by Applicable Law), or if delinquent, being contested in good faith by appropriate actions; (D) required third party consents to assignments and similar agreements unless the failure to obtain such consents would void the transfer or terminate a material right under a Contract, Easement, Lease, or Permit; (E) any consents required in connection with the

 

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assignment of Seller Contracts contemplated by Section 7.13 ; (F) all Royalties if the net cumulative effect of such burdens do not, individually or in the aggregate, reduce the Company’s Net Revenue Interest in the applicable Oil and Gas Property below that shown in Exhibit A or B , as applicable; (G) the terms of any Lease, Contract, Easement, unit agreement, pooling agreement, operating agreement, production sales contract, division order and other contract, agreement or instrument applicable to the Properties, including provisions for penalties, suspensions or forfeitures contained therein, to the extent that the terms thereof do not materially detract from the use, operation or ownership of the Properties (as operated as of Effective Date), reduce the Company’s Net Revenue Interest or Net Mineral Acres in the applicable Oil and Gas Property below that shown in Exhibit A or B , as applicable, or increase the Company’s Working Interest in the applicable Oil and Gas Property above that shown in Exhibit A or B , as applicable, without a corresponding increase in Net Revenue Interest; (H) rights of reassignment arising upon the expiration or final intention to abandon or release any of the Properties; (I) any easement, right of way, surface use agreement, covenant, servitude, permit, surface lease, condition, restriction, and other rights included in or burdening the Properties for the purpose of surface or subsurface operations, roads, alleys, highways, railways, pipelines, transmission lines, transportation lines, distribution lines, power lines, telephone lines, removal of timber, grazing, logging operations, canals, ditches, reservoirs, and other like purposes, or for the joint or common use of real estate, rights of way, facilities and equipment, in each case, to the extent recorded in the applicable Governmental Entity recording office as of the Effective Date or that does not materially detract from the use, operation or ownership of the Properties subject thereto or affected thereby (as operated as of Effective Date); (J) all Applicable Laws and rights reserved to or vested in any Governmental Entities (i) to assess Tax with respect to the Properties, the ownership, use or operation thereof, or revenue, income or capital gains with respect thereto, (ii) by the terms of any right, power, franchise, grant, license or permit, or by any provision of Applicable Law, to terminate such right, power, franchise grant, license or permit or to purchase, condemn, expropriate or recapture or to designate a purchaser of any of the Properties, (iii) to use such property in a manner which does not impair the use of such property for the purposes for which it is currently owned and operated as of the Effective Date or (iv) to enforce any obligations or duties affecting the Properties to any Governmental Entity with respect to any franchise, grant, license or permit; (K) any other Liens, defects, burdens or irregularities which are based solely on (i) a lack of information in the Company’s files or of record or (ii) the inability to locate an unrecorded instrument of which Buyer has constructive or inquiry notice by virtue of a reference to such unrecorded instrument in a recorded instrument (or a reference to a further unrecorded instrument in such unrecorded instrument), if no claim has been made under such unrecorded instruments within the last ten (10) years; (L) any Liens, defects, irregularities or other matters which are expressly waived (or deemed to have waived), cured, assumed, bonded, indemnified for or otherwise discharged at or prior to Closing; (M) calls on production under existing Contracts, provided that the holder of such right must pay an index-based price for any production purchased by virtue of such call on production; (N) Liens created under deeds of trust, mortgages and similar instruments by the lessor under a Lease covering the lessor’s surface and mineral interests in the land covered thereby to the extent such mortgages, deeds of trust or similar instruments (i) do not contain express language that prohibits the lessors from entering into an oil and gas lease and (ii) no mortgagee or lienholder of any such deeds of trust, mortgage and similar instrument has, prior to the end of the Examination Period, initiated foreclosure or similar proceedings against the interest of lessor in such Lease nor has the Company received

 

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any written notice of default under any such mortgage, deed of trust or similar instrument; (O) lack of a division order or an operating agreement covering any Property (including portions of a Property that were formerly within a unit but which have been excluded from the unit as a result of a contraction of the unit) or failure to obtain waivers of maintenance of uniform interest, restriction on zone transfer or similar provisions in operating agreements with respect to assignments in the Company’s chain of title to the Property unless there is an outstanding and pending, unresolved claim from a third party with respect to the failure to obtain such waiver; (P) the treatment or classification of any horizontal Well as an allocation well that crosses more than one Lease or leasehold tract, including (i) the failure of such Leases or leasehold tracts as to such Well to be governed by a common pooling or unit agreement, or subject to a production sharing agreement or similar agreement, whether in whole or in part, and (ii) the allocation of Hydrocarbons produced from such well among such Leases or leasehold tracts based upon the length of the “as drilled” horizontal wellbore open for production, the total length of the horizontal wellbore, or other methodology that is intended to reasonably attribute to each such Lease or leasehold tract its share of such production; and (Q) Liens which (i) do not, individually or in the aggregate, materially detract from the value of the Properties subject thereto or affected thereby or materially interfere with the operation, maintenance, repair, replacement, and/or use of the Properties subject thereto or affected thereby, or (ii) are of a nature that would be reasonably acceptable to prudent owner or operator of crude oil and natural gas assets and facilities of a type similar to the Properties.

Section 8.6. Title and Environmental Defects . “ Title Defect ” shall mean a defect exists that (A) causes Seller to not have Defensible Title to the Oil and Gas Properties and (B) for which a Defect Notice has been timely and otherwise validly delivered. Notwithstanding any other provision in this Agreement to the contrary, the following matters shall not constitute, and shall not be asserted as, a Title Defect: (1) defects or irregularities arising out of lack of corporate or other entity authorization or variation in corporate or entity name; (2) defects or irregularities that have been cured or remedied by the applicable statutes of limitation or statutes for prescription, including adverse possession and the doctrine of laches or which have existed for more than twenty (20) years and no affirmative evidence shows that another Person has asserted a superior claim of title to the Properties; (3) defects or irregularities in the chain of title consisting of the failure to recite marital status in documents or omissions of heirship proceedings; (4) the absence of any lease amendment or consent by any royalty interest or mineral interest holder authorizing the pooling of any leasehold interest, royalty interest or mineral interest, and the failure of Exhibit A to reflect any lease or any unleased mineral interest where the owner thereof was treated as a non-participating co-tenant during the drilling of any wells; (5) any defect arising out of lack of survey or lack of metes and bounds descriptions, unless a survey is expressly required by Applicable Law; (6) any gap in the chain of title unless affirmative evidence shows that there is a superior chain of title as evidenced by an abstract of title, title opinion or landman’s title chain or runsheet; (7) any defect arising from prior oil and gas leases relating to the lands burdened by the Leases that are terminated but are not surrendered or released of record; (8) future adjustments in acreage, Working Interest and Net Revenue Interest as a result of pooling or unitization of the Leases; (9) references in the chain of title to unrecorded agreements, unless affirmative evidence shows that there is a superior chain of title as evidenced by an abstract of title, title opinion or landman’s title chain or runsheet; and (10) Permitted Encumbrances. Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to each Title Defect that is not cured on or before the Closing (other than a Title Defect caused by Seller or the

 

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Company), there shall be no adjustment to the number of Parent Shares to be issued at Closing, if the Title Defect Amount does not exceed $150,000 (the “ Title Defect Threshold ”), it being expressly understood that if any single Title Defect Amount exceeds the Title Defect Threshold, the entire amount of such Title Defect Amount shall be included in the calculation of any applicable adjustment to the number of Parent Shares to be issued at Closing pursuant to Section 8.8(a) .

Section 8.7. Environmental Defects .

(a) The term “ Environmental Defect ” means a condition existing on the Effective Date with respect to any of Company’s operations on the Properties that (i) is identified by the Site Assessment conducted by or on behalf of Buyer, and (ii) causes such Property (or Company with respect to such Property) not to be in compliance with Applicable Environmental Laws or to be subject to a remedial or corrective action obligation under Applicable Environmental Laws; provided, however , the following matters shall be excluded from and in no event constitute an “Environmental Defect”: (a) the presence or absence of NORM, (b) plugging and abandonment obligations or liabilities, or (c) the physical condition of any surface or subsurface production equipment (including water or oil tanks, separators or other ancillary equipment) except with respect to equipment (x) that causes or has caused any environmental pollution, contamination or degradation where remediation is presently required (or if known or confirmed, would be presently required) under Applicable Environmental Laws or (y) the use or condition of which is a violation of Applicable Environmental Law. Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to each Environmental Defect that is not cured on or before the Closing, there shall be no adjustment to the Parent Shares to be issued at Closing if the Environmental Defect Amount does not exceed $150,000, it being expressly understood that if any single Environmental Defect Amount exceeds $150,000, the entire amount of such Environmental Defect Amount shall be included in the calculation of any applicable adjustment to the Parent Shares to be issued at Closing pursuant to Section 8.8(a) .

(b) The “ Environmental Defect Amount ” shall mean the reasonable cost to investigate, remediate and take any corrective action in the most cost-effective manner, incorporating the least stringent clean-up standards that, based upon the use classification of the subject Property, are allowed by the applicable Governmental Entity and under Applicable Environmental Law and that do not prevent the continuation of the current use of the Property.

Section 8.8. Base Purchase Price Adjustments for Defects .

(a) If the Company and Buyer are unable to reach an agreement as to whether (i) an Environmental Defect exists or the Environmental Defect Amount attributable to such Environmental Defect or (ii) a Title Defect exists or the Title Defect Amount attributable to such Title Defect, the provisions of Article XVI shall be applicable.

(b) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, if the product of the adjustment to the number of Parent Shares to be issued at Closing, as

 

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applied to all Defects for which an adjustment is to be made, multiplied by the Adjustment Per Share Price does not exceed two and one-half percent (2.5%) of the Base Purchase Price, then no adjustment to the number of Parent Shares to be issued at Closing shall occur. If the product of the adjustment to the number of Parent Shares to be issued at Closing which would result from the above provided for procedure as applied to all Defects for which an adjustment is to be made multiplied by the Adjustment Per Share Price exceeds two and one-half percent (2.5%) of the Base Purchase Price, the number of Parent Shares to be issued at Closing shall be adjusted by the amount by which such adjustment exceeds two and one-half percent (2.5%) of the Base Purchase Price as calculated pursuant to Section 2.3(c)(ii) .

Article IX.

Conditions Precedent to Closing Obligations

Section 9.1. Conditions Precedent to the Obligations of Buyer Parties . The obligations of Buyer Parties to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement are subject to each of the following conditions being met or waived by Buyer Parties:

(a) Each and every representation and warranty of Seller contained in Article III shall be true and accurate in all respects on and as of the Execution Date and as of the Closing Date as if made on and as of such date except (i) as affected by transactions contemplated by this Agreement and (ii) to the extent that any such representation or warranty is made as of a specified date, in which case such representation or warranty shall have been true and correct in all respects as of such specified date; provided, however , that this condition shall be deemed to have been satisfied unless the individual or aggregate impact of all inaccuracies of such representations and warranties, other than Sections 3.1 and 3.3 , which shall be true and correct in all respects, and Section 3.4 which shall be true and correct in all material respects, have had or would be reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect on Seller or the Company (and disregarding any Material Adverse Effect or other materiality qualifier in Article III for purposes of this Section 9.1(a) ).

(b) Each of the representations and warranties of Seller contained in Article IV shall be true and correct in all respects on and as of the Execution Date and as of the Closing Date as if made on and as of such date, except (i) as affected by transactions contemplated by this Agreement, (ii) to the extent that any such representation or warranty is made as of a specified date, in which case such representation or warranty shall have been true and correct in all respects as of such specified date and (iii) to the extent that an adjustment to the number of Parent Shares to be issued at Closing has been made in respect of any inaccuracies or breaches in accordance with Section 8.8 ; provided, however , that this condition shall be deemed to have been satisfied unless the individual or aggregate impact of all inaccuracies of such representations and warranties, other than Sections  4.3 and 4.4 , which shall be true and correct in all respects, and Section 4.5 which shall be true and correct in all material respects, have had or would be reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company (and disregarding any Material Adverse Effect or other materiality qualifier in Article IV for purposes of this Section 9.1(b) ).

 

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(c) Each of Seller and the Company shall have performed and complied in all material respects with (or compliance therewith shall have been waived in writing by Buyer) each and every covenant and agreement required by this Agreement to be performed or complied with by them prior to or at the Closing, except for those failures to perform and comply with Section 7.14(b), or Section 7.18 that, individually or in the aggregate, have not had or would not be reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company.

(d) The sum of (i) the reduction in the number of Parent Shares to be issued at Closing required pursuant to Section 2.3(c)(ii) multiplied by the Adjustment Per Share Price plus (ii) the reduction in the number of Parent Shares to be issued at closing of the SHEP I MIPSA pursuant to Section 2.3(c)(ii) of the SHEP I MIPSA multiplied by the Adjustment Per Share Price does not exceed twenty percent (20%) of the Aggregate Base Purchase Price.

(e) No Proceeding shall, on the date of Closing, be pending before any court or Governmental Entity seeking to restrain or prohibit the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (other than any such Proceeding filed by either Buyer Party or any of its Affiliates).

(f) No order, writ, injunction or decree shall have been entered and be in effect by any court or any Governmental Entity of competent jurisdiction, and no statute, rule, regulation or other requirement shall have been promulgated or enacted and be in effect, that on a temporary or permanent basis restrains, enjoins or invalidates the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.

(g) Buyer Parties shall have received the items described in Section 10.2(b) and Seller shall be ready, willing and able to deliver to Buyer Parties all other agreements, instruments and documents which are required by other terms of this Agreement to be executed or delivered by Seller or the Company or any other Party to Buyer prior to or in connection with the Closing.

(h) The consummation of the transactions contemplated under the terms of this Agreement is not prevented from occurring by (and the required waiting period (or any agreed upon extension of any waiting period), if any, has expired under) the HSR Act and the rules and regulations of the Federal Trade Commission and the Department of Justice.

(i) Subject to Parent’s compliance with Section 7.15 , the Additional Listing Application shall have been approved and the Parent Shares to be issued at Closing and the SHEP I Parent Shares shall have been approved for listing on the New York Stock Exchange

(j) At the Closing, all Liens securing the Credit Facility shall have been released and/or terminated and Seller shall have delivered releases or other evidence of termination of the deeds of trust, mortgages and all other liens under the Credit Facility with respect to the Properties concurrently with the payment of the Adjusted Purchase Price and Seller shall have delivered to Buyer payoff letters from each holder of Indebtedness under the Credit Facility.

 

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(k) The transactions contemplated under the SHEP I MIPSA shall have closed.

(l) From the date of this Agreement, there shall not have occurred and be continuing any Material Adverse Effect of the Company, nor shall any event or events have occurred that, individually or in the aggregate, with or without the lapse of time, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect of the Company.

Section 9.2. Conditions Precedent to the Obligations of Seller . The obligations of Seller to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement are subject to each of the following conditions being met or waived by Seller:

(a) Each and every representation and warranty of Buyer contained in Article VI shall be true and accurate in all respects on and as of the Execution Date and as of the Closing Date as if made on and as of such date, except (i) as affected by transactions contemplated by this Agreement and (ii) to the extent that any such representation or warranty is made as of a specified date, in which case such representation or warranty shall have been true and correct in all respects as of such specified date. provided, however , that this condition shall be deemed to have been satisfied unless the individual or aggregate impact of all inaccuracies of such representations and warranties, other than Section 6.13 , have had or would be reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect on Buyer or Parent (and disregarding any Material Adverse Effect or other materiality qualifier in Article VI for purposes of this Section 9.2(a) ).

(b) Each Buyer Party shall have performed and complied in all material respects with (or compliance therewith shall have been waived in writing by Seller) each and every covenant and agreement required by this Agreement to be performed or complied with by each Buyer Party prior to or at the Closing.

(c) The sum of (i) the reduction in the number of Parent Shares to be issued at Closing required pursuant to Section 2.3(c)(ii) multiplied by the Adjustment Per Share Price plus (ii) the reduction in the number of Parent Shares to be issued at closing of the SHEP I MIPSA pursuant to Section 2.3(c)(ii) of the SHEP I MIPSA multiplied by the Adjustment Per Share Price does not exceed twenty percent (20%) of the Aggregate Base Purchase Price.

(d) No Proceeding shall, on the date of Closing, be pending before any court or Governmental Entity seeking to restrain or prohibit the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (other than any such Proceeding filed by Seller or any of its Affiliates).

(e) No order, writ, injunction or decree shall have been entered and be in effect by any court or any Governmental Entity of competent jurisdiction, and no statute, rule, regulation or other requirement shall have been promulgated or enacted and be in effect, that on a temporary or permanent basis restrains, enjoins or invalidates the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

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(f) Seller shall have received the items described in Section 10.3(c) and the Buyer Parties shall be ready, willing and able to deliver to Seller and the Company all other agreements, payments, deliveries, stock certificates, instruments and documents which are required by other terms of this Agreement to be executed or delivered by Buyer Parties prior to or in connection with the Closing.

(g) The consummation of the transactions contemplated under the terms of this Agreement is not prevented from occurring by (and the required waiting period (or any agreed upon extension of any waiting period), if any, has expired under) the HSR Act and the rules and regulations of the Federal Trade Commission and the Department of Justice.

(h) The Additional Listing Application shall have been approved and the Parent Shares to be issued at Closing and the SHEP I Parent Shares shall have been approved for listing on the New York Stock Exchange.

(i) The transactions contemplated under the SHEP I MIPSA shall have closed.

(j) From the date of this Agreement, there shall not have occurred and be continuing any Material Adverse Effect of Parent, nor shall any event or events have occurred that, individually or in the aggregate, with or without the lapse of time, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect of Parent.

Article X.

Closing

Section 10.1. Closing . The closing of the transaction contemplated hereby (the “ Closing ”) shall take place in the offices of Thompson & Knight LLP in Dallas, Texas, at 1722 Routh Street, Suite 1500 at 10:00 a.m. Central Standard Time on March 1, 2017 (the “ Target Closing Date ”); provided, however , that, if on the Target Closing Date, the conditions set forth in Article IX (excluding conditions that, by their terms, cannot be satisfied until the Closing) are not satisfied or waived, the Closing shall occur on the date that is three (3) Business Days after the date on which all conditions set forth in Article IX shall have been satisfied or waived (excluding conditions that, by their terms, cannot be satisfied until the Closing), or at such other date and time as Buyer and Seller may mutually agree upon (such date and time, as changed pursuant to any such mutual agreement, being herein called the “ Closing Date ”).

Section 10.2. Closing Obligations of Seller and the Company . At the Closing:

(a) Seller shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to Buyer an assignment of the Interests (the “ Assignment ”), in the form attached hereto as Exhibit 10.2(a) .

(b) Seller shall deliver a certificate executed by a duly authorized officer of Seller dated as of the Closing Date, representing and certifying (i) that the conditions

 

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described in Section 9.1(a) , Section 9.1(b) and (as to Company only) Section 9.1(c) have been satisfied, (ii) the incumbency of Seller’s officers, and (iii) that true, correct and complete copies of its (A) Governing Documents and (B) resolutions duly authorizing and approving this Agreement and the Transaction Documents, the execution thereof and the consummation of the transactions therein and herein, are attached thereto, are accurate and complete, have not been amended or rescinded and remain in full force and effect as of the Closing Date.

(c) Seller shall provide to Buyer a duly executed certificate of non-foreign status in the form and manner that complies with Section 1445 of the Code and the Treasury Regulations thereunder.

(d) Seller shall provide Buyer with the resignations of each of the officers of Company.

(e) Seller shall provide Buyer with executed mutual releases in the form of Exhibit 7.6(b) .

(f) Seller shall execute and deliver the Joint Instructions.

(g) Seller shall execute and deliver the Registration Rights Agreement in the form set forth as Exhibit H (the “ Registration Rights Agreement ”).

(h) Seller shall deliver final invoices in customary form with respect to each Transaction Expense.

(i) Seller shall deliver evidence regarding unwinding of all hedges of the Company.

(j) Seller shall execute and deliver a copy of the Indemnity Escrow Agreement.

(k) Seller shall deliver a reasonably current certificate of good standing for the Company issued by the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware.

(l) Seller shall deliver evidence to Buyer of all consents required to be set forth on Section 3.5 and Section 4.6 of the Disclosure Schedule.

Section 10.3. Closing Obligations of Buyer Parties . At the Closing:

(a) Buyer shall deliver to Seller, by wire transfer of immediately available funds in Dollars to an account designated in writing by Seller to Buyer, an amount equal to the Adjusted Cash Purchase Price as calculated in accordance with Section 2.3(a) ;

(b) Parent shall deliver to Seller a certificate evidencing the Adjusted Parent Shares, free and clear of all liens and restrictions, other than the restrictions imposed by this Agreement and applicable securities laws.

 

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(c) Each Buyer Party shall deliver a certificate executed by a duly authorized officer of such Buyer Party dated as of the Closing Date, representing and certifying (i) that the conditions described in Section 9.2(a) and Section 9.2(b) have been satisfied, (ii) the incumbency of each Buyer Party’s officers, and (iii) that true, correct and complete copies of each of Buyer Party’s (A) Governing Documents and (B) resolutions duly authorizing and approving this Agreement and the Transaction Documents, the execution thereof and the consummation of the transactions therein and herein, are attached thereto, are accurate and complete, have not been amended or rescinded and remain in full force and effect as of the Closing Date.

(d) Buyer shall execute and deliver the Joint Instructions.

(e) Parent shall execute and deliver the Registration Rights Agreement.

(f) Buyer shall execute and deliver a copy of the Indemnity Escrow Agreement, and Parent shall deliver to the Escrow Agent a certificate evidencing the Indemnity Escrowed Shares free and clear of all liens and restrictions, other than the liens or restrictions imposed by this Agreement, the Indemnity Escrow Agreement or applicable securities laws.

(g) Buyer and Parent shall each deliver a current certificate of good standing issued by the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware.

Article XI.

Termination, Amendment and Waiver

Section 11.1. Termination . Subject to Section 11.2 , this Agreement may be terminated and the transactions contemplated hereby abandoned at any time prior to the Closing in the following manner:

(a) by mutual written consent of Seller and Buyer; or

(b) by either Seller or Buyer, if:

(i) the Closing shall not have occurred on or before 5:00 p.m., Dallas time, on March 31, 2017, (the “ Termination Date ”), provided, however , that (A) if the failure to close on or before the Termination Date is due to a failure of the conditions set forth in Section 9.1(h) or Section 9.2(g) then Buyer or Seller may extend the Termination Date by an additional thirty (30) days by providing written notice to the other Party on or before the Termination Date; and (B) a Party shall not be entitled to terminate this Agreement under this Section 11.1(b)(i) if (x) the Closing has failed to occur because such Party is at such time in material breach of any of its representations, warranties or covenants contained in this Agreement or (y) the other Party has filed (and is then pursuing) on action to seek specific performance as permitted by Section 11.2(b) , Section 11.2(c) , or Section 11.2(e) ;

 

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(ii) any of the conditions set forth in Section 9.1(f) or Section 9.2(e) have not been satisfied on or before the Termination Date, except for temporary orders, writs, injunctions or decrees;

(iii) the SHEP I MIPSA is terminated pursuant to its terms; or

(iv) the sum of (A) the reduction in the number of Parent Shares to be issued at Closing required pursuant to Section 2.3(c)(ii) multiplied by the Adjustment Per Share Price plus (B) the reduction in the number of Parent Shares to be issued at closing of the SHEP I MIPSA pursuant to Section 2.3(c)(ii) of the SHEP I MIPSA multiplied by the Adjustment Per Share Price exceeds twenty percent (20%) of the Aggregate Base Purchase Price; or

(c) by Buyer if (i) neither of Buyer Parties is then in material breach of any provision of this Agreement or, to the extent the closing of the SHEP I MIPSA has not occurred, neither of the Buyer Parties has materially breached any provision of the SHEP I MIPSA, and (ii) there has been a breach, inaccuracy in or failure to perform any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement made by Seller or the Company pursuant to this Agreement that would give rise to the failure of any of the conditions specified in Section 9.1 and such breach, inaccuracy or failure is incapable of being cured, or if capable of being cured, has not been cured by Seller or the Company within ten (10) Business Days of Seller’s or the Company’s receipt of written notice of such breach from Buyer; or

(d) by Seller if (i) neither of Seller or the Company is then in material breach of any provision of this Agreement and, to the extent the closing of the SHEP I MIPSA has not occurred, neither of SHEP Holdings or SHEP I has materially breached any provision of the SHEP I MIPSA, and (ii) there has been a breach, inaccuracy in or failure to perform any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement made by any of Buyer Parties pursuant to this Agreement that would give rise to the failure of any of the conditions specified Section 9.2 and such breach, inaccuracy or failure is incapable of being cured or if capable of being cured, has not been cured by Buyer Parties within ten (10) Business Days of Buyer’s or Parent’s receipt of written notice of such breach from Seller; provided , that for purposes of this Section 11.1(d) , there shall be no ten (10)-Business Day cure period for Buyer’s failure to obtain all funds or approvals on or prior to the Closing Date necessary to deliver the Adjusted Cash Purchase Price and the Adjusted Parent Shares and Indemnity Escrowed Shares in accordance with the terms and conditions hereof (which failure shall constitute a material breach of this Agreement that would give rise to a termination provision under this Section 11.1(d) ).

Section 11.2. Effect of Termination .

(a) In the event of a valid termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 11.1 by Seller, on the one hand, or Buyer, on the other, written notice thereof shall forthwith be given to the other party or parties specifying the provision hereof pursuant to which such termination is made, and this Agreement shall become void and have no effect, except that the agreements contained in this Article XI , in Section 7.1 (Access) to

 

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the extent expressly provided, Section 7.2 (Exculpation and Indemnification), Section 7.5 (Confidentiality Agreement), Section 11.3 (Return of Information), Section 13.5 (No Commissions Owed), Section 15.1 (Notices), Section 17.3 (Parties Bear Own Expenses/No Special Damages), Section 17.4 (Entire Agreement), Section 17.5 (Disclosure Schedules), Section 17.6 (Choice of Law, Waiver of Jury Trial), Section 17.7 (Exclusive Venue), Section 17.8 (Time of Essence), Section 17.9 (No Assignment), Section 17.12 (References, Titles and Construction), Section 17.13 (No Third-Person Beneficiaries) and Section 17.14 (Severability), collectively referred to herein as the “ Surviving Provisions ”, shall survive the termination hereof; provided , however , that notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 11.2(a) , no such termination shall relieve any Party from liability for any damages for a Willful and Material Breach of a representation or warranty hereunder or a Willful and Material Breach of any covenant, agreement or obligation hereunder or intentional and knowing fraud that would constitute common law fraud with respect to the representations and warranties hereunder.

(b) In the event that (i) Buyer is entitled to terminate this Agreement under (A) Section 11.1(b)(i) and Seller is in material breach of its representations, warranties or covenants contained in this Agreement, (B) Section 11.1(c) or (C) Section 11.1(b)(iii) because Buyer has validly terminated the SHEP I MIPSA under Section 11.1(c) of the SHEP I MIPSA and (ii) Buyer has performed or is ready, willing and able to perform all of its agreements and covenants contained herein which are to be performed or observed at Closing, then Buyer, at its sole option, (A) shall be entitled to specific performance of the terms of this Agreement in lieu of termination (plus the recovery from Seller of all costs and expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, incurred by Buyer in enforcing such right of specific performance) or (B) may terminate this Agreement pursuant to Section 11.1(b)(i), Section 11.1(c) or Section 11.1(b)(iii), as applicable, in which case (y) the Parties shall promptly execute and deliver Joint Instructions instructing the Bank to disburse the entirety of the Deposit to Buyer, and (z) Buyer shall be entitled to all actual damages which Buyer is legally entitled at law or equity by virtue of such material breach or failure by Seller, provided that, unless such breach or failure by Seller was a Willful and Material Breach or constituted knowing and intentional fraud hereunder that would constitute common law fraud with respect to the representations and warranties hereunder, Buyer may not recover amounts in excess of an amount equal to five percent (5%) of the Base Purchase Price (it being understood by the Parties that such amount is in addition to, and not in lieu of, the obligation of Seller to instruct the Bank to return the entirety of the Deposit to Buyer as required hereunder).

(c) In the event that (i) Seller is entitled to terminate this Agreement under (A) Section 11.1(b)(i) and either Buyer Party is in material breach of its representations, warranties or covenants contained in this Agreement, (B) Section 11.1(d) or (C) under Section 11.1(b)(iii) because SHEP Holdings has validly terminated the SHEP I MIPSA under Section 11.1(d) of the SHEP I MIPSA and (ii) Seller has performed, or is ready, willing and able to perform if Buyer Parties would perform the obligations under Section 10.3 , all of its agreements and covenants contained herein which are to be performed or observed at Closing, then Seller, at its sole option, (A) shall be entitled to specific performance of the terms of this Agreement by Buyer and Parent in lieu of termination

 

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(plus the recovery from the Buyer Parties of all costs and expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, incurred by Seller in enforcing such right of specific performance) or (B) may terminate this Agreement pursuant to Section 11.1(b)(i) , Section 11.1(d) or Section 11.1(b)(iii) , as applicable, in which case the Parties shall promptly execute and deliver Joint Instructions instructing the Bank to disburse the entirety of the Deposit to Seller as liquidated damages for such termination, unless such breach or failure by Buyer was a Willful and Material Breach or constituted knowing and intentional fraud that would constitute common law fraud with respect to the representations and warranties hereunder, in which case Seller may seek additional damages.

(d) If this Agreement is terminated under Section 11.1 under circumstances other than those described in Section 11.2(b) , Section 11.2(c) or Section 11.2(e) or if Closing does not occur for any reason other than as set forth in Section 11.2(b) , Section 11.2(c) or Section 11.2(e) then the Parties shall promptly execute and deliver Joint Instructions instructing the Bank to disburse the entirety of the Deposit to Buyer, and no Party hereunder shall have any further obligations to the other Party except to the extent provided in those provisions hereof that under Section 11.2(a) expressly survive the termination of this Agreement.

(e) In the event that Seller is entitled to terminate this Agreement under Section 11.1(b)(i) because of the failure of Buyer to close in the instance where, as of the Termination Date, (i) all of the conditions in Section 9.1 (excluding conditions that, by their terms, cannot be satisfied until the Closing) have been satisfied (or waived by Buyer), (ii) Seller is ready, willing and able to perform all its obligations under Section 10.2 if Buyer Parties would perform the obligations under Section 10.3 , and (iv) Buyer nevertheless elects not to or is not able to Close, then, in either such event, Seller, at its option, (A) shall be entitled to specific performance of the terms of this Agreement by Buyer and Parent in lieu of termination (plus the recovery from the Buyer Parties of all costs and expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, incurred by Seller in enforcing such right of specific performance) or (B) may terminate this Agreement pursuant to Section 11.1(b)(i) , in which the Parties shall promptly execute and deliver Joint Instructions instructing the Bank to disburse the entirety of the Deposit to Seller as liquidated damages for such termination.

(f) Seller’s retention of the Deposit under Section 11.2(e) shall constitute liquidated damages hereunder, which remedy shall be the sole and exclusive remedy available to Seller for any breach or failure of any representation, warranty or covenant of any Buyer Party contained in this Agreement (including any Buyer Party’s failure to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement upon satisfaction of the conditions set forth herein). THE PARTIES HEREBY ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THE EXTENT OF DAMAGES TO SELLER OCCASIONED BY THE FAILURE OF THIS TRANSACTION TO BE CONSUMMATED WOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE OR EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO ASCERTAIN AND THAT THE AMOUNT OF THE DEPOSIT IS A FAIR AND REASONABLE ESTIMATE OF SUCH DAMAGES UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A PENALTY.

 

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(g) If either Buyer or Seller elects to seek specific performance pursuant to Section 11.2(b) , Section 11.2(c) or Section 11.2(e) , respectively, the Party electing specific performance (the “ Electing Party ”) must deliver notice in writing to the other Party (the “ Non-Electing Party ”) of the Electing Party’s election to seek specific performance within ten (10) days counted from and after the Termination Date (or, if earlier, the date on which the Electing Party became entitled to seek such remedy under Section 11.2(b) or Section 11.2(c) , as applicable). When the Electing Party elects to seek specific performance pursuant to Section 11.2(b) , Section 11.2(c) or Section 11.2(e) , the Deposit shall be held by the Bank until a non-appealable final judgment or award on the Electing Party’s claim for specific performance is rendered, at which time the Deposit shall be distributed as provided in the judgment or award resolving the specific performance claim. The Non-Electing Party hereby agrees, without any requirement of proof of immediate, irreparable, or actual damages, not to raise any objections to the availability of the equitable remedy of specific performance to specifically enforce the terms and provisions of this Agreement or to enforce compliance with the covenants and agreements of the Electing Party under this Agreement to close the transactions contemplated hereby subject to the terms hereof. The Electing Party shall not be required to provide any bond or other security in connection with seeking an injunction or injunctions to enforce specifically the terms and provisions of this Agreement. Subject to Section 11.2(f) (it being understood to the extent Seller validly terminates the Agreement in circumstances described in Section 11.2(c) or Section 11.2(e) and is entitled to retain the Deposit, Seller shall not also be entitled to seek specific performance, as Seller’s retention of the Deposit would be the sole and exclusive remedy available to Seller), the Parties agree that (i) by seeking the remedies provided for in this Section 11.2(g) , including by the institution of a court proceeding, the Electing Party shall not in any respect waive its right to seek any other form of relief that may be available to it under this Article XI in the event that the remedies provided for in this paragraph are not available or otherwise are not granted, and (ii) nothing set forth in this Section 11.2(g) shall require the Electing Party to institute any Proceeding for (or limit the Electing Party’s right to institute a Proceeding for) specific performance prior or as a condition to exercising any termination right under this Article XI , nor shall the commencement of any Proceeding pursuant to this paragraph restrict or limit Seller’s right to terminate this Agreement in accordance with this Article XI .

Section 11.3. Return of Information . Within ten (10) Business Days following termination of this Agreement in accordance with Section 11.1 , Buyer shall, and shall cause its Affiliates and representatives to, at Buyer’s option, return to Seller or destroy all Confidential Information (as defined in the Confidentiality Agreement), subject to the provisions of Section 4 of the Confidentiality Agreement with respect to retaining copies in archival or back-up computers or other electronic storage and retaining copies for purposes of complying with Applicable Law or government regulation.

Article XII.

Accounting Adjustments

Section 12.1. Adjustments for Revenues and Expenses . Appropriate adjustments to the Cash Purchase Price shall be made between Buyer and Seller so that:

(a) Buyer will bear all Property Costs which are incurred by the Company or by Seller (to the extent they directly or indirectly benefit or relate to the Company), in the operation and development of the Properties on or after the Effective Date (all such Property Costs incurred on or after the Effective Date but prior to the Closing Date shall be added to the Cash Purchase Price) to the extent such Property Costs are paid with cash on hand at the Company as of the Effective Date or cash contributed to the Company by Seller after the Effective Date or otherwise paid by Seller, and Buyer will receive all proceeds (net of applicable Taxes) which are attributable to the Properties and which are accrued on or after the Effective Date.

 

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(b) Except as provided in Section 12.4 below, Seller will bear all Property Costs which are incurred in the operation and development of the Properties before the Effective Date and Seller will receive all proceeds (net of applicable Taxes) which are attributable to the Properties and which are accrued before the Effective Date.

(c) It is agreed that, in making such adjustments:

(i) Ad valorem, property, severance, production and similar Taxes will be allocated in accordance with Section 7.8(c) ;

(ii) casualty losses shall be handled in accordance with Article XIV ; and

(iii) no consideration shall be given to the local, state or federal income Tax liabilities of any party.

Section 12.2. Initial Adjustment at Closing . At least five (5) days before the Closing Date, Seller shall provide to Buyer a statement (the “ Initial Settlement Statement ”) in the form attached hereto as Exhibit 12.2 showing Seller’s computations of (a) the amount of the adjustments provided for in Section 12.1 and based on amounts which prior to such time have actually been paid or received by Seller, (b) the amount of the adjustments provided for in Article VIII , if any, and (c) the amount of the adjustments provided for in Section 2.3(a)(i)(A) , Section 2.3(a)(i)(B) and Section 2.3(a)(i)(C) . Buyer and Seller shall attempt to agree upon such adjustments prior to Closing, subject to further adjustment under Section 12.3 below, provided that if agreement is not reached, Seller’s computation shall be used at Closing. Without duplication of adjustment to the Cash Purchase Price contemplated in Section 12.1 , if the amount of adjustments so determined which would result in a credit to Buyer exceed the amount of adjustments so determined which would result in a credit to Seller, Buyer shall receive a credit at Closing for the amount of such excess, and if the converse is true, then the amount to be paid by Buyer to Seller at Closing shall be increased by the amount of such excess.

Section 12.3. Adjustment Post Closing . On or before ninety (90) days after Closing, Seller shall prepare a “ Final Settlement Statement ” and deliver same to Buyer setting forth any additional adjustments to the Cash Purchase Price not reflected in the Initial Settlement Statement (whether the same be made to account for expenses or revenues not considered in making the adjustments made at Closing, or to correct errors made in the adjustments made at Closing) or confirming Seller’s view that no additional adjustments are required. Buyer will

 

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assist Seller in the preparation of the Final Settlement Statement by providing Seller with any data or information reasonably requested by Seller. The Final Settlement Statement shall become final and binding upon the parties on the thirtieth (30th) day following receipt thereof by Buyer, unless Buyer gives written notice of its disagreement to Seller prior to such date. In order to be valid, any such notice shall specify in reasonable detail the dollar amount, nature and basis of any disagreement so asserted. Any such disagreements will be resolved in accordance with Article XVI . If the amount of the Adjusted Cash Purchase Price as set forth on the Final Settlement Statement exceeds the amount of the Adjusted Cash Purchase Price paid at the Closing, then Buyer shall pay to Seller in cash the amount of such excess within five (5) Business Days after the Final Settlement Statement is agreed to or otherwise becomes final in accordance with this Section 12.3 . If the amount of the Adjusted Cash Purchase Price as set forth on the Final Settlement Statement is less than the amount of the Adjusted Cash Purchase Price paid at the Closing, then Seller shall pay to Buyer in cash the amount of such deficit within five (5) Business Days after the Final Settlement Statement is agreed to or otherwise becomes final in accordance with this Section 12.3 .

Section 12.4. No Further Adjustments . Following the adjustments under Section 12.3 , no further adjustments shall be made under this Article XII . Should any Property Costs be charged to (or received by) Seller or Buyer after the earlier of (i) the conclusion of such adjustments under Section 12.3 or (ii) ninety (90) days after Closing, the same shall be forwarded to and borne by Buyer and Company, regardless of the periods to which the same relate. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Section 12.4 shall not affect Buyer Parties’ right to indemnification under Section 13.2(d) .

Article XIII.

Indemnification

Section 13.1. Indemnification by Buyer Parties . From and after the Closing, Buyer Parties shall, jointly and severally, defend, indemnify and hold harmless Seller and its Affiliates and their respective owners, members, directors, officers, managers, employees, insurers and, in each case, their respective successors and assigns (collectively, the “ Seller Indemnitees ”) from and against any and all Damages (individually, a “ Seller’s Indemnified Claim ” and collectively, “ Seller’s Indemnified Claims ”) which are suffered or incurred by any of Seller Indemnitees or to which any of Seller Indemnitees may otherwise become subject (regardless of whether or not such Damages relate to any third-party claim) and which arise from or as a result of, or are connected with:

(a) any inaccuracy in or breach of any representation or warranty made by Buyer Parties in this Agreement or in the certificates delivered pursuant to Section 10.3(c) hereto (without giving effect to any materiality or Material Adverse Effect qualifications limiting the scope of such representation or warranty);

(b) the operation of the Company and the Properties prior to and after the Effective Date, or the ownership of the Company, except to the extent that Seller has agreed to indemnify the Buyer Indemnitees pursuant to Section 13.2(a) ;

 

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(c) the condition of the Properties before, on or after the Effective Date, regardless of whether such condition or events giving rise to such condition arose or occurred before, on or after the Effective Date, except to the extent that Seller has agreed to indemnify the Buyer Indemnitees pursuant to Section 13.2(a) ; and

(d) any breach of any of Buyer’s or Parent’s covenants, obligations or agreements contained in this Agreement that survive the Closing; and

(e) any Taxes for which Buyer is responsible pursuant to Section 7.8 .

THE FOREGOING ASSUMPTIONS AND INDEMNIFICATIONS BY THE BUYER PARTIES SHALL APPLY WHETHER OR NOT SUCH DUTIES, OBLIGATIONS OR LIABILITIES, OR SUCH CLAIMS, ACTIONS, CAUSES OF ACTION, LIABILITIES, DAMAGES, LOSSES, COSTS OR EXPENSES ARISE OUT OF (i) NEGLIGENCE (INCLUDING SOLE NEGLIGENCE, SIMPLE NEGLIGENCE, CONCURRENT NEGLIGENCE, ACTIVE OR PASSIVE NEGLIGENCE, BUT EXPRESSLY NOT INCLUDING GROSS NEGLIGENCE OR WILLFUL MISCONDUCT) OF ANY INDEMNITEE, (ii) STRICT LIABILITY, OR (iii) ANY VIOLATION OF ANY LAW, RULE, REGULATION OR ORDER RELATED TO THE OWNERSHIP OR OPERATION OF THE PROPERTIES, INCLUDING APPLICABLE ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS.

Section 13.2. Indemnification by Seller . From and after the Closing, Seller shall defend, indemnify and hold harmless Buyer, Parent and their respective Affiliates and each of their respective members, directors, officers, managers, employees, insurers and, in each case, their respective successors and assigns (collectively, the “ Buyer Indemnitees ”) from and against any and all Damages (individually a “ Buyer’s Indemnified Claim ” and collectively “ Buyer’s Indemnified Claims ”) which are suffered or incurred by any of Buyer Indemnitees or to which any of Buyer Indemnitees may otherwise become subject (regardless of whether or not such Damages relate to any third-party claim) and which arise from or as a result of, or are connected with:

(a) any inaccuracy in or breach of any representation or warranty made by Seller or the Company in this Agreement or in the certificates delivered pursuant to Section 10.2(b) hereto (without giving effect to (i) any materiality or Material Adverse Effect qualifications limiting the scope of such representation or warranty, provided , however , that this Clause (i) shall not apply to any reference to Material Contract therein, or (ii) any update of or modification to the Disclosure Schedule made or purported to have been made on or after the date of this Agreement);

(b) any breach of any of (i) Seller’s covenants, obligations or agreements contained in this Agreement that survive the Closing or (ii) the Company’s covenants, obligations or agreements contained in this Agreement that survive the Closing and arising prior to the Closing;

(c) any Indebtedness of the Company described in clauses (i), (iv) or (v) in the definition of Indebtedness arising prior to the Closing and outstanding as of the Closing Date or Transaction Expenses incurred prior to the Closing Date which were not specifically included and counted such that they reduced the Cash Purchase Price on a dollar-for-dollar basis;

 

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(d) any Taxes for which Seller is responsible pursuant to Section 7.8 ;

(e) any Excluded Properties;

(f) the injury or death of any person to the extent arising out of or relating to the ownership or operation of the Properties by the Company prior to Closing; and

(g) any contamination or condition that is the result of the Company’s off site transport or disposal, or arrangement for transport or disposal, of any hazardous substance from the Properties that occurred prior to Closing or are attributable to the Company’s operations prior to Closing.

 

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Section 13.3. Survival of Provisions . Except with respect to the representations and warranties set forth in Section 4.27 , which shall expire upon the Closing and be of no further force or effect, all representations and warranties of Seller contained in this Agreement and in the certificates delivered pursuant to Section 9.1(b) and Section 9.1(c) hereto shall survive the Closing until 11:59 p.m. Central Time on the date that is twelve (12) months after the Closing Date, at which time such representations and warranties shall expire and be of no further force or effect, except for the representations and warranties set forth in Section 4.29 which shall survive the Closing until 11:59 p.m. Central Time on the date that is two (2) years after the Closing Date; provided , that any representation or warranty the breach or inaccuracy of which is made the basis of a claim for indemnification hereunder will survive solely with respect to such claim until such claim is resolved if a Buyer Indemnitee or Seller Indemnitee, as applicable, delivers notification to the indemnifying party of such claim in accordance with this Article XIII prior to the date on which such representation or warranty would otherwise expire hereunder. The respective covenants, obligations and agreements of Seller, the Company and Buyer Parties made in this Agreement will survive the Closing until the date on which such covenant, obligation or agreement expressly terminates or expires, or if no such period is specified, indefinitely; provided, however , that Section 13.2(c) , Section 13.2(f) and Section 13.2(g) shall expire on the date that is twelve (12) months after the Closing. Section 13.2(b) shall expire at Closing with respect to any breach of any covenant, obligation or agreement by Seller or the Company arising prior to the Closing other than those set forth in Section 7.3 , Section 7.4(a) (provided that, to the extent any breach of Section 7.4(a)(i) is a result of the Company’s, or any of its Affiliates’, actions or omission in its operations of the Properties, such party shall only be liable to the extent its actions or omissions constituted gross negligence or willful misconduct), Section 7.4(b) , Section 7.7 , Section 7.8 , Section 7.13(a) and Section 7.19 , which shall survive for one (1) year with respect to claims for breach thereof that are delivered in writing to Seller prior to the expiration of such one (1)-year period, and, in the case of Section 7.20 , which shall survive for four (4) years with respect to claims for breach thereof that are delivered in writing to Seller prior to the expiration of such four (4)-year period.

Section 13.4. Limitations .

(a) If the Closing occurs, Seller shall have no liability under Section 13.2(a) for any individual Damage that does not exceed $200,000 (and such Damage shall not be applied towards the Indemnity Deductible) and Seller shall have no liability under Section 13.2(a) until the aggregate amount of otherwise indemnifiable Damages thereunder exceeds a deductible (not a threshold) of 3% of the Base Purchase Price (the “ Indemnity Deductible ”), and then Seller shall be liable for only the amount by which the total of such Damages exceeds such deductible. Notwithstanding the foregoing and anything to the contrary in the Agreement, the limitations set forth above shall not apply to Damages under Section 13.2(a) that arise from or as a result of, or are directly or indirectly connected with an inaccuracy in, or a breach of, the representations and warranties contained in Section 3.1 (Title to Interests), Section 3.2 (Organization and Standing), Section 3.3 (Power and Authority), Section 3.4 (Valid and Binding Agreement), Section 3.8 (Accredited Investor; Investment Intent), Section 4.1 (Organization and Standing), Section 4.2 (Governing Documents), Section 4.3 (Capital Structure), Section 4.4 (Power and Authority), Section 4.5 (Valid and Binding Agreement) and Section 4.29 (Special Warranty) (the “ Seller Fundamental Representations ”).

 

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(b) If the Closing occurs, the maximum aggregate amount of Damages that may be recovered from Seller under Section 13.2(a) shall not exceed the value of the Indemnity Escrowed Shares. Notwithstanding the foregoing and anything to the contrary in the Agreement, (i) the cap limitation set forth above shall not apply to Damages under Section 13.2(a) that arise from or as a result of, or are connected with an inaccuracy in, or a breach of, the Seller Fundamental Representations; (ii) in no event shall Seller’s liability under this Agreement exceed the consideration received by Seller at the Closing, and (iii) in no event shall any Damages arising from any breach of Section 4.29 with respect to any Oil and Gas Property (when aggregated with any Defect Amount attributable to any Title Defect asserted under Article VIII with respect to such Oil and Gas Property) exceed the Allocated Value of such Oil and Gas Property.

(c) If the Closing occurs, Buyer shall have no liability under Section 13.1(a) until the aggregate amount of otherwise indemnifiable Damages thereunder exceeds a deductible (not a threshold) of 3% of the Base Purchase Price, and then Buyer shall be liable for only the amount by which the total of such Damages exceeds such deductible. Notwithstanding the foregoing and anything to the contrary in the Agreement, the deductible limitation set forth above shall not apply to Damages under Section 13.1(a) that arise from or as a result of, or are directly or indirectly connected with an inaccuracy in, or a breach of, the representations and warranties contained in Section 6.1 (Organization and Standing), Section 6.2 (Power and Authority), Section 6.3 (Valid and Binding Agreement), Section 6.10 (Accredited Investor; Investment Intent), Section 6.12 (Issuance of Parent Shares), Section 6.13 (Capitalization), Section 6.15 (No Registration), Section 6.17 (NYSE Listing), Section 6.18 (S-3 Eligibility) and Section 6.21 (Registration Rights) (the “ Buyer Fundamental Representations ”).

(d) If the Closing occurs, the maximum aggregate amount of Damages that may be recovered from Buyer under Section 13.1(a) shall not exceed the 3% of the Base Purchase Price. Notwithstanding the foregoing and anything to the contrary in the Agreement, the cap limitation set forth above shall not apply to Damages under Section 13.1(a) that arise directly or indirectly from or as a result of, or are directly or indirectly connected with an inaccuracy in, or a breach of, the Buyer Fundamental Representations.

(e) THE LIMITATIONS ON LIABILITY IN SECTION 13.3 OR SECTION 13.4 SHALL APPLY TO THE APPLICABLE LIABILITY EVEN IF SUCH LIABILITY IS CAUSED IN WHOLE OR IN PART BY THE NEGLIGENCE (WHETHER SOLE, JOINT OR CONCURRENT), STRICT LIABILITY OR OTHER LEGAL FAULT OF THE PARTY WHOSE LIABILITY IS SO LIMITED.

Section 13.5. No Commissions Owed . Seller agrees to indemnify, defend and hold each Buyer Party (and its partners and its and their Affiliates, and the respective owners, officers, directors, employees, attorneys, contractors and agents of such parties) harmless from and against any and all claims, actions, causes of action, liabilities, damages, losses, costs or

 

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expenses (including, without limitation, court costs and attorneys’ fees) of any kind or character arising out of or resulting from any agreement, arrangement or understanding alleged to have been made by, or on behalf of, Seller or, to the extent arising or resulting prior to the Closing, the Company with any broker or finder in connection with this Agreement or the transaction contemplated hereby. Each Buyer Party agrees to indemnify, defend and hold Seller (and its partners and its and their Affiliates and the respective owners, officers, directors, employees, attorneys, contractors and agents of such parties) harmless from and against any and all claims, actions, causes of action, liabilities, damages, losses, costs or expenses (including, without limitation, court costs and attorneys’ fees) of any kind or character arising out of or resulting from any agreement, arrangement or understanding alleged to have been made by, or on behalf of, Buyer Parties, with any broker or finder in connection with this Agreement or the transaction contemplated hereby.

Section 13.6. Defense of Third Party Claims .

(a) For purposes of this Article XIII , the term “indemnifying Party” when used in connection with particular Damages shall mean the Party having an obligation to indemnify another Person or Persons with respect to such Damages pursuant to this Article XIII , and the term “indemnified party” when used in connection with particular Damages shall mean the party having the right to be indemnified, with respect to such Damages by the other Party pursuant to this Article XIII .

(b) Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under Section 13.1 or Section 13.2 of a third party claim for Damages or notice of the commencement of any Proceeding against it (each a “ Third Party Claim ”), such indemnified party shall, if a claim is to be made against an indemnifying Party under such Section, give notice to the indemnifying Party of the commencement of such Third Party Claim, together with a claim for indemnification pursuant to this Article XIII . The failure of any indemnified party to give a notice of a Third Party Claim as provided in this Section 13.6 shall not alter or relieve the indemnifying Party of its obligations under this Article XIII except to the extent, but only to the extent, such failure materially prejudices the indemnifying Party.

(c) If any Third Party Claim is brought against an indemnified party and the indemnified party gives a notice to the indemnifying Party of the commencement of such Third Party Claim, the indemnifying Party shall have fifteen (15) days from its receipt of the notice to notify the indemnified party whether it admits or denies its liability to defend the indemnified party against such Third Party Claim at the sole cost and expense of the indemnifying Party. The indemnified party is authorized, prior to and during such fifteen (15) day period, to file any motion, answer or other pleading that it shall deem necessary or appropriate to protect its interests or those of the indemnifying Party and that is not prejudicial to the indemnifying Party, and any costs, fees or expenses incurred by the indemnified party in furtherance of investigating, review and responding to such Third Party Claim shall be Damages subject to indemnification hereunder.

(d) If the indemnifying Party admits its liability to defend the indemnified party against such Third Party Claim, it shall have the right and obligation to diligently

 

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defend, at its sole cost and expense, the indemnified party against such Third Party Claim with counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party, and, after notice from the indemnifying Party to the indemnified party of the indemnifying Party’s election to assume the defense of such Third Party Claim, the indemnifying Party shall not, as long as it diligently conducts such defense, be liable to the indemnified party under this Article XIII for any fees of other counsel or any other expenses with respect to the defense of such Third Party Claim, in each case subsequently incurred by the indemnified party in connection with the defense of such claim or Proceeding (provided, however, that the indemnifying Party shall not have the right to assume the defense of such Third Party Claim if (i) the indemnifying Party fails to provide reasonable assurance to the indemnified party of its financial capacity to defend such Third Party Claim and provide indemnification with respect to such Third Party Claim, (ii) the Third Party Claim primarily seeks injunctive or other non-monetary or equitable relief against the indemnified party or (iii) the Third Party Claim relates to any criminal proceeding, indictment, allegation or investigation). If the indemnifying Party assumes the defense of a Third Party Claim, no compromise or settlement of such Third Party Claim may be effected by the indemnifying Party without the indemnified party’s prior written consent unless (A) there is no finding or admission of any violation of Applicable Laws or any violation of the rights of any Person and no effect on any other third party claims that may be made against the indemnified party, (B) there is a full general release in customary form of all the claims in connection with the Third Party Claim against the indemnified party from all parties to the Third Party Claim, and (C) the sole relief provided is monetary damages that are paid in full by the indemnifying Party (i.e., neither the indemnified party nor any of its Affiliates are required to perform any covenant or refrain from engaging in any activity), and (D) the indemnified party shall have no liability with respect to any compromise or settlement of such Third Party Claim effected without its consent.

(e) If the indemnifying Party does not admit its liability or admits its liability to defend the indemnified party against a Third Party Claim, but is either unable to assume the defense of such Third Party Claim as set forth above or fails to diligently prosecute, indemnify against or settle the Third Party Claim, then the indemnified party shall have the right to defend against the Third Party Claim at the sole cost and expense of the indemnifying Party, with counsel of the indemnified party’s choosing, subject to the right of the indemnifying Party to admit its liability and assume the defense of the Third Party Claim at any time prior to settlement or final determination thereof (unless the indemnifying Party is unable to assume the defense of such Third Party Claim as set forth above). If the indemnifying Party has not yet admitted its liability to defend the indemnified party against a Third Party Claim, the indemnified party shall send written notice to the indemnifying Party of any proposed settlement and the indemnifying Party shall have the option for ten (10) days following receipt of such notice to (i) admit in writing its liability to indemnify the indemnified party from and against the liability and either consent to or reject such proposed settlement, in its reasonable judgment, or (ii) deny liability. Any failure to respond to such notice by the indemnified party shall be deemed to be an election under subsection (ii) above.

 

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Section 13.7. Procedures for Claims Other Than Third Party Claims . A claim for indemnification for any matter not involving a Third Party Claim may be asserted by notice to the Party from whom indemnification is sought. The indemnifying Party shall have thirty (30) days from its receipt of the notice to (a) cure the Damages complained of, (b) admit its liability for such Damage or (c) dispute the claim for such Damages. If the indemnifying Party does not notify the indemnified party within such thirty (30) day period that it has cured the Damages or that it disputes the claim for such Damages, the amount of such Damages shall conclusively be deemed disputed by the indemnifying Party hereunder. If the indemnifying Party notifies the indemnified party within such thirty (30) day period that it disputes the claim for such Damages, then the indemnified party may continue to seek remedies available to it on the terms and subject to the provisions of this Agreement.

Section 13.8. Net Amounts; Escrow .

(a) Any amounts recoverable by any party pursuant to this Article XIII with respect to any Seller’s Indemnified Claims or Buyer’s Indemnified Claims shall be decreased by any insurance proceeds or indemnification rights relating to such Seller’s Indemnified Claims or Buyer’s Indemnified Claims actually paid to such Indemnitee by any Person (other than any Affiliate of such Indemnitee) not a party to this Agreement, net of any reasonable out of pocket third party expenses incurred in obtaining such recovery and premium adjustments directly attributable thereto. If any such proceeds or rights are actually received by such Indemnitee with respect to any Damage for which such Indemnitee has received payment under this Article XIII , such party shall refund such payment to Seller or Buyer, as applicable. Buyer shall use commercially reasonable efforts to recover under insurance policies or agreements containing rights to indemnification for any Damages prior to seeking indemnification under this Agreement. For federal income tax purposes, the Parties agree to treat (and shall cause each of their respective Affiliates to treat) any indemnity payment under this Agreement as an adjustment to the Purchase Price payable to Seller hereof unless a final and non-appealable determination by an appropriate Governmental Entity (which shall include the execution of an IRS Form 870-AD or successor form) provides otherwise.

(b) Buyer Indemnitees shall recover with respect to all Damages subject to indemnification obligations owed by Seller under this Article XIII initially from the Indemnity Escrow Account through the Escrow Agent’s release of Indemnity Escrowed Shares to Buyer with a Price Per Share equal to the amount of Damages finally determined to be due to Buyer. To the extent the Indemnity Escrowed Shares in the Indemnity Escrow Account have been exhausted or distributed or are being held subject to the resolution of other outstanding claims hereunder, Buyer Indemnitees may recover with respect to such Damages directly from Seller, subject to the limitations set forth in this Article XIII .

(c) Neither Party shall be liable for any Damage under this Article XIII to the extent such Damage is (i) accounted for in any adjustment under Section 2.3 or (ii) recovered under any other provision of this Agreement or any Transaction Document.

(d) Upon payment of a Damage by a Party to any Buyer Indemnitee or Seller Indemnitee pursuant to this Article XIII , such Party, without any further action, shall be subrogated to any and all claims that such indemnitee may have against any third Person relating to such Damage, but only to the extent of the amount paid to such indemnitee by such Party in respect of such Damage, and such indemnitee shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cooperate with such Party, at the expense of such Party in order to enable such Party to pursue such claims.

 

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Section 13.9. No Contribution . Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, Seller waives, and acknowledges and agrees that Seller shall not have and shall not exercise or assert (or attempt to exercise or assert) any right of contribution, right of indemnity or other right or remedy against Buyer, Parent or the Company in connection with any Buyer’s Indemnified Claim under this Agreement.

Article XIV.

Casualty Losses

In the event of damage by fire, explosion, wild well, hurricane, storm, weather event or other casualty to the Properties, or if any portion of the Properties are taken by condemnation or under the right of eminent domain, after the date of this Agreement but prior to the Closing, then: (a) this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect; (b) there shall be no adjustment to the Base Purchase Price; and (c) if such damage or condemnation loss has an adverse effect on the value of the affected Properties in an amount that exceeds Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000), Seller shall, at Seller’s sole election, either (i) assign (or cause the Company to assign, if applicable) to Buyer any property damage insurance claims (and payments with respect thereto) related to such damage and pay any deductibles, or (ii) repair or replace such damaged property to a condition similar to the condition of the affected Property immediately prior to the fire or other casualty and retain all insurance claims and payments with respect thereto. Until the Closing Date, Seller shall maintain the existing insurance coverage, and in the event of a casualty loss or condemnation which is not covered by insurance, except as provided in this Section, Seller shall have no obligation to Buyer with respect thereto; provided that , if Buyer so requests, and if Seller has not repaired the damage or replaced the affected Property, Seller will assign any rights it may have against third parties with respect to such damage or condemnation.

Article XV.

Notices

Section 15.1. Notices . All notices and other communications required under this Agreement shall (unless otherwise specifically provided herein) be in writing and be delivered personally, by recognized commercial courier or delivery service which provides a receipt, by telecopier (with receipt acknowledged), by registered or certified mail (postage prepaid), or by electronic transmission at the following addresses:

 

If to Buyer or Parent:   

RSP Permian, Inc.

3141 Hood Street, Suite 500

Dallas, Texas 75219

Attn: James E. Mutrie

Phone: 214-252-2728

Fax: 214-252-2750

E-mail: jmutrie@rsppermian.com

 

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With a copy to:   

Vinson & Elkins LLP

1001 Fannin Street

Suite 2500, Houston, TX 77002

Attn: Stephen M. Gill

Phone: 713-758-4458

E-mail: sgill@velaw.com

If to Seller, or, prior to the Closing, Company:   

Silver Hill Energy Partners II, LLC

5949 Sherry Lane, Suite 1550

Dallas, Texas 75225

Attn: Kyle Miller

Email: kmiller@silverhillenergy.com

With a copy to:   

Thompson & Knight LLP

1722 Routh Street, Suite 1500

Dallas, Texas 75201

Attn: Ann Marie Cowdrey

         Arthur Wright

Phone: 214-969-1700

Fax: 214-969-1751

E-mail: AnnMarie.Cowdrey@tklaw.com

             Arthur.Wright@tklaw.com

  

Kayne Anderson Capital Advisors, L.P.

811 Main Street, 14th Floor

Houston, Texas 77002

Attn: Kevin Brophy

Phone: 713-655-7559

Fax: 713- 655-7355

Email: kbrophy@kaynecapital.com

  

DLA Piper LLP (US)

1000 Louisiana Street, Suite 2800

Houston, Texas 77002-5005

Attn: Jack Langlois

Phone: 713-425-8419

Fax: 713-300-6019

Email: jack.langlois@dlapiper.com

 

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or to such other place within the continental limits of the United States of America as a party may designate for itself by giving notice to the other party, in the manner provided in this Section, at least ten (10) days prior to the effective date of such change of address. All notices given by personal delivery or mail shall be effective on the date of actual receipt at the appropriate address. Notices given by telecopier shall be effective upon actual receipt if received during recipient’s normal business hours or at the beginning of the next Business Day after receipt if received after recipient’s normal business hours. All notices by telecopier shall be confirmed in writing on the day of transmission by either registered or certified mail (postage prepaid), or by personal delivery.

Article XVI.

Dispute Resolution

Section 16.1. Disputes . Any and all claims, disputes, or controversies with respect to the matters expressly set forth in Section 8.8 and any notice of disagreement with the Final Settlement Statement delivered in accordance with Section 12.3 (all of which are referred to herein as “ Disputes ”) shall be resolved solely in accordance with this Article XVI , even though some or all of such Disputes are allegedly extra contractual in nature, whether such Disputes sound in contract, tort, or otherwise, at law or in equity, under state or federal law, whether provided by statute or the common law, for damages or any other relief. For the purposes of clarity, the procedures set forth in this Article XVI shall not be utilized to resolve any matter subject to indemnification under Article XIII .

Section 16.2. Senior Management Meeting . If a Dispute occurs that the senior representatives of the parties responsible for the transaction contemplated by this Agreement have been unable, in good faith, to settle or agree upon within a period of fifteen (15) days after written notice is given of such Dispute, Seller shall nominate and commit one of its senior officers, and Buyer shall nominate and commit one of its senior officers, to meet at a mutually agreed time and place not later than thirty (30) days after written notice of the Dispute to attempt to resolve same.

Section 16.3. Arbitration . If such senior management has been unable to resolve such Dispute within a period of five (5) days after such meeting, such Dispute, shall be exclusively and finally resolved in accordance with the following provisions of this Section 16.3 :

(a) Either Party may initiate a non-administered arbitration of any such dispute(s) conducted in accordance with the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association, to the extent that such rules do not conflict with the terms of this Section 16.3 , by written notice to the other Party (the “ Arbitration Notice ”).

(b) The arbitration shall be held before a one member arbitration panel (the “ Arbitrator ”), determined as follows. The Arbitrator shall be a mutually agreeable party, and shall meet the following criteria, as applicable: (i) in the case of Disputes relating to Title Defects, an attorney with at least ten (10) years’ experience examining oil and gas titles in the State of Texas, (ii) in the case of Disputes relating to Environmental Defects, an attorney with at least ten (10) years’ experience practicing

 

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environmental law in the State of Texas, and (iii) in the case of Disputes arising under Section 12.3 , an independent public accounting firm that has not been engaged by Seller, Buyer, or any of their respective Affiliates at any time in the last five (5) years. All Disputes with respect to Title Defects shall be addressed by the same Arbitrator, all Disputes with respect to Environmental Defects shall be addressed by the same Arbitrator, and all disputes arising under Section 12.3 shall be addressed by the same Arbitrator. Within two (2) Business Days following the delivery of the Arbitration Notice, Seller and Buyer shall each exchange lists of three acceptable, qualified arbitrators. Within two (2) Business Days following the exchange of lists of acceptable arbitrators, Seller and Buyer shall select by mutual agreement the Arbitrator from their original lists of three acceptable arbitrators. If no such agreement is reached within seven (7) Business Days following the delivery of Arbitration Notice, either Seller or Buyer may send the original lists of the Parties and a request to the Dallas, Texas office of the American Arbitration Association to select an arbitrator from the original lists provided by Seller and Buyer to serve as the Arbitrator.

(c) Within three (3) Business Days following the selection of the Arbitrator, the Parties shall submit one copy to the Arbitrator of (i) this Agreement, with specific reference to this Section 16.3 and the other applicable provisions of this Article XVI , (ii) each Party’s written description of the Dispute, together with any supporting documents, and (iii) the Arbitration Notice. Within five (5) Business Days following such submissions, each of the Parties may submit one written response to the other Party’s submission. The Arbitrator shall resolve the Dispute based only on the foregoing submissions. Neither Buyer nor Seller shall have the right to submit additional documentation to the Arbitrator nor to demand discovery on the other Party.

(d) The Arbitrator shall make its determination by written decision within thirty (30) days following Seller’s receipt of the Arbitration Notice (the “ Arbitration Decision ”). In the event that arbitration proceedings have been initiated in accordance with this Section 16.3 , but the Arbitration Decision has not yet been made prior to Closing, either Party shall have the right, upon written notice to the other Party, to delay the Closing for no longer than sixty (60) days until such time as the Arbitration Decision has been made.

(e) The Arbitration Decision shall be final and binding upon the Parties, without right of appeal. In making its determination, the Arbitrator shall be bound by the rules set forth in this Article XVI . The Arbitrator may consult with and engage disinterested third parties to advise the Arbitrator, but shall disclose to the Parties the identities of such consultants. Any such consultant shall not have worked as an employee or consultant for either Party or its Affiliates during the five (5) year period preceding the arbitration nor have any financial interest in the Dispute.

(f) The Arbitrator shall act as an expert for the limited purpose of determining the specific disputed Defects and Defect Amounts, or amounts owed under Section 12.3 (if any), as applicable, and shall not be empowered to award damages, interest or penalties to either Party with respect to any other matter, except as to the payment of its fees, which it may award as provided in Section 16.3(g) below.

 

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(g) Each Party shall each bear its own legal fees and other costs of preparing and presenting its case. Seller shall bear one-half and Buyer shall bear one-half of the costs and expenses of the Arbitrator, including any costs incurred by the Arbitrator that are attributable to the consultation of any third party.

(h) In connection with any determination with respect to a Defect or its associated Defect Amount pursuant to this this Section 16.3, it is understood that: (i) Buyer may not introduce or otherwise use information obtained by Buyer after the end of the Examination Period with respect to the Defect in dispute or its associated Defect Amount, and in no event may the Arbitrator consider or give weight to any such information, (ii) with respect to Environmental Defects, Buyer may not assert any violation of Applicable Environmental Law that is not specified in the Defect Notice with respect to the Environmental Defect in dispute, and (iii) the Defect Amount may not exceed the amount thereof asserted by Buyer in the Defect Notice with respect thereto.

(i) Any dispute over the interpretation or application of this Section 16.3 shall be decided by the Arbitrator applying the Laws of the State of Texas.

Article XVII.

Miscellaneous Matters

Section 17.1. Further Assurances . After the Closing, Seller and each Buyer Party shall execute, acknowledge and deliver, and shall otherwise cause to be executed, acknowledged and delivered, from time to time, such further instruments, certificates, notices, filings, division orders, transfer orders and other documents, and each will do such other and further acts and things, as may be reasonably necessary to carry out their obligations under this Agreement and any other any document, certificate or other instrument delivered pursuant hereto or thereto or required by law to effect the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

Section 17.2. Waiver of Consumer Rights . Each of the Buyer Parties hereby waives its rights under the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices - Consumer Protection Act, Section 17.41 et seq., Business and Commerce Code, a law that gives consumers special rights and protections, and any similar law in any other state to the extent such Act or similar law would otherwise apply. After consultation with an attorney of each of the Buyer Parties’ own selection, each of the Buyer Parties voluntarily consents to this waiver. To evidence the Buyer Parties’ ability to grant such waiver, each of the Buyer Parties represents to Seller that it (a) is in the business of seeking or acquiring, by purchase or lease, goods or services for commercial or business use, (b) has knowledge and experience in financial and business matters that enable it to evaluate the merits and risks of the transactions contemplated hereby, (c) is not in a significantly disparate bargaining position, and (d) has consulted with, and is represented by, an attorney of each of the Buyer Parties’ own selection in connection with this transaction, and such attorney was not directly or indirectly identified, suggested, or selected by Seller or an agent of Seller.

Section 17.3. Parties Bear Own Expenses /No Special Damages . Except as provided in Section 7.12, each party shall bear and pay all expenses (including, without limitation, legal fees) incurred by it in connection with the transaction contemplated by this Agreement. NOTWITHSTANDING ANYTHING HEREIN TO THE CONTRARY NEITHER PARTY

 

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SHALL HAVE ANY OBLIGATIONS WITH RESPECT TO THIS AGREEMENT, OR OTHERWISE IN CONNECTION HEREWITH, FOR ANY INDIRECT, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, EXEMPLARY OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES EVEN IF SUCH DAMAGES ARE CAUSED IN WHOLE OR IN PART BY THE NEGLIGENCE (WHETHER SOLE, JOINT OR CONCURRENT), STRICT LIABILITY OR OTHER LEGAL FAULT OF THE PARTY WHOSE LIABILITY IS SO LIMITED. For purposes of the foregoing, actual damages may, however, include indirect, special, consequential, exemplary or punitive damages to the extent (i) the injuries or losses resulting in or giving rise to such damages are incurred or suffered by a Person which is not an Indemnitee pursuant to the Agreement or an Affiliate of such Indemnitee and (ii) such damages are recovered against an Indemnitee by a Person which is not Indemnitee or an Affiliate of such Indemnitee. This Section shall operate only to limit a party’s liability and shall not operate to increase or expand any contractual obligation of a party hereunder or cause any contractual obligation of a party hereunder to survive longer than provided in Section 13.3 . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the foregoing, nothing herein shall limit Seller’s ability to retain the Deposit.

Section 17.4. Entire Agreement . This Agreement and the Transaction Documents contain the entire understanding of the Parties with respect to subject matter hereof and supersede all prior agreements, understandings, negotiations, and discussions among the Parties with respect to such subject matter.

Section 17.5. Disclosure Schedules . Nothing in the Disclosure Schedules is intended to broaden the scope of any representation or warranty contained in the Agreement or to create any covenant unless clearly specified to the contrary herein. Inclusion of any item in the Disclosure Schedules (a) shall be deemed to be disclosure of such item in any other section of the Disclosure Schedules for which the applicability of such information and disclosure is reasonably apparent on its face, (b) does not represent a determination that such item is material nor shall it be deemed to establish a standard of materiality, (c) does not represent a determination that such item did not arise in the ordinary course of business, (d) does not represent a determination that the transactions contemplated by the Agreement require the consent of third parties and (e) shall not constitute, or be deemed to be, an admission to any third party concerning such item. The Disclosure Schedules include descriptions of instruments or brief summaries of certain aspects of the Company and its business and operations. The descriptions and brief summaries are not necessarily complete and are provided in the Schedules to identify documents or other materials previously delivered or made available.

Section 17.6. Choice of Law, Waiver of Jury Trial . Without regard to principles of conflicts of law, this Agreement, and all claims of causes of action (whether in contract or tort) that may be based upon, arise out of or relate to this Agreement or the negotiation, execution or performance of this Agreement (including any claim or cause of action based upon, arising out of or related to any representation or warranty made in or in connection with this Agreement or as an inducement to enter into this Agreement) shall be construed and enforced in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of Texas applicable to contracts made and to be performed entirely within such state and the laws of the United States of America. EACH PARTY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY ACTION, SUIT OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT.

 

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Section 17.7. Exclusive Venue . Each Party consents to personal jurisdiction in any action brought in the state or federal courts located in the State of Texas with respect to any dispute, claim or controversy arising out of or in relation to or in connection with this Agreement (including any claims made in contract, tort or otherwise relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby), and each of the Parties agrees that any action instituted by it against the other with respect to any such dispute, controversy or claim (except to the extent a claim, dispute, or controversy with respect to the matters set forth Section 8.8 and Section 12.3 is referred to an expert pursuant to Article XVI ) will be instituted exclusively in the state or federal courts located in the State of Texas).

Section 17.8. Time of Essence . Time is of the essence in this Agreement.

Section 17.9. No Assignment . This Agreement shall be binding on and inure to the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and assigns, provided that neither party shall have the right to assign this Agreement, including any indemnification rights, or any obligations or benefits hereunder, without the prior written consent of the other party first having been obtained. Any transfer in absence of such consent shall be null and void.

Section 17.10. Counterpart Execution . For execution, this Agreement may be executed in counterparts, all of which are identical and all of which constitute one and the same instrument. It shall not be necessary for Buyer, Seller and the Company to sign the same counterpart. This instrument may be validly executed and delivered by facsimile or other electronic transmission.

Section 17.11. Exclusive Remedy .

(A) THE PARTIES HAVE VOLUNTARILY AGREED TO DEFINE THEIR RIGHTS, LIABILITIES AND OBLIGATIONS RESPECTING THE SUBJECT MATTER OF THIS AGREEMENT EXCLUSIVELY IN CONTRACT PURSUANT TO THE EXPRESS TERMS AND PROVISIONS OF THIS AGREEMENT; AND, WITHOUT LIMITING THE RIGHT OF ANY PARTY TO RELY ON THE REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES MADE TO SUCH PARTY IN ARTICLE III , ARTICLE IV AND ARTICLE VI HEREIN, THE PARTIES EXPRESSLY DISCLAIM THAT THEY ARE OWED ANY DUTIES OR ARE ENTITLED TO ANY REMEDIES NOT EXPRESSLY SET FORTH IN THIS AGREEMENT. FURTHERMORE, THE PARTIES EACH HEREBY ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THIS AGREEMENT EMBODIES THE JUSTIFIABLE EXPECTATION OF SOPHISTICATED PARTIES KNOWLEDGEABLE IN BUSINESS AND DERIVED FROM VOLUNTARY, ARM’S LENGTH NEGOTIATIONS; ALL PARTIES TO THIS AGREEMENT SPECIFICALLY ACKNOWLEDGE THAT NO PARTY HAS ANY SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP WITH ANOTHER PARTY THAT WOULD JUSTIFY ANY EXPECTATION BEYOND THAT OF AN ORDINARY BUYER AND AN ORDINARY SELLER IN AN ARM’S LENGTH TRANSACTION; THAT IS, NO FIDUCIARY RELATIONSHIP OR DUTY EXISTS. WITHOUT LIMITING THE RIGHT OF ANY PARTY TO RELY ON THE REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES MADE TO SUCH PARTY IN Article III , Article IV AND Article VI HEREIN, THE PARTIES HEREBY EXPRESSLY DISCLAIM RELIANCE ON THE

 

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OTHER PARTY AND CLEARLY AND UNEQUIVOCALLY WAIVE AND RELEASE ANY AND ALL TORT CLAIMS AND CAUSES OF ACTION THAT MAY BE BASED UPON, ARISE OUT OF OR RELATE TO THIS AGREEMENT, OR THE NEGOTIATION, EXECUTION OR PERFORMANCE OF THIS AGREEMENT (INCLUDING ANY TORT CLAIM OR CAUSE OF ACTION BASED UPON, ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO ANY REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY MADE IN OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT OR AS AN INDUCEMENT TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT, INCLUDING RELEASING CLAIMS FOR BREACH OF FIDUCIARY DUTY, FRAUD, FRAUDULENT INDUCEMENT, AND FRAUDULENT INDUCEMENT INTO THE ARBITRATION CLAUSE EXCEPT AS SET FORTH IN SECTION 11.2) . WITHOUT LIMITATION OF THE FOREGOING, THE SOLE AND EXCLUSIVE REMEDY OF THE BUYER PARTIES FOR ANY AND ALL (A) CLAIMS RELATING TO ANY REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES, COVENANTS AND AGREEMENTS CONTAINED IN THIS AGREEMENT, (B) OTHER CLAIMS PURSUANT TO OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT AND (C) OTHER CLAIMS RELATING TO THE PROPERTIES, INTERESTS OR THE COMPANY AND THE PURCHASE AND SALE THEREOF (WHETHER IN CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE) SHALL BE THE RIGHTS EXPRESSLY PROVIDED(Y) PRIOR TO CLOSING, IN SECTION 11.2 AND (Z) AFTER THE CLOSING, ARTICLE XIII , AND IF NO SUCH RIGHT IS EXPRESSLY PROVIDED, THEN SUCH CLAIMS ARE HEREBY WAIVED TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, EVEN IF SUCH CLAIMS ARE CAUSED IN WHOLE OR IN PART BY THE NEGLIGENCE (WHETHER SOLE, JOINT OR CONCURRENT), STRICT LIABILITY OR OTHER LEGAL FAULT OF THE PARTY WHOSE LIABILITY IS SO LIMITED. EACH PARTY UNDERSTANDS THIS AGREEMENT AND ITS CONTENTS, AND SIGNS THIS AGREEMENT AS ITS OWN FREE ACT. EACH PARTY EXPRESSLY WARRANTS THAT IT HAS BEEN REPRESENTED BY LEGAL COUNSEL IN THIS MATTER, AND LEGAL COUNSEL HAS READ AND EXPLAINED TO EACH PARTY THE ENTIRE CONTENTS OF THIS AGREEMENT, AND ITS WAIVERS AND RELEASES IN FULL. EACH PARTY COVENANTS NOT TO SUE ON CLAIMS RELEASED OR WAIVED BY THIS AGREEMENT, AND AGREES THAT ANY SUCH SUIT SHALL BE A BREACH OF THIS AGREEMENT FOR WHICH THE NON-BREACHING PARTY MAY SEEK ACTUAL DAMAGES, WHICH SHALL INCLUDE ATTORNEYS’ FEES AND COSTS.

(B) UPON CLOSING, THE BUYER PARTIES SHALL ALSO BE DEEMED TO HAVE WAIVED, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED UNDER APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT TO CONTRIBUTION AGAINST SELLER (INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY CONTRIBUTION CLAIM ARISING UNDER ANY APPLICABLE ENVIRONMENTAL LAW) AND ANY AND ALL OTHER RIGHTS, CLAIMS AND CAUSES OF ACTION IT MAY HAVE AGAINST SELLER ARISING UNDER OR BASED ON ANY FEDERAL, STATE OR LOCAL STATUTE, LAW, ORDINANCE, RULE OR REGULATION OR COMMON LAW OR OTHERWISE.

 

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Section 17.12. References, Titles and Construction .

(a) All references in this Agreement to articles, sections, subsections and other subdivisions refer to corresponding articles, sections, subsections and other subdivisions of this Agreement unless expressly provided otherwise.

(b) Titles appearing at the beginning of any of such subdivisions are for convenience only and shall not constitute part of such subdivisions and shall be disregarded in construing the language contained in such subdivisions.

(c) The words “this Agreement,” “this instrument,” “herein,” “hereof,” “hereby,” “hereunder,” and words of similar import refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular subdivision unless expressly so limited.

(d) Words in the singular form shall be construed to include the plural and vice versa, unless the context otherwise requires. Pronouns in masculine, feminine and neuter genders shall be construed to include any other gender.

(e) Examples shall not be construed to limit, expressly or by implication, the matter they illustrate.

(f) The word “or” is not intended to be exclusive and the word “includes” and its derivatives means “includes, but is not limited to” and corresponding derivative expressions.

(g) The Annexes, Disclosure Schedules and Exhibits listed in the List of Annexes, Disclosure Schedules and Exhibits are attached hereto.

Section 17.13. No Third-Person Beneficiaries . Nothing in this Agreement shall entitle any Person other than each Buyer Party and Seller to any claim, cause of action, remedy or right of any kind, except the rights expressly provided to the Persons described in Section 7.7 , Section 13.1 and Section 13.2 .

Section 17.14. Severability . The provisions of this Agreement will be deemed severable and the invalidity or unenforceability of any provision will not affect the validity or enforceability of the other provisions hereof.

Section 17.15. Waiver of Conflicts Regarding Representation; Attorney-Client Privilege . Recognizing that Thompson & Knight LLP (“ T&K ”) has acted as legal counsel to Seller and certain of its Affiliates prior to the Closing, and that T&K may act as legal counsel to Seller after the Closing, the Company hereby expressly waives any current or future conflicts that may arise in connection with T&K representing Seller or any of its Affiliates after the Closing with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Each of the Parties also agrees that Seller has a reasonable expectation of privacy and privilege with respect to its communications (including, but not limited to, any e-mail or other electronic communications using the Company’s systems) with T&K prior to the Closing to the extent such communications concern this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby. Each of the Parties likewise agrees that third parties and their counsel with a

 

84


common legal interest with Seller also have a reasonable expectation of privacy and privilege with respect to their communications prior to the Closing (“ Common Interest Parties ”). At and after the Closing, the attorney-client privilege of the Company with T&K with respect to such matters, and the Common Interest Parties with their counsel shall be deemed to be the right of Seller or the Common Interest Party respectively, and not that of the Company, and may be waived only by Seller or Common Interest Party as to their respective communications. Absent the consent of Seller, the Common Interest Party, or except as required to comply with any Applicable Law or other regulatory requirement applicable to Buyer or its Affiliates, neither Buyer nor the Company shall have a right to access attorney-client privileged material of the Company with respect to this Agreement and the other documents contemplated herein and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby following the Closing. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (a) nothing herein shall be construed as a waiver by the Company of the attorney-client privilege or the obligations of confidentiality owed by T&K to the Company with respect to matters not regarding this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, (b) in the event that a dispute arises between Buyer, Parent or the Company and a third Person other than a party to this Agreement after the Closing, (i) the Company may assert the attorney-client privilege to prevent disclosure of confidential communications by T&K to such third Person and (ii) to the extent any such privilege or client confidence is required to be waived or otherwise required to be released by any Governmental Entity, under law or pursuant to any orders, decrees, writs, injunctions, judgments, stipulations, determinations or awards entered by or with any Governmental Entity, none of the Company, Buyer, Parent or their Affiliates shall be in breach or violation of any provision of this Agreement or any Transaction Document for providing information, documents, communications or client confidences to any Governmental Entity in response to, and subject to the requirement limitation in, the foregoing.

Section 17.16. Amendment . This Agreement may not be amended or modified except by an instrument in writing specifically referring to the terms to be amended and/or modified and signed by all the Parties.

Section 17.17. Waiver . Compliance with any term or provision hereof may be waived only by a written instrument executed by each party entitled to the benefits of the same. No failure to exercise any right, power or privilege granted hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise thereof preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege granted hereunder.

[Signature Pages Follow]

 

85


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement is executed by the Parties on the date set forth above.

 

SELLER:
SILVER HILL ENERGY PARTNERS II, LLC
By:  

/s/ Kyle D. Miller

Name:   Kyle D. Miller
Title:   President & Chief Executive Officer
COMPANY:
SILVER HILL E&P II, LLC
By: Silver Hill Energy Partners II, LLC
Its: Sole Member
By:  

/s/ Kyle D. Miller

Name:   Kyle D. Miller
Title:   President & Chief Executive Officer
BUYER:
RSP PERMIAN, L.L.C.
By:  

/s/ Steven Gray

Name:   Steven Gray
Title:   Chief Executive Officer
PARENT:
RSP PERMIAN, INC.
By:  

/s/ Steven Gray

Name:   Steven Gray
Title:   Chief Executive Officer

Signature Page to Membership Interest

Purchase and Sale Agreement

Exhibit 23.1

Consent of Independent Auditors

We consent to the incorporation by reference in Registration Statement No. 333-202823 of RSP Permian, Inc. on Form S-3 of our report dated April 30, 2016 (October 11, 2016 as to the restatement discussed in Note 1) (which report expresses an unmodified opinion and includes an emphasis-of-matter paragraph relating to liquidity considerations in Note 9), relating to the consolidated financial statements of Silver Hill Energy Partners, LLC as of and for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, appearing in this Current Report on Form 8-K of RSP Permian, Inc. dated October 13, 2016.

/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

Houston, Texas

October 13, 2016

Exhibit 23.2

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

We have issued our report dated October 13, 2016, with respect to the statements of revenues and direct operating expenses of the Concho Properties Working Interests for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 included in this Current Report on Form 8-K of RSP Permian, Inc. which is incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement of RSP Permian, Inc. on Form S-3 (No. 333-202823). We consent to the incorporation by reference of the aforementioned report in the Registration Statement, and to the use of our name as it appears under the caption “Experts”.

/s/GRANT THORNTON LLP

Tulsa, Oklahoma

October 13, 2016

Exhibit 23.3

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PETROLEUM CONSULTANTS

As independent petroleum consultants, we hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-202823) and in the related Prospectus (collectively, the “Registration Statement”) of RSP Permian, Inc. relating to our reserves reports of (i) Silver Hill Energy Partners, LLC’s proved oil and natural gas reserves estimates and associated cash flow and economics as of June 30, 2016, and the inclusion of our corresponding report letter dated August 12, 2016, and (ii) Silver Hill E&P II, LLC’s proved oil and natural gas reserves estimates and associated cash flow and economics as of June 30, 2016, and the inclusion of our corresponding report letter dated August 18, 2016, included in or made a part of this Current Report on Form 8-K. We also consent to the references to our firm contained in the Registration Statement, including under the caption “Experts”.

 

NETHERLAND, SEWELL & ASSOCIATES, INC.
By:   /s/ G. Lance Binder
  G. Lance Binder, P.E.
  Executive Vice President

Dallas, Texas

October 13, 2016

Exhibit 99.1

 

LOGO

News Release

RSP Permian Announces $2.4 Billion Acquisition of Silver Hill Energy Partners and Provides Updates

Dallas, Texas — October 13, 2016 — RSP Permian, Inc. (“RSP” or the “Company”) (NYSE: RSPP) today announced it has entered into definitive agreements to acquire Silver Hill Energy Partners, LLC (“SHEP I”) and Silver Hill E&P II, LLC (“SHEP II,” and together with SHEP I, “Silver Hill”) for $1.25 billion of cash and 31.0 million shares of RSP common stock (“RSP Shares”) in aggregate, implying a total purchase price of approximately $2.4 billion (based on the 20-day volume weighted average price of RSP Shares as of October 12, 2016).    

Silver Hill is comprised of two privately held entities controlled by affiliates of Kayne Anderson Capital Advisors, LP (“Kayne Anderson”) and Ridgemont Equity Partners (“Ridgemont”) that collectively own ~68,000 gross / ~41,000 net acres in northeast Loving and northwest Winkler Counties, Texas with ~15 MBoe/d of current net production from 58 producing wells (49 horizontals) and ~3,200 gross / ~1,950 net total undeveloped locations.

While both transactions will have an effective date of November 1, 2016, the two transactions will close separately. SHEP I is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2016, with Silver Hill receiving approximately $604 million of cash and 15.0 million RSP Shares. SHEP II is expected to close in the first quarter of 2017, with Silver Hill receiving approximately $646 million of cash and 16.0 million RSP Shares. Both transactions are subject to certain closing conditions, customary purchase price adjustments, and regulatory and third party approvals.

Upon closing of SHEP II, Kayne Anderson, Ridgemont and other Silver Hill shareholders are expected to collectively own approximately 20% of RSP’s outstanding shares pro forma for the issuance to Silver Hill and the concurrent equity offering that will fund a portion of the consideration for the acquisition. In addition, RSP expects to add Kyle D. Miller, CEO of Silver Hill, to RSP’s Board of Directors upon closing SHEP II.

RSP has provided an operational update including (i) 3Q 2016 production, (ii) an increase to 2016 guidance and (iii) preliminary 2017 operating plans and outlook.

Transaction Highlights

 

    Unparalleled opportunity to unite two premier, growth-focused companies in the Permian Basin with complementary asset bases

 

    Combination is accretive to RSP on a cash flow, production and net asset value basis

 

    The acquisition creates substantial scale with combined current production of approximately 50 MBoe/d, over 100,000 net surface acres, over 500,000 net effective horizontal acres and over 3,600 net drilling locations with substantial additional upside from tighter spacing assumptions

 

    Unique acquisition of a highly contiguous acreage position in the core of the Delaware Basin that has approximately 68,000 gross / 41,000 net surface acres located in Loving and Winkler counties

 

    Acreage located in the thickest, deepest part of the Delaware Basin, which is significantly over-pressured

 

    Blocked up acreage configuration conducive for longer laterals and efficient development

 

    Located in an oil-weighted area of the Delaware Basin

 

    ~250,000 net effective horizontal acres across 7 horizontal pay zones

 

    Significant operational control with over 80% of acreage operated

 

    Average working interest in operated properties of approximately 83%


    One operated rig holds acreage position

 

    Offset operators include EOG, Anadarko, Shell, Matador and Devon

 

    Meaningful and growing production base with current net production of approximately 15.0 MBoe/d (69% oil, 86% liquids) and two operated horizontal rigs currently drilling on acreage position

 

    Deep inventory of attractive horizontal drilling locations across multiple horizontal stacked pay zones, including the Wolfcamp B, upper and lower Wolfcamp A, 3 rd Bone Spring, 2 nd Bone Spring, Avalon, and Brushy Canyon

 

    EURs of ~1.0 MMBoe common across acreage position based on management’s estimates

 

    ~3,200 gross / ~1,950 net locations with average lateral length of approximately 6,300’

 

    Acreage trades on-going for longer lateral development

 

    Ability to leverage RSP’s efficient, low-cost operating capabilities and technical knowledge of multi-zone, horizontal development and apply to early and evolving drilling and completion techniques in the Delaware Basin

Steve Gray, CEO of RSP, stated, “We are extremely pleased to announce a strategic combination with Silver Hill. This transaction creates a compelling growth platform with the highest quality assets in the core of both the Midland and Delaware Basins that each exhibit strong returns and have substantial combined upside. The Silver Hill team has done an incredible job of demonstrating the vast potential of the asset base with strong results across multiple horizontal zones.” Mr. Gray continued, “We have been patient in our M&A efforts to ensure that we pursue accretive opportunities for our shareholders that enhance our already deep inventory of high-return horizontal locations. We believe the assets of Silver Hill are located in the best part of the Delaware Basin and will be a perfect complement to our existing asset base. The returns on Silver Hill’s horizontal wells compare favorably with our Midland Basin assets and generally rank in the top quartile of our drilling inventory. We also appreciate the confidence the owners of Silver Hill have in the RSP team, taking a significant portion of their consideration in RSP stock. We look forward to our new relationship with Kayne Anderson, Ridgemont and the other Silver Hill owners.”

Kyle D. Miller, CEO of Silver Hill, stated, “Silver Hill has assembled one of the largest and most attractive privately-owned acreage positions in the core of the Delaware Basin. This transaction provides our owners with near-term liquidity and continued upside exposure to these premier assets through our significant equity ownership in RSP. We have long-standing relationships with the RSP management team and recognize the significant value they have created for investors through their technical leadership, efficient operations and adherence to a focused strategy. We believe RSP is the perfect fit for Silver Hill given their excellent track record, their superior assets in the Midland Basin and their experienced management team.”

Transaction Financing

The Company intends to finance the cash portions of the SHEP I and SHEP II transactions through potential capital market transactions, which may include equity or debt offerings prior to the closing of each transaction. The Company anticipates that the financing transactions will be leverage neutral or result in lower leverage metrics on a forward-looking and pro forma basis.    

3 rd Quarter 2016 Production Update

RSP’s average daily production rate for the third quarter of 2016 was 29,761 Boe/d (approximately 73% oil), a 24% increase over our average daily production rate for the third quarter of 2015 and a 13% sequential quarterly growth rate over our average daily production rate for the second quarter of 2016. Average realized prices (excluding hedges) during Q3 2016 were $42.60 per barrel of oil, $2.27 per Mcf of natural gas and $10.82 per barrel of natural gas liquids.

 

2


Increased 2016 Guidance

RSP is increasing its annual 2016 production guidance as a result of continued strong well performance from our existing asset base and as a result of the anticipated closing during the fourth quarter of the SHEP I transaction, which is estimated to be closed on or about November 28, 2016. Due to the short time period we expect to own the SHEP I assets during 2016, the acquired production does not meaningfully impact our increased guidance range. Our current net daily production rate is approximately 35.0 MBoe/d and we estimate that our net daily production will average between 28.5 - 29.5 MBoe/d for the full year 2016, or ~5% above the midpoint of our previous guidance range and 14% above the midpoint of our original 2016 guidance range.

 

     Previous      Updated  
     2016 Guidance      2016 Guidance  

Completions

     

Operated Gross Horizontal Completions

     52 - 56         54 - 58   

Operated Gross Vertical Completions

     5         6   

Production

     

Average Daily Production (Boe/d)

     26,500 - 28,500         28,500 - 29,500   

% Oil

     75% - 76%         73% - 75%   

% Natural Gas

     10% - 11%         10% - 11%   

% NGLs

     13% - 14%         14% - 15%   

Development Capital Expenditures ($ in MM)

     

Drilling and Completion (D&C)

     $270 - $290         $280 - $290   

Infrastructure, Capitalized Workovers & Other

     $15 -   $25         $15 -   $25   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Development Capital Expenditures

     $285 - $315         $295 - $315   

% Non-Operated

     10% - 15%         10% - 15%   

Income Statement ($/Boe)

     

Lease operating expenses (including workovers)

     $5.00 - $6.00         $5.00 - $6.00   

Gathering and transportation

     $0.45 - $0.50         $0.45 - $0.50   

Exploration expenses

     $0.10 - $0.15         $0.10 - $0.15   

General and administrative - cash component

     $2.00 - $2.25         $2.00 - $2.25   

General and administrative - recurring stock comp

     $1.25 - $1.50         $1.25 - $1.50   

Depreciation, depletion, and amortization ($/Boe)

     $19.00 - $21.00         $19.00 - $21.00   

Production and ad valorem taxes (% of oil and gas revenues)

     6.0% - 7.0%         6.0% - 7.0%   

2017 Preliminary Outlook

The Company anticipates that the SHEP II transaction will close on or about March 1, 2017, following a shareholder vote to approve the issuance of RSP Shares to fund the transaction.

RSP anticipates adding a fourth operated horizontal rig on our Midland Basin properties and a third operated horizontal rig on the newly-acquired Delaware Basin properties during the second quarter of 2017. In addition, the Company expects to add a fourth operated horizontal rig on the Delaware Basin properties during the fourth quarter of 2017 for a total of eight operated horizontal rigs by the end of 2017 with four operated horizontal rigs running in each area. Our preliminary 2017 drilling and completion budget is expected to be within a range of $520 - $560 million and a total capital expenditure budget, including infrastructure and workovers, is expected to be $570 - $630 million. We estimate our net daily production in 2017 to average in the range of 52.0 - 56.0 MBoe/d (72%-74% oil), or approximately 86% above our revised 2016 mid-point guidance.

 

3


Hedging Update

 

Crude Oil Hedges

 
(Bbl, $/Bbl)    Q4 2016     Q1 2017     Q2 2017     Q3 2017     Q4 2017  

Three-Way Collars (1)

     120,000        675,000         

Ceiling

   $ 74.41      $ 54.25         

Floor

   $ 55.00      $ 45.00         

Short Put

   $ 45.00      $ 35.00         

Costless Collars (1)

       450,000        1,137,500        1,150,000        1,150,000   

Ceiling

     $ 59.75      $ 60.05      $ 60.05      $ 60.05   

Floor

     $ 45.00      $ 45.00      $ 45.00      $ 45.00   

Deferred Premium Puts (1)

     1,125,000          910,000        920,000        920,000   

Floor

   $ 45.00        $ 48.50      $ 48.50      $ 48.50   

Deferred Premium (2)

   ($ 2.74     ($ 4.00   ($ 4.00   ($ 4.00

Deferred Premium Put Spreads (1)

       675,000         

Floor

     $ 45.00         

Short Put

     $ 35.00         

Deferred Premium (2)

     ($ 2.32      

Total Hedge Volumes

     1,245,000        1,800,000        2,047,500        2,070,000        2,070,000   

Weighted Average Floor (3)

   $ 43.49      $ 44.13      $ 44.78      $ 44.78      $ 44.78   

 

(1) The crude oil derivative contracts are settled based on the arithmetic average of the closing settlement price for the front month contract NYMEX price of West Texas Intermediate Light Sweet Crude.
(2) The deferred premium is not paid until expiration date, aligning cash inflows and outflows with the settlement of the derivative contract.
(3) Weighted average floor assumes the long put in three way collars and put spreads and reflects the impact of premiums paid.

 

Natural Gas Hedges

 
(MMBtu, $/MMBtu)    Q1 2017      Q2 2017      Q3 2017      Q4 2017  

Costless Collars (1)

     900,000         910,000         920,000         920,000   

Ceiling

   $ 3.64       $ 3.64       $ 3.64       $ 3.64   

Floor

   $ 3.00       $ 3.00       $ 3.00       $ 3.00   

 

(1) The natural gas derivative contracts are settled based on the last trading day’s closing price for the front month contract relevant to each period.

Advisors

RBC Capital Markets acted as lead M&A advisor to RSP and provided fairness opinions to RSP’s Board of Directors on the SHEP I and SHEP II transactions and Barclays Capital Inc. acted as a co-M&A advisor on the transactions. Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. served as legal counsel to RSP. Jefferies LLC acted as financial advisor to Silver Hill and Thompson & Knight LLP and DLA Piper LLP served as legal counsel.

 

4


Conference Call

RSP will host a conference call for investors on October 14, 2016 at 9:00 am Central time to discuss these strategic transactions. Hosting the call will be Steve Gray, Chief Executive Officer, Zane Arrott, Chief Operating Officer and Scott McNeill, Chief Financial Officer.

The call may be accessed live over the telephone by dialing (877) 705-6003, or for international callers, (201) 493-6725. A replay will be available shortly after the call and can be accessed by dialing (844) 512-2921, or for international callers (412) 317-6671. The passcode for the replay is 13647806. The replay will be available until October 28, 2016. A simultaneous webcast of the call and slides summarizing the transaction may be accessed at www.rsppermian.com

About RSP Permian, Inc .

RSP is an independent oil and natural gas company focused on the acquisition, exploration, development and production of unconventional oil and associated liquids-rich natural gas reserves in the Permian Basin of West Texas. The vast majority of RSP’s acreage is located on large, contiguous acreage blocks in the core of the Midland Basin, a sub-basin of the Permian Basin, primarily in the adjacent counties of Midland, Martin, Andrews, Glasscock, Ector and Dawson. The Company’s common stock is traded on the NYSE under the ticker symbol “RSPP.”

Important Information for Investors and Stockholders

This communication does not constitute an offer to buy or sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy or sell any securities or a solicitation of any vote or approval. This communication relates to the SHEP transactions.

In connection with the SHEP transactions, the Company intends to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) a proxy statement. The Company also plans to file other relevant documents with the SEC regarding the proposed transactions. Any definitive proxy statement for the Company (if and when available) will be mailed to the Company’s stockholders.

INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS OF THE COMPANY ARE URGED TO READ THE PROXY STATEMENT(S) AND OTHER DOCUMENTS THAT MAY BE FILED WITH THE SEC CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY IF AND WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE SHEP TRANSACTION.

Investors and security holders will be able to obtain free copies of these documents (if and when available) and other documents containing important information about the Company, once such documents are filed with the SEC through the website maintained by the SEC at http://www.sec.gov. Copies of the documents filed with the SEC by the Company will be available free of charge on the Company’s internet website at http://www.rsppermian.com or by contacting the Company’s Investor Relations Department by email at IR@rspermian.com or by phone at 214-252-2790.

The Company and certain of its directors and executive officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies in respect of the SHEP transactions. Information about the directors and executive officers of the Company is set forth in the Company’s proxy statement for its 2016 annual meeting of stockholders, which was filed with the SEC on April 29, 2016. This document can be obtained free of charge from the sources indicated above.

Other information regarding the participants in the proxy solicitations and a description of their direct and indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, will be contained in the proxy statement and other relevant materials to be filed with the SEC when such materials become available. Investors should read the proxy statement carefully when it becomes available before making any voting or investment decisions. You may obtain free copies of this document from the Company using the sources indicated above.

 

5


Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effect on the Company. While management believes that these forward-looking statements are reasonable as and when made, there can be no assurance that future developments affecting us will be those that management anticipates.

The Company’s forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties (some of which are beyond our control) and assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company’s historical experience and present expectations or projections. Furthermore, we may not be able to close the SHEP transactions in a timely manner or at all, the ultimate funding sources for the SHEP transactions may differ from our current expectations, we may not be able to recognize the expected benefits from the SHEP transactions (including our expectations for production growth) and our capital program may exceed budgeted amounts. Information concerning these risks and other factors can be found in RSP’s filings with the SEC, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K and any subsequent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, which can be obtained free of charge on the SEC’s web site located at http://www.sec.gov.

Consequently, all of the forward-looking statements made in this news release are qualified by these cautionary statements and there can be no assurances that the actual results or developments anticipated by us will be realized, or even if realized, that they will have the expected consequences to or effects on us, our business or operations. We have no intention, and disclaim any obligation, to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future results or otherwise.

Investor Contact:

Alyssa Stephens

Director, Investor Relations

214-252-2700

Investor Relations:

IR@rsppermian.com

214-252-2790

Source: RSP Permian, Inc.

 

6

Exhibit 99.2

 

LOGO

News Release

RSP Permian, Inc. Announces Public Offering of Common Stock

Dallas, Texas — October 13, 2016 — RSP Permian, Inc. (“RSP” or the “Company”) (NYSE: RSPP) today announced the commencement of an underwritten public offering of 20,000,000 shares of its common stock. The Company has granted the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional 3,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock. The Company intends to use the net proceeds from this offering to fund a portion of the previously announced acquisition of Silver Hill Energy Partners, LLC and Silver Hill E&P II, LLC (the “Acquisition”). The offering is not conditioned on the consummation of the Acquisition, and if the Acquisition does not occur, the net proceeds will be used for general corporate purposes, which may include funding a portion of the Company’s 2017 capital budget.

Barclays Capital Inc. and RBC Capital Markets, LLC are acting as lead joint book-running managers for the offering.

The offering is made pursuant to an effective shelf registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on March 17, 2015. The offering may be made only by means of a prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, copies of which may be obtained by sending a request to:

Barclays Capital Inc.

c/o Broadridge Financial Solutions

1155 Long Island Ave.

Edgewood, New York, 11717

Telephone: 1 (888) 603-5847

Email: Barclaysprospectus@broadridge.com

RBC Capital Markets, LLC

Attn: Equity Syndicate

200 Vesey Street, 8th Floor

New York, New York 10281-8098

Telephone: 877-822-4089

Email: equityprospectus@rbccm.com

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell, or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of these securities, in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.

About RSP Permian, Inc.

RSP is an independent oil and natural gas company focused on the acquisition, exploration, development and production of unconventional oil and associated liquids-rich natural gas reserves in the Permian Basin of West Texas. The vast majority of RSP’s acreage is located on large, contiguous acreage blocks in the core of the Midland Basin, a sub-basin of the Permian Basin, primarily in the adjacent counties of Midland, Martin, Andrews, Glasscock, Dawson, and Ector. The Company’s common stock is traded on the NYSE under the ticker symbol “RSPP.”

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. All statements, other than historical facts, that address activities that RSP assumes, plans, expects, believes, intends or anticipates (and other similar expressions) will, should or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on RSP’s current beliefs, based on currently available information, as to the outcome and timing of future events. These forward-looking statements involve certain risks and uncertainties that


could cause the results to differ materially from those expected by the management of RSP. Information concerning these risks and other factors can be found in RSP’s filings with the SEC, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K, which can be obtained free of charge on the SEC’s web site located at http://www.sec.gov. RSP undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement.

Investor Contact:

Scott McNeill

Chief Financial Officer

214-252-2700

Alyssa Stephens

Director, Investor Relations

214-252-2764

Investor Relations:

IR@rsppermian.com

214-252-2790

Source: RSP Permian, Inc.

 

2

Exhibit 99.3

 

LOGO   

Deloitte & Touche LLP

Suite 4500

1111 Bagby Street

Houston, TX 77002-4196

USA

Tel: +1 713 982 2000

Fax: +1 713 982 2001

www.deloitte.com

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS’ REPORT

To the Members of

Silver Hill Energy Partners, LLC:

We have audited the accompanying consolidated financial statements of Silver Hill Energy Partners, LLC (the “Company”), which comprise the consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, and the related consolidated statements of operations, cash flows, members’ capital for the years then ended, and the related notes to the consolidated financial statements.

Management’s Responsibility for the Consolidated Financial Statements

Management is responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of these consolidated financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America; this includes the design, implementation, and maintenance of internal control relevant to the preparation and fair presentation of the consolidated financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

Auditors’ Responsibility

Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free from material misstatement.

An audit involves performing procedures to obtain audit evidence about the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. The procedures selected depend on the auditor’s judgment, including the assessment of the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to fraud or error. In making those risk assessments, the auditor considers internal control relevant to the Company’s preparation and fair presentation of the consolidated financial statements in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes evaluating the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of significant accounting estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements.

We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our audit opinion.


Opinion

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Silver Hill Energy Partners, LLC as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the year then ended in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Emphasis of Matter

As discussed in Note 9 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company’s majority member has committed to support the Company for at least twelve months from April 30, 2016, to ensure the Company has sufficient liquidity to comply with the applicable debt covenants and normal operating requirements.

 

LOGO

April 30, 2016 (October 11, 2016 as to the restatement discussed in Note 1)


SILVER HILL ENERGY PARTNERS, LLC

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2015 AND 2014

 

 

     2015      2014  

ASSETS

     

CURRENT ASSETS:

     

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 6,759,711       $ 415,808   

Accounts receivable

     1,752,901         202,481   

Derivative asset

     1,462,503         —     

Prepaid and other assets

     85,785         93,596   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total current assets

     10,060,900         711,885   

OIL AND GAS PROPERTIES, Net (successful efforts)

     122,553,386         79,823,136   

INVESTMENT IN MIDSTREAM JOINT VENTURE

     36,911,059         —     

DERIVATIVES

     1,056,325         —     

OTHER ASSETS

     231,522         88,939   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

TOTAL ASSETS

   $ 170,813,192       $ 80,623,960   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND MEMBERS’ CAPITAL

     

CURRENT LIABILITIES:

     

Accounts payable

   $ 10,684,470       $ 3,039,371   

Accrued liabilities

     189,542         104,874   

Deferred tax liability

     189,514         —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     11,063,526         3,144,245   

LONG-TERM LIABILITIES:

     

Long-term debt

     25,000,000         —     

Asset retirement obligation

     1,052,235         427,334   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     37,115,761         3,571,579   

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Note 6)

     

MEMBERS’ CAPITAL

     133,697,431         77,052,381   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND MEMBERS’ CAPITAL

   $ 170,813,192       $ 80,623,960   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to these consolidated financial statements.


SILVER HILL ENERGY PARTNERS, LLC

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2015 AND 2014

 

 

     2015     2014  

REVENUE

    

Crude oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids

   $ 15,380,834      $ 3,845,929   

Unrealized gain on derivatives

     2,518,828        —     

Realized gain on derivatives

     393,900        —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenue

     18,293,562        3,845,929   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

OPERATING COSTS AND EXPENSES:

    

Lease operating expenses

     5,305,502        4,262,469   

Impairment of oil and gas properties

     8,074,248        13,804,057   

Depletion, depreciation and amortization

     8,835,492        4,796,123   

Severance taxes

     663,919        279,556   

General and administrative

     4,367,897        3,681,036   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating costs and expenses

     27,247,058        26,823,241   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

OPERATING LOSS

     (8,953,496     (22,977,312

INTEREST (EXPENSE)/INCOME, Net

     (277,988     571   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

LOSS BEFORE INCOME TAXES

     (9,231,484     (22,976,741

INCOME TAXES (EXPENSE)/BENEFIT

     (199,282     48,952   

EQUITY LOSSES IN MIDSTREAM JOINT VENTURE

     (474,184     —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET LOSS

   $ (9,904,950   $ (22,927,789
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to these consolidated financial statements.


SILVER HILL ENERGY PARTNERS, LLC

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF MEMBERS’ CAPITAL

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2015 AND 2014

 

 

BALANCE—December 31, 2013

   $ 60,680,170   

Contributions

     39,300,000   

Net loss

     (22,927,789
  

 

 

 

BALANCE—December 31, 2014

     77,052,381   
  

 

 

 

Contributions

     66,550,000   

Net loss

     (9,904,950
  

 

 

 

BALANCE—December 31, 2015

   $ 133,697,431   
  

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to these consolidated financial statements.


SILVER HILL ENERGY PARTNERS, LLC

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2015 AND 2014

 

 

     2015     2014  

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

    

Net loss

   $ (9,904,950   $ (22,927,789

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:

    

Depletion, depreciation, and accretion

     8,835,492        4,796,123   

Impairment of oil and gas properties

     8,074,248        13,804,057   

Unrealized gain on derivatives

     (2,518,828     —     

Equity loss in Midstream Joint Venture

     474,184        —     

Amortization of debt issuance costs

     14,415     

Income taxes

     199,282        (48,952

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

    

Accounts receivable

     (1,550,420     (178,523

Prepaid and other assets

     2,484        (62,252

Accounts payable

     (273,243  

Accrued expenses

     80,227        1,075,882   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

     3,432,891        (3,541,454
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

    

Additions to oil and gas properties

     (51,234,391     (40,678,114

Investment in unconsolidated subsidiary

     (37,223,597     —     

Restricted cash

     —          1,706,263   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities

     (88,457,988     (38,971,851
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES—Contributions

    

Contributions from Members

     66,550,000        39,300,000   

Borrowings

     25,000,000        —     

Deferred financing costs

     (181,000     —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by financing activities

     91,369,000        39,300,000   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

     6,343,903        (3,213,305

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS—Beginning of period

     415,808        3,629,113   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS—End of period

   $ 6,759,711      $ 415,808   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

SUPPLEMENTAL NON-CASH DISCLOSURES

    

Accounts payable related to capital expenditures

   $ 9,842,815      $ 1,924,473   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Additional liabilities incurred for asset retirement obligations

   $ 601,636      $ 176,520   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Contributions of oil and gas properties to Midstream Joint Venture

   $ 161,646      $ —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to these consolidated financial statements.


SILVER HILL ENERGY PARTNERS, LLC

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2015 AND 2014

 

 

1. ORGANIZATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Organization —Silver Hill Energy Partners, LLC (the “Company”), a Delaware limited liability corporation, was formed on August 23, 2012. The Company’s activities have been primarily the evaluation and acquisition of various unproved leasehold interests and certain producing properties. The Company is engaged primarily in the acquisition, exploration, development and operation of oil and gas properties. Currently, the Company’s properties are in West Texas.

These financial statements include only those assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses that relate to the business of the Company and have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The statements do not include any assets, liabilities, revenues or expenses attributable to the members’ individual activities.

The Company is a limited liability company (“LLC”). As an LLC, the amount of loss at risk for each individual member is limited to the amount of capital contributed to the LLC and, unless otherwise noted, the individual member’s liability for indebtedness of an LLC is limited to the member’s actual capital contribution.

Accounting Estimates —The preparation of the Company’s financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires the Company’s management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in these financial statements and accompanying notes. Certain significant estimates made by management include oil and gas reserves, which affect the carrying value of oil and gas properties, evaluation for impairment of proved and unevaluated property costs and asset retirement obligations. Actual results could differ from those estimates and the differences could be material.

Management believes that it is reasonably possible that the estimates involved in the determination of proved oil and gas reserves could significantly change in the coming year. Total proved reserves are defined as those reserves which can be produced economically using current oil and gas prices. Accordingly, the estimated quantity of proved reserves and the annual amortization expense will likely change along with future price increases and decreases.

Furthermore, estimating reserves is not an exact science. Estimates can be expected to change as additional information becomes available. Estimates of oil and gas reserves are projections based on the interpretation of engineering data to determine future rates of production and the timing of development expenditures. The accuracy of any reserve estimate is a function of the quality of available data and the engineering and geological

 

1


interpretation and judgment of the estimator. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the reserves as estimated will ultimately be produced, nor can there be assurance that the proved undeveloped reserves as estimated will be developed within the period anticipated.

Cash and Cash Equivalents —Cash and cash equivalents include cash and all highly liquid investments with maturities, at the date of purchase, of three months or less. At times, the amount of cash and cash equivalents on deposit in financial institutions exceeds federally insured limits. Management monitors the soundness of the financial institutions and believes the Company’s risk is negligible.

Financial Instruments —The carrying amounts of financial instruments including cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued liabilities approximate fair value, unless otherwise stated, as of December 31, 2015 and 2014.

Oil and Gas Properties —The Company’s oil and gas properties consisted of the following as of December 31, 2015 and 2014:

 

     2015      2014  

Mineral interest in properties:

     

Unproved

   $ 69,672,499       $ 71,359,349   

Proved

     11,994,949         908,553   

Wells and related equipment and facilities

     76,262,218         26,094,421   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     157,929,666         98,362,323   

Accumulated depletion, depreciation and amortization

     (35,376,280      (18,539,187
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Oil and gas properties—net

   $ 122,553,386       $ 79,823,136   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Subsequent to the issuance of the Company’s 2015 consolidated financial statements, an error was identified in the Company’s disclosure in the table above with regards to classification of mineral interest in oil and gas properties. This error resulted in the overstatement of the Company’s previously reported proved property balance of $46.2 million by $34.2 million and understatement of the previously reported unproved property balance of $35.5 million by the same amount as of December 31, 2015. The amounts disclosed in the table above have been revised to reflect the correct amount of proved and unproved properties. The error had no impact on any financial statement line item or other disclosures in the footnotes to the consolidated financial statements as of and for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014.

The Company follows the successful efforts method of accounting for oil and natural gas producing activities. Costs to acquire mineral interests in oil and natural gas properties, to drill and equip exploratory wells that find proved reserves, to drill and equip development wells and related asset retirement costs are capitalized. Costs to drill exploratory wells are capitalized pending determination of whether the wells have found proved reserves. If the Company determines that the wells do not find proved reserves, the costs are charged to expense. Geological and geophysical costs, including seismic studies and costs of

 

2


carrying and retaining unproved properties, are charged to expense as incurred. On the sale or retirement of a complete unit of a proved property, the cost and related accumulated depletion and depreciation are eliminated from the property accounts, and the resulting gain or loss is recognized. On the sale of a partial unit of proved property, the amount received is treated as a reduction of the cost of the interest retained.

The Company records depletion, depreciation and amortization of capitalized costs of proved oil and gas properties using the unit-of-production method over estimated proved reserves using the unit conversion ratio of six million cubic feet of gas to one barrel of oil equivalent. Capitalized costs of proved mineral interests are depleted over total estimated proved reserves, and capitalized costs of wells and related equipment and facilities are depreciated over estimated proved developed reserves. Depletion, depreciation and amortization expense for oil and gas properties amounted to $8.8 million and $4.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Unproved oil and natural gas properties that are individually significant are periodically assessed for impairment of value, and a loss is recognized at the time of impairment by providing an impairment allowance. No impairment of unproved properties was recorded during the year ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 as the Company continues to extend its leases and complies with its lease terms through production and continuous development. The Company commenced its horizontal drilling strategy in December 2014 and has completed six economical well in 2015. Management also evaluated several recent transactions in the West Texas area and believes the terms support its carrying value as of December 31, 2015.

On the sale of an entire interest in an unproved property for cash or cash equivalent, gain or loss on the sale is recognized, taking into consideration the amount of any recorded impairment if the property had been assessed individually. If a partial interest in an unproved property is sold, the amount received is treated as a reduction of the cost of the interest retained.

Capitalized costs related to proved oil and natural gas properties, including wells and related equipment and facilities, are evaluated for impairment based on an analysis of undiscounted future net cash flows. If undiscounted cash flows are insufficient to recover the net capitalized costs related to proved properties, then an impairment charge is recognized in the Statement of Operations equal to the difference between the carrying value proved properties and their estimated fair values based on the present value of the related future net cash flows. The Company recorded impairment of $8.1 million and $13.8 million on proved properties for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Furniture, Fixtures, and Equipment —Furniture, fixtures, and equipment are recorded at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation of the related assets is provided using the straight-line method over their respective estimated useful lives.

 

3


When assets are sold or retired, the applicable costs and accumulated depreciation are removed and any gain or loss is included in income. Maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred. Major renewals and improvements are capitalized.

Investment in joint venture —The Company’s 50% interest in the Midstream Joint Venture (Note 3) is not consolidated in the Company’s consolidated financial statements because the structural and operational measures of the Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company of the Midstream Joint Venture dated January 9, 2015 (the “LLC Agreement”) prevent us from having power to direct the significant activities of Midstream Joint Venture. In accordance with accounting standards, we account for our investment in the Midstream Joint Venture under the equity method, as opposed to the cost method, based on the Company’s level of influence over its activities. There are no other investments accounted for under the equity or cost method.

The Company recognizes its share of the earnings and losses in the Midstream Joint Venture pursuant to terms of the LLC Agreement which provides for earnings and losses to be generally allocated based upon each member’s respective ownership interest in the Midstream Joint Venture. See Note 3 for a discussion of the Company’s investment in the Midstream Joint Venture.

The Company evaluates investments for impairment when factors indicate that a decrease in the value of the investment has occurred that is not temporary. Indicators that should be evaluated for possible impairment of investments include recurring operating losses of the investee or fair value measures that are less than carrying value. Any impairment recognition is based on fair value that is not reflective of temporary conditions. Fair value is determined primarily by discounted long-term cash flows, supported by available market valuations, if applicable. The Company has not incurred impairment to its investment in the Midstream Joint Venture as of December 31, 2015.

Asset Retirement Obligation —Asset retirement obligations (“ARO”) consist of future plugging and abandonment expenses on oil and gas properties. The Company records the estimated fair value of its ARO when the related wells are acquired or completed with a corresponding increase in the carrying amount of oil and gas. The liability is accreted to its present value each period. Management estimates the fair value of additions to the asset retirement obligation liability using a valuation technique that converts future cash flows to a single discounted amount. Significant inputs to the valuation include: (i) estimated plug and abandonment cost per well based on management’s experience; (ii) estimated remaining life per well; and (iii) the Company’s credit-adjusted risk-free rate. If the liability is settled for an amount other than the recorded amount, a gain or loss is recognized.

The following is a summary of changes in the ARO during the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014:

 

Balance—December 31, 2013

   $ 233,240   

Additions

     176,520   

Accretion of discount

     17,574   
  

 

 

 

Balance—December 31, 2014

     427,334   

Additions

     282,664   

Change in Estimate

     318,972   

Accretion of discount

     23,265   
  

 

 

 

Balance—December 31, 2015

   $ 1,052,235   
  

 

 

 

 

4


Revenue —The Company recognizes revenue for its production when the quantities are delivered to or collected by the respective purchaser. Prices for such production are defined in sales contracts and are readily determinable based on certain publicly available indices.

Lease Operating Costs —Lease operating costs, including pumpers’ salaries, saltwater disposal, ad valorem taxes, repairs and maintenance, expensed workovers and other operating expenses are expensed as incurred and included in lease operating costs on the consolidated statement of operations.

Concentration of Credit Risk — Substantially all accounts receivable result from the sales of oil and natural gas. This concentration of customers may impact the Company’s overall credit risk, as these entities may be similarly affected by changes in economic and other conditions. For the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, nearly all of the Company’s oil and natural sales were derived from two purchasers. These purchasers are based in the United States and engaged in the transportation, storage, and marketing of crude oil and other petroleum products. Management believes that the loss of these purchasers would not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position or results of operations because there is an adequate number of potential other purchasers of its oil and gas production.

Income Taxes —The Company is subject to U.S. federal income tax reporting requirements along with state income tax reporting requirements in Texas. Because the Company is a limited liability company, the income or loss of the Company for federal income tax purposes is generally allocated to the members in accordance with the Company’s formation agreements, and it is the responsibility of the members to report their share of taxable income or loss on their separate income tax returns. Accordingly, no recognition has been given to federal income taxes in the accompanying financial statements. The Company is subject to Texas margin tax on its operations within the state of Texas, and such amount is included in income tax expense on the Company’s statement of operations. Based on management’s analysis, the Company did not have any uncertain tax positions as of December 31, 2015 and 2014. No interest and penalties have been accrued or recorded. Currently, the tax year of 2013, 2014 and 2015 are open for reviews by the applicable taxing authorities.

The Company provides deferred income taxes using the liability method whereby deferred tax assets are recognized for deductible temporary differences and operating loss, and tax credit carryforwards and deferred tax liabilities are recognized for taxable temporary differences. Temporary differences are the differences between the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and their tax bases. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a

 

5


valuation allowance when, in the opinion of management, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are adjusted for the effects of the changes in tax laws and rates on the date of enactment.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

The FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) . This ASU supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in Topic 605, Revenue Recognition and industry-specific guidance in Subtopic 932-605, Extractive Activities – Oil and Gas – Revenue Recognition . This ASU provides guidance concerning the recognition and measurement of revenue from contracts with customers. Its objective is to increase the usefulness of information in the financial statements regarding the nature, timing and uncertainty of revenues. This standard becomes effective for us beginning January 2018. The Company is evaluating the impact this ASU may have on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

The FASB issued ASU 2015-02, Consolidation (Topic 810): Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis . This ASU provides additional guidance to reporting entities in evaluating whether certain legal entities, such as limited partnerships, limited liability corporations and securitization structures, should be consolidated. The ASU reduces the number of existing consolidation models. This ASU is effective for us beginning January 2016. This ASU is not expected to have a material impact on us.

The FASB issued ASU 2015-03, Interest – Imputation of Interest (Topic 835): Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs and ASU 2015-15, Interest – Imputation of Interest (Topic 835): Presentation and Subsequent Measurement of Debt Issuance Costs Associated with Line-of-Credit Arrangements . These ASUs require debt issuance costs to be presented as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt rather than as an asset. These ASUs are effective for us beginning January 2016. These ASUs will not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

 

2. PURCHASE OF OIL AND GAS PROPERTIES

On June 10, 2014, the Company purchased producing and non-producing oil and gas properties in Loving and Winkler County, Texas for cash consideration of $17.0 million for which $15.6 million and $1.4 million were allocated to unproved and proved, respectively, and was accounted for as a purchase of assets.

 

3. MIDSTREAM JOINT VENTURE

On January 9, 2015, the Company closed commercial agreements between a newly formed, wholly owned subsidiary, Silver Hill Midstream, LLC and a third party (together, the “Members”) to form a joint venture with the purpose of constructing and operating midstream assets in Loving, Winkler, Ward, and Reeves Counties, Texas and Lea County, New Mexico (the “Midstream Joint Venture”).

 

6


On January 9, 2015, the Company contributed $3.6 million in cash and assets with attributable value of $0.2 million and the other Member contributed midstream assets with an attributable value of $3.3 million and cash of $0.5 million (the “Initial Contribution”) to initiate the capitalization of the Midstream Joint Venture as prescribed in the Investment Agreement dated as of January 9, 2015 (the “Investment Agreement”). During the year ended December 31, 2015, the Company’s total cash contribution to the Midstream Joint Venture was $37.4 million. The Midstream Joint Venture had minimal operation in 2015 as the core midstream assets were being constructed. The Company recognized its 50% share of equity losses in the Midstream Joint Ventures of $0.5 million and did not receive any dividends for the year ended December 31, 2015. The Company does not have a difference between the carrying value of its investments and the Company’s underlying equity in the net assets of the Midstream Joint Venture.

The Company has concluded that the Midstream Joint Venture is a joint venture as it’s a separate and specific business and provides an arrangement under which the Members may participate, directly or indirectly, in the overall management and share equally in the risks and rewards of the joint venture. The Members each have joint control and neither has unilateral control over the power to direct the significant activities and neither of the Midstream Joint Venture. Each Member has two voting board seats, providing joint and equal control of the decisions of the Midstream Joint Venture. The Members are required to approve business plans, annual budgets and revisions, as well as changes in board members and officers of the Midstream Joint Venture.

The Company has elected to account for its investments in the Midstream Joint Venture under the equity method of accounting since it has significant influence and not control over the operating and financing decisions of the Midstream Joint Venture. The Company measures its investments initially at cost and then recognizes its share of the earnings or losses as reported in the financial statements of the Midstream Joint Venture which is included in the determination of the Company’s net income adjusted for any intra-entity profits and losses.

The summarized balance sheet and statement of operations of the Midstream Joint Venture is as follows:

 

     2015  

Balance sheet

  

Assets

  

Current assets

   $ 5,737,846   

Non-current assets

     71,756,923   
  

 

 

 

Total assets

     77,494,769   
  

 

 

 

Liabilities

  

Current liabilities

     3,270,769   

Non-current liabilities

     446,885   
  

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     3,717,654   

Members’ Equity

     73,777,115   
  

 

 

 

Total liabilities and members’ equity

     77,494,769   
  

 

 

 

Statement of operations

  

Revenues

     1,848,119   

Expenses

     (2,819,687
  

 

 

 

Net loss

   $ (971,568
  

 

 

 

 

7


4. LONG-TERM DEBT

On July 10, 2015, the Company entered into a new $250.0 million Revolving Credit Agreement (“RBL”) with Wells Fargo Bank. The reserve-based facility features a borrowing base equal to the greater of a fixed amount of $17.5 million or a variable amount based upon the value of the Company’s oil and gas reserves as assessed by Wells Fargo Bank. The assessment of the Company’s oil and gas reserves is redetermined biannually in April and October. The RBL has a scheduled maturity date of July 10, 2020. The RBL has a variable annual interest rate based on the Company’s option, either the London InterBank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) plus an applicable margin (Eurodollar rate) or the base rate (as defined in the Agreement) plus an applicable margin. In addition, a commitment fee between 0.375% and 0.5% per annum is charged on the unutilized balance of the committed borrowings. Debt issuance costs of incurred totaled $0.2 million during 2015. The terms of the RBL contains representations, warranties, covenants and events of default that are customary for investment-grade, commercial bank credit agreements.

In October 2015, Wells Fargo Bank redetermined the Company’s borrowing based under the RBL and increased the variable amount to $29.0 million. For the year ended December 31, 2015, the Company had drawn $25.0 million in borrowings under the RBL.

 

5. MEMBERS’ CAPITAL

The LLC agreement dated September 6, 2012 governs the Company’s ownership. Capital contributions from Members during the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 were used to fund the Company’s ongoing operating and investing activities including the purchase of assets explained in Note 2.

Net income or loss and distributions are allocated among the members as follows:

 

    First to the Series A and Series B unit holders until such time as they have received distributions equal to a 8% per annum hurdle rate compounded quarterly, pro-rata, in accordance with their respective capital;

 

    Subsequent to the hurdle rate return, net income or loss and distributions shall continue to be allocated in accordance with the respective capital contribution percentages until such time as unrecovered capital has been distributed, pro-rata, in accordance with their respective capital contribution percentages;

 

8


    Subsequent to the aforementioned returns, and prior to such time that net income or loss and distributions allocated to the Series A unit holders are equal in the aggregate to the greater of 200% return-on-investment and 20% discounted annual percentage rate of return, net income or loss and distributions shall be allocated to Series A unit holders at 79.42% with remaining amount allocated to Series B unit holders;

 

    Lastly, once the condition above has occurred, net income or loss and distributions shall be allocated based on the secondary sharing percentage, with 71.47% allocated to Series A unit holders and the remaining amount allocated to Series B unit holders.

 

6. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

The Company leases office space under noncancellable operating leases. Total rental expense was $247,862 and $211,582 for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The future minimum rental commitments as of December 31, 2015 are as follows:

 

2016

   $ 203,205   

2017

     206,625   

2018

     121,695   
  

 

 

 

Total

   $ 531,525   
  

 

 

 

We are party to various legal actions arising in the normal course of business. Management believes the disposition of these outstanding legal actions will not have a material impact on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

 

7. RISK MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES

The Company engages in price risk management activities from time to time. These activities are intended to manage the Company’s exposure to fluctuations in commodity prices for crude oil and natural gas. The Company utilized financial commodity derivative instruments including swaps and collars, as a means to manage this price risk.

During 2015, the Company elected not to designate any of its financial commodity derivative contracts as accounting hedges and, accordingly, accounted for these financial commodity derivative contracts using the mark-to-market accounting method. During 2015, the Company recognized unrealized gains on the mark-to-market of financial commodity derivative contracts of $2.5 million and realized gains of $0.4 million on cash settled crude oil derivative contracts.

US GAAP establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurement) and lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurement).

 

9


The three levels of fair value hierarchy are as follows:

 

    Level 1 — Quoted prices are available in active markets for identical assets or liabilities as of the reporting date.

 

    Level 2 — Pricing inputs are other than quoted prices in active markets, which are either directly or indirectly observable as of the reporting date. Level 2 includes those financial instruments that are valued using models or other valuation methodologies.

 

    Level 3 — Pricing inputs include significant inputs that are generally less observable from objective sources. These inputs may be used with internally developed methodologies that result in management’s best estimate of fair value.

The following table provided fair value measurement information within the fair value hierarchy for certain of the Company’s financial assets carried at fair value on a recurring basis at December 31, 2015. Amounts shown in thousands.

Fair Value Measurements

 

     Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets
(Level 1)
     Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
     Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
     Total  

As of December 31, 2015

           

Financial assets

           

Crude oil collars

     —         $ 300         —         $ 300   

Crude oil Swaps

     —         $ 2,219         —         $ 2,219   

The estimated fair value of crude oil derivative contracts was based upon forward commodity price curves based on quoted market prices. Commodity derivative contracts were valued by Wells Fargo Bank.

The following summarizing our commodity derivative positions as of December 31, 2015:

SWAPS

 

Production Year

   Annual Volumes
(barrels)
     Swap Price WTI
(NYMEX)
 

2016

     116,388       $ 52.36   

2017

     63,875       $ 54.67   

2018

     68,620       $ 56.29   

 

10


COLLARS

 

Production Year

   Annual Volumes
(barrels)
     Put Price WTI
(NYMEX)
     Call Price WTI
(NYMEX)
 

2016

     33,053       $ 45.00       $ 60.40   

2017

     23,268       $ 45.00       $ 68.10   

Nonrecurring Fair Value Measurements —Certain nonfinancial assets and liabilities are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis (e.g., oil and natural gas properties) and are subject to fair value adjustments under certain circumstances. The inputs used to determine such fair value are primarily based upon internally developed cash flow models and are classified within Level 3.

During the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, using a discounted cash flow valuation technique, we adjusted the carrying value of certain oil and natural gas properties and recorded impairment charges of $8.1 million and $13.8 million, respectively. The impairment charges primarily resulted from a decline in oil and natural gas prices and to a much lesser extent to minor changes in management’s assumptions, based on an extensive review of operating results, production history, price realizations and costs.

 

8. RELATED PARTIES

The Company paid $860.9 thousand to a related party for lease operating work performed by that related party during the year ended December 31, 2015 of which $75.5 thousand was included in accounts payable as of December 31, 2015.

 

9. LIQUIDITY CONSIDERATIONS

Our business exposes us to certain risks associated with the development of crude oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids (“NGLs”) which could have a material adverse effect on our cash flows, operations and liquidity, including, but not limited to: the market price and demand for crude oil, natural gas, and NGLs, fluctuations in the production of crude oil, natural gas, and NGLs, fluctuations in drilling and development activity, and credit risk associated with customers.

We have incurred significant losses from operations and we have utilized primarily capital contributions from our Members to fund our operations, capital requirements, and acquisitions, and to remain in compliance with debt covenants under the RBL (see Note 4). For the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, we incurred a net loss of approximately $9.9 million and $22.9 million, respectively.

We have continued to strategically develop our Delaware Basin asset by drilling and completing superior IRR wells, while also taking advantage of acquisition opportunities as they arise. The Company has primarily relied upon capital contributions from our Members to fund operations, acquisitions, and to remain in compliance with debt covenants under the RBL (see Note 4). Without support from our Members, compliance with our debt covenants during 2016 may not remain possible.

 

11


Compliance with debt covenants, and the long-term continuation of our business plan, including capital expenditures to acquire and develop oil and gas properties in 2016 and beyond, is dependent upon support and capital contributions from our Members. Failure to obtain additional capital through our Members could have a material adverse effect on our ability to meet our long-term liquidity needs and achieve our intended long-term business objectives.

In response to the Company’s expected need for additional liquidity, our Majority Member has committed to provide the necessary funding to support the Company for at least twelve months from April 30, 2016, to ensure the Company has sufficient liquidity to comply with our applicable debt covenants and normal operating requirements. Therefore, our financial statements have been presented as if the Company will continue as a going concern.

 

10. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

On February 26, 2016 Silver Hill Energy Partners, LLC entered into a Management Services Agreement with Silver Hill Energy Partners II, LLC to provide certain operational and general and administrative services with respect to Silver Hill Energy Partners II, LLC’s Delaware Basin assets.

No other subsequent events were assessed through April 30, 2016, the date this report was available for issuance.

* * * * * *

 

12

Exhibit 99.4

SILVER HILL ENERGY PARTNERS, LLC

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2016 AND 2015

(UNAUDITED)

 

     2016     2015  

Crude oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids

     19,773,221        4,830,967   

Unrealized loss on derivatives

     (3,634,015     —     

Realized gain on derivatives

     722,502        —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Revenue

     16,861,708        4,830,967   

Lease Operating Expenses

     6,299,012        2,009,834   

Impairment of Oil and Gas Properties

     2,345,332        2,190,613   

Depletion, depreciation and amortization

     6,732,641        3,393,094   

Severance Taxes

     820,016        214,564   

Exploration Costs

     557,224        12,263   

General & Administrative Expenses

     1,504,896        1,946,446   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Operating Expenses

     18,259,121        9,766,814   

Operating Loss

     (1,397,413     (4,935,847

Interest (Expense)/Income, Net

     (431,154     917   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Equity earnings in Midstream Joint Venture

     230,870        (139,791
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Loss

     (1,597,697     (5,074,721
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to these consolidated financial statements.

 

1


SILVER HILL ENERGY PARTNERS, LLC

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

AS OF JUNE 30, 2016 AND DECEMBER 31, 2015

(UNAUDITED)

 

     2016      2015  

Current Assets

     

Cash and Cash equivalents

     5,516,073         6,759,711   

Accounts Receivable

     6,000,364         1,752,901   

Derivative Asset

     —           1,462,503   

Prepaid and other assets

     192,439         85,785   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Current Assets

     11,708,896         10,060,900   

Oil and Gas Properties, Net (successful efforts)

     164,269,366         122,553,386   

Investment in Midstream Joint Venture

     54,641,929         36,911,059   

Derivatives

     —           1,056,325   

Other Assets

     419,994         231,522   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Assets

     231,040,185         170,813,192   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Liabilities & Members’ Capital

     

Current Liabilities

     

Accounts Payable

     12,794,670         10,684,470   

Accrued Liabilities

     67,466         189,542   

Deferred Tax Liability

     189,514         189,514   

Derivative Liability

     845,002         —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Current Liabilities

     13,896,652         11,063,526   

Long-Term Liabilities

     

Long-term Debt

     39,000,000         25,000,000   

Asset Retirement Obligation

     1,273,612         1,052,235   

Derivatives

     270,184         —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Liabilities

     54,440,448         37,115,761   

Commitments and Contingencies (Note 5)

     

Members’ Capital

     176,599,737         133,697,431   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Liabilities & Members’ Capital

     231,040,185         170,813,192   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to these consolidated financial statements.

 

2


SILVER HILL ENERGY PARTNERS, LLC

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2016 AND 2015

(UNAUDITED)

 

     2016     2015  

Cash flows from operating activities

    

Net loss

     (1,597,697     (5,074,721

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:

    

Depletion, depreciation and amortization

     6,732,641        3,393,094   

Impairment of oil and gas properties

     2,345,332        2,190,613   

Exploration Costs

     557,224        12,263   

Unrealized loss on derivatives

     3,634,015        —     

Equity earnings loss in Midstream Joint Venture

     (230,870     139,791   

Amortization of debt issuance costs

     22,777        —     

Changes in:

    

Accounts receivable

     (4,247,484     (2,289,950

Prepaid and other assets

     (206,440     (405,942

Accounts payable

     2,615,988        1,007,219   

Accrued Liabilities

     (122,076     (11,424
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities

     9,503,410        (1,039,057
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities

    

Additions to oil and gas properties

     (51,611,929     (18,985,662

Investment in Midstream Joint Venture

     (17,500,000     (8,885,243
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities

     (69,111,929     (27,870,905
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities

    

Contributions from members

     44,500,003        33,550,000   

Borrowings

     14,000,000        —     

Deferred financing costs

     (135,122     —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by financing activities

     58,364,881        33,550,000   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents

     (1,243,638     4,640,038   

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

     6,759,711        415,808   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

     5,516,073        5,055,846   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental Non-Cash Disclosure

    

Accounts payable related to capital expenditures

     9,337,027        2,092,303   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Additional liabilities incurred for asset retirement obligations

     221,377        10,992   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to these consolidated financial statements.

 

3


SILVER HILL ENERGY PARTNERS, LLC

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF MEMBERS’ CAPITAL

FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2016

(UNAUDITED)

 

Balance - December 31, 2015

   $ 133,697,431   
  

 

 

 

Contributions

     44,500,003   

Net Loss

     (1,597,697
  

 

 

 

Balance - June 30, 2016

   $ 176,599,737   
  

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to these consolidated financial statements.

 

4


SILVER HILL ENERGY PARTNERS, LLC

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF JUNE 30, 2016 AND FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2016 AND 2015

(UNAUDITED)

 

 

1. ORGANIZATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Organization —Silver Hill Energy Partners, LLC (the “Company”), a Delaware limited liability corporation, was formed on August 23, 2012. The Company’s activities have been primarily the evaluation and acquisition of various unproved leasehold interests and certain producing properties. The Company is engaged primarily in the acquisition, exploration, development and operation of oil and gas properties. Currently, the Company’s properties are in West Texas.

These financial statements include only those assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses that relate to the business of the Company and have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The statements do not include any assets, liabilities, revenues or expenses attributable to the members’ individual activities. The unaudited financial statements reflect all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) necessary for a fair presentation of the interim periods. The results of operations for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations to be expected for the full year.

The Company is a limited liability company (“LLC”). As an LLC, the amount of loss at risk for each individual member is limited to the amount of capital contributed to the LLC and, unless otherwise noted, the individual member’s liability for indebtedness of an LLC is limited to the member’s actual capital contribution.

Accounting Estimates —The preparation of the Company’s financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires the Company’s management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in these financial statements and accompanying notes. Certain significant estimates made by management include oil and gas reserves, which affect the carrying value of oil and gas properties, evaluation for impairment of proved and unevaluated property costs and asset retirement obligations. Actual results could differ from those estimates and the differences could be material.

Management believes that it is reasonably possible that the estimates involved in the determination of proved oil and gas reserves could significantly change in the coming year. Total proved reserves are defined as those reserves which can be produced economically using current oil and gas prices. Accordingly, the estimated quantity of proved reserves and the annual amortization expense will likely change along with future price increases and decreases.

Furthermore, estimating reserves is not an exact science. Estimates can be expected to change as additional information becomes available. Estimates of oil and gas reserves are projections based on the interpretation of engineering data to determine future rates of production and the timing of development expenditures. The accuracy of any reserve estimate is a function of the quality of available data and the engineering and geological interpretation and judgment of the estimator. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the reserves as estimated will ultimately be produced, nor can there be assurance that the proved undeveloped reserves as estimated will be developed within the period anticipated.

 

5


Cash and Cash Equivalents —Cash and cash equivalents include cash and all highly liquid investments with maturities, at the date of purchase, of three months or less. At times, the amount of cash and cash equivalents on deposit in financial institutions exceeds federally insured limits. Management monitors the soundness of the financial institutions and believes the Company’s risk is negligible.

Financial Instruments —The carrying amounts of financial instruments including cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued liabilities approximate fair value, unless otherwise stated, as of June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015.

Oil and Gas Properties —The Company’s oil and gas properties consisted of the following as of June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015:

 

     June 30, 2016      December 31, 2015  

Mineral interest in properties:

     

Unproved

   $ 61,921,232       $ 69,672,499   

Proved

     23,427,247        11,994,949  

Wells and related equipment and facilities

     123,351,480         76,262,218  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     208,699,959        157,929,666  

Accumulated depletion, depreciation and amortization

     (44,430,593      (35,376,280
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Oil and gas properties–net

   $ 164,269,366       $ 122,553,386   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The Company follows the successful efforts method of accounting for oil and natural gas producing activities. Costs to acquire mineral interests in oil and natural gas properties, to drill and equip exploratory wells that find proved reserves, to drill and equip development wells and related asset retirement costs are capitalized. Costs to drill exploratory wells are capitalized pending determination of whether the wells have found proved reserves. If the Company determines that the wells do not find proved reserves, the costs are charged to expense. Geological and geophysical costs, including seismic studies and costs of carrying and retaining unproved properties, are charged to expense as incurred. On the sale or retirement of a complete unit of a proved property, the cost and related accumulated depletion and depreciation are eliminated from the property accounts, and the resulting gain or loss is recognized. On the sale of a partial unit of proved property, the amount received is treated as a reduction of the cost of the interest retained.

The Company records depletion, depreciation and amortization of capitalized costs of proved oil and gas properties using the unit-of-production method over estimated proved reserves using the unit conversion ratio of six million cubic feet of gas to one barrel of oil equivalent. Capitalized costs of proved mineral interests are depleted over total estimated proved reserves, and capitalized costs of wells and related equipment and facilities are depreciated over estimated proved developed reserves. Depletion, depreciation and amortization expense for oil and gas properties amounted to $6.7 million and $3.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

Unproved oil and natural gas properties that are individually significant are periodically assessed for impairment of value, and a loss is recognized at the time of impairment by providing an impairment allowance. No impairment of unproved properties was recorded during the six

 

6


months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015 as the Company continues to extend its leases and complies with its lease terms through production and continuous development. The Company continued its horizontal drilling strategy in January 2016 and has completed seven economical wells in 2016. Management also evaluated several recent transactions in the West Texas area and believes the terms support its carrying value as of June 30, 2016.

On the sale of an entire interest in an unproved property for cash or cash equivalent, gain or loss on the sale is recognized, taking into consideration the amount of any recorded impairment if the property had been assessed individually. If a partial interest in an unproved property is sold, the amount received is treated as a reduction of the cost of the interest retained.

Capitalized costs related to proved oil and natural gas properties, including wells and related equipment and facilities, are evaluated for impairment based on an analysis of undiscounted future net cash flows. If undiscounted cash flows are insufficient to recover the net capitalized costs related to proved properties, then an impairment charge is recognized in the Statement of Operations equal to the difference between the carrying value proved properties and their estimated fair values based on the present value of the related future net cash flows. The Company recorded impairment of $2.3 million and $2.2 million on proved properties for six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

Furniture, Fixtures, and Equipment —Furniture, fixtures, and equipment are recorded at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation of the related assets is provided using the straight-line method over their respective estimated useful lives.

When assets are sold or retired, the applicable costs and accumulated depreciation are removed and any gain or loss is included in income. Maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred. Major renewals and improvements are capitalized.

Investment in joint venture —The Company’s 50% interest in the Midstream Joint Venture (Note 2) is not consolidated in the Company’s consolidated financial statements because the structural and operational measures of the Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company of the Midstream Joint Venture dated January 9, 2015 (the “LLC Agreement”) prevent us from having power to direct the significant activities of Midstream Joint Venture. In accordance with accounting standards, we account for our investment in the Midstream Joint Venture under the equity method, as opposed to the cost method, based on the Company’s level of influence over its activities. There are no other investments accounted for under the equity or cost method.

The Company recognizes its share of the earnings and losses in the Midstream Joint Venture pursuant to terms of the LLC Agreement which provides for earnings and losses to be generally allocated based upon each member’s respective ownership interest in the Midstream Joint Venture. See Note 2 for a discussion of the Company’s investment in the Midstream Joint Venture.

The Company evaluates investments for impairment when factors indicate that a decrease in the value of the investment has occurred that is not temporary. Indicators that should be evaluated for possible impairment of investments include recurring operating losses of the investee or fair value measures that are less than carrying value. Any impairment recognition is based on fair value that is not reflective of temporary conditions. Fair value is determined primarily by discounted long-term cash flows, supported by available market valuations, if applicable. The Company has not incurred impairment to its investment in the Midstream Joint Venture as of June 30, 2016.

 

7


Asset Retirement Obligation —Asset retirement obligations (“ARO”) consist of future plugging and abandonment expenses on oil and gas properties. The Company records the estimated fair value of its ARO when the related wells are acquired or completed with a corresponding increase in the carrying amount of oil and gas. The liability is accreted to its present value each period. Management estimates the fair value of additions to the asset retirement obligation liability using a valuation technique that converts future cash flows to a single discounted amount. Significant inputs to the valuation include: (i) estimated plug and abandonment cost per well based on management’s experience; (ii) estimated remaining life per well; and (iii) the Company’s credit-adjusted risk-free rate. If the liability is settled for an amount other than the recorded amount, a gain or loss is recognized.

The following is a summary of changes in the ARO during the six months ended June 30, 2016:

 

Balance–December 31, 2015

   $ 1,052,235   

Additions

     221,377  

Balance–June 30, 2016

   $ 1,273,612   
  

 

 

 

Revenue —The Company recognizes revenue for its production when the quantities are delivered to or collected by the respective purchaser. Prices for such production are defined in sales contracts and are readily determinable based on certain publicly available indices.

Lease Operating Costs —Lease operating costs, including pumpers’ salaries, saltwater disposal, ad valorem taxes, repairs and maintenance, expensed workovers and other operating expenses are expensed as incurred and included in lease operating costs on the consolidated statement of operations.

Concentration of Credit Risk — Substantially all accounts receivable result from the sales of oil and natural gas. This concentration of customers may impact the Company’s overall credit risk, as these entities may be similarly affected by changes in economic and other conditions. For six months ended 2016 and 2015, nearly all of the Company’s oil and natural sales were derived from two purchasers. These purchasers are based in the United States and engaged in the transportation, storage, and marketing of crude oil and other petroleum products. Management believes that the loss of these purchasers would not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position or results of operations because there is an adequate number of potential other purchasers of its oil and gas production.

Income Taxes —The Company is subject to U.S. federal income tax reporting requirements along with state income tax reporting requirements in Texas. Because the Company is a limited liability company, the income or loss of the Company for federal income tax purposes is generally allocated to the members in accordance with the Company’s formation agreements, and it is the responsibility of the members to report their share of taxable income or loss on their separate income tax returns. Accordingly, no recognition has been given to federal income taxes in the accompanying financial statements. The Company is subject to Texas margin tax on its operations within the state of Texas, and such amount is included in income tax expense on the Company’s statement of operations. Based on management’s analysis, the Company did not have

 

8


any uncertain tax positions as of June 30, 2016. No interest and penalties have been accrued or recorded. Currently, the tax year of 2013, 2014 and 2015 are open for reviews by the applicable taxing authorities.

The Company provides deferred income taxes using the asset and liability method whereby deferred tax assets are recognized for deductible temporary differences and operating loss, and tax credit carryforwards and deferred tax liabilities are recognized for taxable temporary differences. Temporary differences are the differences between the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and their tax bases. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance when, in the opinion of management, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are adjusted for the effects of the changes in tax laws and rates on the date of enactment.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

The FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) . This ASU supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in Topic 605, Revenue Recognition and industry-specific guidance in Subtopic 932-605, Extractive Activities – Oil and Gas – Revenue Recognition. This ASU provides guidance concerning the recognition and measurement of revenue from contracts with customers. Its objective is to increase the usefulness of information in the financial statements regarding the nature, timing and uncertainty of revenues. This standard becomes effective for us beginning January 2019. The Company is evaluating the impact this ASU may have on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

The FASB issued ASU 2015-02, Consolidation (Topic 810): Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis . This ASU provides additional guidance to reporting entities in evaluating whether certain legal entities, such as limited partnerships, limited liability corporations and securitization structures, should be consolidated. The ASU reduces the number of existing consolidation models. This ASU is effective for us beginning January 2017. This ASU is not expected to have a material impact on us.

The FASB issued ASU 2015-03, Interest – Imputation of Interest (Topic 835): Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs and ASU 2015-15, Interest – Imputation of Interest (Topic 835): Presentation and Subsequent Measurement of Debt Issuance Costs Associated with Line-of-Credit Arrangements. These ASUs require debt issuance costs to be presented as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt rather than as an asset. These ASUs are effective for us beginning January 2016. These ASUs did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

 

2. MIDSTREAM JOINT VENTURE

On January 9, 2015, the Company closed commercial agreements between a newly formed, wholly owned subsidiary, Silver Hill Midstream, LLC and a third party (together, the “Members”) to form a joint venture with the purpose of constructing and operating midstream assets in Loving, Winkler, Ward, and Reeves Counties, Texas and Lea County, New Mexico (the “Midstream Joint Venture”).

Upon closing of the Midstream Joint Venture on January 9, 2015, the Company contributed $3.6 million in cash and assets with attributable value of $0.2 million and the other Member contributed midstream assets with an attributable value of $3.3 million and cash of $0.5 million (the “Initial Contribution”) to initiate the capitalization of the Midstream Joint Venture as

 

9


prescribed in the Investment Agreement dated as of January 9, 2015 (the “Investment Agreement”). During the six months ended June 30, 2016 the Company’s total cash contribution to the Midstream Joint Venture was $17.5 million. The Company recognized its 50% share of equity earnings in the Midstream Joint Ventures of $0.5 million and did not receive any dividends for the six months ended June 30, 2016. The Company does not have a difference between the carrying value of its investments and the Company’s underlying equity in the net assets of the Midstream Joint Venture.

The Company has concluded that the Midstream Joint Venture is a joint venture as it’s a separate and specific business and provides an arrangement under which the Members may participate, directly or indirectly, in the overall management and share equally in the risks and rewards of the joint venture. The Members each have joint control and neither has unilateral control over the power to direct the significant activities and neither of the Midstream Joint Venture. Each Member has two voting board seats, providing joint and equal control of the decisions of the Midstream Joint Venture. The Members are required to approve business plans, annual budgets and revisions, as well as changes in board members and officers of the Midstream Joint Venture.

The Company accounts for its investments in the Midstream Joint Venture under the equity method of accounting since it has significant influence and not control over the operating and financing decisions of the Midstream Joint Venture. The Company measures its investments initially at cost and then recognizes its share of the earnings or losses as reported in the financial statements of the Midstream Joint Venture which is included in the determination of the Company’s net income adjusted for any intra-entity profits and losses.

The summarized balance sheet as of June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 and statement of operations for the six months ended June 30, 2016 and twelve months ended December 31, 2015 of the Midstream Joint Venture is as follows:

 

     June 30, 2016      December 31, 2015  

Balance sheet

     

Assets

     

Current assets

   $ 3,465,196       $ 5,737,846   

Non-current assets

     109,097,550        71,756,923  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets

     112,562,746        77,494,769  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Liabilities

     

Current liabilities

     2,877,007        3,270,769  

Non-current liabilities

     446,885         446,885  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     3,323,892        3,717,654  

Members’ Equity

     109,238,854        73,777,115  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities and members’ equity

     112,562,746        77,494,769  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Statement of operations

     

Revenues

     5,477,063        1,848,119  

Expenses

     (5,015,324      (2,819,687
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

   $ 461,739       $ (971,568
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

10


3. LONG-TERM DEBT

On July 10, 2015, the Company entered into a new $250.0 million Revolving Credit Agreement (“RBL”) with Wells Fargo Bank. The reserve-based facility features a borrowing base equal to the greater of a fixed amount of $17.5 million or a variable amount based upon the value of the Company’s oil and gas reserves as assessed by Wells Fargo Bank. The assessment of the Company’s oil and gas reserves is redetermined biannually in April and October. The RBL has a scheduled maturity date of July 10, 2020. The RBL has a variable annual interest rate based on the Company’s option, either the London InterBank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) plus an applicable margin (Eurodollar rate) or the base rate (as defined in the Agreement) plus an applicable margin. In addition, a commitment fee between 0.375% and 0.5% per annum is charged on the unutilized balance of the committed borrowings. Debt issuance costs of incurred totaled $0.3 million at June 30, 2016. The terms of the RBL contains representations, warranties, covenants and events of default that are customary for investment-grade, commercial bank credit agreements.

In October 2015, Wells Fargo Bank redetermined the Company’s borrowing based under the RBL and increased the variable amount to $29 million. For the year ended December 31, 2015, the Company had drawn $25 million in borrowings under the RBL.

In May 2016, Wells Fargo Bank redetermined the Company’s borrowing based under the RBL and increased the variable amount to $50 million. For the six months ended June 30, 2016, the Company had drawn $39 million in borrowings under the RBL.

 

4. MEMBERS’ CAPITAL

The LLC agreement dated September 6, 2012 governs the Company’s ownership. Capital contributions from Members during the six months ended June 30, 2016 and years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 were used to fund the Company’s ongoing operating and investing activities.

Net income or loss and distributions are allocated among the members as follows:

 

    First to the Series A and Series B unit holders until such time as they have received distributions equal to a 8% per annum hurdle rate compounded quarterly, pro-rata, in accordance with their respective capital;

 

    Subsequent to the hurdle rate return, net income or loss and distributions shall continue to be allocated in accordance with the respective capital contribution percentages until such time as unrecovered capital has been distributed, pro-rata, in accordance with their respective capital contribution percentages;

 

    Subsequent to the aforementioned returns, and prior to such time that net income or loss and distributions allocated to the Series A unit holders are equal in the aggregate to the greater of 200% return-on-investment and 20% discounted annual percentage rate of return, net income or loss and distributions shall be allocated to Series A unit holders at 79.42% with remaining amount allocated to Series B unit holders;

 

    Lastly, once the condition above has occurred, net income or loss and distributions shall be allocated based on the secondary sharing percentage, with 71.47% allocated to Series A unit holders and the remaining amount allocated to Series B unit holders.

 

11


5. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

The Company leases office space under non-cancellable operating leases. Total rental expense was $106,352 and $126,078 for the six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The future minimum rental commitments as of June 30, 2016 are as follows:

 

Year Ending December 31       

2016 (six months ending)

   $ 96,853   

2017

     206,625   

2018

     121,695   
  

 

 

 

Total

   $ 425,173   
  

 

 

 

We are party to various legal actions arising in the normal course of business. Management believes the disposition of these outstanding legal actions will not have a material impact on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

 

6. RISK MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES

The Company engages in price risk management activities from time to time. These activities are intended to manage the Company’s exposure to fluctuations in commodity prices for crude oil and natural gas. The Company utilized financial commodity derivative instruments including swaps and collars, as a means to manage this price risk.

The Company elected not to designate any of its financial commodity derivative contracts as accounting hedges and, accordingly, accounted for these financial commodity derivative contracts using the mark-to-market accounting method. During 2016, the Company recognized unrealized losses on the mark-to-market of financial commodity derivative contracts of $3.6 million and realized gains of $0.7 million on cash settled commodity derivative contracts.

US GAAP establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurement) and lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurement).

The three levels of fair value hierarchy are as follows:

 

    Level 1 — Quoted prices are available in active markets for identical assets or liabilities as of the reporting date.

 

    Level 2 — Pricing inputs are other than quoted prices in active markets, which are either directly or indirectly observable as of the reporting date. Level 2 includes those financial instruments that are valued using models or other valuation methodologies.

 

    Level 3 — Pricing inputs include significant inputs that are generally less observable from objective sources. These inputs may be used with internally developed methodologies that result in management’s best estimate of fair value.

 

12


The following table provided fair value measurement information within the fair value hierarchy for certain of the Company’s financial assets carried at fair value on a recurring basis at June 30, 2016. Amounts shown in thousands.

 

Fair Value Measurements                            
     Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets
(Level 1)
     Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
     Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
     Total  

As of June 30, 2016

           

Financial liabilities

           

Crude oil collars

     —        $ (395      —        $ (395

Crude oil Swaps

     —        $ (720      —        $ (720

The estimated fair value of crude oil derivative contracts was based upon forward commodity price curves based on quoted market prices.

The following summarizing our commodity derivative positions as of June 30, 2016:

SWAPS

 

Production Year

   Annual Volumes
(barrels)
     Swap Price WTI
(NYMEX)
 

2016

     138,131       $ 47.50   

2017

     176,557       $ 49.16   

2018

     68,620       $ 56.29   

COLLARS

 

Production Year

   Annual Volumes
(barrels)
     Put Price WTI
(NYMEX)
     Call Price WTI
(NYMEX)
 

2016

     94,172       $ 36.54       $ 54.48   

2017

     135,950       $ 36.71       $ 54.59   

Nonrecurring Fair Value Measurements —Certain nonfinancial assets and liabilities are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis (e.g., oil and natural gas properties) and are subject to fair value adjustments under certain circumstances. The inputs used to determine such fair value are primarily based upon internally developed cash flow models and are classified within Level 3.

 

13


During the six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, using a discounted cash flow valuation technique, we adjusted the carrying value of certain oil and natural gas properties and recorded impairment charges of $2.3 million and $2.2 million respectively. The impairment charges primarily resulted from a decline in oil and natural gas prices and to a much lesser extent to minor changes in management’s assumptions, based on an extensive review of operating results, production history, price realizations and costs.

 

7. RELATED PARTIES

The Company paid $1.3 million and $0.2 million to a related party for lease operating work performed by that related party during the six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015 of which none was included in accounts payable as of June 30, 2016.

On February 26, 2016 Silver Hill Energy Partners, LLC entered into a Management Services Agreement with Silver Hill Energy Partners II, LLC to provide certain operational and general and administrative services with respect to Silver Hill Energy Partners II, LLC’s Delaware Basin assets.

 

8. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

On August 8, 2016 Wells Fargo Bank redetermined the Company’s borrowing based under the RBL and increased the variable amount to $80 million.

On August 8, 2016 the Company contributed cash to the Midstream Joint Venture in the amount of $10 million further develop and buildout the midstream footprint in the area.

Subsequent events have been assessed through October 12, 2016, the date this report was available for issuance.

****

 

14

Exhibit 99.5

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

Members

Silver Hill Energy Partners II, LLC

We have audited the accompanying statements of revenues and direct operating expenses (the Statements) of the working interests in the oil and gas properties acquired by Silver Hill Energy Partners II, LLC (the Concho Properties Working Interest) for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014.

Management’s responsibility for the financial statements

Management is responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of these Statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America; this includes the design, implementation, and maintenance of internal control relevant to the preparation and fair presentation of Statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

Auditor’s responsibility

Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these Statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the Statements are free from material misstatement.

An audit involves performing procedures to obtain audit evidence about the amounts and disclosures in the Statements. The procedures selected depend on the auditor’s judgment, including the assessment of the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to fraud or error. In making those risk assessments, the auditor considers internal control relevant to the entity’s preparation and fair presentation of the Statements in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the entity’s internal control. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes evaluating the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of significant accounting estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the Statements.

We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our audit opinion.

Opinion

In our opinion, the Statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the revenues and direct operating expenses of the Concho Properties Working Interest for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Emphasis of matter

As described in Note 1, the accompanying Statements are prepared for the purpose of complying with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and are not intended to be a complete presentation of the Concho Properties Working Interest revenues and expenses. Our opinion is not modified with respect to this matter.

/s/ GRANT THORNTON LLP

Tulsa, Oklahoma

October 13, 2016


STATEMENTS OF REVENUES AND DIRECT OPERATING EXPENSES

OF THE CONCHO PROPERTIES WORKING INTEREST

 

     Year Ended      Year Ended  
     December 31, 2015      December 31, 2014  
     (in thousands)  

REVENUES:

     

Oil sales

   $ 23,713       $ 12,219   

Natural gas and natural gas liquids

     1,061         608   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total revenues

     24,774         12,827   

DIRECT OPERATING EXPENSES:

     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total direct operating expenses

     9,438         3,754   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

REVENUES IN EXCESS OF DIRECT OPERATING EXPENSES

   $ 15,336       $ 9,073   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to the Statements of Revenues and Direct Operating Expenses

 

F-1


NOTES TO THE STATEMENTS OF REVENUES AND DIRECT OPERATING EXPENSES

OF THE CONCHO PROPERTIES WORKING INTEREST

NOTE 1—BASIS OF PRESENTATION

On January 12, 2016 Silver Hill Energy Partners II, LLC (“Silver Hill II”) was formed with the sole purpose of acquiring producing properties and undeveloped acreage from Concho Resources Inc. (“Concho”) (such properties and undeveloped acreage, the “Concho Properties” and such acquisition, the “Concho Acquisition”). Silver Hill II only acquired assets in the Concho Acquisition and did not acquire any entities, subsidiaries or employees of Concho. The Concho Properties are located in the Delaware Basin of West Texas. The Concho Acquisition closed on February 26, 2016 and the aggregate purchase price was $292 million, including customary post-close adjustments, which was paid in cash.

Because the Concho Properties are not separate legal entities, the accompanying Statements of Revenues and Direct Operating Expenses (“Statements”) vary from a complete income statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America in that they do not reflect certain expenses that were incurred in connection with the ownership and operation of the Concho Properties including, but not limited to, general and administrative expenses, interest expense, and other indirect expenses. These costs were not separately allocated to the Concho Properties in the accounting records of Concho. In addition, these allocations, if made using historical general and administrative structures, may not produce allocations that would be indicative of the historical performance of the Concho Properties had they been owned by Silver Hill II due to the differing size, structure, operations and accounting policies of Concho and Silver Hill II. The accompanying Statements also do not include provisions for depreciation, depletion, amortization and accretion, as such amounts would not be indicative of the costs which Silver Hill II will incur upon the allocation of the purchase price paid for the Concho Properties. For these reasons, the Statements are not indicative of the results of operations of the Concho Properties on a going forward basis due to changes in the business and the omission of various operating expenses. Furthermore, no balance sheet has been presented for the Concho Properties because not all of the historical cost and related working capital balances were segregated or easily obtainable, nor has information about the Concho Properties’ operating, investing and financing cash flows been provided for similar reasons. Accordingly, the accompanying Statements are presented in lieu of the financial statements required under Rule 3-05 of Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) Regulation S-X.

NOTE 2—SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Use of Estimates

Accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the Statements. Actual results could be different from those estimates.

Revenue Recognition

Total revenues in the accompanying Statements include the sale of oil and natural gas, net of royalties. Revenues are recognized when the significant risks and rewards of ownership have been transferred, which is when title passes to the customer. Oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids revenues included in these Statements are recorded on the sales method, under which revenues are based on the oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids delivered rather than the net revenue interest share of oil and natural gas produced. There were no significant imbalances with other revenue interest owners during the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014.

During the years ended December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 two purchasers accounted for the material balance of the Concho Properties’ total revenues. The loss of any single significant customer or contract could have a material adverse short-term effect; however, management believes it is not likely that the loss of any single significant customer or contract would materially affect the Concho Properties working interest in the long-term as such purchasers could be replaced by other purchasers under contracts with similar terms and conditions.

 

F-2


NOTES TO THE STATEMENTS OF REVENUES AND DIRECT OPERATING EXPENSES

OF THE CONCHO PROPERTIES WORKING INTEREST (continued)

 

Direct Operating Expenses

Direct operating expenses are recognized when incurred and consist of direct expenses of operating the Concho Properties working interest. The direct operating expenses include lease operating, production taxes, processing and transportation expenses. Lease operating expenses include lifting costs, well repair expenses, facility maintenance expenses, well workover costs, and other field related expenses. Lease operating expenses also include expenses directly associated with support personnel, support services, equipment, and facilities directly related to oil and gas production activities.

NOTE 3—COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Management is not aware of any known claims, litigation or disputes pending as of the effective date of the Concho Acquisition, or any matters arising in connection with indemnification. In addition, management is not aware of any legal, environmental or other commitments or contingencies that would have a material adverse effect on the Statements.

NOTE 4—SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

Management of Silver Hill II has evaluated events through October 13, 2016, the date the Statements were available to be issued, and has concluded no events need to be reported during this period.

NOTE 5—SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF OIL AND NATURAL GAS OPERATIONS (unaudited):

Estimated quantities of proved oil and natural gas reserves of the Concho Properties were derived from reserve estimates prepared by Silver Hill II’s in-house petroleum engineers. Proved reserves were estimated in accordance with the guidelines established by the SEC and the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”). Estimates of proved reserves are inherently imprecise and are continually subject to revision based on production history, results of additional exploration and development, price changes and other factors. All of the Concho Properties’ proved reserves are located in the continental United States.

Guidelines prescribed in the FASB’s Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 932, Extractive Industries—Oil and Gas , have been followed for computing a standardized measure of future net cash flows and changes therein relating to estimated proved reserves. Future cash inflows and future production and development costs are determined by applying prices and costs, including transportation, quality, and basis differentials, to the year-end estimated quantities of oil and gas to be produced in the future. The resulting future net cash flows are reduced to present value amounts by applying a ten percent annual discount factor. Future operating costs are determined based on estimates of expenditures to be incurred in producing the proved oil and gas reserves in place at the end of the period using year-end costs and assuming continuation of existing economic conditions, plus overhead incurred. Future development costs are determined based on estimates of capital expenditures to be incurred in developing proved oil and gas reserves.

The assumptions used to compute the standardized measure are those prescribed by the FASB and the SEC. These assumptions do not necessarily reflect Silver Hill II’s expectations of actual revenues to be derived from those reserves, nor their fair value. The limitations inherent in the reserve quantity estimation process, as discussed previously, are equally applicable to the standardized measure computations since these reserve quantity estimates are the basis for the valuation process. Silver Hill II emphasizes that reserve estimates are inherently imprecise and that estimates of new discoveries and undeveloped locations are more imprecise than estimates of established proved producing oil and gas properties. Accordingly, these estimates are expected to change as future information becomes available. The standardized measure excludes income taxes with the exception of franchise taxes in the State of Texas, which are generally taxed at less than 1% of modified pre-tax earnings, as the tax basis for the Concho Properties could not be determined or reasonably estimated for the periods presented. In addition, the tax basis of the Concho Properties will differ from that of Concho’s.

 

F-3


NOTES TO THE STATEMENTS OF REVENUES AND DIRECT OPERATING EXPENSES

OF THE CONCHO PROPERTIES WORKING INTEREST (continued)

 

The following table sets forth information for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 with respect to changes in the Concho Properties’ proved (i.e., proved developed and undeveloped) reserves:

 

     Oil      Natural Gas         
     (MBbls)      (MMcf)      MBoe  

December 31, 2015

        

Proved Reserves

        

Beginning balance, January 1, 2015

     2,699         4,313         3,418   

Extensions and discoveries

     9,258         14,876         11,737   

Revisions of previous estimates

     (1,056      (2,151      (1,415

Purchases of reserves in place

     —           —           —     

Production

     (566      (359      (626
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ending balance, December 31, 2015

     10,335         16,679         13,115   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Proved Developed Reserves:

        

January 1, 2015

     1,281         2,119         1,634   

December 31, 2015

     3,668         5,726         4,623   

Proved Undeveloped Reserves:

        

January 1, 2015

     1,418         2,194         1,784   

December 31, 2015

     6,667         10,952         8,492   

December 31, 2014

        

Proved Reserves

        

Beginning balance, January 1, 2014

     2,083         3,495         2,666   

Extensions and discoveries

     726         1,117         912   

Revisions of previous estimates

     43         (191      11   

Purchases of reserves in place

     —           —           —     

Production

     (152      (107      (170
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ending balance, December 31, 2014

     2,699         4,313         3,418   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Proved Developed Reserves:

        

January 1, 2014

     661         1,294         877   

December 31, 2014

     1,281         2,119         1,634   

Proved Undeveloped Reserves:

        

January 1, 2014

     1,422         2,201         1,789   

December 31, 2014

     1,418         2,194         1,784   

 

F-4


NOTES TO THE STATEMENTS OF REVENUES AND DIRECT OPERATING EXPENSES

OF THE CONCHO PROPERTIES WORKING INTEREST (continued)

 

Proved reserves at December 31, 2015 increased 284% to 13,115 MBoe, compared to 3,418 MBoe at December 31, 2014.

During 2015, the Concho Properties added 11,737 MBoe of proved reserves through extensions, primarily due to its continued development drilling program.

During 2015, the Concho Properties had net negative revisions of 1,415 MBoe. The significant decrease in commodity prices seen in 2015 resulted in negative revisions related to the conversion of approximately 1,784 MBoe from PUDs to unproved reserves, partially offset by a positive revision in performance.

During 2014, the Concho Properties added 912 MBoe of proved reserves through extensions, primarily due to drilling activity.

The following summary sets forth the Concho Properties’ future net cash flows relating to proved oil and gas reserves based on the standardized measure prescribed in ASC Topic 932:

 

     December 31      December 31  
     2015      2014  
     (in thousands)  

Future cash inflows

     541,964         254,651   

Future development costs

     (82,700      (52,700

Future production costs

     (156,706      (70,384

Future income tax expense

     (2,845      (1,783
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Future net cash flows

     299,713         129,784   

10% discount to reflect timing of cash flows

     (163,339      (73,166
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows

   $ 136,374       $ 56,618   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The above values for the crude oil and natural gas reserves at December 31, 2015 are based on prices of $47.26 per Bbl and $3.21 per Mcf. The values for crude oil and natural gas reserves at December 31, 2014 are based on prices of $84.54 per Bbl and $6.13 per Mcf. These prices were based on the 12 month arithmetic average of the first-day-of-the-month prices for the proceeding 12-month period. The crude oil pricing was based off the West Texas Intermediate price and natural gas pricing was based off of average Henry Hub spot natural gas prices. All prices have been adjusted for transportation, quality and basis differentials.

The principal sources of changes in the standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows were:

 

     Year Ended      Year Ended  
     December 31      December 31  
     2015      2014  
     (in thousands)  

Standardized measure, beginning of period

   $ 56,619       $ 38,560   

Sales of oil and natural gas, net of production costs

     (15,336      (9,073

Purchase of minerals in place

     —           —     

Extensions and discoveries, net of future development costs

     118,162         29,141   

Previously estimated development costs incurred during the period

     700         —     

Net changes in prices and production costs

     (29,308      (4,971

Changes in estimated future development costs

     —           —     

Revisions of previous quantity estimates

     (4,332      249   

Accretion of discount

     5,764         3,928   

Net change in income taxes

     (389      (301

Net changes in timing of production and other

     4,494         (915
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Standardized measure, end of period

   $ 136,374       $ 56,618   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

F-5

Exhibit 99.6

STATEMENT OF REVENUES AND DIRECT OPERATING EXPENSES

OF THE CONCHO PROPERTIES WORKING INTEREST

 

    

For the period from January 1, 2016

to February 25, 2016

 
     (in thousands)  

Revenues:

  

Oil Sales

   $ 3,862   

Natural gas and natural gas liquids

     186   
  

 

 

 

Total revenues

     4,048   

DIRECT OPERATING EXPENSES:

  

Total direct operating expenses

     1,993   
  

 

 

 

REVENUES IN EXCESS OF DIRECT OPERATING EXPENSES

   $ 2,055   
  

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to the Statement of Revenues and Direct Operating Expenses

 

F-1


NOTES TO THE STATEMENT OF REVENUES AND DIRECT OPERATING EXPENSES

OF THE CONCHO PROPERTIES WORKING INTEREST

NOTE 1—BASIS OF PRESENTATION

On January 12, 2016 Silver Hill Energy Partners II, LLC (“Silver Hill II”) was formed with the sole purpose of acquiring producing properties and undeveloped acreage from Concho Resources Inc. (“Concho”) (such properties and undeveloped acreage, the “Concho Properties” and such acquisition, the “Concho Acquisition”). Silver Hill II only acquired assets in the Concho Acquisition and did not acquire any entities, subsidiaries or employees of Concho. The Concho Properties are located in the Delaware Basin of West Texas. The Concho Acquisition closed on February 26, 2016 and the aggregate purchase price was $292 million, including customary post-close adjustments, which was paid in cash.

Because the Concho Properties are not separate legal entities, the accompanying Statement of Revenues and Direct Operating Expenses (“Statement”) varies from a complete income statement in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America in that it does not reflect certain expenses that were incurred in connection with the ownership and operation of the Concho Properties including, but not limited to, general and administrative expenses, interest expense, and other indirect expenses. These costs were not separately allocated to the Concho Properties in the accounting records of Concho. In addition, these allocations, if made using historical general and administrative structures, may not produce allocations that would be indicative of the historical performance of the Concho Properties had they been owned by Silver Hill II due to the differing size, structure, operations and accounting policies of Concho and Silver Hill II. The accompanying Statement also does not include provisions for depreciation, depletion, amortization and accretion, as such amounts would not be indicative of the costs which Silver Hill II will incur upon the allocation of the purchase price paid for the Concho Properties. For these reasons, the Statement is not indicative of the results of operations of the Concho Properties on a going forward basis due to changes in the business and the omission of various operating expenses. Furthermore, no balance sheet has been presented for the Concho Properties because not all of the historical cost and related working capital balances were segregated or easily obtainable, nor has information about the Concho Properties’ operating, investing and financing cash flows been provided for similar reasons. Accordingly, the accompanying Statement is presented in lieu of the financial statements required under Rule 3-05 of Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) Regulation S-X.

NOTE 2—SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Use of Estimates

Accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the Statement. Actual results could be different from those estimates.

Revenue Recognition

Total revenues in the accompanying Statement include the sale of oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids, net of royalties. Revenues are recognized when the significant risks and rewards of ownership have been transferred, which is when title passes to the customer. Oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids revenues included in this Statement are recorded on the sales method, under which revenues are based on the oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids delivered rather than the net revenue interest share of oil and natural gas produced. There were no significant imbalances with other revenue interest owners during the period from January 1, 2016 through February 25, 2016.

Direct Operating Expenses

Direct operating expenses are recognized when incurred and consist of direct expenses of operating the Concho Properties working interest. The direct operating expenses include lease operating, production taxes, processing and transportation expenses. Lease operating expenses include lifting costs, well repair expenses, facility maintenance expenses, well workover costs, and other field related expenses. Lease operating expenses also include expenses directly associated with support personnel, support services, equipment, and facilities directly related to oil and gas production activities.

 

F-2


NOTES TO THE STATEMENT OF REVENUES AND DIRECT OPERATING EXPENSES

OF THE CONCHO PROPERTIES WORKING INTEREST (continued)

 

NOTE 3—COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Management is not aware of any known claims, litigation or disputes pending as of the effective date of the Concho Acquisition, or any matters arising in connection with indemnification. In addition, management is not aware of any legal, environmental or other commitments or contingencies that would have a material adverse effect on the Statement.

NOTE 4—SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

Management of Silver Hill II has evaluated events through October 13, 2016, the date the Statement was available to be issued, and has concluded no events need to be reported during this period.

 

F-3

Exhibit 99.7

SILVER HILL ENERGY PARTNERS II, LLC

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

FOR THE PERIOD FROM JANUARY 12, 2016 (INCEPTION) TO JUNE 30, 2016

(UNAUDITED)

 

Crude oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids

     13,626,988   

Unrealized Loss on Derivatives

     (9,170,525

Realized Loss on Derivatives

     (525,869
  

 

 

 

Total Revenue

     3,930,594   

Lease Operating Expenses

     4,034,404   

Impairment of Oil and Gas Properties

     91,543   

Depletion, depreciation and amortization

     6,123,091   

Severance Taxes

     511,478   

General & Administrative Expenses

     1,418,001   
  

 

 

 

Total Operating Expenses

     12,178,517   

Operating Loss

     (8,247,923

Interest expense, Net

     (471,931
  

 

 

 

Net Loss

     (8,719,854
  

 

 

 

 

1


SILVER HILL ENERGY PARTNERS II, LLC

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

AS OF JUNE 30, 2016

(UNAUDITED)

 

Current Assets

  

Cash and cash equivalents

     4,022,571   

Accounts Receivable

     4,607,372   

Prepaid Expenses

     60,491   
  

 

 

 

Total Current Assets

     8,690,434   

Oil and Gas Properties, Net (successful efforts)

     338,007,832   

Other Assets

     651,483   
  

 

 

 

Total Assets

     347,349,749   
  

 

 

 

Liabilities & Members’ Capital

  

Current Liabilities

  

Accounts Payable

     15,105,512   

Accrued Expenses

     19,060,794   

Derivative Liability

     4,120,557   
  

 

 

 

Total Current Liabilities

     38,286,863   

Long-Term Liabilities

  

Long-term Debt

     42,500,000   

Asset Retirement Obligation

     1,232,772   

Derivatives

     5,049,968   
  

 

 

 

Total Liabilities

     87,069,603   

Members Capital

     260,280,146   
  

 

 

 

Total Liabilities & Members’ Capital

     347,349,749   
  

 

 

 

 

2


SILVER HILL ENERGY PARTNERS II, LLC

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

FOR THE PERIOD FROM JANUARY 12, 2016 (INCEPTION) TO JUNE 30, 2016

(UNAUDITED)

 

Cash flows from operating activities

  

Net loss

     (8,719,854

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:

  

Depletion, depreciation and amortization

     6,123,091   

Impairment of oil and gas properties

     91,543   

Unrealized loss on derivatives

     9,170,525   

Amortization of debt issuance costs

     42,321   

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

  

Accounts receivable

     (4,607,372

Prepaid and other assets

     (60,491

Accounts payable

     5,267,447   

Accrued expenses

     (1,191,429
  

 

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

     6,115,781   
  

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities

  

Additions to oil and gas properties

     (18,801,737

Acquisitions of oil and gas properties

     (294,097,669
  

 

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities

     (312,899,406
  

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities

  

Contributions from Members

     269,000,000   

Borrowings

     42,500,000   

Deferred financing costs

     (693,804
  

 

 

 

Net cash provided by financing activities

     310,806,196   
  

 

 

 

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

     4,022,571   

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

     —     
  

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

     4,022,571   
  

 

 

 

Supplemental Non-Cash Disclosure

  

Accounts payable and accrued expenses related to capital expenditure

     14,015,567   
  

 

 

 

Acquisition of Concho oil and gas assets in accrued expenses

     16,074,721   
  

 

 

 

Asset retirement obligations related to acquisitions of oil and gas properties

     1,232,772   
  

 

 

 

 

3


SILVER HILL ENERGY PARTNERS II, LLC

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF MEMBERS’ CAPITAL

FOR THE PERIOD FROM JANUARY 12, 2016 (INCEPTION) TO JUNE 30, 2016

(UNAUDITED)

 

Balance - January 12, 2016

   $ —     

Contributions

     269,000,000   

Net Loss

     (8,719,854
  

 

 

 

Balance - June 30, 2016

   $ 260,280,146   
  

 

 

 

 

4


SILVER HILL ENERGY PARTNERS II, LLC

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF JUNE 30, 2016 AND FOR THE FOR THE PERIOD FROM JANUARY 12, 2016 (INCEPTION) TO JUNE 30, 2016

(UNAUDITED)

 

 

1. ORGANIZATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Organization —Silver Hill Energy Partners II, LLC (the “Company”), a Delaware limited liability company (LLC), was formed on January 12, 2016. Silver Hill II was formed solely for the purpose of acquiring producing properties and undeveloped acreage from Concho Resources Inc. (“Concho”) for $292 million. Silver Hill II is engaged in the acquisition, exploitation and development of oil and gas properties. Silver Hill II’s operations are focused in the Delaware Basin of West Texas and is managed by the same management team as Silver Hill I.

These financial statements include only those assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses that relate to the business of the Company and have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The statements do not include any assets, liabilities, revenues or expenses attributable to the members’ individual activities. The unaudited financial statements reflect all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) necessary for a fair presentation of the interim period. The results of operations for the interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations to be expected for the full year.

The Company is a limited liability company (“LLC”). As an LLC, the amount of loss at risk for each individual member is limited to the amount of capital contributed to the LLC and, unless otherwise noted, the individual member’s liability for indebtedness of an LLC is limited to the member’s actual capital contribution.

Accounting Estimates —The preparation of the Company’s financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires the Company’s management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in these financial statements and accompanying notes. Certain significant estimates made by management include oil and gas reserves, which affect the carrying value of oil and gas properties, evaluation for impairment of proved and unevaluated property costs and asset retirement obligations. Actual results could differ from those estimates and the differences could be material.

Management believes that it is reasonably possible that the estimates involved in the determination of proved oil and gas reserves could significantly change in the coming year. Total proved reserves are defined as those reserves which can be produced economically using current oil and gas prices. Accordingly, the estimated quantity of proved reserves and the annual amortization expense will likely change along with future price increases and decreases.

Furthermore, estimating reserves is not an exact science. Estimates can be expected to change as additional information becomes available. Estimates of oil and gas reserves are projections based on the interpretation of engineering data to determine future rates of production and the timing of development expenditures. The accuracy of any reserve estimate is a function of the quality of available data and the engineering and geological interpretation and judgment of the estimator. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the reserves as estimated will ultimately be produced, nor can there be assurance that the proved undeveloped reserves as estimated will be developed within the period anticipated.

 

5


Cash and Cash Equivalents —Cash and cash equivalents include cash and all highly liquid investments with maturities, at the date of purchase, of three months or less. At times, the amount of cash and cash equivalents on deposit in financial institutions exceeds federally insured limits. Management monitors the soundness of the financial institutions and believes the Company’s risk is negligible.

Financial Instruments —The carrying amounts of financial instruments including cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued liabilities approximate fair value, unless otherwise stated, as of June 30, 2016.

Oil and Gas Properties —The Company’s oil and gas properties consisted of the following as of June 30, 2016:

 

     June 30, 2016  

Mineral interest in properties:

  

Unproved

   $ 148,977,966   

Proved

     79,509,308  

Wells and related equipment and facilities

     115,735,192   
  

 

 

 
     344,222,466  

Accumulated depletion, depreciation and amortization

     (6,214,634
  

 

 

 

Oil and gas properties–net

   $ 338,007,832   
  

 

 

 

The Company follows the successful efforts method of accounting for oil and natural gas producing activities. Costs to acquire mineral interests in oil and natural gas properties, to drill and equip exploratory wells that find proved reserves, to drill and equip development wells and related asset retirement costs are capitalized. Costs to drill exploratory wells are capitalized pending determination of whether the wells have found proved reserves. If the Company determines that the wells do not find proved reserves, the costs are charged to expense. Geological and geophysical costs, including seismic studies and costs of carrying and retaining unproved properties, are charged to expense as incurred. On the sale or retirement of a complete unit of a proved property, the cost and related accumulated depletion and depreciation are eliminated from the property accounts, and the resulting gain or loss is recognized. On the sale of a partial unit of proved property, the amount received is treated as a reduction of the cost of the interest retained.

The Company records depletion, depreciation and amortization of capitalized costs of proved oil and gas properties using the unit-of-production method over estimated proved reserves using the unit conversion ratio of six million cubic feet of gas to one barrel of oil equivalent. Capitalized costs of proved mineral interests are depleted over total estimated proved reserves, and capitalized costs of wells and related equipment and facilities are depreciated over estimated proved developed reserves. Depletion, depreciation and amortization expense for oil and gas properties amounted to $6.1 million for the period from January 12, 2016 (inception) to June 30, 2016.

 

6


Unproved oil and natural gas properties that are individually significant are periodically assessed for impairment of value, and a loss is recognized at the time of impairment by providing an impairment allowance. No impairment of unproved properties was recorded during the period from January 12, 2016 (inception) to June 30, 2016 as the Company continues to extend its leases and complies with its lease terms through production and continuous development. The Company began its horizontal drilling strategy in February 2016 and has completed four economical wells in 2016. Management also evaluated several recent transactions in the West Texas area and believes the terms support its carrying value as of June 30, 2016.

On the sale of an entire interest in an unproved property for cash or cash equivalent, gain or loss on the sale is recognized, taking into consideration the amount of any recorded impairment if the property had been assessed individually. If a partial interest in an unproved property is sold, the amount received is treated as a reduction of the cost of the interest retained.

Capitalized costs related to proved oil and natural gas properties, including wells and related equipment and facilities, are evaluated for impairment based on an analysis of undiscounted future net cash flows. If undiscounted cash flows are insufficient to recover the net capitalized costs related to proved properties, then an impairment charge is recognized in the Statement of Operations equal to the difference between the carrying value proved properties and their estimated fair values based on the present value of the related future net cash flows. The Company recorded impairment of $.09 million on proved properties for period from January 12, 2016 (inception) to June 30, 2016.

Furniture, Fixtures, and Equipment —Furniture, fixtures, and equipment are recorded at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation of the related assets is provided using the straight-line method over their respective estimated useful lives.

When assets are sold or retired, the applicable costs and accumulated depreciation are removed and any gain or loss is included in income. Maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred. Major renewals and improvements are capitalized.

Asset Retirement Obligation —Asset retirement obligations (“ARO”) consist of future plugging and abandonment expenses on oil and gas properties. The Company records the estimated fair value of its ARO when the related wells are acquired or completed with a corresponding increase in the carrying amount of oil and gas. The liability is accreted to its present value each period. Management estimates the fair value of additions to the asset retirement obligation liability using a valuation technique that converts future cash flows to a single discounted amount. Significant inputs to the valuation include: (i) estimated plug and abandonment cost per well based on management’s experience; (ii) estimated remaining life per well; and (iii) the Company’s credit-adjusted risk-free rate. If the liability is settled for an amount other than the recorded amount, a gain or loss is recognized.

 

7


The following is a summary of changes in the ARO during the period from January 12, 2016 (inception) to June 30, 2016:

 

Balance–January 12, 2016

   $ —     

Acquisition of oil and gas properties

   $ 1,197,060   

Additions to oil and gas properties

     35,712  

Balance–June 30, 2016

   $ 1,232,772   
  

 

 

 

Revenue —The Company recognizes revenue for its production when the quantities are delivered to or collected by the respective purchaser. Prices for such production are defined in sales contracts and are readily determinable based on certain publicly available indices.

Lease Operating Costs —Lease operating costs, including pumpers’ salaries, saltwater disposal, ad valorem taxes, repairs and maintenance, expensed workovers and other operating expenses are expensed as incurred and included in lease operating costs on the consolidated statement of operations.

Concentration of Credit Risk —Substantially all accounts receivable result from the sales of oil and natural gas. This concentration of customers may impact the Company’s overall credit risk, as these entities may be similarly affected by changes in economic and other conditions. For period from January 12, 2016 (inception) to June 30, 2016, nearly all of the Company’s oil and natural sales were derived from two purchasers. These purchasers are based in the United States and engaged in the transportation, storage, and marketing of crude oil and other petroleum products. Management believes that the loss of these purchasers would not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position or results of operations because there is an adequate number of potential other purchasers of its oil and gas production.

Income Taxes —The Company is subject to U.S. federal income tax reporting requirements along with state income tax reporting requirements in Texas. Because the Company is a limited liability company, the income or loss of the Company for federal income tax purposes is generally allocated to the members in accordance with the Company’s formation agreements, and it is the responsibility of the members to report their share of taxable income or loss on their separate income tax returns. Accordingly, no recognition has been given to federal income taxes in the accompanying financial statements. The Company is subject to Texas margin tax on its operations within the state of Texas, and such amount is included in income tax expense on the Company’s statement of operations. Based on management’s analysis, the Company did not have any uncertain tax positions as of June 30, 2016. No interest and penalties have been accrued or recorded.

The Company provides deferred income taxes using the asset and liability method whereby deferred tax assets are recognized for deductible temporary differences and operating loss, and tax credit carryforwards and deferred tax liabilities are recognized for taxable temporary differences. Temporary differences are the differences between the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and their tax bases. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance when, in the opinion of management, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are adjusted for the effects of the changes in tax laws and rates on the date of enactment.

 

8


Recently Issued Accounting Standards

The FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) . This ASU supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in Topic 605, Revenue Recognition and industry-specific guidance in Subtopic 932-605, Extractive Activities – Oil and Gas – Revenue Recognition. This ASU provides guidance concerning the recognition and measurement of revenue from contracts with customers. Its objective is to increase the usefulness of information in the financial statements regarding the nature, timing and uncertainty of revenues. This standard becomes effective for us beginning January 2019. The Company is evaluating the impact this ASU may have on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

The FASB issued ASU 2015-02, Consolidation (Topic 810): Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis . This ASU provides additional guidance to reporting entities in evaluating whether certain legal entities, such as limited partnerships, limited liability corporations and securitization structures, should be consolidated. The ASU reduces the number of existing consolidation models. This ASU is effective for us beginning January 2017. This ASU is not expected to have a material impact on us.

The FASB issued ASU 2015-03, Interest – Imputation of Interest (Topic 835): Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs and ASU 2015-15, Interest – Imputation of Interest (Topic 835): Presentation and Subsequent Measurement of Debt Issuance Costs Associated with Line-of-Credit Arrangements. These ASUs require debt issuance costs to be presented as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt rather than as an asset. These ASUs were effective for us beginning January 2016. These ASUs did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

 

2. PURCHASES OF OIL AND GAS PROPERTIES

On February 26, 2016, the company closed on the acquisition of oil and gas acres from Concho Resources Inc. for $292 million, of which $210.8 million was allocated to undeveloped acreage and $84.4 million was allocated to developed acreage. The Company incurred $0.4 million of transaction costs related to the acquisition for the period from January 12, 2016 (inception) to June 30, 2016. These transaction costs are recorded in the consolidated statements of operations within the general and administrative line item.

The acquisition is accounted for using the acquisition method under ASC 805, Business Combinations, which requires the acquired assets and liabilities to be recorded at fair value as of the acquisition date of February 26, 2016. The following table summarizes the purchase price and the final allocation of the fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed (in thousands):

 

     February 26, 2016  

Cash Consideration

   $ 291,984   
  

 

 

 

Fair value of assets and liabilities acquired

  

Proved oil and gas properties

     84,387   

Unproved oil and gas properties

     210,844   
  

 

 

 

Total fair value of oil and gas properties acquired

     295,231   

Revenue suspense

     (2,114

Asset retirement obligations

     (1,133
  

 

 

 

Total fair value of net assets acquired

   $ 291,984   
  

 

 

 

 

9


3. LONG-TERM DEBT

On February 26, 2016 the Company entered into a new $300 million Revolving Credit Agreement (“RBL”) with Wells Fargo Bank. The reserve-based facility features a borrowing base equal to the greater of a fixed amount of $45 million or a variable amount based upon the value of the Company’s oil and gas reserves as assessed by Wells Fargo Bank. The assessment of the Company’s oil and gas reserves is redetermined biannually in May and November. The RBL has a scheduled maturity date of February 26, 2021. The RBL has a variable annual interest rate based on the Company’s option, either the London InterBank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) plus an applicable margin (Eurodollar rate) or the base rate (as defined in the Agreement) plus an applicable margin. In addition, a commitment fee between 0.375% and 0.5% per annum is charged on the unutilized balance of the committed borrowings. Debt issuance costs of incurred totaled $0.7 million at June 30, 2016. The terms of the RBL contains representations, warranties, covenants and events of default that are customary for investment-grade, commercial bank credit agreements.

In June 2016, Wells Fargo Bank redetermined the Company’s borrowing based under the RBL and increased the variable amount to $90 million. For the period from January 12, 2016 (inception) to June 30, 2016, the Company had drawn $42.5 million in borrowings under the RBL.

 

4. MEMBERS’ CAPITAL

The LLC agreement dated February 25, 2016 governs the Company’s ownership. Capital contributions from Members during the period from January 12, 2016 (inception) to June 30, 2016 were used to fund the Company’s ongoing operating and investing activities including the purchase of properties explained in Note 2.

Net income or loss and distributions are allocated among the members as follows:

 

    First to the Series A and Series B unit holders until such time as they have received distributions equal to a 8% per annum hurdle rate compounded quarterly, pro-rata, in accordance with their respective capital;

 

    Subsequent to the hurdle rate return, net income or loss and distributions shall continue to be allocated in accordance with the respective capital contribution percentages until such time as unrecovered capital has been distributed, pro-rata, in accordance with their respective capital contribution percentages;

 

    Subsequent to the aforementioned returns, and prior to such time that net income or loss and distributions allocated to the Series A unit holders are equal in the aggregate to the greater of 200% return-on-investment and 20% discounted annual percentage rate of return, net income or loss and distributions shall be allocated to Series A unit holders at 79.00% with remaining amount allocated to Series B unit holders;

 

    Lastly, once the condition above has occurred, net income or loss and distributions shall be allocated based on the secondary sharing percentage, with 63.20% allocated to Series A unit holders and the remaining amount allocated to Series B unit holders.

 

5. RISK MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES

The Company elected not to designate any of its financial commodity derivative contracts as accounting hedges and, accordingly, accounted for these financial commodity derivative contracts using the mark-to-market accounting method. During 2016, the Company recognized unrealized losses on the mark-to-market of financial commodity derivative contracts of $9.1 million and realized losses of $0.5 million on cash settled commodity derivative contracts.

 

10


The use of derivatives involves the risk that the counterparties to such instruments will be unable to meet the financial terms of such contracts. The Company’s derivative contracts are currently with one counterparty. The Company has netting arrangements with the counterparty that provide for the offset of payables against receivables from separate derivative arrangements with the counterparty in the event of contract termination. The derivative contracts may be terminated by a non-defaulting party in the event of default by one of the parties to the agreement. There are no credit-risk-related contingent features or circumstances in which the features could be triggered in derivative instruments that are in a net liability position at the end of the reporting period.

US GAAP establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurement) and lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurement).

The three levels of fair value hierarchy are as follows:

 

    Level 1 — Quoted prices are available in active markets for identical assets or liabilities as of the reporting date.

 

    Level 2 — Pricing inputs are other than quoted prices in active markets, which are either directly or indirectly observable as of the reporting date. Level 2 includes those financial instruments that are valued using models or other valuation methodologies.

 

    Level 3 — Pricing inputs include significant inputs that are generally less observable from objective sources. These inputs may be used with internally developed methodologies that result in management’s best estimate of fair value.

 

11


The following table provided fair value measurement information within the fair value hierarchy for certain of the Company’s financial assets carried at fair value on a recurring basis at June 30, 2016. Amounts shown in thousands.

 

Fair Value Measurements                            
     Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets
(Level 1)
     Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
     Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
     Total  

As of June 30, 2016

           

Financial liabilities

           

Crude oil collars

     —        $ (3,334      —        $ (3,334

Crude oil swaps

     —        $ (4,837      —        $ (4,837

Natural gas swaps

     —        $ (999      —        $ (999

The estimated fair value of crude oil derivative contracts was based upon forward commodity price curves based on quoted market prices.

The following summarizing our commodity derivative positions as of June 30, 2016:

SWAPS

 

Production Year

   Annual Volumes
(barrels)
     Swap Price WTI
(NYMEX)
     Annual
Volumes
(mmbtu)
     Swap Price
Henry Hub
(NYMEX)
 

2016

     129,283       $ 40.53         409,840       $ 2.23   

2017

     186,779       $ 41.52         594,015       $ 2.44   

2018

     141,983       $ 42.41         452,352       $ 2.48   

COLLARS

 

Production Year

   Annual Volumes
(barrels)
     Put Price WTI
(NYMEX)
     Call Price WTI
(NYMEX)
 

2016

     129,283       $ 35.83       $ 47.84   

2017

     186,779       $ 35.83       $ 47.84   

2018

     141,983       $ 35.83         47.84   

Nonrecurring Fair Value Measurements —Certain nonfinancial assets and liabilities are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis (e.g., oil and natural gas properties) and are subject to fair value adjustments under certain circumstances. The inputs used to determine such fair value are primarily based upon internally developed cash flow models and are classified within Level 3.

 

12


During the period from January 12, 2016 (inception) to June 30, 2016, using a discounted cash flow valuation technique, we adjusted the carrying value of certain oil and natural gas properties and recorded impairment charges of $0.09 million. The impairment charges primarily resulted from a decline in oil and natural gas prices and to a much lesser extent to minor changes in management’s assumptions, based on an extensive review of operating results, production history, price realizations and costs.

 

6. RELATED PARTIES

On February 26, 2016 Silver Hill Energy Partners, LLC entered into a Management Services Agreement with the company to provide certain operational and general and administrative services with respect to the company’s Delaware Basin assets.

 

7. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

As of October 11, 2016 the Company had increased the variable amount under the RBL to $86 million by drawing $43.5 million subsequent to June 30, 2016.

Subsequent events have been assessed through October 12, 2016, the date this report was available for issuance.

****

 

13

Exhibit 99.8

RSP PERMIAN, INC.

PRO FORMA COMBINED BALANCE SHEET

AS OF JUNE 30, 2016

(in thousands)

 

     Historical
RSP Permian
    SHEP I LLC     SHEP II LLC     Pro Forma
Adjustments
           Total  

ASSETS

             

Current Assets:

             

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 32,855      $ 5,516      $ 4,023      $ (24,539     (a)(b)(d)       $ 17,855   

Accounts receivable:

             

Oil and natural gas sales

     32,005        6,000        4,607        (10,607     (b)         32,005   

Joint interest owners and other

     2,342        —          —          —             2,342   

Derivatives – settled, but uncollected

     246        —          —          —             246   

Short-term derivative instruments

     5,378        —          —          —             5,378   

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     35        192        62        (254     (b)         35   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total Current Assets

     72,861        11,708        8,692        (35,400        57,861   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

 

Property, plant & equipment, at cost:

             

Oil and natural gas properties, successful efforts method

     3,249,109        208,700        344,222        1,941,623        (b)         5,743,654   

Accumulated depreciation, depletion and impairment

     (451,586     (44,431     (6,215     50,646        (b)(c)         (451,586
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

 

Oil and natural gas properties, net

     2,797,523        164,269        338,007        1,992,269           5,292,068   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

 

Other property and equipment

     38,328        —          —          —             38,328   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total Property, plant & equipment, at cost

     2,835,851        164,269        338,007        1,992,269           5,330,396   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

 

Restricted cash

     152        —          —          —             152   

Other long-term assets

     15,492        120        —          (120     (b)         15,492   

Debt issuance costs

     —          302        652        (954     (b)         —     

Investment in Midstream Joint Venture

     —          54,642        —          (54,642     (b)         —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total Assets

   $ 2,924,356      $ 231,041      $ 347,351      $ 1,901,153         $ 5,403,091   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY/MEMBERS’ CAPITAL

             

Current Liabilities:

             

Accounts payable

   $ 11,487      $ 12,795      $ 15,106      $ (25,561     (b)         13,827   

Accrued expenses

     37,277        67        19,061        (19,128     (b)         37,277   

Interest payable

     12,022        —          —          —          (d)         12,022   

Deferred taxes

     —          190        —          (190     (b)         —     

Short-term derivative instruments

     7,131        845        4,121        (4,966     (b)         7,131   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total Current Liabilities

     67,917        13,897        38,288        (49,845        70,257   

Long-term debt

     687,305        39,000        42,500        373,500        (a)(b)         1,142,305   

Asset retirement obligations

     8,962        1,274        1,233        —             11,469   

Long-term derivative instruments

     —          270        5,050        (5,320     (b)         —     

Deferred tax liabilities

     324,137        —          —          —          (e)         324,137   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total Liabilities

     1,088,321        54,441        87,071        318,335           1,548,168   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

 

Stockholders’ Equity/Members’ Capital:

             

Members’ capital

     —          176,600        260,280        (436,880     (b)         —     

Common stock

     1,017        —          —          510        (a)(b)         1,527   

Additional paid-in capital

     1,877,992        —          —          2,019,490        (a)(b)         3,897,482   

Retained earnings

     (42,974     —          —          (302     (a)(b)(d)(e)         (43,276
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total Equity

     1,836,035        176,600        260,280        1,582,818           3,855,733   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total Liabilities & Equity

   $ 2,924,356      $ 231,041      $ 347,351      $ 1,901,153         $ 5,403,901   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

1


RSP PERMIAN, INC.

PRO FORMA STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2016

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

     Historical
RSP Permian
    SHEP I
LLC
    SHEP II
LLC from
January 12,
2016 to

June 30,
2016
    Concho
Properties
Working
Interest
from Jan 1,

2016 to
February 25,
2016
     Pro Forma
Adjustments
         Total  

REVENUES

                

Oil sales

   $ 126,490      $ —        $ —        $ 3,862       $ 30,674      (f)    $ 161,026   

Natural gas sales

     4,940        —          —          186         2,215      (f)      7,341   

NGL sales

     5,871        —          —          —           29      (f)      5,900   

Crude oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids

     —          19,773        13,627        —           (33,400   (f)      —     

Unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives

     —          (3,634     (9,171     —           12,805      (f)      —     

Realized gain (loss) on derivatives

     —          723        (526     —           (197   (f)      —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total revenues

   $ 137,301      $ 16,862      $ 3,930      $ 4,048       $ 12,126         $ 174,267   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

 

OPERATING EXPENSES

                

Lease operating expenses

     27,185        6,299        4,034        1,993         (203   (f)      39,308   

Production and ad valorem taxes

     9,113        820        511        —           203      (f)      10,647   

Depreciation, depletion, and amortization

     91,855        6,733        6,123        —           38      (c)      104,749   

Asset retirement obligation accretion

     236        —          —          —           —             236   

Impairments

     3,350        2,345        92        —           —             5,787   

Exploration

     469        557        —          —           —             1,026   

General and administrative expenses

     17,140        1,505        1,418        —           —             20,063   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total operating costs and expenses

   $ 149,348      $ 18,259      $ 12,178      $ 1,993       $ 38         $ 181,816   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Gain on sale of assets

     —          —          —          —           —             —     

Operating income

     (12,047     (1,397     (8,248     2,055         12,088           (7,549
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

 

OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)

                

Other income

     277        —          —          —           482      (f)      759   

Loss on derivative instruments

     (3,288     —          —          —           (12,608   (f)      (15,896

Interest expense

     (25,895     (431     (472     —           (7,963   (d)      (34,761
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total other expense

   $ (28,906   $ (431   $ (472   $ —         $ (20,089      $ (49,898
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

 

INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE TAXES

     (40,953     (1,828     (8,720     2,055         (8,001        (57,447

Income and Franchise Tax Expense

     13,735        —          —          —           5,343      (e)      19,078   

Equity Gain in Midstream Joint Venture

     —          231        —          —           (231   (g)      —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

 

NET INCOME (LOSS)

   $ (27,218   $ (1,597   $ (8,720   $ 2,055       $ (2,889      $ (38,369
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Per share amounts

                

Basic: Net Loss

   $ (0.27            (h)    $ (0.25

Diluted: Net Loss

   $ (0.27            (h)    $ (0.25

Weighted Average Shares Outstanding

                

Basic

     100,125                    151,125   

Diluted

     100,125                    151,125   

 

2


RSP PERMIAN, INC.

PRO FORMA STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2015

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

     Historical
RSP
Permian
    SHEP I LLC     Concho Properties
Working Interest
     Pro Forma
Adjustments
         Total  

REVENUES

              

Oil sales

   $ 263,286      $ —        $ 23,713       $ 14,194      (f)    $ 301,193   

Natural gas sales

     10,517        —          1,061         868      (f)      12,446   

NGL sales

     10,189        —          —           14      (f)      10,203   

Crude oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids

     —          15,381        —           (15,381   (f)      —     

Unrealized gain on derivatives

     —          2,519        —           (2,519   (f)      —     

Realized gain on derivatives

     —          394        —           (394   (f)      —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total revenues

   $ 283,992      $ 18,294      $ 24,774       $ (3,218      $ 323,842   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

 

OPERATING EXPENSES

              

Lease operating expenses

     53,124        5,306        9,438         (1,256   (f)      66,612   

Production and ad valorem taxes

     19,995        664        —           1,256      (f)      21,915   

Depreciation, depletion, and amortization

     154,039        8,835        —           31,574      (c)      194,448   

Asset retirement obligation accretion

     336        —          —           —             336   

Impairments

     34,269        8,074        —           —             42,343   

Exploration

     2,380        —          —           —             2,380   

General and administrative expenses

     27,317        4,368        —           —             31,685   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total operating costs and expenses

   $ 291,460      $ 27,247      $ 9,438       $ 31,574         $ 359,719   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Gain on sale of assets

     306        —          —           —             306   

Operating income

     (7,774     (8,953     15,336         (34,792        (36,183
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

 

OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)

              

Other income

     469        —          —           3      (f)      472   

Gain (Loss) on derivative instruments

     20,906        —          —           2,913      (f)      23,819   

Interest expense

     (43,538     (278     —           (15,925   (d)      (59,741
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total other income (expense)

   $ (22,163   $ (278   $ —         $ (13,009      $ (35,450
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

 

INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE TAXES

     (29,937     (9,231     15,336         (47,801        (71,633

Income and Franchise Tax Expense

     11,683        (199     —           14,884      (e)      26,368   

Equity Losses in Midstream Joint Venture

     —          (474     —           474      (g)      —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

 

NET INCOME (LOSS)

   $ (18,254   $ (9,904   $ 15,336       $ (32,443      $ (45,265
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Per share amounts

              

Basic: Net Loss

   $ (0.21          (h)    $ (0.33

Diluted: Net Loss

   $ (0.21          (h)    $ (0.33

Weighted Average Shares Outstanding

              

Basic

     86,770                  137,770   

Diluted

     86,770                  137,770   

 

3


RSP PERMIAN, INC.

UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Introduction

RSP Permian, Inc. (the “Company”) is a Delaware corporation formed as a successor to RSP Permian, L.L.C. (“RSP”) in September 2013 to engage in the acquisition, development, exploration and exploitation of unconventional, onshore oil and natural gas reserves in the Permian Basin in West Texas. The following unaudited pro forma combined financial statements of the Company reflect the combined historical results of RSP, Silver Hill Energy Partners I and Silver Hill Energy Partners II, on a pro forma basis to give effect to the following transactions, which are described in further detail below, as if they had occurred on June 30, 2016 for pro forma balance sheet purposes, and on January 1, 2015 for pro forma statements of operations purposes:

The Silver Hill Energy Partners Acquisition. On October 13, 2016, RSP agreed to acquire all of the outstanding membership interests of Silver Hill Energy Partners I (“SHEP I”) and Silver Hill Energy Partners II (“SHEP II”) (collectively, “Silver Hill”). Silver Hill is engaged in the acquisition and development of working and leasehold interests in oil and natural gas properties located in the Permian Basin.

The Equity Offering. For purposes of the unaudited pro forma combined financial statements, the “Equity Offering” is defined as the issuance and sale to the public of 20 million shares of the Company’s common stock in October 2016, resulting in $780 million of proceeds, net of underwriting discounts, commissions and offering-related expenses.

The unaudited pro forma combined statements of operations of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2015 are based on the audited historical statements of operations of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2015, adjusted to give effect to the Silver Hill acquisitions and the aforementioned Equity Offering as if they occurred on January 1, 2015.

The unaudited pro forma combined statements of operations of the Company for the six months ended June 30, 2016 are based on the unaudited historical statements of operations of the Company for the six months ended June 30, 2016, adjusted to give effect to the Silver Hill acquisitions and the aforementioned Equity Offerings as if they occurred on January 1, 2015. The unaudited pro forma combined consolidated balance sheet of the Company as of June 30, 2106 is based on the unaudited historical consolidated balance sheet of the Company as of June 30, 2016, adjusted to give effect to the Silver Hill acquisitions and the aforementioned Equity Offerings as if they occurred on June 30, 2016.

The pro forma data presented reflect events directly attributable to the described transactions and certain assumptions that the Company believes are reasonable. The pro forma data are not necessarily indicative of financial results that would have been attained had the described transactions occurred on the dates indicated above because they necessarily exclude various operating expenses, such as incremental general and administrative expenses that may be necessary to run the combined companies. The adjustments are based on currently available information and certain estimates and assumptions. Management believes that the assumptions provide a reasonable basis for presenting the significant effects of the transactions as contemplated and that the pro forma adjustments give appropriate effect to those assumptions and are properly applied in the unaudited pro forma financial statements.

The unaudited pro forma financial statements and related notes are presented for illustrative purposes only. If the Equity Offering and the Silver Hill acquisitions contemplated herein had occurred in the past, the Company’s operating results might have been materially different from those presented in the unaudited pro forma financial statements. The unaudited pro forma combined financial statements should not be relied upon as an indication of operating results that the Company would have achieved if the transactions contemplated herein had taken place on the specified date. In addition, future results may vary significantly from the results reflected in the unaudited pro forma financial statements of operations and should not be relied on as an indication of the future results the Company will have after the completion of the transactions noted in these unaudited pro forma combined financial statements.

The following notes discuss the columns presented and the entries made to the unaudited combined financial statements.

 

4


RSP Permian,   Inc. This column represents the unaudited historical statements of operations and consolidated balance sheet for the Company for the applicable period.

SHEP I. This column represents the unaudited historical statements of operations and consolidated balance sheet for SHEP I for the applicable period.

SHEP II. This column represents the unaudited historical statements of operations and consolidated balance sheet for the SHEP II for the applicable period.

Concho Properties Working Interest. This column represents the unaudited historical statement of operations for an acquiree of SHEP II. These assets were comprise solely of working interests in producing oil and gas properties.

Note 1 – Pro Forma Adjustments

Pro Forma Adjustments. We made the following adjustments in the preparation of the unaudited pro forma statements of operations.

 

  (a) Adjustments to reflect the Equity Offering, additional borrowings under the Company’s credit facility, and related proceeds.

 

  (b) Adjustments to reflect the purchase of SHEP I and SHEP II, elimination of assets owned by SHEP I and SHEP II but retained by the selling shareholders of Silver Hill, and elimination of SHEP I and SHEP II equity balances.

The purchase price of the SHEP I and SHEP II acquisitions is estimated at $2.5 billion and is comprised of the fair value of 31 million shares of RSP common stock issued to the selling shareholders of Silver Hill, with estimated value of $1.24 billion, along with $1.211 billion of cash paid to those same selling shareholders, and liabilities assumed.

 

  (c) Adjustments to historical depreciation, depletion, and amortization of SHEP I and SHEP II for the step up of oil and natural gas properties to estimated fair value. The initial allocation of value was approximately $2.0 billion to unproved property and $0.5 billion to proved property.

 

  (d) Adjustments to reflect the increase in interest expense on approximately $455.0 million of borrowings by RSP to fund the SHEP I and SHEP II acquisitions, using an interest rate of 3.5% which was the prime rate on our credit facility at June 30, 2016.

 

  (e) Reflects the estimated incremental income tax provision associated with the Company’s historical results of operations, the SHEP I and SHEP II results of operations, and pro forma adjustments, assuming these earnings had been subject to federal income tax as a subchapter C corporation using an effective tax rate of approximately 35.5%, which is inclusive of federal and state income taxes.

 

  (f) Adjustments to reclassify certain revenues and expenses of SHEP I and SHEP II to conform with the Company’s presentation of these revenues and expenses.

 

  (g) Adjustments to eliminate equity gains and losses from a joint venture owned by SHEP I that will not be purchased by RSP.

 

  (h) Basic and diluted earnings per share is based on the sale of 20 million shares of the Company’s common stock in the public offering and then the issuance of 31 million shares of the Company’s common stock as consideration in the purchase of SHEP I and SHEP II.

 

5


Note 2 – Pro Forma Supplemental Oil and Natural Gas Reserve Information

The following tables set forth certain unaudited pro forma information concerning the Company’s proved crude oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids (“NGLs”) reserves for the year December 31, 2015, giving effect to the acquisitions of SHEP I and SHEP II as if it had occurred on January 1, 2015. There are numerous uncertainties inherent in estimating the quantities of proved reserves and projecting future rates of production and timing of development costs. The estimates of reserves, and the standardized measure of future net cash flow, shown below, reflects SHEP I and SHEP II’s development plan for their properties, rather than the Company’s development plan for the properties. The following reserve data represent estimates only and should not be construed as being precise. SHEP I and SHEP II natural gas reserves include NGLs.

 

           Natural
gas
                Oil           NGLs     Total  
     (MMCF)     (MBbls)     (MBbls)     (MBoe)  
     RSP
Historical
    SHEP I
Historical
    SHEP II
Historical
    RSP
Historical
    SHEP I
Historical
    SHEP II
Historical
    RSP
Historical
    RSP Pro
Forma
 

Proved developed and undeveloped reserves:

                

As of December 31, 2014

     92,422        3,038        4,313        69,273        1,452        2,699        21,739        111,792   

Revisions of previous estimates

     (20,205     (2,515     (2,151     (12,886     (993     (1,056     (4,251     (23,331

Extensions, discoveries, and other additions

     55,313        12,030        14,876        50,375        7,718        9,258        6,971        88,025   

Purchases of minerals in place

     10,968        —          —          10,178        —          —          2,373        14,379   

Production

     (4,991     (324     (359     (5,805     (335     (566     (1,045     (8,697
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2015

     133,507        12,229        16,679        111,135        7,842        10,335        25,787        182,168   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Proved developed reserves:

                

December 31, 2014

     35,921        440        2,119        27,716        396        1,281        8,221        44,027   

December 31, 2015

     56,640        3,770        5,726        44,128        2,182        3,668        11,020        72,021   

Proved undeveloped reserves:

                

December 31, 2014

     56,501        2,598        2,194        41,557        1,056        1,418        13,518        67,765   

December 31, 2015

     76,867        8,459        10,952        67,007        5,660        6,667        14,767        110,147   

 

6


Standardized Measure of Discounted Future Net Cash Flows

Summarized in the following table is information for the standardized measure of discounted cash flows relating to proved reserves as of December 31, 2015, giving effect to the acquisitions of SHEP I and SHEP II. The standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows does not purport to be, nor should it be interpreted to present, the fair value of the oil and natural gas reserves of the property. An estimate of fair value would take into account, among other things, the recovery of reserves not presently classified as proved, the value of unproved properties, and consideration of expected future economic and operating conditions.

The estimates of future cash flows and future production and development costs as of December 31, 2015 are based on the unweighted arithmetic average first-day-of-the-month price for the preceding 12-month period. Estimated future production of proved reserves and estimated future production and development costs of proved reserves are based on current costs and economic conditions. All wellhead prices are held flat over the forecast period for all reserve categories. The estimated future net cash flows are then discounted at a rate of 10%.

The standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows relating to proved oil and natural gas reserves is as follows:

 

     December 31, 2015  
     RSP
Historical
     SHEP I
Historical
     SHEP II Historical      RSP Pro
Forma
 
(in thousands)   

 

                      

Future cash inflows

   $ 5,964,332       $ 383,872       $ 541,964       $ 6,890,168   

Future production costs

     (1,855,044      (130,061      (156,706      (2,141,811

Future development costs

     (1,187,244      (78,366      (82,700      (1,348,310

Future income tax expense (1)

     (699,070      (2,015      (2,845      (703,930
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Future net cash flows

     2,222,974         173,430         299,713         2,696,117   

10% discount for estimated timing of cash flows

     (1,426,958      (103,413      (163,339      (1,693,710
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows

   $ 796,016       $ 70,017       $ 136,374       $ 1,002,407   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1) Future net cash flows for SHEP I and SHEP II do not include the effects of income taxes on future revenues because those entities are limited liability companies not subject to entity-level income taxation. Accordingly, no provision for federal has been provided because taxable income was passed through to their equity holders. Had SHEP I and SHEP II been subject to entity-level income taxation for federal purposes, it is estimated the additional taxes would be $41.3 million and $62.6 million for SHEP I and SHEP II, respectively.

In the foregoing determination of future cash inflows, sales prices used for gas and oil for December 31, 2015 were estimated using the average price during the 12-month period, determined as the unweighted arithmetic average of the first-day-of-the-month price for each month. Prices were adjusted by lease for quality, transportation fees and regional price differentials. Future costs of developing and producing the proved gas and oil reserves reported at the end of each year shown were based on costs determined at each such year-end, assuming the continuation of existing economic conditions.

It is not intended that the FASB’s standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows represent the fair market value of the Company’s proved reserves. The Company cautions that the disclosures shown are based on estimates of proved reserve quantities and future production schedules which are inherently imprecise and subject to revision, and the 10% discount rate is arbitrary. In addition, costs and prices as of the measurement date are used in the determinations, and no value may be assigned to probable or possible reserves.

 

7


Changes in the standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows relating to proved oil and natural gas reserves are as follows:

 

            December 31, 2015                
     RSP Historical      SHEP I Historical      SHEP II Historical      RSP Pro Forma  
(in thousands)                            

Standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows, beginning of year

   $ 876,131       $ 26,624       $ 56,619       $ 959,374   

Changes in the year resulting from:

           

Sales, less production taxes

     (210,874      (9,411      (15,336      (235,621

Revisions of previous quantity estimates

     (192,081      (16,709      (4,332      (213,122

Extensions, discoveries, and other additions

     440,744         69,595         118,162         628,501   

Net change in prices and production costs

     (537,613      (9,170      (29,308      (576,091

Changes in estimated future development costs

     14,480         —           —           14,480   

Previously estimated development costs incurred during the period

     107,829         —           700         108,529   

Divestiture of reserves

     —           —           —           —     

Purchases of minerals in place

     95,207         —           —           95,207   

Accretion of discount

     131,764         2,706         5,764         140,234   

Net change in income taxes

     164,377         (516      (389      163,472   

Timing differences and other

     (93,948      6,898         4,494         (82,556
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows, end of year

   $ 796,016       $ 70,017       $ 136,374       $ 1,002,407   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Estimates of economically recoverable oil and natural gas reserves and of future net revenues are based upon a number of variable factors and assumptions, all of which are to some degree subjective and may vary considerably from actual results. Therefore, actual production, revenues, development and operating expenditures may not occur as estimated. The reserve data are estimates only, are subject to many uncertainties and are based on data gained from production histories and on assumptions as to geologic formations and other matters. Actual quantities of oil and natural gas may differ materially from the amounts estimated.

 

8

Exhibit 99.9

 

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October 12, 2016

Mr. Emery M. Petrof III

Silver Hill Energy Partners, LLC

5949 Sherry Lane, Suite 1550

Dallas, Texas 75225

Dear Mr. Petrof:

In accordance with your request, we have estimated the proved reserves and future revenue, as of June 30, 2016, to the Silver Hill Energy Partners, LLC (Silver Hill) interest in certain oil and gas properties located in the Delaware Basin, Texas. We completed our evaluation on or about August 12, 2016. It is our understanding that the proved reserves estimated in this report constitute all of the proved reserves owned by Silver Hill. The estimates in this report have been prepared in accordance with the definitions and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and conform to the FASB Accounting Standards Codification Topic 932 , Extractive Activities—Oil and Gas, except that future income taxes are excluded for all properties and, as requested, per-well overhead expenses are excluded for the operated properties.   Definitions are presented immediately following this letter. This report has been prepared for filing with the SEC; in our opinion the assumptions, data, methods, and procedures used in the preparation of this report are appropriate for such purpose.

We estimate the net reserves and future net revenue to the Silver Hill interest in these properties, as of June 30, 2016, to be:

 

     Net Reserves      Future Net Revenue (M$)  

Category

   Oil
(MBBL)
     Gas
(MMCF)
     Total      Present Worth
at 10%
 

Proved Developed Producing

     6,127.0         10,485.4         179,092.7         104,690.8   

Proved Developed Non-Producing

     594.1         875.5         18,177.6         10,833.5   

Proved Undeveloped

     12,521.3         18,535.1         252,560.4         77,007.7   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Proved

     19,242.3         29,896.0         449,830.7         192,532.0   

Totals may not add because of rounding.

The oil volumes shown include crude oil only. Oil volumes are expressed in thousands of barrels (MBBL); a barrel is equivalent to 42 United States gallons. Gas volumes are expressed in millions of cubic feet (MMCF) at standard temperature and pressure bases.

The estimates shown in this report are for proved reserves. No study was made to determine whether probable or possible reserves might be established for these properties. This report does not include any value that could be attributed to interests in undeveloped acreage beyond those tracts for which undeveloped reserves have been estimated. Reserves categorization conveys the relative degree of certainty; reserves subcategorization is based on development and production status. The estimates of reserves and future revenue included herein have not been adjusted for risk.

Gross revenue is Silver Hill’s share of the gross (100 percent) revenue from the properties prior to any deductions. Future net revenue is after deductions for Silver Hill’s share of production taxes, ad valorem taxes, capital costs, and operating expenses but before consideration of any income taxes. The future net revenue has been discounted at an annual rate of 10 percent to determine its present worth, which is shown to indicate the effect of time on the value of money. Future net revenue presented in this report, whether discounted or undiscounted, should not be construed as being the fair market value of the properties.

 

2100 R OSS A VENUE , S UITE 2200 • D ALLAS , T EXAS 75201 • P H : 214-969-5401 • F AX : 214-969-5411    info@nsai-petro.com
1301 M C K INNEY S TREET , S UITE 3200 • H OUSTON , T EXAS 77010 • P H : 713-654-4950 • F AX : 713-654-4951    netherlandsewell.com


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Prices used in this report are based on the 12-month unweighted arithmetic average of the first-day-of-the-month price for each month in the period July 2015 through June 2016. For oil volumes, the average West Texas Intermediate spot price of $43.12 per barrel is adjusted by field for quality, transportation fees, and market differentials. For gas volumes, the average Henry Hub spot price of $2.237 per MMBTU is adjusted by field for energy content, transportation fees, and market differentials. All prices are held constant throughout the lives of the properties. The average adjusted product prices weighted by production over the remaining lives of the properties are $40.88 per barrel of oil and $2.898 per MCF of gas.

Operating costs used in this report are based on operating expense records of Silver Hill. For the nonoperated properties, these costs include the per-well overhead expenses allowed under joint operating agreements along with estimates of costs to be incurred at and below the district and field levels. As requested, operating costs for the operated properties include only direct lease- and field-level costs. Operating costs have been divided into per-well costs and per-unit-of-production costs. For all properties, headquarters general and administrative overhead expenses of Silver Hill are not included. Operating costs are not escalated for inflation.

Capital costs used in this report were provided by Silver Hill and are based on authorizations for expenditure and actual costs from recent activity. Capital costs are included as required for new development wells and production equipment. Based on our understanding of future development plans, a review of the records provided to us, and our knowledge of similar properties, we regard these estimated capital costs to be reasonable. Capital costs are not escalated for inflation. As requested, our estimates do not include any salvage value for the lease and well equipment or the cost of abandoning the properties.

For the purposes of this report, we did not perform any field inspection of the properties, nor did we examine the mechanical operation or condition of the wells and facilities. We have not investigated possible environmental liability related to the properties; therefore, our estimates do not include any costs due to such possible liability.

We have made no investigation of potential volume and value imbalances resulting from overdelivery or underdelivery to the Silver Hill interest. Therefore, our estimates of reserves and future revenue do not include adjustments for the settlement of any such imbalances; our projections are based on Silver Hill receiving its net revenue interest share of estimated future gross production.

The reserves shown in this report are estimates only and should not be construed as exact quantities. Proved reserves are those quantities of oil and gas which, by analysis of engineering and geoscience data, can be estimated with reasonable certainty to be economically producible; probable and possible reserves are those additional reserves which are sequentially less certain to be recovered than proved reserves. Estimates of reserves may increase or decrease as a result of market conditions, future operations, changes in regulations, or actual reservoir performance. In addition to the primary economic assumptions discussed herein, our estimates are based on certain assumptions including, but not limited to, that the properties will be developed consistent with current development plans as provided to us by Silver Hill, that the properties will be operated in a prudent manner, that no governmental regulations or controls will be put in place that would impact the ability of the interest owner to recover the reserves, and that our projections of future production will prove consistent with actual performance. If the reserves are recovered, the revenues therefrom and the costs related thereto could be more or less than the estimated amounts. Because of governmental policies and uncertainties of supply and demand, the sales rates, prices received for the reserves, and costs incurred in recovering such reserves may vary from assumptions made while preparing this report.

For the purposes of this report, we used technical and economic data including, but not limited to, well logs, geologic maps, well test data, production data, historical price and cost information, and property ownership interests. The reserves in this report have been estimated using deterministic methods; these estimates have been prepared in accordance with the Standards Pertaining to the Estimating and Auditing of Oil and Gas


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Reserves Information promulgated by the SPE (SPE Standards). We used standard engineering and geoscience methods, or a combination of methods, including performance analysis and analogy, that we considered to be appropriate and necessary to categorize and estimate reserves in accordance with SEC definitions and regulations. A substantial portion of these reserves are for undeveloped locations; such reserves are based on analogy to properties with similar geologic and reservoir characteristics. As in all aspects of oil and gas evaluation, there are uncertainties inherent in the interpretation of engineering and geoscience data; therefore, our conclusions necessarily represent only informed professional judgment.

The data used in our estimates were obtained from Silver Hill, other interest owners, various operators of the properties, public data sources, and the nonconfidential files of Netherland, Sewell & Associates, Inc. (NSAI) and were accepted as accurate. Supporting work data are on file in our office. We have not examined the titles to the properties or independently confirmed the actual degree or type of interest owned. The technical person primarily responsible for preparing the estimates presented herein meets the requirements regarding qualifications, independence, objectivity, and confidentiality set forth in the SPE Standards. Michael B. Begland, a Licensed Professional Engineer in the State of Texas, has been practicing consulting petroleum engineering at NSAI since 1993 and has over 8 years of prior industry experience. We are independent petroleum engineers, geologists, geophysicists, and petrophysicists; we do not own an interest in these properties nor are we employed on a contingent basis.

 

Sincerely,
NETHERLAND, SEWELL & ASSOCIATES, INC.
Texas Registered Engineering Firm F-2699
By:   /s/ C.H. (Scott) Rees III
  C.H. (Scott) Rees III, P.E.
  Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
By:   /s/ Michael B. Begland
  Michael B. Begland, P.E. 104898
  Vice President
Date Signed: October 12, 2016

MBB:CVH

 

Please be advised that the digital document you are viewing is provided by Netherland, Sewell & Associates, Inc. (NSAI) as a convenience to our clients. The digital document is intended to be substantively the same as the original signed document maintained by NSAI. The digital document is subject to the parameters, limitations, and conditions stated in the original document. In the event of any differences between the digital document and the original document, the original document shall control and supersede the digital document.


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DEFINITIONS OF OIL AND GAS RESERVES

Adapted from U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Regulation S-X Section 210.4-10(a)

The following definitions are set forth in U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Regulation S-X Section 210.4-10(a). Also included is supplemental information from (1) the 2007 Petroleum Resources Management System approved by the Society of Petroleum Engineers, (2) the FASB Accounting Standards Codification Topic 932, Extractive Activities—Oil and Gas, and (3) the SEC’s Compliance and Disclosure Interpretations.

(1) Acquisition of properties.   Costs incurred to purchase, lease or otherwise acquire a property, including costs of lease bonuses and options to purchase or lease properties, the portion of costs applicable to minerals when land including mineral rights is purchased in fee, brokers’ fees, recording fees, legal costs, and other costs incurred in acquiring properties.

(2) Analogous reservoir . Analogous reservoirs, as used in resources assessments, have similar rock and fluid properties, reservoir conditions (depth, temperature, and pressure) and drive mechanisms, but are typically at a more advanced stage of development than the reservoir of interest and thus may provide concepts to assist in the interpretation of more limited data and estimation of recovery. When used to support proved reserves, an “analogous reservoir” refers to a reservoir that shares the following characteristics with the reservoir of interest:

 

  (i) Same geological formation (but not necessarily in pressure communication with the reservoir of interest);

 

  (ii) Same environment of deposition;

 

  (iii) Similar geological structure; and

 

  (iv) Same drive mechanism.

Instruction to paragraph (a)(2) : Reservoir properties must, in the aggregate, be no more favorable in the analog than in the reservoir of interest.

(3) Bitumen . Bitumen, sometimes referred to as natural bitumen, is petroleum in a solid or semi-solid state in natural deposits with a viscosity greater than 10,000 centipoise measured at original temperature in the deposit and atmospheric pressure, on a gas free basis. In its natural state it usually contains sulfur, metals, and other non-hydrocarbons.

(4) Condensate . Condensate is a mixture of hydrocarbons that exists in the gaseous phase at original reservoir temperature and pressure, but that, when produced, is in the liquid phase at surface pressure and temperature.

(5) Deterministic estimate . The method of estimating reserves or resources is called deterministic when a single value for each parameter (from the geoscience, engineering, or economic data) in the reserves calculation is used in the reserves estimation procedure.

(6) Developed oil and gas reserves . Developed oil and gas reserves are reserves of any category that can be expected to be recovered:

 

  (i) Through existing wells with existing equipment and operating methods or in which the cost of the required equipment is relatively minor compared to the cost of a new well; and

 

  (ii) Through installed extraction equipment and infrastructure operational at the time of the reserves estimate if the extraction is by means not involving a well.

 

 

 

Supplemental definitions from the 2007 Petroleum Resources Management System:

 

Developed Producing Reserves – Developed Producing Reserves are expected to be recovered from completion intervals that are open and producing at the time of the estimate. Improved recovery reserves are considered producing only after the improved recovery project is in operation.

 

Developed Non-Producing Reserves – Developed Non-Producing Reserves include shut-in and behind-pipe Reserves. Shut-in Reserves are expected to be recovered from (1) completion intervals which are open at the time of the estimate but which have not yet started producing, (2) wells which were shut-in for market conditions or pipeline connections, or (3) wells not capable of production for mechanical reasons. Behind-pipe Reserves are expected to be recovered from zones in existing wells which will require additional completion work or future recompletion prior to start of production. In all cases, production can be initiated or restored with relatively low expenditure compared to the cost of drilling a new well.

 

 

Definitions - Page 1 of 7


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DEFINITIONS OF OIL AND GAS RESERVES

Adapted from U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Regulation S-X Section 210.4-10(a)

 

(7) Development costs.   Costs incurred to obtain access to proved reserves and to provide facilities for extracting, treating, gathering and storing the oil and gas. More specifically, development costs, including depreciation and applicable operating costs of support equipment and facilities and other costs of development activities, are costs incurred to:

 

  (i) Gain access to and prepare well locations for drilling, including surveying well locations for the purpose of determining specific development drilling sites, clearing ground, draining, road building, and relocating public roads, gas lines, and power lines, to the extent necessary in developing the proved reserves.

 

  (ii) Drill and equip development wells, development-type stratigraphic test wells, and service wells, including the costs of platforms and of well equipment such as casing, tubing, pumping equipment, and the wellhead assembly.

 

  (iii) Acquire, construct, and install production facilities such as lease flow lines, separators, treaters, heaters, manifolds, measuring devices, and production storage tanks, natural gas cycling and processing plants, and central utility and waste disposal systems.

 

  (iv) Provide improved recovery systems.

(8) Development project . A development project is the means by which petroleum resources are brought to the status of economically producible. As examples, the development of a single reservoir or field, an incremental development in a producing field, or the integrated development of a group of several fields and associated facilities with a common ownership may constitute a development project.

(9) Development well . A well drilled within the proved area of an oil or gas reservoir to the depth of a stratigraphic horizon known to be productive.

(10) Economically producible . The term economically producible, as it relates to a resource, means a resource which generates revenue that exceeds, or is reasonably expected to exceed, the costs of the operation. The value of the products that generate revenue shall be determined at the terminal point of oil and gas producing activities as defined in paragraph (a)(16) of this section.

(11) Estimated ultimate recovery (EUR) . Estimated ultimate recovery is the sum of reserves remaining as of a given date and cumulative production as of that date.

(12) Exploration costs . Costs incurred in identifying areas that may warrant examination and in examining specific areas that are considered to have prospects of containing oil and gas reserves, including costs of drilling exploratory wells and exploratory-type stratigraphic test wells. Exploration costs may be incurred both before acquiring the related property (sometimes referred to in part as prospecting costs) and after acquiring the property. Principal types of exploration costs, which include depreciation and applicable operating costs of support equipment and facilities and other costs of exploration activities, are:

 

  (i) Costs of topographical, geographical and geophysical studies, rights of access to properties to conduct those studies, and salaries and other expenses of geologists, geophysical crews, and others conducting those studies. Collectively, these are sometimes referred to as geological and geophysical or “G&G” costs.

 

  (ii) Costs of carrying and retaining undeveloped properties, such as delay rentals, ad valorem taxes on properties, legal costs for title defense, and the maintenance of land and lease records.

 

  (iii) Dry hole contributions and bottom hole contributions.

 

  (iv) Costs of drilling and equipping exploratory wells.

 

  (v) Costs of drilling exploratory-type stratigraphic test wells.

(13) Exploratory well . An exploratory well is a well drilled to find a new field or to find a new reservoir in a field previously found to be productive of oil or gas in another reservoir. Generally, an exploratory well is any well that is not a development well, an extension well, a service well, or a stratigraphic test well as those items are defined in this section.

(14) Extension well . An extension well is a well drilled to extend the limits of a known reservoir.

 

Definitions - Page 2 of 7


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DEFINITIONS OF OIL AND GAS RESERVES

Adapted from U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Regulation S-X Section 210.4-10(a)

 

(15) Field . An area consisting of a single reservoir or multiple reservoirs all grouped on or related to the same individual geological structural feature and/or stratigraphic condition. There may be two or more reservoirs in a field which are separated vertically by intervening impervious strata, or laterally by local geologic barriers, or by both. Reservoirs that are associated by being in overlapping or adjacent fields may be treated as a single or common operational field. The geological terms “structural feature” and “stratigraphic condition” are intended to identify localized geological features as opposed to the broader terms of basins, trends, provinces, plays, areas-of-interest, etc.

(16) Oil and gas producing activities.

 

  (i) Oil and gas producing activities include:

 

  (A) The search for crude oil, including condensate and natural gas liquids, or natural gas (“oil and gas”) in their natural states and original locations;

 

  (B) The acquisition of property rights or properties for the purpose of further exploration or for the purpose of removing the oil or gas from such properties;

 

  (C) The construction, drilling, and production activities necessary to retrieve oil and gas from their natural reservoirs, including the acquisition, construction, installation, and maintenance of field gathering and storage systems, such as:

 

  (1) Lifting the oil and gas to the surface; and

 

  (2) Gathering, treating, and field processing (as in the case of processing gas to extract liquid hydrocarbons); and

 

  (D) Extraction of saleable hydrocarbons, in the solid, liquid, or gaseous state, from oil sands, shale, coalbeds, or other nonrenewable natural resources which are intended to be upgraded into synthetic oil or gas, and activities undertaken with a view to such extraction.

Instruction 1 to paragraph (a)(16)(i) : The oil and gas production function shall be regarded as ending at a “terminal point”, which is the outlet valve on the lease or field storage tank. If unusual physical or operational circumstances exist, it may be appropriate to regard the terminal point for the production function as:

 

  a. The first point at which oil, gas, or gas liquids, natural or synthetic, are delivered to a main pipeline, a common carrier, a refinery, or a marine terminal; and

 

  b. In the case of natural resources that are intended to be upgraded into synthetic oil or gas, if those natural resources are delivered to a purchaser prior to upgrading, the first point at which the natural resources are delivered to a main pipeline, a common carrier, a refinery, a marine terminal, or a facility which upgrades such natural resources into synthetic oil or gas.

Instruction 2 to paragraph (a)(16)(i): For purposes of this paragraph (a)(16), the term saleable hydrocarbons means hydrocarbons that are saleable in the state in which the hydrocarbons are delivered.

 

  (ii) Oil and gas producing activities do not include:

 

  (A) Transporting, refining, or marketing oil and gas;

 

  (B) Processing of produced oil, gas, or natural resources that can be upgraded into synthetic oil or gas by a registrant that does not have the legal right to produce or a revenue interest in such production;

 

  (C) Activities relating to the production of natural resources other than oil, gas, or natural resources from which synthetic oil and gas can be extracted; or

 

  (D) Production of geothermal steam.

(17) Possible reserves.   Possible reserves are those additional reserves that are less certain to be recovered than probable reserves.

 

  (i) When deterministic methods are used, the total quantities ultimately recovered from a project have a low probability of exceeding proved plus probable plus possible reserves. When probabilistic methods are used, there should be at least a 10% probability that the total quantities ultimately recovered will equal or exceed the proved plus probable plus possible reserves estimates.

 

Definitions - Page 3 of 7


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DEFINITIONS OF OIL AND GAS RESERVES

Adapted from U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Regulation S-X Section 210.4-10(a)

 

  (ii) Possible reserves may be assigned to areas of a reservoir adjacent to probable reserves where data control and interpretations of available data are progressively less certain. Frequently, this will be in areas where geoscience and engineering data are unable to define clearly the area and vertical limits of commercial production from the reservoir by a defined project.

 

  (iii) Possible reserves also include incremental quantities associated with a greater percentage recovery of the hydrocarbons in place than the recovery quantities assumed for probable reserves.

 

  (iv) The proved plus probable and proved plus probable plus possible reserves estimates must be based on reasonable alternative technical and commercial interpretations within the reservoir or subject project that are clearly documented, including comparisons to results in successful similar projects.

 

  (v) Possible reserves may be assigned where geoscience and engineering data identify directly adjacent portions of a reservoir within the same accumulation that may be separated from proved areas by faults with displacement less than formation thickness or other geological discontinuities and that have not been penetrated by a wellbore, and the registrant believes that such adjacent portions are in communication with the known (proved) reservoir. Possible reserves may be assigned to areas that are structurally higher or lower than the proved area if these areas are in communication with the proved reservoir.

 

  (vi) Pursuant to paragraph (a)(22)(iii) of this section, where direct observation has defined a highest known oil (HKO) elevation and the potential exists for an associated gas cap, proved oil reserves should be assigned in the structurally higher portions of the reservoir above the HKO only if the higher contact can be established with reasonable certainty through reliable technology. Portions of the reservoir that do not meet this reasonable certainty criterion may be assigned as probable and possible oil or gas based on reservoir fluid properties and pressure gradient interpretations.

(18) Probable reserves. Probable reserves are those additional reserves that are less certain to be recovered than proved reserves but which, together with proved reserves, are as likely as not to be recovered.

 

  (i) When deterministic methods are used, it is as likely as not that actual remaining quantities recovered will exceed the sum of estimated proved plus probable reserves. When probabilistic methods are used, there should be at least a 50% probability that the actual quantities recovered will equal or exceed the proved plus probable reserves estimates.

 

  (ii) Probable reserves may be assigned to areas of a reservoir adjacent to proved reserves where data control or interpretations of available data are less certain, even if the interpreted reservoir continuity of structure or productivity does not meet the reasonable certainty criterion. Probable reserves may be assigned to areas that are structurally higher than the proved area if these areas are in communication with the proved reservoir.

 

  (iii) Probable reserves estimates also include potential incremental quantities associated with a greater percentage recovery of the hydrocarbons in place than assumed for proved reserves.

 

  (iv) See also guidelines in paragraphs (a)(17)(iv) and (a)(17)(vi) of this section.

(19) Probabilistic estimate. The method of estimation of reserves or resources is called probabilistic when the full range of values that could reasonably occur for each unknown parameter (from the geoscience and engineering data) is used to generate a full range of possible outcomes and their associated probabilities of occurrence.

(20) Production costs.

 

  (i) Costs incurred to operate and maintain wells and related equipment and facilities, including depreciation and applicable operating costs of support equipment and facilities and other costs of operating and maintaining those wells and related equipment and facilities. They become part of the cost of oil and gas produced. Examples of production costs (sometimes called lifting costs) are:

 

  (A) Costs of labor to operate the wells and related equipment and facilities.

 

  (B) Repairs and maintenance.

 

  (C) Materials, supplies, and fuel consumed and supplies utilized in operating the wells and related equipment and facilities.

 

Definitions - Page 4 of 7


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DEFINITIONS OF OIL AND GAS RESERVES

Adapted from U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Regulation S-X Section 210.4-10(a)

 

  (D) Property taxes and insurance applicable to proved properties and wells and related equipment and facilities.

 

  (E) Severance taxes.

 

  (ii) Some support equipment or facilities may serve two or more oil and gas producing activities and may also serve transportation, refining, and marketing activities. To the extent that the support equipment and facilities are used in oil and gas producing activities, their depreciation and applicable operating costs become exploration, development or production costs, as appropriate. Depreciation, depletion, and amortization of capitalized acquisition, exploration, and development costs are not production costs but also become part of the cost of oil and gas produced along with production (lifting) costs identified above.

(21) Proved area. The part of a property to which proved reserves have been specifically attributed.

(22) Proved oil and gas reserves. Proved oil and gas reserves are those quantities of oil and gas, which, by analysis of geoscience and engineering data, can be estimated with reasonable certainty to be economically producible—from a given date forward, from known reservoirs, and under existing economic conditions, operating methods, and government regulations—prior to the time at which contracts providing the right to operate expire, unless evidence indicates that renewal is reasonably certain, regardless of whether deterministic or probabilistic methods are used for the estimation. The project to extract the hydrocarbons must have commenced or the operator must be reasonably certain that it will commence the project within a reasonable time.

 

  (i) The area of the reservoir considered as proved includes:

 

  (A) The area identified by drilling and limited by fluid contacts, if any, and

 

  (B) Adjacent undrilled portions of the reservoir that can, with reasonable certainty, be judged to be continuous with it and to contain economically producible oil or gas on the basis of available geoscience and engineering data.

 

  (ii) In the absence of data on fluid contacts, proved quantities in a reservoir are limited by the lowest known hydrocarbons (LKH) as seen in a well penetration unless geoscience, engineering, or performance data and reliable technology establishes a lower contact with reasonable certainty.

 

  (iii) Where direct observation from well penetrations has defined a highest known oil (HKO) elevation and the potential exists for an associated gas cap, proved oil reserves may be assigned in the structurally higher portions of the reservoir only if geoscience, engineering, or performance data and reliable technology establish the higher contact with reasonable certainty.

 

  (iv) Reserves which can be produced economically through application of improved recovery techniques (including, but not limited to, fluid injection) are included in the proved classification when:

 

  (A) Successful testing by a pilot project in an area of the reservoir with properties no more favorable than in the reservoir as a whole, the operation of an installed program in the reservoir or an analogous reservoir, or other evidence using reliable technology establishes the reasonable certainty of the engineering analysis on which the project or program was based; and

 

  (B) The project has been approved for development by all necessary parties and entities, including governmental entities.

 

  (v) Existing economic conditions include prices and costs at which economic producibility from a reservoir is to be determined. The price shall be the average price during the 12-month period prior to the ending date of the period covered by the report, determined as an unweighted arithmetic average of the first-day-of-the-month price for each month within such period, unless prices are defined by contractual arrangements, excluding escalations based upon future conditions.

(23) Proved properties.  Properties with proved reserves.

(24) Reasonable certainty.  If deterministic methods are used, reasonable certainty means a high degree of confidence that the quantities will be recovered. If probabilistic methods are used, there should be at least a 90%

 

Definitions - Page 5 of 7


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DEFINITIONS OF OIL AND GAS RESERVES

Adapted from U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Regulation S-X Section 210.4-10(a)

 

probability that the quantities actually recovered will equal or exceed the estimate. A high degree of confidence exists if the quantity is much more likely to be achieved than not, and, as changes due to increased availability of geoscience (geological, geophysical, and geochemical), engineering, and economic data are made to estimated ultimate recovery (EUR) with time, reasonably certain EUR is much more likely to increase or remain constant than to decrease.

(25) Reliable technology. Reliable technology is a grouping of one or more technologies (including computational methods) that has been field tested and has been demonstrated to provide reasonably certain results with consistency and repeatability in the formation being evaluated or in an analogous formation.

(26) Reserves.   Reserves are estimated remaining quantities of oil and gas and related substances anticipated to be economically producible, as of a given date, by application of development projects to known accumulations. In addition, there must exist, or there must be a reasonable expectation that there will exist, the legal right to produce or a revenue interest in the production, installed means of delivering oil and gas or related substances to market, and all permits and financing required to implement the project.

Note to paragraph (a)(26) : Reserves should not be assigned to adjacent reservoirs isolated by major, potentially sealing, faults until those reservoirs are penetrated and evaluated as economically producible. Reserves should not be assigned to areas that are clearly separated from a known accumulation by a non-productive reservoir (i.e., absence of reservoir, structurally low reservoir, or negative test results). Such areas may contain prospective resources (i.e., potentially recoverable resources from undiscovered accumulations).

 

 

Excerpted from the FASB Accounting Standards Codification Topic 932, Extractive Activities—Oil and Gas:

  
   
932-235-50-30 A standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows relating to an entity’s interests in both of the following shall be disclosed as of the end of the year:   
   
        a.    Proved oil and gas reserves (see paragraphs 932-235-50-3 through 50-11B)   
   
        b.    Oil and gas subject to purchase under long-term supply, purchase, or similar agreements and contracts in which the entity participates in the operation of the properties on which the oil or gas is located or otherwise serves as the producer of those reserves (see paragraph 932-235-50-7).   
   
The standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows relating to those two types of interests in reserves may be combined for reporting purposes.   
   
932-235-50-31 All of the following information shall be disclosed in the aggregate and for each geographic area for which reserve quantities are disclosed in accordance with paragraphs 932-235-50-3 through 50-11B:   
   
        a.    Future cash inflows. These shall be computed by applying prices used in estimating the entity’s proved oil and gas reserves to the year-end quantities of those reserves. Future price changes shall be considered only to the extent provided by contractual arrangements in existence at year-end.   
   
        b.    Future development and production costs. These costs shall be computed by estimating the expenditures to be incurred in developing and producing the proved oil and gas reserves at the end of the year, based on year-end costs and assuming continuation of existing economic conditions. If estimated development expenditures are significant, they shall be presented separately from estimated production costs.   
   
        c.    Future income tax expenses. These expenses shall be computed by applying the appropriate year-end statutory tax rates, with consideration of future tax rates already legislated, to the future pretax net cash flows relating to the entity’s proved oil and gas reserves, less the tax basis of the properties involved. The future income tax expenses shall give effect to tax deductions and tax credits and allowances relating to the entity’s proved oil and gas reserves.   
   
        d.    Future net cash flows. These amounts are the result of subtracting future development and production costs and future income tax expenses from future cash inflows.   
   
        e.    Discount. This amount shall be derived from using a discount rate of 10 percent a year to reflect the timing of the future net cash flows relating to proved oil and gas reserves.   
   
        f.   

Standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows. This amount is the future net cash flows less the computed discount.

 

  

(27) Reservoir.  A porous and permeable underground formation containing a natural accumulation of producible oil and/or gas that is confined by impermeable rock or water barriers and is individual and separate from other reservoirs.

 

Definitions - Page 6 of 7


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DEFINITIONS OF OIL AND GAS RESERVES

Adapted from U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Regulation S-X Section 210.4-10(a)

 

(28) Resources.  Resources are quantities of oil and gas estimated to exist in naturally occurring accumulations. A portion of the resources may be estimated to be recoverable, and another portion may be considered to be unrecoverable. Resources include both discovered and undiscovered accumulations.

(29) Service well.  A well drilled or completed for the purpose of supporting production in an existing field. Specific purposes of service wells include gas injection, water injection, steam injection, air injection, salt-water disposal, water supply for injection, observation, or injection for in-situ combustion.

(30) Stratigraphic test well.  A stratigraphic test well is a drilling effort, geologically directed, to obtain information pertaining to a specific geologic condition. Such wells customarily are drilled without the intent of being completed for hydrocarbon production. The classification also includes tests identified as core tests and all types of expendable holes related to hydrocarbon exploration. Stratigraphic tests are classified as “exploratory type” if not drilled in a known area or “development type” if drilled in a known area.

(31) Undeveloped oil and gas reserves.  Undeveloped oil and gas reserves are reserves of any category that are expected to be recovered from new wells on undrilled acreage, or from existing wells where a relatively major expenditure is required for recompletion.

 

  (i) Reserves on undrilled acreage shall be limited to those directly offsetting development spacing areas that are reasonably certain of production when drilled, unless evidence using reliable technology exists that establishes reasonable certainty of economic producibility at greater distances.

 

  (ii) Undrilled locations can be classified as having undeveloped reserves only if a development plan has been adopted indicating that they are scheduled to be drilled within five years, unless the specific circumstances, justify a longer time.

 

   
   

From the SEC’s Compliance and Disclosure Interpretations (October 26, 2009):

 
   
   

Although several types of projects — such as constructing offshore platforms and development in urban areas, remote locations or environmentally sensitive locations — by their nature customarily take a longer time to develop and therefore often do justify longer time periods, this determination must always take into consideration all of the facts and circumstances. No particular type of project per se justifies a longer time period, and any extension beyond five years should be the exception, and not the rule.

 
   
   

Factors that a company should consider in determining whether or not circumstances justify recognizing reserves even though development may extend past five years include, but are not limited to, the following:

 
   
          •    The company’s level of ongoing significant development activities in the area to be developed (for example, drilling only the minimum number of wells necessary to maintain the lease generally would not constitute significant development activities);  
   
          •    The company’s historical record at completing development of comparable long-term projects;  
   
          •    The amount of time in which the company has maintained the leases, or booked the reserves, without significant development activities;  
   
          •    The extent to which the company has followed a previously adopted development plan (for example, if a company has changed its development plan several times without taking significant steps to implement any of those plans, recognizing proved undeveloped reserves typically would not be appropriate); and  
   
          •   

The extent to which delays in development are caused by external factors related to the physical operating environment (for example, restrictions on development on Federal lands, but not obtaining government permits), rather than by internal factors (for example, shifting resources to develop properties with higher priority).

 

 

 

  (iii) Under no circumstances shall estimates for undeveloped reserves be attributable to any acreage for which an application of fluid injection or other improved recovery technique is contemplated, unless such techniques have been proved effective by actual projects in the same reservoir or an analogous reservoir, as defined in paragraph (a)(2) of this section, or by other evidence using reliable technology establishing reasonable certainty.

(32) Unproved properties.  Properties with no proved reserves.

 

Definitions - Page 7 of 7

Exhibit 99.10

 

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October 12, 2016

Mr. Emery M. Petrof III

Silver Hill E&P II, LLC

5949 Sherry Lane, Suite 1550

Dallas, Texas 75225

Dear Mr. Petrof:

In accordance with your request, we have estimated the proved reserves and future revenue, as of June 30, 2016, to the Silver Hill E&P II, LLC (Silver Hill II) interest in certain oil and gas properties located in the Delaware Basin, Texas. We completed our evaluation on or about August 18, 2016. It is our understanding that the proved reserves estimated in this report constitute all of the proved reserves owned by Silver Hill II. The estimates in this report have been prepared in accordance with the definitions and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and conform to the FASB Accounting Standards Codification Topic 932 , Extractive Activities—Oil and Gas, except that future income taxes are excluded for all properties and, as requested, per-well overhead expenses are excluded for the operated properties.   Definitions are presented immediately following this letter. This report has been prepared for filing with the SEC; in our opinion the assumptions, data, methods, and procedures used in the preparation of this report are appropriate for such purpose.

We estimate the net reserves and future net revenue to the Silver Hill II interest in these properties, as of June 30, 2016, to be:

 

     Net Reserves      Future Net Revenue (M$)  

Category

   Oil
(MBBL)
     Gas
(MMCF)
     Total      Present Worth
at 10%
 

Proved Developed Producing

     6,263.5         10,445.9         181,655.3         107,989.1   

Proved Undeveloped

     11,970.1         22,545.8         248,341.2         80,830.1   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Proved

     18,233.6         32,991.7         429,996.5         188,819.2   

The oil volumes shown include crude oil only. Oil volumes are expressed in thousands of barrels (MBBL); a barrel is equivalent to 42 United States gallons. Gas volumes are expressed in millions of cubic feet (MMCF) at standard temperature and pressure bases.

The estimates shown in this report are for proved developed producing and proved undeveloped reserves. Our study indicates that there are no proved developed non-producing reserves for these properties at this time. No study was made to determine whether probable or possible reserves might be established for these properties. This report does not include any value that could be attributed to interests in undeveloped acreage beyond those tracts for which undeveloped reserves have been estimated. Reserves categorization conveys the relative degree of certainty; reserves subcategorization is based on development and production status. The estimates of reserves and future revenue included herein have not been adjusted for risk.

Gross revenue is Silver Hill II’s share of the gross (100 percent) revenue from the properties prior to any deductions. Future net revenue is after deductions for Silver Hill II’s share of production taxes, ad valorem taxes, capital costs, and operating expenses but before consideration of any income taxes. The future net revenue has been discounted at an annual rate of 10 percent to determine its present worth, which is shown to indicate the effect of time on the value of money. Future net revenue presented in this report, whether discounted or undiscounted, should not be construed as being the fair market value of the properties.

 

 

2100 R OSS A VENUE , S UITE 2200 • D ALLAS , T EXAS 75201 • P H : 214-969-5401 • F AX : 214-969-5411    info@nsai-petro.com
1301 M C K INNEY S TREET , S UITE 3200 • H OUSTON , T EXAS 77010 • P H : 713-654-4950 • F AX : 713-654-4951    netherlandsewell.com


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Prices used in this report are based on the 12-month unweighted arithmetic average of the first-day-of-the-month price for each month in the period July 2015 through June 2016. For oil volumes, the average West Texas Intermediate spot price of $43.12 per barrel is adjusted by field for quality, transportation fees, and market differentials. For gas volumes, the average Henry Hub spot price of $2.237 per MMBTU is adjusted by field for energy content, transportation fees, and market differentials. All prices are held constant throughout the lives of the properties. The average adjusted product prices weighted by production over the remaining lives of the properties are $40.53 per barrel of oil and $2.878 per MCF of gas.

Operating costs used in this report are based on operating expense records of Silver Hill II. For the nonoperated properties, these costs include the per-well overhead expenses allowed under joint operating agreements along with estimates of costs to be incurred at and below the district and field levels. As requested, operating costs for the operated properties include only direct lease- and field-level costs. Operating costs have been divided into per-well costs and per-unit-of-production costs. For all properties, headquarters general and administrative overhead expenses of Silver Hill II are not included. Operating costs are not escalated for inflation.

Capital costs used in this report were provided by Silver Hill II and are based on authorizations for expenditure and actual costs from recent activity. Capital costs are included as required for new development wells and production equipment. Based on our understanding of future development plans, a review of the records provided to us, and our knowledge of similar properties, we regard these estimated capital costs to be reasonable. Capital costs are not escalated for inflation. As requested, our estimates do not include any salvage value for the lease and well equipment or the cost of abandoning the properties.

For the purposes of this report, we did not perform any field inspection of the properties, nor did we examine the mechanical operation or condition of the wells and facilities. We have not investigated possible environmental liability related to the properties; therefore, our estimates do not include any costs due to such possible liability.

We have made no investigation of potential volume and value imbalances resulting from overdelivery or underdelivery to the Silver Hill II interest. Therefore, our estimates of reserves and future revenue do not include adjustments for the settlement of any such imbalances; our projections are based on Silver Hill II receiving its net revenue interest share of estimated future gross production.

The reserves shown in this report are estimates only and should not be construed as exact quantities. Proved reserves are those quantities of oil and gas which, by analysis of engineering and geoscience data, can be estimated with reasonable certainty to be economically producible; probable and possible reserves are those additional reserves which are sequentially less certain to be recovered than proved reserves. Estimates of reserves may increase or decrease as a result of market conditions, future operations, changes in regulations, or actual reservoir performance. In addition to the primary economic assumptions discussed herein, our estimates are based on certain assumptions including, but not limited to, that the properties will be developed consistent with current development plans as provided to us by Silver Hill II, that the properties will be operated in a prudent manner, that no governmental regulations or controls will be put in place that would impact the ability of the interest owner to recover the reserves, and that our projections of future production will prove consistent with actual performance. If the reserves are recovered, the revenues therefrom and the costs related thereto could be more or less than the estimated amounts. Because of governmental policies and uncertainties of supply and demand, the sales rates, prices received for the reserves, and costs incurred in recovering such reserves may vary from assumptions made while preparing this report.

For the purposes of this report, we used technical and economic data including, but not limited to, geologic maps, well test data, production data, historical price and cost information, and property ownership interests. The reserves in this report have been estimated using deterministic methods; these estimates have been prepared in accordance with the Standards Pertaining to the Estimating and Auditing of Oil and Gas Reserves Information promulgated by the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE Standards). We used standard engineering and geoscience methods, or a combination of methods, including performance analysis and analogy, that we considered to be appropriate and necessary to categorize and estimate reserves in accordance with SEC


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definitions and regulations. A substantial portion of these reserves are for undeveloped locations; such reserves are based on analogy to properties with similar geologic and reservoir characteristics. As in all aspects of oil and gas evaluation, there are uncertainties inherent in the interpretation of engineering and geoscience data; therefore, our conclusions necessarily represent only informed professional judgment.

The data used in our estimates were obtained from Silver Hill II, other interest owners, public data sources, and the nonconfidential files of Netherland, Sewell & Associates, Inc. (NSAI) and were accepted as accurate. Supporting work data are on file in our office. We have not examined the titles to the properties or independently confirmed the actual degree or type of interest owned. The technical person primarily responsible for preparing the estimates presented herein meets the requirements regarding qualifications, independence, objectivity, and confidentiality set forth in the SPE Standards. Michael B. Begland, a Licensed Professional Engineer in the State of Texas, has been practicing consulting petroleum engineering at NSAI since 1993 and has over 8 years of prior industry experience. We are independent petroleum engineers, geologists, geophysicists, and petrophysicists; we do not own an interest in these properties nor are we employed on a contingent basis.

 

Sincerely,

NETHERLAND, SEWELL & ASSOCIATES, INC.

Texas Registered Engineering Firm F-2699

By:   /s/ C.H. (Scott) Rees III
  C.H. (Scott) Rees III, P.E.
  Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
By:   /s/ Michael B. Begland
  Michael B. Begland, P.E. 104898
  Vice President
Date Signed: October 12, 2016

MBB:CVH

 

Please be advised that the digital document you are viewing is provided by Netherland, Sewell & Associates, Inc. (NSAI) as a convenience to our clients. The digital document is intended to be substantively the same as the original signed document maintained by NSAI. The digital document is subject to the parameters, limitations, and conditions stated in the original document. In the event of any differences between the digital document and the original document, the original document shall control and supersede the digital document.


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DEFINITIONS OF OIL AND GAS RESERVES

Adapted from U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Regulation S-X Section 210.4-10(a)

The following definitions are set forth in U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Regulation S-X Section 210.4-10(a). Also included is supplemental information from (1) the 2007 Petroleum Resources Management System approved by the Society of Petroleum Engineers, (2) the FASB Accounting Standards Codification Topic 932, Extractive Activities—Oil and Gas, and (3) the SEC’s Compliance and Disclosure Interpretations.

(1) Acquisition of properties.   Costs incurred to purchase, lease or otherwise acquire a property, including costs of lease bonuses and options to purchase or lease properties, the portion of costs applicable to minerals when land including mineral rights is purchased in fee, brokers’ fees, recording fees, legal costs, and other costs incurred in acquiring properties.

(2) Analogous reservoir . Analogous reservoirs, as used in resources assessments, have similar rock and fluid properties, reservoir conditions (depth, temperature, and pressure) and drive mechanisms, but are typically at a more advanced stage of development than the reservoir of interest and thus may provide concepts to assist in the interpretation of more limited data and estimation of recovery. When used to support proved reserves, an “analogous reservoir” refers to a reservoir that shares the following characteristics with the reservoir of interest:

 

  (i) Same geological formation (but not necessarily in pressure communication with the reservoir of interest);

 

  (ii) Same environment of deposition;

 

  (iii) Similar geological structure; and

 

  (iv) Same drive mechanism.

Instruction to paragraph (a)(2) : Reservoir properties must, in the aggregate, be no more favorable in the analog than in the reservoir of interest.

(3) Bitumen . Bitumen, sometimes referred to as natural bitumen, is petroleum in a solid or semi-solid state in natural deposits with a viscosity greater than 10,000 centipoise measured at original temperature in the deposit and atmospheric pressure, on a gas free basis. In its natural state it usually contains sulfur, metals, and other non-hydrocarbons.

(4) Condensate . Condensate is a mixture of hydrocarbons that exists in the gaseous phase at original reservoir temperature and pressure, but that, when produced, is in the liquid phase at surface pressure and temperature.

(5) Deterministic estimate . The method of estimating reserves or resources is called deterministic when a single value for each parameter (from the geoscience, engineering, or economic data) in the reserves calculation is used in the reserves estimation procedure.

(6) Developed oil and gas reserves . Developed oil and gas reserves are reserves of any category that can be expected to be recovered:

 

  (i) Through existing wells with existing equipment and operating methods or in which the cost of the required equipment is relatively minor compared to the cost of a new well; and

 

  (ii) Through installed extraction equipment and infrastructure operational at the time of the reserves estimate if the extraction is by means not involving a well.

 

 

 

Supplemental definitions from the 2007 Petroleum Resources Management System:

 

Developed Producing Reserves – Developed Producing Reserves are expected to be recovered from completion intervals that are open and producing at the time of the estimate. Improved recovery reserves are considered producing only after the improved recovery project is in operation.

 

Developed Non-Producing Reserves – Developed Non-Producing Reserves include shut-in and behind-pipe Reserves. Shut-in Reserves are expected to be recovered from (1) completion intervals which are open at the time of the estimate but which have not yet started producing, (2) wells which were shut-in for market conditions or pipeline connections, or (3) wells not capable of production for mechanical reasons. Behind-pipe Reserves are expected to be recovered from zones in existing wells which will require additional completion work or future recompletion prior to start of production. In all cases, production can be initiated or restored with relatively low expenditure compared to the cost of drilling a new well.

 

 

Definitions - Page 1 of 7


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DEFINITIONS OF OIL AND GAS RESERVES

Adapted from U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Regulation S-X Section 210.4-10(a)

 

(7) Development costs.   Costs incurred to obtain access to proved reserves and to provide facilities for extracting, treating, gathering and storing the oil and gas. More specifically, development costs, including depreciation and applicable operating costs of support equipment and facilities and other costs of development activities, are costs incurred to:

 

  (i) Gain access to and prepare well locations for drilling, including surveying well locations for the purpose of determining specific development drilling sites, clearing ground, draining, road building, and relocating public roads, gas lines, and power lines, to the extent necessary in developing the proved reserves.

 

  (ii) Drill and equip development wells, development-type stratigraphic test wells, and service wells, including the costs of platforms and of well equipment such as casing, tubing, pumping equipment, and the wellhead assembly.

 

  (iii) Acquire, construct, and install production facilities such as lease flow lines, separators, treaters, heaters, manifolds, measuring devices, and production storage tanks, natural gas cycling and processing plants, and central utility and waste disposal systems.

 

  (iv) Provide improved recovery systems.

(8) Development project . A development project is the means by which petroleum resources are brought to the status of economically producible. As examples, the development of a single reservoir or field, an incremental development in a producing field, or the integrated development of a group of several fields and associated facilities with a common ownership may constitute a development project.

(9) Development well . A well drilled within the proved area of an oil or gas reservoir to the depth of a stratigraphic horizon known to be productive.

(10) Economically producible . The term economically producible, as it relates to a resource, means a resource which generates revenue that exceeds, or is reasonably expected to exceed, the costs of the operation. The value of the products that generate revenue shall be determined at the terminal point of oil and gas producing activities as defined in paragraph (a)(16) of this section.

(11) Estimated ultimate recovery (EUR) . Estimated ultimate recovery is the sum of reserves remaining as of a given date and cumulative production as of that date.

(12) Exploration costs . Costs incurred in identifying areas that may warrant examination and in examining specific areas that are considered to have prospects of containing oil and gas reserves, including costs of drilling exploratory wells and exploratory-type stratigraphic test wells. Exploration costs may be incurred both before acquiring the related property (sometimes referred to in part as prospecting costs) and after acquiring the property. Principal types of exploration costs, which include depreciation and applicable operating costs of support equipment and facilities and other costs of exploration activities, are:

 

  (i) Costs of topographical, geographical and geophysical studies, rights of access to properties to conduct those studies, and salaries and other expenses of geologists, geophysical crews, and others conducting those studies. Collectively, these are sometimes referred to as geological and geophysical or “G&G” costs.

 

  (ii) Costs of carrying and retaining undeveloped properties, such as delay rentals, ad valorem taxes on properties, legal costs for title defense, and the maintenance of land and lease records.

 

  (iii) Dry hole contributions and bottom hole contributions.

 

  (iv) Costs of drilling and equipping exploratory wells.

 

  (v) Costs of drilling exploratory-type stratigraphic test wells.

(13) Exploratory well . An exploratory well is a well drilled to find a new field or to find a new reservoir in a field previously found to be productive of oil or gas in another reservoir. Generally, an exploratory well is any well that is not a development well, an extension well, a service well, or a stratigraphic test well as those items are defined in this section.

(14) Extension well . An extension well is a well drilled to extend the limits of a known reservoir.

 

Definitions - Page 2 of 7


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DEFINITIONS OF OIL AND GAS RESERVES

Adapted from U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Regulation S-X Section 210.4-10(a)

 

(15) Field . An area consisting of a single reservoir or multiple reservoirs all grouped on or related to the same individual geological structural feature and/or stratigraphic condition. There may be two or more reservoirs in a field which are separated vertically by intervening impervious strata, or laterally by local geologic barriers, or by both. Reservoirs that are associated by being in overlapping or adjacent fields may be treated as a single or common operational field. The geological terms “structural feature” and “stratigraphic condition” are intended to identify localized geological features as opposed to the broader terms of basins, trends, provinces, plays, areas-of-interest, etc.

(16) Oil and gas producing activities.

 

  (i) Oil and gas producing activities include:

 

  (A) The search for crude oil, including condensate and natural gas liquids, or natural gas (“oil and gas”) in their natural states and original locations;

 

  (B) The acquisition of property rights or properties for the purpose of further exploration or for the purpose of removing the oil or gas from such properties;

 

  (C) The construction, drilling, and production activities necessary to retrieve oil and gas from their natural reservoirs, including the acquisition, construction, installation, and maintenance of field gathering and storage systems, such as:

 

  (1) Lifting the oil and gas to the surface; and

 

  (2) Gathering, treating, and field processing (as in the case of processing gas to extract liquid hydrocarbons); and

 

  (D) Extraction of saleable hydrocarbons, in the solid, liquid, or gaseous state, from oil sands, shale, coalbeds, or other nonrenewable natural resources which are intended to be upgraded into synthetic oil or gas, and activities undertaken with a view to such extraction.

Instruction 1 to paragraph (a)(16)(i) : The oil and gas production function shall be regarded as ending at a “terminal point”, which is the outlet valve on the lease or field storage tank. If unusual physical or operational circumstances exist, it may be appropriate to regard the terminal point for the production function as:

 

  a. The first point at which oil, gas, or gas liquids, natural or synthetic, are delivered to a main pipeline, a common carrier, a refinery, or a marine terminal; and

 

  b. In the case of natural resources that are intended to be upgraded into synthetic oil or gas, if those natural resources are delivered to a purchaser prior to upgrading, the first point at which the natural resources are delivered to a main pipeline, a common carrier, a refinery, a marine terminal, or a facility which upgrades such natural resources into synthetic oil or gas.

Instruction 2 to paragraph (a)(16)(i): For purposes of this paragraph (a)(16), the term saleable hydrocarbons means hydrocarbons that are saleable in the state in which the hydrocarbons are delivered.

 

  (ii) Oil and gas producing activities do not include:

 

  (A) Transporting, refining, or marketing oil and gas;

 

  (B) Processing of produced oil, gas, or natural resources that can be upgraded into synthetic oil or gas by a registrant that does not have the legal right to produce or a revenue interest in such production;

 

  (C) Activities relating to the production of natural resources other than oil, gas, or natural resources from which synthetic oil and gas can be extracted; or

 

  (D) Production of geothermal steam.

(17) Possible reserves.   Possible reserves are those additional reserves that are less certain to be recovered than probable reserves.

 

  (i) When deterministic methods are used, the total quantities ultimately recovered from a project have a low probability of exceeding proved plus probable plus possible reserves. When probabilistic methods are used, there should be at least a 10% probability that the total quantities ultimately recovered will equal or exceed the proved plus probable plus possible reserves estimates.

 

Definitions - Page 3 of 7


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DEFINITIONS OF OIL AND GAS RESERVES

Adapted from U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Regulation S-X Section 210.4-10(a)

 

  (ii) Possible reserves may be assigned to areas of a reservoir adjacent to probable reserves where data control and interpretations of available data are progressively less certain. Frequently, this will be in areas where geoscience and engineering data are unable to define clearly the area and vertical limits of commercial production from the reservoir by a defined project.

 

  (iii) Possible reserves also include incremental quantities associated with a greater percentage recovery of the hydrocarbons in place than the recovery quantities assumed for probable reserves.

 

  (iv) The proved plus probable and proved plus probable plus possible reserves estimates must be based on reasonable alternative technical and commercial interpretations within the reservoir or subject project that are clearly documented, including comparisons to results in successful similar projects.

 

  (v) Possible reserves may be assigned where geoscience and engineering data identify directly adjacent portions of a reservoir within the same accumulation that may be separated from proved areas by faults with displacement less than formation thickness or other geological discontinuities and that have not been penetrated by a wellbore, and the registrant believes that such adjacent portions are in communication with the known (proved) reservoir. Possible reserves may be assigned to areas that are structurally higher or lower than the proved area if these areas are in communication with the proved reservoir.

 

  (vi) Pursuant to paragraph (a)(22)(iii) of this section, where direct observation has defined a highest known oil (HKO) elevation and the potential exists for an associated gas cap, proved oil reserves should be assigned in the structurally higher portions of the reservoir above the HKO only if the higher contact can be established with reasonable certainty through reliable technology. Portions of the reservoir that do not meet this reasonable certainty criterion may be assigned as probable and possible oil or gas based on reservoir fluid properties and pressure gradient interpretations.

(18) Probable reserves. Probable reserves are those additional reserves that are less certain to be recovered than proved reserves but which, together with proved reserves, are as likely as not to be recovered.

 

  (i) When deterministic methods are used, it is as likely as not that actual remaining quantities recovered will exceed the sum of estimated proved plus probable reserves. When probabilistic methods are used, there should be at least a 50% probability that the actual quantities recovered will equal or exceed the proved plus probable reserves estimates.

 

  (ii) Probable reserves may be assigned to areas of a reservoir adjacent to proved reserves where data control or interpretations of available data are less certain, even if the interpreted reservoir continuity of structure or productivity does not meet the reasonable certainty criterion. Probable reserves may be assigned to areas that are structurally higher than the proved area if these areas are in communication with the proved reservoir.

 

  (iii) Probable reserves estimates also include potential incremental quantities associated with a greater percentage recovery of the hydrocarbons in place than assumed for proved reserves.

 

  (iv) See also guidelines in paragraphs (a)(17)(iv) and (a)(17)(vi) of this section.

(19) Probabilistic estimate. The method of estimation of reserves or resources is called probabilistic when the full range of values that could reasonably occur for each unknown parameter (from the geoscience and engineering data) is used to generate a full range of possible outcomes and their associated probabilities of occurrence.

(20) Production costs.

 

  (i) Costs incurred to operate and maintain wells and related equipment and facilities, including depreciation and applicable operating costs of support equipment and facilities and other costs of operating and maintaining those wells and related equipment and facilities. They become part of the cost of oil and gas produced. Examples of production costs (sometimes called lifting costs) are:

 

  (A) Costs of labor to operate the wells and related equipment and facilities.

 

  (B) Repairs and maintenance.

 

  (C) Materials, supplies, and fuel consumed and supplies utilized in operating the wells and related equipment and facilities.

 

Definitions - Page 4 of 7


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DEFINITIONS OF OIL AND GAS RESERVES

Adapted from U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Regulation S-X Section 210.4-10(a)

 

  (D) Property taxes and insurance applicable to proved properties and wells and related equipment and facilities.

 

  (E) Severance taxes.

 

  (ii) Some support equipment or facilities may serve two or more oil and gas producing activities and may also serve transportation, refining, and marketing activities. To the extent that the support equipment and facilities are used in oil and gas producing activities, their depreciation and applicable operating costs become exploration, development or production costs, as appropriate. Depreciation, depletion, and amortization of capitalized acquisition, exploration, and development costs are not production costs but also become part of the cost of oil and gas produced along with production (lifting) costs identified above.

(21) Proved area. The part of a property to which proved reserves have been specifically attributed.

(22) Proved oil and gas reserves. Proved oil and gas reserves are those quantities of oil and gas, which, by analysis of geoscience and engineering data, can be estimated with reasonable certainty to be economically producible—from a given date forward, from known reservoirs, and under existing economic conditions, operating methods, and government regulations—prior to the time at which contracts providing the right to operate expire, unless evidence indicates that renewal is reasonably certain, regardless of whether deterministic or probabilistic methods are used for the estimation. The project to extract the hydrocarbons must have commenced or the operator must be reasonably certain that it will commence the project within a reasonable time.

 

  (i) The area of the reservoir considered as proved includes:

 

  (A) The area identified by drilling and limited by fluid contacts, if any, and

 

  (B) Adjacent undrilled portions of the reservoir that can, with reasonable certainty, be judged to be continuous with it and to contain economically producible oil or gas on the basis of available geoscience and engineering data.

 

  (ii) In the absence of data on fluid contacts, proved quantities in a reservoir are limited by the lowest known hydrocarbons (LKH) as seen in a well penetration unless geoscience, engineering, or performance data and reliable technology establishes a lower contact with reasonable certainty.

 

  (iii) Where direct observation from well penetrations has defined a highest known oil (HKO) elevation and the potential exists for an associated gas cap, proved oil reserves may be assigned in the structurally higher portions of the reservoir only if geoscience, engineering, or performance data and reliable technology establish the higher contact with reasonable certainty.

 

  (iv) Reserves which can be produced economically through application of improved recovery techniques (including, but not limited to, fluid injection) are included in the proved classification when:

 

  (A) Successful testing by a pilot project in an area of the reservoir with properties no more favorable than in the reservoir as a whole, the operation of an installed program in the reservoir or an analogous reservoir, or other evidence using reliable technology establishes the reasonable certainty of the engineering analysis on which the project or program was based; and

 

  (B) The project has been approved for development by all necessary parties and entities, including governmental entities.

 

  (v) Existing economic conditions include prices and costs at which economic producibility from a reservoir is to be determined. The price shall be the average price during the 12-month period prior to the ending date of the period covered by the report, determined as an unweighted arithmetic average of the first-day-of-the-month price for each month within such period, unless prices are defined by contractual arrangements, excluding escalations based upon future conditions.

(23) Proved properties.  Properties with proved reserves.

(24) Reasonable certainty.  If deterministic methods are used, reasonable certainty means a high degree of confidence that the quantities will be recovered. If probabilistic methods are used, there should be at least a 90%

 

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DEFINITIONS OF OIL AND GAS RESERVES

Adapted from U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Regulation S-X Section 210.4-10(a)

 

probability that the quantities actually recovered will equal or exceed the estimate. A high degree of confidence exists if the quantity is much more likely to be achieved than not, and, as changes due to increased availability of geoscience (geological, geophysical, and geochemical), engineering, and economic data are made to estimated ultimate recovery (EUR) with time, reasonably certain EUR is much more likely to increase or remain constant than to decrease.

(25) Reliable technology. Reliable technology is a grouping of one or more technologies (including computational methods) that has been field tested and has been demonstrated to provide reasonably certain results with consistency and repeatability in the formation being evaluated or in an analogous formation.

(26) Reserves.   Reserves are estimated remaining quantities of oil and gas and related substances anticipated to be economically producible, as of a given date, by application of development projects to known accumulations. In addition, there must exist, or there must be a reasonable expectation that there will exist, the legal right to produce or a revenue interest in the production, installed means of delivering oil and gas or related substances to market, and all permits and financing required to implement the project.

Note to paragraph (a)(26) : Reserves should not be assigned to adjacent reservoirs isolated by major, potentially sealing, faults until those reservoirs are penetrated and evaluated as economically producible. Reserves should not be assigned to areas that are clearly separated from a known accumulation by a non-productive reservoir (i.e., absence of reservoir, structurally low reservoir, or negative test results). Such areas may contain prospective resources (i.e., potentially recoverable resources from undiscovered accumulations).

 

 

 

Excerpted from the FASB Accounting Standards Codification Topic 932, Extractive Activities—Oil and Gas:

 

932-235-50-30 A standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows relating to an entity’s interests in both of the following shall be disclosed as of the end of the year:

 

a.      Proved oil and gas reserves (see paragraphs 932-235-50-3 through 50-11B)

 

b.      Oil and gas subject to purchase under long-term supply, purchase, or similar agreements and contracts in which the entity participates in the operation of the properties on which the oil or gas is located or otherwise serves as the producer of those reserves (see paragraph 932-235-50-7).

 

The standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows relating to those two types of interests in reserves may be combined for reporting purposes.

 

932-235-50-31 All of the following information shall be disclosed in the aggregate and for each geographic area for which reserve quantities are disclosed in accordance with paragraphs 932-235-50-3 through 50-11B:

 

a.      Future cash inflows. These shall be computed by applying prices used in estimating the entity’s proved oil and gas reserves to the year-end quantities of those reserves. Future price changes shall be considered only to the extent provided by contractual arrangements in existence at year-end.

 

b.      Future development and production costs. These costs shall be computed by estimating the expenditures to be incurred in developing and producing the proved oil and gas reserves at the end of the year, based on year-end costs and assuming continuation of existing economic conditions. If estimated development expenditures are significant, they shall be presented separately from estimated production costs.

 

c.      Future income tax expenses. These expenses shall be computed by applying the appropriate year-end statutory tax rates, with consideration of future tax rates already legislated, to the future pretax net cash flows relating to the entity’s proved oil and gas reserves, less the tax basis of the properties involved. The future income tax expenses shall give effect to tax deductions and tax credits and allowances relating to the entity’s proved oil and gas reserves.

 

d.      Future net cash flows. These amounts are the result of subtracting future development and production costs and future income tax expenses from future cash inflows.

 

e.      Discount. This amount shall be derived from using a discount rate of 10 percent a year to reflect the timing of the future net cash flows relating to proved oil and gas reserves.

 

f.       Standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows. This amount is the future net cash flows less the computed discount.

 

 

(27) Reservoir.  A porous and permeable underground formation containing a natural accumulation of producible oil and/or gas that is confined by impermeable rock or water barriers and is individual and separate from other reservoirs.

 

Definitions - Page 6 of 7


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DEFINITIONS OF OIL AND GAS RESERVES

Adapted from U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Regulation S-X Section 210.4-10(a)

 

(28) Resources.  Resources are quantities of oil and gas estimated to exist in naturally occurring accumulations. A portion of the resources may be estimated to be recoverable, and another portion may be considered to be unrecoverable. Resources include both discovered and undiscovered accumulations.

(29) Service well.  A well drilled or completed for the purpose of supporting production in an existing field. Specific purposes of service wells include gas injection, water injection, steam injection, air injection, salt-water disposal, water supply for injection, observation, or injection for in-situ combustion.

(30) Stratigraphic test well.  A stratigraphic test well is a drilling effort, geologically directed, to obtain information pertaining to a specific geologic condition. Such wells customarily are drilled without the intent of being completed for hydrocarbon production. The classification also includes tests identified as core tests and all types of expendable holes related to hydrocarbon exploration. Stratigraphic tests are classified as “exploratory type” if not drilled in a known area or “development type” if drilled in a known area.

(31) Undeveloped oil and gas reserves.  Undeveloped oil and gas reserves are reserves of any category that are expected to be recovered from new wells on undrilled acreage, or from existing wells where a relatively major expenditure is required for recompletion.

 

  (i) Reserves on undrilled acreage shall be limited to those directly offsetting development spacing areas that are reasonably certain of production when drilled, unless evidence using reliable technology exists that establishes reasonable certainty of economic producibility at greater distances.

 

  (ii) Undrilled locations can be classified as having undeveloped reserves only if a development plan has been adopted indicating that they are scheduled to be drilled within five years, unless the specific circumstances, justify a longer time.

 

    

 

  From the SEC’s Compliance and Disclosure Interpretations (October 26, 2009):

   
   
  

Although several types of projects — such as constructing offshore platforms and development in urban areas, remote locations or environmentally sensitive locations — by their nature customarily take a longer time to develop and therefore often do justify longer time periods, this determination must always take into consideration all of the facts and circumstances. No particular type of project per se justifies a longer time period, and any extension beyond five years should be the exception, and not the rule.

 
   
  

Factors that a company should consider in determining whether or not circumstances justify recognizing reserves even though development may extend past five years include, but are not limited to, the following:

 
   
       •      The company’s level of ongoing significant development activities in the area to be developed (for example, drilling only the minimum number of wells necessary to maintain the lease generally would not constitute significant development activities);  
   
       •    The company’s historical record at completing development of comparable long-term projects;  
   
       •    The amount of time in which the company has maintained the leases, or booked the reserves, without significant development activities;  
   
       •    The extent to which the company has followed a previously adopted development plan (for example, if a company has changed its development plan several times without taking significant steps to implement any of those plans, recognizing proved undeveloped reserves typically would not be appropriate); and  
   
       •   

The extent to which delays in development are caused by external factors related to the physical operating environment (for example, restrictions on development on Federal lands, but not obtaining government permits), rather than by internal factors (for example, shifting resources to develop properties with higher priority).

 

 

 

  (iii) Under no circumstances shall estimates for undeveloped reserves be attributable to any acreage for which an application of fluid injection or other improved recovery technique is contemplated, unless such techniques have been proved effective by actual projects in the same reservoir or an analogous reservoir, as defined in paragraph (a)(2) of this section, or by other evidence using reliable technology establishing reasonable certainty.

(32) Unproved properties.  Properties with no proved reserves.

 

Definitions - Page 7 of 7