UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 8-K

 

 

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of report (Date of earliest event reported): April 28, 2017

 

 

Nuverra Environmental Solutions, Inc.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   001-33816   26-0287117

(State or Other Jurisdiction

of Incorporation)

 

(Commission

File Number)

 

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

14624 N. Scottsdale Road, Suite #300, Scottsdale, Arizona   85254
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)   (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (602) 903-7802

Not Applicable

(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)

 

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligations of the registrant under any of the following provisions ( see General Instruction A.2.):

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

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

 

Emerging growth company

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.

 

 

 


Item 1.01. Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.

The information set forth below in Item 1.03 of this Current Report on Form 8-K (“Form 8-K) regarding the RSA Amendment (as defined herein) is incorporated by reference into this Item 1.01.

 

Item 1.03. Bankruptcy or Receivership.

Chapter 11 Filing and Solicitation

On May 1, 2017, Nuverra Environmental Solutions, Inc. (the “Company”) and its subsidiaries (collectively with the Company, the “Nuverra Parties”) filed voluntary petitions under chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code (the “Bankruptcy Code”) in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware (the “Bankruptcy Court”) to pursue prepackaged plans of reorganization (together, the “Plan”). The Nuverra Parties will seek to have their chapter 11 cases jointly administered under the caption In re Nuverra Environmental Solutions, Inc. et al. (Case Nos. 17-10949 through 17-10962). No trustee has been appointed, and the Nuverra Parties will continue to operate the businesses as “debtors in possession” under the jurisdiction of the Bankruptcy Court and in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Bankruptcy Code and orders of the Bankruptcy Court. The Company expects to continue its operations without interruption during the pendency of the chapter 11 cases. To assure ordinary course operations, the Company is seeking approval from the Bankruptcy Court for a variety of “first day” motions seeking on an interim basis various relief and authorizing the Nuverra Parties to maintain their operations in the ordinary course.

The subsidiary debtors in the chapter 11 Cases are Heckmann Water Resources Corporation, Heckmann Water Resources (CVR) Inc., 1960 Well Services, LLC, HEK Water Solutions, LLC, Appalachian Water Services, LLC, Badlands Power Fuels, LLC (a Delaware limited liability company), Badlands Power Fuels, LLC (a North Dakota limited liability company), Landtech Enterprises, L.L.C., Badlands Leasing, LLC, Ideal Oilfield Disposal, LLC, Nuverra Total Solutions, LLC, NES Water Solutions, LLC and Heckmann Woods Cross, LLC.

On April 28, 2017, the Company commenced a solicitation of votes (the “Solicitation”) to accept or reject the Plan from holders of the Company’s 9.875% Senior Notes due 2018 (the “2018 Notes”), 12.5%/10.0% Senior Secured Second Lien Notes due 2021 (the “2021 Notes”), and indebtedness under its Term Loan Credit Agreement, as amended through the Ninth Amendment thereto, dated as of April 15, 2016, by and among Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB (“Wilmington”), the lenders named therein, and the Company (the “Term Loan Credit Agreement”).

A summary of the key features of the Plan was included in Item 1.01 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission on April 12, 2017, as amended by the RSA Amendment described below and a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 10.1 to this Form 8-K. The description of the Plan therein is only a summary and does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by the provisions of the disclosure statement (the “Disclosure Statement”) accompanying the Solicitation and the Plan. Court filings and other information related to the chapter 11 cases, including the Disclosure Statement and the Plan, are available at a website administered by the Company’s claims agent, Prime Clerk LLC, at http://cases.primeclerk.com/nuverra. The information provided on the claims agent’s website is not incorporated by reference into this Form 8-K.

DIP Revolving Facility

In connection with the filing of the Plan, the Nuverra Parties have sought Bankruptcy Court approval of a debtor-in-possession revolving credit facility on the terms set forth in a Debtor-in-Possession Credit


Agreement (the “DIP Revolving Facility”), to be entered into by and among the Company, the lenders party thereto (the “DIP Revolving Facility Lenders”), and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association (“Wells Fargo”), pursuant to which the DIP Revolving Facility Lenders will agree to provide the Company a secured revolving credit facility up to a maximum amount of $31.5 million to, among other things, refinance obligations under the Company’s existing asset-based lending facility, and to finance the ongoing general corporate needs of the Nuverra Parties during the course of the chapter 11 proceedings.

The maturity date of the DIP Revolving Facility will be the earliest to occur of: (i) August 7, 2017, (ii) the occurrence of an Event of Default (as defined in the DIP Revolving Facility), and (iii) the effective date of any chapter 11 plan of reorganization confirmed in connection with the chapter 11 cases. The DIP Revolving Facility will contain customary events of default, including events related to the chapter 11 proceedings, the occurrence of which could result in the acceleration of the Nuverra Parties’ obligation to repay the outstanding indebtedness under the DIP Revolving Facility. The Nuverra Parties’ obligations under the DIP Revolving Facility will be secured by a senior security interest in, and lien on, substantially all the assets of the Nuverra Parties.

The foregoing description of the proposed DIP Revolving Facility is only a summary and the DIP Revolving Facility is subject in all respects to Bankruptcy Court approval in a form satisfactory to the DIP Revolving Facility Lenders.

DIP Term Loan Agreement

In connection with the filing of the Plan, the Nuverra Parties have also sought Bankruptcy Court approval of a debtor-in-possession term loan on the terms set forth in a Debtor-in-Possession Term Loan Credit Agreement (the “DIP Term Loan Agreement”), to be entered into by and among the Company, the lenders party thereto (the “DIP Term Loan Lenders”), and Wilmington, pursuant to which the DIP Term Loan Lenders will agree to provide the Company with up to $12.5 million in financing in the form of an initial term loan in the amount equal to the lesser of (i) $2.5 million and (ii) the amount authorized by the Bankruptcy Court in its interim order, and subsequent term loans to, among other things, finance the ongoing general corporate needs of the Nuverra Parties during the course of the chapter 11 proceedings.

The maturity date of the DIP Term Loan Agreement will be the earliest to occur of: (i) August 7, 2017, (ii) the occurrence of an Event of Default (as defined in the DIP Term Loan Agreement), and (iii) the effective date of any chapter 11 plan of reorganization confirmed in connection with the chapter 11 cases. The DIP Term Loan Agreement will contain customary events of default, including events related to the chapter 11 proceedings, the occurrence of which could result in the acceleration of the Nuverra Parties’ obligation to repay the outstanding indebtedness under the DIP Term Loan Agreement. The Nuverra Parties’ obligations under the DIP Term Loan Agreement will be secured by a security interest in, and lien on, substantially all the assets of the Nuverra Parties.

The foregoing description of the proposed DIP Term Loan Agreement is only a summary and the DIP Term Loan Agreement is subject in all respects to Bankruptcy Court approval in a form satisfactory to the DIP Term Loan Lenders.

Amendment to Restructuring Support Agreement

On April 28, 2017, the Nuverra Parties entered into a Second Amendment to Restructuring Support Agreement (the “RSA Amendment”) with the holders of approximately 86% (the “Supporting Noteholders”) of the Company’s 2021 Notes, which further amends the Restructuring Support Agreement, dated as of April 9, 2017, by and among the Nuverra Parties and the Supporting Noteholders, as amended by that certain First Amendment to Restructuring Support Agreement, dated as of April 20,


2017 (the “RSA”). The RSA Amendment amends the term sheet (the “Amended Term Sheet”) attached to the RSA by, among other things, providing the separate prepackaged plans of reorganization for certain of the Company’s subsidiaries, which plans may be confirmed and consummated separate and apart from, and independent of, confirmation and consummation of each other. In addition, the RSA Amendment changes the timing of the contemplated rights offering from immediately after filing of the Plan to following confirmation of the Plan, and requires Mark D. Johnsrud, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chairman, to enter into a new employment agreement with the Company on terms mutually acceptable to Mr. Johnsrud and the Supporting Noteholders, which shall be assumed by the Nuverra Parties under the Plan.

The foregoing description of the RSA Amendment, including the Amended Term Sheet, is only a summary and does not purport to be complete, and such description is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the RSA Amendment (to which the Amended Term Sheet is attached), a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 10.1 to this Form 8-K and is incorporated by reference into this Item 1.03.

 

Item 2.04. Triggering Events that Accelerate or Increase a Direct Financial Obligation or Obligation Under an Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement.

The filing of the Plan described in Item 1.03 constitutes an event of default that accelerated the Company’s obligations under the following debt instruments (the “Debt Instruments”):

 

    Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, as amended through the Fourteenth Amendment thereto, dated as of February 3, 2014, by and among Wells Fargo, the lenders named therein, and the Company;

 

    Term Loan Credit Agreement;

 

    Indenture governing the Company’s 2018 Notes, as amended through the Fourth Supplemental Indenture thereto, dated April 10, 2012, by and between the Company and its subsidiaries and The Bank of New York Mellon, N.A.;

 

    Indenture governing the Company’s 2021 Notes, dated as of April 15, 2016, among the Company, Wilmington, and the guarantors party thereto; and

 

    Note issued in connection with the acquisition of the remaining 49% interest in Appalachian Water Services, LLC.

The Debt Instruments provide that as a result of the filing of the Plan, the principal and accrued interest due thereunder shall be immediately due and payable; however, any efforts to enforce such payment obligations under the Debt Instruments are automatically stayed as a result of the filing of the Plan, and the holders’ rights of enforcement in respect of the Debt Instruments are subject to the applicable provisions of the Bankruptcy Code.

 

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

Pursuant to the RSA Amendment, on April 28, 2017, the Company and Mr. Johnsrud entered into an Amended and Restated Employment Agreement (the “Amended Employment Agreement”), which amends and restates in its entirety the Employment Agreement between the Company and Mr. Johnsrud, dated as of November 30, 2012, as amended by the First Amendment to Employment Agreement effective as of January 1, 2017. Pursuant to the Amended Employment Agreement, Mr. Johnsrud will continue to serve as the Company’s President, Chief Executive Officer, and Chairman of the board of directors (the “Board”) for a three year term, with such term to be extended for an additional year beginning on the first day after the initial term and on each anniversary thereafter, unless either the Company or Mr. Johnsrud provide written notice of termination pursuant to the terms of the Amended Employment Agreement.


For Mr. Johnsrud’s services, he will continue to be paid his current annual base salary of $700,000, which may be increased by the Board at any time. In addition, Mr. Johnsrud will receive an annual bonus based on terms to be determined by the Board, insurance benefits, and shall be entitled to participate in any of the Company’s current or future incentive compensation and stock option plans. Upon executing the Amended Employment Agreement, Mr. Johnsrud is entitled to receive an incentive bonus in the amount equal to $700,000, payable in two installments, subject to Mr. Johnsrud’s continued employment through each payment date, as follows: (i) $233,333, payable as soon as practicable, and (ii) $466,664, payable within fifteen days following the effectiveness of the Plan.

Following the consummation of the chapter 11 cases, Mr. Johnsrud will receive an award of stock options in two tranches to purchase (i) 2.5% of the outstanding equity securities of the reorganized Company, on a fully diluted basis, at a premium exercise price equal to the value of a share of the reorganized Company’s common stock at an enterprise valuation of $475 million and (ii) 2.5% of the outstanding equity securities of the reorganized Company, on a fully diluted basis, at a premium exercise price equal to the value of a share of the reorganized Company’s common stock at an enterprise valuation of $525 million. Each tranche of options will vest in substantially equal installments on the first three anniversaries following the date of the consummation of the chapter 11 cases. The Amended Employment Agreement also requires the Company to establish a management incentive plan under which shares of common stock of the Company equal to 12.5% of the outstanding equity securities of the Company will be available for issuance, and to issue Mr. Johnsrud, as soon as reasonably practicable following the consummation of the chapter 11 cases, restricted stock units that represent 7.5% of the outstanding equity securities of the reorganized Company, on a fully diluted basis.

Mr. Johnsrud may terminate his employment under the Amended Employment Agreement upon at least thirty days written notice, for good reason (as defined in the Amended Employment Agreement), or a Change of Control (as defined in the Amended Employment Agreement). The Amended Employment Agreement also restricts Mr. Johnsrud from engaging in competitive activities during the term of his employment and thereafter until the later of (i) the end of the initial three year term or any applicable one year extension and (ii) one year following Mr. Johnsrud’s termination of employment.

The foregoing description of the Amended Employment Agreement is only a summary and does not purport to be a complete description of the terms and conditions under the Amended Employment Agreement, and such description is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Amended Employment Agreement, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 10.2 to this Form 8-K and is incorporated by reference into this Item 5.02.

 

Item 7.01. Regulation FD Disclosure.

On May 1, 2017, the Company issued a press release announcing that it had commenced the Solicitation on April 28, 2017 and filed the Plan on May 1, 2017, a copy of which is furnished hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and incorporated herein by reference.

The information contained in this Item 7.01 and Exhibit 99.1 is being furnished and shall not be deemed filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or otherwise subject to the liability of such section, nor shall such information be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing 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 a filing.


Item 8.01. Other Events.

On May 1, 2017, the Company notified the OTCQB U.S. Market (the “OTCQB”) that it had filed the Plan and commenced the chapter 11 cases. As an issuer may not be listed on the OTCQB if it is subject to bankruptcy or reorganization proceedings, the OTCQB will remove the Company from listing on the OTCQB and the Company will be moved to and continue trading on the OTC Pink Open Market (the “OTC Pink”). The Company expects its securities to begin trading on the OTC Pink beginning on May 2, 2017.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This Form 8-K and the exhibits hereto contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act, and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. These statements relate to our expectations for future events and time periods. All statements other than statements of historical fact are statements that could be deemed to be forward-looking statements, and any forward-looking statements contained herein or the exhibits hereto are based on information available to us as of the date of this Form 8-K, or the date of the applicable exhibit, and our current expectations, forecasts and assumptions, and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Accordingly, forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing our views as of any subsequent date. Future performance cannot be ensured, and actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Some factors that could cause actual results to differ include, among others: risks and uncertainties associated with the restructuring process, including our inability to obtain confirmation of a plan under chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code; failure to successfully consummate the restructuring to improve our liquidity and long-term capital structure, and to address our debt service obligations; failure to timely satisfy certain conditions and milestones under the RSA (as amended) or the Plan; our inability to maintain relationships with suppliers, customers, employees and other third parties as a result of our chapter 11 filing; difficulties encountered in restructuring our debt in the chapter 11 bankruptcy proceeding, including our ability to obtain approval of the Bankruptcy Court with respect to motions or other requests made to the Bankruptcy Court, including maintaining strategic control as debtor-in-possession; the Bankruptcy Court’s rulings in our chapter 11 cases and the outcome of our chapter 11 cases in general; the effects of the restructuring on the Company and the interests of various constituents, including the holders of our common stock and 2018 Notes and 2021 Notes; the length of time that the Company will operate under chapter 11 protection and the availability of financing during the pendency of the proceedings; compliance with the terms of the agreements governing our debtor-in-possession financing; risks associated with third-party motions in the chapter 11 cases, which may interfere with the Company’s ability to develop and consummate the Plan; potential impact of litigation; uncertainty relating to successful negotiation, execution and consummation of all necessary definitive agreements in connection with our strategic initiatives; whether certain markets grow as anticipated; pricing pressures; current and projected future uncertainties in commodities markets, including low oil and/or natural gas prices; changes in customer drilling and completion activities and capital expenditure plans; shifts in production in shale areas where we operate and/or shale areas where we currently do not have operations; control of costs and expenses, including uncertainty regarding the ability to successfully implement cost-management initiatives; liquidity and access to capital; and the competitive and regulatory environment. The forward-looking statements contained, or incorporated by reference, in this Form 8-K or the exhibits hereto are also subject generally to other risks and uncertainties that are described from time to time in the Company’s filings with the SEC. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which reflect management’s views as of the date of this Form 8-K or the applicable exhibit. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any such forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, changes in expectations or otherwise. Additional risks and


uncertainties are disclosed from time to time in the Company’s filings with the SEC, including the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016, as well as Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K.

 

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(d) Exhibits

 

Exhibit Number

  

Description

10.1    Second Amendment to Restructuring Support Agreement, dated as of April 28, 2017, by and among the Nuverra Parties and the Supporting Noteholders
10.2    Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated as of April 28, 2017, by and between the Company and Mark D. Johnsrud
99.1    Press Release dated May 1, 2017


SIGNATURES

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

 

    NUVERRA ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTIONS, INC.
Date: May 1, 2017     By:  

/s/ Joseph M. Crabb

     

Name: Joseph M. Crabb

Title: Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer


EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit Number

  

Description

10.1    Second Amendment to Restructuring Support Agreement, dated as of April 28, 2017, by and among the Nuverra Parties and the Supporting Noteholders
10.2    Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated as of April 28, 2017, by and between the Company and Mark D. Johnsrud
99.1    Press Release dated May 1, 2017

Exhibit 10.1

SECOND AMENDMENT TO RESTRUCTURING SUPPORT AGREEMENT

THIS SECOND AMENDMENT TO RESTRUCTURING SUPPORT AGREEMENT (this “ Amendment ”), dated as of April 28, 2017, is entered into by and among (a) Nuverra Environmental Solutions, Inc. (“ Nuverra ”) and Heckmann Water Resources Corporation, Heckmann Water Resources (CVR) Inc., 1960 Well Services, LLC, HEK Water Solutions, LLC, Appalachian Water Services, LLC, Badlands Power Fuels, LLC (a Delaware limited liability company), Badlands Power Fuels LLC (a North Dakota limited liability company), Landtech Enterprises, L.L.C., Badlands Leasing, LLC, Ideal Oilfield Disposal, LLC, Nuverra Total Solutions, LLC, NES Water Solutions, LLC and Heckmann Woods Cross, LLC (such entities, together with Nuverra, the “ Company ”); and (b) the undersigned holders of the 2021 Notes (together with their respective successors and permitted assigns under this Agreement, collectively, the “ Supporting Noteholders ”). The Company and the Supporting Noteholders are referred to herein as the “ Parties ”. Capitalized terms used herein and not defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Restructuring Support Agreement (as defined below).

RECITALS

WHEREAS, the Parties are party to that certain Restructuring Support Agreement, dated as of April 9, 2017 (as amended by that certain First Amendment to Restructuring Support Agreement dated April 20, 2017, the “ Restructuring Support Agreement ”), and desire to amend the Restructuring Support Agreement as set forth in this Amendment;

WHEREAS, pursuant to Section  9 of the Restructuring Support Agreement, the Parties may modify, amend or supplement the Restructuring Support Agreement with a writing signed by all Parties;

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties hereto hereby agree to amend the Restructuring Support Agreement as follows:

1. Amendments to the Restructuring Support Agreement .

1.01. The Restructuring Term Sheet annexed as Exhibit A to the Restructuring Support Agreement is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with Exhibit A to this Amendment.

2. Ratification . Except as specifically provided for in this Amendment, no changes, amendments, or other modifications have been made on or prior to the date hereof or are being made to the terms of the Restructuring Support Agreement or the rights and obligations of the parties thereunder, all of which such terms are hereby ratified and confirmed and remain in full force and effect.

3. Effect of Amendment . This Amendment shall be effective on the date on which the Company has received all signature pages of the Parties hereto. Following the effective date of this Amendment, whenever the Restructuring Support Agreement is referred to in any


agreements, documents, and instruments, such reference shall be deemed to be to the Restructuring Support Agreement as amended by this Amendment.

[Signature Pages Follow]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have caused this Amendment to be executed and delivered by their respective duly authorized officers, solely in their respective capacity as officers of the undersigned and not in any other capacity, as of the date first set forth above.

 

NUVERRA ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTIONS, INC.
By:  

/s/ Joseph M. Crabb

Name:   Joseph M. Crabb
Title:   Executive Vice President
Nuverra Environmental Solutions, Inc.
Appalachian Water Services, LLC
Badlands Leasing, LLC
Badlands Power Fuels, LLC (DE)
Badlands Power Fuels, LLC (ND)
Heckmann Water Resources Corporation
Heckmann Water Resources (CVR) Inc.
Heckmann Woods Cross, LLC
HEK Water Solutions, LLC
Ideal Oilfield Disposal, LLC
Landtech Enterprises, L.L.C.
NES Water Solutions, LLC
Nuverra Total Solutions, LLC
1960 Well Services, LLC
NUVERRA ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTIONS, INC.,
As agent and attorney-in-fact for each of the foregoing entities
By:  

/s/ Joseph M. Crabb

Name:   Joseph M. Crabb
Title:   Vice President


STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL
[SUPPORTING NOTEHOLDER]
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  


STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL
[SUPPORTING NOTEHOLDER]
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  


STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL
[SUPPORTING NOTEHOLDER]
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  


STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL
[SUPPORTING NOTEHOLDER]
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  


STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL
[SUPPORTING NOTEHOLDER]
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  


Exhibit A

Restructuring Term Sheet


NUVERRA ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTIONS, INC.

S UMMARY OF P RINCIPAL T ERMS AND C ONDITIONS OF R ESTRUCTURING

This term sheet (the “ Restructuring Term Sheet ”) outlines certain of the principal economic terms of a proposed restructuring (the “ Restructuring Transaction ”) of the outstanding indebtedness of, and equity interests in, Nuverra Environmental Solutions, Inc. and its direct and indirect domestic affiliates and subsidiaries. The proposed terms and conditions set forth in this Restructuring Term Sheet are intended as an outline of certain material terms of the Restructuring Transaction. This Restructuring Term Sheet does not include descriptions of all terms, conditions and other provisions that would be contained in definitive documentation related to a financial restructuring and is not intended to limit the scope of discussion or negotiation of any matters not inconsistent with the specific matters set forth herein. The transactions contemplated by this Restructuring Term Sheet will be subject to the terms and conditions to be set forth in definitive documents at a later date. This Restructuring Term Sheet does not constitute an offer of securities or a solicitation of the acceptance or rejection of any restructuring or similar plan. The Restructuring Transaction is intended to be effectuated through a pre-packaged in-court restructuring and chapter 11 plan of reorganization described below.

This Restructuring Term Sheet is strictly confidential and may not be shared with any person.

 

I.      GENERAL

  
Company; Debtors    Nuverra Environmental Solutions, Inc. (the “ Company ”) together with the following of its subsidiaries that are parties to the RSA (as defined below): Heckmann Water Resources Corporation, Heckmann Water Resources (CVR) Inc., 1960 Well Services, LLC, HEK Water Solutions, LLC, Badlands Power Fuels, LLC (a North Dakota limited liability company), Landtech Enterprises, L.L.C., Badlands Leasing, LLC, Ideal Oilfield Disposal, LLC, Nuverra Total Solutions, LLC, NEW Water Solutions, LLC, and Heckmann Woods Cross, LLC (each, a “ Nuverra Group Debtor ” and collectively, the “ Nuverra Group Debtors ”), Appalachian Water Services, LLC (the “ AWS Debtor ”), Badlands Power Fuels, LLC (a Delaware limited liability company) (the “ Badlands (DE) Debtor ” and together with the AWS Debtor and the Nuverra Group Debtors, the “ Debtors ” and subsequent to emergence from chapter 11 pursuant to the order confirming the Plan, the “ Reorganized Debtors ”).
ABL Lenders    Lenders (collectively, “ ABL Lenders ”) under the ABL Facility due March 31, 2017, inclusive of any revolving loans or letters of credit outstanding (as amended, restated or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ ABL Facility ”). As of April 28, 2017, approximately $24.5 million plus accrued and unpaid interest thereunder was outstanding under the ABL Facility.
Term Lenders    Ascribe Capital LLC (“ Ascribe ”) and Gates Capital Management, Inc. (“ Gates ” and together with Ascribe, the “ Term Lenders ”) as lenders under the last-out first lien term loan due April 15, 2021 (as amended, restated or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Term Loan ”). As of April 28, 2017, approximately $80 million plus accrued and unpaid interest thereunder was outstanding under the Term Loan.
2021 Noteholders    Holders (collectively, “ 2021 Noteholders ”) of approximately $356 million in principal amount of 12.50%/10.0% second lien notes (the “ 2021 Notes ”) due April 15, 2021. 1 As of April 28, 2017, Ascribe and Gates hold approximately 83% of the 2021 Notes (including all outstanding capitalized interest paid-in-kind) and shall be referred to herein, collectively, as the “ Supporting Noteholders ”.

 

1   Interest payable at 12.5% PIK before April 15, 2018 and thereafter until maturity at 10% of which 50% will be PIK and 50% in cash.


2018 Noteholders    Holders (collectively, “ 2018 Noteholders ”) of approximately $40.4 million in principal amount of 9.875% senior unsecured notes (the “ 2018 Notes ”) due April 15, 2018.
Vehicle Financing Obligations    Vehicle financings obligations of the Debtors under agreements for the leasing, purchase or other financing of vehicles used in the Company’s business, as of April 27, 2017, in the aggregate principal amount of approximately $6.7 million (the “ Vehicle Financing Obligations ”).
Existing Equity Holders    Holders (collectively, “ Existing Equity Holders ”) of all equity interests and options to purchase equity interests in the Company, including, without limitation, the 150,940,973 shares of common stock in the Company, as of March 31, 2017, and the penny warrants issued in connection the Company’s exchange offer and incurrence of the Term Loan in April 2016 (collectively, the “ Existing Equity Interests ”).
Restructuring Transaction   

Subject to the terms hereof, the Debtors shall file for chapter 11 relief in the District of Delaware (the “ Bankruptcy Court ”) to restructure their balance sheets through pre-packaged plans of reorganization (collectively, the “ Plan ”). The Plan, which will comprise the Nuverra Group Plan, the AWS Plan and the Badlands (DE) Plan, will constitute a separate pre-packaged plan of reorganization for each of the Debtors. The Plan may be confirmed and consummated as to each of Debtors separate from, and independent of, confirmation and consummation of the Plan as to any other Debtor. The Debtors’ chapter 11 cases will be consolidated for procedural purposes only and shall not be substantively consolidated under the Bankruptcy Code.

 

The Plan shall be consistent with the terms of this Restructuring Term Sheet unless otherwise agreed by the Debtors and the Supporting Noteholders and satisfactory in form and substance to the Debtors and the Supporting Noteholders, acting reasonably and in good faith.

Plan Support    The Supporting Noteholders shall enter into a restructuring support agreement (the “ RSA ”) with the Company wherein they will commit to support the Restructuring Transaction and the Plan.

II.     FINANCING

Debtor in Possession Financing    The Debtors shall be provided with debtor-in-possession financing (the “ DIP Facilities ”) consisting of one or more of the following: (a) a super-priority, secured, debtor-in-possession revolving credit facility (the “ DIP Revolving Facility ”) provided by the ABL Lenders (in such capacity, the “ DIP Revolving Lenders ”) and (b) a super-priority, secured, debtor-in-possession term loan facility (the “ DIP Term Facility ”) provided by one or more of the Term Lenders (in such capacity, the “ DIP Term Lenders ”, and together with the DIP Revolving Lenders, the “ DIP Lenders ”). The DIP Facilities, and all borrowings thereunder, shall be subject to a budget updated monthly (with weekly cash reporting) and approved by the DIP Lenders. The terms and conditions of the DIP Facilities shall be acceptable to the Supporting Noteholders and the Debtors, acting reasonably and in good faith.


Plan Funding   

The Reorganized Debtors shall be funded on effective date of the Plan (the “ Effective Date ”) by the proceeds of the Rights Offering (as defined below) and, if necessary, the Exit Facility (as defined below).

 

The proceeds of the Rights Offering and Exit Facility shall be in an aggregate amount which shall be sufficient to fund required distributions under the Plan, including to pay in full all outstanding amounts under the DIP Facilities (subject to the conversion of the DIP Term Loans to New Common Stock as described below) and the ABL Facility on the Effective Date.

Rights Offering    Pursuant to and in connection with the consummation of the Restructuring Transactions, following confirmation of the Plan, the Company will distribute rights (the “ Rights ”) to the holders of 2021 Note claims against the Debtors and holders of 2018 Note claims against the Badlands (DE) Debtor that will permit such the holders thereof to acquire, in the aggregate, $150 million of New Common Stock (the “ Rights Offering ”). The New Common Stock issued in connection with the Rights Offering will be sold at a total enterprise valuation of the Reorganized Debtors on the Effective Date of $350 million (the “ Plan Value ”). The Rights shall be exercisable prior to the Effective Date.
Exit Financing   

To the extent necessary after the Rights Offering, the Reorganized Debtors shall be funded on the Effective Date by a new first lien, senior secured exit facility (the “ Exit Facility ”), which Exit Facility shall be in form and substance acceptable to the Supporting Noteholders.

 

The Debtors and the Supporting Noteholders will work in good faith to source and execute on the Exit Facility, which can be in the form of an asset backed revolver, term loan or combination thereof. The Term Loan Lenders shall provide a standby commitment to fund the Exit Facility. Such Term Loan Lenders shall be paid a six percent (6%) fee, payable in cash and or New Common Stock at the election of the Term Loan Lenders, in connection with the Exit Facility Commitment.

 

  III. TREATMENT OF CLAIMS AND INTERESTS UNDER THE PLAN

 

Administrative Expense Claims    Holders of an administrative expense claim shall be paid in full, in cash, on the Effective Date; provided , that, (a) administrative expense claims incurred in the ordinary course will be paid in accordance with their terms and (b) fees and expenses of professionals retained under section 327 or 1103 of the Bankruptcy Code will be paid in accordance with the procedures established by the Bankruptcy Court.
Priority Tax Claims    Holders of priority tax claims shall be paid in full, in cash, on the Effective Date or treated in an alternative manner consistent with the Bankruptcy Code and determined by the Debtors and the Supporting Noteholders, acting reasonably and in good faith.
Other Priority Claims    Holders of other priority claim shall be paid in full, in cash, on the Effective Date or treated in an alternative manner consistent with the Bankruptcy Code and determined by the Debtors and the Supporting Noteholders, acting reasonably and in good faith.


Other Secured Claims    On the Effective Date, to the extent there exist any claims against the Debtors secured by liens other than as set forth in this Restructuring Term Sheet, all such secured claims allowed as of the Effective Date will be satisfied at the option of the Debtors, with the consent of the Supporting Noteholders, by either (a) payment in full in cash, (b) reinstatement pursuant to section 1124 of the Bankruptcy Code, or (c) such other recovery necessary to satisfy section 1129 of the Bankruptcy Code.
ABL Facility Claims and DIP Revolving Facility    On the Effective Date, the ABL Lenders shall, in full satisfaction of their ABL Facility claims and DIP Revolving Claims, be paid in full in cash from proceeds of the Exit Facility.
DIP Term Loans and Term Loan Claims   

On the Effective Date, in full satisfaction of the claims arising under the DIP Term Loans and Term Loans outstanding as of the Effective Date (collectively, the “ Term Loan Claims ”), the Term Loan Claims shall be treated as follows:

 

(A)   (i) $75 million of Term Loan Claims shall convert into New Common Stock at the Plan Value, subject to dilution by the MIP (as defined below), the Rights Offering and as a result of the conversion of the Remainder Term Loan Claim Conversion (as defined below) and (ii) the Term Lenders shall receive an equity conversion fee equal to 5% of $75 million, payable in New Common Stock issued at the Plan Value ((i) and (ii), the “ Term Loan Claim Conversion ”); and

 

(B)   The remaining Term Loan Claims, if any, (the “ Remainder Term Loan Claims ”) shall,

 

i.        First , to the extent of available proceeds from the Rights Offering in excess of $50 million after repayment of the ABL Facility Claims and payment of costs and expenses of the chapter 11 cases, be paid in cash from the proceeds of the Rights Offering, and

 

ii.       Second , any remaining balance shall be converted into New Common Stock at the Plan Value (the “ Remainder Term Loan Claim Conversion ”), subject to dilution by the MIP (as defined below) and the Rights Offering.

2021 Notes Claims    On the Effective Date, the 2021 Noteholders shall receive, in full satisfaction of their 2021 Notes claims, their pro rata share of (a) 99.75% of the New Common Stock (subject to dilution by the MIP), and (b) 50% of the Rights.
2018 Notes Claims    Subject to agreement among the Supporting Noteholders and the Debtors, on the Effective Date, the holders of 2018 Note claims against the Nuverra Group Debtors shall receive from the Nuverra Group Debtors, in full satisfaction of their 2018 Notes claims, their pro rata share of (a) 0.25% of the New Common Stock (subject to dilution by the MIP), and (b) 50% of the Rights. The 2018 Notes shall receive no distribution from the Badlands (DE) Debtor or the AWS Debtor under the Plan.
Vehicle Financing Obligations    The legal, equitable, and contractual rights under the Vehicle Financing Obligations will be unaltered by the Restructuring Transaction or the Plan. On the Effective Date, the Debtors will assume all executory contracts and any related agreements that, give rise to, or are otherwise related to, the claims arising from the Vehicle Financing Obligations.


Trade Claims and Other

Unsecured Claims

   The aggregate amount of all projected prepetition, non-contingent, undisputed claims against the Debtors, including, without limitation, all trade and unsecured claims, other than claims with respect to amounts owed under the ABL Credit Agreement, the Term Loan Agreement, the 2021 Indenture, the 2018 Indenture, Vehicle Financing Obligations, the Ideal Oilfield APA and the AWS Promissory Note (as such terms are defined below), shall not exceed $11 million. Based on this assumption, such claims shall be unimpaired under the Plan.
Existing Equity Interests    Existing Equity Interests shall receive no distribution under the Plan.
Intercompany Claims    All intercompany claims between Debtor entities will be paid, adjusted, reinstated or discharged as determined by the Debtors with the consent of the Supporting Noteholders.
Intercompany Interests    On the Effective Date, or as soon as practicable thereafter, all intercompany interests held by Debtor entities will be reinstated.

 

  IV. CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

 

Board of Directors    The Board of Directors of the Reorganized Debtors (the “ New Board ”) shall consist of five (5) members: (A) the chief executive officer, (B) two individuals designated by Ascribe and (C) two individuals designated by Gates. The composition of the New Board shall fully comply with the standards and rules of the SEC and the New York Stock Exchange or another applicable nationally recognized exchange that apply to boards of public companies. The identities and affiliations of the members of the New Board will be disclosed to the Bankruptcy Court as required by the Bankruptcy Code.
Management    Prior to the Petition Date, Mark D. Johnsrud shall enter into a new employment agreement with the Company on terms mutually acceptable to Mark D. Johnsrud and the Supporting Noteholders, which shall be assumed by the Debtors under the Plan. On or after the Effective Date, senior management of the Reorganized Debtors, including a chief financial officer, shall be selected by the Supporting Noteholders and shall enter into management employment agreements on terms that shall be mutually acceptable to such employee and the Supporting Noteholders (the “ New Employment Agreements ”). The New Employment Agreements shall supersede and replace any existing employment agreements for such employee in effect prior to the Effective Date.
Management Incentive Plan    On or as soon as reasonably practicable after the Effective Date, a management incentive plan (the “ MIP ”) shall be adopted by the New Board to provide designated members of senior management of the Reorganized Debtors with equity-based incentive grants (including, without limitation, options and restricted stock units) for twelve and one-half percent (12.5%) of the fully-diluted shares the New Common Stock. MIP awards of equity-based incentives not granted on the Effective Date or shortly thereafter will remain in the MIP reserve pool for future grants. The specific identities of recipients, amounts and timing of MIP grants and other terms and conditions of the MIP will be determined by the New Board.


Charter, By-Laws and

Organizational Documents

   All charters, by-laws, limited liability company agreements and other organizational documents of the Reorganized Debtors shall be amended or amended and restated to comply with any applicable provisions of the Bankruptcy Code and as agreed to by the Debtors and the Supporting Noteholders, acting reasonably and in good faith.

 

  V. OTHER PLAN TERMS

 

Exemption from SEC Registration    The issuance and distribution of the New Common Stock and Rights shall be exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933 and any other applicable securities laws pursuant to Section 1145 of the Bankruptcy Code.
Registration Rights    On the Effective Date, the Reorganized Debtors, the Supporting Noteholders and significant holders of New Common Stock shall enter into a registration rights agreement (the “ Registration Rights Agreement ”), which agreement shall be in form and substance acceptable to the Debtors and the Supporting Noteholders, acting reasonably and in good faith. The Registration Rights Agreement shall provide for the Reorganized Debtors, promptly following the Effective Date, to use best efforts to take all necessary actions to enhance the public float of the New Common Stock, including the filing of applicable registration statements and resale shelves as soon as practicable, and to pursue all transactions (strategic or otherwise) to enhance the liquidity of holders of the New Common Stock.
Reporting    Following the Effective Date, the Reorganized Debtors will continue to be a public reporting company under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and will use best efforts to have the New Common Stock listed on the New York Stock Exchange or another nationally recognized exchange, as soon as practicable following the Effective Date.
Listing    The Reorganized Debtors shall use their reasonable best efforts to have the New Common Stock listed on the New York Stock Exchange or such other exchange acceptable to the Supporting Noteholders.
Releases and Exculpation   

The board of directors of the Company and the senior management in place immediately prior to the Effective Date, the DIP Lenders, the ABL Lenders, the Term Lenders and the 2021 Noteholders will receive releases and exculpation (from each other, from the Debtors, the Reorganized Debtors and from holders of claims against and interests in the Debtors) on customary terms.

 

D&O coverage and indemnity obligations will continue without any lapses for the board of directors of the Company and the senior management in place immediately prior to the Effective Date, as well as for newly appointed directors and officers.

Tax Structure    To the extent possible, the Restructuring Transaction contemplated by this Restructuring Term Sheet will be structured so as to obtain the most tax-efficient structure, as determined by the Supporting Noteholders, acting reasonably and in good faith, in consultation with the Company, for the Debtors or the Reorganized Debtors and their equity holders post-transaction.


Professional Fees and Expenses    The Plan shall provide that all of the Supporting Noteholders’ professional fees and out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with the Restructuring Transaction or any other matter in connection therewith, including, without limitation, those fees and expenses incurred during the Debtors’ chapter 11 cases, shall be paid by the Debtors prior to and as a condition to the occurrence of the Effective Date without need for a fee application or Bankruptcy Court approval.
Executory Contracts and Unexpired Leases   

Except with respect to all existing employment agreements that are being replaced, all of which shall be rejected under the Plan, all executory contracts and unexpired leases against any Debtor shall be deemed assumed pursuant to the Plan unless expressly rejected by any of the Nuverra Group Debtors, AWS Debtor or Badlands (DE) Debtor, in each case with the consent of the Supporting Noteholders. All claims for damages arising from the rejection of executory contracts and unexpired leases shall receive no distribution under the Plan.

 

In addition, the Debtors shall expressly assume the reimbursement agreement by and among the Company and the Supporting Noteholders, which memorializes the Company’s obligation to reimburse the Supporting Noteholders’ professional fees and out-of-pocket expenses.

AWS Promissory Note    Subject to agreement among the Supporting Noteholders and the Debtors acting reasonably and in good faith, the legal, equitable, and contractual rights in respect of (i) that certain AWS Promissory Note pertaining to the acquisition of the remaining interest in Debtor Appalachian Water Services, LLC (the “ AWS Promissory Note ”) and (ii) documents and agreements related thereto shall not be assumed by the AWS Debtor and holders of such claims shall receive no distribution under the AWS Plan on account of such claims unless expressly assumed by the AWS Debtor. The Holders of claims related to the AWS Promissory Note and documents and agreements related thereto shall also receive no distribution on account of such claims from the Nuverra Group Debtors or the Badlands (DE) Debtor under any Plan.
Ideal Oilfield APA    Subject to agreement among the Supporting Noteholders and the Debtors acting reasonably and in good faith, the legal, equitable, and contractual rights under that (i) certain Purchase and Sale Agreement by and Among Badlands Power Fuels, LLC, Ideal Oilfield Disposal, LLC, TDL Resources LLC, 9 Z’s LLC and Chax Holdings, LLC dated as of May 19, 2013 (the “ Ideal Oilfield APA ”) and (ii) related documents and agreements shall not be assumed by the Badlands (DE) Debtor and holders of claims relating to the Ideal Oilfield APA and related documents and agreements shall receive no distribution under the Badlands (DE) Plan unless expressly assumed by the Badlands (DE) Debtor. In the case of assumption, claims relating to the Ideal Oilfield APA and related agreements and documents may be satisfied by the Badlands (DE) Debtor with consideration in the form of New Common Stock or cash. Holders of claims relating to the Ideal Oilfield APA and related documents and agreements shall receive no distribution from the Nuverra Group Debtors or the AWS Debtor under the Plan.
Additional Plan Provisions and Documentation    The Plan shall contain other customary provisions for chapter 11 plans of this type. The Plan and all supporting and implementing documentation (including briefs and other pleadings filed in support thereof, all documents filed as part of any plan supplement and the order confirming the Plan) shall be in form and substance acceptable to the Debtors and the Supporting Noteholders, acting reasonably and in good faith.


  VI. OTHER TERMS

 

Governing Law    New York.
Press Releases    Subject to applicable law or rules of any securities exchange and execution of a satisfactory non-disclosure agreement, advance review of all public statements by the Company or the Debtors related to the Restructuring Transaction (including press releases, Form 8Ks or other statements) shall be provided to the Supporting Noteholders prior to filing, and the Debtors will, in good, faith consider any comments provided by the Supporting Noteholders.
Certain Closing and Other Conditions to the Restructuring Transaction   

The Restructuring Transaction and the occurrence of the Effective Date of the Plan shall be subject to usual and customary and necessary conditions for a transaction of this type, as well as other conditions satisfactory to the Debtors and the Supporting Noteholders acting reasonably and in good faith, including, without limitation:

 

•    The terms, conditions and circumstances of any and all material court or transaction documents relating to the Restructuring Transaction and the Debtors shall be acceptable to the Supporting Noteholders in all respects and will have been reviewed and expressly approved by the Supporting Noteholders.

 

•    All of the DIP Term Lenders’ and Supporting Noteholders’ professional fees and out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with the Restructuring Transaction or any other matter in connection thereto, including, without limitation, those fees and expenses incurred during the Debtors’ chapter 11 cases, shall have been paid by the Debtors as a condition to the Effective Date.

 

•    Entry into the New Employment Agreements on terms acceptable to the Debtors and the Supporting Noteholders.

 

•    To the extent that the Restructuring Transaction would trigger a “change of control” payment or similar payment payable to any employee of the Debtors, or a claim of an employee arising from the rejection of an employment agreement, all such employees shall permanently waive such payments and claims.

 

•    The Restructuring Transaction shall be structured in the most tax efficient manner to effectuate the Plan as determined by the Supporting Noteholders, acting reasonably and in good faith, in consultation with the Debtors, and all accounting treatment and other tax matters shall be resolved to the satisfaction of the Supporting Noteholders in consultation with the Debtors.

 

•    All requisite governmental or regulatory approvals for the Restructuring Transaction shall have been obtained and no governmental or regulatory authority shall have taken any action that could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the consummation (including, without limitation, timing) of the Restructuring Transaction.

 

•    Subject to and as more specifically described in the RSA, there is no material adverse change to the assets, liabilities, businesses or prospects of the Debtors which occurs or is discovered after the date of execution of the RSA.

 

•    Immediately prior to the Effective Date, the aggregate amount of all projected prepetition, non-contingent, undisputed claims against the Debtors, including, without limitation, all trade and unsecured claims, other than claims with respect to amounts owed under the ABL Credit Agreement, the Term Loan Agreement, the 2021 Indenture, the 2018 Indenture, Vehicle Financing Obligations, the Ideal Oilfield APA, and the AWS Promissory Note Claims, shall not exceed $8.5 million.

Exhibit 10.2

AMENDED AND RESTATED

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

This AMENDED AND RESTATED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made and entered into as of April 28, 2017, (the “Execution Date”), by and between Nuverra Environmental Solutions, Inc. (f/k/a Heckmann Corporation), a Delaware corporation (the “Employer”), and Mark D. Johnsrud (the “Employee”).

WITNESSETH:

WHEREAS, Employee is presently employed with Employer pursuant to that certain Employment Agreement entered into as of November 30, 2012 (the “Original Agreement”), as amended by that certain First Amendment to Employment Agreement effective as of January 1, 2016 (the “Amendment” and together with the Original Agreement, the “Existing Employment Agreement”);

WHEREAS, Employer and Employee desire to amend and restate the Existing Employment Agreement in order to make certain changes thereto;

WHEREAS, the Company and certain affiliated funds of Ascribe Capital, LLC and Gates Capital Management, Inc. (collectively, the “Supporting Noteholders”) entered into that certain Restructuring Support Agreement, dated as of April 9, 2017 (as amended from time to time, the “RSA”) pursuant to which the Company and the Supporting Noteholders committed to pursue and support a mutually acceptable pre-packaged chapter 11 plan of reorganization of the Company (the “Reorganization Plan”);

WHEREAS , as a material inducement to, among other things, the consummation of the Reorganization Plan and continued financial support of the Company, the Supporting Noteholders have requested that the Employee agree, and the Employee agrees to support the Reorganization Plan, to perform those actions and covenants, in connection with the Reorganization Plan as set forth on Appendix A, attached hereto; and

WHEREAS, Employer and Employee agree that this Agreement shall amend and restate the Existing Employment Agreement in its entirety, commencing on the Execution Date, and that the Existing Employment Agreement shall terminate in its entirety on the Execution Date, whether this Agreement is rejected in the proceedings connected to the approval of the Reorganization Plan and the transactions contemplated thereunder (the “Reorganization”).

 


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

1. Employment . The recitals above are incorporated into and part of this Agreement. Employer has employed and hereby continues to employ Employee, and Employee hereby accepts such continued employment, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement. Employee shall be employed by Employer but may serve (and if requested by Employer shall serve) as an officer and/or director of any subsidiary or affiliate of Employer.

2. Term . The term of employment under this Agreement shall commence on the Execution Date and shall continue for three (3) years thereafter (such three year period, the “Initial Term”); provided, however , that, unless terminated as contemplated herein, beginning on the first day after the Initial Term and on every anniversary of such date thereafter (each a “Renewal Date”), the then-existing term of this Agreement shall automatically be extended one additional year unless either party gives the other written notice of termination between one hundred eighty (180) and two hundred forty (240) days prior to any such Renewal Date. For the avoidance of doubt, notice of termination of this Agreement given any time other than between the one hundred eighty (180) and two hundred forty (240) days prior to a Renewal Date shall be void and ineffective. Written notice by Employer shall be solely pursuant to a duly adopted resolution of Employer’s board of directors. Following the date of termination of employment, Employee shall have no further rights obligations hereunder, except for rights set forth in Section 8, and obligations set forth in Sections 10 and 11, but if Employer fails to timely comply with Section 8, then Sections 10 and 11 shall automatically terminate and be of no further force or effect, and if Employee fails to comply in any respect with Sections 10 and 11, then Section 8 shall automatically terminate and be of no further force or effect.

3. Compensation and Benefits .

(a) Employer shall pay to Employee as compensation for all services rendered by Employee a basic annualized salary of $700,000.00 per year during the Initial Term, or such other sums as the parties may agree on from time to time, payable bi-weekly in accordance with Employer’s usual payroll procedures or in other more frequent installments, as may be determined by the Board (as hereinafter defined). The board of directors of Employer or, if the same is established, the compensation committee of the board of directors of Employer (the “Compensation Committee”), by providing direction through the board of directors of Employer (collectively, the Compensation Committee and the board of directors of Employer are referred to as the “Board”) shall have the right to increase Employee’s compensation from time to time and Employee shall be entitled to an annual review thereof or more frequently as determined by the Board. In addition, the Board, in its discretion, may, with respect to any year during the term hereof, award a bonus or bonuses to Employee; provided, however , Employer shall annually provide Employee with a bonus based on the terms to be determined by the Compensation Committee or the Board. Such terms shall be more particularly described in Appendix “B” to be attached hereto. Appendix “B” may be modified, supplemented, or replaced from time to time as determined by the Compensation Committee and established by written agreement between Employer and Employee for the purpose of defining the then current bonus calculation methodologies from the applicable year(s). The compensation provided for in this Section 3(a) shall be in addition to any pension or profit sharing payments set aside or allocated for the benefit of Employee in either a tax qualified plan or otherwise.

 

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It is the intention of the parties that an updated Appendix “B” will be approved by the Board and signed by the Chairman of the Compensation Committee or a non-management representative of the Board and the Employee no later than June 30 of each calendar year (or portion thereof) covered by this Agreement, as amended. In the absence of an approval by the Compensation Committee or the Board of such an Appendix “B” for any year (or portion thereof), the Appendix “B” for the prior year will remain in full force and effect.

(b) In connection with the execution of this Agreement, Employee will be entitled to an incentive bonus payment equal to $700,000 (the “Incentive Bonus”), payable in two installments, subject to the Employee’s continued employment through each payment date, as follows: (i) $233,333, payable as soon as reasonably practicable following the Execution Date, and in no event later than the second regularly scheduled payroll date following the Execution Date; and (ii) $466,664 payable within fifteen (15) days following the date on which the Reorganization Plan becomes effective (the “Reorganization Effective Date”). In the event that the Executive resigns from his employment with Employer without “good reason” (as defined herein) or the Executive’s employment is terminated by Employer for “good cause” (as defined herein), in either case prior to the occurrence of the Reorganization Effective Date, Executive shall forfeit his right to payment of the second installment provided in the clause (ii) above and hereby agrees to repay to the Company within thirty (30) days following such termination of employment, an amount equal to the amount previously paid to the Employee pursuant to clause (i) above.

(c) Employer shall reimburse Employee for all reasonable expenses incurred by Employee in the performance of his duties under this Agreement, in accordance with the Employer’s expense reimbursement policy; provided, however , that Employee must furnish to Employer an itemized account, in form satisfactory to Employer, in substantiation of such expenditures.

(d) Employee shall be entitled to such fringe benefits including, but not limited to, medical and family insurance benefits as may be provided from time to time by Employer to other senior officers of Employer and on an economic basis consistent with past practices and policies of Employer. In addition, Employer agrees that Employee shall continue to have the right to use that certain 2012 pick-up truck located in North Dakota, whether the Employer has an interest in the truck.

(e) To the extent permitted by applicable law and terms of the benefit plans, Employer shall include in Employee’s credited service, in any case where credited service is relevant in determining eligibility for or benefits under any employee benefits plan, the Employee’s service for any parent, subsidiary or affiliate of Employer or for any predecessor thereof and time served at prior employers.

(f) The amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement or in-kind benefits provided during a calendar year may not affect the expenses eligible for reimbursement to be provided in any other calendar year. Reimbursement of eligible expenses will be made on or before the last day of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the expense was incurred and the right to reimbursement or in-kind benefits is not subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit.

 

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(g)

(i) Employee shall be eligible to participate in such incentive compensation and stock option plans that have been approved or may in the future be approved by the shareholders of Employer and administered by the Board.

(ii) As of the Reorganization Effective Date, Employer shall award to Employee a grant of stock options in two tranches, as follows: (i) an option to purchase 2.5% of the outstanding equity securities of the reorganized Employer, on a fully diluted basis as of the Reorganization Effective Date, at a premium exercise price equal to the value of a share of the reorganized Employer’s common stock assuming a $475 million enterprise valuation of the reorganized Employer as of the Reorganization Effective Date (“Option Tranche 1”); and (ii) an option to purchase 2.5% of the outstanding equity securities of the reorganized Employer, on a fully diluted basis as of the Reorganization Effective Date, at a super premium exercise price equal to the value of a share of the reorganized Employer’s common stock assuming a $525 million enterprise valuation of the reorganized Employer as of the Reorganization Effective Date (“Option Tranche 2”). Each of Option Tranche 1 and Option Tranche 2 shall vest in substantially equal installments on the first, second and third anniversaries of the Reorganization Effective Date, subject to potential accelerated vesting as may be provided herein or in the applicable option agreement. In connection with the grant of Option Tranche 1 and Option Tranche 2, the Executive shall enter into an option agreement in a reasonable form to be provided in good faith by Employer that shall contain the terms and conditions of Option Tranche 1 and Option Tranche 2, consistent with the terms set forth herein.

(iii) Employee and Employer agree that in connection with the Reorganization, Employer shall establish a customary management incentive plan (the “MIP”) under which shares of new common stock of Employer equal to twelve and one-half of one percent (12.5%) of the outstanding equity securities of Employer on a fully diluted basis (inclusive of shares issuable pursuant to the MIP, Option Tranche 1 and Option Tranche 2) as of the Reorganization Effective Date. For avoidance of doubt, the twelve and one-half of one percent (12.5%) aggregate MIP pool does not include shares issuable pursuant to Option Tranche 1 or Option Tranche 2. As soon as reasonably practicable following the Reorganization Effective Date, Employer shall award to the Employee a grant of restricted stock units (the “Emergence RSU Grant”) under the terms of the MIP, with such Emergence RSU Grant to represent 7.5% of the outstanding equity securities of the reorganized Employer, on a fully diluted basis (inclusive of shares issuable pursuant to the MIP, Option Tranche 1 and Option Tranche 2) as of the Reorganization Effective Date. Additional terms and conditions of the Emergence RSU Grant and MIP shall be substantially consistent with the MIP Term Sheet attached hereto as Appendix “C”. In connection with the Emergence RSU Grant, the Employee shall enter into a restricted stock unit agreement in a reasonable form to be provided by Employer that shall contain the terms and conditions of the Emergence RSU Grant, consistent with the terms set forth herein and the MIP Term Sheet.

 

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(iv) The remaining portion of the MIP share allocation, which, for the avoidance of doubt, represents five percent (5%) of the outstanding equity securities of Employer on a fully diluted basis (inclusive of shares issuable pursuant to the MIP, Option Tranche 1 and Option Tranche 2) as of the Reorganization Effective Date, shall be reserved for distribution as determined by the Board in consultation with the Employee.

(v) During the term of Employee’s employment under this Agreement, equity awards other than Option Tranche 1, Option Tranche 2 and the Emergence RSU Grant set forth above may be granted to Employee under the compensation programs of Employer, at discretion of the Board.

4. Duties . Employee is engaged and shall serve as one of the five directors sitting on the Board and President and Chief Executive Officer of Employer and any other direct or indirect subsidiaries of Employer that may be formed or acquired. It is the current intention of the Employer to have Employee serve Chairman of the Board, for a term to be determined at the pleasure of the Board. Employee shall have such other duties and hold such other offices as may from time to time be reasonably assigned to him by the Board. These services shall be provided from offices located in Scottsdale, Arizona or such other location as may be mutually agreed.

5. Extent of Services; Vacations and Days Off .

(a) During the term of his employment under this Agreement, Employee shall devote substantially his full business time, energy and attention to the benefit and business of Employer as may be necessary in performing his duties pursuant to this Agreement, subject to the following sentence. Employee shall not provide services of a business nature to any other person except that the Employee may engage in the Permitted Activities (as defined in Section 11(e)) provided that such activities do not significantly interfere with the Employee’s performance of his duties hereunder. In order to maximize Employee’s efficiency and effectiveness for Employer, Employee may utilize the services of his executive assistant to assist Employee with de minimis personal matters.

(b) Employee shall be entitled to vacations and holidays with pay and to such personal and sick leave with pay in accordance with the policy of Employer as may be established from time to time by Employer and applied to other senior officers of Employer; provided, however , that Employee shall annually be entitled to the maximum number of vacation days and holidays afforded to any other officer of Employer.

 

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6. Facilities . Employer shall provide Employee with a fully furnished office of no less stature, type, and size than was provided as of the Execution Date, and the facilities of Employer shall be generally available to Employee in the performance of his duties pursuant to this Agreement; it being understood and contemplated by the parties that all equipment, supplies and office personnel required for Employee’s performance of duties under this Agreement shall be supplied by Employer.

7. Illness or Incapacity, Termination on Death .

(a) If during the term of his employment Employee becomes permanently disabled, as defined below, or dies, Employer shall pay to the Employee or his estate compensation through the date of death or determination of permanent disability, including salary, any prior year bonus compensation earned but not yet paid, and if Employee’s death or permanent disability occurs after the Reorganization Effective Date, the unpaid portion (if any) of the Incentive Bonus (the “Accrued Compensation”). In addition, Employer (i) shall pay to the Employee or his estate a pro-rated portion of any current year bonus as and when determined in the ordinary course of the calculation of current year bonus due to other executive officers of Employer; (ii) any unpaid portion (if any) of the Incentive Bonus; and (iii) shall continue to provide medical insurance and other benefits to which Employee’s dependents would otherwise have been entitled for one year following the date of death or determination of permanent disability. Effective upon the date of death or determination of permanent disability, any and all options, rights or awards granted in conjunction with Employer’s incentive compensation and stock option plans shall immediately vest. Except for the benefits set forth in the preceding sentences and any life insurance benefits included in the benefit package provided at such time by Employer to Employee, Employer shall have no additional financial obligation under this Agreement to Employee or his estate. After receiving the payments and health insurance benefits provided in this subparagraph (a), Employee and his estate shall have no further rights under this Agreement.

(b)

(i) During any period of disability, illness or incapacity during the term of this Agreement that renders Employee at least temporarily unable to perform the services required under this Agreement for a period that shall not equal or exceed ninety (90) continuous days (provided that a return to full work status of less than five full days shall be deemed not to interrupt the calculation of such 90 days), Employee shall receive the compensation payable under Section 3(a) of this Agreement plus any bonus compensation earned through the last day of such ninety (90) day period but not yet paid, less any benefits received by him under any disability insurance carried by or provided by Employer. All rights of Employee under this Agreement (other than rights already accrued) shall terminate as provided below upon Employee’s permanent disability (as defined below), although Employee shall continue to receive any disability benefits to which he may be entitled under any disability income insurance that may be carried by or provided by Employer from time to time; Employer hereby agrees to provide such insurance on a same occupation basis.

 

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(ii) The terms “permanently disabled” and “permanent disability” as used in this Agreement shall mean that Employee is, by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than twelve (12) months, receiving income replacement benefits for a period of not less than three (3) months under any long term disability plan maintained by Employer that covers Employee. In the absence of such a long term disability plan, “permanently disabled” and “permanent disability” shall mean that Employee is unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity for a period of at least ninety (90) days in any one-year period by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than twelve (12) months. In the event Employee becomes “permanently disabled,” the Board may terminate Employee’s employment under this Agreement upon ten (10) days’ prior written notice. If any determination with respect to “permanent disability” is disputed by Employee, the parties hereto agree to abide by the determination with respect to “permanent disability” of a panel of three physicians. Employee and the Board shall each appoint one member, and the third member of the panel shall be appointed by the other two members. Employee agrees to make himself available for and submit to examinations by such physicians as may be directed by the Board. Failure to submit to any such examination shall constitute a breach of a material part of this Agreement.

8. Other Terminations .

(a)

(i) Employee may terminate his employment hereunder for any reason whatsoever upon giving at least thirty (30) days’ prior written notice. In addition, Employee shall have the right to terminate his employment hereunder (a) at any time for “good reason” or (b) on the conditions provided for in Sections 8(d)(i)(1), 8(d)(i)(2) or 8(d)(i)(3) of this Agreement following a Change in Control. As used herein, “good reason” means the occurrence of any of the following without the consent of the Employee: (1) an other than de minimis diminution in Employee’s base salary, (2) a material diminution in Employee’s authorities, duties and executive responsibilities with Employer, (3) the relocation of Employee’s office to a location outside the Phoenix, Arizona metropolitan area, other than a relocation to the Houston, Texas metropolitan area, (4) a material breach of this Agreement by Employer, or (5) a change in reporting structure of Employer where Employee is required to report to someone holding a title or position different than the title or position of the person (or the Board in the case of the Chief Executive Officer) that Employee was required to report to on the Execution Date and following the Reorganization Effective Date, as applicable; provided, however, that the transactions completed pursuant to the Reorganization Plan and occurrence of the Reorganization Effective Date, shall not themselves be considered to give rise to any f the circumstances set forth in clauses (1)-(5) set forth above.

(ii) If Employee gives notice pursuant to the first sentence of Section 8(a)(i) but not based on the second sentence of Section 8(a)(i) above, Employer shall have the right to relieve Employee, in whole or in part, of his duties under this Agreement (without reduction in compensation through the termination date).

 

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(iii) If Employee terminates his employment hereunder pursuant to clause (a) of the second sentence of Section 8(a)(i) above, or if Employer terminates Employee’s employment without good cause (as defined herein) then (a) any and all options, rights or awards granted, or to be granted under Section 3 of this Agreement, in conjunction with Employer’s incentive compensation and stock option plans (other than awards subject to performance criteria (“Performance Awards”)) shall immediately be granted, if not yet granted, and in all cases, granted or to be granted, fully vest, and a “pro rata portion” of each Performance Award shall remain outstanding until the end of the applicable performance period (or, if earlier, until the occurrence of a Change in Control) and shall vest or not based on the actual performance for the performance period or, if applicable, upon the Change in Control as provided in Section 8(d)(i), and (b) Employee shall continue to receive the salary, bonus and other compensation and benefits specified in Section 3 for the remainder of the Initial Term or any then applicable Extension Period, in each case in the amount and kind and at the time provided for in Section 3 (provided, however, that if such benefits are not available under Employer’s benefit plans or applicable law, Employer shall be responsible for the cost of providing equivalent benefits); provided that , bonuses for each calendar year until the termination of this Agreement shall be paid based on the greater of (x) the amount equal to the total bonus paid for the last completed year for which bonuses have been paid or (y) the amount equal to the bonuses that would have been payable for the then current year (or, in the case of a date of termination of employment that occurs between January 1 of any year and the date that bonuses are paid based on the previous year, such previous year), determined on a basis consistent with the last completed year for which bonuses have been paid but using the projected bonus amounts for the then current year (or, in the case of a date of termination of this Agreement that occurs between January 1 of any year and the date that bonuses are paid based on the previous year, such previous year) determined by extrapolating the information as of the date of termination of this Agreement based on the best information available at the time of the calculation; provided further that , notwithstanding the termination of this Agreement, Employee’s covenants set forth in Sections 10 and 11 shall remain in full force and effect, but if Employer fails to timely pays all amounts provided for in Section 8, Section 10 and 11 of this Agreement shall automatically terminate and be of no further force or effect; and if Employee violates any of the provisions of Sections 10 or 11 at any time prior to the termination of this Agreement, then, in addition to its other rights and remedies, Employer shall have the right to terminate all further payments of compensation or benefits to Employee and shall have no further obligation therefor.

For purposes of this Agreement, the “pro rata portion” of a Performance Award shall be the amount calculated by multiplying (x) the full amount determined based on the Employer’s actual achievement of the performance criteria for the full performance period specified in the applicable award agreement between Employer and Employee, by (y) a fraction, the numerator of which is the actual number of days of the applicable performance period through the effective date of Employee’s termination of employment and the denominator of which is the total number of days of the applicable performance period.

 

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For purposes of this Agreement, the term “Extension Period” shall mean the period from a Renewal Date to the day immediately preceding the first anniversary of such Renewal Date.

(b)

(i) Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, Employer may terminate the employment of Employee hereunder only for “good cause” (as defined below) and upon written notice.

(ii) As used herein, “good cause” shall mean:

(1) Commit a material breach of this Agreement (including for the avoidance of doubt, any act or failure to act in violation of the covenants set forth in Appendix A;

(2) Employee shall be convicted of, or plead no contest to, a felony criminal offense;

(3) Employee shall be guilty of gross negligence, recklessness or willful misconduct in connection with or affecting the business or affairs of Employer;

(4) Employee’s material and intentional unauthorized use, misappropriate, destruction or diversion of any tangible or intangible asset or corporate opportunity of the Company;

(5) Employee’s willful failure to take actions permitted by law and necessary to implement policies of the Board that the Board has communicated to him in writing;

(6) Employee’s continued failure to devote substantially his full business time, energy and attention to his duties as an executive officer of Employer or its affiliates as contemplated in Section 5(a) above, following written notice from the Board to Employee of such failure; or

(7) any condition that either resulted from Employee’s current substantial dependence on alcohol, or any narcotic drug or other controlled or illegal substance. If any determination of substantial dependence is disputed by Employee, the parties hereto agree to abide by the decision of a panel of three physicians appointed in the manner specified in Section 7(b)(ii) of this Agreement.

(8) With respect to (2) through (5) above, such circumstances shall not constitute “good cause” unless Employee has failed to cure such circumstances within ten (10) business days following receipt of written notice thereof from the Board identifying in reasonable detail the manner in which the Employer believes that Employee has not performed such duties and indicating the steps Employer requires to cure such circumstances.

 

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(iii) Termination of the employment of Employee for reasons other than those expressly specified in this Agreement as good cause shall be deemed to be a termination of employment “without good cause.”

(c)

(i) If Employer shall terminate the employment of Employee without good cause effective on a date earlier than the end of the Initial Term or any then applicable Extension Period, Employee shall continue to receive the salary, bonus and other compensation and benefits specified in Section 3 for the remainder of the Initial Term or any then applicable Extension Period, in each case in the amount and kind and at the time provided for in Section 3 (provided, however, that if such benefits are not available under Employer’s benefit plans or applicable law, Employer shall be responsible for the cost of providing equivalent benefits); provided that, bonuses for each calendar year until the termination of employment shall be paid based on the greater of (x) the amount equal to the total bonus paid for the last completed year for which bonuses have been paid or (y) the amount equal to the bonuses that would have been payable for the then current year (or, in the case of a date of termination of employment that occurs between January 1 of any year and the date that bonuses are paid based on the previous year, such previous year), determined on a basis consistent with the last completed year for which bonuses have been paid but using the projected bonus amounts for the then current year (or, in the case of a date of termination of employment that occurs between January 1 of any year and the date that bonuses are paid based on the previous year, such previous year) determined by extrapolating the information as of the date of termination of employment based on the best information available at the time of the calculation; provided further that , notwithstanding such termination of employment, Employee’s covenants set forth in Sections 10 and 11 shall remain in full force and effect but if Employer fails to make timely payment of the amounts set forth in this Section 8, then Sections 10 and 11 shall automatically terminate and have no further force or effect; and if Employee violates any of the provisions of Sections 10 or 11 at any time prior to the termination of this Agreement, then, in addition to its other rights and remedies, Employer shall have the right to terminate all further payments of compensation or benefits to Employee and shall have no further obligation therefor.

(ii) If Employer shall terminate the employment of Employee without good cause effective on a date earlier than the end of the Initial Term or any then applicable Extension Period, any and all options, rights or awards granted in conjunction with Employer’s incentive compensation and stock option plans (other than Performance Awards) shall immediately vest and a “pro rata portion” of each Performance Award shall remain outstanding until the end of the applicable performance period (or, if earlier, until the occurrence of a Change in Control) and shall vest or not based on the actual performance for the performance period or, if applicable, shall vest upon the Change in Control as provided in Section 8(d)(i).

(iii) The parties agree that, because there can be no exact measure of the damages that would occur to Employee as a result of a termination by Employer of Employee’s employment without good cause, the payments and benefits paid and

 

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provided pursuant to Section 8 shall be deemed to constitute liquidated damages and not a penalty for Employer’s termination of Employee’s employment without good cause, and Employer agrees that Employee shall not be required to mitigate his damages.

(d)

(i) If a Change in Control (as defined in the MIP as adopted following the Reorganization Effective Date) of Employer shall occur after the Reorganization, then any and all options, rights or awards (including restricted stock awards and restricted stock unit awards) granted to Employee in conjunction with the Employer’s incentive compensation or equity incentive compensation plans shall be deemed to have vested immediately prior to such Change in Control; provided that , with respect to the immediate vesting of any and all Performance Awards, such awards shall immediately vest if and to the extent determined by the Board at the time of grant and as forth in the applicable award agreement between Employee and Employer. Further, if a Change in Control of Employer shall occur, and

(1) Employee shall voluntarily terminate his employment following such Change in Control in the event that the Employer:

(A) has after the Change in Control reduced Employee’s annual base salary or potential bonus level or any incentive compensation or equity incentive compensation plan benefit (as in effect immediately before such Change in Control);

(B) has relocated Employee’s office to a location that is more than 10 miles from the location in which Employee principally works for Employer immediately before such Change in Control;

(C) has relocated the principal executive office of Employer or the office of Employer’s operating group for which Employee performed the majority of his services for Employer during the year before the Change in Control to a location that is more than 10 miles from the location of such office immediately before such Change in Control;

(D) has required Employee, in order to perform duties of substantially equal status to those duties Employee performed immediately before the Change in Control, to travel on Employer’s business to a substantially greater extent than is consistent with Employee’s travel obligations immediately before such Change in Control;

(E) has failed to continue to provide Employee with benefits substantially equivalent to those enjoyed by Employee under any of Employer’s life insurance, medical, health and accident or disability plans and incentive compensation or equity incentive compensation plans in which Employee was participating immediately before the Change in Control;

 

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(F) has taken any action that would directly or indirectly materially reduce any of such benefits or deprive Employee of any material fringe benefit enjoyed by Employee immediately before the Change in Control;

(G) has failed to provide Employee with at least the number of paid vacation days to which Employee is entitled on the basis of years of service under Employer’s normal vacation policy in effect immediately before the Change in Control giving credit for time served at Employer;

(2) Employee shall voluntarily terminate his employment following such Change in Control in the event that, as a result of the Change in Control and a change in circumstances thereafter significantly affecting his position other than those listed in Section 8(d)(i)(1) above, he no longer has the authorities, powers, functions or duties attached to his position as an executive officer of Employer or any of their affiliates;

(3) Employee shall voluntarily terminate his employment following such Change in Control, in the event that there has been a substantial diminution of his duties, responsibilities, status, title or position as an executive officer of Employer or any of their affiliates; or

(4) Employee shall have his employment terminated by Employer for reasons other than those specified in Section 8(b)(ii) following such Change in Control;

then in any of the above four cases, Employee shall be entitled to receive (x) the Accrued Compensation at such time as required by law and (y) a lump sum payment from the Company on the 60 th day following the Employee’s termination of employment of an amount equal to the sum of (i) one (1) times the Employee’s annual base salary as in effect at the time of termination or immediately prior to the occurrence of the Change in Control, whichever is greater, and (ii) one (1) times the amount of the Employee’s annual discretionary bonus, if any, which was payable pursuant to Section 3(a) for the year immediately precedent the year in which the Change in Control occurs; and (iii) payment of an amount equal to the cost of premiums required to continue Executive’s group health care coverage under the applicable provisions of the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (“COBRA”) for a period of 12 months.

(ii) Employee acknowledges and agrees that the Reorganization pursuant to which this Agreement is entered into shall not be deemed a Change in Control (or phrase having a similar import) for purposes of this Agreement, the Existing Agreement or any other agreement, plan or arrangement to which Employee is a party or in which Employee has any interest.

(e) If the employment of Employee is terminated for good cause under Section 8(b)(ii) of this Agreement, or if Employee voluntarily terminates his employment by

 

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written notice to Employer under Section 8(a) of this Agreement without reliance on Section 8(d), Employer shall pay to Employee any compensation earned but not paid to Employee prior to the effective date of such termination. Under such circumstances, such payment shall be in full and complete discharge of any and all liabilities or obligations of Employer to Employee hereunder. Provided that Employer makes timely payment of all amounts provided for in Section 8, then Employee must, however, still comply with the obligations set forth in Sections 10 and 11 of this Agreement, but if Employer fails to makes timely payment of all amounts provided for in Section 8, then Sections 10 and 11 shall automatically terminate and be of no further force or effect; and if Employee violates any of the provisions of Sections 10 or 11 at any time prior to the termination of this Agreement, then, in addition to its other rights and remedies, Employer shall have the right to terminate all further payments of compensation or benefits to Employee and shall have no further obligation therefor.

(f) Employer’s obligations to provide the compensation and benefits (the “Severance Benefits”) under Sections 8(a)(iii), 8(c) or 8(d) (other than payment of the Accrued Compensation), as applicable, shall be conditioned upon Employee having executed and delivered to Employer the release of claims substantially in the form attached hereto as Appendix “D” (the “Release”) and the period (if any) during which the Release can be revoked having expired within the 45 day period following the Employee’s date of termination; provided, that if such 45 day period spans two (2) calendar years, no Severance Benefits shall be paid or commenced to be paid until the second year, with the first payment including any amount that would have been paid during such forty-five day (45) day period but for this sentence being made promptly following such forth-five (45) day period. Employer and Employee agree that, should Employer fail to provide the Severance Benefits to Employee, the Release shall be void ab initio and Sections 10 and 11 of this Agreement shall automatically terminate and be of no further force or effect; and if Employee violates any of the provisions of Sections 10 or 11 at any time prior to the termination of this Agreement, then, in addition to its other rights and remedies, Employer shall have the right to terminate all further payments of compensation or benefits to Employee and shall have no further obligation therefor.

(g) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, before the Employer may assert that Employee’s violation of Sections 10 and 11 relieves Employer of the duty to perform Section 8, or Employee may assert that Employer’s violation of Section 8 relives Employee of the duty to comply with Sections 10 and 11, the party asserting the breach must give prior written notice claiming the breach, describing with reasonable specificity the claimed breach, and the other party shall have thirty (30) days after receipt of the written notice to cure the claimed breach, before the asserting party may assert the position that Sections 8, 10 or 11, as applicable are no longer in force or effect due to timely noticed and uncured breach by the other party.

9. Inventions and Other Intellectual Property . Employee agrees that during the term of his employment by Employer, he will disclose to Employer (and no one else) all ideas, methods, plans, developments or improvements known by him which relate directly or indirectly to the business of Employer, whether acquired by Employee before or during his employment by Employer. Nothing in this Section 9 shall be construed as requiring any such communication where the idea, plan, method or development is lawfully protected from disclosure as a trade secret of a third party or by any other lawful prohibition against such communication.

 

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10. Confidential Information and Trade Secrets .

(a) For purposes of this Agreement, the term “Nuverra’s Business” shall mean any business in which Employer or any of its subsidiaries are engaged as of the Execution Date and Reorganization Effective Date, including, without limitation, the business of providing oilfield services relating to, among other things, fluid and proppant transportation and logistics management, and solid and liquid waste disposal, in the Restricted Area (as defined below). In this business, Employer generates a tremendous volume of Confidential Information and Trade Secrets which it hereby agrees to share with Employee, and which Employee will have access to and knowledge of through or as a result of Employee’s employment with the Employer. “Confidential Information and Trade Secrets” includes any information, data or compilation of information or data developed, acquired or generated by Employer, or its employees (including information and materials conceived, originating, discovered, or developed in whole or in part by Employee at the request of or for the benefit of Employer or while employed by Employer), which is not generally known to persons who are not employees of Employer, and which Employer generally does not share other than with its employees, or with its customers and suppliers on an individual transactional basis. “Confidential Information and Trade Secrets” may be written, verbal or recorded by electronic, magnetic or other methods, whether or not expressly identified as “Confidential” by Employer. “Confidential Information and Trade Secrets” expressly does not include any information that is generally available through no breach of this Section 10 by Employee.

(b) “Confidential Information and Trade Secrets” includes, but is not limited to, the following information and materials:

(i) Financial information, of any kind, pertaining to Employer, including, without limitation, information about the profit margins, profitability, income and expenses of Employer or any of its divisions or lines of business;

(ii) Names and all other information about, and all communications received from, sent to or exchanged between, Employer and any person or entity which has purchased, contracted, hired, chartered equipment, vessels, personnel or services, or otherwise entered into a transaction with Employer regarding Nuverra’s Business, or to which Employer has made a proposal with respect to Nuverra’s Business (such person or entity being hereinafter referred to as “Customer” or “Customers”);

(iii) Names and other information about Employer’s employees, including their experience, backgrounds, resumes, compensation, sales or performance records or any other information about them;

(iv) Any and all information and records relating to Employer’s contracts, transactions, charges, prices, or sales to its Customers, including invoices, proposals, confirmations, statements, accounting records, bids, payment records or any other information regarding transactions between Employer and any of its Customers;

(v) All information about the employees, agents or representatives of Customers who are involved in evaluating, providing information for, deciding upon, or

 

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committing to purchase, sell or otherwise enter into a transaction relating to Nuverra’s Business (each such individual being hereinafter referred to as a “Customer Representative”) including, without limitation, with respect to any such individual, his name, address, telephone and facsimile numbers, email addresses, titles, positions, duties, and all records of communications to, from or with any such Customer Representative;

(vi) Any and all information or records relating to Employer’s contracts or transaction with, or prices or purchases from any person or entity from which Employer has purchased or otherwise acquired goods or services of any kind used in connection with Nuverra’s Business (each such person or entity being hereinafter referred to as a “Supplier”), including invoices, proposals, confirmations, statements, accounting records, bids, payment records or any other information documents regarding amounts charged by or paid to suppliers for products or services;

(vii) All information about the employees, agents or representatives of Suppliers who are involved in evaluating, providing information for, deciding upon, or committing to purchase, sell or otherwise enter into a transaction relating to Nuverra’s Business (each such individual being hereinafter referred to as “Supplier Representative”) including, without limitation, with respect to any such individual, his name, address, telephone and facsimile numbers, email addresses, titles, positions, duties, and all records of communications to, from or with any such Supplier Representative;

(viii) Employer’s marketing, business and strategic growth plans, methods of operation, methods of doing business, cost and pricing data, and other compilations of information relating to the operations of Employer.

(c) Employee acknowledges that all notes, data, forms, reference and training materials, leads, memoranda, computer programs, computer print-outs, disks and the information contained in any computer, and any other records which contain, reflect or describe any Confidential Information and Trade Secrets, belong exclusively to Employer. Employee shall promptly return such materials and all copies thereof in Employee’s possession to Employer upon termination of his employment, regardless of the reasons therefor (such date being hereinafter referred to as the “Termination Date”).

(d) During Employee’s employment with Employer and thereafter, Employee will not copy, publish, convey, transfer, disclose or use, directly or indirectly, for Employee’s own benefit or for the benefit of any other person or entity (except Employer) any Confidential Information and Trade Secrets. Employee’s obligation shall continue in full force and effect until the later of the final day of any period of non-competition or eighteen (18) months after the termination of Employer’s employment. Employee will abide by all rules, guidelines, policies and procedures relating to Confidential Information and Trade Secrets implemented and/or amended from time to time by Employer.

Employee acknowledges that any actual or threatened breach of the covenants contained herein will cause Employer irreparable harm and that money damages would not provide an adequate remedy to Employer for any such breach. For these reasons, and because of the unique nature of the Confidential Information and Trade Secrets and the necessity to preserve such

 

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Confidential Information and Trade Secrets in order to protect Employer’s property rights in the event of a breach or threatened breach of any of the provisions herein, Employer, in addition to any other remedies available to it at law or in equity, shall be entitled to immediate injunctive relief against Employee to enforce the provisions of this Agreement and shall be entitled to recover from Employee its reasonable attorney’s fees and other expenses incurred in connection with such proceedings.

Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, or in any agreement or communication between Employer and Employee, (a) the confidentiality and nondisclosure obligations herein shall not prohibit or restrict Employee from initiating communications directly with, or responding to any inquiry from, or providing testimony before, the SEC, any other governmental agency, any self-regulatory organization or any other state or federal regulatory authority, regarding any possible securities law violations, and (b) Employer shall not enforce or threaten to enforce, any confidentiality agreement or other similar agreement, nor take or threaten to take any other action against Employee for engaging in the types of communications described in (a) above.

11. Noncompetition and Nonsolicitation .

(a) During the term of Employee’s employment, Employer agrees to provide, and to continue to provide Employee, on a daily, weekly, monthly and continual basis, access to, and the use of, its “Confidential Information and Trade Secrets” concerning Nuverra’s Business, and Employer’s employees, Customers and Customer Representatives, Suppliers and Supplier Representatives and Employer’s transactional histories with all of them, as well as information about the logistics, details, revenues and expenses of Nuverra’s Business, in order to allow Employee to perform Employee’s duties under this Agreement, and to develop or continue to solidify relationships with Customers, Customer Representatives, Suppliers and Supplier Representatives. Employee acknowledges that new and additional Confidential Information and Trade Secrets regarding each of these matters is developed by Employer as a part of its continuing operations, and Employer hereby agrees to provide Employee access to and use of all such new, additional and continuing Confidential Information and Trade Secrets, and Employee acknowledges that access to such new, additional and continuing Confidential Information and Trade Secrets is essential for Employee to be able to perform, and continue to perform, Employee’s duties under this Agreement. In addition, Employer agrees to provide, and continue to provide, training, education, direction and development to Employee with respect to all of Employer’s business methods, processes, procedures, software and information, including newly developed and newly discovered information, in order to ensure Employee can perform Employee’s duties hereunder and participate in Nuverra’s Business.

(b) In consideration of Employer’s agreement to provide Employee with access to and use of its Confidential Information and Trade Secrets, including new, additional and continuing Confidential Information and Trade Secrets, and to provide training, Employee agrees to refrain from competing with Employer, or otherwise engaging in Restricted Activities within the Restricted Area, each as defined herein, during the Restricted Period.

(c) Restricted Period . Employee agrees that during the term of his employment with Employer, and thereafter until the later of (i) the end of the Initial Term or any

 

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then applicable Extension Period and (ii) one (1) year following termination of Employee’s employment following a notice of non-renewal, regardless of the date or cause of such termination of employment (the “Restricted Period”), and regardless of whether the termination of employment occurs with or without cause, and regardless of who terminates such employment, provided that, and for so long as, Employer timely complies with all provisions of this Agreement, as applicable to the termination of employment event, Employee will not, directly or indirectly, engage in any of the Restricted Activities within the Restricted Area.

(d) Restricted Activities . Restricted Activities shall mean and include all of the following:

(i) directly or indirectly, owning, managing, operating, joining, controlling, being employed by, or participating in the ownership, management, operation or control of, or be connected in any manner with, including, without limitation, holding any position as an employee, officer, director, agent, independent contractor, recruiter, consultant, partner, shareholder, investor, lender, underwriter or in any other individual or representative capacity in any person, entity or business that is engaged in Nuverra’s Business (a “Restricted Enterprise”). The restrictions of this section shall not be violated by (i) the ownership of no more than 5% of the outstanding securities of any company whose stock is publicly traded or (ii) following the termination of his employment with Employer, his employment by a certified public accounting firm or a commercial or investment bank that may have as a client or customer: (A) a Competitor to Employer or (B) any of the clients or customers of Employer with whom Employer did business during the term of Employee’s employment, so long as Employee does not directly or indirectly serve, advise or consult in any way such Competitor to Employer or client or customer of Employer, respectively, during the Restricted Period.

(ii) Recruiting, hiring or attempting to recruit or hire, either directly or by assisting others, any other employee of Employer, or any of its customers or suppliers in connection with Nuverra’s Business. For purposes of this covenant, “any other employee” shall include employees, consultants, independent contractors or others who are still actively employed by, or doing business with, Employer, its Customers or Suppliers, at the time of the attempted recruiting or hiring, or were so employed or doing business at any time within six months prior to the date of such attempted recruiting or hiring;

(iii) Communicating, by any means, soliciting or offering to solicit the purchase, performance, sale, furnishing, or providing of any equipment, services, or product which constitute any part of Nuverra’s Business to, for or with any Customer, Customer Representative, Supplier or Supplier Representative; and

(iv) Using, disclosing, publishing, copying, distributing or communicating any Confidential Information and Trade Secrets to or for the use or benefit of Employee or any other person or entity other than Employer.

(e) Permitted Activities . Subject to Section 5(a) and Section 11, no provision of this Agreement shall prohibit (i) Employee’s continued officer positions, board memberships

 

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and service with board committees and/or investments in the entities listed on Schedule 1 attached hereto (the “Scheduled Entities”) provided that (A) the Employee’s role or amount of time spent with respect to any of the Scheduled Entities does not expand or increase from that in effect on April 1, 2017 and (B) the nature and scope of the services and/or products provided by the Scheduled Entities does not change from that in effect on April 1, 2017 or (ii) such other activities as may be approved by the Board at any time after the Execution Date (collectively, the “Permitted Activities”).

(f) Restricted Area . The “Restricted Area” shall mean and include anywhere in the continental United States and, outside the continental United States, within a 100-mile radius of such locations in which the Employer actively operates during the Initial Term and any applicable Extension Period.

(g) Agreement Ancillary to Other Agreements . This covenant not to compete is ancillary to and part of other agreements between Employer and Employee, including, without limitation, Employer’s agreement to disclose, and continue to disclose, its Confidential Information and Trade Secrets, and its agreement to provide, and continue to provide, training, education and development to Employee.

(h) Mutual Reliance. The parties hereto agree that the foregoing restrictive covenants set forth herein are essential elements of this Agreement, and that, but for the agreement of Employee to comply with such covenants, Employer would not have agreed to enter into this Agreement and but for the provisions of Section 8, Employee would not have agreed to enter into this Agreement. The existence of any claim or cause of action of employee against Employer, whether predicated on this Agreement, or otherwise, shall not constitute a defense to the enforcement by Employer of the covenants set forth in Sections 10 and 11. In this Agreement, the survival and effectiveness of Sections 10 and 11 are subject to, and conditioned upon, timely compliance by Employer with Section 8; and the Employer’s obligations under Section 8 is contingent on and subject to Employees full compliance with Sections 10 and 11.

(i) Equitable Reformation . The parties hereto agree that if any portion of the covenants set forth herein are held to be illegal, invalid, unreasonable, arbitrary or against public policy, then such portion of such covenants shall be considered divisible both as to time and geographical area. Employer and Employee agree that, if any court of competent jurisdiction determines the specified time period or the specified geographical area applicable herein to be illegal, invalid, unreasonable, arbitrary or against public policy, a lesser time period or geographical area which is determined to be reasonable, non-arbitrary and not illegal or against public policy may be enforced against Employee. Employer and Employee agree that the foregoing covenants are appropriate and reasonable when considered in light of the nature and extent of the business conducted by Employer and the Confidential Information and Trade Secrets and training provided by Employer to Employee.

12. Injunctive Relief . Employee agrees that damages at law will be an insufficient remedy to Employer if Employee violates or attempts or threatens to violate the terms of Sections 9, 10 or 11 of this Agreement and that Employer would suffer irreparable damage as a result of such violation or attempted or threatened violation. Accordingly, it is agreed that Employer shall be entitled, upon application to a court of competent jurisdiction, to obtain

 

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injunctive relief to enforce the provisions of such Sections, which injunctive relief shall be in addition to any other rights or remedies available to Employer, at law or in equity. In the event either party commences legal action relating to the enforcement of the terms of Sections 9, 10 or 11 of this Agreement, the prevailing party in such action shall be entitled to recover from the other party all of the costs and expenses in connection therewith, including reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel (both at trial and in appellate proceedings).

13. Compliance with Other Agreements . Employee represents and warrants that the execution of this Agreement by him and his performance of his obligations hereunder will not conflict with, result in the breach of any provision of or the termination of or constitute a default under any agreement to which Employee is a party or by which Employee is or may be bound.

14. Waiver of Breach . The waiver by either party of a breach of any of the provisions of this Agreement by the other party shall not be construed as a waiver of any subsequent breach by the waiving party.

15. Binding Effect; Assignment .

(a) Nuverra’s Business, as defined in Section 10, is carried on by, and the Confidential Information and Trade Secrets as defined in Section 10 has been, and will continue to be, developed by Employer and each of Employer’s subsidiaries and affiliates, as they are exist on the Execution Date and Reorganization Effective Date (“Employer Group”), all of which shall be included within the meaning of the word “Employer” as that term is used in Sections 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 of this Agreement. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable by, and is binding upon, Employer Group.

(b) The rights and obligations of Employer under this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and shall be binding upon the successors and assigns of Employer. This Agreement is a personal employment contract and the rights, obligations and interests of Employee hereunder may not be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged or hypothecated.

16. Indemnification . Employee shall be entitled throughout the term of this Agreement and thereafter to indemnification by Employer Group in respect of any actions or omissions as an employee, officer or director of Employer (or any successor thereof) to the fullest extent permitted by law. The parties acknowledge that Employee is also entitled to the benefits of a separate Indemnification Agreement between Employee and Employer and that this section shall be read as complimentary with and not in conflict with or substitution for such Indemnification Agreement. Employer also agrees to obtain directors and officers (D&O) insurance in a reasonable amount determined by the Board and to maintain such insurance during the term of this Agreement (as such Agreement may be extended from time to time) and for a period of twelve (12) months following the termination of this Agreement, as so extended.

17. Entire Agreement . This Agreement (including Appendix “A,” Appendix “B”, and Appendix “C” as each may be amended from time to time) contains the entire agreement and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, oral or written, with respect to the subject matter hereof, including without limitation the Existing Employment Agreement. This Agreement may be changed only by an agreement in writing signed by the party against whom any waiver, change, amendment, modification or discharge is sought.

 

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18. Construction and Interpretation .

(a) The Board shall have the sole and absolute discretion to construe and interpret the terms of this Agreement, unless another individual or entity is charged jointly by the Board and the Employee with such responsibility.

(b) This Agreement shall be construed pursuant to and governed by the laws of the State of Arizona (but any provision of Arizona law shall not apply if the application of such provision would result in the application of the law of a state or jurisdiction other than Arizona).

(c) The headings of the various sections in this Agreement are inserted for convenience of the parties and shall not affect the meaning, construction or interpretation of this Agreement.

(d) Consistent with Section 11(i), the following sentences of this Section 18(d) shall apply. Any provision of this Agreement that is determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to be prohibited, unenforceable or not authorized in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition, unenforceability or non-authorization without invalidating the remaining provisions hereof or affecting the validity, enforceability or legality of such provision in any other jurisdiction. In any such case, such determination shall not affect any other provision of this Agreement, and the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect. If any provision or term of this Agreement is susceptible to two or more constructions or interpretations, one or more of which would render the provision or term void or unenforceable, the parties agree that a construction or interpretation that renders the term or provision valid shall be favored.

(e) This Agreement shall be construed to the extent necessary to comply with the provisions of Section 409A of the Code and any Treasury Regulations and other guidance issued thereunder

19. Notice . All notices that are required or may be given under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given when received if personally delivered; when transmitted if transmitted by telecopy or similar electronic transmission method; one working day after it is sent, if sent by recognized expedited delivery service; and five days after it is sent, if mailed, first class mail, certified mail, return receipt requested, with postage prepaid. In each case notice shall be sent to:

 

To Employer:   

Nuverra Environmental Solutions, Inc.

  

Attention: Chief Legal Officer

  

14624 N. Scottsdale Road, Suite 300

  

Scottsdale, Arizona 85254

 

 

 

 

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To Employee:   

Mark D. Johnsrud

  

14624 N. Scottsdale Road, Suite 300

  

Scottsdale, Arizona 85254

20. Venue; Process . The parties agree that all obligations payable and performable under this Agreement are payable and performable at the offices of Employer in Scottsdale, Maricopa County, Arizona. The parties to this Agreement agree that jurisdiction and venue in any action brought pursuant to this Agreement to enforce its terms or otherwise with respect to the relationships between the parties shall properly lie in the Superior Court for Maricopa County, Arizona or in the United States District Court for the District of Arizona, Phoenix Office.

21. Six-Month Delay . Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, if, at the time of Employee’s termination of employment with Employer, he is a “specified employee” as defined in Section 409A of the Code, and one or more of the payments or benefits received or to be received by Employee pursuant to this Agreement would constitute deferred compensation subject to Section 409A of the Code, no such payment or benefit will be provided under this Agreement until the earlier of (a) the date that is six (6) months following Employee’s termination of employment with Employer, or (b) the Employee’s death. The provisions of this Section 21 shall only apply to the extent required to avoid Employee’s incurrence of any penalty tax or interest under Section 409A of the Code or any Treasury Regulations and other guidance issued thereunder

[REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement the day and year first above written.

 

EMPLOYER:
NUVERRA ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTIONS, INC.
For itself and the Employer Group
By:  

/s/ Joseph M. Crabb

  Joseph M. Crabb
  Executive Vice President
EMPLOYEE:

/s/ Mark D. Johnsrud

Mark D. Johnsrud


APPENDIX A

In connection with Reorganization Plan, the Employee acknowledges and agrees to support the Reorganization Plan in accordance with the terms of the RSA and shall (capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein or in the Restated Agreement shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in the RSA):

 

  a. To the extent Employee is entitled to vote, vote all of the Employee’s Claims against and Equity Interests in the Employer Group now or hereafter owned in favor of the Plan by timely delivering the Employee’s duly executed and completed ballot accepting the Reorganization Plan following receipt of the Solicitation Materials;

 

  b. not (A) object to, delay, impede, or take any other action to interfere with, delay, or postpone acceptance, confirmation, or implementation of the Reorganization Plan and the Restructuring Transaction; (B) directly or indirectly solicit, encourage, propose, file, support, participate in the formulation of or vote for any restructuring, sale of assets (including pursuant to section 363 of the Bankruptcy Code), merger, workout or plan of reorganization or liquidation (under Chapter 11 or Chapter 7 of the Bankruptcy Code) for any of the Nuverra Parties other than the Reorganization Plan or (C) otherwise take any action that would, or is intended to, in any material respect interfere with, delay or postpone the consummation of the Restructuring Transaction;

 

  c. use reasonable best efforts to meet the milestones set forth in Section 6 of the RSA;

 

  d. not take any actions inconsistent with, or that are intended or are reasonably likely to interfere with, this Agreement, the Restructuring Term Sheet, the DIP Facilities, the Reorganization Plan and any other related documents executed by the Company;

 

  e. not directly or indirectly seek or solicit any discussions relating to, or enter into any agreements relating to, any alternative proposal (including any alternative transaction involving the reorganization, sale, merger, consolidation or liquidation of the Company) other than the Restructuring Transaction;

 

  f. support and take all actions that are necessary and appropriate to facilitate approval of the DIP Facilities, approval of the Disclosure Statement, confirmation of the Reorganization Plan and consummation of the Restructuring Transaction in accordance with, and within the time frames contemplated by, the RSA;

 

  g. not sell, dispose, loan, pledge, hypothecate, assign, grant, encumber, or otherwise transfer any Equity Interests in the Company prior to the Reorganization Plan Effective Date; and

 

  h. shall provide documentation memorizing the Employee’s release of all claims Employee may have against the Company and the Released Parties, as contained in the Reorganization Plan;


APPENDIX B

[FORTHCOMING PRIOR TO JUNE 30 AS CONTEMPLATED IN SECTION 3(a)]

 

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APPENDIX C

MIP Term Sheet

The following describes the principal terms of the management incentive plan (the “ MIP ”), to be adopted and approved by Employer in connection with the Reorganization. In this regard, the MIP shall be adopted by Employer, and effective as the Reorganization Effective Date, and the initial grant of awards under the MIP will be made as soon as reasonably practicable after the Reorganization Effective Date (the “ Emergence Awards ”). This term sheet does not contain all of the terms and conditions of the MIP. Capitalized terms not otherwise defined in this MIP term sheet (the “ MIP Term Sheet ”) shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in the RSA.

 

MIP

    
Effective Date    The MIP shall be effective on the Reorganization Effective Date. Emergence Awards will be granted (with vesting keyed to the Reorganization Effective Date) as soon as reasonably practicable following Reorganization Effective Date.
Administration    The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of the reorganized Company (the “ Compensation Committee ”) shall administer the plan and make all determinations with respect to awards granted under the MIP.
Participants    Officers and employees of the reorganized Company who are designated by the Compensation Committee to receive awards under the MIP.
Award Pool; Anti-dilution / Adjustment    12.5% of the outstanding equity securities of the reorganized Company, on a fully diluted basis as of the Reorganization Effective Date will be available for grant under the MIP (the “ Award Pool ”). Awards will be subject to customary anti-dilution and other adjustments for changes in capitalization and other events.
MIP Awards    The MIP will be an “omnibus” incentive plan which will permit the Compensation Committee to grant various types of equity awards, including: (i) stock options (ISOs and NQSOs); (ii) stock appreciation rights; (iii) restricted stock; (iv) restricted stock units; and (v) other stock-based awards.
(continued on next page)

 

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Use of Award Pool   

•    60% of the Award Pool (i.e., 7.5% of the fully diluted shares) will be granted to the Chief Executive Officer upon the Reorganization Effective Date as “Emergence Awards,” of which:

 

•    50% of the Emergence Awards will be time-based restricted stock units (“ Time-based RSUs ”).

 

•    50% of the Emergence Awards will be performance-based restricted stock units (“ Performance-based RSUs ”).

 

•    The remaining 40% of the Award Pool (i.e., 5% of the fully diluted shares) will be reserved for future grants to key employees other than the CEO, which grantees and the terms and conditions of the awards thereto to be determined by the Compensation Committee from time to time.

Vesting for Emergence Awards   

•     Time-based RSUs granted as Emergence Awards – one-third (1/3) of the Time-based RSUs will vest immediately as of the Reorganization Effective Date, one-third (1/3) will vest on the first anniversary of the Reorganization Effective Date, and one-third (1/3) will vest on the second anniversary of the Reorganization Effective Date, provided that the participant remains employed on each vesting date.

 

•     Performance-based RSUs/Performance-based Options granted as Emergence Awards – reasonable performance metrics and performance period will be set by the Compensation Committee (in consultation with the CEO of the Company) prior to grant, provided that the applicable performance period will end no later than the second anniversary of the Reorganization Effective Date, with 50% of the awards scheduled to vest on the first anniversary of the Reorganization Effective Date and 50% of the awards scheduled to vest on the second anniversary of the Reorganization Effective Date, in each case subject to the achievement of the applicable performance goals.

Terms for Future Awards    Vesting, acceleration and other terms applicable to any future awards (i.e., other than the Emergence Awards) to be determined by the Compensation Committee in consultation with the CEO prior to the grant of such awards.
Settlement    For RSUs, settlement promptly following vesting (as applicable) in shares of common stock; Company option to settle in cash.

 

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APPENDIX D

Y OU S HOULD C ONSULT W ITH A N A TTORNEY B EFORE S IGNING T HIS R ELEASE O F C LAIMS .

RELEASE

1. In consideration of the payments and benefits to be made under the Employment Agreement, dated as of April     , 2017 (the “ Employment Agreement ”), by and between Mark D. Johnsrud (the “ Employee ”) and Nuverra Environmental Solutions, Inc. (the “ Employer ”) (each of the Employee and the Employer, a “ Party ” and collectively, the “ Parties ”), the sufficiency of which the Employee acknowledges, the Employee, with the intention of binding the Employee and the Employee’s heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, does hereby release, remise, acquit and forever discharge the Employer and each of its subsidiaries and affiliates (the “ Employer Affiliated Group ”), their present and former officers, directors, Employees, shareholders, agents, attorneys, employees and employee benefit plans (and the fiduciaries thereof), and the successors, predecessors and assigns of each of the foregoing (collectively, the “ Employer Released Parties ”), of and from any and all claims, actions, causes of action, complaints, charges, demands, rights, damages, debts, sums of money, accounts, financial obligations, suits, expenses, attorneys’ fees and liabilities of whatever kind or nature in law, equity or otherwise, whether accrued, absolute, contingent, unliquidated or otherwise and whether now known or unknown, suspected or unsuspected, which the Employee, individually or as a member of a class, now has, owns or holds, or has at any time heretofore had, owned or held, arising on or prior to the date hereof, against any Employer Released Party that arises out of, or relates to, the Employment Agreement, the Employee’s employment with the Employer or any of its subsidiaries and affiliates, or any termination of such employment, including claims (i) for severance or vacation benefits, unpaid wages, salary or incentive payments, (ii) for breach of contract, wrongful discharge, impairment of economic opportunity, defamation, intentional infliction of emotional harm or other tort, (iii) for any violation of applicable state and local labor and employment laws (including, without limitation, all laws concerning unlawful and unfair labor and employment practices) and (iv) for employment discrimination under any applicable federal, state or local statute, provision, order or regulation, and including, without limitation, any claim under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (“Title VII”), the Civil Rights Act of 1988, the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”), the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”), the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (“ADEA”), and any similar or analogous state statute, excepting only:

 

  A. rights and entitlements Employee may have under the Employment Agreement, including any payments that are due to be made subject to execution and delivery of this Release;

 

  B. rights Employee may have under the Company’s Management Incentive Plan and any awards granted to Employee thereunder;

 

  C. claims for benefits under any health, disability, retirement, life insurance or other, similar employee benefit plan (within the meaning of Section 3(3) of ERISA) of the Employer Affiliated Group; and


  D. rights to indemnification the Employee has or may have under the by-laws or certificate of incorporation of any member of the Employer Affiliated Group or as an insured under any director’s and officer’s liability insurance policy now or previously in force;

2. The Employee acknowledges and agrees that this Release is not to be construed in any way as an admission of any liability whatsoever by any Employer Released Party, any such liability being expressly denied.

3. This Release applies to any relief no matter how called, including, without limitation, wages, back pay, front pay, compensatory damages, liquidated damages, punitive damages, damages for pain or suffering, costs, and attorneys’ fees and expenses.

4. The Employee specifically acknowledges that the Employee’s acceptance of the terms of this Release is, among other things, a specific waiver of the Employee’s rights, claims and causes of action under Title VII, ADEA, ADA and any state or local law or regulation in respect of discrimination of any kind; provided, however, that nothing herein shall be deemed, nor does anything contained herein purport, to be a waiver of any right or claim or cause of action which by law the Employee is not permitted to waive.

5. The Employee acknowledges that the Employee has been given a period of forty-five (45) days to consider whether to execute this Release. If the Employee accepts the terms hereof and executes this Release, the Employee may thereafter, for a period of seven (7) days following (and not including) the date of execution, revoke this Release. If no such revocation occurs, this Release shall become irrevocable in its entirety, and binding and enforceable against the Employee, on the day next following the day on which the foregoing seven-day period has elapsed. If such a revocation occurs, the Employee shall irrevocably forfeit any right to payment of the Severance Benefits (as defined in the Employment Agreement), but the remainder of the Employment Agreement shall continue in full force.

6. The Employee acknowledges and agrees that the Employee has not, with respect to any transaction or state of facts existing prior to the date hereof, filed any complaints, charges or lawsuits against any Employer Released Party with any governmental agency, court or tribunal.

7. The Employee acknowledges that the Employee has been advised to seek, and has had the opportunity to seek, the advice and assistance of an attorney with regard to this Release, and has been given a sufficient period within which to consider this Release.

8. The Employee acknowledges that this Release relates only to claims that exist as of the date of this Release.

9. The Employee acknowledges that the Severance Benefits the Employee is receiving in connection with this Release and the Employee’s obligations under this Release are in addition to anything of value to which the Employee is entitled from the Employer.

10. Each provision hereof is severable from this Release, and if one or more provisions hereof are declared invalid, the remaining provisions shall nevertheless remain in full force and effect. If any provision of this Release is so broad, in scope, or duration or otherwise, as to be unenforceable, such provision shall be interpreted to be only so broad as is enforceable.

 

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11. This Release constitutes the complete agreement of the Parties in respect of the subject matter hereof and shall supersede all prior agreements between the Parties in respect of the subject matter hereof except to the extent set forth herein. For the avoidance of doubt, however, nothing in this Release shall constitute a waiver of any Employer Released Party’s right to enforce any obligations of the Employee under the Employment Agreement that survive the Employment Agreement’s termination, including without limitation, any non-competition covenant, non-solicitation covenant or any other restrictive covenants contained therein.

12. The failure to enforce at any time any of the provisions of this Release or to require at any time performance by another party of any of the provisions hereof shall in no way be construed to be a waiver of such provisions or to affect the validity of this Release, or any part hereof, or the right of any party thereafter to enforce each and every such provision in accordance with the terms of this Release.

13. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, this Release shall be void ab initio if Employer fails to provide the Severance Benefits (as defined in the Employment Agreement) to Employee.

14. This Release may be executed in several counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument. Signatures delivered by facsimile shall be deemed effective for all purposes.

15. This Release shall be binding upon any and all successors and assigns of the Employee and the Employer.

16. Except for issues or matters as to which federal law is applicable, this Release shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Arizona without giving effect to the conflicts of law principles thereof.

[signature page follows]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Release has been signed of            , 20    .

 

 

Mark D. Johnsrud

Exhibit 99.1

 

LOGO

NUVERRA INITIATES SOLICITATION OF VOTES FOR ITS PREVIOUSLY ANNOUNCED PREPACKAGED PLAN OF REORGANIZATION

COMMENCES VOLUNTARY CHAPTER 11 PROCEEDINGS PURSUANT TO RESTRUCTURING SUPPORT AGREEMENT

OPERATIONS TO CONTINUE WITHOUT INTERRUPTION; VENDORS TO BE PAID IN FULL; EMPLOYEE SALARY AND BENEFITS WILL CONTINUE UNINTERRUPTED

PLAN SUPPORTED BY SECURED TERM LOAN LENDERS AND HOLDERS OF APPROXIMATELY 86% OF 2021 NOTES

OBTAINS $44 MILLION IN NEW FINANCING; DEBT TO BE REDUCED BY APPROXIMATELY $500 MILLION

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (May 1, 2017) – Nuverra Environmental Solutions, Inc. (“Nuverra” or the “Company”) (OTCQB: NESC) announced today that the Company and its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Nuverra Parties”) have filed voluntary petitions for reorganization under chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code (the “Bankruptcy Code”) in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware (the “Bankruptcy Court”), pursuant to the terms of the previously announced Restructuring Support Agreement (the “RSA”) between the Company and the holders of 100% of the existing term loan debt (the “Term Loan”) and approximately 86% of the Company’s 12.5%/10.0% Senior Secured Second Lien Notes due 2021 (the “2021 Notes”), to restructure the Company’s outstanding indebtedness pursuant to a prepackaged plan of reorganization (the “Plan”). The Company will continue to operate the business as debtors-in-possession under the jurisdiction of the Bankruptcy Court and expects to continue existing operations as normal throughout the chapter 11 proceedings. The Company’s prepetition secured asset-based lenders and secured Term Loan lenders have also agreed, subject to the Bankruptcy Court’s approval, to provide $44 million in debtor-in-possession financing during the restructuring process to maintain operations. Pursuant to the RSA, the Company commenced a solicitation (the “Solicitation”) of votes for the Plan on April 28, 2017.

The Nuverra Parties filed various “first day” motions with the Bankruptcy Court seeking approval of relief that allows the Nuverra Parties to continue operations in the ordinary course of business, including requesting Bankruptcy Court authority to continue paying vendors and to continue providing employee wages, salaries and benefits without interruption. The Company expects to emerge from the chapter 11 proceedings with significantly reduced debt.

Mark D. Johnsrud, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chairman, commented, “We’re pleased that the Company has overwhelming support for the Plan from our Term Loan lenders and 2021 noteholders. Today’s filing is the start of a quick-moving Bankruptcy Court process that will allow the Company to decrease its debt burden by nearly $500 million to a supportable level. We appreciate the loyalty of our employees, customers and vendors and are committed to continuing to meet customer needs without interruption while providing excellent customer service. With a new financial foundation, the Company will have the strength and flexibility to be able to support its operations through the downturn and beyond.”

 

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Key elements of the Plan include:

 

    $44 million of debtor-in-possession financing provided by the lenders under the Company’s asset-based lending facility and Term Loan;

 

    Payment in full of all administrative expense claims, priority tax claims, priority claims and asset-based lending facility claims;

 

    Payment of undisputed customer and vendor obligations;

 

    Conversion of $75 million in Term Loan claims into newly issued common stock;

 

    Conversion of the 2021 Notes into newly issued common stock and rights in the rights offering;

 

    Cancellation of the Company’s 9.875% Senior Notes due 2018 and existing common stock;

 

    A rights offering provided to the holders of the 2021 Notes and the 2018 Notes, in the aggregate, of $150 million of new common stock of the reorganized Company; and

 

    Exit financing, to the extent necessary.

The Company’s legal advisors include Shearman & Sterling LLP, Squire Patton Boggs (US) LLP and Young Conaway Stargatt and Taylor LLP. The Company’s financial advisor is Lazard Middle Market, LLC. AP Services, LLC is serving as the Company’s restructuring advisor.

More information can be found in the Company’s Form 8-K being filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission today. Information about the restructuring can be found online at https://cases.primeclerk.com/nuverra or by calling 1-888-369-8913.

About Nuverra

Nuverra Environmental Solutions, Inc. is among the largest companies in the United States dedicated to providing comprehensive, full-cycle environmental solutions to customers focused on the development and ongoing production of oil and natural gas from shale formations. Our strategy is to provide one-stop, total environmental solutions and wellsite logistics management, including delivery, collection, treatment, recycling, and disposal of solid and liquid materials that are used in and generated by the drilling, completion, and ongoing production of shale oil and natural gas. The Company provides its suite of environmentally compliant and sustainable solutions to customers who demand stricter environmental compliance and accountability from their service providers. Find additional information about Nuverra on the Company’s website, http://www.nuverra.com, and in documents filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) at http://www.sec.gov.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the “Securities Act,” and Section 21E of the United States Securities

 

2


Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the “Exchange Act.” These statements relate to our expectations for future events and time periods. All statements other than statements of historical fact are statements that could be deemed to be forward-looking statements, and any forward-looking statements contained herein are based on information available to us as of the date of this press release and our current expectations, forecasts and assumptions, and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Accordingly, forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing our views as of any subsequent date. Future performance cannot be ensured, and actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Some factors that could cause actual results to differ include, among others: risks and uncertainties associated with the restructuring process, including our inability to obtain confirmation of a plan under chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code; failure to successfully consummate the restructuring to improve our liquidity and long-term capital structure, and to address our debt service obligations; failure to timely satisfy certain conditions and milestones under the restructuring support agreement; our inability to maintain relationships with suppliers, customers, employees and other third parties as a result of our chapter 11 filing; difficulties encountered in restructuring our debt in the chapter 11 bankruptcy proceeding, including our ability to obtain approval of the bankruptcy court with respect to motions or other requests made to the bankruptcy court, including maintaining strategic control as debtor-in-possession; the bankruptcy court’s rulings in our chapter 11 cases and the outcome of our chapter 11 cases in general; the effects of the restructuring on the Company and the interests of various constituents, including the holders of our common stock and notes; the length of time that the Company will operate under chapter 11 protection and the availability of financing during the pendency of the proceedings; the ability to successfully execute our restructuring plan and consummate the bankruptcy proceeding; potential impact of litigation; uncertainty relating to successful negotiation, execution and consummation of all necessary definitive agreements in connection with our strategic initiatives; whether certain markets grow as anticipated; pricing pressures; current and projected future uncertainties in commodities markets, including low oil and/or natural gas prices; changes in customer drilling and completion activities and capital expenditure plans; shifts in production in shale areas where we operate and/or shale areas where we currently do not have operations; control of costs and expenses, including uncertainty regarding the ability to successfully implement cost-management initiatives; liquidity and access to capital; compliance with the terms of agreements governing our debtor-in-possession financing; and the competitive and regulatory environment. The forward-looking statements contained, or incorporated by reference, herein are also subject generally to other risks and uncertainties that are described from time to time in the Company’s filings with the SEC. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which reflect management’s views as of the date of this press release. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any such forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, changes in expectations or otherwise. Additional risks and uncertainties are disclosed from time to time in the Company’s filings with the SEC, including the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016, as well as Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K.

Source: Nuverra Environmental Solutions, Inc.

Abernathy MacGregor

Sydney Isaacs, sri@abmac.com , 713.999.5104

Rivian Bell, rlb@abmac.com , 213.630.6550

# # #

 

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