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): September 29, 2019

 

 

ROAN RESOURCES, INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   001-32720   83-1984112
(State or Other Jurisdiction
of Incorporation)
  (Commission
File Number)
  (IRS Employer
Identification No.)

14701 Hertz Quail Springs Pkwy

Oklahoma City, OK 73134

(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code: (405) 896-8050

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 obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of each class

 

Trading
Symbol

 

Name of each exchange
on which registered

Class A Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share   ROAN   New York Stock Exchange

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.

On October 1, 2019, Roan Resources, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”), by and among Citizen Energy Operating, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Parent”), Citizen Energy Pressburg Inc., a Delaware corporation and wholly owned subsidiary of Parent (“Merger Sub”), and the Company. The Merger Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement have been unanimously approved by the Company’s board of directors (the “Board”).

Merger. The Merger Agreement provides for, among other things, the merger of Merger Sub with and into the Company, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement (the “Merger”), with the Company continuing as the surviving corporation in the Merger. As a result of the Merger, the Company would become a wholly owned subsidiary of Parent.

Merger Consideration. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, at the effective time of the Merger (the “Effective Time”), each share of Class A Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share, of the Company (“Company Common Stock”) issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time will be cancelled and automatically converted into the right to receive $1.52 in cash, without interest thereon (the “Merger Consideration”), other than (i) shares that are held in the treasury of the Company or owned of record by any wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, (ii) shares owned of record by Parent or any of its wholly owned subsidiaries and (iii) shares held by stockholders who do not vote in favor of or consent to the adoption of the Merger Agreement and who properly demand appraisal of such shares and complied in all respects with all the provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law concerning the right of holders of shares to require appraisal.

Treatment of Outstanding Equity Awards. Pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement,

 

   

outstanding and unvested Company restricted stock units will be fully vested and non-forfeitable and will be cancelled and converted into the right to receive an amount in cash, without interest, equal to the product of (i) the number of Company restricted stock units subject to such award multiplied by (ii) the Merger Consideration; and

 

   

outstanding and unvested Company performance share units will be cancelled without consideration.

Closing Conditions. The consummation of the Merger is subject to the satisfaction or waiver of specified closing conditions, including (i) the affirmative vote in favor of the adoption of the Merger Agreement by the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Company Common Stock entitled to vote thereon, (ii) any applicable waiting periods (or extensions thereof) under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976 (“HSR”) having expired or been terminated, (iii) the absence of any law, order, judgment or injunction by any governmental entity restraining, prohibiting or rendering the consummation of the Merger illegal, (iv) the indebtedness of the Company and its Subsidiaries (excluding indebtedness incurred to pay the Company’s transaction expenses) being less than or equal to $760 million and (v) certain other customary closing conditions. The consummation of the Merger is not subject to a financing condition. The Company’s estimated indebtedness calculated in accordance with the Merger Agreement is approximately $780 million as of September 30, 2019. In connection with the announcement of the transaction, the Company announced that it has elected to temporarily reduce its drilling and development activity and to suspend all completion activity to allow the new Chief Executive Officer time to assess the overall development and completion plan. As a result of reduction in activity, the Company believes it will be able to satisfy the cap on indebtedness closing condition by year-end 2019.

Representations, Warranties and Covenants; Non-Solicitation. The Merger Agreement contains customary representations, warranties and covenants of the Company, Parent and Merger Sub, including a covenant that Parent use its reasonable best efforts to cause the financing for the Merger to be funded. The representations and warranties made by the Company are qualified by disclosures made in its disclosure letter and certain Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) filings. The covenants include an obligation of the Company, subject to certain exceptions, from the date of the Merger Agreement through the Effective Time, to, and cause each of its subsidiaries to, conduct its business consistent with the Company’s operations plan in all material respects. In addition, the Merger Agreement includes a covenant by the Company to enter into additional natural gas liquid, natural gas and oil hedging arrangements as specified in the Merger Agreement. The Merger Agreement also contains covenants by the

 

2


Company not to participate in any discussions or negotiations with any person making any proposal for a competing transaction, and requiring the Board to recommend to the Company’s stockholders that they approve the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, in each case subject to customary exceptions. The Board may terminate the Merger Agreement to enter into a superior proposal upon satisfaction of certain conditions and upon payment of a termination fee of $25 million (the “Company Termination Fee”). The Board may also change its recommendation in certain circumstances specified in the Merger Agreement in response to an unsolicited proposal for an Alternative Proposal that would constitute a superior proposal or following an Intervening Event (as such term is defined in the Merger Agreement) but only if certain conditions are satisfied with respect thereto and the Company complies with its obligations in respect thereto. Under the Merger Agreement, each of the Company and Parent has also agreed to use reasonable best efforts to consummate the Merger, including using reasonable best efforts to obtain all required regulatory approvals.

Termination; Termination Fees. The Merger Agreement also provides for certain termination rights for both the Company and Parent, including the right of the Company to terminate the Merger Agreement to accept a Superior Proposal, subject to specified limitations. In addition, and subject to certain limitations, either party may terminate the Merger Agreement if the Merger is not consummated by March 17, 2020. Upon termination of the Merger Agreement under certain circumstances, the Company would be obligated to pay Parent the Company Termination Fee. Upon termination of the Merger Agreement under certain circumstances, Parent would be obligated to pay the Company a termination fee of $35.0 million (the “Parent Termination Fee”). The Merger Agreement also contains a provision that would require Parent to pay for the cost (subject to a $15 million cap) to unwind certain hedging arrangements if the transaction is terminated due to Parent’s breach or failure to obtain financing and the amount of the Parent Termination Fee is insufficient to cover the unwind costs (the “Unwind Reimbursement”).

Equity Financing. Parent has obtained equity and debt financing commitments for the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, the proceeds of which will be used by Parent to pay the Merger Consideration and all related fees and expenses. Pursuant to the terms and conditions set forth in an equity commitment letter dated October 1, 2019, certain investment funds affiliated with Warburg Pincus LLC (“Warburg”) has committed to capitalize Parent with an equity contribution for an aggregate amount equal to $515 million. Warburg has also provided the Company with a limited guarantee in favor of the Company guaranteeing the payment of certain monetary obligations that may become payable by Parent pursuant to the Merger Agreement, including the Parent Termination Fee and the Unwind Reimbursement, in each case, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the limited guarantee.

Debt Financing. Pursuant to the terms and conditions set forth in a debt commitment letter dated October 1, 2019 (the “Debt Commitment Letter”), certain parties identified therein as the Commitment Parties (collectively, the “Lenders”) have committed to provide Parent with debt financing in aggregate principal amount of $725 million. The obligation of the Lenders under the Debt Commitment Letter is subject to a number of customary conditions.

The foregoing description of the Merger Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Merger Agreement and any related agreements. The Merger Agreement is filed as Exhibit 2.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated herein by reference.

Voting Agreements

Simultaneously with the execution of the Merger Agreement, Parent has entered into Voting Agreements (the “Voting Agreements”) with each of the directors and executive officers of the Company, Roan Holdings, LLC, Asklepios Energy Fund, LP, Hephaestus Energy Fund, LP, Luxiver WI, LP, LVPU, LP, Navitas Fund, LP, Blackbird 1846 Energy Fund, LP, Children’s Energy Fun, LP, Panakeia Energy Fund, LP, Elliott Associates, L.P., The Liverpool Limited Partnership, Spraberry Investments Inc., Fir Tree Capital Opportunity Master Fund III, L.P., Fir Tree Capital Opportunity Master Fund, L.P., Fir Tree E&P Holdings VI, LLC, FT SOF IV Holdings, LLC, FT SOF V Holdings, LLC, FT COF(E) Holdings, LLC, York Capital Management, L.P., York Credit Opportunities Investments Master Fund, L.P., York Credit Opportunities Fund, L.P., York Multi-Strategy Master Fund, L.P., Exuma Capital, L.P., and York Select Strategy Master Fund, L.P. (collectively, the “Holders”), and, solely for the purpose of certain specified sections, the Company, dated as of October 1, 2019. Pursuant to the Voting Agreements, the Holders agreed to vote all Company Common Stock owned by the Holders in favor of the Merger and the adoption of the Merger Agreement at any meeting of the Company’s stockholders called for such purpose and against any Alternative Proposal or any proposal made in opposition to the adoption of the Merger Agreement, without regard to the terms of any Alternative Proposal.

 

3


The Voting Agreement will terminate on the earliest to occur of (i) the Effective Time, (ii) the termination of the Merger Agreement; (iii) the date of any modification or amendment to, or the waiver of any provision of, the Merger Agreement that reduces the amount, changes the form of consideration payable, or otherwise adversely affects the Holders in any material respect, (iv) a Change in Recommendation (as defined in the Merger Agreement), (v) the effectiveness of a written agreement executed by the parties to the Voting Agreements to terminate the Voting Agreements and (vi) the election of any Holder to terminate a Voting Agreement if the Effective Time has not occurred on or before the April 7, 2020 (the earliest of such times, the “Expiration Date”).

Among other things, the Holders further agreed (i) not to initiate, solicit, knowingly encourage or knowingly facilitate any third person to make a third party proposal or to participate in any discussions or negotiations in connection therewith and (ii) not to (A) sell, transfer, assign, tender in any tender or exchange offer, pledge encumber, hypothecate or similarly dispose of the Company Common Stock owned by the Holders or (B) deposit any Company Common Stock into a voting trust or enter into a voting agreement or grant any proxy, consent or power of attorney that is inconsistent with the Voting Agreements at any time prior to the Expiration Date.

The foregoing description of the Voting Agreements does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the form of Voting Agreement and any related agreements. The form of Voting Agreement is filed as Exhibit 10.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated herein by reference.

The Merger Agreement, the Voting Agreements and the above descriptions have been included to provide investors with information regarding the terms of those agreements and are not intended to provide any other factual information about the respective parties to the Merger Agreement, the Voting Agreements or their respective subsidiaries or affiliates. The representations and warranties contained in Merger Agreement and the Voting Agreements were made only for purposes of such agreements and as of specific dates set forth therein, are solely for the benefit of the respective parties to the Merger Agreement and the Voting Agreements and are subject to important qualifications and limitations agreed to by the parties in connection with negotiating such agreements. The subject matter of the representations and warranties may change after the date of such agreements, which subsequent information may or may not be fully reflected in the Company’s or Parent’s public disclosures. In addition, certain representations and warranties were used for the purpose of allocating risk between the respective parties to the Merger Agreement and the Voting Agreements, rather than establishing matters of fact. The representations and warranties may also be subject to a contractual standard of materiality different from those generally applicable to stockholders and reports and documents filed with the SEC, and in some cases were qualified by disclosures that were made by each party to the others, which disclosures are not reflected in the Merger Agreement or Voting Agreements. Investors and security holders are not third-party beneficiaries under the Merger Agreement or the Voting Agreements and should not rely on the representations, warranties, covenants and agreements, or any descriptions thereof, as characterizations of the actual state of facts or condition of any part to the Merger Agreement or the Voting Agreements.

Amendment to Credit Agreement

On September 30, 2019, Roan Resources, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), amended its Credit Agreement dated as of June 27, 2019 (as amended, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”) pursuant to that certain Second Amendment to Credit Agreement (the “Amendment”) by and among the Company, the lenders party thereto and Cortland Capital Market Services LLC, as administrative agent.

The Amendment (i) provides that no repayment premium will be due on account of any loan made after September 30, 2019 (each such loan, an “Additional Loan”) so long as the transactions in connection with the Merger Agreement are consummated and (ii) clarifies that no payment-in-kind interest arising on account of any loan made prior to September 30, 2019 will constitute an Additional Loan.

A copy of the Amendment is filed as Exhibit 10.2 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference, and the foregoing description of the Amendment is qualified in its entirety by reference thereto.

 

4


Item 5.02

Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensation Arrangements of Certain Officers.

Chief Executive Officer and Director Appointment

On September 29, 2019, the Board appointed Rick Gideon to serve as the Company’s Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer), effective as of September 29, 2019 (the “Start Date”). Additionally, effective as of the Start Date, Mr. Gideon was appointed to serve on the Board. Mr. Gideon will not be eligible to receive any compensation other than pursuant to the Employment Agreement (as described below) for his service as a member of the Board.

In connection with Mr. Gideon’s appointment, Joseph A. Mills ceased to serve as interim Executive Chairman of the Board and Principal Executive Officer of the Company, effective as of the Start Date. Mr. Mills will remain a member of the Board, but there will not be a Chairman of the Board. On September 29, 2019, the Board also appointed Mr. Mills to serve as a member of the Audit Committee of the Board.

Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Gideon, 44, has over 20 years of executive and industry experience at a number of large, publicly held exploration and production companies. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Gideon served as a consultant for Blackstone Energy Partners L.P. Mr. Gideon previously held senior positions with Devon Energy Corporation, serving as Senior Vice President of US E&P from 2016 to 2018. Prior to his time at Devon Energy Corporation, Mr. Gideon was the General Manager of the Mid-Continent Region and Drilling & Completions for HighMount Exploration & Production, LLC for six years. Prior to that, Mr. Gideon held senior positions at Linn Energy, Inc. and Dominion Energy, Inc. Mr. Gideon holds a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from the University of Wyoming.

In connection with his appointment, the Company and its subsidiary, Roan Resources LLC (“Roan LLC”), entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Gideon (the “Employment Agreement”). The initial term of the Employment Agreement is three years and the term will automatically renew annually for successive 12-month periods unless either party provides written notice of non-renewal at least 60 days prior to the expiration of the initial term or any renewal term.

Pursuant to the Employment Agreement, Mr. Gideon will receive an annualized base salary of $500,000. In addition, the Employment Agreement provides that, for each complete calendar year in which Mr. Gideon is employed by Roan LLC, he is eligible to receive (i) discretionary bonus compensation with a target of 120% of his annualized base salary and (ii) awards under the Company’s Amended and Restated Management Incentive Plan (the “MIP”) with a potential value on the date of grant of approximately $833,333. In addition, pursuant to the Employment Agreement and in connection with his appointment, effective as of the Start Date, Mr. Gideon was granted awards under the MIP (the “Awards”) consisting of (A) 381,679 restricted stock units, which vest as to one-third on each of the first three anniversaries of the Start Date, subject to Mr. Gideon’s employment through each vesting date and (B) 1,526,718 performance share units, which will vest based on the Company’s achievement of certain stock price hurdles over the three-year performance period ending on the third anniversary of the Start Date, subject to Mr. Gideon’s employment through the end of the performance period. The Awards are subject to all of the terms and conditions of the MIP and the award agreements pursuant to which they were granted.

Upon a termination of Mr. Gideon’s employment by the Company without “cause” or his resignation for “good reason,” in each case, following a “change in control” (each quoted term as defined in the Employment Agreement), Mr. Gideon is eligible to receive cash severance equal to either: (i) if the termination date occurs within six months of the Start Date, two times the sum of (A) his then-current annualized base salary and (B) one-half of his target annual bonus for the year of termination (or, if such termination occurs in 2019, 60% of the annualized base salary) or (ii) if the termination date occurs following the date that is six months after the Start Date, two and one-half times the sum of his (x) then-current annualized base salary and (y) target annual bonus for the year of termination. The Employment Agreement provides for such severance payments to be paid in equal installments over the 24-month period following termination (or, if the termination date is more than six months following the Start Date, the 30-month period following termination). Additionally, the Employment Agreement contains certain restrictive covenants applicable to Mr. Gideon. All severance payments are contingent upon Mr. Gideon signing a release in favor of the Company and its affiliates and continued compliance with the restrictive covenants.

 

5


In connection with his appointment, the Company also entered into an indemnification agreement (the “Indemnification Agreement”) with Mr. Gideon, effective as of the Start Date. The Indemnification Agreement requires the Company to indemnify Mr. Gideon to the fullest extent permitted under Delaware law against liability that may arise by reason of his service to the Company and to advance certain expenses incurred as a result of any proceeding against him as to which he could be indemnified.

The foregoing descriptions of the Employment Agreement and the Indemnification Agreement are not complete and are qualified in their entirety by reference to the full text of the Employment Agreement and the Indemnification Agreement, which are attached as Exhibit 10.3 and Exhibit 10.4, respectively, to this Current Report on Form 8-K and are incorporated into this Item 5.02 by reference.

There are no related party transactions between the Company and Mr. Gideon reportable under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K. There are no arrangements or understandings between Mr. Gideon and any other persons pursuant to which he was appointed as an officer of the Company and Mr. Gideon does not have any familial relationships with any director or executive officer of the Company.

 

Item 7.01

Regulation FD Disclosure.

On October 1, 2019, the Company issued a press release announcing that it has entered into the Merger Agreement and the appointment of Mr. Gideon. A copy of the press release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.

The information in this Item 7.01 shall not be deemed to be “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, and is not incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act.

Forward-Looking Statements

This Current Report on Form 8-K includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements that contain our current expectations about future results. These forward-looking statements are based on certain assumptions and expectations made by the Company, which reflect management’s experience, estimates and perception of historical trends, current conditions and anticipated future developments. Such statements are subject to a number of assumptions, risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, which may cause actual results to differ materially from those implied or anticipated in the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the following: (i) the Company may be unable to satisfy the conditions to closing, including that a governmental entity may prohibit, delay or refuse to grant a necessary regulatory approval; (ii) the proposed transaction may involve unexpected costs, liabilities or delays; (iii) the Company’s business may suffer as a result of uncertainty surrounding the proposed transaction; (iv) the risk that the proposed transaction disrupts the Company’s current plans and operations or diverts management’s or employees’ attention from ongoing business operations; (v) the risk of potential difficulties with the Company’s ability to retain and hire key personnel and maintain relationships with suppliers and other third parties as a result of the proposed transaction; (vi) the risk that Parent’s committed financing will not close; (vii) stockholder litigation in connection with the proposed transaction may affect the timing or occurrence of the proposed transaction or result in significant costs of defense, indemnification and liability; (viii) the Company may be adversely affected by other economic, business or competitive factors; (ix) the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances could give rise to the termination of the definitive merger agreement; and (x) other risks to the consummation of the proposed transaction, including the risk that the proposed transaction will not be consummated within the expected time period or at all. When considering these forward-looking statements, you should also keep in mind the risk factors and other cautionary statements found in the Company’s filings with the SEC, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 and subsequently filed Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K.

All forward-looking statements, expressed or implied, included in this release are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. This cautionary statement should also be considered in connection with any subsequent written or oral forward-looking statements that we or persons acting on our behalf may issue.

 

6


Except as otherwise required by applicable law, we disclaim any duty to update any forward-looking statements, all of which are expressly qualified by the statements in this section, to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this release.

Additional Information for Stockholders

In connection with the proposed transaction, the Company will file a proxy statement and other relevant documents with the SEC regarding the proposed transaction.

INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS ARE URGED TO READ THE PROXY STATEMENT AND OTHER DOCUMENTS THAT MAY BE FILED WITH THE SEC CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL INCLUDE IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION.

Investors and security holders may obtain a free copy of the proxy statement (when available) and other documents filed by the Company (when available) at its website, www.roanresources.com, or at the SEC’s website, www.sec.gov. The proxy statement and other relevant documents may also be obtained for free from the Company by directing such request to Roan Resources, Inc., to the attention of the Corporate Secretary, 14701 Hertz Quail Springs Parkway, Oklahoma City, OK 73134.

Participants in the Solicitation

The Company and its directors and executive officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the stockholder of the Company in connection with the proposed transaction. Information about the directors and executive officers of the Company is set forth in the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1, which was filed with the SEC on July 17, 2019. This document can be obtained free of charge from the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov or from the Company by writing to the address indicated above. Additional information regarding the participants in the proxy solicitation and a description of their direct and indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, will be included in the proxy statement and other relevant materials to be filed with the SEC when they become available.

 

Item 9.01.

Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits.

 

Exhibit
Number

  

Description of Exhibit

  2.1*    Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of October 1, 2019, by and among Citizen Energy Operating, LLC, Citizen Energy Pressburg Inc. and Roan Resources, Inc.
10.1    Form of Voting Agreement
10.2    Amendment No. 2 to Credit Agreement, dated September 30, 2019
10.3    Employment Agreement, dated September 29, 2019, between Roan Resources LLC, Roan Resources, Inc. and Rick Gideon
10.4    Indemnification Agreement, dated September 29, 2019, between Roan Resources, Inc. and Rick Gideon
99.1    Press release, dated October 1, 2019

 

*

Schedules have been omitted pursuant to Item 601(b)(2) of Regulation S-K. A copy of any omitted schedule will be furnished supplementally to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon request, provided, however, that the Company may request confidential treatment pursuant to Rule 24b-2 of the Exchange Act, as amended, for any schedule or exhibit so furnished.

* * * *

 

7


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.

 

    ROAN RESOURCES, INC.
October 1, 2019     By:  

/s/ David Edwards

    Name:   David Edwards
    Title:   Chief Financial Officer

 

8

EXHIBIT 2.1

Execution Version

AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER

BY AND AMONG

CITIZEN ENERGY OPERATING, LLC,

CITIZEN ENERGY PRESSBURG INC.

AND

ROAN RESOURCES, INC.

This draft document is not a contract, or an offer or acceptance for a contract, nor does it memorialize any agreement between the parties. No agreement, oral or written, regarding or relating to the subject matter covered by this draft or any possible transaction between the parties has been entered into by the parties. This document, in its current form or as hereafter modified or revised by any party, will not become an agreement of the parties unless and until it has been fully negotiated and a final and definitive execution version of this document has been executed and delivered by duly authorized representatives of all parties.

DATED AS OF OCTOBER 1, 2019


TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

ARTICLE I. CERTAIN DEFINITIONS

     2  

1.1

 

Certain Definitions

     2  

1.2

 

Terms Defined Elsewhere

     14  

1.3

 

Interpretation

     16  

ARTICLE II. THE MERGER; EFFECTS OF THE MERGER

     18  

2.1

 

The Merger

     18  

2.2

 

Closing

     19  

ARTICLE III. MERGER CONSIDERATION; EXCHANGE PROCEDURES

     19  

3.1

 

Merger Consideration

     19  

3.2

 

Rights As Stockholders; Share Transfers

     20  

3.3

 

Exchange of Certificates

     20  

3.4

 

Adjustment

     23  

3.5

 

Treatment of Company Stock Awards

     23  

3.6

 

Dissenting Shares

     23  

ARTICLE IV. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY

     24  

4.1

 

Organization, General Authority and Standing

     24  

4.2

 

Capitalization

     25  

4.3

 

Equity Interests in other Entities

     26  

4.4

 

Power, Authority and Approvals of Transactions

     26  

4.5

 

No Violations or Defaults

     26  

4.6

 

Consents and Approvals

     27  

4.7

 

Financial Reports and the Company SEC Documents

     27  

4.8

 

Internal Controls and Procedures

     28  

4.9

 

Absence of Undisclosed Liabilities

     29  

4.10

 

Absence of Certain Changes or Events

     29  

4.11

 

Compliance with Applicable Law; Permits

     30  

4.12

 

Material Contracts

     30  

4.13

 

Environmental Matters

     33  

4.14

 

Oil and Gas Matters

     34  

4.15

 

Rights-of-Way

     36  

4.16

 

Litigation

     36  

4.17

 

Information Supplied

     37  

4.18

 

Tax Matters

     37  

4.19

 

Employee Benefits; Labor

     39  

4.20

 

Intellectual Property

     41  

4.21

 

Insurance

     42  

4.22

 

Financial Advisors

     42  

4.23

 

Opinions of the Company Financial Advisors

     42  

4.24

 

No Other Representations and Warranties

     42  

 

i


ARTICLE V. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PARENT AND MERGER SUB

     43  

5.1

 

Organization, General Authority and Standing

     43  

5.2

 

Power, Authority and Approvals of Transactions

     43  

5.3

 

No Violations or Defaults

     44  

5.4

 

Consents and Approvals

     44  

5.5

 

Litigation

     44  

5.6

 

Information Supplied

     44  

5.7

 

Operations of Merger Sub

     45  

5.8

 

Financing

     45  

5.9

 

Guarantee

     46  

5.10

 

No Other Arrangements

     46  

5.11

 

No Other Representations and Warranties

     47  

ARTICLE VI. ACTIONS PENDING THE MERGER

     47  

6.1

 

Conduct of Business by the Company

     47  

6.2

 

Conduct of Business by Parent

     51  

6.3

 

Alternative Proposals; Change in Recommendation

     51  

ARTICLE VII. COVENANTS

     56  

7.1

 

Proxy Statement; Company Meeting

     56  

7.2

 

Consummation of the Merger

     57  

7.3

 

Access to Information; Confidentiality

     59  

7.4

 

Public Statements

     60  

7.5

 

Confidentiality

     61  

7.6

 

Takeover Laws

     61  

7.7

 

Third-Party Approvals

     61  

7.8

 

Indemnification; Directors’ and Officers’ Insurance

     62  

7.9

 

Notification of Certain Matters

     66  

7.10

 

Section 16 Matters

     66  

7.11

 

[Reserved]

     66  

7.12

 

Transaction Litigation

     66  

7.13

 

Equity Financing

     67  

7.14

 

Debt Financing

     68  

7.15

 

Financing Cooperation

     70  

7.16

 

Hedges

     73  

7.17

 

Transfer Taxes

     74  

ARTICLE VIII. CONDITIONS TO CONSUMMATION OF THE MERGER

     75  

8.1

 

Mutual Closing Conditions

     75  

8.2

 

Additional Company Conditions to Closing

     75  

8.3

 

Additional Parent Conditions to Closing

     75  

 

ii


ARTICLE IX. TERMINATION

     77  

9.1

 

Termination of Agreement

     77  

9.2

 

Procedure Upon Termination

     78  

9.3

 

Effect of Termination

     78  

9.4

 

Fees and Expenses

     79  

ARTICLE X. MISCELLANEOUS

    
83
 

10.1

 

Amendment or Supplement; Waiver

     83  

10.2

 

Counterparts

     84  

10.3

 

Governing Law

     84  

10.4

 

Notices

     84  

10.5

 

Assignment

     85  

10.6

 

Entire Understanding; No Third-Party Beneficiaries

     85  

10.7

 

Severability

     86  

10.8

 

Jurisdiction

     86  

10.9

 

Waiver of Jury Trial

     86  

10.10

 

No Recourse

     86  

10.11

 

Specific Performance

     87  

10.12

 

Survival

     88  

10.13

 

Debt Financing Sources

     88  

 

iii


AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER

This AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER, dated as of October 1, 2019 (this “Agreement”), is entered into by and among Citizen Energy Operating, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Parent”), Citizen Energy Pressburg Inc., a Delaware corporation and wholly owned subsidiary of Parent (“Merger Sub”), and Roan Resources, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company” and, together with Parent and Merger Sub, the “Parties”).

RECITALS

WHEREAS, upon the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement and in accordance with the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”), the Parties intend that Merger Sub will merge with and into the Company (the “Merger”), with the Company continuing as the surviving corporation in the Merger and a wholly owned subsidiary of Parent (the “Surviving Corporation”);

WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Company Board”) has (a) determined that it is in the best interests of the Company and the Company Stockholders to enter into, and has declared advisable, this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, including the Merger (excluding the Financing, the “Merger Transactions”), (b) approved the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the consummation of the Merger Transactions contemplated hereby, including the Merger, and (c) resolved to submit this Agreement to a vote of the Company Stockholders and recommend adoption of this Agreement by the Company Stockholders;

WHEREAS, (a) the Boards of Directors (or similar governing bodies) of each of Parent and Merger Sub has (i) determined that this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, including the Merger, are in the best interests of Parent and Merger Sub, respectively, and (ii) declared advisable, and approved the execution of, this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, including the Merger, and (b) the Board of Directors of Merger Sub has (i) recommended the adoption of this Agreement by the sole stockholder of Merger Sub, and (ii) directed that this Agreement be submitted to the sole stockholder of Merger Sub for adoption;

WHEREAS, prior to the execution and delivery of this Agreement, Parent, as the sole stockholder of Merger Sub, has executed and delivered a consent to adopt this Agreement, which consent shall become effective immediately following the approval of this Agreement by the Board of Directors of Merger Sub and the execution of this Agreement pursuant to Section 228(c) of the DGCL;

WHEREAS, concurrently with the execution of this Agreement, and as a condition and inducement to the willingness of Parent and the Company to enter into this Agreement, certain significant holders of Company Common Stock (the “Significant Company Stockholders”) and the directors and executive officers of the Company have each entered into a Voting Agreement with Parent and the Company, dated as of the date hereof (collectively, the “Voting Agreements”), pursuant to which, among other things, each such Significant Company Stockholder agrees, on the terms and subject to the conditions provided in the Voting Agreements, to support the Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby; and

 

1


WHEREAS, concurrently with the execution and delivery of this Agreement, and as a condition and inducement to the Company’s willingness to enter into this Agreement, Parent and Merger Sub delivered to the Company (a) a limited guarantee (the “Guarantee”) from certain Affiliates of the Sponsor (the “Guarantors”), in favor of the Company and pursuant to which the Guarantors guaranteed certain obligations of Parent and Merger Sub in connection with this Agreement and (b) a commitment letter between Parent and the Guarantors, pursuant to which the Guarantors agreed and committed to invest in Parent, directly or indirectly, the cash amounts set forth therein (the “Equity Commitment Letter”).

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the respective representations, warranties, covenants, agreements and conditions contained herein, the Parties hereto agree as follows:

ARTICLE I.

CERTAIN DEFINITIONS

1.1 Certain Definitions. As used in this Agreement, the following terms have the meanings set forth below:

Affiliate” means, with respect to a specified Person, any other Person, whether now in existence or hereafter created, directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person; provided, that in the case of the Sponsor, the Guarantors, Parent, Merger Sub and their respective Subsidiaries (including the Company following Closing), the term “Affiliate” shall not at any time include any portfolio companies of the Sponsor and its Affiliates (other than Parent and its Subsidiaries). For purposes of this definition and the definition of Subsidiary, “control” (including, with correlative meanings, “controlling,” “controlled by” and “under common control with”) means, with respect to a Person, the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of equity interests, including but not limited to voting securities, by contract or agency or otherwise. Except for the provisions of Section 10.10, no Significant Company Stockholder will be treated as an Affiliate of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective Affiliates for any purpose hereunder.

Balance Sheet Date” means June 30, 2019.

Business Day” means any day which is not a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which banks are authorized or required to be closed in the City of New York, New York.

Cancelled Shares” means shares of Company Common Stock that are outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time (if any) owned by (a) the Company or its wholly owned Subsidiaries, other than those held in a fiduciary capacity, or (b) Parent or its wholly owned Subsidiaries.

CERCLA means the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980.

Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.

 

2


Company Bylaws” means the Second Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company, as adopted on September 27, 2018.

Company Charter” means the Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, as filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on September 24, 2018.

Company Common Stock” means the Class A common stock, $0.001 par value per share, of the Company.

Company Financial Advisors” means Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and Jefferies LLC, financial advisors to the Company.

Company Material Adverse Effect” means any change, event, development, circumstance, condition, occurrence or effect, or combination of the foregoing, that (i) prevents, impairs or materially delays or impedes the ability of the Company to perform its obligations under this Agreement or consummate the transactions contemplated hereby or (ii) has a material adverse effect on the business, condition (financial or otherwise), prospects or results of operations of the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole; provided, that none of the following changes, events, developments, circumstances, conditions, occurrences or effects (either alone or in combination) will be taken into account for purposes of determining whether or not a Company Material Adverse Effect has occurred:

(a) general economic, regulatory, legal or tax conditions, including conditions in the financial, credit or securities markets, or changes therein (including changes in prevailing interest rates, credit availability and liquidity, currency exchange rates, price levels or trading volumes in the United States or foreign securities markets);

(b) changes in oil, natural gas, condensate or natural gas liquids prices or the prices of other commodities, including changes in price differentials;

(c) changes in general economic conditions in the:

(i) oil and gas exploration and production industry;

(ii) oil and natural gas gathering, compressing, treating, processing and transportation industry generally;

(iii) natural gas liquids fractionating and transportation industry generally;

(iv) crude oil and condensate logistics and marketing industry generally; and

(v) natural gas marketing and trading industry generally (including in each case changes in law affecting such industries);

 

3


(d) general political or geopolitical conditions or changes therein (including the outbreak or escalation of hostilities or acts of war or such events, the declaration of a national emergency or war, civil unrest or similar disorder, cyber attacks or the occurrence of any other calamity or crisis, including acts of terrorism);

(e) weather conditions, including any hurricane, tornado, flood, earthquake or other natural disaster;

(f) the identity of, or any facts or circumstances relating specifically to, Parent, Merger Sub, the Guarantors or their respective Affiliates, or any action taken pursuant to or in accordance with this Agreement or at the written request of or with the written consent of Parent, or any actions omitted to be taken by the Company that were expressly prohibited by this Agreement;

(g) the announcement, pendency or consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; provided that this clause (g) shall not apply to any representation or warranty set forth in Section 4.4 or Section 4.5 hereunder (or any condition to any party’s obligation to consummate the Merger or the other transactions contemplated hereby relating to such representation and warranty) to the extent the purpose of such representation and warranty is to address the consequences resulting from the execution and delivery of this Agreement or the consummation of the Merger or the other transactions contemplated hereby;

(h) any change in the market price or trading volume of the Company Common Stock (it being understood and agreed that the exception in this clause (h) shall not preclude, prevent or otherwise affect a determination that the facts, circumstances, changes, events, developments, conditions, occurrences or effects giving rise to such change (unless excepted under the other clauses of this definition) should be deemed to constitute, or be taken into account in determining whether there has been, a Company Material Adverse Effect);

(i) any failure by the Company to meet any financial projections or estimates or forecasts of revenues, earnings or other financial metrics for any period (it being understood and agreed that the exception in this clause (i) shall not preclude, prevent or otherwise affect a determination that the facts, circumstances, changes, events, developments, conditions, occurrences or effects giving rise to such failure (unless excepted under the other clauses of this definition) should be deemed to constitute, or be taken into account in determining whether there has been, a Company Material Adverse Effect);

(j) any downgrade in rating of any Indebtedness or debt securities of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (it being understood and agreed that the exception in this clause (j) shall not preclude, prevent or otherwise affect a determination that the facts, circumstances, changes, events, developments, conditions, occurrences or effects giving rise to such downgrade (unless excepted under the other clauses of this definition) should be deemed to constitute, or be taken into account in determining whether there has been, a Company Material Adverse Effect);

(k) changes in any Laws or regulations applicable to the Company;

(l) changes in applicable accounting regulations or the interpretations thereof;

 

4


(m) any legal proceedings commenced by or involving any current or former member, director, partner or stockholder of the Company (on their own behalf or on behalf of the Company) arising out of or related to this Agreement or the Merger or other transactions contemplated hereby; and

(n) the availability or cost of financing on the terms set forth in the Commitment Letters (including the exercise of any flex provisions applicable thereto).

provided, however, that any change, event, development, circumstance, condition, occurrence or effect referred to in clause (a), (b), (c), (d), (e) or (k), will, unless otherwise excluded, be taken into account for purposes of determining whether or not a Company Material Adverse Effect has occurred if and to the extent that such change, event, development, circumstance, condition, occurrence or effect disproportionately adversely affects the Company, as compared to other similarly situated Persons operating in the industries in which the Company operates.

Company Performance Share Unit” means a performance share unit relating to shares of Company Common Stock granted pursuant to a Company Stock Plan.

Company Restricted Stock Unit” means a restricted stock unit relating to shares of Company Common Stock granted pursuant to a Company Stock Plan.

Company SEC Documents” means all forms, registration statements, reports, schedules and statements filed by the Company with the SEC under the Exchange Act or the Securities Act since September 24, 2018, and prior to the date of this Agreement, and in each case including all exhibits and schedules thereto and documents incorporated by reference therein

Company Stock Awards” means, collectively, the Company Restricted Stock Units and Company Performance Share Units.

Company Stock Plans” means the Roan Resources, Inc. Amended and Restated Management Incentive Plan and any other employee or director stock plan pursuant to which any restricted stock unit, performance share unit or other equity compensation award is outstanding, each as amended or amended and restated from time to time.

Company Stockholders” means the holders of outstanding shares of Company Common Stock.

Confidentiality Agreement” means that certain Confidentiality Agreement entered into by and between Citizen Energy Holdings, LLC and the Company dated as of June 19, 2019.

Credit Facility” means the Credit Agreement, dated September 5, 2017, by and among Roan Resources LLC, the banks, financial institutions and other lending institutions from time to time parties as lenders thereto, Citibank, N.A., as administrative agent and as a letter of credit issuer, and each other letter of credit issuer from time to time party thereto, as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, including by the First Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated as of April 9, 2018, the Second Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated as of May 30, 2018, the Third Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated as of September 27, 2018, the Fourth Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated as of March 13, 2019 and the Fifth Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated as of June 19, 2019.

 

5


Debt Financing Source” means each entity and each other Person (including each agent and arranger) that has committed to provide or to cause to provide the Debt Financing pursuant to the Debt Commitment Letter, together with their respective Affiliates and Representatives involved in the Debt Financing and their permitted successors and assigns.

Director Indemnification Agreements” means those certain Indemnification Agreements between the directors of the Company and the Company.

Dissenting Shares” means shares of Company Common Stock that are outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time as to which the holder thereof shall have properly complied in all respects with the provisions of Section 262 of the DGCL as to appraisal rights.

Employee Benefit Plan” means:

(a) any “employee benefit plan” (within the meaning of Section 3(3) of ERISA whether or not subject thereto); and

(b) any share or unit option, restricted share or unit, share or unit purchase plan, equity compensation plan, phantom equity or appreciation rights plan, bonus plan or arrangement, incentive award plan or arrangement, retirement, supplemental retirement or pension plan or arrangement, vacation or holiday pay policy, employment, retention or severance pay plan or agreement, policy or agreement, deferred compensation agreement or arrangement, change in control, executive compensation or supplemental income arrangement, relocation plan, policy or program, and any other employee benefit plan, agreement, arrangement, program, practice or understanding.

Employees” means all individuals employed by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

Environmental Law” means any Law that relates to: (a) prevention of pollution or the protection of the environment (including without limitation air, surface water, groundwater, surface land, subsurface land, plant and animal life or any other natural resource), worker health or safety; or (b) the use, storage, treatment, generation, disposal, or Release of Hazardous Materials.

Environmental Permit” means any permit, license, consent, certification, variance, exemption, approval or other authorization issued or required pursuant to any Environmental Law.

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

ERISA Affiliate” means any Person under common control with the Company or Parent, as applicable, under or within the meaning of Section 414(b), (c), (m) or (o) of the Code or Section 4001 of ERISA.

Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

 

6


Existing Credit Facilities” means the Credit Facility and the Term Loan.

GAAP” means U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

Governmental Authority” or “Governmental Authorities” means any national, state, local, county, parish or municipal government, domestic or foreign, any agency, board, bureau, commission, court, tribunal, subdivision, department or other governmental or regulatory authority or instrumentality, or any arbitrator or arbitral body, in each case that has jurisdiction over Parent or the Company, as the case may be, or any of their respective Subsidiaries or any of their or their respective Subsidiaries’ properties or assets.

Hazardous Material” means any substance, material, chemical, emission or waste, whether solid, liquid or gaseous, that is listed, defined, designated or classified as “hazardous,” “toxic,” “radioactive,” or a “pollutant” or “contaminant” under, or subject to regulation under, any Environmental Law.

HSR Act” means the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976.

Hydrocarbons” means crude oil, natural gas, condensate, drip gas and natural gas liquids (including coalbed gas), ethane, propane, iso-butane, nor-butane, gasoline, scrubber liquids and other liquids or gaseous hydrocarbons or other substances (including minerals or gases), or any combination thereof, produced or associated therewith.

Indebtedness” of any Person means:

(a) indebtedness created, issued or incurred by such Person for borrowed money (whether by loan or the issuance and sale of debt securities or the sale of property of such Person to another Person subject to an understanding or agreement, contingent or otherwise, to repurchase such property);

(b) obligations evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or similar instruments;

(c) obligations of such Person to pay the deferred purchase or acquisition price for any property or asset of such Person;

(d) (i) obligations of such Person in respect of letters of credit or similar instruments (whether drawn or undrawn) issued or accepted by banks and other financial institutions for the account of such Person and (ii) liabilities for performance or surety bonds and similar obligations;

(e) obligations of such Person to pay rent or other amounts under a lease of (or other agreement conveying the right to use) any property to such Person to the extent such obligations are required to be classified and accounted for as a capital lease (or finance lease) on a balance sheet of such Person under GAAP;

(f) indebtedness of others as described in clauses (a) through (e) above in any manner guaranteed (directly or indirectly) by such Person or for which it is or may become contingently liable; and

 

7


(g) all accrued and unpaid interest and debt prepayment penalties or premiums in connection with any of the foregoing Indebtedness;

provided, however, that the term “Indebtedness” does not include accounts payable to trade creditors, or accrued expenses arising in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, in each case, that are not yet due and payable, or that are being disputed in good faith, and the endorsement of negotiable instruments for collection in the ordinary course of business.

Indemnitees” means each Person entitled to indemnification by the Company under the Company Bylaws.

Intellectual Property” means all intellectual property rights of every kind and description throughout the world, including all U.S., foreign and transnational patents, trademarks, service marks, trade names, domain names and other indicia of source or origin, together with all goodwill symbolized thereby, copyrights and copyrightable subject matter, trade secrets and all other proprietary rights to confidential information (including any seismic and other exploration, drilling and production data and information), all other proprietary rights in technology, and all applications and registrations for any of the foregoing.

Intervening Event” means any material event, fact, circumstance, development or occurrence that is not known by or reasonably foreseeable to the Company Board as of the date of this Agreement (or if known, the magnitude or material consequences of which were not known by the Company Board as of the date of this Agreement), which event, fact, circumstance, development or occurrence becomes known (or the magnitude or material consequences thereof become known) to or by the Company Board prior to the Company Stockholder Approval; provided, however, that in no event shall the following events, facts, circumstances, developments or occurrences constitute an Intervening Event: (a) the receipt, existence or terms of an actual Alternative Proposal or any inquiry, proposal, offer, request for information or expression of interest that may reasonably be expected to lead to, or result in, an Alternative Proposal, (b) any event, fact, circumstance, development or occurrence resulting from any action taken or omitted by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries that is required to be taken or omitted by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries pursuant to this Agreement (other than with respect to any obligation of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries in accordance with Section 6.1), (c) any Company Stockholder who has executed and delivered a Voting Agreement breaches or threatens to breach such Voting Agreement, (d) any effect relating to Parent or any of its Subsidiaries that does not amount to a Parent Material Adverse Effect, (e) changes in the market price or trading volume of Company Common Stock or any other securities of the Company or its Subsidiaries, or any change in credit rating or the fact that the Company meets or exceeds internal or published estimates, projections, forecasts or predictions for any period (it being understood that the underlying cause thereof may be taken into account for purposes of determining whether an Intervening Event has occurred), (f) changes after the date hereof in the credit, debt, financial or capital markets or in interest or exchange rates, in each case, in the United States or elsewhere in the world, or (g) changes after the date hereof in general economic or business conditions (including, without limitation, the price of oil, natural gas, natural gas liquids and other commodities) in the United States or elsewhere in the world.

 

8


Knowledge” means the actual knowledge, after reasonable inquiry (including inquiry of each such individual’s direct reports), of (a) in the case of the Company, the individuals listed in Schedule 1.1(a) of the Company Disclosure Schedule and (b) in the case of Parent, the individuals listed in Schedule 1.1 of the Parent Disclosure Schedule.

Law” means any law, statute, rule, regulation, ordinance, code, judgment, order, treaty, convention, governmental directive or other legally enforceable requirement, U.S. or non-U.S., of any Governmental Authority, including common law.

Lien” means any mortgage, deed of trust, lien, charge, restriction (including restrictions on transfer), pledge, security interest, option, right of first offer or refusal, preemptive right, lease or sublease, claim, right of any third party, covenant, right of way, easement, encroachment or encumbrance.

Marketing Period” means the first period of fifteen (15) consecutive calendar days following the later of (a) receipt by the Commitment Parties (as defined under the Debt Commitment Letter) of the Required Information and (b) the date of execution of the Debt Commitment Letter; provided, that the Marketing Period shall end on any earlier date that is the date on which the Debt Financing is consummated.

NYSE” means the New York Stock Exchange.

Oil and Gas Leases” or “Oil and Gas Lease” means all Hydrocarbon and mineral leases and subleases, royalties, overriding royalties, net profits interests, mineral fee interests, carried interests, and other rights to Hydrocarbons in place, and mineral servitudes, and all leases, subleases, licenses or other occupancy or similar agreements under which a Person acquires or obtains operating rights in and to Hydrocarbons or any other real property which is material to the operation of such Person’s business.

Oil and Gas Properties” means (a) all direct and indirect interests in and rights with respect to material oil, gas, mineral, and similar properties of any kind and nature, including working, leasehold and mineral interests and operating rights and royalties, overriding royalties, production payments, net profit interests and other non-working interests and non-operating interests (including all Oil and Gas Leases, operating agreements, unitization and pooling agreements and orders, division orders, transfer orders, mineral deeds, royalty deeds, and in each case, interests thereunder), surface interests, fee interests, reversionary interests, reservations and concessions, (b) all surface interests, easements, surface use agreements, rights of way, licenses and permits, in each case, in connection with Oil and Gas Leases or Hydrocarbon wells located on or producing from such leases and properties, (c) all interests in machinery, equipment (including wells, well equipment and machinery), production, completion, injection, disposal, gathering, transportation, transmission, treating, processing and storage facilities (including tanks, tank batteries, pipelines, flow lines, gathering systems and metering equipment), rigs, pumps, water plants, electric plants, platforms, processing plants, separation plants, refineries, testing and monitoring equipment, in each case, in connection with Oil and Gas Leases, the drilling of wells or the production, gathering, processing, storage, disposition, transportation or sale of Hydrocarbons and (d) all other interests of any kind or character associated with or appurtenant to any of the foregoing.

 

9


Other Party” or “Other Parties” means (a) with respect to the Company, Parent and Merger Sub, and (b) with respect to Parent and Merger Sub, the Company.

Parent Charter” means the Certificate of Formation of Parent, as filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on January 3, 2019.

Parent Credit Parties” means (a) Citizen Mineral, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, Citizen Energy III, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, Citizen Midstream, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, EVHI Exploration, LLC, an Oklahoma limited liability company, Citizen Energy Management, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, Citizen Energy Intermediate, LLC, any subsidiary that incurs or guarantees other debt for borrowed money, and each other existing or subsequently acquired or organized direct or indirect wholly owned domestic restricted subsidiary of Citizen Energy Operating, LLC, and (b) with respect to obligations of any of the entities set forth in clause (a) under any interest rate protection or other swap or hedging arrangements or cash management arrangements entered into with a Lender (as defined in the Debt Commitment Letter), the Administrative Agent (as defined in the Debt Commitment Letter) or any affiliate of a Lender or the Administrative Agent, Citizen Energy Operating, LLC.

Parent LLC Agreement” means the Limited Liability Company Agreement of Parent, as adopted on January 3, 2019.

Parent Material Adverse Effect” means any change, event, development, circumstance, condition, occurrence, fact or effect, or combination of the foregoing, that prevents, materially impairs or materially delays the ability of Parent or Merger Sub to consummate the Merger or the other transactions contemplated hereby.

Permitted Encumbrances” means:

(a) to the extent waived prior to the Effective Time, preferential purchase rights, rights of first refusal, purchase options and similar rights granted pursuant to any contracts, including joint operating agreements, joint ownership agreements, stockholders agreements, organic documents and other similar agreements and documents;

(b) contractual or statutory mechanic’s, materialmen’s, warehouseman’s, journeyman’s and carrier’s Liens and other similar Liens arising in the ordinary course of business for amounts not yet delinquent and Liens for Taxes or assessments that are not yet due or delinquent, or, if delinquent, that are being contested in good faith in the ordinary course of business and for which adequate reserves have been established in accordance with GAAP by the party responsible for payment thereof;

(c) lease burdens payable to third parties that are deducted in the calculation of discounted present value in the Company Reserve Report, including any royalty, overriding royalty, net profits interest, production payment, carried interest or reversionary working interest;

 

10


(d) (i) contractual or statutory Liens securing obligations for labor, services, materials and supplies arising in the ordinary course of business, or (ii) Liens on pipeline or pipeline facilities which arise out of operation of Law, or (iii) Liens arising in the ordinary course of business under operating agreements, joint venture agreements, partnership agreements, Oil and Gas Leases, division orders, contracts for the sale, purchase, transportation, processing or exchange of oil, gas or other Hydrocarbons, unitization and pooling declarations and agreements, area of mutual interest agreements, development agreements, joint ownership arrangements and other agreements which are customary in the oil and gas business, provided, however, that, in the case of any Lien described in the foregoing clauses (i), (ii) or (iii), such Lien (A) secures obligations that are not Indebtedness and are not delinquent and (B) has no material adverse effect on the value, use or operation of the property encumbered thereby;

(e) Liens incurred in the ordinary course of business on cash or securities pledged in connection with workmen’s compensation, unemployment insurance or other forms of governmental insurance or benefits, or to secure performance of tenders, statutory obligations, leases and contracts (other than for Indebtedness) entered into in the ordinary course of business (including lessee and operator obligations under statute, governmental regulations or instruments related to the ownership, exploration and production of oil, gas and minerals on state, federal or foreign lands or waters) or to secure obligations on surety or appeal bonds;

(f) pre-judgment Liens and judgment Liens in existence less than ten (10) days after the entry thereof or with respect to which execution has been stayed or the payment of which is covered in full (subject to a customary deductible) by insurance;

(g) Liens resulting from the deposit of funds or evidences of Indebtedness in trust for the purpose of defeasing Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, to the extent existing on the date of this Agreement and set forth in Schedule 1.1(b) of the Company Disclosure Schedule;

(h) Liens existing on the date of this Agreement securing any Indebtedness and which are set forth in Schedule 1.1(c) of the Company Disclosure Schedule and which have been provided to Parent prior to the date hereof;

(i) customary Liens for the fees, costs and expenses of trustees and escrow agents pursuant to the indenture, escrow agreement or other similar agreement establishing such trust or escrow arrangement, in each case, to the extent such indenture, escrow agreement or similar agreement is disclosed in Schedule 1.1(d) of the Company Disclosure Schedule and have been provided to Parent prior to the date hereof;

(j) rights reserved to or vested in any Governmental Authority to control or regulate any of the Company’s or its Subsidiaries’ properties or assets in any manner;

(k) all easements, zoning restrictions, rights-of-way, servitudes, permits, surface leases and other similar rights in respect of surface operations, and easements for pipelines, streets, alleys, highways, telephone lines, power lines, railways and other easements and rights-of-way, on, over or in respect of any of the properties of the Company or its Subsidiaries that are customarily granted in the oil and gas industry and do not materially interfere with the operation, value or use of the property or asset affected;

(l) any Liens discharged at or prior to the Effective Time; and

 

11


(m) all other Liens, charges, encumbrances, defects and irregularities not arising in connection with Indebtedness, and any encroachments, overlapping improvements, and other statement of facts as would be shown on an accurate survey of any real property, that are not such as to materially interfere with the operation, value or use of the property or asset affected.

Person” or “person” means any individual, corporation, limited liability company, limited or general partnership, limited liability partnership, limited liability limited partnership, joint venture, association, joint stock company, trust, entity, unincorporated organization, Governmental Authority or any group comprised of two or more of the foregoing.

Production Burdens” means any royalties (including lessor’s royalties), overriding royalties, production payments, net profit interests or other burdens upon, measured by or payable out of oil, gas or mineral production.

Release” means any spilling, leaking, pumping, pouring, emitting, emptying, discharging, injecting, escaping, leaching, dumping or disposing into the environment.

Representatives” means with respect to a Person, its directors, officers, employees, agents and representatives, including any investment banker, financial advisor, attorney, accountant or other advisor, agent or representative.

Required Information” means (a) the provision by Parent of the following information to the Debt Financing Sources: (i) GAAP audited consolidated balance sheets and related statements of income, stockholders’ equity and cash flows of Citizen Energy Holdings, LLC for fiscal years 2017 and 2018, (ii) a cash flow forecast and budget model for each fiscal quarter ending after the date hereof and prior to December 31, 2020, (iii) an updated and final financial model of the Parent Credit Parties in a customary confidential information memoranda to be used in connection with the syndication of the senior secured reserve based revolving credit facility described in the Debt Commitment Letter in a form customarily delivered in connection with senior secured bank financings of the type described in the Debt Commitment Letter and customary engineering information in a form customarily delivered in connection with senior secured bank financings of, prepared by the Investors (as defined in the Debt Commitment Letter) on a pro forma basis after giving effect to the Transactions (as defined in the Debt Commitment Letter), and (iv) monthly production and accounting lease operating statements for the 14 months ended June 30, 2019 for Citizen Energy Operating, LLC and (b) the provision by the Company of monthly production and accounting lease operating statements for the 14 months ended June 30, 2019 for the Company.

Rights” means, with respect to any person, (a) options, warrants, preemptive rights, subscriptions, calls or other rights, convertible securities, exchangeable securities, agreements or commitments of any character obligating such person (or the general partner of such person) to issue, transfer or sell any partnership or other equity interest of such person or any of its Subsidiaries or any securities convertible into or exchangeable for such partnership interests or equity interests, or (b) contractual obligations of such person (or the general partner of such person) to repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any partnership interest or other equity interest in such person or any of its Subsidiaries or any such securities or agreements listed in clause (a) of this definition.

 

12


SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Second Amendment to the Term Loan” means Amendment No. 2, dated September 30, 2019, to the Credit Agreement, dated June 27, 2019, by and among the Company, the financial institutions and other lending institutions or investors from time to time parties as lenders thereto and Cortland Capital Market Services LLC, as administrative agent, as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified by the Limited Waiver and First Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated September 16, 2019.

Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933.

Sponsor” means Warburg Pincus LLC.

Subsidiary” or “Subsidiaries” of any Person, means any corporation, partnership, joint venture or other legal entity of which (a) such Person (either alone or through or together with any other subsidiary), owns, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of the stock or other equity interests, the holders of which are generally entitled to vote for the election of the board of directors or other governing body of such corporation or other legal entity or (b) such Person is a general partner or managing member.

Takeover Law” means any “fair price,” “moratorium,” “control share acquisition,” “business combination” or any other anti-takeover statute or similar statute enacted under state or federal law.

Tax Law” means any Law relating to Taxes.

Taxes” means all taxes, charges, fees, levies or other assessments, including all net income, gross income, gross receipts, sales, use, ad valorem, goods and services, capital, transfer, franchise, profits, license, withholding, payroll, employment, employer health, excise, estimated, severance, stamp, occupation, property or other taxes, custom duties, or other similar assessments or charges of any kind whatsoever, together with any interest and any penalties, additions to tax or additional amounts imposed by any Taxing Authority, whether disputed or not and including any obligation to indemnify or otherwise assume or succeed to the Tax liability of any other Person by Law or by contract.

Tax Matters Agreement” means that certain Tax Matters Agreement, dated as of August 7, 2018, among Linn Energy, Inc., Riviera Resources, Inc. and certain subsidiaries of Riviera Resources, Inc.

Tax Return” means any return, report or similar filing (including any attached schedules, supplements and additional or supporting material) filed or required to be filed with respect to Taxes, including any information return, claim for refund, amended return or declaration of estimated Taxes (and including any amendments with respect thereto).

Taxing Authority” means, with respect to any Tax, the Governmental Authority that imposes such Tax, and the agency (if any) charged with the collection of such Tax for such Governmental Authority.

 

13


Term Loan” means the Credit Agreement, dated June 27, 2019, by and among the Company, the financial institutions and other lending institutions or investors from time to time parties as lenders thereto and Cortland Capital Market Services LLC, as administrative agent, as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, including by the Limited Waiver and First Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated September 16, 2019, and the Second Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated as of September 30, 2019.

Test Indebtedness” means (i) the Indebtedness of the Company or its Subsidiaries pursuant to clauses (a), (b), (d), (f) (in the case of (f) to the extent such guaranteed amounts relate to Indebtedness of such other Person described in (a), (b), (d) or (g)) and (g) of the definition of Indebtedness, excluding in each case, Indebtedness incurred in connection with the payment of Transaction Expenses, less (ii) cash and cash equivalents of the Company and its Subsidiaries.

Transaction Expenses” means the cumulative fees and expenses incurred by the Company and its Subsidiaries in connection with this Agreement, the Merger and related transactions, including the payment of premiums related to the repayment of the Term Loan in connection with the consummation of the Merger and the fees for services rendered to the Company by the Company’s financial and legal advisers, financial printer, transfer agent and virtual data room provider, in each case, as described on Schedule 1.1(e) of the Company Disclosure Schedule.

Unwind Cap” means $15,000,000.

Wells” means Hydrocarbon wells, saltwater disposal wells, monitoring wells, injection wells and storage wells, whether producing, operating, shut-in or temporarily abandoned, operated by the Company, located on an Oil and Gas Lease or any land pooled, communitized or unitized therewith, together with all Hydrocarbon and mineral production from such wells.

1.2 Terms Defined Elsewhere. For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms have the meanings set forth in the sections indicated:

 

Term

 

Section

Action   7.8(a)
Agreement   Preamble
Alternative Proposal   6.3(h)(i)
Antitrust Laws   4.6
Book-Entry Shares   3.2
Certificate   3.2
Certificate of Merger   2.1(b)
Change in Recommendation   6.3(d)
Claim   7.8(a)
Claimed Amount   9.4(e)(ii)
Claim Notice   9.4(e)(ii)
Closing   2.2
Closing Date   2.2
Commitment Letters   5.8
Company   Preamble

 

14


Company Board

  Recitals

Company Board Recommendation

  7.1(b)

Company Disclosure Schedule

  1.3(o)

Company Employee Benefit Plan

  4.19(a)

Company Financial Statements

  4.7(b)

Company Independent Petroleum Engineers

  4.14(a)

Company Intellectual Property

  4.20

Company Material Agreement

  4.12(a)

Company Meeting

  4.6

Company Operations Plan

  6.1(b)(M)

Company Permits

  4.11(b)

Company Related Party

  9.4(h)

Company Reserve Report

  4.14(a)

Company Stockholder Approval

  8.1(a)

Company Termination Fee

  9.4(m)

Contract

  4.12(a)

D&O Insurance

  7.8(d)

Debt Commitment Letter

  5.8

Debt Financing

  5.8

Debt Financing Agreements

  7.14(a)

Debt Financing Sources

  7.14(a)

Debt Letters

  5.8

DGCL

  Recitals

Divestiture Action

  7.2(d)

Effective Time

  2.1(b)

Elected Retained Hedges

  9.4(e)(i)

Elected Unwind Hedges

  9.4(e)(i)

Elected Unwind Termination Amount

  9.4(e)(ii)

Equity Commitment Letter

  Recitals

Equity Financing

  5.8

Exchange Fund

  3.3(a)

Fee Letter

  5.8

Financing

  5.8

Financing Sources

  7.14(a)

Governmental Approval

  4.6

Guarantors

  Recitals

Guarantee

  Recitals

Indemnification Expenses

  7.8(a)

Indemnified Parties

  7.8(a)

Intervening Event Notice Period

  6.3(f)(i)

Lender

  5.8

Merger

  Recitals

Merger Consideration

  3.1(b)

Merger Sub

  Preamble

Merger Transactions

  Recitals

 

15


Outside Date

 

7.2(a)

Parent

 

Preamble

Parent Disclosure Schedule

 

Article V

Parent Related Party

 

9.4(h)

Parent Termination Fee

 

9.4(m)

Parties

 

Preamble

Payment Agent

 

3.3(a)

Proceedings

 

4.16

Proxy Statement

 

4.6

Rights-of-Way

 

4.15

Significant Company Stockholders

 

Recitals

Specified Hedging Agreement

 

7.16(a)

Substitute Financing

 

7.14(b)

Superior Proposal

 

6.3(h)(ii)

Superior Proposal Notice Period

 

6.3(e)(i)

Surviving Corporation

 

Recitals

Unwind Reimbursement

 

9.4(e)(ii)

Unwinding Scenario

 

9.4(e)(i)

Voting Agreements

 

Recitals

Willful Breach

 

9.3

1.3 Interpretation. Unless expressly provided for elsewhere in this Agreement, this Agreement will be interpreted in accordance with the following provisions:

(a) the words “this Agreement,” “herein,” “hereby,” “hereunder,” “hereof,” and other equivalent words refer to this Agreement as an entirety and not solely to the particular portion, article, section, subsection or other subdivision of this Agreement in which any such word is used;

(b) examples are not to be construed to limit, expressly or by implication, the matter they illustrate;

(c) the word “including” and its derivatives means “including without limitation” and is a term of illustration and not of limitation;

(d) all definitions set forth herein are deemed applicable whether the words defined are used herein in the singular or in the plural and correlative forms of defined terms have corresponding meanings;

(e) the word “or” is not exclusive, and has the inclusive meaning represented by the phrase “and/or”;

(f) a defined term has its defined meaning throughout this Agreement and each exhibit and schedule to this Agreement, regardless of whether it appears before or after the place where it is defined;

 

16


(g) all references to prices, values or monetary amounts refer to United States dollars;

(h) wherever used herein, any pronoun or pronouns will be deemed to include both the singular and plural and to cover all genders;

(i) references herein to any agreement, instrument or Law means such agreement, instrument or Law as from time to time amended, modified or supplemented, including, in the case of agreements or instruments, by waiver or consent and, in the case of Laws, by succession of comparable successor Laws;

(j) reference herein to any federal, state, local or foreign Law shall be deemed to also refer to all rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, unless the context requires otherwise;

(k) this Agreement has been jointly prepared by the Parties hereto, and this Agreement will not be construed against any Person as the principal draftsperson hereof or thereof and no consideration may be given to any fact or presumption that any Party had a greater or lesser hand in drafting this Agreement;

(l) the captions of the articles, sections or subsections appearing in this Agreement are inserted only as a matter of convenience and in no way define, limit, construe or describe the scope or extent of such section, or in any way affect this Agreement;

(m) any references herein to a particular Section, Article, Annex or Schedule means a Section or Article of, or an Annex or Schedule to, this Agreement unless otherwise expressly stated herein;

(n) the Annexes and Schedules attached hereto are incorporated herein by reference and will be considered part of this Agreement;

(o) disclosure in any section of the disclosure letter delivered by the Company to Parent (the “Company Disclosure Schedule”) is deemed to be disclosed with respect to any other section of this Agreement to the extent that it is reasonably apparent on the face of the Company Disclosure Schedule that such disclosure is applicable to such other section notwithstanding the omission of a reference or cross reference thereto;

(p) the mere inclusion of an item in such Company Disclosure Schedule as an exception to (or disclosure for purposes of) a particular representation or warranty is not deemed an admission that such item represents a material exception or material fact, event or circumstance or that such item has had, or would reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect;

(q) unless otherwise specified herein, all accounting terms used herein will be interpreted, and all determinations with respect to accounting matters hereunder will be made, in accordance with GAAP, applied on a consistent basis;

(r) all references to days mean calendar days unless otherwise provided; and

(s) all references to time mean Eastern time unless otherwise provided.

 

17


ARTICLE II.

THE MERGER; EFFECTS OF THE MERGER

2.1 The Merger.

(a) The Merger and Surviving Corporation. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement, and in accordance with the DGCL, at the Effective Time, Merger Sub will merge with and into the Company, the separate existence of Merger Sub will cease, and the Company will survive as the Surviving Corporation.

(b) Effectiveness and Effects of the Merger. Subject to the provisions of this Agreement, the Merger will become effective upon the filing of a properly executed certificate of merger (the “Certificate of Merger”) with the office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware or at such later date and time as may be agreed to by Parent and the Company and set forth in such Certificate of Merger (the “Effective Time”), in accordance with the DGCL. The Merger will have the effects set forth in this Agreement and the applicable provisions of the DGCL. From and after the Effective Time, the Surviving Corporation shall possess all the rights, privileges, powers and franchises and be subject to all of the restrictions, disabilities and duties of the Company and Merger Sub, all as provided under the DGCL.

(c) Charter and Bylaws. At the Effective Time, the Company Charter as in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be amended and restated to read in its entirety as set forth on Exhibit A hereto, and as so amended and restated shall be the certificate of incorporation of the Surviving Corporation, until duly amended, subject to Section 7.8, in accordance with the terms thereof and applicable Law, and the Company Bylaws as in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be amended and restated in its entirety as of the Effective Time in a form acceptable to Parent, and as so amended and restated shall be the bylaws of the Surviving Corporation, until duly amended, subject to Section 7.8, in accordance with the terms thereof and applicable Law.

(d) Directors and Officers of the Surviving Corporation. Prior to the Effective Time, the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to deliver to Parent the resignation of each member of the Company Board. Each resignation deliverable pursuant to this Section 2.1(d) shall be effective as of, and contingent upon the occurrence of, the Closing. The directors of Merger Sub immediately prior to the Effective Time shall, from and after the Effective Time, be the directors of the Surviving Corporation until their successors shall have been duly elected or appointed and qualified or until their earlier death, resignation or removal in accordance with the certificate of incorporation and bylaws of the Surviving Corporation. The officers of Merger Sub immediately prior to the Effective Time shall, from and after the Effective Time, be the initial officers of the Surviving Corporation and shall hold office until their respective successors are duly elected and qualified, or their earlier death, resignation or removal in accordance with the certificate of incorporation and bylaws of the Surviving Corporation.

 

18


2.2 Closing. Subject to the satisfaction or waiver (to the extent permitted by applicable Law) of the conditions set forth in Article VIII, the closing of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby (the “Closing”) will occur on (a) the second (2nd) Business Day after the day on which the last of the conditions set forth in Article VIII (excluding conditions that, by their nature, cannot be satisfied until the Closing Date, but subject to the satisfaction or waiver of those conditions) have been satisfied or waived in accordance with the terms of this Agreement or (b) such other date to which Parent and the Company may agree in writing; provided, however, that if the Marketing Period has not ended at the time of the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions set forth in Article VIII (other than those conditions that are to be satisfied at the Closing), the Closing shall occur on the earlier to occur of (i) a date during the Marketing Period specified by Parent on no less than three (3) Business Days’ notice to the Company and (ii) the second (2nd) Business Day after the end of the Marketing Period (subject in each case to the satisfaction or waiver (by the party entitled to grant such waiver) of all the conditions set forth in Article VIII for the Closing as of the date determined pursuant to this proviso). The date on which the Closing occurs is referred to as the “Closing Date.” The Closing of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement will take place at the offices of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P., 1001 Fannin Street, Suite 2500, Houston, Texas 77002, at 10:00 a.m. on the Closing Date, or at such other place and time as agreed to by the parties hereto.

ARTICLE III.

MERGER CONSIDERATION; EXCHANGE PROCEDURES

3.1 Merger Consideration. Subject to the provisions of this Agreement, at the Effective Time, by virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part of Parent, Merger Sub, the Company or any holder of shares of Company Common Stock or equity interests in Parent or Merger Sub:

(a) Each share of common stock of Merger Sub issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time will automatically be converted into one share of validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable Class A common stock, par value $0.001, of the Surviving Corporation. From and after the Effective Time, all certificates representing the common stock of Merger Sub shall be deemed for all purposes to represent the number of shares of common stock of the Surviving Corporation into which they were converted in accordance with the immediately preceding sentence. Each certificate or book entry evidencing ownership of such shares of common stock of Merger Sub shall thereafter evidence ownership of shares of common stock of the Surviving Corporation.

(b) Each share of Company Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time, other than any Cancelled Shares and any Dissenting Shares, will be converted into the right to receive $1.52 in cash, without interest (such amount, the “Merger Consideration”).

(c) Each share of common stock of Parent issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time will remain issued and outstanding and will not be affected by the Merger.

(d) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, all Cancelled Shares will automatically be cancelled and no consideration will be received therefor.

(e) Company Stock Awards will be treated in accordance with Section 3.5.

 

19


3.2 Rights As Stockholders; Share Transfers. All shares of Company Common Stock converted into the right to receive the Merger Consideration pursuant to Section 3.1(b) will cease to be outstanding and will automatically be cancelled and will cease to exist when converted as a result of and pursuant to the Merger. At the Effective Time, each holder of a certificate representing shares of Company Common Stock (a “Certificate”) and each holder of non-certificated shares of Company Common Stock represented by book-entry (“Book-Entry Shares”) will cease to have any rights with respect thereto, except the right to receive the Merger Consideration to be paid, without interest, in consideration therefor in accordance with Section 3.3; provided, however, that the rights of (a) any holder of Company Stock Awards will be as set forth in Section 3.5, (b) any holder of Cancelled Shares will be as set forth in Section 3.1(d) and (c) any holder of Dissenting Shares will be as set forth in Section 262 of the DGCL. In addition, holders as of the relevant record date of shares of Company Common Stock will have continued rights to any dividend, without interest, with respect to such shares of Company Common Stock with a record date occurring prior to the Effective Time that may have been declared or made by the Company with respect to such shares of Company Common Stock in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and which remains unpaid as of the Effective Time. Such dividends by the Company are not part of the Merger Consideration and will be paid on the payment date set therefor to such holders of Company Common Stock whether or not they exchange their shares of Company Common Stock pursuant to Section 3.3. At the Effective Time, the transfer books of the Company will be closed immediately and there will be no further registration of transfers on the stock transfer books of the Company with respect to shares of Company Common Stock.

3.3 Exchange of Certificates.

(a) Payment Agent. Prior to the Effective Time, Parent will appoint a commercial bank or trust company reasonably acceptable to the Company to act as exchange agent hereunder for the purpose of exchanging shares of Company Common Stock for the Merger Consideration as required by this Article III (the “Payment Agent”). Promptly after the Effective Time, Parent will deposit, or cause to be deposited, with the Payment Agent for the benefit of the holders of the applicable shares of Company Common Stock, for payment in accordance with this Article III, through the Payment Agent, cash in an amount necessary to pay the aggregate Merger Consideration. Any funds deposited with the Payment Agent for payment of the Merger Consideration are hereinafter referred to as the “Exchange Fund.” The Payment Agent will, pursuant to irrevocable instructions from Parent and the Company, deliver the Merger Consideration contemplated to be paid for shares of Company Common Stock pursuant to this Agreement out of the Exchange Fund. Except as contemplated by this Section 3.3, the Exchange Fund will not be used for any other purpose.

(b) Exchange Procedures.

(i) Promptly after the Effective Time, Parent will instruct the Payment Agent to mail to each record holder of shares of Company Common Stock as of the Effective Time (other than the Company and its Subsidiaries and Parent and its Subsidiaries) (A) a letter of transmittal (specifying that in respect of Certificates, delivery will be effected, and risk of loss and title to the Certificates will pass, only upon proper delivery of the Certificates to the Payment

 

20


Agent, and which will be in customary form and agreed to by Parent and the Company prior to the Effective Time) and (B) instructions (in customary form and agreed to by Parent and the Company prior to the Effective Time) for use in effecting the surrender of the Certificates or Book-Entry Shares in exchange for the Merger Consideration payable in respect of shares of Company Common Stock represented by such Certificates or Book-Entry Shares, as applicable. Promptly after the Effective Time, upon surrender of Certificates, if any, for cancellation to the Payment Agent together with such letters of transmittal, properly completed and duly executed, and such other documents (including in respect of Book-Entry Shares) as may be reasonably required pursuant to such instructions, each holder who held shares of Company Common Stock immediately prior to the Effective Time (other than the Company and its wholly owned Subsidiaries and Parent and its wholly owned Subsidiaries) will be entitled to receive, upon surrender of the Certificates or Book-Entry Shares therefor, the Merger Consideration that such holder has the right to receive pursuant to this Article III. No interest will be paid or accrued on any Merger Consideration.

(ii) In the event of a transfer of ownership of shares of Company Common Stock that is not registered in the transfer records of the Company, the Merger Consideration payable in respect of such shares of Company Common Stock may be paid to a transferee, if the Certificate representing such Company Common Stock or evidence of ownership of the Book-Entry Shares is presented to the Payment Agent, and in the case of both Certificates and Book-Entry Shares of Company Common Stock, accompanied by all documents reasonably required to evidence and effect such transfer and the Person requesting such exchange will pay to the Payment Agent in advance any transfer or other Taxes required by reason of the delivery of the Merger Consideration in any name other than that of the record holder of such shares of Company Common Stock, or will establish to the satisfaction of the Payment Agent that such Taxes have been paid or are not payable. Until such required documentation has been delivered and Certificates, if any, have been surrendered, as contemplated by this Section 3.3, each Certificate or Book-Entry Share will be deemed at any time after the Effective Time to represent only the right to receive upon such delivery and surrender the Merger Consideration payable in respect of shares of Company Common Stock.

(c) No Further Rights in Company Common Stock. All Merger Consideration paid in accordance with the terms hereof will be deemed to have been paid in full satisfaction of all rights pertaining to such Company Common Stock.

(d) Termination of Exchange Fund. Any portion of the Exchange Fund that remains undistributed to the holders of shares of Company Common Stock after 365 days following the Effective Time will be delivered to Parent upon demand by Parent and, from and after such delivery, any former holders of shares of Company Common Stock who have not complied with this Article III by such date will thereafter look only to Parent for the Merger Consideration payable in respect of such shares of Company Common Stock, without any interest thereon. Any amounts remaining unclaimed by holders of shares of Company Common Stock immediately prior to such time as such amounts would otherwise escheat to or become the property of any Governmental Authority will, to the extent permitted by applicable Law, become the property of Parent. Without limitation of the foregoing and to the extent permitted by applicable Law, after 365 days following the Effective Time, any amounts remaining unclaimed by holders of shares of Company Common Stock will become the property of Parent, subject to

 

21


the legitimate claims of any Person previously entitled thereto under abandoned property, escheat or similar Laws. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, none of the Sponsor, the Guarantors, the Company, Parent, Merger Sub, the Surviving Corporation, the Payment Agent nor any other Person shall be liable to any former holder of Company Common Stock or Company Stock Awards, as applicable, for any amount properly delivered to a Governmental Authority pursuant to any abandoned property, escheat or similar Laws.

(e) Lost Certificates. If any Certificate is lost, stolen or destroyed, upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the Person claiming such Certificate to be lost, stolen or destroyed and, if required by Parent, the posting by such Person of an indemnity agreement or a bond, in a customary amount, as indemnity against any claim that may be made against it with respect to such Certificate, the Payment Agent will pay in exchange for such lost, stolen or destroyed Certificate the Merger Consideration payable in respect of shares of Company Common Stock represented by such Certificate.

(f) Withholding. Parent, Merger Sub, the Company, the Surviving Corporation and the Payment Agent (without duplication) are entitled to deduct and withhold from the Merger Consideration otherwise payable pursuant to this Agreement to any holder of shares of Company Common Stock and Company Stock Awards, or any other Person, such amounts as Parent, Merger Sub, the Company, the Surviving Corporation or the Payment Agent reasonably deems to be required to deduct and withhold under the Code or any provision of state, local or non-U.S. Tax Law, with respect to the making of such payment. To the extent that amounts are so deducted and withheld, such amounts will be treated for all purposes of this Agreement as having been paid or issued to the Person in respect of whom such deduction and withholding was made.

(g) Investment of the Exchange Fund. Parent will cause the Payment Agent to invest the cash in the Exchange Fund as directed by Parent, in Parent’s sole discretion; provided, however, that no such investment or loss thereon affects the amounts payable or the timing of the amounts payable to the holders of shares of Company Common Stock and Company Stock Awards, as applicable, pursuant to the other provisions of this Section 3.3 and Section 3.5. Any interest and other income resulting from such investments will be paid promptly to Parent; provided further, that the Exchange Fund shall not be invested in any instruments other than direct short-term obligations of, or short-term obligations fully guaranteed as to principal and interest by, the government of the United States of America, in commercial paper obligations rated A-1 or P-1 or better by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC, respectively, in certificates of deposit, bank repurchase agreements or bankers’ acceptances of commercial banks with capital exceeding $10 billion (based on the most recent financial statements of such bank that are then publicly available), or in money market funds having a rating in the highest investment category granted by a recognized credit rating agency at the time of investment.

 

22


3.4 Adjustment. Without limiting the covenants in Section 6.1, in the event the outstanding Company Common Stock shall have been changed into a different number of shares or a different class after the date hereof by reason of any subdivisions, reclassifications, splits, share dividends, combinations or exchanges of shares Company Common Stock, the Merger Consideration and any other similarly dependent items, as the case may be, will be correspondingly adjusted to provide to the holders of shares of Company Common Stock and Company Stock Awards, as applicable, the same economic effect as contemplated by this Agreement prior to such event, provided, however, that nothing in this Section 3.4 shall be construed to permit the Company to take any action with respect to its securities that is prohibited by the terms of this Agreement.

3.5 Treatment of Company Stock Awards.

(a) Company Restricted Stock Units. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.5(a) of the Company Disclosure Schedule, effective as of the Effective Time, each award of Company Restricted Stock Units that is outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall automatically, and without any required action of the holder thereof, become fully vested and non-forfeitable and shall be cancelled and converted into the right to receive an amount in cash, without interest, equal to the product of (i) the number of Company Restricted Stock Units subject to such award multiplied by (ii) the Merger Consideration.

(b) Company Performance Share Units. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.5(b) of the Company Disclosure Schedule, effective as of the Effective Time, each award of Company Performance Share Units that is outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall automatically, and without any required action of the holder thereof, be cancelled without consideration.

(c) All cash amounts payable to the former holders of Company Restricted Stock Units shall be subject to all Tax and other withholding amounts that are required to be withheld under applicable Law and shall be paid through the regular payroll or other applicable pay processes of the Company in connection with the Closing.

(d) As soon as practicable following the Effective Time, Parent shall cause the Company to file a post-effective amendment to the Form S-8 registration statement filed by the Company on October 16, 2018 deregistering all shares of Company Common Stock thereunder.

(e) Not later than the Effective Time, the Company shall have terminated each Company Stock Plan and no further Company Performance Share Units, Company Restricted Stock Units or other rights with respect to Company Common Stock shall be granted thereunder. As soon as reasonably practicable following the date hereof and in any event prior to the Effective Time, the Company Board (or, if appropriate, any committee administering the Company Stock Plans) shall adopt such resolutions that are necessary for the treatment of the Company Performance Share Units or Company Restricted Stock Units pursuant to this Section 3.5, which resolutions will also provide that such Company Performance Share Units or Company Restricted Stock Units shall terminate conditioned upon, and effective immediately after, the Effective Time.

3.6 Dissenting Shares. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, with respect to each Dissenting Share, such Dissenting Share shall not be converted into the right to receive the Merger Consideration but instead shall be cancelled and shall represent the right to receive only the payment, solely from the Surviving Corporation, of the appraisal value of the Dissenting Shares to the extent permitted by and in accordance with the provisions of Section 262 of the DGCL; provided, however, that if any such Person shall fail to perfect or otherwise shall waive, withdraw or lose the right to appraisal under Section 262 of the DGCL, then the right of

 

23


such Person to receive those rights under Section 262 of the DGCL shall cease and such shares of Company Common Stock shall be deemed to have been converted as of the Effective Time into, and shall represent only the right to receive the Merger Consideration, without interest thereon. The Company shall give Parent prompt notice of any demands received by the Company for appraisal of shares of Company Common Stock, any written withdrawal or purported withdrawal of any such demand and any other demand, notice or instrument delivered to the Company prior to the Effective Time that relates to such demand, and Parent shall have the right to control all negotiations and proceedings with respect to such demands. The Company shall not settle, make any payments with respect to or offer to settle, any claim with respect to Dissenting Shares without the written consent of Parent, in Parent’s sole discretion. Any portion of the Merger Consideration made available to the Payment Agent pursuant to Section 3.3(a) to pay for Company Common Stock for which appraisal rights have been perfected as described in this Section 3.6 shall be returned to Parent, upon demand.

ARTICLE IV.

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY

Except as set forth in (a) the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (as amended by the Form 10-K/A filed with the SEC on April 30, 2019) for the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2019 and June 30, 2019 and the Company’s Current Reports on Form 8-K furnished or filed with the SEC since January 1, 2019, in each case excluding any disclosures set forth in risk factors or any predictive or cautionary statement or “forward looking statements” within the meaning of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act (other than any historical factual information contained within such headings, disclosure or statements), provided that any such disclosure shall be deemed to be made with respect to a representation and warranty solely to the extent the relevance of such exception is reasonably apparent on the face of such disclosure, or (b) the Company Disclosure Schedule prior to the execution of this Agreement, the Company represents and warrants to Parent and Merger Sub as follows:

4.1 Organization, General Authority and Standing. Each of the Company and the Company’s Subsidiaries is (a) a corporation or limited liability company, as the case may be, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of the State of Delaware and has all requisite corporate or limited liability company power and authority to carry on its business as presently conducted and (b) duly licensed or qualified to do business and in good standing to do business as a foreign corporation or limited liability company, as the case may be, in each jurisdiction in which the conduct or nature of its business or the ownership, leasing, holding or operating of its properties makes such licensing or qualification necessary, except, for such jurisdictions where the failure to be so licensed, qualified or in good standing, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect. The Company has delivered to Parent complete and accurate copies of each of the Company Charter and Company Bylaws and each of the Company’s Subsidiaries’ certificate of incorporation, certificate of formation, operating agreements or similar organizational documents, each as amended to the date of this Agreement, and each such document as so delivered is in full force and effect, and neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is in material violation of any of the provisions contained therein.

 

24


4.2 Capitalization.

(a) As of the date hereof, there are 154,333,746 shares of Company Common Stock (excluding unvested Company Restricted Stock Units) issued and outstanding, and all such shares of Company Common Stock were duly authorized and are validly issued in accordance with the Company Charter and applicable Law, fully paid and nonassessable and are not subject to any preemptive or similar rights (and were not issued in violation of any preemptive or similar rights).

(b) As of the date hereof, except as set forth above in Section 4.2(a) and except for (i) 1,119,126 unvested Company Restricted Stock Units outstanding on the date hereof, (ii) 3,805,901 Company Performance Share Units outstanding on the date hereof (at the maximum performance level) and (iii) 8,418,556 additional shares of Company Common Stock remaining available for issuance pursuant to the Company Stock Plans (assuming that all Company Performance Share Units and Company Restricted Stock Units would be settled in shares of Company Common Stock), (A) there are no shares, partnership interests, limited liability company interests or other equity securities of the Company issued or authorized and reserved for issuance, (B) there are no outstanding options, warrants, preemptive rights, subscriptions, calls or other Rights, convertible securities, exchangeable securities, agreements or commitments of any character obligating the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to issue, transfer or sell any equity interests of the Company or any securities convertible into or exchangeable for such equity interests, or any commitment to authorize, issue or sell any such equity interests or securities, except pursuant to this Agreement, (C) there are no contractual obligations of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any equity interest in the Company or any such securities or agreements listed in clause (B) of this sentence and (D) there are no shareholders voting agreements or agreements granting any preemptive or antidilutive or similar rights with respect to any security issued by the Company.

(c) Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has outstanding bonds, debentures, notes or other Indebtedness, the holders of which have the right to vote (or which are convertible or exchangeable into or exercisable for securities having the right to vote) with the Company Stockholders on any matter.

(d) There are no voting trusts or other agreements or understandings to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party with respect to the voting or registration of capital stock or other equity interest of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

(e) Schedule 4.2(e) of the Company Disclosure Schedule sets forth, as of the date hereof, a complete and correct list of all outstanding Company Restricted Stock Units, including the respective name of the holder, the grant date, the vesting schedule and the number of shares of Company Common Stock subject to each award of Company Restricted Stock Units.

(f) At the Effective Time, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries will be a party to any agreement prohibiting the ability of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to make any payments, directly or indirectly, to Parent by way of dividends, advances, repayments of loans or advances, reimbursements of management and other intercompany charges, expenses and accruals or other returns on investments or any other contract which restricts the ability of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to make any payment, directly or indirectly, to Parent.

 

25


4.3 Equity Interests in other Entities. Schedule 4.3 of the Company Disclosure Schedule sets forth a true and correct list of the Company’s Subsidiaries. Each of the Company’s Subsidiaries is, directly or indirectly, wholly owned by the Company. Other than ownership interests in its Subsidiaries as set forth in Schedule 4.3 of the Company Disclosure Schedule, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries owns beneficially, directly or indirectly, any equity securities or similar interests of any person, or any interest in a partnership or joint venture of any kind. All outstanding shares of capital stock or other equity interests in the Company’s Subsidiaries are duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable. The Company owns such interests in its Subsidiaries free and clear of all Liens except for Permitted Encumbrances arising under clause (l) of the definition thereof. There are no shareholders voting agreements or agreements granting any preemptive or antidilutive or similar rights with respect to any security issued by any Subsidiary of the Company.

4.4 Power, Authority and Approvals of Transactions.

(a) The Company has the requisite corporate power and authority to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under this Agreement and, subject to the Company Stockholder Approval, to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby. Subject to the Company Stockholder Approval, this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby have been authorized by all necessary corporate action by the Company. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the Company and, assuming due authorization, execution and delivery by Parent, constitutes the Company’s valid and binding obligation, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms (except to the extent that its enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar Laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally or by general equitable principles).

(b) At a meeting duly called and held, the Company Board has (i) determined that the Merger Transactions are in the best interests of the Company and the Company Stockholders, (ii) declared advisable, and approved the execution of, this Agreement and the Merger Transactions, including the Merger and (iii) resolved to recommend the Company Board Recommendation. As of the date of this Agreement, none of the actions described in the immediately preceding sentence has been amended, rescinded or modified in any respect.

4.5 No Violations or Defaults. Subject to required filings under federal and state securities laws and with the NYSE, assuming the other consents and approvals contemplated by Section 4.6 and Article VIII are duly obtained and assuming the consents, waivers and approvals specified in Section 7.7(a) are obtained, the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby by the Company do not and will not (a) constitute a breach or violation of, or result in a default (or an event that, with notice or lapse of time or both, would become a default) under, or result in the termination or in a right of termination, cancellation of or modification of, or accelerate the performance required by or the loss of any benefit to which any of the Company or its Subsidiaries is entitled under, any note, bond, mortgage, indenture, deed of trust, license, franchise, lease, Contract, joint venture, or other instrument or obligation to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by

 

26


which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or their respective properties is subject or bound except for such breaches, violations, defaults, terminations, cancellations or accelerations which, either individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect, (b) conflict with or constitute a breach or violation of, or a default under the Company Charter or Company Bylaws or the similar organizational documents of any of the Company’s Subsidiaries, (c) materially contravene or conflict with or constitute a material violation of any provision of any Law binding upon or applicable to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or (d) result in the creation of any material Lien on any of the assets of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

4.6 Consents and Approvals. No consents or approvals of, or filings or registrations with, any Governmental Authority are necessary in connection with: (a) the execution and delivery by the Company of this Agreement; or (b) the consummation by the Company of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement (a “Governmental Approval”), except for (i) the filing with the SEC of a proxy statement relating to the matters to be submitted to the Company Stockholders (the “Proxy Statement”) at a meeting of such holders for the purpose of adopting this Agreement and approving the Merger (including any adjournment or postponement thereof, the “Company Meeting”) and other reports or filings under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act and any other applicable state or federal securities laws as may be required in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; (ii) the filing of the Certificate of Merger with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware and appropriate documents with the relevant authorities of other states in which the Company is qualified to do business; (iii) any consents, authorizations, approvals, filings or exemptions in connection with compliance with the rules of the NYSE; (iv) such filings and approvals as may be required to be made or obtained under the Antitrust Laws; and (v) such other Governmental Approvals the absence or unavailability of which would not, either individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect. For purposes of this Agreement, “Antitrust Laws” means the Sherman Anti-Trust Act of 1890, the Clayton Anti-Trust Act of 1914, the HSR Act, the Federal Trade Commission Act of 1914 and all other applicable Laws issued by a Governmental Authority that are designed or intended to prohibit, restrict or regulate actions having the purpose or effect of monopolization or restraint of trade or lessening of competition.

4.7 Financial Reports and the Company SEC Documents.

(a) Since September 24, 2018, the Company has filed or furnished with the SEC all forms, registration statements, reports, schedules, exhibits and statements required to be filed or furnished under the Exchange Act or the Securities Act. At the time filed (or, in the case of registration statements, solely on the dates of effectiveness) (except to the extent amended by a subsequently filed Company SEC Document prior to the date hereof, in which case as of the date of such amendment), each Company SEC Document complied in all material respects with the applicable requirements of the Exchange Act and the Securities Act, as the case may be, and did not contain any untrue statement of a material fact, or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

 

27


(b) Any consolidated financial statements of the Company included in the Company SEC Documents (the “Company Financial Statements”) as of their respective dates (if amended, as of the date of the last such amendment) (i) complied as to form in all material respects with applicable accounting requirements and with the published rules and regulations of the SEC with respect thereto, (ii) were prepared in accordance with GAAP applied on a consistent basis during the periods involved (except as may be expressly indicated in the notes thereto, to the extent permitted by applicable SEC regulations) and (iii) fairly present in all material respects the consolidated financial position of the Company and its Subsidiaries as of the dates thereof and the consolidated results of their operations and cash flows for the periods then ended (subject, in the case of unaudited quarterly statements, to the absence of footnotes and to normal year-end adjustments).

4.8 Internal Controls and Procedures. The Company has established and maintains internal control over financial reporting and disclosure controls and procedures (as such terms are defined in Rule 13a-15 and Rule 15d-15 under the Exchange Act) sufficient to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting, including policies and procedures that (a) mandate the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect the material transactions and dispositions of the assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries, (b) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP, and that receipts and expenditures of the Company and its Subsidiaries are being made only in accordance with appropriate authorizations of management and the Company Board and (c) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries. Such disclosure controls and procedures are designed to ensure that material information relating to the Company, including its Subsidiaries, required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s principal executive officer and its principal financial officer to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. The Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in SEC rules and forms. The Company’s principal executive officer and its principal financial officer have disclosed, based on their most recent evaluation, to the Company’s auditors and the audit committee of the Company Board, and Schedule 4.8 of the Company Disclosure Schedule sets forth, (i) all significant deficiencies in the design or operation of internal controls which could adversely affect the Company’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial data and have identified for the Company’s auditors any material weaknesses in internal controls and (ii) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the Company’s internal controls and, to the Knowledge of the Company, such deficiencies or frauds have not occurred that would reasonably be expected, either individually or in the aggregate, to have a Company Material Adverse Effect. To the Knowledge of the Company, since September 24, 2018, no complaints from any source regarding accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters have been received by the Company. Since September 24, 2018, the Company has not received any material complaints through the Company’s whistleblower hotline or equivalent system for receipt of employee concerns regarding possible violations of applicable Law. The principal executive officer and the principal financial officer of the Company have made all certifications required by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the Exchange Act with respect to the Company SEC Documents, and the statements contained in such certifications were complete and correct as of the dates they were made.

 

28


4.9 Absence of Undisclosed Liabilities. Except as disclosed in the audited financial statements (or notes thereto) included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018, the unaudited financial statements (or notes thereto) included in the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended on the Balance Sheet Date and in the financial statements (or notes thereto) included in Company SEC Documents filed by the Company (a) after the date of the filing of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended on the Balance Sheet Date and (b) at least three (3) Business Days prior to the date hereof, neither the Company nor any of its consolidated Subsidiaries had at the Balance Sheet Date, or has incurred since that date, any liabilities or obligations (whether absolute, accrued, contingent or otherwise) of any nature, except liabilities, obligations or contingencies that (i) are accrued or reserved against in the financial statements of the Company included in the Company SEC Documents filed prior to the date hereof, or reflected in the notes thereto, (ii) were incurred since the Balance Sheet Date and prior to the date hereof in the ordinary course of business, (iii) relate to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby or (iv) have been discharged or paid in full prior to the date of this Agreement.

4.10 Absence of Certain Changes or Events.

(a) Since the Balance Sheet Date through the date of this Agreement, there has not been any change, event, development, circumstance, condition, occurrence or effect that has had, or would be reasonably expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect.

(b) Since the Balance Sheet Date through the date of this Agreement, except for this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, the Company and its Subsidiaries have carried on and operated their respective businesses in the ordinary course of business.

(c) Since the Balance Sheet Date through the date of this Agreement, no default or event of default (however denominated) has occurred under any document governing Test Indebtedness under clause (i) of the definition thereof of the Company or its Subsidiaries.

(d) Since the Balance Sheet Date through the date of this Agreement, no “change of control” (or equivalent definition) or “termination event” (or equivalent definition) as defined in any document governing Test Indebtedness under clause (i) of the definition thereof of the Company or its Subsidiaries has occurred.

(e) Since the Balance Sheet Date through the date of this Agreement, the Company and its Subsidiaries have not taken any action that, if taken during the period from the date of this Agreement through the Closing Date without Parent’s consent, would constitute a breach of the following sections of Section 6.1(b): (A), (B), (C)(1) (other than sales of Hydrocarbons in the ordinary course of business), (C)(2) (other than in the ordinary course of business), (C)(3), (C)(4), (D), (F), (G), (H), (J), (K), (L)(a), (L)(b), (L)(c), (L)(d), (L)(e), (M)(1), (M)(2), (N), (O), (P), (Q), (R), (S), (T) or (U), in each case, without giving effect to the requirement that it be consistent with the Company Operations Plan.

 

29


4.11 Compliance with Applicable Law; Permits.

(a) Except with respect to Tax matters (which are exclusively provided for in Section 4.18 and Section 4.19) and environmental matters (which are exclusively provided for in Section 4.13), each of the Company and its Subsidiaries is, in compliance with all, and is not in default under or in violation of any, applicable Laws, other than any noncompliance, default or violation which would not, individually or in the aggregate, be reasonably expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has received any written communication since the Balance Sheet Date and prior to the date of this Agreement from a Governmental Authority alleging that the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is not in compliance with or is in default or violation of any applicable Law, except where such non-compliance, default or violation would not, individually or in the aggregate, be reasonably expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect.

(b) The Company and its Subsidiaries are in possession of all franchises, tariffs, grants, authorizations, licenses, permits, easements, variances, exemptions, consents, certificates, approvals and orders of any Governmental Authority necessary under applicable Law to own, lease and operate their properties and to lawfully carry on their businesses as they are being conducted as of the date of this Agreement (collectively, the “Company Permits”), except where the failure to be in possession of such Company Permits would not, individually or in the aggregate, be reasonably expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect. All Company Permits are in full force and effect, except where the failure to be in full force and effect would not, individually or in the aggregate, be reasonably expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect. No suspension or cancellation of any of the Company Permits is pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened, except where such suspension or cancellation would not, individually or in the aggregate, be reasonably expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect.

4.12 Material Contracts.

(a) Schedule 4.12 of the Company Disclosure Schedule contains a listing of the following contracts, agreements, arrangements, commitments or understandings (each, a “Contract”) to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party and that are in effect on the date of this Agreement (each Contract that is described in this Section 4.12 being a “Company Material Agreement”):

(i) each “material contract” (as such term is defined in Item 601(b)(10) of Regulation S-K of the SEC);

(ii) each Contract that provides for the acquisition, disposition, license, use, distribution or outsourcing of assets, services, rights or properties with a value, or requiring the payment of an annual amount by the Company and its Subsidiaries, in excess of $1,000,000;

(iii) each Contract that contains a “change of control” provision to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or is subject;

 

30


(iv) each Contract that constitutes a commitment or other obligation relating to current or future Indebtedness for borrowed money or the deferred purchase price of property by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (whether incurred, assumed, guaranteed or secured by any asset) in excess of $100,000 individually for all such Contracts, or with respect to such Contracts that are less than $100,000 individually, in excess of $500,000 in the aggregate, in each case other than Contracts solely between or among the Company and its Subsidiaries;

(v) each Contract for lease of personal property or real property involving aggregate payments in excess of $1,000,000 in any calendar year that are not terminable within sixty (60) days, other than contracts related to drilling rigs, compressors or generators;

(vi) each Contract containing any area of mutual interest, joint bidding area, joint acquisition area, or non-compete or similar type of provision that, following the Effective Time, by virtue of Parent becoming an Affiliate of the Company as a result of this transaction, would by its terms (A) materially restrict the ability of the Surviving Corporation to (x) compete in any line of business or with any Person or in any geographic area during any period of time after the Effective Time, (y) make, sell or distribute any products or services, or use, transfer or distribute, or enforce any of their rights with respect to, any of their material assets or properties or (B) could require the disposition of any material assets or line of business of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries (including the Company and its Subsidiaries following the Effective Time);

(vii) each Contract involving the pending acquisition or sale of (or option to purchase or sell) any material amount of the assets or properties of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole;

(viii) each Contract for futures, swap, collar, put, call, floor, cap, option or other similar contract that is intended to reduce or eliminate the fluctuations in the prices of commodities, including natural gas, natural gas liquids, crude oil and condensate or fluctuations in interest rates or currencies that will be binding on the Surviving Corporation after the Effective Time;

(ix) each material partnership, joint venture or limited liability company agreement, other than any customary joint operating agreements, unit agreements or participation agreements affecting the Oil and Gas Properties of the Company;

(x) each Contract that contains any minimum volume commitment to which the Company reasonably expects that the Company and its Subsidiaries will be required to make annual payments in excess of $1,000,000 for longer than one year;

(xi) any Contract that provides for the sale, gathering or offtake by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of Hydrocarbons or water with payments reasonably expected to be in excess of $250,000 over the next twelve (12) months;

(xii) each joint development agreement, exploration agreement, participation or program agreement or similar agreement that contractually requires the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to make expenditures that would reasonably be expected to be in excess of $1,000,000 in the aggregate during the twelve (12)-month period following the date of this Agreement;

 

31


(xiii) each Contract under which the Company has advanced or loaned any amount of money to any of its officers, directors, employees or consultants, in each case with a principal amount in excess of $100,000;

(xiv) each Contract that contains any standstill, “most favored nation” or most favored customer provision, tag-along right, drag-along right, preferential right or rights of first or last offer, negotiation or refusal, in each case other than those contained in (A) any Contract in which such provision is solely for the benefit of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, (B) customary royalty pricing provisions in Oil and Gas Leases, (C) customary preferential rights in joint operating agreements, unit agreements or participation agreements affecting the business or the Oil and Gas Properties of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or (D) any non-disclosure agreements containing standstill provisions on the Company’s counterparty to such agreements that relate to the equity securities or Indebtedness of the Company, to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective Affiliates is subject, and is material to the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole;

(xv) each Contract that includes any continuing indemnification obligation of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries which was granted outside of the ordinary course of business;

(xvi) each Contract pertaining to Intellectual Property or technology to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party and that is material to the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries;

(xvii) each Contract that provides for capital expenditures (other than drilling and completion capital expenditures) by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries through December 31, 2019, in each case with a principal amount in excess of $50,000 individually for all such Contracts, or with respect to such Contracts that are less than $50,000 individually, in excess of $500,000 in the aggregate; and

(xviii) any Oil and Gas Lease that contains express provisions (A) establishing bonus obligations in excess of $1,000,000 that were not satisfied at the time of leasing or signing or (B) providing for a fixed term, even if there is still production in paying quantities.

(b) Except to the extent that enforceability thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization, moratorium and similar laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally and by general principles of equity, and provided that any indemnity, contribution and exoneration provisions contained in any such Company Material Agreement may be limited by applicable Law and public policy, each of the Company Material Agreements (i) constitutes the valid and binding obligation of the Company or its applicable Subsidiary and, to the Knowledge of the Company, constitutes the valid and binding obligation of the other parties thereto and (ii) is in full force and effect as of the date of this Agreement, in each case unless the failure to be so would not, individually or in the aggregate, be reasonably expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect.

 

32


(c) Each of the Company and its Subsidiaries (to the extent it is a party thereto and bound thereby) and, to the Knowledge of the Company, each other party thereto has performed in all material respects all obligations required to be performed by it under each Company Material Agreement as of the date of this Agreement. There is not, to the Knowledge of the Company, under any Company Material Agreement, any default or event which, with notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute a default on the part of any of the parties thereto, or any notice of termination, cancellation or material modification, in each case, except such events of default, other events, notices or modifications as to which requisite waivers or consents have been obtained or which would not, individually or in the aggregate, be reasonably expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect.

(d) Since May 1, 2018, as of the date of this Agreement, to the Knowledge of the Company, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has received any notice of any material violation or breach of, material default under or intention to cancel, terminate or not renew, any Company Material Agreement.

4.13 Environmental Matters. Except as disclosed in Schedule 4.13 of the Company Disclosure Schedule, and except for any such matter that would not, individually or in the aggregate, be reasonably expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect:

(a) Each of the Company and its Subsidiaries and their respective assets and operations are in compliance with all Environmental Laws and Environmental Permits, and have obtained all Environmental Permits necessary to operate at each owned or leased real property and to carry on their respective businesses;

(b) Since May 1, 2018 (and to the Knowledge of the Company, from May 1, 2016 to April 30, 2018), none of the Company or its Subsidiaries has received any written notice from any Governmental Authority alleging any violation of or liability under any Environmental Law (including without limitation liability as a potentially responsible party under CERCLA or any analogous Law) or any Environmental Permit;

(c) There are no actions, suits, proceedings (including without limitation civil, criminal, administrative and dispute resolution proceedings), claims, government investigations, orders, decrees or judgments pending or in effect, or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened by any Governmental Authority against the Company or its Subsidiaries which allege a violation of or liability under any Environmental Law or any Environmental Permit;

(d) Since May 1, 2018 (and to the Knowledge of the Company, from May 1, 2016 to April 30, 2018), there has been no Release of any Hazardous Material by the Company or its Subsidiaries at, on, under or from any real properties as a result of the operations of the Company and its Subsidiaries that has not been remediated as required by any Environmental Law or otherwise adequately reserved for in the Company Financial Statements; and

(e) This Section 4.13 constitutes the sole and exclusive representations and warranties of the Company with respect to Environmental Permits, Hazardous Materials and Environmental Laws.

 

33


4.14 Oil and Gas Matters.

(a) The factual, non-interpretive data relating to the Oil and Gas Properties of the Company and its Subsidiaries on which the reserve report prepared by DeGolyer and MacNaughton (the “Company Independent Petroleum Engineers”), in each case referred to in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 (the “Company Reserve Report”), was accurate in all material respects at the time such data was provided to the Company Independent Petroleum Engineers. With respect to the proved reserves reflected in the Company Reserve Report, the Company Reserve Report conforms in all material respects to the guidelines with respect thereto of the SEC. Except for changes (including changes in Hydrocarbon commodity prices) generally affecting the oil and gas industry and normal depletion by production, there has been no change in respect of the matters addressed in the Company Reserve Report that would, individually or in the aggregate, be reasonably expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect.

(b) Except as would not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a Company Material Adverse Effect, and except for property (i) sold or otherwise disposed of in the ordinary course of business since the date of the Company Reserve Report, (ii) reflected in the Company Reserve Report or in the Company SEC Documents as having been sold or otherwise disposed of, or (iii) other than sales or dispositions after the date hereof in accordance with Section 6.1, the Company and its Subsidiaries have good and defensible title to all Oil and Gas Properties forming the basis for the reserves reflected in the Company Reserve Report and in each case as attributable to interests owned by the Company and its Subsidiaries, free and clear of all Liens, except for Liens constituting Permitted Encumbrances, which, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to materially impair the continued use and operation of the Oil and Gas Properties to which they relate by the Company and each of its Subsidiary. For purposes of the foregoing sentence, “good and defensible title” means that the Company’s or one or more of its Subsidiaries’, as applicable, title to each of the Oil and Gas Properties held or owned by them (or purported to be held or owned by them) (A) entitles the Company (or one or more of its Subsidiaries, as applicable) to receive (after satisfaction of all Production Burdens applicable thereto), not less than the net revenue interest share shown in Company Reserve Report of all Hydrocarbons produced from such Oil and Gas Properties throughout the life of such Oil and Gas Properties, (B) obligates the Company (or one or more of its Subsidiaries, as applicable) to bear a percentage of the costs and expenses for the maintenance and development of, and operations relating to, such Oil and Gas Properties, of not greater than the working interest shown on Company Reserve Report for such Oil and Gas Properties (other than any positive differences in such percentage) and the applicable working interest shown on Company Reserve Report for such Oil and Gas Properties that are accompanied by a proportionate (or greater) net revenue interest in such Oil and Gas Properties and (C) is free and clear of all Liens, except for Liens constituting Permitted Encumbrances, which, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to materially impair the continued use and operation of the Oil and Gas Properties to which they relate in the conduct of the business of the Company and each of its Subsidiary as presently conducted. Schedule 4.14(b) lists any third parties to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries have paid amounts associated with Production Burdens in excess of $1,000,000 since January 1, 2018.

 

34


(c) (i) All rentals, shut-ins and similar payments owed to any Person or individual under (or otherwise with respect to) any Oil and Gas Leases of the Company or any of its Subsidiary have been properly and timely paid, (ii) all royalties, minimum royalties, overriding royalties and other Production Burdens with respect to any Oil and Gas Properties owned or held by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries have been timely and properly paid (in each case, except (A) such Production Burdens (x) as are being currently paid prior to delinquency in the ordinary course of business or (y) the amount or validity of which is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which appropriate reserves have been established and (B) such payments that may be delayed due to timing of pooling orders from the Oklahoma Corporation Commission or division order title opinions) and (iii) none of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (and, to Company’s Knowledge, no third-party operator) has violated any material provision of, or taken or failed to take any act that, with or without notice, lapse of time, or both, would constitute a default under the provisions of any Oil and Gas Lease (or entitle the lessor thereunder to cancel or terminate such Oil and Gas Lease) included in the Oil and Gas Properties owned or held by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

(d) Except as would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect, none of the material Oil and Gas Properties of the Company or its Subsidiaries is subject to any preferential purchase, consent or similar right that would become operative as a result of the consummation of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

(e) Except to the extent that enforceability thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization, moratorium and similar laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally and by general principles of equity, each material Oil and Gas Lease (i) constitutes the valid and binding obligation of the Company or its applicable Subsidiary and, to the Knowledge of the Company, constitutes the valid and binding obligation of the other parties thereto, (ii) is in full force and effect and (iii) immediately after the Effective Time will continue to constitute a valid and binding obligation of the Company or its applicable Subsidiary and, to the Knowledge of the Company, each of the other parties thereto in accordance with its terms. Each of the Company and its Subsidiaries (to the extent it is a party thereto or bound thereby) and, to the Knowledge of the Company, each other party thereto has performed in all material respects all obligations required to be performed by it under each material Oil and Gas Lease. There is not, to the Knowledge of the Company, under any material Oil and Gas Lease, any default or event which, with notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute a default on the part of any of the parties thereto, or any notice of termination, cancellation or material modification, in each case, except such events of default, other events, notices or modifications as to which requisite waivers or consents have been obtained, and, to the Knowledge of the Company, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has received any notice of any material violation or breach of, material default under or intention to cancel, terminate, modify or not renew any material Oil and Gas Lease.

(f) All proceeds from the sale of Hydrocarbons produced from the Oil and Gas Properties of the Company and its Subsidiaries are being received by the Company or its Subsidiaries in a timely manner in all material respects.

 

35


(g) All of the Hydrocarbon Wells and all water, CO2 or injection Wells located on the Oil and Gas Leases or of the Company and its Subsidiaries have been drilled, completed and operated, as applicable, within the limits permitted by the applicable Contracts and applicable Law, in all material respects, and all drilling and completion (and plugging and abandonment, including plugging and abandonment of permanently plugged Wells located on the Oil and Gas Leases) of the Hydrocarbon Wells and such other Wells and all related development, production and other operations have been conducted in compliance with all applicable Law in all material respects.

(h) All Oil and Gas Properties operated by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries have been operated in accordance with reasonable, prudent oil and gas field practices in all material respects and in material compliance with the applicable Oil and Gas Leases and applicable Law.

(i) As of the date of this Agreement, other than as set forth in the Company’s capital budget as provided to Parent prior to the date of this Agreement, there is no outstanding authorization for expenditure or similar request or invoice for funding or participation under any Contract which are binding on the Company, its Subsidiaries or any Oil and Gas Properties and which the Company reasonably anticipates will individually require expenditures by the Company or its Subsidiaries in excess of $1,000,000.

4.15 Rights-of-Way. Each of the Company and its Subsidiaries has such consents, easements, rights-of-way, permits and licenses from each Person (collectively, “Rights-of-Way”) as are sufficient to conduct its business in the manner currently conducted, except for such Rights-of-Way the absence of which would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect. Each of the Company and its Subsidiaries has fulfilled and performed all its material obligations with respect to such Rights-of-Way and conduct their business in a manner that does not violate any of the Rights-of-Way and no event has occurred that allows, or after notice or lapse of time would allow, revocation or termination thereof or would result in any impairment of the rights of the holder of any such Rights-of-Way, except for such violations, revocations, terminations and impairments that would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect. All pipelines operated by the Company and its Subsidiaries are subject to Rights-of-Way or are located on real property owned or leased by the Company, and there are no gaps (including any gap arising as a result of any breach by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of the terms of any Rights-of-Way) in the Rights-of-Way other than gaps that would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect.

4.16 Litigation. As of the date of this Agreement, there are no civil, criminal or administrative actions, suits, litigation, claims, causes of action, arbitrations, mediations or other proceedings (collectively, “Proceedings”) pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened, against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is otherwise a party or, to the Knowledge of the Company, a threatened party.

 

36


4.17 Information Supplied.

(a) None of the information supplied (or to be supplied) in writing by or on behalf of the Company specifically for inclusion in the Proxy Statement will, on the date the Proxy Statement is first mailed to Company Stockholders, and at the time of the Company Meeting, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading. The Proxy Statement will comply as to form in all material respects with the applicable requirements of the Exchange Act. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company makes no representation or warranty with respect to information supplied by or on behalf of Parent, Merger Sub or their respective Affiliates or Representatives for inclusion or incorporation by reference in the Proxy Statement.

(b) A complete and accurate copy of each document, instrument and agreement governing or otherwise related to the Company’s or any Subsidiary’s existing Indebtedness and swap agreements (including Specified Hedging Agreements) have been provided to Parent at least three (3) Business Days prior to the Closing.

4.18 Tax Matters.

(a) (i) Each of the Company and its Subsidiaries has timely filed or caused to be timely filed when due (taking into account extensions of time for filing) with the appropriate Taxing Authority all U.S. federal income Tax Returns and all other material Tax Returns required to be filed by it, and all such Tax Returns were true, complete and correct in all material respects and (ii) all material Taxes owed by the Company and its Subsidiaries (whether or not shown on any Tax Return), including Taxes required to be collected or withheld from payments to employees, creditors, shareholders or other third parties, have been duly and timely paid in full, except for amounts being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which adequate reserves have been established in accordance with GAAP by the party responsible for payment thereof.

(b) No deficiencies for material Taxes with respect to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries have been claimed, proposed or assessed by any Taxing Authority. There is no proceeding now pending against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in respect of any material Tax or material Tax Return, nor has any written adjustment with respect to a material Tax Return or written claim for additional material Tax been received by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries that is still pending.

(c) The unpaid Tax liabilities of the Company and its Subsidiaries did not, as of the Balance Sheet Date, exceed the aggregate amount of the unpaid Tax liabilities of the Company and its Subsidiaries (excluding any reserve for deferred Taxes established to reflect timing differences between book and Tax income) as reflected on the face of the applicable balance sheet (rather than in any notes thereto). Since the Balance Sheet Date, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has incurred any liability for Taxes outside the ordinary course of business or otherwise inconsistent with past custom and practice of the Company and its Subsidiaries.

(d) There is no outstanding waiver or extension of any applicable statute of limitations for the assessment or collection of material Taxes due from the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (or, to the Knowledge of the Company, for any predecessor of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries).

 

37


(e) No written claim has ever been made by any Taxing Authority in a jurisdiction where the Company or any of its Subsidiaries does not file a Tax Return that it is or may be subject to any material Tax in such jurisdiction in respect of Taxes that would be covered by or the subject of such Tax Return, nor has any such assertion been threatened or proposed in writing and received by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

(f) Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries will be required to include any material item of income in, or exclude any material item of deduction from, taxable income for any period (or any portion thereof) ending after the Closing Date as a result of: (i) any installment sale or other open transaction disposition made prior to the Closing, (ii) an adjustment under either Section 481(a) or Section 482 of the Code by reason of an accounting method change prior to the Closing for a taxable period ending on or prior to the Closing Date, (iii) a “closing agreement” described in Section 7121 of the Code (or any corresponding or similar provision of state, local or non-U.S. Tax Law) with any Taxing Authority filed or entered into prior to the Closing, (iv) any prepaid amount received on or prior to the Closing or (v) an intercompany transaction or any excess loss account described in Treasury Regulations under Section 1502 of the Code (or any corresponding provision of state, local or non-U.S. Tax Law).

(g) There are no Liens for material Taxes upon any assets of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries other than Permitted Encumbrances.

(h) Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has participated in a “listed transaction” within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.6011-4(b)(2).

(i) Except for the Tax Matters Agreement, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party to any Tax allocation, sharing, indemnity or reimbursement agreement or arrangement (excluding any such agreements pursuant to customary provisions in Contracts not primarily related to Taxes). The Company has made available to Parent correct and complete copies of the Tax Matters Agreement. No material claims for loss or indemnity have been made against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries under the Tax Matters Agreement that are now pending.

(j) Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has been a member of an affiliated group within the meaning of Section 1504(a) of the Code (or any similar group defined under a similar provision of foreign, state or local Tax Law), other than a group of which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is or was the common parent, and neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has any liability for material Taxes of any other person (other than Taxes of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries) under Treasury Regulation Section 1.1502-6 (or any similar provision of state, local or non-U.S. Tax Law), as a transferee or successor, by Contract or otherwise.

(k) Within the last two (2) years, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has been a party to any transaction intended to qualify for tax-free treatment under Section 355 of the Code.

 

38


(l) To the Knowledge of the Company, the information set forth on Schedule 4.18(l) of the Company Disclosure Schedule relating to the tax basis of the assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries is accurate in all material respects.

(m) This Section 4.18 and Section 4.19 constitutes the sole and exclusive representations and warranties of the Company with respect to Taxes and related matters.

4.19 Employee Benefits; Labor.

(a) Schedule 4.19(a) of the Company Disclosure Schedule sets forth a complete and accurate list of each material Company Employee Benefit Plan, provided, however, that each contract, plan, arrangement or policy that provides any contractual obligation on the part of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company to make any severance, termination, change in control or other similar payment in excess of $100,000 shall be considered a material Company Employee Benefit Plan. A “Company Employee Benefit Plan” means each Employee Benefit Plan that is sponsored, maintained or contributed to by the Company or any of its ERISA Affiliates or with respect to which the Company or any of its ERISA Affiliates could have any material obligation or material liability (including any contingent liability).

(b) With respect to each Company Employee Benefit Plan, the Company has made available to Parent a true and complete copy as of the date of this Agreement, to the extent applicable, of (i) each Company Employee Benefit Plan and all amendments thereto (or a written description or summary of the material terms of each such Company Employee Benefit Plan that is unwritten), (ii) the most recent summary plan description and any summaries of material modifications related thereto, (iii) each trust agreement or annuity contract, if any, in effect as of the date of this Agreement that relates to any Company Employee Benefit Plan, (iv) the most recent annual report required to be filed, (v) any non-routine correspondence with a Governmental Authority during the past three years, (vi) the most recent financial statements and actuarial or other valuation reports prepared with respect to any Form 5500 Annual Report and (vii) the most recent determination, opinion or advisory letter received from the Internal Revenue Service.

(c) Except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect, each Company Employee Benefit Plan has been maintained, administered and operated in all respects (i) in compliance with its terms, and (ii) in compliance with the applicable provisions of all Laws applicable to such Company Employee Benefit Plan. There are no governmental audits or investigations, actions or claims pending (other than routine claims for benefits), or to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened, with respect to any of the Company Employee Benefit Plans that would be reasonably expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect.

(d) Since August 31, 2017, neither the Company nor any ERISA Affiliate of the Company has sponsored, maintained, contributed to or has been obligated to contributed to, or has had any liability with respect to, any plan that is (i) subject to the minimum funding requirements of Section 412 of the Code, (ii) subject to Title IV of ERISA or (iii) a “multiemployer plan,” as that term is defined in Section 3(37) of ERISA or a multiple employer plan as described in Section 413(c) of the Code.

 

39


(e) Each of the Company Employee Benefit Plans intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code is maintained pursuant to a prototype or a volume submitter document approved by the Internal Revenue Service and is entitled to rely on a favorable opinion letter issued by the Internal Revenue Service with respect to such prototype or volume submitter document, as applicable, and to the Knowledge of the Company, there are no facts or circumstances that would be reasonably likely to adversely affect the qualified status of any such Company Employee Benefit Plan.

(f) Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby will, either alone or in combination with another event or events, (i) result in any payments of money or property, acceleration of the time of payment or vesting, or provisions of other rights, (ii) result in any loan forgiveness to any current or former Employee or (iii) increase the amount or value of compensation (including funding of compensation or benefits through a trust or otherwise).

(g) No amount or benefit that could be, or has been, received (whether in cash or property, or the vesting of property or the cancellation of indebtedness) by any current or former employee, officer or director of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries who is a “disqualified individual” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code would be reasonably expected to be an “excess parachute payment” (as defined in Section 280G(b)(1) of the Code) as a result of the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

(h) Each Employee Benefit Plan that constitutes a “nonqualified deferred compensation plan” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code has been documented and operated in good faith compliance with Section 409A of the Code since January 1, 2009.

(i) There is no Contract, agreement, plan or arrangement which requires the Company or any Subsidiary to pay a Tax gross-up or reimbursement payment to any employee or other service provider, including without limitation, with respect to any Tax-related payments under Section 409A of the Code or Section 280G or 4999 of the Code.

(j) Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has any liability in respect of post-retirement health, medical or life insurance benefits for retired, former or current employees or directors of the Company or its Subsidiaries, except as required to comply with Section 4980B of the Code or any similar state law provision.

(k) Except as set forth on Schedule 4.19(k) of the Company Disclosure Schedule, no current or former employee, officer or director of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is entitled to receive any guaranteed payment under any Company Employee Benefit Plan that is a short-term or long-term bonus.

(l) The Company and its Subsidiaries are in compliance in all respects with all applicable Law relating to the employment of labor, including all such applicable Law relating to wages, hours, collective bargaining, discrimination, civil rights, safety and health and workers’ compensation, except where the failure to comply would not, individually or in the aggregate, be reasonably expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect. Except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse

 

40


Effect, as of the date hereof, there are no pending or threatened claims, actions, suits or arbitrations, by or on behalf of any current or former Employees or other service providers of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or otherwise concerning the labor or employment-related practices of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries. Except as would not result in a material liability to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, no individual who has performed services for the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has been improperly excluded from participation in any Employee Benefit Plan. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has any material direct or indirect liability, whether actual or contingent, with respect to any misclassification of any person as an independent contractor rather than as an employee, as exempt versus non-exempt, or with respect to any employee engaged or leased from another employer.

(m) Neither the Company not any of its Subsidiaries is a party to, or subject to, a collective bargaining agreement with any labor union or similar representative of any current or former Employees and no trade or labor union or other labor representative or organization has made a demand for recognition, or filed a petition to be certified, as the bargaining unit representative of any current or former Employees of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries. There are, and within the prior three (3) years have been, no pending or threatened strikes, work stoppages, lockouts, material grievances, unfair labor practice charges, or other material job actions against or involving the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

(n) No Employee or individual service provider of the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries resides outside of the United States or provides services primarily outside of the United States, and there is no Company Employee Benefit Plan that covers Employees or individual service providers of the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries who reside outside of the United States or perform, or performed, services primarily outside the United States.

(o) Schedule 4.19(o) of the Company Disclosure Schedule sets forth a true, correct and complete list, as of the date hereof, of all employees of the Company and its Subsidiaries, along with (i) their current annualized base salary or hourly wage rate (and for hourly employees the number of regularly scheduled hours worked per week), and (ii) an itemized breakdown of all cash and other payments that would become payable on a non-discretionary basis to such employees under all applicable Company Employee Benefit Plans (excluding the Roan Resources LLC Health and Welfare Plan or any component program thereunder and the Roan Resources 401(k) Plan) if their employment is terminated by the Surviving Corporation (or its applicable Subsidiary) immediately following the Effective Time and assuming such employee signs and does not revoke a release of claims, excluding amounts payable under Section 3.5.

(p) Except as set forth on Schedule 4.19(p) of the Company Disclosure Schedule, no penalty or termination fee is required to be paid, and no notice is required to be sent, in order to terminate the engagement of any individual engaged in the capacity of an independent contractor by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

4.20 Intellectual Property. The Company and its Subsidiaries own or have the right to use all Intellectual Property necessary for the operation of its business as presently conducted (collectively, the “Company Intellectual Property”), free and clear of any Liens other than Permitted Encumbrances, except where the failure to own or have the right to use such Intellectual Property would not, individually or in the aggregate, be reasonably expected to have a Company

 

41


Material Adverse Effect. To the Knowledge of the Company, the use of the Company Intellectual Property by the Company and its Subsidiaries in the operation of the business of the Company as presently conducted does not infringe upon or misappropriate any Intellectual Property of any other Person, except for such matters that would not, individually or in the aggregate, be reasonably expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect.

4.21 Insurance. The Company and its Subsidiaries maintain, or are entitled to the benefits of, insurance in such amounts and against such risks substantially as the Company believes to be customary for the industries in which the Company and its Subsidiaries operate. Except as would not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a Company Material Adverse Effect, (a) all material insurance policies maintained by or on behalf of the Company or its Subsidiaries as of the date of this Agreement are in full force and effect, and all premiums due on such policies have been paid and (b) the Company and its Subsidiaries are in compliance with the terms and provisions of all insurance policies maintained by or on behalf of the Company or its Subsidiaries as of the date of this Agreement, and neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is in breach or default under, or has taken any action that would permit termination or material modification of, any material insurance policies.

4.22 Financial Advisors. The Company has not incurred any liability for fees, commissions or reimbursement of expenses of any broker, finder, investment banker, financial advisor or similar advisor in respect of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement for which the Company will have any responsibility or liability whatsoever, excluding fees to be paid to the Company Financial Advisors. The Company has heretofore made available to Parent correct and complete copies of the Company’s letter agreements under which fees and expenses are payable to, and related indemnification and other material agreements with, the Company Financial Advisors entered into in connection with the Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby.

4.23 Opinions of the Company Financial Advisors. The Company Board has received the separate opinions of the Company Financial Advisors each to the effect that, as of the date of such opinion, and based upon and subject to the various qualifications, assumptions, limitations and other matters set forth therein, the Merger Consideration to be received by the Company Stockholders (other than, as applicable, Parent, Merger Sub and their respective Affiliates) pursuant to this Agreement is fair, from a financial point of view, to such holders.

4.24 No Other Representations and Warranties. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the representations and warranties of the Company expressly set forth in this Article IV are and shall constitute the sole and exclusive representations and warranties made with respect to the Company and its Subsidiaries in connection with this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby. Except for the representations and warranties referred to in previous sentence, none of the Company, its Subsidiaries or any other Person has made or is making any express or implied representations or warranty, statutory or otherwise, of any nature, including with respect to any express or implied representation or warranty as to the merchantability, quality, quantity, suitability or fitness for any particular purpose of the business or the assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries. Except for the representations and warranties expressly set forth in this Article IV, all other warranties, express or implied, statutory or otherwise, of any nature, including with respect to any express or implied representation or warranty as to the

 

42


merchantability, quality, quantity, suitability or fitness for any particular purpose of the business or the assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries, are hereby expressly disclaimed. The Company represents, warrants, covenants and agrees, on behalf of itself and its Affiliates, that in determining to enter into and consummate this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, it is not relying upon, and has not been induced by, any representation or warranty made or purportedly made by or on behalf of any Person, other than those expressly made by Parent as set forth in Article V, or by any estimate, projection forecast, plan, budget or other prediction, any data, any financial information or any memoranda or presentations, including any memoranda and materials provided by or on behalf of Parent, any of Parent’s Subsidiaries or any other Person. Such information is not and shall not be deemed to be a representation or warranty of Parent, except to the extent explicitly set forth in Article V hereof as a representation and warranty by Parent.

ARTICLE V.

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PARENT AND MERGER SUB

Except as set forth in the disclosure letter delivered by Parent to the Company prior to the execution of this Agreement (the “Parent Disclosure Schedule”), Parent and Merger Sub represent and warrant to the Company as follows:

5.1 Organization, General Authority and Standing. Parent (a) is a limited liability company validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of the State of Delaware and has all requisite limited liability company power and authority to carry on its business as presently conducted and (b) is duly licensed or qualified to do business and in good standing to do business as a limited liability company in each jurisdiction in which the conduct or nature of its business or the ownership, leasing, holding or operating of its properties makes such licensing or qualification necessary, except for such jurisdictions where the failure to be so licensed, qualified or in good standing, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Parent Material Adverse Effect. Merger Sub (i) is a corporation validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of the State of Delaware and has all requisite corporate power and authority to carry on its business as presently conducted and (ii) is duly licensed or qualified to do business and in good standing to do business as a corporation in each jurisdiction in which the conduct or nature of its business or the ownership, leasing, holding or operating of its properties makes such licensing or qualification necessary, except for such jurisdictions where the failure to be so licensed, qualified or in good standing, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Parent Material Adverse Effect.

5.2 Power, Authority and Approvals of Transactions. Each of Parent and Merger Sub has the requisite limited liability company or corporate power and authority, as applicable, to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under this Agreement and to consummate the Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby. The execution and delivery of this Agreement and the consummation of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby have been authorized by all necessary limited liability company and corporate action, as applicable, by Parent and Merger Sub. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by Parent and Merger Sub and, assuming due authorization, execution and delivery by the other parties hereto, constitutes Parent’s and Merger Sub’s valid and binding obligations, enforceable against Parent and Merger Sub in accordance with its terms (except to the extent that its enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar Laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally or by general equitable principles).

 

43


5.3 No Violations or Defaults. Subject to required filings under federal and state securities laws, assuming the other consents and approvals contemplated by Section 4.6 and Article VIII are duly obtained and assuming the consents, waivers and approvals specified in Section 7.7(a) are obtained, the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby by Parent do not and will not: (a) constitute a breach or violation of, or result in a default (or an event that, with notice or lapse of time or both, would become a default) under, or result in the termination or in a right of termination or cancellation of, or accelerate the performance required by, any note, bond, mortgage, indenture, deed of trust, license, franchise, lease, Contract, joint venture or other instrument or obligation to which Parent or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which Parent or any of its Subsidiaries or their respective properties is subject or bound except for such breaches, violations, defaults, terminations, cancellations or accelerations which, either individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a Parent Material Adverse Effect; (b) constitute a breach or violation of, or a default under Parent Charter or Parent LLC Agreement; (c) materially contravene or conflict with or constitute a material violation of any provision of any Law binding upon or applicable to Parent or any of its Subsidiaries; or (d) result in the creation of any material Lien on any of the assets of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries.

5.4 Consents and Approvals. No Governmental Approvals are necessary in connection with (a) the execution and delivery by Parent and Merger Sub of this Agreement or (b) the consummation by Parent and Merger Sub of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement, except for (i) the filing of the Certificate of Merger with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware and appropriate documents with the relevant authorities of other states in which Parent is qualified to do business, (ii) such filings and approvals as may be required to be made or obtained under the Antitrust Laws and (iii) such other Governmental Approvals the absence or unavailability of which would not, either individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Parent Material Adverse Effect.

5.5 Litigation. As of the date of this Agreement, there are no Proceedings pending or, to the Knowledge of Parent, threatened against Parent or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their assets or property or to which Parent or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their assets or properties is otherwise a party or, to the Knowledge of Parent, a threatened party, except for Proceedings that would not, individually or in the aggregate, be reasonably expected to have a Parent Material Adverse Effect.

5.6 Information Supplied. None of the information supplied (or to be supplied) in writing by or on behalf of Parent specifically for inclusion in the Proxy Statement will, on the date the Proxy Statement is first mailed to Company Stockholders, and at the time of the Company Meeting, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Parent makes no representation or warranty with respect to information supplied by or on behalf of the Company or its Affiliates or Representatives for inclusion or incorporation by reference in the Proxy Statement.

 

44


5.7 Operations of Merger Sub. Merger Sub was formed solely for the purpose of engaging in the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and has engaged in no business other than in connection with entering into this Agreement and engaging in the transactions contemplated hereby.

5.8 Financing. Parent has delivered to the Company true, complete and accurate fully executed copies of (a) a debt commitment letter (including any amendments thereto to add lenders, arrangers, bookrunners, syndication agents or similar entities that have not executed such letter as of the date hereof, the “Debt Commitment Letter”), among the lenders party thereto (the “Lenders”) and Parent, (b) the related fee letter (the “Fee Letter,” and together with the Debt Commitment Letter, the “Debt Letters”) redacted in a customary manner solely with respect to all fees, syndication hold levels and all flex items, which redacted information does not adversely affect the amount, availability or conditionality of the funding of the Debt Financing, in each case, including all exhibits, schedules, annexes and amendments to such letters in effect as of the date hereof, pursuant to which and subject to the terms and conditions thereof, the Lenders have committed to lend the amounts set forth therein (the provision of such funds as set forth therein, the “Debt Financing”) for the purposes set forth in such Debt Commitment Letter and (c) the Equity Commitment Letter (together with the Debt Letters, the “Commitment Letters”), between the Guarantors and Parent, pursuant to which the Guarantors have committed to invest the amounts set forth therein in connection with the transactions contemplated herein (the “Equity Financing” and together with the Debt Financing, the “Financing”). The Equity Commitment Letter provides that the Company is an express third-party beneficiary thereof and Parent and the Guarantors will not oppose the granting of an injunction, specific performance or other equitable relief in connection with the exercise of such third-party beneficiary rights, in each case subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Equity Commitment Letter. Except as permitted under Section 7.14(a), the Commitment Letters (i) have not been amended, restated or otherwise modified or waived prior to the execution and delivery of this Agreement, and the respective commitments contained in the Commitment Letters have not been withdrawn, rescinded, amended, restated or otherwise modified in any respect prior to the execution and delivery of this Agreement and (ii) to the Knowledge of Parent, no such withdrawal, rescission, amendment, restatement, modification or waiver is contemplated (other than any such amendment, modification, or restatement to add lenders, lead arrangers, bookrunners, syndication agents or similar entities who have not executed the Commitment Letters as of the date hereof). As of the date of this Agreement, the Commitment Letters are in full force and effect and constitute the legal, valid and binding obligation of each of Parent and, to the Knowledge of Parent, the other parties thereto, subject in each case to bankruptcy laws and similar laws affecting creditors’ rights and general principles of equity. There are no conditions precedent or contingencies to the funding of the Financing pursuant to the Commitment Letters, other than as expressly set forth in the Commitment Letters. At the Closing and assuming the full funding of the Financing, Parent and Merger Sub will have sufficient funds to pay all of Parent’s and Merger Sub’s obligations under this Agreement, including the payment of the aggregate Merger Consideration and all fees and expenses required to be paid in connection therewith. To the Knowledge of Parent, as of the date of this Agreement, no event has occurred or circumstance exists which, with or without notice, lapse of time or both, would constitute a breach or default on the part of Parent under the Commitment Letters or otherwise result in any portion of the Financing to be unavailable. As of the date of this Agreement, there are no side letters or other agreements or Contracts that could affect the availability of the Debt Financing on the Closing Date other than as expressly set forth in the Commitment Letters. Parent has paid in full

 

45


any and all commitment fees and other fees required to be paid on or prior to the date hereof under the terms of the Commitment Letters and will pay all other commitment fees and other fees as required to be paid as a condition to funding the Financing under the terms of the Commitment Letters on or prior to the Closing. As of the date of this Agreement, Parent (A) is not aware of any fact, event or other occurrence that makes any of the representations or warranties of Parent in any of the Commitment Letters that constitutes a condition precedent to the funding of the Financing on the Closing Date inaccurate in any material respect and (B) assuming the accuracy of Company’s representations and warranties set forth in this Agreement and performance by Company of its obligations hereunder, has no reason to believe that, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions precedent set forth in Sections 8.1, 8.2 and 8.3, any of the conditions to the Financing contemplated by the Commitment Letters will not be satisfied on a timely basis or that the Financing contemplated by the Commitment Letters will not be made available on the Closing Date. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, a breach of this representation and warranty shall not result in the failure of a condition precedent to the Company’s obligations under this Agreement, if (notwithstanding such breach) Parent and Merger Sub are willing and able to consummate the Merger on the Closing Date.

5.9 Guarantee. Concurrently with the execution of this Agreement, the Guarantors have delivered to the Company the duly executed Guarantee. The Guarantee is in full force and effect and constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Guarantors, enforceable against the Guarantors in accordance with its terms (except as such enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, rehabilitation, liquidation, preferential transfer, moratorium and similar Laws now or hereafter affecting creditors’ rights generally and subject, as to enforceability, to general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding at equity or law)). No event has occurred that, with or without notice or lapse of time or both, would, or would reasonably be expected to, constitute a default on the part of the Guarantors pursuant to the Guarantee.

5.10 No Other Arrangements. Except for the Voting Agreements, neither Parent, Merger Sub, the Guarantors nor any of their respective Affiliates is a party to any Contract, or has authorized, made or entered into, or committed or agreed to enter into, any formal or informal arrangements, agreements or understandings (binding or non-binding) with any Company Stockholder or its Affiliates, or any director, officer, employee or Affiliate of the Company (including, for purposes of this Section 5.10, any Significant Company Stockholder) or any of its Subsidiaries (a) relating to (i) this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or (ii) the Surviving Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries or its or their respective businesses or operations from and after the Effective Time (including with respect to any employment matters), or (b) pursuant to which (i) any Company Stockholder would be entitled to receive consideration of a different amount or nature than the Merger Consideration payable pursuant to this Agreement in respect of such Company Stockholders’ shares of Company Common Stock, (ii) any Company Stockholder has agreed to approve this Agreement or to vote against any Superior Proposal or (iii) any Company Stockholder or its Affiliates, or any director, officer, employee or Affiliate of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has agreed to provide, directly or indirectly, any equity investment to Parent or Merger Sub to finance any portion of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

46


5.11 No Other Representations and Warranties. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the representations and warranties of Parent expressly set forth in this Article V are and shall constitute the sole and exclusive representations and warranties made with respect to Parent and its Subsidiaries in connection with this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby. Except for the representations and warranties referred to in previous sentence, none of Parent, its Subsidiaries or any other Person has made or is making any express or implied representations or warranty, statutory or otherwise, of any nature, including with respect to any express or implied representation or warranty as to the merchantability, quality, quantity, suitability or fitness for any particular purpose of the business or the assets of Parent and its Subsidiaries. Except for the representations and warranties expressly set forth in this Article V, all other warranties, express or implied, statutory or otherwise, of any nature, including with respect to any express or implied representation or warranty as to the merchantability, quality, quantity, suitability or fitness for any particular purpose of the business or the assets of Parent and its Subsidiaries, are hereby expressly disclaimed. Parent represents, warrants, covenants and agrees, on behalf of itself and its Affiliates, that in determining to enter into and consummate this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, it is not relying upon, and has not been induced by, any representation or warranty made or purportedly made by or on behalf of any Person, other than those expressly made by the Company as set forth in Article IV, or by any estimate, projection forecast, plan, budget or other prediction, any data, any financial information or any memoranda or presentations, including any memoranda and materials provided by or on behalf of the Company, any of the Company’s Subsidiaries or any other Person. Such information is not and shall not be deemed to be a representation or warranty of the Company, except to the extent explicitly set forth in Article IV hereof as a representation and warranty by the Company.

ARTICLE VI.

ACTIONS PENDING THE MERGER

6.1 Conduct of Business by the Company.

(a) From the date hereof until the earlier of the Effective Time and the termination of this Agreement, the Company shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to, conduct its business and the business of its Subsidiaries consistent with the Company Operations Plan in all material respects and, except (i) as expressly contemplated or permitted by this Agreement, (ii) as required by applicable Law, (iii) as set forth in the Company Disclosure Schedule, (iv) as specifically contemplated by any Company Material Agreement in effect as of the date of this Agreement or (v) with the prior written consent of Parent (which consent will not be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned), the Company shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to (A) conduct its business and the business of its Subsidiaries in compliance with all applicable Laws and (B) use commercially reasonable efforts to preserve intact its business organizations, goodwill, assets and advantageous business relationships and maintain its rights, franchises and existing relations with customers, directors, suppliers, employees, officers, business associates, Governmental Authorities, lessors, creditors and any agents of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in all material respects.

 

47


(b) From the date hereof until the earlier of the Effective Time and the termination of this Agreement, except (i) as expressly contemplated or permitted by this Agreement (including for matters expressly contemplated or permitted by the Company Operations Plan), (ii) as required by applicable Law, (iii) as set forth in the Company Disclosure Schedule or (iv) with the prior written consent of Parent (which consent will not be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned), the Company shall not, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries not to:

(A) (1) issue, sell or otherwise permit to become outstanding, or authorize the creation of, any additional equity or any additional Rights (other than issuances of shares of Company Common Stock upon the exercise or settlement of outstanding Company Stock Awards) or (2) enter into any agreement with respect to the foregoing;

(B) (1) split, combine, subdivide or reclassify any of its equity interests or issue or authorize or propose the issuance of any other securities in respect of, in lieu of or in substitution for its equity interests or (2) repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire, directly or indirectly, or permit any of its Subsidiaries to repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire, directly or indirectly, any capital stock, membership, partnership or other equity interests or Rights, except upon the forfeiture of Company Stock Awards in connection with the terms thereof or to satisfy the exercise price or any Tax withholding obligations of the holder of such Company Stock Awards;

(C) (1) transfer, sell, lease, dispose of or discontinue all or any portion of its assets, business or properties, (2) acquire, by merger or otherwise, or lease any assets or all or any portion of the business or property of any other entity, (3) merge, consolidate or enter into any other business combination transaction with any Person or (4) convert from a corporation, limited partnership or limited liability company, as the case may be, to any other business entity;

(D) (1) make, declare, set aside or pay dividends or other distributions (whether in cash, stock, property or any combination thereof) in respect of Company Common Stock or the equity securities of any of the Company’s Subsidiaries, other than dividends and distributions paid by any wholly owned Subsidiary of the Company to the Company or its wholly owned Subsidiaries or (2) enter into any agreement with respect to the voting of its voting securities or Rights (other than the Voting Agreements);

(E) amend or adopt or propose any amendment to the Company Charter or Company Bylaws or any organizational document of the Company’s Subsidiaries as in effect on the date of this Agreement (whether by merger, consolidation, acquisition of stock or assets or otherwise);

(F) enter into (1) any Contract that would have been a Company Material Agreement had it been entered into prior to the Execution Date or (2) any Contract with respect to which, based on the Company Operations Plan, would reasonably be expected to make payments associated with any Production Burden in any of the next three succeeding fiscal years that could, based on current projections, exceed $1,000,000 per year;

(G) modify, amend, terminate, waive, release or assign, or waive, release or assign any rights under, any Company Material Agreement;

 

48


(H) commence, waive, release, assign, settle or modify, amend, terminate, or compromise any claim, action or proceeding (excluding any proceeding relating to Taxes), including any state or federal regulatory proceeding seeking damages or injunction or other equitable relief, that would, individually or in the aggregate, have an out of pocket cost to the Company in excess of $100,000; provided, however, that neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries shall settle or compromise any claim, action or proceeding if such settlement or compromise (1) involves a material conduct remedy or material injunctive or similar relief, (2) involves the admission of criminal wrongdoing by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or (3) has the effect of restricting the conduct of the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries;

(I) implement or adopt any material change in the Company or its Subsidiaries’ GAAP accounting principles, practices or methods, other than as may be required by GAAP, or applicable Law, including SEC rules and regulations;

(J) fail to use reasonable best efforts to maintain, with financially responsible insurance companies, insurance in such amounts and against such risks and losses as is maintained by it at present;

(K) (1) change any material Tax election of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, (2) change the tax entity classification of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, (3) change any material annual Tax accounting period or adopt or change any material Tax accounting method, (4) settle or compromise any material claim, audit or other proceeding relating to Taxes, (5) fail to duly and timely pay (or cause to be paid) any material Taxes owed by the Company and its Subsidiaries due before the Closing, or timely file (or cause to be timely filed) any material Tax Returns with respect thereto, (6) amend any material Tax Return or file any material Tax Return that is inconsistent in any material respect with the information provided by the Company to Parent relating to the tax basis of the assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries, (7) enter into any material Tax allocation, sharing or indemnity agreement or any closing agreement with respect to any material amount of Tax, (8) surrender any right to claim a material Tax refund or (9) consent to any extension or waiver of the statute of limitations period applicable to any material Tax claim or assessment;

(L) other than (1) changes to or renewals of group healthcare benefits in the ordinary course of business or (2) as required on a non-discretionary basis by a Company Employee Benefit Plan existing on the date hereof, (a) adopt, enter into, renew, terminate or amend any Employee Benefit Plan or any plan, program, policy, agreement, or arrangement that would be an Employee Benefit Plan, (b) increase the amount (or accelerate the vesting or timing of payment of) base salary, wages, bonus, or other benefits and compensation under any Employee Benefit Plan or otherwise payable to or to become payable to any Employee, except in the case of non-officer Employees whose annual base salary is less than $100,000, increases in base salary in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice (but in any event not to exceed 2% in the aggregate); (c) hire, promote or change the employment status or title of any Employee, officer, director or other consultant who shall be entitled to receive annual salary in excess of $100,000; (d) enter into any employment, retention, change of control, transaction or severance agreement with any Employee (or otherwise grant or pay any equity or equity-based compensation or any short- or long-term incentive bonus, severance, retention or change in control, transaction or similar payments to any Employee, consultant or other individual service provider); or (e) enter into, adopt, amend or terminate any collective bargaining agreement, or other agreement or union contract with any labor organization or union;

 

49


(M) other than in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice (1) enter into any material lease (whether operating or capital (or finance)) or incur or assume any purchase money debt obligation, (2) create any Lien except for Permitted Encumbrances permitted by clause (l) of the definition thereof or any other Lien related to preceding clause (1), on its property or the property of its Subsidiaries in connection with any pre-existing Indebtedness, new Indebtedness or lease or (3) make or commit to make any material expenditure or payment other than such expenditures or payments as are contemplated in the Company’s operational plan described on Schedule 6.1(b)(M) of the Company Disclosure Schedule (the “Company Operations Plan”);

(N) incur, assume, guarantee or otherwise become liable for any Indebtedness (directly, contingently or otherwise), other than (i) Indebtedness described in clause (1) of subsection (M) above, (ii) Indebtedness arising under clause (g) of the definition thereof with respect to any pre-existing Indebtedness, (iii) borrowings or other extensions of credit under Existing Credit Facilities as such Existing Credit Facilities are in effect on the date of this Agreement or (iv) any interest paid-in-kind under the terms of the Term Loan as in effect on the date of this Agreement; provided, however, that in the event the Company or its Subsidiaries incurs Indebtedness under its Existing Credit Facilities, they shall exhaust the availability under the Credit Facility before incurring any additional Indebtedness under the Term Loan;

(O) enter into any Contract or transaction with (including the making of any payment to) a director or officer of the Company or members of their “immediate family” (as such terms are defined in Rule 16a-1 of the Exchange Act) (other than the Company or one of its Subsidiaries) or an Affiliate of a director or officer of the Company or members of their “immediate family” (as such terms are defined in Rule 16a-1 of the Exchange Act) (other than the Company or one of its Subsidiaries), in each case of a type that would be required to be disclosed under Item 404 of Regulation S-K promulgated by the SEC;

(P) authorize, recommend, consummate, propose or announce an intention to adopt a plan of complete or partial dissolution or liquidation of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or subject the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to any bankruptcy, receivership, insolvency or similar proceedings;

(Q) enter into any new line of business outside of its existing business;

(R) fail to pay, or delay payment of, accounts payable and other obligations in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice;

(S) fail to (1) keep current and in full force and effect or (2) to apply for or renew, any material Company Permit;

(T) enter into any material hedging arrangements or derivative instruments other than for the purpose of ordinary course risk management directly related to the business of the Company and any of its Subsidiaries or as specifically contemplated by Section 7.16 hereof; and

 

50


(U) agree or commit to do anything prohibited by clauses (A) through (T) of this Section 6.1(b).

6.2 Conduct of Business by Parent. From the date hereof until the earlier of the Effective Time and the termination of this Agreement and except (a) as expressly contemplated or permitted by this Agreement or (b) as may be required by applicable Law, Parent will not, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries not to, enter into any contract, agreement or arrangement or take any action that would reasonably be likely to have a Parent Material Adverse Effect. Parent will take all actions necessary to cause Merger Sub to perform its obligations under this Agreement and to consummate the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.

6.3 Alternative Proposals; Change in Recommendation.

(a) The Company will, and will cause its Subsidiaries and its and their respective directors, officers, and employees, and will use reasonable best efforts to cause their respective other Representatives to, immediately cease and cause to be terminated any discussions or negotiations with any Person (other than Parent and Merger Sub) conducted heretofore or that may be ongoing with respect to any inquiry, proposal or offer that constitutes, or would reasonably be expected to lead to, an Alternative Proposal, and request the return or destruction of all confidential information previously provided to such Persons by or on behalf of the Company or its Subsidiaries. The Company agrees that it shall promptly inform its Representatives of the obligations undertaken in this Section 6.3. Except as permitted by this Section 6.3, the Company will not, and will cause its Subsidiaries and its and their respective directors, officers and employees, and will use reasonable best efforts to cause their respective other Representatives not to, and shall not publicly announce any intention to, directly or indirectly, (i) initiate, solicit, knowingly encourage, knowingly induce or knowingly facilitate (including by way of furnishing information) any proposal or offer or any inquiries regarding the making of any proposal or offer, including any proposal or offer to its stockholders, that constitutes, or would be reasonably be expected to lead to, an Alternative Proposal; (ii) participate or engage in or otherwise knowingly facilitate any discussions or negotiations regarding, or furnish to any Person any information or data relating to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or afford access to the properties, books or records of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to any Person, in connection with or for the purpose of encouraging or facilitating, any inquiry, proposal or offer that constitutes, or would be reasonably be expected to lead to, an Alternative Proposal; (iii) approve, endorse or recommend (or propose to approve, endorse or recommend) any inquiry, proposal or offer that constitutes, or would be reasonably be expected to lead to, an Alternative Proposal; (iv) enter into any letter of intent, term sheet, memorandum of understanding, merger agreement, acquisition agreement, exchange agreement or any other agreement (whether binding or not) with respect to any inquiry, proposal or offer that constitutes, or would reasonably be expected to lead to, an Alternative Proposal or requiring the Company to abandon, terminate or fail to consummate the Merger or any other transaction contemplated by this Agreement; or (v) resolve or agree to do any of the foregoing.

 

51


(b) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, if at any time prior to obtaining the Company Stockholder Approval, (i) the Company has received a bona fide written Alternative Proposal that is made after the date of this Agreement and that did not result from or arise in connection with a breach of this Section 6.3; and (ii) the Company Board, after consultation with its financial advisors and outside legal counsel, determines in good faith that such Alternative Proposal constitutes or could reasonably be expected to lead to or result in a Superior Proposal, then the Company may, subject to clauses (x), (y) and (z) below, (A) furnish information, including confidential information, with respect to the Company and its Subsidiaries to the Person making such Alternative Proposal and (B) participate in discussions or negotiations regarding such Alternative Proposal; provided that (x) the Company provides to Parent the notice required by Section 6.3(c) with respect to such Alternative Proposal, (y) the Company will not, and will cause its Subsidiaries and its and their respective directors, officers and employees, and will use reasonable best efforts to cause their respective other Representatives not to disclose any non-public information to such Person unless the Company has, or first enters into, a confidentiality agreement with such Person with confidentiality provisions that are not materially less restrictive to such Person than the provisions of the Confidentiality Agreement are to Parent a copy of which shall be promptly provided to Parent, which shall not contain any exclusivity provision or other term that would restrict, in any manner, the Company’s ability to consummate the Merger or the other transactions contemplated hereby or to comply with its disclosure obligations to Parent pursuant to this Agreement, and (z) prior to or substantially concurrently with providing or making available to such other Person any non-public information about the Company and its Subsidiaries that was not previously provided or made available to Parent, the Company will provide such non-public information to Parent.

(c) In addition to the obligations of the Company set forth in this Section 6.3, the Company will promptly (and in no event later than twenty-four (24) hours after receipt) notify Parent in writing of any Alternative Proposal or any offer, proposal or request for discussions or negotiations regarding an Alternative Proposal (and any changes thereto) or non-public information relating to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries that could reasonably be expected to lead to or in connection with an Alternative Proposal, including the identity of the Person making the Alternative Proposal or offer, proposal, inquiry or request and (i) if it is in writing, a copy of any such Alternative Proposal or inquiry, request, offer or proposal and any related draft agreements or (ii) if not made in writing, the material terms and conditions of any such Alternative Proposal. The Company will keep Parent reasonably informed on a prompt basis of material developments with respect to any such Alternative Proposal, including material changes to the status and materials terms of any such proposal or offer (including any material amendments thereto or any material change to the scope or material terms or conditions thereof).

(d) Except as otherwise provided in this Section 6.3, neither the Company Board nor any committee thereof will directly or indirectly: (i) (A) withhold, withdraw, modify, qualify or fail to make, or, except in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 6.3(e) or Section 6.3(f), authorize or resolve to or propose or announce its intention to withhold, withdraw, modify or qualify, in any manner adverse to Parent, the Company Board Recommendation, (B) publicly approve or recommend, or publicly propose to approve or recommend any Alternative Proposal or (C) fail to publicly reaffirm the Company Board Recommendation within five (5) Business Days after Parent so requests in writing, which request is transmitted within five (5) Business Days after any public disclosure of an Alternative Proposal (provided that the Company shall have no obligation to make such reaffirmation on more than one occasion other than following a material modification of such Alternative Proposal); (ii) approve, adopt, authorize, resolve or recommend, or propose to approve, adopt, authorize, resolve or recommend, any

 

52


Alternative Proposal; (iii) approve, adopt, authorize, resolve or recommend, or propose to approve, adopt, authorize, resolve or recommend, or allow the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to execute or enter into, any letter of intent, memorandum of understanding, agreement in principle, merger agreement, acquisition agreement, option agreement, joint venture agreement, partnership agreement or other similar Contract or any tender or exchange offer providing for, with respect to, or in connection with, any Alternative Proposal; or (iv) fail to publicly announce, within ten (10) Business Days after a tender offer or exchange relating to the securities of the Company shall have been commenced, a statement disclosing that the Company Board recommends rejection of such tender offer or exchange offer and affirms the Company Board Recommendation (any action described in this Section 6.3(d) being referred to as a “Change in Recommendation”). For the avoidance of doubt, a public statement that describes the Company’s receipt of an Alternative Proposal and the operation of this Agreement with respect thereto shall not be deemed a Change in Recommendation.

(e) Notwithstanding the foregoing, at any time after the date of this Agreement and prior to obtaining Company Stockholder Approval, if the Company receives a bona fide written Alternative Proposal from any Person that did not result from or arise in connection with a breach of this Section 6.3, the Company Board may, subject to compliance with this Section 6.3(e), after (x) determining in good faith, after consultation with its financial advisors and outside legal counsel, that such Alternative Proposal constitutes a Superior Proposal and (y) determining in good faith, after consultation with its outside legal counsel, that the failure to take such action would be inconsistent with its fiduciary duties under applicable Law, (i) make a Change in Recommendation or (ii) terminate this Agreement under Section 9.1(h) in order to enter into a definitive agreement relating to such Superior Proposal; provided, however, that the Company Board may not take any such action pursuant to the foregoing clauses (i) or (ii) unless:

(i) the Company has provided prior written notice (which notice must state that the Company Board has made the determinations contemplated by the foregoing clauses (x) and (y) of this Section 6.3(e)) to Parent specifying in reasonable detail the reasons for such action (including a description of the material terms and conditions of such Superior Proposal and identifying the Person or group making such Superior Proposal) and has contemporaneously delivered to Parent a copy of the proposed definitive agreement providing for the Alternative Proposal for such Superior Proposal in the form to be entered into (and any other relevant proposed transaction agreements) at least three (3) Business Days in advance of its intention to take such action, unless at the time such notice is otherwise required to be given there are less than three (3) Business Days prior to the Company Meeting, in which case the Company will provide as much notice as is reasonably practicable (the period inclusive of all such days, the “Superior Proposal Notice Period”) (it being understood and agreed that any material amendment to the terms of a Superior Proposal shall require a new notice pursuant to this Section 6.3(e) and a new Superior Proposal Notice Period, except that such new Superior Proposal Notice Period in connection with any such amendment shall be for two (2) Business Days from the time Parent receives such notice (as opposed to three (3) Business Days));

(ii) during the Superior Proposal Notice Period, the Company has negotiated with Parent in good faith (to the extent Parent desires to negotiate) to make such adjustments in the terms and conditions of this Agreement so that such Superior Proposal ceases to constitute a Superior Proposal; and

 

53


(iii) at the end of the Superior Proposal Notice Period, the Company Board concludes in good faith, taking into account any adjustment or modification to the terms and conditions of this Agreement proposed by Parent in writing, that (A) after consultation with its financial advisors and outside legal counsel, such Alternative Proposal continues to constitute a Superior Proposal if the amended terms proposed by Parent were to be given effect and (B) after consultation with its outside legal counsel, the failure of the Company Board to effect a Change in Recommendation or to terminate this Agreement with respect to such Superior Proposal in accordance with Section 9.1(h) in order to enter into a definitive agreement relating to such Superior Proposal would reasonably be expected to be inconsistent with its fiduciary duties under applicable Law.

For the avoidance of doubt, notwithstanding any Change in Recommendation pursuant to this Section 6.3, the Company shall not be entitled to enter into any definitive acquisition agreement with respect to a Superior Proposal unless and until (i) this Agreement is terminated and (ii) the Company Termination Fee has been paid by the Company to Parent pursuant to Section 9.4.

(f) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the Company Board is permitted, at any time prior to obtaining the Company Stockholder Approval to make a Change in Recommendation in connection with an Intervening Event but only if prior to taking such action, the Company Board determines in good faith, after consultation with its outside legal counsel, that the failure of the Company Board to make a Change in Recommendation would reasonably be expected to be inconsistent with its fiduciary duties under applicable Law; provided, however, that the Company Board may not make such a Change in Recommendation unless:

(i) the Company has provided prior written notice (which notice must specify in reasonable detail the reasons for such Change in Recommendation) at least three (3) Business Days in advance of its intention to make such Change in Recommendation, unless at the time such notice is otherwise required to be given there are less than three (3) Business Days prior to the Company Meeting, in which case the Company will provide as much notice as is reasonably practicable (the period inclusive of all such days, the “Intervening Event Notice Period”);

(ii) during the Intervening Event Notice Period, the Company has negotiated with Parent in good faith (to the extent Parent desires to negotiate) to make such adjustments in the terms and conditions of this Agreement as would permit the Company Board to determine that the failure of the Company Board to make a Change in Recommendation would not reasonably be expected to be inconsistent with its fiduciary duties under applicable Law; and

(iii) at the end of the Intervening Event Notice Period, the Company Board concludes in good faith, after consultation with its outside legal counsel, and taking into account any adjustment or modification to the terms and conditions of this Agreement proposed by Parent in writing, that the failure of the Company Board to make a Change in Recommendation would reasonably be expected to be inconsistent with its fiduciary duties under applicable Law.

 

54


(g) Nothing contained in this Agreement will prevent the Company or the Company Board from taking and disclosing to the Company Stockholders a position contemplated by Rule 14d-9 and Rule 14e-2(a) promulgated under the Exchange Act (or any similar communication to the Company Stockholders) or from making any legally required disclosure to Company Stockholders, provided, however, that if any such position does not comply with the provisions of this Section 6.3 or otherwise has the substantive effect of withdrawing or adversely modifying or qualifying the Company Board Recommendation, such action shall be deemed to effect a Change in Recommendation for purposes of this Agreement. Any “stop-look-and-listen” communication by the Company or the Company Board to the Company Stockholders that contains only the information set forth in Rule 14d-9(f) promulgated under the Exchange Act (or any similar communication to the Company Stockholders) will not be considered a failure to make, or a withdrawal, modification or change in any manner adverse to Parent of, all or a portion of the Company Board Recommendation.

(h) For purposes of this Agreement:

(i) “Alternative Proposal” means any proposal or offer from any Person or “group” (as defined in Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act), other than Parent and its Subsidiaries, and did not result from or arise in connection with a breach of Section 6.3, relating to or would reasonably be expected to lead to any (A) direct or indirect acquisition (whether in a single transaction or a series of related transactions), outside of the ordinary course of business, of assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries equal to 20% or more of the consolidated assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries or to which 20% or more of the consolidated revenues, net income, assets or earnings of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, are attributable;(B) direct or indirect acquisition (whether in a single transaction or a series of related transactions) of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act) of 20% or more of the outstanding shares of Company Common Stock or other equity securities of the Company (or options, rights or warrants to purchase, or securities convertible into or exchangeable for, such securities) representing 20% or more of the voting power of the Company, including pursuant to a stock purchase, merger, consolidation or other transaction involving the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole;(C) tender offer or exchange offer that if consummated would result in any Person or “group” (as defined in Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act) beneficially owning 20% or more of the outstanding shares of Company Common Stock or other equity securities of the Company (or options, rights or warrants to purchase, or securities convertible into or exchangeable for, such securities) representing 20% or more of the voting power of the Company, including pursuant to a stock purchase, merger, consolidation or other transaction involving the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole; or(D)merger, consolidation, share exchange, business combination, recapitalization, liquidation, dissolution or similar transaction involving the Company which is structured to permit such Person or group to acquire beneficial ownership of at least 20% of the consolidated assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or at least 20% of the outstanding shares of Company Common Stock or other equity securities of the Company (or options, rights or warrants to purchase, or securities convertible into or exchangeable for, such securities) representing 20% or more of the voting power of the Company, including pursuant to a stock purchase, merger, consolidation or other transaction involving the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole; in each case, other than the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

55


(ii) “Superior Proposal” means a written offer, obtained after the date of this Agreement that did not result from or arise in connection with a material breach of this Section 6.3, to acquire, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of the outstanding shares of Company Common Stock or more than 50% of the consolidated assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries, made by a third party, which is on terms and conditions which the Company Board determines in good faith (after consultation with its outside legal counsel and financial advisor) to be more favorable from a financial point of view to the Company Stockholders (in their capacities as stockholders) than the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, taking into account at the time of determination all financial, legal and regulatory terms and conditions of the alternative proposal and this Agreement, including any changes to the terms of this Agreement that as of that time had been committed to by Parent in writing in response to such Superior Proposal, including any conditions to and expected timing of consummation, any risks of non-consummation, of such proposal and, to the extent third-party financing is required and the Company Board determines in good faith that such financing is reasonably likely to be obtained.

ARTICLE VII.

COVENANTS

The Company hereby covenants to and agrees with Parent, and Parent and Merger Sub hereby covenant to and agree with the Company, on their behalf and on behalf of the Surviving Corporation, that:

7.1 Proxy Statement; Company Meeting.

(a) As soon as practicable following the date of this Agreement, the Company and Parent will prepare and the Company will file with the SEC the Proxy Statement. The Company, Parent and Merger Sub shall cooperate with each other in the preparation of the Proxy Statement and furnish all information concerning itself that is required in connection with the preparation of the Proxy Statement. The Company will use its reasonable best efforts to cause the Proxy Statement to be mailed to the Company Stockholders as promptly as practicable following the clearance of the Proxy Statement by the SEC. No filing of, or amendment or supplement to the Proxy Statement will be made by the Company without providing Parent a reasonable opportunity to review and comment thereon. If at any time prior to the Company Meeting (or any adjournment or postponement thereof) any information relating to the Company or Parent, or any of their respective Affiliates, directors or officers, is discovered by the Company or Parent that should be set forth in an amendment or supplement to the Proxy Statement, so that the Proxy Statement would not include any misstatement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, the Party that discovers such information will promptly notify the Other Party hereto and an appropriate amendment or supplement describing such information will be promptly filed with the SEC and, to the extent required by Law, disseminated to the Company Stockholders. The Company will notify Parent promptly of the receipt of any comments from the SEC or the staff of the SEC and of any request by the SEC or the staff of the SEC for amendments or supplements to the Proxy Statement or for additional information and the Company will supply Parent with copies of all correspondence between it or any of its Representatives, on the one hand, and the SEC or the staff of the SEC, on the other hand, with respect to the Proxy Statement or the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

56


(b) The Company will, as soon as reasonably practicable following the date of this Agreement, establish a record date for, and as soon as reasonably practicable following the clearance of the Proxy Statement by the SEC, duly call, give notice of, convene and hold, the Company Meeting. Subject to Section 6.3, the Company will, through the Company Board, recommend to the Company Stockholders that they adopt this Agreement in accordance with the DGCL (the “Company Board Recommendation”). The Proxy Statement shall (subject to Section 6.3) include the Company Board Recommendation. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the Company may postpone or adjourn the Company Meeting (i) to solicit additional proxies for the purpose of obtaining Company Stockholder Approval, (ii) if there are not holders of a sufficient number of shares of Company Common Stock present or represented by proxy at the Company Meeting to constitute a quorum at the Company Meeting, (iii) to allow reasonable additional time for the filing or mailing of any supplemental or amended disclosure that the Company has determined in good faith, after consultation with outside legal counsel, is necessary under applicable Law and for such supplemental or amended disclosure to be disseminated and reviewed by the Company Stockholders prior to the Company Meeting and (iv) if the Company has delivered any notice contemplated by Section 6.3 and the time period contemplated by Section 6.3 has not expired.

7.2 Consummation of the Merger.

(a) Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement (including Section 7.2(d)), Parent and Merger Sub, on the one hand, and the Company, on the other hand, will cooperate with each other and use (and will cause their respective Subsidiaries to use) their respective reasonable best efforts to: (i) take, or cause to be taken, all actions, and do, or cause to be done, all things necessary, proper or advisable to cause the conditions to the Closing to be satisfied as promptly as practicable (and in any event no later than March 17, 2020 (the “Outside Date”), and to consummate and make effective, in the most expeditious manner practicable, the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including preparing and filing promptly and fully all documentation to effect all necessary filings, notifications, notices, petitions, statements, registrations, submissions of information, applications and other documents (including any required or recommended filings under applicable Antitrust Laws); (ii) obtain promptly (and in any event no later than the Outside Date) all Governmental Approvals and expirations or terminations of any applicable waiting periods, registrations, permits, authorizations and other confirmations from any Governmental Authority or third party necessary, proper or advisable to consummate the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement; (iii) defend any lawsuits or other legal proceedings, whether judicial or administrative, challenging this Agreement or the consummation of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement; and (iv) obtain all necessary consents, approvals or waivers from third parties.

(b) In furtherance and not in limitation of the foregoing, each Party hereto agrees to make an appropriate filing of a Notification and Report Form pursuant to the HSR Act with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby as promptly as practicable and in any event within ten (10) Business Days after the date of this Agreement and to supply as promptly as practicable any additional information and documentary material that may be requested by any Governmental Authority pursuant to the HSR Act or any other Antitrust Law and use its reasonable best efforts to take, or cause to be taken (including by their respective Subsidiaries), all other actions consistent with this Section 7.2 necessary to cause the expiration or termination of the applicable waiting periods under the HSR Act as soon as practicable (and in any event no later than the Outside Date). Parent will pay any HSR Act filing fee.

 

57


(c) Each of the Parties hereto will use its reasonable best efforts to: (i) cooperate in all respects with each other in connection with any filing or submission with a Governmental Authority in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby and in connection with any investigation or other inquiry by or before a Governmental Authority relating to the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including any proceeding initiated by a private Person; (ii) promptly inform the Other Party of (and supply to the Other Party) any communication received by such Party from, or given by such party to, the Federal Trade Commission, the Antitrust Division of the Department of Justice, or any other Governmental Authority and any material communication received or given in connection with any proceeding by a private Person, in each case regarding the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement; (iii) permit the Other Party to review in advance and incorporate the Other Party’s reasonable comments in any communication to be given by it to any Governmental Authority with respect to obtaining any clearances required under any Antitrust Law in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby; and (iv) consult with the Other Party in advance of any meeting or teleconference with any Governmental Authority or, in connection with any proceeding by a private Person, with any other Person, and, to the extent not prohibited by the Governmental Authority or other Person, give the Other Party the opportunity to attend and participate in such meetings and teleconferences. Subject to Section 7.3(b), the Parties will take reasonable efforts to share information protected from disclosure under the attorney-client privilege, work product doctrine, joint defense privilege or any other privilege pursuant to this Section 7.2 in a manner so as to preserve the applicable privilege.

(d) Parent agrees to take, or cause to be taken (including by its Subsidiaries), any all steps and to make, or cause to be made (including by its Subsidiaries), any and all undertakings necessary to resolve such objections, if any, that a Governmental Authority may assert under any Antitrust Law with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and to avoid or eliminate each impediment under any Antitrust Law that may be asserted by any Governmental Authority with respect to the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement, in each case, so as to enable the Closing to occur as promptly as practicable, including (i) proposing, negotiating, committing to and effecting, by consent decree, hold separate order or otherwise, the sale, divestiture or disposition of any businesses, assets, equity interests, product lines or properties of Parent or the Company (or any of their respective Subsidiaries), or the Surviving Corporation or any equity interest in any joint venture held by Parent (or any of its Subsidiaries) or the Surviving Corporation, (ii) creating, terminating or divesting relationships, ventures, contractual rights or obligations of Parent or the Company (or and of their respective Subsidiaries) or the Surviving Corporation and (iii) otherwise taking or committing to take any action that would limit Parent’s freedom of action with respect to, or its ability to retain or hold, directly or indirectly, any businesses, assets, equity interests, product lines or properties of Parent or Company (including any of their respective Subsidiaries) or the Surviving Corporation or any equity interest in any joint venture held by Parent (or any of its Subsidiaries) or the Surviving Corporation, in each case as may be required in order to obtain all approvals, consents, clearances, expirations or terminations of waiting periods, registrations, permits, authorizations and other confirmations required directly or indirectly under any Antitrust Law or to avoid the commencement of any action to prohibit the transactions contemplated by this Agreement under

 

58


any Antitrust Law, or, in the alternative, to avoid the entry of, or to effect the dissolution of, any injunction, temporary restraining order or other order in any action or proceeding seeking to prohibit the Merger or delay the Closing. To assist Parent in complying with its obligations set forth in this Section 7.2, the Company will enter into one or more agreements requested by Parent to be entered into prior to the Effective Time with respect to any transaction to divest, hold separate or otherwise take any action that limits the Surviving Corporation’s freedom of action, ownership or control with respect to, or their ability to retain or hold, directly or indirectly, any of the businesses, assets, equity interests, product lines or properties of the Surviving Corporation or any equity interest in any joint venture held by the Surviving Corporation (each a “Divestiture Action”); provided, however, that the consummation of the transactions provided for in any such agreement for a Divestiture Action will be conditioned upon the Closing.

(e) In furtherance and not in limitation of the covenants of the Parties contained in this Section 7.2, if any administrative or judicial Proceeding, including any Proceeding by a private Person, is instituted (or threatened to be instituted) challenging the Merger as violative of any Antitrust Law, each of Parent and the Company will use reasonable best efforts to contest and resist any such Proceeding and to have vacated, lifted, reversed or overturned any decree, judgment, injunction or other order, whether temporary, preliminary or permanent, that is in effect and that prohibits, prevents or restricts consummation of the Merger.

7.3 Access to Information; Confidentiality.

(a) Upon reasonable notice, throughout the period from the date of this Agreement until the earlier of the termination of this Agreement pursuant to Article IX hereof and the Effective Time, the Company shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to, afford to Parent and its Representatives reasonable access during normal business hours to (and, with respect to books and records, the right to copy) all of its and its Subsidiaries’ properties (including for purposes of environmental assessment, which may include subsurface or other invasive testing or sampling only upon the Company’s express prior written approval, such approval not be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned), commitments, books, Contracts, records and correspondence (in each case, whether in physical or electronic form), officers, employees, accountants, counsel, financial advisors and other Representatives. Each Party shall furnish promptly to the Other Party (i) a copy of each report, schedule and other document filed or submitted by it pursuant to the requirements of federal or state securities Laws and a copy of any communication (including “comment letters”) received by such Party from the SEC concerning compliance with securities Laws and (ii) all other information concerning its and its Subsidiaries’ businesses, properties and personnel as the Other Party may reasonably request (including information necessary to prepare the Proxy Statement). Except for disclosures permitted by the terms of the Confidentiality Agreement, each Party and its Representatives shall hold information received from the Other Party pursuant to this Section 7.3 in confidence in accordance with the terms of the Confidentiality Agreement.

(b) This Section 7.3 shall not require either Party to permit any access, or to disclose any information, that in the reasonable, good faith judgment (after consultation with counsel, which may be in-house counsel) of such Party would reasonably be expected to result in (i) any violation of any Contract to which such Party or its Subsidiaries is a party or Law applicable to such Party or its Subsidiaries or (ii) the potential waiver of any privilege (including

 

59


attorney-client privilege) that such Party or any of its Subsidiaries would be entitled to assert with respect to such information and such potential waiver could in such Party’s good faith judgment (after consultation with counsel, which may be in-house counsel) adversely affect in any material respect such Party’s position in any pending or, what such Party believes in good faith (after consultation with counsel, which may be in-house counsel) could be, future litigation. Nor shall any party be required to permit access to any information reasonably pertinent to any litigation in which the Other Party or any of its Subsidiaries, are adverse to each other. Notwithstanding the foregoing in the case of clauses (i) and (ii) above, the Parties hereto shall reasonably cooperate in seeking to find a way to allow disclosure of such information (including by entering into a joint-defense or similar agreement) to the extent doing so (A) would not (in the good faith belief of the Party being requested to disclose the information (after consultation with counsel, which may be in-house counsel)) reasonably be likely to result in the violation of any such Contract or applicable Law or reasonably be likely to cause a potential waiver of privilege with respect to such information or (B) could reasonably (in the good faith belief of the Party being requested to disclose the information (after consultation with counsel, which may be in-house counsel)) be managed through the use of customary “clean-room” arrangements pursuant to which non-employee Representatives of the Other Party shall be provided access to such information. In addition, the Party being requested to disclose the information shall (1) notify the Other Party that such disclosures are reasonably likely to violate its or its Subsidiaries’ obligations under any such Contract or applicable Law or are reasonably likely to cause a potential waiver of privilege, (2) communicate to the Other Party in reasonable detail the facts giving rise to such notification and the subject matter of such information (to the extent it is able to do so in accordance with this Section 7.3(b) and (3) in the case where such disclosures are reasonably likely to violate its or its Subsidiaries’ obligations under any Contract, use reasonable commercial efforts to seek consent from the applicable third party to any such Contract with respect to the disclosures prohibited thereby (to the extent not otherwise expressly prohibited by the terms of such Contract).

7.4 Public Statements. The initial press release with respect to the execution and delivery of this Agreement shall be a joint press release to be reasonably agreed upon by Parent and the Company. Parent and the Company will not, and each will cause its respective Representatives not to, issue any public announcements (including a press release) or make other public disclosures regarding this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby, without the prior written approval of the Other Party. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Party or its Representatives may issue a public announcement or other public disclosures required by Law or the rules of any stock exchange upon which such Party’s equity securities are traded; provided that such Party uses reasonable best efforts to afford the Other Party an opportunity to first review the content of the proposed disclosure and provide reasonable comment regarding the same. Nothing in this Section 7.4, however, shall be deemed to restrict in any manner (i) the Company’s ability to communicate with its employees or (ii) any customary communications or distributions of marketing materials in connection with obtaining, marketing and syndicating the Debt Financing, nor shall the Company be required by this Section 7.4 to consult with Parent or any other Person with respect to a public announcement in connection with the receipt and existence of an Alternative Proposal and matters related thereto or a Change in Recommendation, other than as required pursuant to Section 6.3.

 

60


7.5 Confidentiality. The obligations of Parent and the Company under the Confidentiality Agreement shall remain in full force and effect and all information provided to any Party hereto or its Representatives pursuant to or in connection with this Agreement is deemed to be “Confidential Information” as defined under the Confidentiality Agreement; provided, however, that nothing in the Confidentiality Agreement shall be deemed to restrict the performance by the Company or Parent of their respective obligations under this Agreement and, in the case of any conflict between the terms of this Agreement and the terms of the Confidentiality Agreement, the terms of this Agreement shall control; provided, further, that Parent and Merger Sub shall be permitted to disclose information as necessary and consistent with customary practices in connection with the Financing subject to customary confidentiality arrangements set forth in the Debt Commitment Letter; provided further, that beginning on the date of this Agreement, “Representatives” as defined under the Confidentiality Agreement shall also include potential equity financing sources of Parent or the Sponsor.

7.6 Takeover Laws. Neither the Company nor Parent will take any action that would cause the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Voting Agreements to be subject to requirements imposed by any Takeover Laws, and each of them will take all reasonable steps within its control to exempt (or ensure the continued exemption of) the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Voting Agreements from the Takeover Laws of any state that purport to apply to this Agreement, the Voting Agreements or the transactions contemplated hereby.

7.7 Third-Party Approvals.

(a) Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, Parent and the Company and their respective Subsidiaries will cooperate and use their respective reasonable best efforts to prepare all documentation, to effect all filings, to obtain all permits, consents, approvals and authorizations of all Governmental Authorities and third parties necessary to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and to comply with the terms and conditions of such permits, consents, approvals and authorizations and to cause the Merger to be consummated as expeditiously as practicable. Each of Parent and the Company has the right to review in advance, and to the extent practicable each will consult with the other, in each case subject to applicable Laws relating to the exchange of information, with respect to all material written information submitted to any third party or any Governmental Authorities in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. In exercising the foregoing right, each of the Parties agrees to act reasonably and promptly. Each Party agrees that it will consult with the Other Parties with respect to the obtaining of all material permits, consents, approvals and authorizations of all third parties and Governmental Authorities necessary or advisable to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and each Party will keep the Other Parties apprised of the status of material matters relating to completion of the transactions contemplated hereby.

(b) Each of Parent and the Company agrees, upon request, to furnish the Other Party with all information concerning itself, its Subsidiaries, directors, officers and stockholders and such other matters as may be reasonably necessary or advisable in connection with the Proxy Statement or any filing, notice or application made by or on behalf of such Other Party or any of such Other Party’s Subsidiaries to any Governmental Authority in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby.

(c) This Section 7.7 shall not apply to (i) approval under Antitrust Laws or (ii) approval of the SEC of the Proxy Statement.

 

61


7.8 Indemnification; Directors and Officers Insurance.

(a) Without limiting any additional rights that any director, officer, trustee, employee, agent or fiduciary may have under any applicable insurance policy, any employment or indemnification agreement (including the Director Indemnification Agreements) or under the Company Charter or Company Bylaws, resolution of the Company Board or Company Stockholders, this Agreement or, if applicable, similar organizational documents or agreements of any of the Company’s Subsidiaries, from and after the Effective Time and ending on the sixth (6th) anniversary of the Effective Time, Parent and the Surviving Corporation, jointly and severally, will: (i) indemnify and hold harmless each Person who is now, or has been or becomes at any time prior to the Effective Time, (A) an officer or director of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or (B) serving at the request of or on behalf of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries as a director, officer, employee, member, trustee or fiduciary of another corporation, foundation, partnership, joint venture, trust, pension or other employee benefit plan or enterprise (whether or not such other entity or enterprise is affiliated with the Company), together with such Person’s heirs, executors, trustees, fiduciaries and administrators (collectively, the “Indemnified Parties”), to the fullest extent authorized or permitted by applicable Law from and against any losses, claims, damages, liabilities, costs, Indemnification Expenses, judgments, fines, penalties and amounts paid in settlement (including all interest, assessments and other charges paid or payable in connection with or in respect of any thereof) arising out of or in connection with any Claim or Action provided that, notwithstanding the foregoing, except as provided in clause (ii) of this Section 7.8(a) with respect to a Claim or Action to enforce rights with respect to indemnification or advancement, the Surviving Corporation and Parent shall not be obligated to indemnify an Indemnified Party in connection with a Claim or Action (or part thereof) initiated by such Indemnified Party; and (ii) promptly pay on behalf of or, within fifteen (15) days after any request for advancement, advance to each of the Indemnified Parties any Indemnification Expenses incurred in defending, serving as a witness with respect to or otherwise participating with respect to any Claim or Action in advance of the final disposition of such Claim or Action, including payment on behalf of or advancement to the Indemnified Party of any Indemnification Expenses incurred by such Indemnified Party in connection with enforcing any rights with respect to such indemnification or advancement, in each case without the requirement of any bond or other security; provided, however, that, if required by applicable Law, it shall be a condition to the payment or advancement of any Indemnification Expenses that Parent or the Surviving Corporation receive an undertaking by the Indemnified Party to repay such Indemnification Expenses paid or advanced if it is ultimately determined that such Indemnified Party is not entitled to be indemnified under applicable Law or pursuant to this Agreement. The indemnification and advancement obligations of Parent and the Surviving Corporation pursuant to this Section 7.8(a) extend to acts or omissions occurring at or before the Effective Time and any Claim or Action relating thereto (including with respect to any acts or omissions occurring in connection with the adoption or approval of this Agreement and the consummation of the Merger and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including the consideration and approval thereof and the process undertaken in connection therewith and any Claim or Action relating thereto), and all rights to indemnification and advancement of expenses conferred hereunder continue as to any Indemnified Party who has ceased to be a director or officer of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries after the date hereof (with respect to acts or omissions occurring prior to such cessation) and inure to the benefit of such Indemnified Party’s heirs, executors and personal and legal representatives. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, Parent and the

 

62


Surviving Corporation shall not be required to provide rights to indemnification or payment or advancement of Indemnification Expenses to any Indemnified Person that are more expansive than those provided to such Indemnified Person under the Company Charter, Company Bylaws, and Director Indemnification Agreements, as applicable, in each case as in effect on the date of this Agreement. As used in this Section 7.8: (x) the term “Claim” means any threatened, asserted, pending or completed action or proceeding, whether instituted by any Party, any Governmental Authority or any other person that any Indemnified Party in good faith believes might lead to the institution of any action or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, investigative or other, including any arbitration or other alternative dispute resolution mechanism (“Action”) arising out of or pertaining to matters that relate to such Indemnified Party’s duties or service as a director or officer of the Company or of any of its Subsidiaries or as a trustee of (or in a similar capacity with) any compensation and benefit plan of any thereof; (y) the term “Indemnification Expenses” means reasonable attorneys’ fees and all other reasonable costs, expenses and obligations (including experts’ fees, travel expenses, court costs, retainers, transcript fees, duplicating, printing and binding costs, as well as reasonable telecommunications, postage and courier charges) paid or incurred in connection with investigating, defending, being a witness in or participating in (including on appeal), or preparing to investigate, defend, be a witness in or participate in, any Claim for which indemnification is sought pursuant to this Section 7.8(a), including any Action relating to a claim for indemnification or advancement brought by an Indemnified Party; and (z) the phrase “to the fullest extent authorized or permitted by applicable Law” includes, but is not limited to, (1) to the fullest extent authorized or permitted by any provision of the DGCL that authorizes or permits additional indemnification by agreement or otherwise, or the corresponding provision of any amendment to or replacement of the DGCL; and (2) to the fullest extent authorized or permitted by any amendments to or replacements of the DGCL adopted after the date of this Agreement that increase the extent to which an entity may indemnify its directors or officers. Any amendment, alteration or repeal of the DGCL that adversely affects any right of any Indemnified Party will be prospective only and does not limit or eliminate any such right with respect to any Claim or Action involving any occurrence or alleged occurrence of any action or omission to act that took place prior to such amendment or repeal. Neither Parent nor the Surviving Corporation will settle, compromise or consent to the entry of any judgment in any actual or threatened Claim or Action in respect of which indemnification has been or would reasonably be expected to be sought by such Indemnified Party hereunder unless such settlement, compromise or judgment includes an unconditional release of such Indemnified Party from all liability arising out of such Claim or Action without admission or finding of wrongdoing, or such Indemnified Party otherwise consents thereto, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, neither Parent nor the Surviving Corporation shall be liable for any settlement effected without either Parent’s or the Surviving Corporation’s prior written consent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned) and Parent and the Surviving Corporation shall not be obligated to pay the fees and expenses of more than one counsel (selected by a plurality of the applicable Indemnified Parties) for all Indemnified Parties in any jurisdiction with respect to any single such claim, action, suit, proceeding or investigation, unless the use of one counsel for such Indemnified Parties would present such counsel with a conflict of interest that would make such joint representation inappropriate. In such instance, the conflicted Indemnified Parties shall have a right to retain one separate counsel, at the expense of Parent. In the event of any such Action, each applicable Indemnified Party, Parent and the Surviving Corporation shall reasonably cooperate in the defense thereof. In the event that any Indemnified Party receives recovery from any insurance policy for matters for which such Indemnified Party has been indemnified pursuant to this Section 7.8(a), such Indemnified Party shall promptly (and in any event, within no later than two (2) Business Days) reimburse Parent or Surviving Corporation as applicable for such Indemnification Expenses.

 

63


(b) Without limiting the foregoing, Parent and Merger Sub agree that all rights to indemnification, advancement of expenses and exculpation from liabilities for acts or omissions occurring at or prior to the Effective Time now existing in favor of the Indemnitees as provided in the Company Charter and Company Bylaws (or, as applicable, the charter, bylaws, partnership agreement, limited liability company agreement or other organizational documents of any of the Company’s Subsidiaries) and indemnification agreements (including the Director Indemnification Agreements) of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries will be assumed by the Surviving Corporation and Parent in the Merger, without further action, at the Effective Time and will survive the Merger and continue in full force and effect in accordance with their terms.

(c) For a period of six (6) years from the Effective Time, except to the extent required by applicable Law, the certificate of incorporation and bylaws of the Surviving Corporation and the organizational documents of the Company’s Subsidiaries will contain provisions no less favorable with respect to indemnification, advancement of expenses, exculpation and limitations on liability of directors and officers than are set forth in the Company Charter, Company Bylaws and Director Indemnification Agreements, which provisions will not be amended, repealed or otherwise modified for a period of six (6) years from the Effective Time in any manner that would affect adversely the rights thereunder of individuals who, at or prior to the Effective Time, were Indemnified Parties, unless such modification is required by Law and then only to the minimum extent required by Law; provided, however, that any such modification shall be prospective only and shall not limit or eliminate any such right with respect to any Claim or Action involving any occurrence or alleged occurrence of any action or omission to act that took place prior to modification; and provided further, that all rights to indemnification in respect of any Action pending or asserted or any Claim made within such period continue until the disposition of such Action or resolution of such Claim including any appeals therefrom.

(d) For a period of six (6) years from the Effective Time, Parent or the Surviving Corporation will maintain in effect the directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policies covering the Indemnified Parties (“D&O Insurance”) at the Effective Time (but Parent or the Surviving Corporation may, in its sole discretion, substitute therefor other policies of at least the same coverage and amounts containing terms and conditions that are no less advantageous to the Indemnified Parties so long as that substitution does not result in gaps or lapses in coverage) with respect to matters occurring on or before the Effective Time; provided, for avoidance of doubt, that Parent and the Surviving Corporation shall be deemed to have fulfilled this obligation by maintaining the “tail” policy for such D&O Insurance as specified in Section 7.8(e). Neither Parent nor the Surviving Corporation will be required to pay annual premiums in excess of 300% of the last annual premiums paid therefor prior to the date hereof and will purchase the maximum amount of coverage that can be obtained for that amount if the coverage described in this Section 7.8(d) would cost in excess of that amount.

 

64


(e) It is acknowledged and agreed that, as of the date of this Agreement and in conjunction with the extension of the policy period for the D&O Insurance, the Company has agreed to prepay the premium for a six (6) year “tail” prepaid policy on the D&O Insurance, which “tail” policy shall incept at the Effective Time. The Company and the Parent shall cooperate and use commercially reasonable efforts to ensure that the D&O Insurance continues to be extended through the Effective Time and that such “tail” policy incepts as of the Effective Time. The Surviving Corporation shall (and Parent shall cause the Surviving Corporation to) maintain such “tail” policy in full force and effect and continue to honor their respective obligations thereunder, in lieu of all other obligations of the Surviving Corporation (and Parent) under Section 7.8(d) for so long as such “tail” policy shall be maintained in full force and effect. The Company and the Parent shall cooperate and use commercially reasonable efforts to allow the Company to purchase such other six (6) year “tail” prepaid policies that will incept at the Effective Time for other insurance policies as appropriate, including the Company’s current fiduciary liability insurance policies. The Surviving Corporation shall (and Parent shall cause the Surviving Corporation to) maintain such “tail” policies in full force and effect and continue to honor their respective obligations thereunder.

(f) If Parent, the Surviving Corporation or any of their respective successors or assigns (i) consolidates with or merges with or into any other Person and is not the continuing or surviving corporation, partnership or other entity of such consolidation or merger or (ii) transfers or conveys all or substantially all of its properties and assets to any Person, then, and in each such case, Parent shall cause proper provision to be made so that the successors and assigns of Parent or the Surviving Corporation, as applicable, assume the obligations set forth in this Section 7.8 contemporaneous with the closing of any such consolidation, merger, transfer or conveyance.

(g) Parent will cause the Surviving Corporation to perform all of the obligations of the Surviving Corporation under this Section 7.8.

(h) As soon as practicable following the date of this Agreement, the Company shall cause Parent and Merger Sub to be added as additional insureds on the following insurance policies maintained by or on behalf of the Company or its Subsidiaries: general liability, business automobile, umbrella liability and cost of control and extra expense.

(i) The Company shall cooperate with Parent and use commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Surviving Corporation to be named as the successor-in–interest to the Company’s rights under the “tail” policy for the Company’s D&O Insurance.

(j) The Company shall cooperate with Parent and use its commercially reasonable efforts to renew or extend and maintain under similar coverage terms and conditions any insurance policy currently in place with the Company that is scheduled to expire prior to the Closing.

(k) This Section 7.8 survives the consummation of the Merger and is intended to be for the benefit of, and to be enforceable by, the Indemnified Parties and the Indemnitees and their respective heirs and personal representatives, and will be binding on the Surviving Corporation and its successors and assigns.

 

65


7.9 Notification of Certain Matters. The Company shall give prompt notice to Parent, and Parent shall give prompt notice to the Company, to the extent in each case it obtains Knowledge thereof, of (a) (i) any notice or other communication received by such Party or its Subsidiaries from any Governmental Authority in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby or from any Person alleging that the consent of such Person is or may be required in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, if the subject matter of such communication or the failure of such Party to obtain such consent is reasonably likely to be material to the Company, Parent or the Surviving Corporation, (ii) any event or circumstance constituting or relating to any breach or default by any party to any documentation governing Indebtedness of the Company and its Subsidiaries, or (iii) of the receipt by Company or its Subsidiaries of any written notice from any creditor with respect to any actual breach, default, termination or repudiation by any party to an arrangement governing Indebtedness; (b) any actions, suits, claims, investigations or proceedings commenced or threatened against, relating to or involving or otherwise affecting such Party or any of its Subsidiaries and that relate to the Merger; (c) the discovery of any fact or circumstance that, or the occurrence or non-occurrence of any event the occurrence or non-occurrence of which, would result in the failure to be satisfied of any of the conditions to the Closing in Article VIII; and (d) any material failure of such Party to comply with or satisfy any covenant or agreement to be complied with or satisfied by it hereby which would result in the failure to be satisfied of any of the conditions to the Closing in Article VIII. In the case of clauses (c) and (d), however, the failure to comply with this Section 7.9 shall not result in the failure to be satisfied of any of the conditions to the Closing in Article VIII, or give rise to any right to terminate this Agreement under Article IX, if the underlying fact, circumstance, event or failure would not in and of itself give rise to such failure or right.

7.10 Section 16 Matters. Prior to the Effective Time, Parent and the Company will take all such steps as may be required (to the extent permitted under applicable Law) or appropriate to cause any dispositions of Company Common Stock (including derivative securities with respect to Company Common Stock) resulting from the transactions contemplated by this Agreement by each individual who is subject to the reporting requirements of Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act with respect to the Company, or will become subject to such reporting requirements with respect to the Surviving Corporation, to be exempt under Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act.

7.11 [Reserved].

7.12 Transaction Litigation. The Company shall give Parent the opportunity to participate in the defense or settlement of any security holder litigation against the Company or its directors relating to the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement, Parent shall bear its own fees and expenses related thereto and no such settlement shall be agreed to without the prior written consent of Parent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed. Parent shall give the Company the opportunity to participate in the defense or settlement of any security holder litigation against Parent or its directors relating to the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement, Company shall bear its own fees and expenses related thereto and no such settlement shall be agreed to without the prior written consent of the Company, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed. Each of Parent and the Company shall cooperate, shall cause its respective Subsidiaries to cooperate and shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause its Representatives to cooperate in the defense against such litigation.

 

66


7.13 Equity Financing.

(a) Parent shall, and shall cause its Affiliates to take, or cause to be taken, all actions and to do, or cause to be done, all things necessary, proper or advisable to consummate and obtain the Equity Financing on the terms and conditions described in the Equity Commitment Letter, including, but not limited to, using reasonable best efforts to (i) maintain in effect the Equity Commitment Letter, (ii) satisfy on a timely basis all conditions that are applicable to Parent and its Subsidiaries in the Equity Commitment Letter and comply with all of their respective obligations thereunder and not take or fail to take, directly or indirectly, any action that would be reasonably expected to prevent or impede or delay the availability or funding of the Equity Financing to Parent at the Closing and (iii) diligently and in good faith enforce its rights under the Equity Commitment Letter.

(b) In the event that all conditions to the Equity Financing have been satisfied, Parent shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause the Guarantors to fund the Equity Financing at the Closing (including by taking enforcement action, which shall include but is not limited to specific performance, to cause the Guarantors to fund the Equity Financing).

(c) Parent shall not have the right to amend, replace, supplement or otherwise modify, or consent to or waive any provision or any of its rights under, the Equity Commitment Letter if such amendment, replacement, supplement, modification, consent or waiver would (i) reduce the aggregate amount of the Equity Financing from that contemplated in the Equity Commitment Letter, (ii) impose new or additional conditions or other terms or otherwise expand upon the conditions precedent to the Equity Financing as set forth in the Equity Commitment Letter to an amount that would not enable Parent to meet its obligations under this Agreement, to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and to pay all fees and expenses reasonably expected to be incurred in connection herewith and with the Equity Financing, (iii) prevent or impede or delay the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or make the timely funding of the Equity Financing or satisfaction of the conditions to obtaining the Equity Financing less likely to occur or (iv) adversely impact the ability of Parent to enforce its rights against the Guarantors when required pursuant to this Agreement. Parent shall promptly deliver to the Company a true and complete copy of any such amendment or modification.

(d) Parent shall give the Company prompt oral and written notice (but in any event not later than twenty-four (24) hours after the occurrence or discovery thereof) (i) of any breach, default, termination or repudiation by any party to the Equity Commitment Letter of which Parent becomes aware, (ii) of the receipt by Parent of any notice or other communication from any Person (written or oral) with respect to any (A) actual or potential breach, default, termination or repudiation by any party to the Equity Commitment Letter, of any provisions thereof or (B) material dispute or disagreement between or among any parties to the Equity Commitment Letter that could reasonably be expected to result in an actual or potential breach, default, termination or repudiation by any party to the Equity Commitment Letter, or any provision thereof, or (iii) of the occurrence of any event or development that Parent expects to have a material and adverse impact on the ability of Parent to obtain on a timely basis all or any portion of the Equity Financing contemplated by the Equity Commitment Letter on the terms, in the manner or from the sources contemplated by the Equity Commitment Letter.

 

67


(e) Parent acknowledges and agrees that receipt of the Equity Financing is not a condition to its obligation to consummate the Merger.

7.14 Debt Financing.

(a) Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, Parent shall use its reasonable best efforts to take, or cause to be taken, all actions, and do, or cause to be done, all things necessary, proper or advisable to obtain and consummate the Debt Financing on terms and conditions not less favorable (taken as a whole) to Parent than those described in the Debt Commitment Letter (including any “market flex” provisions applicable thereto), including using reasonable best efforts to (i) negotiate definitive agreements (such definitive agreements being referred to as the “Debt Financing Agreements”) with respect thereto on the terms and conditions contained in the Debt Commitment Letter (including any “market flex” provisions applicable thereto) in all material respects, or, if available, on other terms at the election of Parent that would not adversely affect the ability of Parent or Merger Sub to consummate the transactions contemplated herein, (ii) satisfy on a timely basis or obtain the waiver of all conditions applicable to Parent and Merger Sub in the Debt Commitment Letter, (iii) maintain in full force and effect the Debt Commitment Letter in accordance with the terms thereof (including paying, as the same shall become due and payable, all fees and other amounts that become due and payable under the Debt Commitment Letter to the extent constituting a condition precedent to the funding of the Financing under the Debt Commitment Letter), (iv) in the event that all conditions in the Debt Commitment Letter (other than conditions that by their nature will not be satisfied until the Closing, but subject to the satisfaction or waiver of such conditions) have been satisfied or waived, cause the Persons providing the Debt Financing (the “Debt Financing Sources” and, together with the Guarantor, the “Financing Sources”) to fund the Debt Financing in an amount no less than, in the aggregate with the Equity Financing, the Merger Consideration and (v) take such actions as are reasonably necessary to enforce its rights under the Debt Commitment Letter in the event of a breach by the Debt Financing Sources that could reasonably be expected to (A) delay or make less likely the funding of the Debt Financing (or satisfaction of the conditions to the Debt Financing), (B) adversely impact the ability of Parent to enforce its rights against the Debt Financing Sources or (C) adversely affect the ability of Parent to timely consummate the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Parent shall have the right from time to time to amend, replace, supplement or otherwise modify, or waive any of its rights under, the Debt Commitment Letter; provided that any such amendment, replacement, supplement or other modification to or waiver of any provision of the Debt Commitment Letter that amends the Debt Financing shall not, without the prior written consent of the Company (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed), (1) reduce the length of the commitment period set forth in the Debt Commitment Letter, (2) reduce the aggregate amount of the Financing such that Parent would not or does not have sufficient cash or cash proceeds to make all of its required payments under this Agreement, including under Article III, and all associated fees and expenses required to be paid by it on the Closing Date, (3) impose new or additional conditions to the consummation of the Debt Financing or (4) otherwise expand, amend, modify or waive any provision of the Debt Commitment Letter in a manner that in any such case of (1) through (3) above, or with respect to any of the existing conditions precedent to the

 

68


consummation of the Debt Financing as set forth in the Debt Commitment Letter, in each case, could reasonably be expected to (x) delay or make less likely the funding of the Financing (or satisfaction of the conditions to the Financing), (y) adversely impact the ability of Parent to enforce its rights against the Debt Financing Sources or (z) adversely affect the ability of Parent to timely consummate the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Upon any such replacement, amendment, supplement or other modification of, or waiver under, the Debt Commitment Letter in accordance with this Section 7.14, the term “Debt Commitment Letter” (and consequently the terms “Debt Financing,” and “Financing” shall mean the Debt Financing contemplated by such Debt Commitment Letter as so replaced, amended, supplemented, modified or waived), shall mean such Debt Commitment Letter as so replaced, amended, supplemented, modified or waived.

(b) If all or any portion of the Debt Financing becomes unavailable on the terms and conditions set forth in the Debt Commitment Letter (including any “market flex” provisions that are contained in the Fee Letter), Parent shall use its reasonable best efforts to arrange and obtain alternative Debt Financing or such portion of the Debt Financing, on terms (including structure, covenants and pricing) not materially less favorable (taken as a whole) to Parent (as reasonably determined by Parent) or as otherwise acceptable to Parent and with lenders or holders, as applicable, reasonably satisfactory to Parent, from the same or alternative sources, which may include one or more of a senior secured debt financing or other financing, or any combination thereof, in an amount such that the aggregate funds that would be available to Parent at the Closing, including cash on hand, will be sufficient to satisfy Parent’s obligations under this Agreement, including under Article III, and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and to pay all fees and expenses required to be paid in connection herewith and with the Financing (the “Substitute Financing”); provided that any such Substitute Financing shall not, without the prior written consent of the Company (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed), (i) reduce the aggregate amount of the Debt Financing, (ii) impose new or additional conditions to the consummation of the Debt Financing or otherwise expand upon the conditions precedent to the Debt Financing or (iii) otherwise expand, amend, modify or waive any provision of the Commitment Letters in a manner that in any such case of (i) through (iii) above, could reasonably be expected to (A) delay or make less likely the funding of the Debt Financing on the Closing Date, (B) adversely impact the ability of Parent to enforce its rights against the Debt Financing Sources or (C) adversely affect the ability of Parent to timely consummate the Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby. In such event, the term “Debt Financing” as used in this Agreement shall be deemed to include any Substitute Financing (and consequently the term “Financing” shall include the Equity Financing and the Substitute Financing), and the term “Debt Commitment Letter” as used in this Agreement shall be deemed to include the commitment letter with respect to such Substitute Financing.

(c) Upon the request by the Company, until the Effective Time, Parent shall keep the Company informed on a reasonably current basis and in reasonable detail the status of Parent’s material efforts to arrange the Debt Financing. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, until the Effective Time, Parent shall notify the Company promptly, and in any event within two (2) Business Days after it becomes aware thereof, (i) of any termination of the Debt Commitment Letter or the entry into any material and definitive agreements related to the Debt Financing that would reasonably be expected to adversely affect the availability or amount of the Debt Financing, (ii) of any material breach or default by any party to any Debt Commitment

 

69


Letter or definitive agreements related to the Debt Financing of which Parent becomes aware and that would reasonably be expected to adversely affect the availability or amount of the Debt Financing, (iii) of the receipt by Parent of any written notice or other written communication (other than negotiations of the definitive agreements with respect to the Debt Financing) from any Debt Financing Source with respect to any material breach, default, termination or repudiation by any party to any Debt Commitment Letter or any definitive agreement related to the Debt Financing that would reasonably be expected to adversely affect the availability or amount of the Debt Financing or (iv) if for any reason Parent has concluded in good faith that it will not be able to obtain all or any portion of the Debt Financing; provided that, notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, in no event will Parent be under any obligation to disclose any information that is subject to any applicable legal privileges (including the attorney-client privilege). Parent promptly will provide the Company with copies of all definitive Debt Financing Agreements, except that the numerical fees, pricing and other commercially sensitive numbers and provisions specified in any such Debt Financing Agreements (including any provisions relating to “flex” terms or similar concepts) that would not adversely affect the aggregate amount, availability or conditionality of the Debt Financing may have been redacted.

(d) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, Parent acknowledges and agrees that receipt of the Debt Financing is not a condition to its obligation to consummate the Merger.

7.15 Financing Cooperation.

(a) From the date hereof until the Closing (or the earlier termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 9.1), subject to the limitations set forth in this Section 7.15, and unless otherwise agreed by Parent, the Company will use its reasonable best efforts to cooperate, and use its reasonable best efforts to cause its Subsidiaries (and each of their respective officers, directors, employees, accountants, consultants, legal counsel, affiliates and agents) to cooperate, with Parent as reasonably requested by Parent or the Debt Financing Sources in connection with the arrangement of the Financing at Parent’s sole cost and expense. Such cooperation will include and be limited to using reasonable best efforts to:

(i) make officers of appropriate seniority reasonably available, with appropriate advance notice and at times and locations reasonably acceptable to the Company, for participation in bank meetings, additional bank calls during normal business hours at times to be mutually agreed, due diligence sessions, reasonable assistance in the preparation of confidential information memoranda and similar customary documents as may be reasonably requested by Parent or any Financing Source, in each case, with respect to information relating to the Company and its Subsidiaries in connection with customary marketing efforts of Parent for all or any portion of the Financing;

(ii) furnish Parent and the Financing Sources with copies of such historical financial data with respect to the Company and its Subsidiaries which is prepared by the Company in the ordinary course of business and other financial data or other pertinent information as may be required to be delivered to satisfy a condition precedent under the Debt Commitment Letter, and is customarily required for the arrangement and syndication of debt financings similar to the Financing or is required pursuant to the Commitment Letters, but in any case, limited to:

 

70


(A) monthly production and accounting lease operating statements of the Company and its Subsidiaries for (1) the 14 months ended June 30, 2019 and (2) on or before the date that is 75 calendar days after the end of each month thereafter, for each such month ending thereafter, (B) audited consolidated balance sheets and related statements of operations, stockholders’ equity and cash flows of the Company for the three most recently completed fiscal years ended at least 75 days prior to the Closing Date, (C) subject to the receipt of customary non-reliance letters and reports prepared by third parties, reserve reports (and related data) and access to land records and databases and (D) unaudited consolidated balance sheet and related unaudited consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity and cash flows of the Company and its Subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis, as of and for each subsequent fiscal quarter (other than the fourth fiscal quarter of any fiscal year) at least 60 days prior to the Closing Date (in each case, together with the corresponding comparative period from the prior fiscal year);

(iii) assist with the preparation of appropriate and customary materials relating to the Company and its Subsidiaries for rating agency presentations and meetings, offering documents, marketing materials, bank information memoranda, lender presentations, investor presentations and similar documents, in each case, reasonably requested in connection with the Financing, and, in each case, with respect to information relating to the Company and its Subsidiaries;

(iv) provide information reasonably requested by Parent or the Debt Financing Sources regarding the Company and its Subsidiaries at least four (4) Business Days prior to the Closing Date under applicable “know your customer,” anti-money laundering rules and regulations and the USA PATRIOT Act of 2001, in each case, requested in writing at least nine (9) Business Days prior to the Closing Date;

(v) provide reasonable and customary authorization letters, confirmations and undertakings to the Debt Financing Sources authorizing the distribution of information relating to the Company and its Subsidiaries to prospective lenders (including with respect to presence or absence of material non-public information and accuracy of the information contained therein) and subject to customary confidentiality provisions;

(vi) assist with the preparation of any credit agreement, pledge and security documents, perfection certificates, mortgages, deeds of trust, hedging agreements, or other definitive financing documents or other documents related to the Debt Financing (including schedules, exhibits, solvency certificates in the form required by the Debt Commitment Letter, insurance certificates, certificates relating to legal opinions, evidence of corporate authority and other customary officer’s and secretary’s certificates) as may be reasonably requested by Parent; provided, that no obligation of the Company or any Subsidiary under any such document or agreement shall be effective until the Closing;

(vii) facilitate the pledging of collateral owned by the Company and its Subsidiaries as reasonably requested by Parent; provided, that no pledge shall be effective until the Closing; and

 

71


(viii) (A) allow the usual and customary use of the logos of the Company and its Subsidiaries in connection with any debt financing (provided such logos shall be used solely in a manner that is not intended or reasonably likely to harm, disparage or otherwise adversely affect the Company and its Subsidiaries’ reputation or goodwill) and (B) in connection with the Closing, allow the placement of customary advertisements in financial and other newspapers and periodicals or on a home page or similar place for dissemination of customary information on the Internet or worldwide web as the Debt Financing Sources may choose, and circulate similar promotional materials in the form of a “tombstone” or otherwise describing aspects of the transactions contemplated hereby and the Debt Financing.

provided, that Parent shall promptly upon receipt of a reasonably detailed invoice therefor, reimburse the Company for any reasonable and documented out of pocket expenses and costs incurred in connection with the obligations of the Company and its Subsidiaries under this Section 7.15; provided, further, except as expressly set forth herein, that nothing in this Agreement shall require the Company or its Subsidiaries to cause the delivery of (A) legal opinions or reliance letters, (B) any financial information in a form not customarily prepared by the Company with respect to such period or (C) any financial information with respect to a fiscal period that has not yet ended or has ended less than sixty (60) days prior to the date of such request (or, in the case of annual financial statements, seventy-five (75) days prior to such request).

(b) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement (including this Section 7.15):

(i) nothing in this Agreement (including this Section 7.15) shall require any such cooperation to the extent that it would: (A) require the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to pay any commitment or other fees, reimburse any expenses or otherwise incur any liabilities or give any indemnities prior to the Closing that will not be reimbursed by Parent; (B) materially interfere with the ongoing business or operations of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; (C) require the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to enter into any agreement or other document effective prior to the Closing (other than authorization letters, confirmations and undertakings described in Section 7.15(a)(iv) or Section 7.15(a)(v)) or agree to any change or modification of any existing agreement that would be effective prior to the Closing (other than customary authorization letters); (D) require, prior to the Effective Time, the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective boards of directors (or equivalent bodies) to approve or authorize the Financing; (E) require any action that would conflict with or violate the organizational documents of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any Laws, orders or result in the contravention of, or that would reasonably be expected to result in a violation or breach of, or default under, any material contract (including any Contract) to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party; (F) cause any director, officer, employee or stockholder of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to incur any personal liability; (G) provide access to or disclose information that would jeopardize any attorney-client privilege of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; or (H) prepare separate financial statements for any Subsidiary of the Company or change any fiscal period or prepare any financial statements or information that are not available to it and prepared in the ordinary course of its financial reporting practice; and

(ii) no action, liability or obligation (including any obligation to pay any commitment or other fees or reimburse any expenses) of the Company, its Subsidiaries, or any of their respective Representatives under any certificate, agreement, arrangement, document or instrument relating to the Financing (other than with respect to customary authorization letters) shall be effective until the Closing.

 

72


(c) Parent shall indemnify and hold harmless the Company and its Subsidiaries (other than with respect to any of the following that result from information furnished by the Company or its Subsidiaries) against any claim, loss, damage, injury, liability, judgment, award, penalty, fine, cost (including cost of investigation), reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses (including reasonable and documented out-of-pocket fees and expenses of counsel and third-party accountants) or settlement payment incurred as a result of such cooperation or the Financing (or, if applicable, Substitute Financing) and any information used in connection therewith; provided however, that the foregoing shall not apply to any item arising from the willful misconduct or gross negligence of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or their respective Affiliates or Representatives. All non-public or other confidential information provided by the Company and its Affiliates and Representatives pursuant to this Section 7.15 shall be kept confidential in accordance with Section 7.3.

(d) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, in no event shall the reasonable best efforts of Parent require or be deemed or construed to require Parent to pay any fees in excess of those contemplated by the Debt Commitment Letter (whether to secure waiver of any conditions contained therein or otherwise).

(e) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement or any obligations of the Company or its Subsidiaries to deliver information to Parent or the Debt Financing Sources pursuant to this Section 7.15, Parent shall be responsible for delivery of all information to the Debt Financing Sources in connection with the Debt Financing.

7.16 Hedges.

(a) Upon the execution of this Agreement, the Company and its Subsidiaries shall authorize the initiation of swap agreements covering at least the time periods and amounts of oil, gas, gas basis and natural gas liquids, in each case, as set forth on Schedule 7.16 of the Company Disclosure Schedule, with any counterparty with whom it has an ISDA Master Agreement in effect and in accordance with the terms and conditions thereof (any such transaction initiated in accordance with this Section 7.16(a), a “Specified Hedging Agreement”); provided that (i) the Specified Hedging Agreements are executed solely with counterparties listed on Schedule 7.16 of the Company Disclosure Schedule as a transaction under such counterparties’ existing ISDA Master Agreement with the Company or its Subsidiaries, (ii) neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries shall be required to pay to any counterparty any fee to authorize the initiation of any Specified Hedging Agreement (unless Parent promptly reimburses the Company or its applicable Subsidiary for such fee) and (iii) among other rights and obligations, the Specified Hedging Agreement provides a right of the Company or its applicable Subsidiary to terminate the transactions thereunder without requiring the consent of the counterparty if Closing does not occur.

 

73


(b) If the Company or its applicable Subsidiary has authorized the initiation of any Specified Hedging Agreement in accordance with this Section 7.16 and the proposed counterparty thereto fails to authorize the initiation of such Specified Hedging Agreement, the Company shall not be in breach of this Section 7.16 for such counterparty’s failure to authorize the initiation of such Specified Hedging Agreement; provided that (i) such counterparty’s failure to authorize the initiation of such Specified Hedging Agreement is not as a result of the Company’s (or any Subsidiary of the Company, as applicable) negligence, gross negligence, fraud or material omission; and (ii) the Company shall (or shall cause its applicable Affiliate to), (A) promptly notify Parent in writing of the failure to initiate such Specified Hedging Arrangement and (B) unless otherwise directed by Parent within twelve (12) hours of such notification, use reasonable best efforts to initiate, as promptly as practicable, an alternative Specified Hedging Agreement covering the same time period and amount as such failed Specified Hedging Arrangement, either with such proposed counterparty or with another counterparty with whom it has an ISDA Master Agreement listed on Schedule 7.16 of the Company Disclosure Schedule.

(c) Prior to the earlier of (i) the Closing and (ii) the unwinding of such Specified Hedging Agreement after the occurrence of the Unwinding Scenario, the Company or applicable Subsidiary shall (A) comply with each Specified Hedging Agreement and (B) not execute or deliver any amendment for, or waiver of any right under, any Specified Hedging Agreement, transfer any right or obligation under any Specified Hedging Agreement or terminate any Specified Hedging Agreement other than amendments (including related amendments under the trade confirmations) necessary in order to give effect to this Section 7.16.

(d) The Company shall cooperate in good faith to novate, on or prior to the Closing Date, at the request of Parent, any transactions outstanding under any ISDA Master Agreement in effect as of the date of this Agreement or entered into hereafter to one or more counterparties acceptable to Parent.

(e) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the Specified Hedging Agreements and the transactions contemplated thereby and the actions to be taken by the Parties in accordance with this Section 7.16 are an exception to, and will under no circumstance constitute a breach of, any of (i) the representations and warranties made by either Party in this Agreement or in any certificate to be delivered at Closing and (ii) the covenants contained in Section 6.1.

7.17 Transfer Taxes. To the extent that any sales, purchase, transfer, stamp, documentary stamp, registration, use or similar Taxes (including any real estate transfer Tax with respect to interests in real property owned directly or indirectly by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries immediately prior to the Effective Time), if applicable, are payable by reason of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, such Taxes shall be borne and timely paid (or caused to be paid) by Parent.

 

74


ARTICLE VIII.

CONDITIONS TO CONSUMMATION OF THE MERGER

8.1 Mutual Closing Conditions. The respective obligations of each of the Parties to consummate the Merger are conditioned upon the satisfaction (or waiver in writing by both the Company and Parent) at or prior to the Effective Time of each of the following:

(a) This Agreement and the Merger have been approved by the affirmative vote of the holders, as of the record date for the Company Meeting, of a majority of the outstanding shares of Company Common Stock (the “Company Stockholder Approval”).

(b) All applicable waiting periods under the HSR Act have expired or been terminated.

(c) No Law, order, judgment or injunction (whether preliminary or permanent) issued, enacted, promulgated, issued, entered or enforced by a court of competent jurisdiction or other Governmental Authority restraining, prohibiting or rendering illegal the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement is in effect.

8.2 Additional Company Conditions to Closing. The obligation of the Company to consummate the Merger is further conditioned upon the satisfaction (or waiver by the Company, to the extent permissible under applicable Law) at or prior to the Effective Time of each of the following:

(a) (i) The representations and warranties of Parent and Merger Sub set forth in Article V of this Agreement (other than the representations and warranties contained in Section 5.2) shall be true and correct at and as of the Closing Date, as if made as of such time (except to the extent expressly made as of an earlier date, in which case as of such date), without giving effect to any limitation or qualification as to the “materiality” (including the word “material”) or “Parent Material Adverse Effect” set forth therein, except where the failure of such representations and warranties to be so true and correct would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Parent Material Adverse Effect and (ii) the representations and warranties of Parent and Merger Sub contained in Section 5.2 shall be true and correct in all material respects at and as of the Closing Date as if made as of such time.

(b) Each and all of the agreements and covenants of Parent and Merger Sub to be performed and complied with pursuant to this Agreement on or prior to the Effective Time shall have been duly performed and complied with in all material respects.

(c) The Company shall have received a certificate signed by the Chief Executive Officer of Parent, dated as of the Closing Date, to the effect set forth in Section 8.2(a) and Section 8.2(b).

8.3 Additional Parent Conditions to Closing. The obligation of Parent to consummate the Merger is further conditioned upon the satisfaction (or waiver by Parent, to the extent permissible under applicable Law) at or prior to the Effective Time of each of the following:

(a) (i) The representations and warranties of the Company set forth in Article IV of this Agreement (other than the representations and warranties contained in Section 4.1, Section 4.2(a), Section 4.2(b), Section 4.3, Section 4.4, Section 4.6, Section 4.10(a) and Section 4.19(a)) shall be true and correct at and as of the Closing Date, as if made as of such time, without giving effect to any limitation or qualification as to the “materiality” (including the word “material”) or “Company Material Adverse Effect” set forth therein, except where the failure of such representations and warranties to be so true and correct would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect, (ii) the

 

75


representations and warranties contained in the second sentence of Section 4.1 and Section 4.19(a) shall be true and correct in all material respects at and as of the Closing Date as if made at such time, (iii) the representations and warranties contained in Section 4.2(a) and Section 4.2(b) shall be true and correct (other than de minimis inaccuracies) and (iv) the representations and warranties contained in the first sentence of Section 4.1, Section 4.3, Section 4.4, Section 4.6 and Section 4.10(a) shall be true and correct in all respects; provided, however, that representations and warranties that are made as of a particular date or period need to be true and correct (in the manner set forth in clauses (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv), as applicable) only as of such date or period.

(b) Each and all of the agreements and covenants of the Company to be performed and complied with pursuant to this Agreement on or prior to the Effective Time shall have been duly performed and complied with in all material respects.

(c) Parent shall have received, or concurrently with the Closing shall receive, (i) evidence that all Indebtedness for borrowed money (including pursuant to the Existing Credit Facilities and all related loan documentation, but excluding the Debt Financing) of the Company and each of its Subsidiaries shall have been paid in full, all commitments to lend terminated and all Liens encumbering any of their assets released with duly executed recordable releases and terminations with respect to any and all such liens or security interests, together with customary payoff letters or similar documentation and (ii) recordable releases and terminations of any security interests or Liens in respect of hedging obligations and cash management obligations, in each case of (i) and (ii) above, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to Parent and the Debt Financing Sources.

(d) Parent shall have received a certificate signed by the Chief Executive Officer of the Company, dated as of the Closing Date, to the effect set forth in Section 8.3(a) and Section 8.3(b).

(e) The Test Indebtedness of the Company and its Subsidiaries immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be less than or equal to $760,000,000.

(f) The Second Amendment to the Term Loan remains in full force and effect and has not been amended, rescinded, modified or superseded in any respect, and no Repayment Premium (as defined therein) shall be due on account of any Additional Loan (as defined therein).

(g) Since the date of this Agreement, there has not been any change, event, development, circumstance, condition, occurrence or effect or combination of the foregoing that has resulted in, or could reasonably be expected to result in, a Company Material Adverse Effect.

 

76


ARTICLE IX.

TERMINATION

9.1 Termination of Agreement. This Agreement may be terminated prior to the Effective Time (whether before or, except as otherwise provided below, after the Company Stockholder Approval has been obtained) as follows:

(a) by the mutual written consent of the Company and Parent;

(b) by the Company or Parent if there is in effect a final nonappealable order of a Governmental Authority of competent jurisdiction restraining, enjoining or otherwise prohibiting the consummation the Merger or the other transactions contemplated hereby, or if there shall be adopted any Law that permanently makes consummation of the Merger or the other transactions contemplated hereby illegal or otherwise prohibited; provided, that the right to terminate this Agreement under this Section 9.1(b) is not available to the Company, on the one hand, or Parent, on the other hand, if such order was primarily due to the failure of the Company, on the one hand, or Parent or Merger Sub, on the other hand, to perform any of its obligations under this Agreement;

(c) by Parent if (i) the Company has breached or failed to perform any of its representations, warranties, covenants or agreements set forth in this Agreement or (ii) any representation or warranty of the Company becomes untrue, and, with respect to either (i) or (ii) above, the conditions set forth in Sections 8.3(a) or (b) would not be satisfied and such breach, failure to perform or untruth is incapable of being cured (or becoming true) or, if capable of being cured (or becoming true), is not cured (or has not become true) by the earlier of (x) the Outside Date or (y) thirty (30) days following receipt by the Company of notice of such breach, failure or untruth from Parent; provided, further, that the right to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 9.1(c) shall not be available to Parent if Parent or Merger Sub is in material breach of any covenant set forth in this Agreement;

(d) by the Company if (i) Parent or Merger Sub has breached or failed to perform any of its representations, warranties, covenants or agreements set forth in this Agreement or (ii) any representation or warranty of Parent or Merger Sub becomes untrue, and, with respect to either (i) or (ii) above, the conditions set forth in Section 8.2(a) or Section 8.2(b) would not be satisfied and such breach, failure to perform or untruth is incapable of being cured (or becoming true) or, if capable of being cured (or becoming true), is not cured (or has not become true) by the earlier of (x) the Outside Date or (y) thirty (30) days following receipt by Parent of notice of such breach, failure or untruth from the Company provided, further, that the right to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 9.1(d) shall not be available to the Company if it is in material breach of any covenant set forth in this Agreement;

(e) by the Company or Parent if the Closing does not occur on or before the Outside Date; provided, that such failure of the Closing to occur is not due to the failure of such Party to perform and comply in all material respects with the covenants and agreements to be performed or complied with by such Party prior to Closing; provided, further, that if the Marketing Period shall have begun but not been completed by the Outside Date, then either Parent or the Company may elect to extend the Outside Date to five (5) Business Days following the expiration of the Marketing Period;

(f) by the Company or Parent if the Company Meeting has concluded and the Company Stockholder Approval has not been obtained;

(g) by Parent prior to obtaining the Company Stockholder Approval, if a Change in Recommendation has occurred;

 

77


(h) by the Company to enter into a definitive agreement relating to a Superior Proposal in accordance with Section 6.3, provided that the Company has complied with Section 9.4(c);

(i) by Parent, prior to obtaining the Company Stockholder Approval, in the event that any of the directors or executive officers of the Company shall have breached (including authorizing other persons to take actions that would constitute a breach if undertaken by directors or executive officers of the Company) in any material respect its obligations set forth in Section 6.3; or

(j) by the Company if (i) the Marketing Period has ended and all conditions set forth in Section 8.1 and Section 8.3 (other than those conditions that by their nature are to be satisfied at the Closing, but each of which is capable of being, and is reasonably expected to be, satisfied at the Closing) have been satisfied, waived or waivable by the Company at the time when the Closing would have occurred in accordance with Section 2.2, (ii) the Company has irrevocably confirmed in writing to Parent (and the Company shall not have delivered written notice purporting to revoke such notice) that (A) all conditions in Section 8.1 and Section 8.3 have been satisfied (other than those conditions that by their nature are to be satisfied at the Closing, but each of which is capable of being, and is reasonably expected to be, satisfied at the Closing) or that the Company is willing to waive such condition and (B) the Company stands ready, willing and able to consummate the Closing and (iii) Parent fails to consummate the Closing by 5:00 p.m. ET on the second (2nd) Business Day following the receipt of such written notice from the Company (or on the Outside Date, if earlier) and the Company has continuously remained, ready willing and able to consummate the Closing throughout such period.

9.2 Procedure Upon Termination. In the event of termination of this Agreement by Parent or the Company, or both, pursuant to Section 9.1, written notice thereof will forthwith be given to the Other Party, and this Agreement will terminate without further action by Parent or the Company.

9.3 Effect of Termination. In the event that this Agreement is validly terminated as provided in Section 9.1, then each of the Parties will be relieved of its duties and obligations arising under this Agreement after the date of such termination and such termination will be without liability to Parent or the Company. In the event of any such termination, the agreements and obligations of the Parties set forth in this Section 9.3, Section 9.4 and Article X hereof will survive and remain fully enforceable. In addition, except as set forth in Section 9.4, nothing in this Section 9.3 relieves any of Parent or the Company of any liability for fraud or any Willful Breach of any covenant or agreement contained herein occurring prior to termination, or as provided in the Confidentiality Agreement. In the event of fraud or a Willful Breach, the aggrieved Party shall be entitled to all rights and remedies available at law or in equity. “Willful Breach” means an intentional and willful material breach, or an intentional and willful material failure to perform, in each case that is the consequence of an act or omission by a Party with the knowledge that the taking of, or failure to take, such act would, or would be reasonably expected to, cause a material breach of, or material failure to perform, this Agreement (provided that the knowledge of any officer, director, employee or Representative of such Party who would reasonably be expected to know, or after reasonable due inquiry would learn that the taking of such act or failure to take such action would be a breach of any covenant or agreement, or a material failure to perform, will be imputed to such Person).

 

78


9.4 Fees and Expenses.

(a) In the event that (i) an Alternative Proposal is publicly proposed or publicly disclosed prior to, and not publicly withdrawn without qualification at least five (5) Business Days prior to the date of the Company Meeting (or, if the Company Meeting has not occurred, prior to the termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 9.1(c)), (ii) this Agreement is terminated by the Company or Parent pursuant to Section 9.1(c) or Section 9.1(f) and (iii) the Company enters into a definitive agreement with respect to, or consummates, an Alternative Proposal within twelve (12) months after the date this Agreement is terminated, then the Company will pay or cause to be paid to Parent the Company Termination Fee. For purposes of this Section 9.4(a), the term “Alternative Proposal” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.3(h)(i), except that the references to “20% or more” are deemed to be references to “more than 50%.”

(b) In the event this Agreement is terminated by Parent pursuant to Section 9.1(g) or Section 9.1(i), then the Company will pay to Parent, within two (2) Business Days after the date of termination, the Company Termination Fee.

(c) In the event this Agreement is terminated by the Company pursuant to Section 9.1(h), then the Company will pay to Parent, simultaneously with such termination, the Company Termination Fee.

The parties acknowledge and hereby agree that the Company Termination Fee shall not constitute a penalty but will be liquidated damages in a reasonable amount that will compensate Parent in the circumstances in which it is payable for the efforts and resources expended and the opportunities foregone while negotiating this Agreement and in reliance on this Agreement and on the expectation of the consummation of the Merger, which amount would otherwise be impossible to calculate with precision.

(d) In the event this Agreement is terminated (i) by the Company pursuant to Section 9.1(d) or Section 9.1(j) or (ii) by either the Company or Parent pursuant to Section 9.1(e) and, as of the date of such termination, the Company was entitled to terminate this Agreement pursuant to Section 9.1(d) or Section 9.1(j), then in either case Parent shall pay or cause to be paid to the Company (i) the Parent Termination Fee in immediately available funds within two (2) Business Days after the date of such termination and (ii) subject to Section 9.4(e), the Unwind Reimbursement. The parties acknowledge and hereby agree that the Parent Termination Fee and Unwind Reimbursement shall not constitute a penalty but will be liquidated damages, in a reasonable amount that will compensate the Company in the circumstances in which it is payable for the efforts and resources expended and opportunities foregone while negotiating this Agreement and in reliance on this Agreement and on the expectation of the consummation of the Merger, which amount would otherwise be impossible to calculate with precision.

 

79


(e) Hedge Unwind Reimbursement.

(i) In the event this Agreement is terminated (A) by the Company pursuant to Section 9.1(d) or Section 9.1(j) or (B) by either the Company or Parent pursuant to Section 9.1(e) and, as of the date of such termination, the Company was entitled to terminate this Agreement pursuant to Section 9.1(d) or Section 9.1(j) (the “Unwinding Scenario”), the Company or its applicable Subsidiary may (but shall not be required to) unwind and liquidate all or any portion of the Specified Hedging Agreements and the transactions contemplated thereby in accordance with the terms of the applicable Specified Hedging Agreements. In the event the Unwinding Scenario occurs, the Company shall deliver written notice to Parent identifying the applicable Specified Hedging Agreements it (or its applicable Subsidiary) is electing to terminate either (1) concurrently with the Company’s termination notice (in the event the Company is the terminating party) or (2) within one (1) Business Day following receipt of Parent’s termination notice (in the event Parent is the terminating party). Only those Specified Hedging Agreements that the Company (or its applicable Subsidiary) elects to unwind and liquidate in such notice (the “Elected Unwind Hedges”) shall be subject to the provisions of Section 9.4(e)(ii), and all other Specified Hedging Agreements, including any Elected Unwind Hedges that are not unwound or terminated pursuant to Section 9.4(e)(ii) (the “Elected Retained Hedges”) shall instead be subject to Section 9.4(e)(iii).

(ii) In the event that the Unwinding Scenario occurs and any Elected Unwind Hedge is designated pursuant to Section 9.4(e)(i), the Company shall promptly (and in any event by the end of the fourth (4th) Business Day following the delivery of the notice set forth in Section 9.4(e)(i)) notify Parent of the aggregate net amount of early termination payments, calculated in accordance with Section 6(e) of the applicable ISDA Master Agreement, relating to the Elected Unwind Hedges due and paid by the Company under the Specified Hedging Agreements (the “Claimed Amount”), together with supporting documentation and evidence (including, but not limited to, calculation statements and payment requests from the counterparties) (the “Claim Notice”) so that Parent may verify the amounts due and owing under the Elected Unwind Hedges. Parent and the Company shall cooperate, in good faith, in resolving any disagreements concerning the size of the Claimed Amount. Following receipt of such Claim Notice, the Company shall as promptly as practicable (and in any event within eight (8) Business Days) unwind and/or terminate each of the Elected Unwind Hedges. Parent shall, upon request by the Company, pay any such termination payments due and owing by the Company (or its Subsidiary, as applicable) with respect to the Elected Unwind Hedges (such termination payments, “Elected Unwind Termination Amount”) solely to the extent that the aggregate Elected Unwind Termination Amount across all terminated transactions in accordance herewith exceeds the Parent Termination Fee due and previously paid to the Company pursuant to Section 9.1(d), provided that such amount shall not exceed the Unwind Cap (the amount payable by Parent pursuant to this Section 9.4(e)(ii), which shall not exceed the Unwind Cap, the “Unwind Reimbursement”). The Company shall provide to Parent any updated calculation statements and payment requests from the counterparties in respect of any such termination payment for Elected Unwind Hedges.

(iii) If this Agreement is terminated prior to Closing, the Company shall retain, pay, be responsible for, defend, indemnify, hold harmless and forever release Parent and its Affiliates from and against any and all liabilities or obligations with respect to any Elected Retained Hedge; provided, that, (A) in the event Closing occurs, Parent shall be entitled to and responsible for, as applicable, all revenues, gains, proceeds and liabilities related to the Specified Hedging Agreements and the transactions contemplated thereby, it being understood that all such

 

80


revenues, gains and proceeds shall be the property of Parent; and (B) in the event that this Agreement is terminated in compliance with and pursuant to this Article IX, except as otherwise provided in Section 9.4(e)(ii), (1) the Company shall be entitled to and responsible for, as applicable, all revenues, gains, proceeds and liabilities related to the Specified Hedging Agreements and the transactions contemplated thereby, it being understood that all such revenues, gains and proceeds shall be the property of the Company and (2) the Company shall not be entitled to any remedy, and no Parent Related Party shall be liable to the Company for any losses or expenses incurred by the Company, in each case with respect to, any hedging transaction set forth in a Specified Hedging Agreement following such termination.

(f) Any payment of the Company Termination Fee, the Unwind Reimbursement or the Parent Termination Fee (or applicable portion thereof) will be made in cash by wire transfer of same day funds to an account designated in writing by the recipient of such payment.

(g) Each Party will pay its own expenses incident to preparing for, entering into and carrying out this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby; provided that Parent will pay the filing fees payable in connection with the filings required to be made under the HSR Act and the expenses incurred in connection with the filing, printing and mailing of any filing (other than the HSR Act filings) related to the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.

(h) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, upon payment of the Parent Termination Fee and/or the Unwind Reimbursement from Parent (if payable pursuant to Section 9.4(d) or Section 9.4(e)) or from Sponsor or the Guarantors under the Guarantee in accordance with and subject to the terms of the Guarantee: (a) such Parent Termination Fee and/or Unwind Reimbursement shall be deemed liquidated damages and constitute the sole and exclusive remedy of the Company, its Subsidiaries, the Company Stockholders, each of their respective Affiliates and the respective Representatives of each of the foregoing (collectively, the “Company Related Parties”) against Parent, Merger Sub, the Debt Financing Sources, Sponsor and each of the forgoing Person’s former, current or future Affiliates, portfolio companies, investment vehicles, controlling persons, officers, directors, employees, equityholders, partners, members, managers, agents, representatives, successors and assigns (collectively, the “Parent Related Parties”) for, and the Company Related Parties shall be deemed to have waived all other remedies with respect to, any losses suffered as a result of the failure of the Closing to occur or for a breach or failure to perform hereunder, under the Commitment Letters or otherwise (in any case, whether willfully, intentionally, unintentionally or otherwise) and (b) none of the Parent Related Parties shall have any further Liability relating to or arising out of this Agreement or the transactions contemplated herein. No Company Related Party shall be entitled to bring, and the Seller shall cause all other Company Related Parties not to bring, and shall in no event support, facilitate or encourage, the bringing of any Proceeding (under any legal theory, whether sounding in law or in equity (in each case whether for breach of contract, in tort or otherwise)) against a Parent Related Party with respect to, arising out of, or in connection with, the failure of the Closing to occur or for a breach or failure to perform hereunder, under the Commitment Letters or otherwise (in any case, whether willfully, intentionally, unintentionally or otherwise), other than a Proceeding to seek to obtain the Parent Termination Fee and/or Unwind Reimbursement or injunction, specific performance or other equitable relief solely to the extent

 

81


provided in Section 10.11, and the Company shall cause any such Proceeding pending as of any termination of this Agreement to be dismissed with prejudice as promptly as practicable after such termination. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement (including this Section 9.4(h)), if the Parent Termination Fee and/or the Unwind Reimbursement is/are paid to the Company, under no circumstances will any Company Related Party, or the Company Related Parties in the aggregate, be entitled to monetary damages or monetary remedies for any claims, damages or other losses suffered as a result of the failure of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or in the Commitment Letters to be consummated or for a breach or failure to perform hereunder or thereunder or for any representation made or alleged to have been made in connection herewith or therewith, in excess of the amount of the Parent Termination Fee and, under circumstances where it is required to be paid pursuant to Section 9.4(e), the Unwind Reimbursement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this Section 9.4(h) shall be in any way limit or modify the rights of Parent and its Affiliates under the Debt Commitment Letter or the obligations of the Debt Financing Sources under the Debt Commitment Letter.

(i) Without limiting the foregoing, if the Company fails to effect the Closing for any or no reason or otherwise breaches this Agreement or fails to perform hereunder (in any case, whether willfully, intentionally, unintentionally or otherwise), and in each case the Closing has not occurred, in no event shall Parent seek or permit to be sought any monetary damages from the Company in connection with this Agreement or any of the transactions contemplated hereby, other than (without duplication) from the Company to the extent provided in Section 9.4(a), Section 9.4(b) and Section 9.4(c) (provided, that in such case, the aggregate amount payable under this Agreement or in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby shall not exceed an amount equal to the portion of the Company Termination Fee that has not already been paid, if any).

(j) Without limiting the foregoing, if Parent fails to effect the Closing for any or no reason or otherwise breaches this Agreement or fails to perform hereunder (in any case, whether willfully, intentionally, unintentionally or otherwise), and in each case the Closing has not occurred, in no event shall the Company seek or permit to be sought any monetary damages from any Parent Related Party in connection with this Agreement or any of the transactions contemplated hereby, other than (without duplication) (i) from Parent to the extent provided in Section 9.4(d) and Section 9.4(e) and (ii) to the extent that the Parent Termination Fee and/or the Unwind Reimbursement has/have not been paid in full by Parent in accordance with Section 9.4(d) and/or Section 9.4(e), from Sponsor or the Guarantors in accordance with the Guarantee (provided, that in such case, the aggregate amount payable under this Agreement or in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby shall not exceed an amount equal to the portion of the Parent Termination Fee and/or the Unwind Reimbursement that has not already been paid, if any).

(k) Each of the Parties hereto acknowledges that the provisions of this Section 9.4 are an integral part of the transactions contemplated hereby and that, without these agreements, the Company, Parent and Merger Sub would not enter into this Agreement. If a Party fails to promptly pay the amount due by it pursuant to this Section 9.4, interest shall accrue on such amount from the date such payment was required to be paid pursuant to the terms of this Agreement until the date of payment at the rate of 8% per annum. If, in order to obtain such payment, the Other Party commences a suit that results in a final and non-appealable judgment for such Party for such amount, the defaulting Party shall pay the Other Party its reasonable costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses) incurred in connection with such suit.

 

82


(l) The Parties acknowledge and agree that in no event will Parent or the Guarantors be required to pay the Parent Termination Fee or the Unwind Reimbursement on more than one occasion. The Parties acknowledge and agree that in no event will the Company be required to pay the Company Termination Fee on more than one occasion.

(m) As used herein, (i) “Company Termination Fee” means a cash amount equal to $25,000,000 and (ii) “Parent Termination Fee” means a cash amount equal to $35,000,000.

ARTICLE X.

MISCELLANEOUS

10.1 Amendment or Supplement; Waiver.

(a) At any time prior to the Effective Time, this Agreement may be amended or supplemented in any and all respects, whether before or after receipt of the Company Stockholder Approval, by written agreement of the parties hereto, by action taken or authorized by their respective boards of directors; provided, however, that following receipt of the Company Stockholder Approval, there will be no amendment or change to the provisions of this Agreement that by Law would require further approval by the Company Stockholders without such approval.

(b) At any time prior to the Effective Time, the Parties may (i) extend the time for the performance of any of the obligations or other acts of the Other Party hereto, (ii) waive any inaccuracies in the representations and warranties of the Other Party contained herein or in any document, certificate or writing delivered pursuant hereto by the Other Party or (iii) subject to the proviso in Section 10.1(a) waive compliance with any of the agreements or conditions of the Other Party hereto contained herein. Any agreement on the part of any Party to any such extension or waiver shall be valid only if set forth in an instrument in writing signed on behalf of such Party. Any such waiver shall constitute a waiver only with respect to the specific matter described in such writing and shall in no way impair the rights of the Party granting such waiver in any other respect or at any other time. Neither the waiver by any of the Parties hereto of a breach of or a default under any of the provisions of this Agreement, nor the failure by any of the Parties, on one or more occasions, to enforce any of the provisions of this Agreement or to exercise any right or privilege hereunder, shall be construed as a waiver of any other breach or default of a similar nature, or as a waiver of any of such provisions, rights or privileges hereunder. The rights and remedies herein provided are cumulative and none is exclusive of any other, or of any rights or remedies that any Party may otherwise have at Law or in equity.

(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, Section 10.1, Section 10.6, Section 10.10(b), Section 10.11 and Section 10.13 (and any other provisions of this Agreement to the extent a modification thereof would affect the substance of any of the foregoing) may not be amended, supplemented, waived or terminated in a manner that is materially adverse to the Debt Financing Sources without the prior written consent of the Debt Financing Sources party to the Debt Commitment Letter.

 

83


10.2 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which is an original, and all of which, when taken together, constitute one Agreement. Delivery of an executed signature page of this Agreement by facsimile or other customary means of electronic transmission (e.g., “pdf”) will be effective as delivery of a manually executed, original counterpart hereof.

10.3 Governing Law. This Agreement is governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the Laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to any conflicts of law principles that would result in the application of any Law other than the Law of the State of Delaware; provided that, with respect to any enforcement of Section 10.10, the Laws specified therein or Section 10.13 shall govern and control.

10.4 Notices. All notices and other communications hereunder will be in writing and deemed given if (a) delivered personally to the party to be notified; (b) received when sent by e-mail or by facsimile transmission by the party to be notified, provided that notice given by e-mail or by facsimile shall not be effective unless either (i) a duplicate copy of such e-mail or facsimile notice is promptly given by one of the methods described in this Section 10.4 or (ii) the receiving party delivers a written confirmation of receipt for such notice either by e-mail or facsimile or any other method described in this Section 10.4; or (c) delivered by a nationally recognized overnight courier or registered or certified mail (return receipt requested), postage prepaid, with confirmation of delivery, in each case, to the Parties at the following addresses (or at such other address for a Party as specified by like notice, provided, that notices of a change of address will be effective only upon receipt thereof):

 

  (a)

If to Parent or Merger Sub, to:

c/o Citizen Energy Operating, LLC

320 S. Boston Ave, Suite 900

Tulsa, Oklahoma 74103

Attention: Tim Helms

E-mail: Tim@ce2ok.com

With copies (which shall not constitute notice) to:

Latham & Watkins LLP

811 Main Street, Suite 3700

Houston, Texas 77002

Attention: Ryan J. Maierson

E-mail: ryan.maierson@lw.com

Facsimile: (713) 546-5401

 

  (b)

If to the Company, to:

Roan Resources, Inc.

14701 Hertz Quail Springs Pkwy

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73134

Attention: David Edwards

Email: david.edwards@roanresources.com

 

84


With copies (which shall not constitute notice) to:

Vinson & Elkins L.L.P.

1001 Fannin Street, Suite 2500

Houston, Texas 77002

Attention: Stephen M. Gill

       Alan Beck

E-mail: sgill@velaw.com; abeck@velaw.com

Facsimile: (713) 615-5956

Rejection or other refusal to accept or the inability to deliver because of changed address of which no notice was given shall be deemed to be receipt of the notice as of the date of such rejection, refusal or inability to deliver.

10.5 Assignment. Neither this Agreement nor any of the rights, interests or obligations hereunder shall be assigned, in whole or in part, by operation of Law or otherwise, by any of the Parties without the prior written consent of the Other Party; provided that each of Parent and Merger Sub may collaterally assign their respective rights under this Agreement, in whole or in part, to any Debt Financing Source; provided, further, that no such assignment will relieve Parent or Merger Sub of its obligations hereunder. Any purported assignment not permitted under this Section 10.5 shall be null and void. Subject to the preceding two sentences, this Agreement will be binding upon, inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable by, the Parties and their respective successors and assigns.

10.6 Entire Understanding; No Third-Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement, together with the documents and instruments referred to herein, constitutes the entire agreement and understanding of the Parties with respect to the matters therein and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings on such matters (except for the Confidentiality Agreement and the Guarantee) other than as set forth in this Agreement. The provisions of this Agreement are binding upon, inure to the benefit of the Parties hereto and, subject to Section 10.5, their respective successors and assigns. No provision of this Agreement is intended to confer any rights, benefits, remedies, obligations or liabilities hereunder upon any Person other than the Parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns, except (a) as provided in Section 7.8 (which will be to the benefit of the Persons referred to in such Section), (b) as provided in Section 7.15(c) (which will be to the benefit of the Persons referred to in such Section), (c) as provided in Section 7.17 (which will be to the benefit of the former owners of the Company), (d) notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Debt Financing Sources shall be express third party beneficiaries of Section 10.1, this Section 10.6, Section 10.10(b), Section 10.11, and Section 10.13 (and any other provisions of this Agreement reflecting the agreements in the foregoing Sections), and each of such Sections shall expressly inure to the benefit of the Debt Financing Sources and the Debt Financing Sources shall be entitled to rely on and enforce the provisions of such Sections, (e) Section 10.10 (which is intended to benefit the Persons described therein), (f) Section 9.4(e), Section 9.4(h), Section 9.4(j), Section 9.4(k), Section 9.4(m) and Section 10.11 (which are intended to benefit the Parent Related Parties), (g) Section 9.4(j) (which is intended to benefit the Company Related Parties) and (h) for, following the Effective Time, the rights of holders of shares of Company Common Stock to receive the Merger Consideration.

 

85


10.7 Severability. Any provision of this Agreement which is invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction will, as to that jurisdiction, be ineffective only to the extent of such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability, without affecting in any way the remaining provisions hereof in such jurisdiction or rendering that or any other provision of this Agreement invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any other jurisdiction.

10.8 Jurisdiction.

(a) Except as specified in Section 10.10 or Section 10.13, the Parties hereto submit to the personal jurisdiction of, and hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agree that any and all claims arising under or with respect to this Agreement shall be exclusively heard and determined in, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware (or in the event, but only in the event, that such court does not have subject matter jurisdiction over such action or proceeding, the Superior Court of the State of Delaware (Complex Commercial Division) or, if subject matter jurisdiction over the action or proceeding is vested exclusively in the federal courts of the United States of America, the United States District Court for the District of Delaware). The parties hereto agree that a final judgment in any such claim is conclusive and may be enforced in any other jurisdiction by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by law.

(b) Except as specified in Section 10.10 or Section 10.13, each of the Parties hereto irrevocably and unconditionally waives, to the fullest extent it may legally and effectively do so, any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or any related matter in the chosen courts and the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such claim in any such court.

10.9 Waiver of Jury Trial. TO THE EXTENT NOT PROHIBITED BY APPLICABLE LAW THAT CANNOT BE WAIVED, EACH PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES AND COVENANTS THAT IT WILL NOT ASSERT (WHETHER AS PLAINTIFF, DEFENDANT OR OTHERWISE) ANY RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY FORUM IN RESPECT OF ANY ISSUE, CLAIM, DEMAND, ACTION OR CAUSE OF ACTION ARISING IN WHOLE OR IN PART UNDER, RELATED TO, BASED ON, OR IN CONNECTION WITH, THIS AGREEMENT OR THE SUBJECT MATTER HEREOF, WHETHER NOW EXISTING OR HEREAFTER ARISING AND WHETHER SOUNDING IN TORT OR CONTRACT OR OTHERWISE. ANY PARTY MAY FILE AN ORIGINAL COUNTERPART OR A COPY OF THIS SECTION 10.9 WITH ANY COURT AS WRITTEN EVIDENCE OF THE CONSENT OF EACH SUCH PARTY TO THE WAIVER OF ITS RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY.

10.10 No Recourse.

(a) Except as specified in Section 10.10(b), this Agreement may only be enforced against, and any claims or causes of action that may be based upon, arise out of or relate to this Agreement, or the negotiation, execution or performance of this Agreement may only be made against the entities that are expressly identified as Parties hereto and no past, present or future Affiliate, director, officer, employee, incorporator, member, manager, partner, stockholder, agent, attorney or other Representative of any Party hereto has any liability for any obligations or liabilities of the Parties to this Agreement or for any claim based on, in respect of or by reason of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

86


(b) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, Company agrees that Company and Company Stockholders shall not have any claim against any Debt Financing Source (or any of its respective former, current or future general or limited partners, stockholders, managers, members, agents, Representatives, Affiliates, successors or assigns (collectively, “Debt Finance Related Parties”)) nor shall any Debt Financing Source or any Debt Finance Related Parties have any liability whatsoever to the Company or Company Stockholders, in connection with the Debt Financing or in any way relating to this Agreement or any of the transactions contemplated hereby, whether at law, in equity, in contract, in tort or otherwise, in each case, whether arising, in whole or in part, out of comparative, contributory or sole negligence by any Debt Financing Source or Debt Finance Related Party. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, (i) no amendment or modification to this Section 10.10(b) (or amendment or modification with respect to any related definitions as they affect this Section 10.10(b)) shall be effective without the prior written consent of each Debt Financing Source and Debt Finance Related Party and (ii) each Debt Financing Source and Debt Finance Related Party shall be an express third party beneficiary of, and shall have the right to enforce, this Section 10.10(b). Each of the Parties hereto agrees that Section 10.13 shall apply in relation to this Section 10.10 with respect to Debt Financing Sources. This Section 10.10(b) is intended to benefit and may be enforced by the Debt Financing Sources and the Debt Finance Related Parties.

10.11 Specific Performance.

(a) The Parties agree that irreparable damage would occur and that the Parties would not have any adequate remedy at law in the event that any of the provisions of this Agreement were not performed in accordance with their specific terms or were otherwise breached. It is accordingly agreed that the Parties shall be entitled to an injunction or injunctions to prevent breaches of this Agreement and to enforce specifically the terms and provisions of this Agreement, in each case, in accordance with this Section 10.11(a) in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware, this being in addition to any other remedy to which they are entitled at law or in equity. Each of the Parties agrees that it will not oppose the granting of an injunction, specific performance and other equitable relief as provided herein on the basis that (a) either Party has an adequate remedy at law or (b) an award of specific performance is not an appropriate remedy for any reason at law or equity. Each Party further agrees that no Party shall be required to obtain, furnish or post any bond or similar instrument in connection with or as a condition to obtaining any remedy referred to in this Section 10.11(a), and each Party irrevocably waives any right it may have to require the obtaining, furnishing or posting of any such bond or similar instrument.

(b) Notwithstanding Section 10.11(a) or anything else to the contrary in this Agreement, the Company shall be entitled to enforce specifically Parent’s and Merger Sub’s obligations to consummate the Merger including causing Parent and Merger Sub to enforce the terms of the Equity Commitment Letter (or any similar equity financing commitment) and the Equity Financing contemplated therein by a decree of specific performance if, and only if, (i) all of the conditions set forth in Section 8.1 and Section 8.3 (other than (x) those conditions that by their nature are to be satisfied at the Closing (or are capable of being, and are reasonably expected

 

87


to be, satisfied at the Closing) or (to the extent permissible under applicable Law) waived in accordance with this Agreement or (y) those conditions that have not been satisfied as a result of any material breach of this Agreement by Parent or Merger Sub) have been satisfied at the time when the Closing would have occurred in accordance with Section 2.2, (ii) the Company has irrevocably confirmed in writing that it is ready, willing and able to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, (iii) the full amount of the Debt Financing has been funded or will be funded at the Closing if the Equity Financing is funded at the Closing, and (iv) the Marketing Period has ended and Parent and Merger Sub have failed to complete the Closing by the date the Closing is required to have occurred pursuant to this Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, under no circumstances shall the Company be permitted or entitled to receive both a grant of specific performance and payment of the Parent Termination Fee, provided that the Company may commence Actions for both in the alternative. For the avoidance of doubt, the parties hereto further agree that (1) by seeking the remedies provided for in this Section 10.11, a party shall not in any respect waive its right to seek at any time any other form of relief that may be available to a party under this Agreement in the event that this Agreement has been terminated or in the event that the remedies provided for in this Section 10.11 are not available or otherwise are not granted, and (2) nothing set forth in this Section 10.11 shall require any party hereto to institute any proceeding for (or limit any party’s right to institute any proceeding for) specific performance under this Section 10.11 prior or as a condition to exercising any termination right under Article IX (and pursuing the Parent Termination Fee after such termination to the extent permitted in accordance with this Agreement), nor shall the commencement of any legal proceeding pursuant to this Section 10.11 or anything set forth in this Section 10.11 restrict or limit any party’s right to terminate this Agreement in accordance with the terms of Article IX.

10.12 Survival. None of the representations, warranties, agreements and covenants in this Agreement or in any certificate or other instrument delivered pursuant to this Agreement shall survive the Effective Time; provided, however, that the terms of Article I and this Article X, as well as the covenants and other agreements set forth in this Agreement that by their terms apply, or that are to be performed in whole or in part, after the Effective Time, shall survive the consummation of the Merger. If this Agreement is terminated prior to the Closing, the agreements of the Parties in Sections 7.5, 9.2, 9.3 and 9.4, and this Article X will survive such termination. The Confidentiality Agreement shall (a) survive termination of this Agreement in accordance with its terms and (b) terminate as of the Effective Time.

10.13 Debt Financing Sources. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, each of the Parties: (a) agrees that all actions (whether in law or in equity and whether in tort, contract or otherwise) that may be based upon, arise out of or relate to this Agreement, the Debt Financing or any of the agreements (including the Debt Commitment Letter) entered into in connection with the Debt Financing or any of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby or the performance of any services thereunder against the Debt Financing Sources shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of any federal court in the Borough of Manhattan, New York, New York and any appellate court thereof and each Party irrevocably submits itself and its property with respect to any such action to the exclusive jurisdiction of such court, and such action (except to the extent relating to the interpretation of any provisions in this Agreement (including any provision in the Debt Commitment Letter or in any definitive documentation related to the Debt Financing that expressly specifies that the interpretation of such provisions shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the law of the State of Delaware)) shall be governed by the Laws

 

88


of the State of New York, regardless of the Laws that might otherwise govern under applicable principles of conflicts of laws, (b) agrees not to bring or support or permit any of its controlled Affiliates to bring or support any action (whether in law or in equity and whether in tort, contract or otherwise) that may be based upon, arise out of or relate to this Agreement, the Debt Financing or any of the agreements (including the Debt Commitment Letter) entered into in connection with the Debt Financing or any of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby or the performance of any services thereunder against any Debt Financing Source in any forum other than any federal court in the Borough of Manhattan, New York, New York, (c) irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by Law, the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such action in any such court, (d) irrevocably and unconditionally waives to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law any right it may have to a trial by jury in any action brought against the Debt Financing Sources directly or indirectly arising out of, under or in connection with this Agreement, the Debt Financing, the Debt Commitment Letter or any of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby or the performance of any services thereunder, (e) agrees that the Debt Financing Sources are express third-party beneficiaries of, and may enforce, any of the provisions in this Agreement reflecting the foregoing agreements in this Section 10.13 and the provisions of Section 10.1(c), Section 10.10(b), Section 10.11 and Section 10.13 (and any other provisions of this Agreement to the extent a modification thereof would affect the substance of any of the foregoing) and (f) under no circumstances shall any Party to this Agreement be entitled to recovery from any Debt Financing Source any consequential, indirect, punitive, exemplary or special damages arising out of or relating to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Debt Financing.

[Signature pages follow.]

 

89


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed in counterparts by their duly authorized officers, all as of the day and year first written above.

 

  CITIZEN ENERGY OPERATING, LLC
  By:  

/s/ Robbie Woodard

  Name:  

Robbie Woodard

  Title:  

Manager

  CITIZEN ENERGY PRESSBURG INC.
  By:  

/s/ James R. Woods

  Name:  

James R. Woods

  Title:  

Manager

Signature Page to Agreement and Plan of Merger


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed in counterparts by their duly authorized officers, all as of the day and year first written above.

 

  ROAN RESOURCES, INC.
  By:  

/s/ Joseph A. Mills

  Name:  

Joseph A. Mills

  Title:  

Executive Chairman

Signature Page to Agreement and Plan of Merger


Exhibit A

Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company

[See Attached]

 

A-1


THIRD AMENDED AND RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

OF

ROAN RESOURCES, INC.

FIRST

The name of the corporation (the “Corporation”) is Roan Resources, Inc.

SECOND

The address of the Corporation’s registered office in the State of Delaware is Corporation Trust Center, 1209 Orange St., City of Wilmington, County of New Castle, Delaware 19801. The name of its registered agent at such address is The Corporation Trust Company.

THIRD

The purpose of the Corporation is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized under the General Corporation Law of Delaware (the “DGCL”).

FOURTH

The total number of shares of all classes of stock that the Corporation shall have authority to issue is 100 shares, all of which are Common Stock with a par value of $0.01.

FIFTH

In furtherance and not in limitation of the powers conferred by statute, the board of directors is expressly authorized to adopt, alter, amend or repeal the bylaws of the Corporation.

SIXTH

Election of directors need not be by written ballot unless the bylaws of the Corporation shall so provide.

SEVENTH

No director of the Corporation shall be personally liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except to the extent such exemption from liability or limitation thereof is not permitted under the DGCL as it now exists. In addition to the circumstances in which a director of the Corporation is not personally liable as set forth in the preceding sentence, a director of the Corporation shall not be liable to the fullest extent permitted by any amendment to the DGCL hereafter enacted that further limits the liability of a director. Any amendment, repeal or modification of this Article SEVENTH shall be prospective only and shall not affect any limitation on liability of a director for acts or omissions occurring prior to the date of such amendment, repeal or modification.

 

A-2


EIGHTH

The Corporation shall indemnify and hold harmless, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law as it presently exists or may hereafter be amended, any person who was or is made a party or is threatened to be made a party to or is otherwise involved in any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (a “proceeding”) by reason of the fact that he, or a person for whom he is the legal representative, is or was a director or officer of the Corporation or, while a director or officer of the Corporation, is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, trustee, employee or agent of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, trust, other enterprise or nonprofit entity, including service with respect to an employee benefit plan (a “Covered Person”), whether the basis of such proceeding is alleged action in an official capacity as a director, officer, trustee, employee or agent, or in any other capacity while serving as a director, officer, trustee, employee or agent, against all expenses, liability and loss (including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes and penalties and amounts paid in settlement) reasonably incurred or suffered by such Covered Person in connection with such proceeding.

The Corporation shall, to the fullest extent not prohibited by applicable law as it presently exists or may hereafter be amended, pay the expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by a Covered Person in defending any proceeding in advance of its final disposition; provided, however, that to the extent required by applicable law, such payment of expenses in advance of the final disposition of the proceeding shall be made only upon receipt of an undertaking by the Covered Person to repay all amounts advanced if it should be ultimately determined by final judicial decision from which there is no further right to appeal (hereinafter, a “final adjudication”) that the Covered Person is not entitled to be indemnified under this Article EIGHTH or otherwise.

The rights to indemnification and advancement of expenses under this Article EIGHTH shall be contract rights and such rights shall continue as to a Covered Person who has ceased to be a director, officer, trustee, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of his heirs, executors and administrators. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Article EIGHTH, except for proceedings to enforce rights to indemnification and advancement of expenses, the Corporation shall indemnify and advance expenses to a Covered Person in connection with a proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such Covered Person only if such proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the Board.

If a claim for indemnification under this Article EIGHTH (following the final disposition of such proceeding) is not paid in full within 60 days after the Corporation has received a claim therefor by the Covered Person, or if a claim for any advancement of expenses under this Article EIGHTH is not paid in full within 30 days after the Corporation has received a statement or statements requesting such amounts to be advanced, the Covered Person shall thereupon (but not before) be entitled to file suit to recover the unpaid amount of such claim. If successful in whole or in part, the Covered Person shall be entitled to be paid the expense of prosecuting such claim, or a claim brought by the Corporation to recover an advancement of expenses pursuant to the terms of an undertaking, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law. In any such action, the Corporation shall have the burden of proving that the Covered Person is not entitled to the requested indemnification or advancement of expenses under applicable law. In (1) any suit brought by a Covered Person to enforce a right to indemnification hereunder (but not in a suit

 

A-3


brought by a Covered Person to enforce a right to an advancement of expenses) it shall be a defense that, and (2) in any suit brought by the Corporation to recover an advancement of expenses pursuant to the terms of an undertaking, the Corporation shall be entitled to recover such expenses upon a final adjudication that, the Covered Person has not met any applicable standard for indemnification set forth in the DGCL. Neither the failure of the Corporation (including its directors who are not parties to such action, a committee of such directors, independent legal counsel or its stockholders) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of such suit that indemnification of the Covered Person is proper in the circumstances because the Covered Person has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in the DGCL, nor an actual determination by the Corporation (including its directors who are not parties to such action, a committee of such directors, independent legal counsel or its stockholders) that the Covered Person has not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall create a presumption that the Covered Person has not met the applicable standard of conduct or, in the case of such a suit brought by the Covered Person, be a defense to such suit. In any suit brought by the Covered Person to enforce a right to indemnification or to an advancement of expenses hereunder, or brought by the Corporation to recover an advancement of expenses pursuant to the terms of an undertaking, the burden of proving that the Covered Person is not entitled to be indemnified, or to such advancement of expenses, under this Article EIGHTH or otherwise shall be on the Corporation.

The rights conferred on any Covered Person by this Article EIGHTH shall not be exclusive of any other rights that such Covered Person may have or hereafter acquire under any statute, any provision of this Certificate of Incorporation, the bylaws of the Corporation, any agreement or vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise.

This Article EIGHTH shall not limit the right of the Corporation, to the extent and in the manner permitted by applicable law, to indemnify and to advance expenses to persons other than Covered Persons when and as authorized by appropriate corporate action.

Any Covered Person entitled to indemnification and/or advancement of expenses, in each case pursuant to this Article EIGHTH may have certain rights to indemnification, advancement and/or insurance provided by one or more persons with whom or which such Covered Person may be associated. The Corporation hereby acknowledges and agrees that (1) the Corporation shall be the indemnitor of first resort with respect to any proceeding, expense, liability or matter that is the subject of this Article EIGHTH, (2) the Corporation shall be primarily liable for all such obligations and any indemnification afforded to a Covered Person in respect of a proceeding, expense, liability or matter that is the subject of this Article EIGHTH, whether created by law, organizational or constituent documents, contract or otherwise, (3) any obligation of any persons with whom or which a Covered Person may be associated to indemnify such Covered Person and/or advance expenses or liabilities to such Covered Person in respect of any proceeding shall be secondary to the obligations of the Corporation hereunder, (4) the Corporation shall be required to indemnify each Covered Person and advance expenses to each Covered Person hereunder to the fullest extent provided herein without regard to any rights such Covered Person may have against any other person with whom or which such Covered Person may be associated or insurer of any such person and (5) the Corporation irrevocably waives, relinquishes and releases any other person with whom or which a Covered Person may be associated from any claim of contribution, subrogation or any other recovery of any kind in respect of amounts paid by the Corporation hereunder.

 

A-4


The Corporation may maintain insurance, at its expense, to protect itself and any person who is or was serving as a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any expense, liability or loss, whether or not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such expense, liability or loss under the DGCL.

NINTH

Subject to such limitations as may be from time to time imposed by other provisions of this Certificate of Incorporation, by the bylaws of the Corporation, by the DGCL or other applicable law, or by any contract or agreement to which the Corporation is or may become a party, the Corporation reserves the right to amend or repeal any provision contained in this Certificate of Incorporation, in the manner now or hereafter prescribed by statute, and all rights conferred upon stockholders herein are granted subject to this express reservation.

 

A-5

EXHIBIT 10.1

FORM OF

VOTING AGREEMENT

This VOTING AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made and entered into as of October 1, 2019, by and among Citizen Energy Operating, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Parent”), Citizen Energy Pressburg Inc., a Delaware corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Parent (“Merger Sub”), Roan Resources, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”) and the undersigned holders (each, a “Holder” and collectively, the “Holders”) of shares of Class A common stock, par value $0.001 per share (“Company Common Stock”), of the Company. The parties to this Agreement are sometimes referred to herein collectively as the “parties,” and individually as a “party.” Capitalized terms used herein without definition shall have the respective meanings specified in the Merger Agreement (as defined below).

RECITALS

WHEREAS, pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of the date hereof, by and among Parent, Merger Sub and the Company (as may be amended from time to time in accordance with this Agreement, the “Merger Agreement”), Merger Sub will be merged with and into the Company with the Company surviving as the surviving corporation (the “Merger”), on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement;

WHEREAS, each Holder is the beneficial owner (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) of the number of shares of Company Common Stock as indicated opposite such Holder’s name on Schedule I attached hereto (the “Shares”);

WHEREAS, the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Company Common Stock (as of the record date for the Company Meeting) is a condition to the consummation of the Merger; and

WHEREAS, concurrently with the execution and delivery of the Merger Agreement, and as a condition and inducement to Parent’s, Merger Sub’s and the Company’s willingness to enter into the Merger Agreement, the Holders have agreed to enter into this Agreement.

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

ARTICLE I

VOTING;

GRANT AND APPOINTMENT OF PROXY

Section 1.1 Voting. Each Holder hereby agrees that, from the date of this Agreement and until the Expiration Time (as defined in Article V), at any meeting (whether annual or special and each adjourned or postponed meeting) of the Company Stockholders, however called, each Holder (in such capacity and not in any other capacity) will (i) appear at such meeting or otherwise cause all of the Shares owned by such Holder (whether beneficially or of record) to be counted as present thereat for purposes of calculating a quorum and (ii) vote or cause to be voted (including by proxy or written consent, if applicable) all of the Shares owned by such Holder (whether beneficially or of record):


(a) with respect to each meeting at which a vote of Holders on the Merger is requested (a “Merger Proposal”), in favor of such Merger Proposal (and, in the event that such Merger Proposal is presented as more than one proposal, in favor of each proposal that is part of such Merger Proposal), and in favor of any other matter presented or proposed for approval of the Merger or any part or aspect thereof or any other transactions or matters contemplated by the Merger Agreement;

(b) against any Alternative Proposal, without regard to the terms of such Alternative Proposal, or any other transaction, proposal, agreement or action made in opposition to adoption of the Merger Agreement or in competition or inconsistent with the Merger and the other transactions or matters contemplated by the Merger Agreement;

(c) against any other action, agreement or transaction that is intended, that would reasonably be expected, or the effect of which would reasonably be expected, to materially impede, interfere with, delay, postpone, discourage or adversely affect the Merger or any of the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement or the performance of its obligations under this Agreement, including any of the following: (i) any extraordinary transaction, such as a merger, consolidation or other business combination involving the Company; (ii) a sale, lease or transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, or a reorganization, recapitalization or liquidation of the Company; or (iii) any material change in the present capitalization or distribution policy of the Company or any amendment or other change to the Company Charter, Company Bylaws or other organizational documents of the Company or its Subsidiaries, excluding, in each such case, (A) any action, agreement or transaction that is approved in writing by Parent, (B) the Merger and (C) any other transaction that is expressly contemplated by or provided for in the Merger Agreement;

(d) against any action, proposal, transaction or agreement that would reasonably be expected to result in a breach in any respect of any covenant, representation or warranty or any other obligation or agreement of the Company contained in the Merger Agreement, that would result in the failure of any condition set forth in Section 8.1 or Section 8.2 of the Merger Agreement to be satisfied, or of such Holder contained in this Agreement; and

(e) in favor of any other matter necessary to the consummation of the transactions expressly contemplated by the Merger Agreement, including the Merger and any adjournment or postponement of the Company Meeting (clauses (a) through (e) of this Section 1.1, the “Required Votes”).

Section 1.2 Restrictions on Transfers. Each Holder hereby agrees that, from the date hereof until the Expiration Time, it shall not, directly or indirectly, except in connection with the consummation of the Merger or as provided in clauses (x) or (y) in this Section 1.2, (a) sell, transfer, assign, tender in any tender or exchange offer, pledge, encumber, hypothecate or similarly dispose of (by merger, by testamentary disposition, by operation of Law or otherwise), either voluntarily or involuntarily, or enter into any contract, option or other arrangement or understanding with respect to the sale, transfer, assignment, pledge, Lien, hypothecation or other

 

2


disposition of (by merger, by testamentary disposition, by distributions in kind, by operation of Law or otherwise), any Shares, (b) deposit any Shares into a voting trust or enter into a voting agreement or arrangement or grant any proxy, consent or power of attorney with respect thereto other than, and that is inconsistent with, this Agreement, (c) take or permit any other action that would in any way restrict, limit or interfere with the performance of such Holder’s obligations hereunder or the transactions contemplated hereby or otherwise make any representation or warranty of such Holder herein untrue or incorrect in any material respect applicable or (d) agree (regardless of whether in writing) to take any of the actions referred to in the foregoing clause (a), (b) or (c); provided, however, a Holder may: (x) transfer Shares to Affiliates or to a trust established for the benefit of the Holder or any of its Affiliates if, as a condition to such transfer, the recipient agrees in writing to be bound by this Agreement and delivers a copy of such executed written agreement to Parent prior to the consummation of such transfer; (y) transfer Shares with Parent’s prior written consent; or (z) encumber, pledge or hypothecate the Shares pursuant to Liens that will be discharged at or prior to the Effective Time (provided, that (i) such Holder retains the right to vote such Shares for so long as such Shares remain encumbered, pledged or hypothecated and not foreclosed upon in connection with a default by the Holder and (ii) any foreclosure, or transfer in lieu of foreclosure, of shares subject to an encumbrance, pledge or hypothecation shall be deemed a transfer of the Shares pursuant to this Section 1.2, and as a condition to such transfer, the party seeking to foreclose shall agree in writing to be bound by this Agreement and deliver a copy of such executed written Agreement to Parent prior to the consummation of such transfer). Nothing in this Agreement shall prohibit direct or indirect transfers of equity or other interests in any Holder. Any sale, transfer, assignment, tender, pledge, hypothecation or other disposition in violation of this Section 1.2 shall be null and void.

ARTICLE II

NO SOLICITATION; CAPACITY

Section 2.1 No Solicitation.

(a) Each Holder will, and will cause its Subsidiaries and its and their respective directors, officers, and employees, and will use reasonable best efforts to cause their respective other Representatives to, immediately cease and cause to be terminated any discussions or negotiations with any Person (other than Parent and Merger Sub) conducted heretofore or that may be ongoing with respect to any inquiry, proposal or offer that constitutes, or would reasonably be expected to lead to, an Alternative Proposal, and request the return or destruction of all confidential information previously provided to such Persons by or on behalf of such Holder or its Subsidiaries. Each Holder agrees that it shall promptly inform its Representatives of the obligations undertaken in this Section 2.1. Except as permitted by this Section 2.1, each Holder will not, and will cause its Subsidiaries and its and their respective directors, officers and employees, and will use reasonable best efforts to cause their respective other Representatives not to, and shall not publicly announce any intention to, directly or indirectly, (i) initiate, solicit, knowingly encourage, knowingly induce or knowingly facilitate (including by way of furnishing information) any proposal or offer or any inquiries regarding the making of any proposal or offer, including any proposal or offer to its or the Company’s stockholders, that constitutes, or would be reasonably be expected to lead to, an Alternative Proposal; (ii) participate or engage in or otherwise knowingly facilitate any discussions or negotiations regarding, or furnish to any Person any information or

 

3


data relating to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or afford access to the properties, books or records of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to any Person, in connection with or for the purpose of encouraging or facilitating, any inquiry, proposal or offer that constitutes, or would be reasonably be expected to lead to, an Alternative Proposal; (iii) approve, endorse or recommend (or propose to approve, endorse or recommend) any inquiry, proposal or offer that constitutes, or would be reasonably be expected to lead to, an Alternative Proposal; (iv) enter into any letter of intent, term sheet, memorandum of understanding, merger agreement, acquisition agreement, exchange agreement or any other agreement (whether binding or not) with respect to any inquiry, proposal or offer that constitutes, or would reasonably be expected to lead to, an Alternative Proposal or requiring the Company to abandon, terminate or fail to consummate the Merger or any other transaction contemplated by this Agreement; or (v) resolve or agree to do any of the foregoing. Without limiting the foregoing, the parties hereby acknowledge and agree that a breach in any respect of the restrictions in this Section 2.1 applicable to such Holder by any of such Holder’s Affiliates and its and their Representatives, to the extent acting at such Holder’s direction, shall be deemed to be a breach of this Section 2.1 by such Holder.

(b) In addition to the obligations of each Holder set forth in this Section 2.1, each Holder will promptly (and in no event later than twenty-four (24) hours after receipt) notify Parent in writing of any Alternative Proposal or any offer, proposal or request for discussions or negotiations regarding an Alternative Proposal (and any changes thereto) or non-public information relating to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries that could reasonably be expected to lead to or in connection with an Alternative Proposal, including the identity of the Person making the Alternative Proposal or offer, proposal, inquiry or request and (i) if it is in writing, a copy of any such Alternative Proposal or inquiry, request, offer or proposal and any related draft agreements or (ii) if not made in writing, the material terms and conditions of any such Alternative Proposal. Such Holder will keep Parent reasonably informed on a prompt basis of material developments with respect to any such Alternative Proposal, including material changes to the status and materials terms of any such proposal or offer (including any material amendments thereto or any material change to the scope or material terms or conditions thereof).

(c) To the extent the Company complies with its obligations under Section 6.3(b) of the Merger Agreement and participates in discussions or negotiations with a Person regarding an Alternative Proposal, any Holder and/or any of its Representatives may engage in discussions or negotiations with such Person to the extent that the Company can act under Section 6.3(b) of the Merger Agreement.

Section 2.2 Capacity. Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, nothing in this Agreement shall limit or restrict a Holder, or any affiliate, employee or designee of a Holder, who is a director or officer of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries from acting in such capacity or fulfilling the obligations of such office, including by voting, in his or her capacity as a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries’, in the Holder’s, or its affiliate’s, employee’s or designee’s, sole discretion on any matter. In this regard, a Holder shall not be deemed to make any agreement or understanding in this Agreement in such Holder’s capacity as a director or officer of the Company. Each Holder is executing this Agreement solely in the Holder’s capacity as a beneficial holder of Shares.

 

4


ARTICLE III

REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS

OF THE HOLDERS

Section 3.1 Representations and Warranties. Each Holder severally and not jointly represents and warrants to Parent, Merger Sub and the Company as follows:

(a) As of the date of this Agreement and except as disclosed in the Holders’ Schedule 13G or 13D filed with the SEC or in the Company SEC Documents: (i) such Holder is the beneficial owner (as defined in Rule 13d-3 of the Exchange Act) of the number of Shares indicated opposite such Holder’s name on Schedule I hereto; (ii) such Holder has good title to such Shares free and clear of any Liens (other than Permitted Liens); (iii) such Holder has sole unrestricted voting power with respect to such Shares, and full power of disposition, full power to issue instructions with respect to the matters set forth herein and full power to agree to all of the matters set forth in this Agreement, in each case with respect to all of such Holder’s Shares; and (iv) none of the Shares is subject to any voting trust or other agreement, arrangement, or restriction with respect to the voting of the Shares to the extent such Shares have voting rights. The number of Shares indicated opposite such Holder’s name on Schedule 1 are the only equity interests in the Company beneficially owned (as defined in Rule 13d-3 of the Exchange Act) by such Holder as of the date of this Agreement, and such Holder neither holds nor has any beneficial ownership in any other equity interests in the Company.

(b) If such Holder is an entity, such Holder is duly organized and validly existing in good standing under the Laws of the jurisdiction in which it is incorporated or constituted. The consummation of the transactions expressly contemplated by this Agreement are within such Holder’s entity power and have been duly authorized by all necessary entity actions on the part of such Holder. Such Holder has all requisite power and authority to execute and deliver, and perform its obligations under, this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

(c) This Agreement has been duly and validly executed and delivered by such Holder. Assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery by Parent and Merger Sub of this Agreement, this Agreement constitutes a legal, valid and binding agreement of such Holder, enforceable against such Holder in accordance with its terms, except as enforcement may be limited by general principles of equity (whether applied in a court of law or a court of equity) and by bankruptcy, insolvency, and similar Laws affecting creditors’ rights and remedies generally.

(d) The execution and delivery of this Agreement by such Holder does not, and the performance by such Holder of its obligations under this Agreement will not: (i) violate any Law applicable to such Holder or such Holder’s Shares, (ii) except as may be required by the rules and regulations of the NYSE, the Securities Act, and applicable securities Laws, require any consent, approval, order, authorization or other action by, or filing with or notice to, any Person (including any Governmental Authority) under, give rise to any right of termination, cancellation or acceleration under, result in the creation of any Lien on any of the Shares, or constitute a default (with or without the giving of notice or the lapse of time or both) under, any Contract, agreement, trust, commitment, order, judgment, writ, stipulation, settlement, award, or decree or other instrument binding on such Holder or any applicable Law, or (vii) if such Holder is an entity, violate any provision of any charter, bylaw or other organizational document of such Holder.

 

5


(e) As of the date of this Agreement there is no Proceeding pending against, or to the knowledge of such Holder, threatened against such Holder or any of such Holder’s properties or assets (including the Shares) that would reasonably be expected to prevent, delay or impair the consummation by such Holder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, or otherwise impair such Holder’s ability to perform its obligations under this Agreement.

(f) Such Holder has had the opportunity to review the Merger Agreement and this Agreement with counsel of such Holder’s own choosing. Such Holder understands and acknowledges that Parent, Merger Sub and the Company are entering into the Merger Agreement in reliance upon such Holder’s execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement.

(g) No broker, finder, investment banker or financial advisor is entitled to any brokerage, finder’s, financial advisor’s or other similar fee or commission, or the reimbursement of expenses, in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby based upon arrangements made by or on behalf of such Holder for which the Company, Parent or Merger Sub would be responsible, except as expressly set forth in the Merger Agreement.

Section 3.2 Covenants. Each Holder hereby:

(a) irrevocably waives, and agrees not to exercise, any rights of appraisal or rights of dissent (including pursuant to Section 262 of the DGCL) in respect of such Holder’s Shares that may arise with respect to the Merger;

(b) agrees to promptly notify Parent of the number of any additional Shares acquired by such Holder or any of its Subsidiaries after the date hereof and prior to the Expiration Time; and, for the avoidance of doubt, any such Shares shall be subject to the terms of this Agreement as though owned by such Holder on the date hereof;

(c) agrees not to commence or join in, and agrees to take all actions necessary to opt out of any class in any class action with respect to, any claim, derivative or otherwise, against Parent, Merger Sub, the Company or any of their respective successors (i) challenging the validity of, or seeking to enjoin the operation of, any provision of this Agreement (other than in connection with any breach of this Agreement by Parent, Merger Sub or the Company) or (ii) alleging breach of any fiduciary duty of any Person in connection with the negotiation and entry into the Merger Agreement;

(d) agrees, from the date hereof until the Expiration Time, Holder will not, and will not permit any entity under Holder’s control to, deposit any of the Shares in a voting trust, grant any proxies with respect to the Shares, or subject any of the Shares to any arrangement with respect to the voting of the Shares other than agreements entered into with Parent and Merger Sub; and

(e) shall and does authorize the Company or its counsel to notify the Company’s transfer agent that there is a stop transfer order with respect to all of the Shares (and that this Agreement places limits on the voting and transfer of such Shares); provided, however, that the Company or its counsel further notifies the Company’s transfer agent to lift and vacate the stop transfer order with respect to the Shares following the Expiration Time.

 

6


ARTICLE IV

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

OF PARENT AND MERGER SUB

Section 4.1 Representations and Warranties of Parent and Merger Sub1. . Each of Parent and Merger Sub represents and warrants to each Holder and the Company as follows:

(a) Each of Parent and Merger Sub is duly incorporated and validly existing in good standing under the Laws of the jurisdiction in which it is incorporated or constituted. The consummation of the transactions expressly contemplated by this Agreement are within each of Parent’s and Merger Sub’s entity power and have been duly authorized by all necessary entity actions on the part of each of Parent and Merger Sub. Each of Parent and Merger Sub has all requisite power and authority to execute and deliver, and perform its obligations under, this Agreement and to consummate the transactions expressly contemplated by this Agreement.

(b) This Agreement has been duly and validly executed and delivered by Parent and Merger Sub. Assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery by Holder of this Agreement, this Agreement constitutes a valid and binding agreement of Parent and Merger Sub, enforceable against Parent and Merger Sub in accordance with its terms, except as enforcement may be limited by general principles of equity (whether applied in a court of law or a court of equity) and by bankruptcy, insolvency, and similar Laws affecting creditors’ rights and remedies generally.

(c) The execution and delivery of this Agreement by each of Parent and Merger Sub, and the performance by Parent and Merger Sub of its respective obligations hereunder, does not violate: (i) any Law to which such party is subject; or (ii) any charter, bylaw or other organizational document of Parent or Merger Sub.

(d) To the knowledge of Parent and Merger Sub, there is no Proceeding pending against, or threatened in writing against Parent or Merger Sub that would prevent, delay or impair the consummation by Parent or Merger Sub of the transactions expressly contemplated by this Agreement, or otherwise impair its ability to perform its respective obligations hereunder.

ARTICLE V

TERMINATION; DISCLOSURE

Section 5.1 Termination. This Agreement shall terminate and be of no further force or effect upon the earliest to occur of: (a) the Effective Time; (b) the termination of the Merger Agreement pursuant to and in compliance with Section 9.1 therein; (c) the date of any modification or amendment to, or the waiver of any provision of, the Merger Agreement, as in effect on the date hereof, that reduces the amount, changes the form of consideration payable, or otherwise adversely affects such Holder of the Company in any material respect; (d) a Change in Recommendation as permitted by and in compliance with Section 6.3 of the Merger Agreement; (e) the effectiveness of a written agreement executed by the parties to this Agreement to terminate this Agreement or (f) the election of any Holder to terminate this Agreement if the Effective Time

 

7


has not occurred on or before April 7, 2020 (the earliest of such times, the “Expiration Time”). Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, this Article V and Article VI shall survive any termination of this Agreement. Upon the valid termination or expiration of this Agreement in accordance with this Section 5.1, no party shall have any further obligations or liabilities under this Agreement; provided that any party’s liability resulting from a breach of this Agreement prior to the Expiration Time shall survive the termination of this agreement.

Section 5.2 Disclosure. Subject to the terms of this Section 5.2, each Holder shall permit the Company, Parent and Merger Sub to publish and disclose in all documents and schedules filed with the SEC, and any press release or other disclosure document that Parent or Merger Sub reasonably determines to be necessary in connection with the Merger and any other transactions expressly contemplated by the Merger Agreement, such Holder’s identity and ownership of Shares and the nature of such Holder’s commitments, arrangements, and understandings under this Agreement. The Company, Parent or Merger Sub, as applicable, shall give the Holders reasonable advance notice prior to any such disclosure or publication and provide at the same time a copy of any such disclosure or publication to the Holders to the extent reasonably practicable and permitted by applicable Law. Each of Parent and Merger Sub shall accept all reasonable comments provided by the Holder with respect to any such disclosure or publication. Each Holder acknowledges that, subject to the terms of this paragraph, Parent, Merger Sub and the Company may file this Agreement or a form hereof with the SEC or any other Governmental Authority. Each Holder agrees to promptly notify Parent of any required corrections with respect to any written information supplied by it specifically for use in any such disclosure document, if and to the extent that such Holder shall become aware that any such information shall have become false or misleading in any material respect. Except as required by applicable Law, no Holder shall make any public announcement regarding this Agreement, the Merger Agreement or the Transactions without the prior written consent of Parent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed). Nothing in this Agreement shall prohibit any Holder from amending any Schedule 13D or Schedule 13G in respect of this Agreement.

ARTICLE VI

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 6.1 Expenses. All fees, costs and expenses (including attorneys’, auditors’ and financing fees, if any) incurred in connection with the preparation, execution and delivery of this Agreement and compliance herewith shall be paid by the party incurring such expenses, whether or not the Merger is consummated.

Section 6.2 Notices. All notices and other communications hereunder will be in writing and deemed given if (a) delivered personally to the party to be notified; (b) received when sent by e-mail or by facsimile transmission by the party to be notified, provided that notice given by e-mail or by facsimile shall not be effective unless either (i) a duplicate copy of such e-mail or facsimile notice is promptly given by one of the methods described in this Section 6.2 or (ii) the receiving party delivers a written confirmation of receipt for such notice either by e-mail or facsimile or any other method described in this Section 6.2; or (c) delivered by a nationally recognized overnight courier or registered or certified mail (return receipt requested), postage prepaid, with confirmation of delivery, in each case, to the parties at the addresses listed below (or at such other address for a Party as specified by like notice, provided, that notices of a change of address will be effective only upon receipt thereof):

 

8


If to Parent or Merger Sub, to:

c/o Citizen Energy Operating, LLC

320 S. Boston Ave., Suite 900

Tulsa, Oklahoma 74103

Attn: Tim Helms

Email: Tim@ce2ok.com

With a copy to (which does not constitute notice):

Latham & Watkins LLP

811 Main Street, Suite 3700

Houston, Texas 77002

Attention: Ryan J. Maierson

Email:     Ryan.maierson@lw.com

If to Holders:

[___________]

Attention: [___________]

Email: [___________]

With a copy to (which does not constitute notice):

[___________]

Attention: [___________]

Email: [___________]

If to the Company:

Roan Resources, Inc.

14701 Hertz Quail Springs Pkwy

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73134

Attention: David Edwards

Email: david.edwards@roanresources.com

With a copy to (which does not constitute notice):

Vinson & Elkins L.L.P.

1001 Fannin Street, Suite 2500

Houston, Texas 77002

Attention: Stephen M. Gill

                  Alan Beck

Email: sgill@velaw.com; abeck@velaw.com

 

9


Section 6.3 Amendments; Waivers. Any provision of this Agreement may be amended or waived if, and only if, such amendment or waiver is in writing and signed (i) in the case of an amendment, by Parent, Merger Sub, each Holder and the Company and (ii) in the case of a waiver, by the party (or parties) against whom the waiver is to be effective. No failure or delay by any party in exercising any right, power or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise thereof preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege. No waiver of any provision of this Agreement by any party shall be deemed a waiver of any other provision by such party, nor shall any such waiver be deemed a continuing waiver of any provision by such party. Any amendment or waiver effected in accordance with this Section 6.3 shall be binding upon the parties and their respective successors and assigns.

Section 6.4 Assignment. Except as set forth in Section 1.2, this Agreement shall be binding upon, and inure to the benefit of, the respective parties and their permitted successors, assigns, heirs, executors, administrators, and other legal representatives, as the case may be. This Agreement may not be assigned by any party without the prior written consent of the other parties to this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Parent may assign its rights and obligations under this Agreement to any Affiliate of Parent, so long as Parent remains liable for its obligations hereunder.

Section 6.5 No Partnership, Agency, or Joint Venture. This Agreement is intended to create, and creates, a contractual relationship and is not intended to create, and does not create, any agency, partnership, joint venture or any like relationship between the parties hereto.

Section 6.6 Entire Agreement. This Agreement, together with Schedule I, the Merger Agreement and the other documents and certificates delivered pursuant hereto and thereto, constitutes the entire agreement and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, both written and oral, among or between any of the parties with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement.

Section 6.7 No Third-Party Beneficiaries. Subject to Section 6.4, the provisions of this Agreement are binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns, and no provision of this Agreement is intended to confer any rights, benefits, remedies, obligations or liabilities hereunder upon any Person other than the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns.

Section 6.8 Governing Law; Venue. This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the Laws of the State of Delaware, regardless of the Laws that might otherwise govern under applicable principles of conflicts of Laws. In any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or any of the transactions expressly contemplated by this Agreement, each of the parties: (a) irrevocably and unconditionally consents and submits to the exclusive jurisdiction and venue of the Delaware Court of Chancery located in Wilmington, Delaware and any appellate court therefrom (the “Chosen Courts”); (b) irrevocably consents to service of process by first class certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, to the address at which such party is to receive notice in accordance with Section 6.2; and (c) agrees that it will not attempt to deny or defeat such personal jurisdiction by motion or other request for leave from the Chosen Courts. A final non-appealable judgment from the Chosen Courts in any such action or proceeding shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by applicable Law.

 

10


Section 6.9 Waiver of Jury Trial. TO THE EXTENT NOT PROHIBITED BY APPLICABLE LAW THAT CANNOT BE WAIVED, EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES AND COVENANTS THAT IT WILL NOT ASSERT (WHETHER AS PLAINTIFF, DEFENDANT OR OTHERWISE) ANY RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY FORUM IN RESPECT OF ANY ISSUE, CLAIM, DEMAND, ACTION OR CAUSE OF ACTION ARISING IN WHOLE OR IN PART UNDER, RELATED TO, BASED ON, OR IN CONNECTION WITH, THIS AGREEMENT OR THE SUBJECT MATTER HEREOF, WHETHER NOW EXISTING OR HEREAFTER ARISING AND WHETHER SOUNDING IN TORT OR CONTRACT OR OTHERWISE. ANY PARTY HERETO MAY FILE AN ORIGINAL COUNTERPART OR A COPY OF THIS SECTION 6.9 WITH ANY COURT AS WRITTEN EVIDENCE OF THE CONSENT OF EACH SUCH PARTY TO THE WAIVER OF ITS RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY.

Section 6.10 Specific Performance. The parties to this Agreement agree that irreparable damage would occur in the event any provision of this Agreement was not performed in accordance its terms or was otherwise breached. Accordingly, the parties shall be entitled to specific performance, in addition to any other remedy to which they are entitled at law or in equity, for any breach or threatened breach of this Agreement. The parties to this Agreement acknowledge that the right of specific performance is an integral part of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and without that right, none of the parties would have entered into this Agreement. The parties agree that the non-breaching party may seek (and the breaching party hereby agrees not to contest the non-breaching party’s ability to obtain) the equitable remedy of injunctive relief including, without limitation, an injunction or injunctions to prevent and enjoin such breaches in the Chosen Courts. In any Proceeding for specific performance, the parties will waive the defense of adequacy of a remedy at law, and the parties waive any requirement for the securing or posting of any bond in connection with the remedies referred to in this Section 6.10.

Section 6.11 Interpretation. Unless expressly provided for elsewhere in this Agreement, this Agreement will be interpreted in accordance with the following provisions: (a) the words “this Agreement,” “herein,” “hereby,” “hereunder,” “hereof,” and other equivalent words refer to this Agreement as an entirety and not solely to the particular portion, article, section, subsection or other subdivision of this Agreement in which any such word is used; (b) examples are not to be construed to limit, expressly or by implication, the matter they illustrate; (c) the word “including” and its derivatives means “including without limitation” and is a term of illustration and not of limitation; (d) all definitions set forth herein are deemed applicable whether the words defined are used herein in the singular or in the plural and correlative forms of defined terms have corresponding meanings; (e) the word “or” is not exclusive, and has the inclusive meaning represented by the phrase “and/or”; (f) a defined term has its defined meaning throughout this Agreement and each exhibit and schedule to this Agreement, regardless of whether it appears before or after the place where it is defined; (g) all references to prices, values or monetary amounts refer to United States dollars; (h) wherever used herein, any pronoun or pronouns will be deemed to include both the singular and plural and to cover all genders; (i) this Agreement has been jointly prepared by the parties hereto, and this Agreement will not be construed against any Person as the

 

11


principal draftsperson hereof or thereof and no consideration may be given to any fact or presumption that any party had a greater or lesser hand in drafting this Agreement; (j) the captions of the articles, sections or subsections appearing in this Agreement are inserted only as a matter of convenience and in no way define, limit, construe or describe the scope or extent of such section, or in any way affect this Agreement; (k) any references herein to a particular Section, Article or Exhibit means a Section or Article of, or an Exhibit to, this Agreement unless otherwise expressly stated herein; the Exhibit attached hereto is incorporated herein by reference and will be considered part of this Agreement; (l) unless otherwise specified herein, all accounting terms used herein will be interpreted, and all determinations with respect to accounting matters hereunder will be made, in accordance with GAAP, applied on a consistent basis; (m) all references to days mean calendar days unless otherwise provided; and (n) all references to time mean Eastern time.

Section 6.12 Titles and Subtitles. The titles and subtitles used in this Agreement are used for convenience only and are not to be considered in construing or interpreting this Agreement.

Section 6.13 Counterparts. This Agreement and any amendments may be executed in one or more counterparts, all of which will be considered one and the same agreement. This Agreement and any amendments will become effective when one or more counterparts have been signed by each of the parties and delivered to the other parties. Each of the parties also agrees that all parties need not sign the same counterpart. Delivery of an executed signature page of this Agreement by facsimile or other customary means of electronic transmission (e.g., “pdf”) will be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart hereof and will be considered to have the same binding legal effect as if it were the original signed version thereof delivered in person. No party may raise the use of an electronic delivery to deliver a signature, or the fact that any signature or agreement or instrument was transmitted or communicated through the use of an electronic delivery, as a defense to the formation of a contract. Each party waives any such defense, except to the extent such defense relates to lack of authenticity.

Section 6.14 Severability. If any term or provision of this Agreement is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced by any Law or public policy, as determined by a final judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction, all other terms and provisions of this Agreement shall nevertheless remain in full force and effect so long as the economic or legal substance of the transactions are not affected in any manner materially adverse to any party. Upon such determination that any term or other provision is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced, the parties shall negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement so as to effect the original intent of the parties as closely as possible in a mutually acceptable manner in order that the transactions be consummated as originally contemplated to the fullest extent possible.

Section 6.15 No Agreement Until Executed. Irrespective of negotiations among the parties or the exchanging of drafts of this Agreement, this Agreement shall not constitute or be deemed to evidence a contract, agreement, arrangement or understanding between the parties to this Agreement unless and until: (a) the Merger Agreement is executed by the Parent, Merger Sub and the Company; and (b) this Agreement is executed by all parties to this Agreement.

 

12


Section 6.16 Non-Recourse. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, this Agreement may only be enforced against, and any claims or causes of action that may be based upon, arise out of or relate to this Agreement, or the negotiation, execution or performance of this Agreement, may only be made against the entities and persons that are expressly identified as parties in their capacities as such. No former, current or future equity holders, controlling persons, directors, officers, employees, general or limited partners, members, managers, agents or Affiliates of any party to this Agreement, or any former, current or future direct or indirect equity holder, controlling person, director, officer, employee, general or limited partner, member, manager, agent or Affiliate of any of the foregoing (each, a “Non-Recourse Party”) shall have any liability for any obligations or liabilities of the parties to this Agreement or for any claim (whether in tort, contract or otherwise) based on, in respect of, or by reason of, the transactions contemplated hereby or in respect of any representations made or alleged to be made in connection with this Agreement. Without limiting the rights of any party against the other parties to this Agreement, in no event shall any party or any of its Affiliates seek to enforce this Agreement against, or make any claims for breach of this Agreement against, any Non-Recourse Party. Nothing in this Agreement precludes the parties or any Non-Recourse Parties from exercising any rights, and nothing in this Agreement shall limit the liability or obligations of any Non-Recourse Party, in each case under the Merger Agreement or any other agreement to which they are specifically a party or an express third party beneficiary thereof. This Section 6.16 is subject to, and does not alter the scope or application of, Section 6.10.

Section 6.17 No Ownership Interest. Nothing contained in this Agreement shall be deemed to vest in Parent, Merger Sub or the Company any direct or indirect ownership or incidence of ownership of or with respect to the Shares. All rights, ownership and economic benefits of and relating to the Shares shall remain vested in and belong to each applicable Holder. Neither Parent nor Merger Sub shall have any authority to manage, direct, restrict, regulate, govern, or administer any of the policies or operations of the Company or exercise any power or authority to direct such Holder in the voting of any of the Shares, except as otherwise provided in this Agreement.

Section 6.18 Holder Obligations Several and Not Joint. The obligations of each Holder hereunder shall be several and not joint, and no Holder shall be liable for any breach of the terms of this Agreement by any other Holder.

Section 6.19 Mutual Drafting. Each party has participated in the drafting of this Agreement, which each party acknowledges is the result of extensive negotiations between the parties. Accordingly, in the event an ambiguity or question of intent or interpretation arises, this Agreement shall be construed as if drafted jointly by the parties, and no presumption or burden of proof shall arise favoring or disfavoring any party by virtue of the authorship of any provisions of this Agreement.

***Signature Pages Follow***

 

13


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have duly executed and delivered this Agreement as of the date and year first written above.

 

CITIZEN ENERGY OPERATING, LLC
By:  

 

Name:
Title:
CITIZEN ENERGY PRESSBURG INC.
By:  

 

Name:
Title:

Signature Page to Voting Agreement


ROAN RESOURCES, INC.
By:  

 

Name: David M. Edwards
Title: Chief Financial Officer

Signature Page to Voting Agreement


[HOLDER]
By:  

 

Name:
Title:
[HOLDER]
By:  

 

Name:
Title:

Signature Page to Voting Agreement


SCHEDULE I

 

Holder and Address

  

Shares

[Holder]

   [____]

[Holder]

   [____]

Schedule I-1

EXHIBIT 10.2

Execution Version

SECOND AMENDMENT TO

CREDIT AGREEMENT

This SECOND AMENDMENT TO CREDIT AGREEMENT (this “Amendment”) dated as of September 30, 2019, is by and among Roan Resources, Inc., Delaware corporation (the “Borrower”); Cortland Capital Market Services LLC, as administrative agent for the Lenders (in such capacity, together with its successors, the “Administrative Agent”) and the Lenders signatory hereto.

Recitals

WHEREAS, Borrower, Administrative Agent and the Lenders are parties to the Credit Agreement dated as of June 27, 2019, as amended by that certain Limited Waiver and First Amendment to Credit Agreement dated as of September 16, 2019, (as further amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”) pursuant to which the Lenders have made certain credit available to and on behalf of Borrower.

WHEREAS, Borrower has requested and the Lenders have agreed to amend the Credit Agreement in certain respects as hereinafter provided.

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

Section 1. Defined Terms. Each capitalized term which is defined in the Credit Agreement, but which is not defined in this Amendment, shall have the meaning ascribed such term in the Credit Agreement. Unless otherwise indicated, all references to sections and articles in this Amendment refer to sections and articles of the Credit Agreement.

Section 2. Amendments to Credit Agreement.

(a) Section 1.1 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by adding the following defined terms in proper alphabetical order:

Additional Loan” shall mean any Loan made pursuant to this Agreement after September 30, 2019, whether pursuant to Section 2.1(a) or otherwise; provided that in no event will any PIK Interest on account of any Loan made prior to September 30, 2019 constitute an Additional Loan.

Specified Merger Agreement” shall mean that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger between Citizen Energy Operating, LLC, Citizen Energy Pressburg Inc., and Roan Resources, Inc. dated as of October 1, 2019.

(b) Section 4.1(b) of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by adding the following sentence to the end thereof:

“Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the transactions contemplated by the Specified Merger Agreement are consummated, no Repayment Premium shall be due on account of any Additional Loan. If the Specified Merger Agreement is terminated, the immediately preceding sentence shall be void ab initio and shall be of no further force and effect.”


Section 3. Conditions Precedent

Section 3.1. The Administrative Agent shall have received from the Lenders counterparts (in such number as may be requested by Administrative Agent) of this Amendment signed on behalf of such Persons.

Administrative Agent is hereby authorized and directed to declare this Amendment to be effective (and the “Amendment Effective Date” shall occur) when it has received documents confirming or certifying, to the satisfaction of Administrative Agent, compliance with the conditions set forth in this Section 3 or the waiver of such conditions as permitted in Section 13.1 of the Credit Agreement. Such declaration shall be final, conclusive and binding upon all parties to the Credit Agreement for all purposes.

Section 4. Miscellaneous.

Section 4.1. Confirmation. The provisions of the Credit Agreement, as amended and modified by this Amendment, shall remain in full force and effect following the Amendment Effective Date.

Section 4.2. Ratification and Affirmation. The Borrower and each Guarantor hereby (a) acknowledges the terms of this Amendment; (b) ratifies and affirms its obligations under, and acknowledges its continued liability under, each Credit Document to which it is a party and agrees that each Credit Document to which it is a party remains in full force and effect as expressly amended hereby; and (c) agrees that from and after the Amendment Effective Date each reference to the Credit Agreement in the Guarantee and the other Credit Documents shall be deemed to be a reference to the Credit Agreement, as amended and modified by this Amendment.

Section 4.3. Representations and Warranties. The Borrower hereby represents and warrants to the Lenders that, immediately prior to and after giving effect to this Amendment, (a) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing; (b) no event or events have occurred which individually or in the aggregate could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; and (c) all representations and warranties made by any Credit Party contained in the Credit Agreement or in the other Credit Documents are true and correct in all material respects (unless such representation or warranty contains a materiality qualifier in which case such representation or warranty shall be true and correct in all respects) with the same effect as though such representations and warranties had been made on and as of the Amendment Effective Date (except where such representations and warranties expressly relate to an earlier date, in which case such representations and warranties shall have been true and correct in all material respects (unless such representation or warranty contains a materiality qualifier in which case such representation or warranty shall be true and correct in all respects) as of such earlier date).

Section 4.4. Credit Document. This Amendment is a Credit Document and shall be construed, administered and applied in accordance with the terms and provisions of the Credit Agreement. On and after the effectiveness of this Agreement, each reference in each Credit Document to the “Credit Agreement”, “thereunder”, “thereof” or words of like import referring to the Credit Agreement shall mean and be a reference to the Credit Agreement as amended or otherwise modified by this Amendment.

 

2


Section 4.5. Counterparts. This Amendment may be executed by one or more of the parties hereto in any number of separate counterparts, and all of such counterparts taken together shall be deemed to constitute one and the same instrument. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Amendment by telecopy, facsimile or other similar electronic means shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Amendment.

Section 4.6. No Oral Agreement. This Amendment, the Credit Agreement and the other Credit Documents executed in connection herewith and therewith represent the final agreement between the parties and may not be contradicted by evidence of prior, contemporaneous, or unwritten oral agreements of the parties. There are no subsequent oral agreements between the parties.

Section 4.7. No Waiver. The execution, delivery and effectiveness of this Amendment shall not, except as expressly provided herein, operate as a waiver of any right, power or remedy of the Administrative Agent or any Lender under any of the Credit Documents, nor constitute a waiver of any provision of any of the Credit Documents.

Section 4.8. GOVERNING LAW. THIS AMENDMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

Section 4.9. Payment of Expenses. In accordance with Section 13.5 of the Credit Agreement, Borrower agrees to pay or reimburse Administrative Agent for all of its reasonable out-of-pocket costs and reasonable expenses incurred in connection with this Amendment, any other documents prepared in connection herewith and the transactions contemplated hereby, including, without limitation, the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel to Administrative Agent.

Section 4.10. Severability. Any provision of this Amendment which is prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability without invalidating the remaining provisions hereof, and any such prohibition or unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.

Section 4.11. Successors and Assigns. This Amendment shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns.

Section 4.12. WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. THE BORROWER, THE GUARANTORS, THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, EACH LETTER OF CREDIT ISSUER AND EACH LENDER HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL ACTION OR PROCEEDING RELATING TO THIS AMENDMENT OR ANY OTHER CREDIT DOCUMENT AND FOR ANY COUNTERCLAIM THEREIN.

(Signature Pages Follow)

 

3


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Amendment to be duly executed effective as of the Amendment Effective Date.

 

ROAN RESOURCES, INC., as Borrower
By:  

/s/ David Edwards

  Name: David Edwards
  Title: Chief Financial Officer

Signature Page to Second Amendment to Credit Agreement

 


CORTLAND CAPITAL MARKET SERVICES LLC

as Administrative Agent

By:  

/s/ Winnalynn N. Kantaris

Name: Winnalynn N. Kantaris
Title: Associate General Counsel

Signature Page to Second Amendment to Credit Agreement


YORK CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, L.P.,

as Lender

By:  

/s/ John J. Fosina

Name: John J. Fosina
Title: Chief Financial Officer

YORK MULTI-STRATEGY MASTER FUND, L.P.,

as Lender

By:  

/s/ John J. Fosina

Name: John J. Fosina
Title: Chief Financial Officer

YORK CREDIT OPPORTUNITIES FUND, L.P.,

as Lender

By:  

/s/ John J. Fosina

Name: John J. Fosina
Title: Chief Financial Officer

YORK CREDIT OPPORTUNITIES INVESTMENTS MASTER FUND, L.P.,

as Lender

By:  

/s/ John J. Fosina

Name: John J. Fosina
Title: Chief Financial Officer

Signature Page to Second Amendment to Credit Agreement


YORK SELECT STRATEGY MASTER FUND, L.P.,

as Lender

By:  

/s/ John J. Fosina

Name:   John J. Fosina
Title:   Chief Financial Officer

 

EXUMA CAPITAL, L.P.,

as Lender

By:  

/s/ John J. Fosina

Name:   John J. Fosina
Title:   Chief Financial Officer

Signature Page to Second Amendment to Credit Agreement


ELLIOT ASSOCIATES, L.P., as Lender

By: Elliot Capital Advisors, L.P., as General Partner

 

By: Braxton Associates, Inc., as General Partner

By:  

/s/ Elliot Greenberg

Name:   Elliot Greenberg
Title:   Vice President

 

ELLIOT INTERNATIONAL, L.P.,

as Lender

By: Hambledon, Inc., as General Partner

 

By: Elliot International Capital Advisors Inc.,

as attorney-in-fact

By:  

/s/ Elliot Greenberg

Name:   Elliot Greenberg
Title:   Vice President

Signature Page to Second Amendment to Credit Agreement


RH DEBT FUND, L.P.,

as Lender

By: JVL Advisors, LLC, its general partner
By:  

/s/ John V. Lovoi

Name:   John V. Lovoi
Title:   Manager

Signature Page to Second Amendment to Credit Agreement

EXHIBIT 10.3

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

This Employment Agreement (“Agreement”) is made and entered into by and between Roan Resources LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Company”), and Richard Gideon (“Employee”) effective as of September 29, 2019 (the “Effective Date”). Roan Resources, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Roan”), enters into this Agreement for the limited purposes of acknowledging and agreeing to Sections 3(c), 3(d) and 12.

1. Employment. During the Employment Period (as defined in Section 4), the Company shall employ Employee, and Employee shall serve, as Chief Executive Officer of the Company and as a member of the Board of Directors of Roan and in such other position or positions as may be assigned from time to time by the board of directors (the “Board”) of Roan.

2. Duties and Responsibilities of Employee.

(a) During the Employment Period, Employee shall devote Employee’s full business time, attention and best efforts to the businesses of Roan and its direct and indirect subsidiaries (collectively, Roan and its direct and indirect subsidiaries, including the Company, are referred to as the “Company Group”) as may be requested by the Board from time to time. Employee’s duties shall include those normally incidental to the position(s) identified in Section 1, as well as such additional duties as may be assigned to Employee by the Board from time to time, which duties may include providing services to other members of the Company Group in addition to the Company. Employee may, without violating this Section 2(a), (i) as a passive investment, own publicly traded securities in such form or manner as will not require the performance of any services by Employee in the operation of the entities in which such securities are owned; (ii) engage in charitable and civic activities; or (iii) engage in other personal and passive investment activities, in each case, so long as such interests or activities do not interfere with Employee’s ability to fulfill Employee’s duties and responsibilities under this Agreement and are not inconsistent with Employee’s obligations to the Company Group or competitive with the business of the Company Group.

(b) Employee hereby represents and warrants that Employee is not the subject of, or a party to, any employment agreement, non-competition, non-solicitation, restrictive covenant or non-disclosure agreement, or any other agreement, obligation, restriction or understanding that would prohibit Employee from executing this Agreement or fully performing each of Employee’s duties and responsibilities hereunder, or would in any manner, directly or indirectly, limit or affect any of the duties and responsibilities that may now or in the future be assigned to Employee hereunder. Employee expressly acknowledges and agrees that Employee is strictly prohibited from using or disclosing any confidential information belonging to any prior employer in the course of performing services for any member of the Company Group, and Employee promises that Employee shall not do so. Employee shall not introduce documents or other materials containing confidential information of any such prior employer to the premises or property (including computers and computer systems) of any member of the Company Group.

(c) Employee owes each member of the Company Group fiduciary duties (including (i) duties of loyalty and disclosure and (ii) such fiduciary duties that an officer of the Company would have if the Company were a corporation organized under the laws of the State of Delaware), and the obligations described in this Agreement are in addition to, and not in lieu of, the obligations Employee owes each member of the Company Group under statutory and common law.


3. Compensation.

(a) Base Salary. During the Employment Period, the Company shall pay to Employee an annualized base salary of $500,000 (the “Base Salary”) in consideration for Employee’s services under this Agreement, payable in substantially equal installments in conformity with the Company’s customary payroll practices for similarly situated employees as may exist from time to time, but no less frequently than monthly.

(b) Annual Bonus. Employee shall be eligible for discretionary bonus compensation with a target of 120% of Employee’s Base Salary for each complete calendar year that Employee is employed by the Company hereunder (the “Annual Bonus”). The performance targets that must be achieved in order to be eligible for certain bonus levels shall be established by the Board (or a committee thereof) annually, after consultation with management, in its sole discretion, and communicated to Employee within the first ninety (90) days of the applicable calendar year (the “Bonus Year”). Each Annual Bonus, if any, shall be paid as soon as administratively feasible after the Board (or a committee thereof) certifies whether the applicable performance targets for the applicable Bonus Year have been achieved, but in no event later than March 15 following the end of such Bonus Year. Notwithstanding anything in this Section 3(b) to the contrary, no Annual Bonus, if any, nor any portion thereof, shall be payable for any Bonus Year unless Employee remains continuously employed by the Company from the Effective Date through the date on which such Annual Bonus is paid.

(c) Sign-On Equity-Based Awards. Subject to approval of the Board or a committee thereof, Employee will receive a one-time equity-based award under the Roan Resources, Inc. Amended and Restated Management Incentive Plan (the “Management Incentive Plan”) with a target value on the date of grant of approximately $2,500,000, if all performance, vesting and other goals established by the Board or a committee thereof are achieved or exceeded (the “Sign-On Award”). The Sign-On Award will be comprised (i) twenty percent (20%) of time-based restricted stock units, which vest in equal annual installments over the three (3)-year period following the date of grant and (ii) eighty percent (80%) of performance share units, which vest based on achievement of specified stock-price hurdles over a three-year performance period. The Sign-On Award will be subject to the terms and conditions of the Management Incentive Plan and all applicable award agreements, as may be approved by the Board or a committee thereof and be in effect from time to time.

(d) Annual Equity-Based Awards. Employee will be eligible to receive annual equity-based awards for each complete calendar year that Employee is employed by the Company hereunder beginning in the 2020 calendar year, as determined by the Board, or a committee thereof, in its complete discretion, with a potential value on the date of grant of approximately $833,333 (assuming all applicable performance levels are met or exceeded). Each award described in this Section 3(c) will be subject in all respects to the terms of the Management Incentive Plan and applicable award agreement, as may be approved by the Board or a committee thereof. All applicable award agreements shall provide for accelerated vesting of all such awards that remain

 

2


unvested upon termination of this Agreement due to Employee’s death, subject to the timely execution and delivery to the Company of a Release (as defined below) by Employee’s estate; provided, however, that if any such awards are subject to a performance requirement (other than continued employment or service by Employee), then such awards shall not become immediately fully vested upon termination of this Agreement due to Employee’s death and shall remain subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the applicable award agreement(s) pursuant to which such awards were granted.

4. Term of Employment. The initial term of Employee’s employment under this Agreement shall be for the period beginning on the Effective Date and ending on the third (3rd) anniversary of the Effective Date (the “Initial Term”). On the third (3rd) anniversary of the Effective Date and on each subsequent anniversary thereafter, the term of Employee’s employment under this Agreement shall automatically renew and extend for a period of twelve (12) months (each such twelve (12)-month period being a “Renewal Term”) unless written notice of non-renewal is delivered by either party to the other not less than sixty (60) days prior to the expiration of the then-existing Initial Term or Renewal Term, as applicable. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, Employee’s employment pursuant to this Agreement may be terminated at any time in accordance with Section 7. The period from the Effective Date through the expiration of this Agreement or, if sooner, the termination of Employee’s employment pursuant to this Agreement, regardless of the time or reason for such termination, shall be referred to herein as the “Employment Period.”

5. Business Expenses. Subject to Section 23, the Company shall reimburse Employee for Employee’s reasonable out-of-pocket business-related expenses actually incurred in the performance of Employee’s duties under this Agreement so long as Employee timely submits all documentation for such reimbursement, as required by Company policy in effect from time to time. Any such reimbursement of expenses shall be made by the Company upon or as soon as practicable following receipt of such documentation. In no event shall any reimbursement be made to Employee for any expenses incurred after the date of Employee’s termination of employment with the Company.

6. Benefits. During the Employment Period, Employee shall be eligible to participate in the same benefit plans and programs in which other similarly situated Company executive employees are eligible to participate, subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable plans and programs in effect from time to time. The Company shall not, however, by reason of this Section 6, be obligated to institute, maintain, or refrain from changing, amending, or discontinuing, any such plan or policy, so long as such changes are similarly applicable to similarly situated Company executive employees generally.

7. Termination of Employment.

(a) Companys Right to Terminate Employees Employment for Cause. The Company shall have the right to terminate Employee’s employment hereunder at any time for Cause. For purposes of this Agreement, “Cause” shall mean:

(i) Employee’s material breach of this Agreement, the Award Agreement, or any other written agreement between Employee and one or more members of the Company Group, including Employee’s material breach of any representation, warranty or covenant made under any such agreement;

 

3


(ii) Employee’s violation of any workplace-related law or breach of any policy or code of conduct established by a member of the Company Group and applicable to Employee;

(iii) the commission of gross negligence, willful misconduct, breach of fiduciary duty, fraud, theft or embezzlement on the part of Employee;

(iv) the commission by Employee of, or conviction or indictment of Employee for, or plea of nolo contendere by Employee to, any felony (or state law equivalent) or any crime involving moral turpitude; or

(v) Employee’s willful failure or refusal, other than due to Disability, to perform Employee’s obligations pursuant to this Agreement or to follow any lawful directive from the Board, as determined by the Board (sitting without Employee, if applicable);

provided, however, that if Employee’s actions or omissions as set forth in Section 7(a)(i), (ii) or (v) are of such a nature that they are curable by Employee, a termination of Employee’s employment shall not be deemed to be for Cause unless and until (A) the Company provides Employee with written notice setting forth the specific facts or circumstances constituting Cause within thirty (30) days after the Board has actual knowledge of such facts or circumstances, and (B) Employee has failed to cure such facts or circumstances within thirty (30) days after receipt of such written notice. The parties agree, however, that such notice and opportunity to cure are not required with respect to actions or omissions set forth in Section 7(a)(iii) and (iv).

(b) Companys Right to Terminate for Convenience. The Company shall have the right to terminate Employee’s employment for convenience at any time and for any reason, or no reason at all, upon written notice to Employee.

(c) Employees Right to Terminate for Good Reason. Employee shall have the right to terminate Employee’s employment with the Company at any time for Good Reason. For purposes of this Agreement, “Good Reason” shall mean:

(i) a material diminution in Employee’s Base Salary, title or duties;

(ii) a material breach by the Company of any of its covenants or obligations under this Agreement or any other written agreement between the parties; or

(iii) a change by the Company in Employee’s principal place of employment to a location more than fifty (50) miles from the location of Employee’s principal place of employment on the Effective Date.

 

4


Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 7(c) or any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary, any assertion by Employee of a termination for Good Reason shall not be effective unless all of the following conditions are satisfied: (A) the condition described in Section 7(c)(i), (ii) or (iii) giving rise to Employee’s termination of employment must have arisen without Employee’s consent; (B) Employee must provide written notice to the Board of the existence of such condition(s) within thirty (30) days after Employee’s knowledge of the existence the initial occurrence of such condition(s); (C) the condition(s) specified in such notice must remain uncorrected for thirty (30) days following the Board’s receipt of such written notice; and (D) the date of Employee’s termination of employment must occur within ninety (90) days after the initial occurrence of the condition(s) specified in such notice.

(d) Death or Disability. Upon the death or Disability of Employee, Employee’s employment with Company shall terminate with no further obligation under this Agreement of either party hereunder. For purposes of this Agreement, a “Disability shall exist if Employee is unable to perform the essential functions of Employee’s position (after engaging in an interactive process with Employee and accounting for reasonable accommodation, if either is applicable and required by applicable law), due to physical or mental impairment or other incapacity that continues, or can reasonably be expected to continue, for a period in excess of one hundred-twenty (120) consecutive days or one hundred-eighty (180) days, whether or not consecutive (or for any longer period as may be required by applicable law), in any twelve (12)-month period. The determination of whether Employee has incurred a Disability shall be made in good faith by the Board after reviewing and considering relevant information from an appropriate physician or other healthcare provider (and Employee shall cooperate with the Company in providing all reasonably requested information or evaluations in order to facilitate such a determination).

(e) Employee’s Right to Terminate for Convenience. In addition to Employee’s right to terminate Employee’s employment for Good Reason, Employee shall have the right to terminate Employee’s employment with the Company for convenience at any time and for any other reason, or no reason at all, upon thirty (30) days’ advance written notice to the Company; provided, however, that if Employee has provided notice to the Company of Employee’s termination of employment, the Company may determine, in its sole discretion, that such termination shall be effective on any date prior to the effective date of termination provided in such notice (and, if such earlier date is so required, then it shall not change the basis for Employee’s termination of employment nor be construed or interpreted as a termination of employment pursuant to Section 7(b)).

(f) Effect of Termination.

(i) If Employee’s employment hereunder is terminated pursuant to any of Sections 7(a)-(e) or upon the expiration of the then-existing Initial Term or Renewal Term, as applicable, then Employee shall receive: (A) any accrued but unpaid Base Salary; (B) any accrued but unused vacation existing as of the date on which Employee’s employment terminates (the “Termination Date”); and (C) such employee benefits, if any, as to which Employee may be entitled under the Company’s employee benefit plans as of the Termination Date.

 

5


(ii) If Employee’s employment hereunder is terminated prior to the expiration of the then-existing Initial Term or Renewal Term, as applicable, by the Company without Cause pursuant to Section 7(b), or is terminated by Employee for Good Reason pursuant to Section 7(c), in each case, following a Change in Control, then so long as (and only if) Employee: (A) executes on or before the Release Expiration Date (as defined below), and does not revoke within the time provided by the Company to do so, a release of all claims in a form acceptable to the Company (the “Release”), which Release shall release each member of the Company Group and their respective affiliates, and the foregoing entities’ respective shareholders, members, partners, officers, managers, directors, fiduciaries, employees, representatives, agents and benefit plans (and fiduciaries of such plans) from any and all claims that may be lawfully released, including any and all causes of action arising out of Employee’s employment with the Company and any other member of the Company Group or the termination of such employment, but excluding all claims to severance payments Employee may have under this Section 7; and (B) abides by the terms of each of Sections 9, 10 and 11, then the Company shall make severance payments, less deductions for applicable taxes and withholdings, to Employee in a total amount equal to either (I) if the Termination Date occurs within six (6) months following the Effective Date, two (2) times the sum of (x) Employee’s Base Salary for the year in which such termination occurs plus (y) one-half (0.5) of Employee’s target Annual Bonus for the year in which such termination occurs (or, if the Termination Date occurs during the 2019 calendar year, 60% of Employee’s Base Salary) or (II) if the Termination Date occurs following the date that is six (6) months after the Effective Date, two and one-half (2.5) times the sum of (x) Employee’s Base Salary for the year in which such termination occurs plus (y) Employee’s target Annual Bonus for the year in which such termination occurs (in each case, such total severance payments being referred to as the “Severance Payment”). The Severance Payment will be reported on IRS Form W-2. The Severance Payment will be divided into substantially equal installments paid over the twenty-four (24)-month (or, if the Termination Date is more than six (6) months following the Effective Date, thirty (30)-month) period following the Termination Date. On the Company’s first regularly scheduled pay date that is on or after the date that is sixty (60) days after the Termination Date (the “First Payment Date”), the Company shall pay to Employee, without interest, a number of such installments equal to the number of such installments that would have been paid during the period beginning on the Termination Date and ending on the First Payment Date had the installments been paid on a monthly basis commencing on the Company’s regularly scheduled pay dates on or following the Termination Date, and each of the remaining installments shall be paid on the Company’s regularly scheduled pay dates during the remainder of such twenty-four (24)-month (or, if the Termination Date is more than six (6) months following the Effective Date, thirty (30)-month) period; provided, however, that (1) to the extent, if any, that the aggregate amount of the installments of the Severance Payment that would otherwise be paid pursuant to the preceding provisions of this Section 7(f)(i) after March 15 of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the Termination Date occurs (the “Applicable March 15”) exceeds the maximum exemption amount under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(9)(iii)(A), then such excess shall be paid to Employee in a lump sum on the Applicable March 15 (or the first Business Day preceding the Applicable March 15 if the Applicable March 15 is not a Business Day) and the installments of the Severance Payment payable after the Applicable March 15 shall be reduced by such excess (beginning with the installment first payable after the Applicable March 15 and continuing with the next succeeding installment until the aggregate reduction equals such excess), and (2) all remaining installments of the Severance Payment, if any, that would otherwise be paid

 

6


pursuant to the preceding provisions of this Section 7(f)(i) after December 31 of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the Termination Date occurs shall be paid with the installment of the Severance Payment, if any, due in December of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the Termination Date occurs. “Business Day” shall mean any day except a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in New York, New York or Oklahoma City, Oklahoma are authorized or required by law to be closed. For purposes of this Agreement, “Change in Control” shall have the meaning given to it in the Management Incentive Plan.

(iii) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Severance Payment (and any portion thereof) shall not be payable if Employee’s employment hereunder terminates upon the expiration of the then-existing Initial Term or Renewal Term, as applicable, as a result of a non-renewal of the term of Employee’s employment under this Agreement by the Company or Employee pursuant to Section 4.

(iv) If the Release is not executed and returned to the Company on or before the Release Expiration Date, and the required revocation period has not fully expired without revocation of the Release by Employee, then Employee shall not be entitled to any portion of the Severance Payment. As used herein, the “Release Expiration Date” is that date that is twenty-one (21) days following the date upon which the Company delivers the Release to Employee (which shall occur no later than seven (7) days after the Termination Date) or, in the event that such termination of employment is “in connection with an exit incentive or other employment termination program” (as such phrase is defined in the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, as amended), the date that is forty-five (45) days following such delivery date. The parties agree, however, that the Release Expiration Date may be extended from time to time by written agreement of the parties.

(g) After-Acquired Evidence. Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, in the event that the Company determines that Employee is eligible to receive the Severance Payment pursuant to Section 7(f) but, after such determination, the Company subsequently acquires evidence or determines that: (i) Employee has failed to abide by the terms of Sections 9, 10, or 11; or (ii) a Cause condition existed prior to the Termination Date that, had the Company been fully aware of such condition, would have given the Company the right to terminate Employee’s employment pursuant to Section 7(a), then the Company shall have the right to cease the payment of any future installments of the Severance Payment and seek the return to the Company of all installments of the Severance Payment received by Employee prior to the date that such court lawfully determines that the conditions of this Section 7(g) have been satisfied.

8. Disclosures. Promptly (and in any event, within three (3) Business Days) upon becoming aware of (a) any actual or potential Conflict of Interest or (b) any lawsuit, claim or arbitration filed against or involving Employee or any trust or vehicle owned or controlled by Employee, in each case, Employee shall disclose such actual or potential Conflict of Interest or such lawsuit, claim or arbitration to the Board. A “Conflict of Interest” shall exist when Employee engages in, or plans to engage in, any activities, associations, or interests that conflict with, or create an appearance of a conflict with, Employee’s duties, responsibilities, authorities, or obligations for and to the Company Group.

 

7


9. Confidentiality. In the course of Employee’s employment with the Company and the performance of Employee’s duties on behalf of the Company Group hereunder, Employee will be provided with, and will have access to, Confidential Information (as defined below). In consideration of Employee’s receipt and access to such Confidential Information and in exchange for other valuable consideration provided hereunder, and as a condition of Employee’s employment, Employee shall comply with this Section 9.

(a) Both during the Employment Period and thereafter, except as expressly permitted by this Agreement or by directive of the Board, Employee shall not disclose any Confidential Information to any person or entity and shall not use any Confidential Information except for the benefit of the Company Group. Employee acknowledges and agrees that Employee would inevitably use and disclose Confidential Information in violation of this Section 9 if Employee were to violate any of the covenants set forth in Section 10. Employee shall follow all Company policies and protocols regarding the physical security of all documents and other materials containing Confidential Information (regardless of the medium on which Confidential Information is stored). The covenants of this Section 9(a) shall apply to all Confidential Information, whether now known or later to become known to Employee during the period that Employee is employed by or affiliated with the Company or any other member of the Company Group.

(b) Notwithstanding any provision of Section 9(a) to the contrary, Employee may make the following disclosures and uses of Confidential Information:

(i) disclosures to other employees of the Company Group who have a need to know the information in connection with the businesses of the Company Group;

(ii) disclosures to customers and suppliers when, in the reasonable and good faith belief of Employee, such disclosure is in connection with Employee’s performance of Employee’s duties under this Agreement and is in the best interests of the Company Group;

(iii) disclosures and uses that are approved in writing by the Board; or

(iv) disclosures to a person or entity that has (x) been retained by a member of the Company Group to provide services to one or more members of the Company Group and (y) agreed in writing to abide by the terms of a confidentiality agreement.

(c) Upon the expiration of the Employment Period, and at any other time upon request of the Company, Employee shall promptly surrender and deliver to the Company all documents (including electronically stored information) and all copies thereof and all other materials of any nature containing or pertaining to all Confidential Information and any other Company Group property (including any Company Group-issued computer, mobile device or other equipment) in Employee’s possession, custody or control and Employee shall not retain any such documents or other materials or property of the Company Group. Within ten (10) days of any such request, Employee shall certify to the Company in writing that all such documents, materials and property have been returned to the Company.

 

8


(d) All trade secrets, non-public information, designs, ideas, concepts, improvements, product developments, discoveries and inventions, whether patentable or not, that are conceived, made, developed or acquired by or disclosed to Employee, individually or in conjunction with others, during the period that Employee is employed by the Company or any other member of the Company Group (whether during business hours or otherwise and whether on the Company’s premises or otherwise) that relate to any member of the Company Group’s businesses or properties, products or services (including all such information relating to corporate opportunities, operations, future plans, methods of doing business, business plans, strategies for developing business and market share, research, financial and sales data, pricing terms, evaluations, opinions, interpretations, acquisition prospects, the identity of customers or acquisition targets or their requirements, the identity of key contacts within customers’ organizations or within the organization of acquisition prospects, or marketing and merchandising techniques, prospective names and marks) is defined as “Confidential Information.” Moreover, all documents, videotapes, written presentations, brochures, drawings, memoranda, notes, records, files, correspondence, manuals, models, specifications, computer programs, e-mail, voice mail, electronic databases, maps, drawings, architectural renditions, models and all other writings or materials of any type including or embodying any of such information, ideas, concepts, improvements, discoveries, inventions and other similar forms of expression are and shall be the sole and exclusive property of the Company Group and be subject to the same restrictions on disclosure applicable to all Confidential Information pursuant to this Agreement. For purposes of this Agreement, Confidential Information shall not include any information that (i) is or becomes generally available to the public other than as a result of a disclosure or wrongful act of Employee or any of Employee’s agents; (ii) was available to Employee on a non-confidential basis before its disclosure by a member of the Company Group; or (iii) becomes available to Employee on a non-confidential basis from a source other than a member of the Company Group; provided, however, that such source is not bound by a confidentiality agreement with, or other obligation with respect to confidentiality to, a member of the Company Group.

(e) Nothing in this Agreement shall prohibit or restrict Employee from lawfully (i) initiating communications directly with, cooperating with, providing information to, causing information to be provided to, or otherwise assisting in an investigation by any governmental or regulatory agency, entity, or official(s) (collectively, “Governmental Authorities”) regarding a possible violation of any law; (ii) responding to any inquiry or legal process directed to Employee individually from any such Governmental Authorities; (iii) testifying, participating or otherwise assisting in an action or proceeding by any such Governmental Authorities relating to a possible violation of law; (iv) making any other disclosures that are protected under the whistleblower provisions of any applicable law; or (v) making disclosures to Employee’s retained attorneys for the purposes of seeking legal advice as to Employee’s rights and obligations under this Agreement and/or relating to legal recourse for possible violations of this Agreement or any law by the Company. Additionally, pursuant to the federal Defend Trade Secrets Act of 2016, Employee shall not be held criminally or civilly liable under any federal or state trade secret law for the disclosure of a trade secret that: (i) is made (A) in confidence to a federal, state, or local government official, either directly or indirectly, or to an attorney; and (B) solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law; or (ii) is made to Employee’s attorney in relation to a lawsuit for retaliation against Employee for reporting a suspected violation of law; or (iii) is made in a complaint or other document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding, if such filing is made under seal. Nor does this Agreement require Employee to obtain prior authorization from any member of the Company Group before engaging in any conduct described in this Section 9(e), or to notify any member of the Company Group that Employee has engaged in any such conduct.

 

9


10. Non-Competition; Non-Solicitation.

(a) The Company shall provide Employee access to Confidential Information for use only during the Employment Period, and Employee acknowledges and agrees that the Company Group will be entrusting Employee, in Employee’s unique and special capacity, with developing the goodwill of the Company Group, and in consideration of the Company providing Employee with access to Confidential Information and as an express incentive for the Company to enter into this Agreement and employ Employee, Employee has voluntarily agreed to the covenants set forth in this Section 10. Employee agrees and acknowledges that the limitations and restrictions set forth herein, including geographical and temporal restrictions on certain competitive activities, are reasonable in all respects, will not cause Employee undue hardship, and are material and substantial parts of this Agreement intended and necessary to prevent unfair competition and to protect the Company Group’s Confidential Information, goodwill and legitimate business interests.

(b) Subject to Section 10(f), during the Prohibited Period, Employee shall not, without the prior written approval of the Board, directly or indirectly, for Employee or on behalf of or in conjunction with any other person or entity of any nature, directly or indirectly:

(i) within the Market Area, solicit the sale of goods, services, or a combination of goods and services from the established customers of any member of the Company Group; or

(ii) solicit, canvass, approach, encourage, entice or induce any employee or independent contractor of the Company Group to terminate his, her or its employment or engagement with any member of the Company Group.

(c) Because of the difficulty of measuring economic losses to the Company Group as a result of a breach or threatened breach of the covenants set forth in Section 9 and in this Section 10, and because of the immediate and irreparable damage that would be caused to the members of the Company Group for which they would have no other adequate remedy, the Company and each other member of the Company Group shall be entitled to enforce the foregoing covenants, in the event of a breach or threatened breach, by injunctions and restraining orders from any court of competent jurisdiction, without the necessity of showing any actual damages or that money damages would not afford an adequate remedy, and without the necessity of posting any bond or other security. The aforementioned equitable relief shall not be the Company’s or any other member of the Company Group’s exclusive remedy for a breach but instead shall be in addition to all other rights and remedies available to the Company and each other member of the Company Group at law and equity.

 

10


(d) The covenants in this Section 10, and each provision and portion hereof, are severable and separate, and the unenforceability of any specific covenant (or portion thereof) shall not affect the provisions of any other covenant (or portion thereof). Moreover, in the event any arbitrator or court of competent jurisdiction shall determine that the scope, time or territorial restrictions set forth are unreasonable, then it is the intention of the parties that such restrictions be enforced to the fullest extent which such arbitrator or court deems reasonable, and this Agreement shall thereby be reformed.

(e) The following terms shall have the following meanings:

(i) “Market Area” shall mean the Oklahoma counties of Canadian, Carter, Cleveland, Garvin, Grady, Kingfisher, McClain, and Stephens, and any other county located within the Merge/SCOOP/STACK play in the Anadarko Basin.

(ii) “Prohibited Period” shall mean the period during which Employee is employed by any member of the Company Group and continuing for a period of twenty-four (24) months following the date that Employee is no longer employed by any member of the Company Group.

(f) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, in the event Employee becomes no longer employed by any member of the Company Group due to (i) the Company’s (or another member of the Company Group’s, as applicable) termination of Employee’s employment without Cause or (ii) Employee’s resignation for Good Reason and, in each case, such termination or resignation (A) is due to a Change in Control and (B) occurs within six (6) months following the Effective Date, then the terms of Section 10(b)(i) above shall no longer apply following the Termination Date.

11. Ownership of Intellectual Property. Employee agrees that the Company shall own, and Employee hereby assigns, all right, title and interest (including patent rights, copyrights, trade secret rights, mask work rights, trademark rights, and all other intellectual and industrial property rights of any sort throughout the world) relating to any and all inventions (whether or not patentable), works of authorship, mask works, designs, know-how, ideas and information authored, created, contributed to, made or conceived or reduced to practice, in whole or in part, by Employee during the period in which Employee is or has been employed by or affiliated with the Company or any other member of the Company Group that either (a) relate, at the time of conception, reduction to practice, creation, derivation or development, to any member of the Company Group’s businesses or actual or anticipated research or development, or (b) were developed on any amount of the Company’s or any other member of the Company Group’s time or with the use of any member of the Company Group’s equipment, supplies, facilities or trade secret information (all of the foregoing collectively referred to herein as “Company Intellectual Property”), and Employee shall promptly disclose all Company Intellectual Property to the Company. All of Employee’s works of authorship and associated copyrights created during the period in which Employee is employed by or affiliated with the Company or any member of the Company Group and in the scope of Employee’s employment shall be deemed to be “works made for hire” within the meaning of the Copyright Act. Employee shall perform, during and after the period in which Employee is or has been employed by or affiliated with the Company or any other member of the Company Group, all reasonable acts deemed necessary by the Company to assist the Company Group, at the Company’s expense, in obtaining and enforcing its rights throughout the world in the Company Intellectual Property. Such acts may include execution of documents and assistance or cooperation (i) in the filing, prosecution, registration, and memorialization of assignment of any applicable patents, copyrights, mask work, or other applications, (ii) in the enforcement of any applicable patents, copyrights, mask work, moral rights, trade secrets, or other proprietary rights, and (iii) in other legal proceedings related to the Company Intellectual Property.

 

11


12. Arbitration.

(a) Subject to Section 12(b), any dispute, controversy or claim between Employee and the Company arising out of or relating to this Agreement or Employee’s employment with the Company will be finally settled by arbitration in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma in accordance with the then-existing American Arbitration Association (“AAA”) Employment Arbitration Rules. The arbitration award shall be final and binding on both parties. Any arbitration conducted under this Section 12 shall be heard by a single arbitrator (the “Arbitrator”) selected in accordance with the then-applicable rules of the AAA. With the exception of the initial AAA filing fee, all other fees of the AAA and the Arbitrator shall be paid exclusively by the Company. The Arbitrator shall expeditiously hear and decide all matters concerning the dispute. Except as expressly provided to the contrary in this Agreement, the Arbitrator shall have the power to (i) gather such materials, information, testimony and evidence as the Arbitrator deems relevant to the dispute before him or her (and each party will provide such materials, information, testimony and evidence requested by the Arbitrator), and (ii) grant injunctive relief and enforce specific performance. The decision of the Arbitrator shall be reasoned, rendered in writing, be final and binding upon the disputing parties and the parties agree that judgment upon the award may be entered by any court of competent jurisdiction. This Section 12 shall be enforceable pursuant to the Federal Arbitration Act, 9 U.S.C. §1 et seq.

(b) Notwithstanding Section 12(a), either party may make a timely application for, and obtain, judicial emergency or temporary injunctive relief to enforce any of the provisions of Sections 9 through 11; provided, however, that the remainder of any such dispute (beyond the application for emergency or temporary injunctive relief) shall be subject to arbitration under this Section 12.

(c) By entering into this Agreement and entering into the arbitration provisions of this Section 12, THE PARTIES EXPRESSLY ACKNOWLEDGE AND AGREE THAT THEY ARE KNOWINGLY, VOLUNTARILY AND INTENTIONALLY WAIVING THEIR RIGHTS TO A JURY TRIAL.

(d) Nothing in this Section 12 shall prohibit a party to this Agreement from (i) instituting litigation to enforce any arbitration award, or (ii) joining the other party to this Agreement in a litigation initiated by a person or entity that is not a party to this Agreement. This Section 12 does not prevent Employee from filing a charge or complaint with a federal, state or other governmental administrative agency.

13. Defense of Claims. During the Employment Period and thereafter, upon request from the Company, Employee shall make reasonable efforts to cooperate with the Company Group in the defense of any claims or actions that may be made by or against any member of the Company Group that relate to Employee’s actual or prior areas of responsibility. The Company will reimburse Employee for any out-of-pocket costs reasonably incurred by Employee in providing such cooperation, including any such reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs.

 

12


14. Withholdings; Deductions. The Company may withhold and deduct from any benefits and payments made or to be made pursuant to this Agreement (a) all federal, state, local and other taxes as may be required pursuant to any law or governmental regulation or ruling and (b) any deductions consented to in advance in writing by Employee.

15. Title and Headings; Construction. Titles and headings to sections hereof are for the purpose of reference only and shall in no way limit, define or otherwise affect the provisions hereof. Any and all Exhibits or Attachments referred to in this Agreement are, by such reference, incorporated herein and made a part hereof for all purposes. Unless the context requires otherwise, all references herein to an agreement, instrument or other document shall be deemed to refer to such agreement, instrument or other document as amended, supplemented, modified and restated from time to time to the extent permitted by the provisions thereof. All references to “dollars” or “$” in this Agreement refer to United States dollars. The words “herein”, “hereof”, “hereunder” and other compounds of the word “here” shall refer to the entire Agreement, including all Exhibits attached hereto, and not to any particular provision hereof. Wherever the context so requires, the masculine gender includes the feminine or neuter, and the singular number includes the plural and conversely. All references to “including” shall be construed as meaning “including without limitation.” Neither this Agreement nor any uncertainty or ambiguity herein shall be construed or resolved against any party hereto, whether under any rule of construction or otherwise. On the contrary, this Agreement has been reviewed by each of the parties hereto and shall be construed and interpreted according to the ordinary meaning of the words used so as to fairly accomplish the purposes and intentions of the parties hereto.

16. Applicable Law; Submission to Jurisdiction. This Agreement shall in all respects be construed according to the laws of the State of Delaware without regard to its conflict of laws principles that would result in the application of the laws of another jurisdiction. With respect to any claim or dispute related to or arising under this Agreement, the parties hereby consent to the arbitration provisions of Section 12 and recognize and agree that should any resort to a court be necessary and permitted under this Agreement, then they consent to the jurisdiction, forum and venue of the state and federal courts (as applicable) located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

17. Entire Agreement and Amendment. This Agreement (and with respect to Section 3(c), the Management Incentive Plan and any applicable award agreements) contain the entire agreement of the parties with respect to the matters covered herein and supersede all prior and contemporaneous agreements and understandings, oral or written, between the parties hereto concerning the subject matter hereof. This Agreement may be amended only by a written instrument executed by both parties hereto.

18. Waiver of Breach. Any waiver of this Agreement must be executed by the party to be bound by such waiver. No waiver by either party hereto of a breach of any provision of this Agreement by the other party, or of compliance with any condition or provision of this Agreement to be performed by such other party, will operate or be construed as a waiver of any subsequent breach by such other party or any similar or dissimilar provision or condition at the same or any subsequent time. The failure of either party hereto to take any action by reason of any breach will not deprive such party of the right to take action at any time.

 

13


19. Assignment. This Agreement is personal to Employee, and neither this Agreement nor any rights or obligations hereunder shall be assignable or otherwise transferred by Employee. The Company may assign this Agreement without Employee’s consent to any member of the Company Group and to any successor (whether by merger, purchase or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the equity, assets or businesses of the Company.

20. Notices. Notices provided for in this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly received (a) when delivered in person, (b) when sent by facsimile transmission (with confirmation of transmission) on a Business Day to the number set forth below, if applicable; provided, however, that if a notice is sent by facsimile transmission after normal business hours of the recipient or on a non-Business Day, then it shall be deemed to have been received on the next Business Day after it is sent, (c) on the first Business Day after such notice is sent by express overnight courier service, or (d) on the second Business Day following deposit with an internationally-recognized second-day courier service with proof of receipt maintained, in each case, to the following address, as applicable:

If to the Company, addressed to:

Roan Resources LLC

14701 Hertz Quail Springs Pkwy

Oklahoma City, OK 73134

If to Employee, addressed to the last address Employee has filed with the Company.

21. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, including by electronic mail or facsimile, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be an original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute one and the same instrument. Each counterpart may consist of a copy hereof containing multiple signature pages, each signed by one party, but together signed by both parties hereto.

22. Deemed Resignations. Except as otherwise determined by the Board or as otherwise agreed to in writing by Employee and any member of the Company Group prior to the termination of Employee’s employment with the Company or any member of the Company Group, any termination of Employee’s employment shall constitute, as applicable, an automatic resignation of Employee: (a) as an officer of the Company and each member of the Company Group; (b) from the Board; and (c) from the board of directors or board of managers (or similar governing body) of any member of the Company Group and from the board of directors or board of managers (or similar governing body) of any corporation, limited liability entity, unlimited liability entity or other entity in which any member of the Company Group holds an equity interest and with respect to which board of directors or board of managers (or similar governing body) Employee serves as such Company Group member’s designee or other representative.

23. Section 409A.

(a) Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, all provisions of this Agreement are intended to comply with Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), and the applicable Treasury regulations and administrative guidance issued thereunder (collectively, “Section 409A”) or an exemption

 

14


therefrom and shall be construed and administered in accordance with such intent. Any payments under this Agreement that may be excluded from Section 409A either as separation pay due to an involuntary separation from service or as a short-term deferral shall be excluded from Section 409A to the maximum extent possible. For purposes of Section 409A, each installment payment provided under this Agreement shall be treated as a separate payment. Any payments to be made under this Agreement upon a termination of Employee’s employment shall only be made if such termination of employment constitutes a “separation from service” under Section 409A.

(b) To the extent that any right to reimbursement of expenses or payment of any benefit in-kind under this Agreement constitutes nonqualified deferred compensation (within the meaning of Section 409A), (i) any such expense reimbursement shall be made by the Company no later than the last day of the taxable year following the taxable year in which such expense was incurred by Employee, (ii) the right to reimbursement or in-kind benefits shall not be subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit, and (iii) the amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement or in-kind benefits provided during any taxable year shall not affect the expenses eligible for reimbursement or in-kind benefits to be provided in any other taxable year; provided, that the foregoing clause shall not be violated with regard to expenses reimbursed under any arrangement covered by Section 105(b) of the Code solely because such expenses are subject to a limit related to the period in which the arrangement is in effect.

(c) Notwithstanding any provision in this Agreement to the contrary, if any payment or benefit provided for herein would be subject to additional taxes and interest under Section 409A if Employee’s receipt of such payment or benefit is not delayed until the earlier of (i) the date of Employee’s death or (ii) the date that is six (6) months after the Termination Date (such date, the “Section 409A Payment Date”), then such payment or benefit shall not be provided to Employee (or Employee’s estate, if applicable) until the Section 409A Payment Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company makes no representations that the payments and benefits provided under this Agreement are exempt from, or compliant with, Section 409A and in no event shall any member of the Company Group be liable for all or any portion of any taxes, penalties, interest or other expenses that may be incurred by Employee on account of non-compliance with Section 409A.

24. Certain Excise Taxes. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, if Employee is a “disqualified individual” (as defined in Section 280G(c) of the Code), and the payments and benefits provided for in this Agreement, together with any other payments and benefits which Employee has the right to receive from the Company or any of its affiliates, would constitute a “parachute payment” (as defined in Section 280G(b)(2) of the Code), then the payments and benefits provided for in this Agreement shall be either (a) reduced (but not below zero) so that the present value of such total amounts and benefits received by Employee from the Company or any of its affiliates shall be one dollar ($1.00) less than three times Employee’s “base amount” (as defined in Section 280G(b)(3) of the Code) and so that no portion of such amounts and benefits received by Employee shall be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code or (b) paid in full, whichever produces the better net after-tax position to Employee (taking into account any applicable excise tax under Section 4999 of the Code and any other applicable taxes). The reduction of payments and benefits hereunder, if applicable, shall be made by reducing, first, payments or benefits to be paid in cash hereunder in the order in which such payment or benefit would be paid or provided (beginning with such payment or benefit that would

 

15


be made last in time and continuing, to the extent necessary, through to such payment or benefit that would be made first in time) and, then, reducing any benefit to be provided in-kind hereunder in a similar order. The determination as to whether any such reduction in the amount of the payments and benefits provided hereunder is necessary shall be made by the Company in good faith. If a reduced payment or benefit is made or provided and through error or otherwise that payment or benefit, when aggregated with other payments and benefits from the Company or any of its affiliates used in determining if a “parachute payment” exists, exceeds one dollar ($1.00) less than three times Employee’s base amount, then Employee shall immediately repay such excess to the Company upon notification that an overpayment has been made. Nothing in this Section 24 shall require the Company to be responsible for, or have any liability or obligation with respect to, Employee’s excise tax liabilities under Section 4999 of the Code.

25. Clawback. To the extent required by applicable law or any applicable securities exchange listing standards, or as otherwise determined by the Board (or a committee thereof), amounts paid or payable under this Agreement shall be subject to the provisions of any applicable clawback policies or procedures adopted by the Company, which clawback policies or procedures may provide for forfeiture and/or recoupment of amounts paid or payable under this Agreement. Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, the Company reserves the right, without the consent of Employee, to adopt any such clawback policies and procedures, including such policies and procedures applicable to this Agreement with retroactive effect..

26. Effect of Termination. The provisions of Sections 7, 9-14, 22 and 25 and those provisions necessary to interpret and enforce them, shall survive any termination of this Agreement and any termination of the employment relationship between Employee and the Company.

27. Third-Party Beneficiaries. Each member of the Company Group that is not a signatory to this Agreement shall be a third-party beneficiary of Employee’s obligations under Sections 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 and shall be entitled to enforce such obligations as if a party hereto.

28. Severability. If an arbitrator or court of competent jurisdiction determines that any provision of this Agreement (or portion thereof) is invalid or unenforceable, then the invalidity or unenforceability of that provision (or portion thereof) shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement, and all other provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

[Remainder of Page Intentionally Blank;

Signature Page Follows]

 

16


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Employee and the Company each have caused this Agreement to be executed and effective as of the Effective Date.

 

EMPLOYEE

/s/ Richard Gideon

Richard Gideon
ROAN RESOURCES LLC
By:  

/s/ Joseph A. Mills

 

Joseph A. Mills

Executive Chairman

Solely for purposes of Sections 3(c), 3(d) and 12,
ROAN RESOURCES, INC.
By:  

/s/ Joseph A. Mills

 

Joseph A. Mills

Executive Chairman

SIGNATURE PAGE TO

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

EXHIBIT 10.4

INDEMNITY AGREEMENT

THIS INDEMNITY AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”) is made and entered into as of September 29, 2019 (the “Effective Date”) between Roan Resources, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and Richard A. Gideon (the “Indemnitee”).

WITNESSETH THAT:

A. Experienced and competent persons have become more reluctant to serve companies as directors, managers or officers unless they are provided with adequate protection through insurance or adequate indemnification against inordinate risks of claims and actions against them arising out of their service to and activities on behalf of the entity;

B. The Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) has determined that, in order to attract and retain qualified individuals, the Company will attempt to maintain on an ongoing basis, at its sole expense, liability insurance to protect persons serving the Company and its subsidiaries from certain liabilities. The Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and the Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company, as each may be amended from time to time (the “Organizational Documents”), require indemnification of the officers, managers and directors of the Company. The Organizational Documents state that the indemnification provisions contained therein are in addition to any other indemnification rights of the Indemnitee under any other agreement;

C. Section 145 of the General Corporation Law of Delaware permits the Company to indemnify and advance defense costs to its officers and directors and to indemnify and advance expenses to persons who serve at the request of the Company as directors, officers, employees, or agents of other corporations or enterprises;

D. It is reasonable, prudent and necessary for the Company to contractually obligate itself to indemnify, and to advance Expenses on behalf of, such persons so that they will serve or continue to serve the Company free from undue concern that they will not be so indemnified;

E. This Agreement is supplemental to the Organizational Documents of the Company and any resolutions adopted pursuant thereto, and shall not be deemed a substitute therefor, nor to diminish or abrogate any rights of the Indemnitee thereunder;

F. The Indemnitee is willing to serve, or to continue to serve, or to take on additional service for, the Company or its affiliates or other Enterprise (as defined below) as a director on condition that the Indemnitee be indemnified, and in consideration for being indemnified, as provided for in this Agreement.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the Indemnitee’s agreement to serve or continue to serve as a director after the date hereof, the parties hereto agree as follows:

1. Definitions. For purposes of this Agreement:

(a) “Chancery Court” means the Delaware Court of Chancery.


(b) “Change of Control” means a change in control of the Company occurring after the Effective Date of a nature that would be required to be reported in response to Item 5.01 of Current Report on Form 8-K (or in response to any similar item on any similar schedule or form) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Act”), whether or not the Company is then subject to such reporting requirement; provided, however, that, without limitation, a Change of Control shall be deemed to have occurred if after the Effective Date (i) any “person” (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Act) becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing greater than fifty percent (50%) or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities without the prior approval of at least two-thirds of the members of the Board of Directors in office immediately prior to such person attaining such percentage; (ii) the Company is a party to a merger, consolidation, sale of assets or other reorganization, or a proxy contest, as a consequence of which members of the Board of Directors in office immediately prior to such transaction or event constitute less than a majority of the Board of Directors thereafter; or (iii) during any period of two consecutive years, individuals who at the beginning of such period constituted the Board of Directors (including for this purpose any new director whose election or nomination for election by the Company’s shareholders was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the directors then still in office who were directors at the beginning of such period) cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board of Directors.

(c) “Disinterested Director” means a director of the Company who is not and was not a party to the Proceeding in respect of which indemnification is sought by the Indemnitee.

(d) “Enterprise” shall mean the Company and any other limited liability company, corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise that the Indemnitee is or was serving at the express written request of the Company as a director, manager, officer, employee, agent or fiduciary.

(e) “Enterprise Fiduciary” means a person who is or was serving as a director, manager, officer, employee or agent of an Enterprise, or, while serving as a director, manager, officer, employee or agent of an Enterprise, is or was serving as a tax matters partner of the Company or, at the request of the Company, as a director, manager, officer, tax matters partner, employee, partner, manager, fiduciary or trustee of any affiliate of the Company or any other Enterprise.

(f) “Expenses” shall include all direct and indirect costs including, but not limited to, reasonable attorneys’ fees, retainers, court costs, transcript costs, fees of experts, witness fees, advisory fees, travel expenses, duplicating costs, printing and binding costs, telephone charges, postage, delivery service fees, bond premiums, the costs of collecting, processing, producing, and hosting electronic materials and documents, and all other disbursements or expenses of the types customarily incurred in connection with prosecuting, defending, preparing to prosecute or defend, investigating, participating, or being or preparing to be a witness in a Proceeding. Expenses also shall include expenses incurred in connection with any appeal resulting from any Proceeding, including without limitation the premium, security for, and other costs relating to any cost bond, supersedeas bond, or other appeal bond or its equivalent. The parties agree that for the purposes of any advancement of Expenses for which Indemnitee has made written request to the Company in accordance with this Agreement, all Expenses included in such request that are certified by affidavit of Indemnitee’s counsel as being reasonable shall be presumed conclusively to be reasonable.

 

2


(g) “Final Adjudication” shall mean a final judicial decision from which there is no further right to appeal.

(h) “Independent Counsel” means a law firm, or a member of a law firm, that is experienced in matters of public companies, fiduciary duties, indemnity matters and corporation and limited liability company law, and neither presently is, nor in the past five years has been, retained to represent: (i) the Company or the Indemnitee in any matter material to either such party (other than with respect to matters concerning the Indemnitee under this Agreement, or of other indemnitees under similar indemnification agreements), or (ii) any other party to the Proceeding giving rise to a claim for indemnification hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term “Independent Counsel” shall not include any person who, under the applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing, would have a conflict of interest in representing either the Company or the Indemnitee in an action to determine the Indemnitee’s rights under this Agreement, unless the party with whom counsel had a conflict of interest agrees, in such party’s sole discretion, to waive such conflict. The Company agrees to pay the reasonable fees of the Independent Counsel referred to above.

(i) “Proceeding” includes any threatened, pending or completed action, suit, arbitration, alternate dispute resolution mechanism, investigation (including any corporate internal investigation), inquiry, administrative hearing or any other actual, threatened or completed proceeding, whether brought by or in the right of the Company or otherwise and whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, in which the Indemnitee was, is or will be involved as a party, witness or otherwise, by reason of the fact that the Indemnitee is or was an Enterprise Fiduciary, by reason of any action taken by the Indemnitee or of any inaction on the Indemnitee’s part while acting as an Enterprise Fiduciary, or by reason of the fact that the Indemnitee is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, manager, officer, employee, agent or fiduciary of another limited liability company, corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other Enterprise; in each case whether or not the Indemnitee is acting or serving in any such capacity at the time any liability or expense is incurred for which indemnification can be provided under this Agreement; including one pending on or before the date of this Agreement, but excluding one initiated by the Indemnitee pursuant to Section 8 of this Agreement to enforce the Indemnitee’s rights under this Agreement.

2. Indemnification of the Indemnitee. The Company hereby agrees to indemnify the Indemnitee to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Delaware law as it currently exists and to such greater extent as applicable law may hereafter permit, with respect to claims asserted from and after the Effective Date, which claims relate to any act or alleged act of Indemnitee, or other event, regardless of whether any such act, alleged act or event occurred prior to or after the Effective Date, but subject to the limitations expressly provided in this Agreement. The Company shall be deemed to have requested the Indemnitee to serve as fiduciary of an employee benefit plan whenever the performance by the Indemnitee to the Company also imposes duties on, or otherwise involves services by the Indemnitee to the plan or participants or beneficiaries of the plan. In such case, the Indemnitee shall be deemed to be an “Enterprise Fiduciary.” Excise taxes assessed on the Indemnitee with respect to an employee benefit plan pursuant to applicable law shall constitute “fines” within the meaning of Sections 2(a) and 2(b). In furtherance of the foregoing indemnification, and without limiting the generality thereof:

 

3


(a) Proceedings Other Than Proceedings by or in the Right of the Company. The Indemnitee shall be entitled to the rights of indemnification provided in this Section 2(a) to the extent that the Indemnitee was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to, or otherwise requires representation of counsel in connection with, any Proceeding (other than an action by or in the right of the Company which is governed by Section 2(b) below) by reason of the fact that the Indemnitee is or was an Enterprise Fiduciary or by reason of any action alleged to have been taken or omitted in such capacity, against losses, Expenses, judgments, fines, damages, penalties, interest, liabilities and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by the Indemnitee in connection with such Proceeding if the Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner the Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe that the Indemnitee’s conduct was unlawful. The termination of any Proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that the Indemnitee did not act in good faith and in a manner which the Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe that the Indemnitee’s conduct was unlawful.

(b) Proceedings by or in the Right of the Company. The Indemnitee shall be entitled to the rights of indemnification provided in this Section 2(b) to the extent that the Indemnitee was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to, or otherwise requires representation of counsel in connection with, any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, by or in the right of the Company to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that the Indemnitee was or is an Enterprise Fiduciary, or by reason of any action alleged to have been taken or omitted in such capacity, against losses, Expenses, judgments, fines, damages, penalties, interest, liabilities and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by the Indemnitee in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if the Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner the Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company and except that no indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which the Indemnitee shall have been adjudged to be liable to the Company unless and only to the extent that the Indemnitee obtains a Final Adjudication that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, the Indemnitee is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such losses, Expenses, judgments, fines, damages, penalties, interest, liabilities or amounts paid in settlement, as applicable. Action taken or omitted by the Indemnitee with respect to any employee benefit plan in the performance of the Indemnitee’s duties for a purpose reasonably believed by the Indemnitee to be in the interest of the participants and beneficiaries of the plan shall be deemed to be for a purpose that is in, or not opposed to, the best interests of the Company.

(c) Indemnification for Expenses of a Party Who is Wholly or Partly Successful. To the extent that the Indemnitee is successful, on the merits or otherwise, in any Proceeding, the Indemnitee shall be indemnified with respect to Expenses to the maximum extent permitted by this Agreement and by Delaware law if greater, against all Expenses actually and

 

4


reasonably incurred by the Indemnitee or on the Indemnitee’s behalf in connection with the successful resolution of a Proceeding. If the Indemnitee is not wholly successful in such Proceeding but is successful, on the merits or otherwise, as to one or more but less than all claims, issues or matters in such Proceeding, the Company shall indemnify the Indemnitee against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by the Indemnitee or on the Indemnitee’s behalf in connection with each successfully resolved claim, issue or matter. For purposes of this Section and without limitation, the termination of any claim, issue or matter in such a Proceeding by dismissal, with or without prejudice, shall be deemed to be a successful result as to such claim, issue or matter.

3. Insurance.

(a) If available, the Company shall maintain an insurance policy or policies providing liability insurance for Enterprise Fiduciaries which is at least as favorable to the Indemnitee as the policy in effect on the Effective Date and for so long as the Indemnitee’s services are covered pursuant to this Agreement, regardless of whether the Company would have the power to indemnify such Enterprise Fiduciaries against such liability under the provisions of this Agreement; provided and to the extent that such insurance is available on a reasonable commercial basis, as determined by the Board. To the extent that the Company maintains an insurance policy or policies providing liability insurance for its Enterprise Fiduciaries, the Indemnitee shall be covered by such policy or policies to the maximum extent permitted under its or their terms. However, the Indemnitee shall continue to be entitled to the indemnification rights provided pursuant to this Agreement regardless of whether liability or other insurance coverage is at any time obtained or retained by the Company.

(b) In the event of and immediately upon a Change of Control, Company (or any successor to the interests of Company by way of merger, sale of assets, or otherwise) shall be obligated to continue, procure, and otherwise maintain in effect for a period of six (6) years from the date on which such Change of Control is effective a policy or policies of insurance (which may be a “tail” policy) (the “Change of Control Coverage”) providing Indemnitee with coverage for losses from alleged wrongful acts occurring on or before the effective date of the Change of Control. If such insurance is in place immediately prior to the Change of Control, then the Change of Control Coverage shall contain limits, retentions or deductibles, terms and exclusions that are no less favorable to Indemnitee than those set forth above. Each policy evidencing the Change of Control Coverage shall be non-cancellable by the insurer except for non-payment of premium. No such policy shall contain any provision that limits or impacts adversely any right or privilege of Indemnitee given by this Agreement.

4. Contribution.

(a) Whether or not the indemnification provided in Sections 2 and 3 hereof is available, in respect of any Proceeding in which the Company is jointly liable with the Indemnitee (or would be if joined in such Proceeding), the Company shall pay, in the first instance, the entire amount of any judgment or settlement of such action, suit or proceeding without requiring the Indemnitee to contribute to such payment and the Company hereby waives and relinquishes any right of contribution it may have against the Indemnitee. The Company shall not enter into a settlement of any Proceeding in which the Company is jointly liable with the Indemnitee (or would be if joined in such Proceeding) unless such settlement provides for a full and final release of all claims asserted against the Indemnitee.

 

5


(b) Without diminishing or impairing the obligations of the Company set forth in Section 4(a), if, for any reason, the Indemnitee shall elect or be required to pay all or any portion of any judgment or settlement in any Proceeding in which the Company is jointly liable with the Indemnitee (or would be if joined in such Proceeding), the Company shall contribute to the amount of Expense, judgments, fines and settlements actually and reasonably incurred and paid or payable by the Indemnitee in proportion to the relative benefits received by the Company and all officers, directors, managers or employees of the Company, other than the Indemnitee, who are jointly liable with the Indemnitee (or would be if joined in such Proceeding), on the one hand, and the Indemnitee, on the other hand, from the transaction from which such Proceeding arose; provided, however, that the proportion determined on the basis of relative benefit may, to the extent necessary to conform to law, be further adjusted by reference to the relative fault of the Company and all officers, directors, managers or employees of the Company other than the Indemnitee who are jointly liable with the Indemnitee (or would be if joined in such Proceeding), on the one hand, and the Indemnitee, on the other hand, in connection with the events that resulted in such Expense, judgments, fines or settlement amounts, as well as any other equitable considerations which the law may require to be considered. The relative fault of the Company and all officers, directors, managers or employees of the Company, other than the Indemnitee, who are jointly liable with the Indemnitee (or would be if joined in such Proceeding), on the one hand, and the Indemnitee, on the other hand, shall be determined by reference to, among other things, the degree to which their actions were motivated by intent to gain personal profit or advantage, the degree to which their liability is primary or secondary and the degree to which their conduct is active or passive.

(c) To the fullest extent permissible under applicable law, if the indemnification provided for in this Agreement is unavailable to the Indemnitee for any reason whatsoever, the Company, in lieu of indemnifying the Indemnitee, shall contribute to the amount incurred by the Indemnitee, whether for judgments, fines, penalties, excise taxes, amounts paid or to be paid in settlement and/or for Expenses, in connection with any claim relating to an indemnifiable event under this Agreement, in such proportion as is deemed fair and reasonable in light of all of the circumstances of such Proceeding in order to reflect (i) the relative benefits received by the Company and the Indemnitee as a result of the event(s) and/or transaction(s) giving cause to such Proceeding; and/or (ii) the relative fault of the Company (and its directors, managers, officers, employees and agents) and the Indemnitee in connection with such event(s) and/or transaction(s).

5. Indemnification for Expenses of a Witness. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, to the extent that the Indemnitee is, by reason of the Indemnitee’s status as an Enterprise Fiduciary or a former Enterprise Fiduciary, a witness in any Proceeding to which the Indemnitee is not a party, the Indemnitee shall be indemnified by the Company against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by the Indemnitee or on the Indemnitee’s behalf in connection therewith.

 

6


6. Advancement of Expenses.

(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Company shall advance all Expenses incurred by or on behalf of the Indemnitee in connection with any Proceeding to the fullest permitted by applicable Delaware law by reason of the fact that the Indemnitee is or was an Enterprise Fiduciary, within 20 days after the receipt by the Company of a statement or statements from the Indemnitee requesting such advance or advances from time to time, whether prior to or after final disposition of such Proceeding. Such statement or statements shall reasonably evidence the Expenses incurred by the Indemnitee and shall include or be preceded or accompanied by an undertaking by or on behalf of the Indemnitee to repay any Expenses advanced if it shall ultimately be determined by a Final Adjudication that the Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified against such Expenses. Indemnitee shall not be required to provide any documentation or information to the extent that the provision thereof would undermine or otherwise jeopardize attorney-client privilege. Any advances and undertakings to repay pursuant to this Section 6 shall be unsecured and interest free.

(b) The indemnification, advancement of Expenses and other provisions of this Section 6 are for the benefit of the Indemnitee, the Indemnitee’s heirs, successors, assigns and administrators and shall not be deemed to create any rights for the benefit of any other persons.

7. Procedures and Presumptions for Determination of Entitlement to Indemnification. It is the intent of this Agreement to secure for the Indemnitee rights of indemnity that are at least as favorable as those rights permitted under the Organizational Documents and public policy of the State of Delaware. Accordingly, the parties agree that the following procedures and presumptions shall apply in the event of any question as to whether the Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification under this Agreement.

(a) To obtain indemnification under this Agreement, the Indemnitee shall submit to the Company a written request, including therein or therewith such documentation and information as is reasonably available to the Indemnitee and is reasonably necessary to determine whether and to what extent the Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification. The Secretary of the Company shall, promptly upon receipt of such a request for indemnification, advise the Board in writing that the Indemnitee has requested indemnification. Any Expenses incurred by the Indemnitee in connection with his request for indemnification hereunder shall be borne by the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any failure or delay in providing such request shall not relieve the Company of any liability that it may have to Indemnitee hereunder unless, and to the extent, that such failure actually prevents the Company from defending or assuming the defense of any such Proceeding.

(b) Upon written request by the Indemnitee for indemnification pursuant to the first sentence of Section 7(a) hereof, a determination with respect to the Indemnitee’s entitlement thereto shall be made in the specific case by one of the following four methods, which shall be at the election of the Board: (i) by a majority vote of the Disinterested Directors, even though less than a quorum, (ii) by a committee of Disinterested Directors designated by a majority vote of the Disinterested Directors, even though less than a quorum, (iii) if there are no Disinterested Directors or if the Disinterested Directors so direct, by Independent Counsel in a written opinion to the Board, a copy of which shall be delivered to the Indemnitee, or (iv) if so directed by the Board, by

 

7


the Company’s shareholders. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that a Change of Control has occurred, a determination with respect to the Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification shall be made by Independent Counsel (selected by Indemnitee) in a written opinion to the Board of Directors of the Company, a copy of which shall be delivered to the Indemnitee.

(c) If the determination of entitlement to indemnification is to be made by Independent Counsel pursuant to Section 7 hereof (except for in the case of a Change of Control), the Independent Counsel shall be selected as provided in this Section 7(c). The Independent Counsel shall be selected by the Board. The Indemnitee may, within 10 days after such written notice of selection shall have been given, deliver to the Company a written objection to such selection; provided, however, that such objection may be asserted only on the ground that the Independent Counsel so selected does not meet the requirements of “Independent Counsel” as defined in Section 1 of this Agreement, and the objection shall set forth with particularity the factual basis of such assertion. Absent a proper and timely objection, the person so selected shall act as Independent Counsel. If a written objection is made and substantiated, the Independent Counsel selected may not serve as Independent Counsel unless and until such objection is withdrawn or a court has determined that such objection is without merit. If, within 20 days after submission by the Indemnitee of a written request for indemnification pursuant to Section 7(a) hereof, no Independent Counsel shall have been selected and not objected to, either the Company or the Indemnitee may petition the Chancery Court for resolution of any objection which shall have been made by the Indemnitee to the Company’s selection of Independent Counsel and/or for the appointment as Independent Counsel of a person selected by the court or by such other person as the court shall designate, and the person with respect to whom all objections are so resolved or the person so appointed shall act as Independent Counsel under Section 7(b) hereof. The Company shall pay any and all reasonable fees and Expenses of Independent Counsel incurred by such Independent Counsel in connection with acting pursuant to Section 7(b) hereof, and the Company shall pay all reasonable fees and Expenses incident to the procedures of this Section 7, regardless of the manner in which such Independent Counsel was selected or appointed.

(d) The Company agrees that if there is a Change in Control of the Company (other than a Change in Control which has been approved by a majority of the Company’s Board of Directors who were directors immediately prior to such Change in Control) then with respect to all matters thereafter arising concerning the rights of the Indemnitee to indemnification under this Agreement or any other agreements, the Organizational Documents or any other document now or hereafter in effect relating to such indemnification, the Company shall seek legal advice only from Independent Counsel selected by Indemnitee. The Company agrees to pay the reasonable fees of the Independent Counsel referred to above and to indemnify fully such counsel against any and all expenses (including attorneys’ fees), claims, liabilities and damages arising out of or relating to this Agreement or its engagement pursuant hereto.

(e) Neither the failure of the Company (including its Disinterested Directors, a committee of such directors, Independent Counsel, or its shareholders) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of a Proceeding that indemnification of the Indemnitee is proper in the circumstances under the applicable standard of conduct set forth in this Agreement, nor an actual determination by the Company (including its Disinterested Directors, a committee of such Disinterested Directors, Independent Counsel, or the Company’s shareholders) that the Indemnitee has not met the applicable standard of conduct shall create a presumption that the

 

8


Indemnitee has not met the applicable standard of conduct, or, in the case of a suit brought by the Indemnitee, be a defense to such suit. In any suit brought by the Indemnitee to enforce a right to indemnification or to an advancement of Expense hereunder, or brought by the Company to recover an advancement of Expense pursuant to the terms of an undertaking, the burden of proving that the Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified or to such advancement of Expense, under this Section 7(e) or otherwise shall be on the Company.

(f) the Indemnitee shall be deemed to have acted in good faith if the Indemnitee’s action or inaction is based on the records or books of account of the Enterprise, including financial statements, or on information supplied to the Indemnitee by the officers or managers of the Enterprise in the course of their duties, or on the advice of legal counsel for the Enterprise or on information or records given or reports made to the Enterprise by an independent certified public accountant or by an appraiser or other expert selected with reasonable care by the Enterprise. In addition, the knowledge and/or actions, or failure to act, of any other director, manager, officer, agent or employee of the Enterprise shall not be imputed to the Indemnitee for purposes of determining the right to indemnification under this Agreement. Whether or not the foregoing provisions of this Section 7(f) are satisfied, it shall in any event be presumed that the Indemnitee has at all times acted in good faith and in a manner the Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company and, with respect to any criminal Proceeding, that the Indemnitee had no cause to believe that the Indemnitee’s conduct was unlawful. Anyone seeking to overcome this presumption shall have the burden of proof and the burden of persuasion by clear and convincing evidence.

(g) the Indemnitee shall cooperate with the person, persons or entity making such determination with respect to the Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification, including providing to such person, persons or entity upon reasonable advance request any documentation or information which is not privileged or otherwise protected from disclosure and which is reasonably available to the Indemnitee and reasonably necessary to such determination. Any Independent Counsel or member of the Board shall act reasonably and in good faith in making a determination regarding the Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification under this Agreement. Any costs or Expense incurred by the Indemnitee in so cooperating with the person, persons or entity making such determination shall be borne by the Company (irrespective of the determination as to the Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification) and the Company hereby indemnifies and agrees to hold the Indemnitee harmless therefrom.

(h) The Company acknowledges that a settlement or other disposition short of final judgment may be successful if it permits a party to avoid expense, delay, distraction, disruption and uncertainty. In the event that any action, claim or proceeding to which the Indemnitee is a party is resolved in any manner other than by adverse judgment against the Indemnitee (including, without limitation, settlement of such action, claim or proceeding with or without payment of money or other consideration) it shall be presumed that the Indemnitee has been successful on the merits or otherwise in such action, suit or proceeding. Anyone seeking to overcome this presumption shall have the burden of proof and the burden of persuasion by clear and convincing evidence.

 

9


(i) The termination of any Proceeding or of any claim, issue or matter therein, by judgment, order, settlement or conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not (except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement) of itself adversely affect the right of the Indemnitee to indemnification or create a presumption that the Indemnitee did not act in good faith and in a manner which the Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company or, with respect to any criminal Proceeding, that the Indemnitee had reasonable cause to believe that the Indemnitee’s conduct was unlawful.

8. Remedies of the Indemnitee.

(a) If a claim under this Agreement is not paid in full by the Company within 60 days after a written claim has been received by the Company, except in the case of a claim for an advancement of Expenses, in which case the applicable period shall be 20 days, the Indemnitee may at any time thereafter bring suit against the Company to recover the unpaid amount of the claim. If successful in whole or in part in any such suit, or in a suit brought by the Company to recover an advancement of Expenses pursuant to the terms of an undertaking, the Indemnitee shall be entitled to be paid also the reasonable Expenses of prosecuting or defending such suit. In any suit brought by the Indemnitee to enforce a right to indemnification hereunder (but not in a suit brought by the Indemnitee to enforce a right to an advancement of Expenses) it shall be a defense that, in accordance with the procedures, presumptions and provisions set forth in this Agreement, the Indemnitee has not met any material applicable standard for indemnification set forth in this Agreement under procedures and provisions set forth herein. In any suit brought by the Company to recover an advancement of Expenses pursuant to the terms of an undertaking, the Company shall be entitled to recover such Expenses upon a Final Adjudication that the Indemnitee has not met any material applicable standard for indemnification set forth in this Agreement at the Effective Date.

(b) In the event that a determination shall have been made pursuant to Section 7(b) of this Agreement that the Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification, any judicial proceeding commenced pursuant to this Section 8 shall be conducted in all respects as a de novo trial on the merits, and the Indemnitee shall not be prejudiced by reason of the adverse determination under Section 7(b).

(c) If a determination shall have been made pursuant to Section 7(b) of this Agreement that the Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, the Company shall be bound by such determination in any judicial proceeding commenced pursuant to this Section 8, absent (i) a misstatement by the Indemnitee of a material fact, or an omission of a material fact necessary to make the Indemnitee’s misstatement not materially misleading in connection with the application for indemnification, or (ii) a prohibition of such indemnification under applicable law.

(d) In the event that the Indemnitee, pursuant to this Section 8, seeks a judicial adjudication of the Indemnitee’s rights under, or to recover damages for breach of, this Agreement, or to recover under any directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policies maintained by the Company, the Company shall pay on the Indemnitee’s behalf, in advance, any and all Expenses (of the types described in the definition of “Expenses” in Section 1 of this Agreement) actually and reasonably incurred by the Indemnitee in such judicial adjudication, regardless of whether the Indemnitee ultimately is determined to be entitled to such indemnification, advancement of Expenses or insurance recovery.

 

10


(e) The Company shall be precluded from asserting in any judicial proceeding commenced pursuant to this Section 8 that the procedures and presumptions of this Agreement are not valid, binding and enforceable and shall stipulate in any such court that the Company is bound by all the provisions of this Agreement.

(f) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, no determination as to entitlement to indemnification under this Agreement shall be required to be made prior to the final disposition of the Proceeding.

9. Non-Exclusivity; Insurance; Subrogation.

(a) The rights of indemnification, advancement of Expenses and other rights of the Indemnitee under this Agreement shall be in addition to any other rights to which an the Indemnitee may be entitled under any agreement, including (i) the Organizational Documents; (ii) pursuant to those rights adopted by any vote of the shareholders; (iii) as a matter of law; or (iv) otherwise, as to actions in the Indemnitee’s capacity as an Enterprise Fiduciary. No amendment or modification of this Agreement or of any provision hereof shall limit or restrict any right of the Indemnitee under this Agreement in respect of any action taken or omitted by such the Indemnitee in the Indemnitee’s capacity as an Enterprise Fiduciary prior to such amendment, alteration or repeal. To the extent that an amendment or modification of the Organizational Documents, whether by law, amendment or otherwise, or an amendment to Delaware law, permits greater indemnification than would be afforded currently under this Agreement, it is the intent of the parties hereto that the Indemnitee shall enjoy by this Agreement the greater benefits so afforded by such change. No right or remedy herein conferred is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every other right and remedy shall be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other right or remedy.

(b) If, at the time of the receipt of a notice of a claim pursuant to the terms hereof, the Company has director and officer liability insurance in effect, the Company shall give prompt notice of the commencement of such claim to the insurers in accordance with the procedures set forth in the respective policies. The Company shall thereafter take all necessary or desirable action to cause such insurers to pay, on behalf of the Indemnitee, all amounts payable as a result of such proceeding in accordance with the terms of such policies.

(c) In the event of any payment under this Agreement, the Company shall be subrogated to the extent of such payment to all of the rights of recovery of the Indemnitee, who shall execute all papers required and take all action necessary to secure such rights, including execution of such documents as are necessary to enable the Company to bring suit to enforce such rights.

(d) The Company’s obligation to indemnify or advance Expenses hereunder to the Indemnitee who is or was serving at the request of the Company as an Enterprise Fiduciary to an Enterprise other than the Company shall be reduced by any amount the Indemnitee has actually received as indemnification or advancement of Expenses from such other Enterprise.

 

11


(e) Any indemnification pursuant to this Agreement shall be made only out of the assets of the Company, including any insurance purchased and maintained by the Company for such purpose, it being agreed that the Company’s shareholders shall not be personally liable for such indemnification and shall have no obligation to contribute or loan any monies or property to the Company to enable it to effectuate such indemnification.

(f) the Indemnitee shall not be denied indemnification in whole or in part under this Agreement because the Indemnitee had an interest in the transaction with respect to which the indemnification applies if the transaction was otherwise permitted by the terms of this Agreement as in effect at the time of the transaction.

10. Exception to Right of Indemnification. Notwithstanding any provision in this Agreement, the Company shall not be obligated under this Agreement to make any indemnity in connection with any claim made against the Indemnitee:

(a) for which payment has actually been made to or on behalf of the Indemnitee under any insurance policy or other indemnity provision, except with respect to any excess beyond the amount paid under any insurance policy or other indemnity provision; or

(b) for an accounting of profits made from the purchase and sale (or sale and purchase) by the Indemnitee of securities of the Company within the meaning of Section 16(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or similar provisions of state statutory law or common law; or

(c) in connection with any Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding) initiated by the Indemnitee, against the Company or its directors, managers, officers, employees or other indemnitees, unless (i) the Board authorized the Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding) prior to its initiation or (ii) the Company provides the indemnification, in its sole discretion, pursuant to the powers vested in the Company under applicable law.

11. Duration of Agreement. All agreements and obligations of the Company contained herein shall continue until six years after the Indemnitee has ceased to be an Enterprise Fiduciary of the Company (or is or was serving at the request of the Company as an Enterprise Fiduciary another Enterprise) and shall continue thereafter so long as the Indemnitee shall be subject to any Proceeding (or any proceeding commenced under Section 7 hereof) by reason of the fact that the Indemnitee is or was an Enterprise Fiduciary, whether or not the Indemnitee is acting or serving in any such capacity at the time any liability or Expense is incurred for which indemnification can be provided under this Agreement. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the parties hereto and their respective successors (including any direct or indirect successor by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise to all or substantially all of the business or assets of the Company), assigns, spouses, heirs, executors and personal and legal representatives.

12. Security. To the extent requested by the Indemnitee and approved by the Board, the Company may at any time and from time to time provide security to the Indemnitee for the Company’s obligations hereunder through an irrevocable bank line of credit or other collateral.

 

12


Any such security, once provided to the Indemnitee, may not be revoked or released without the prior written consent of the Indemnitee.

13. Enforcement.

(a) The Company expressly confirms and agrees that it has entered into this Agreement and assumes the obligations imposed on it hereby in order to induce the Indemnitee to serve as a director of the Company, and the Company acknowledges that the Indemnitee is relying upon this Agreement in serving as such Enterprise Fiduciary of the Company.

(b) This Agreement and the Organizational Documents constitute the entire agreement between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede all prior agreements and understandings, oral, written and implied, between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof.

14. Severability. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision hereof shall in no way affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, this Agreement is intended to confer upon the Indemnitee indemnification rights to the fullest extent not prohibited by law. In the event any provision hereof conflicts with any applicable law, such provision shall be deemed modified, consistent with the aforementioned intent, to the extent necessary to resolve such conflict.

15. Modification and Waiver. No supplement, modification, termination or amendment of this Agreement shall be binding unless executed in writing by both of the parties hereto. No waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed or shall constitute a waiver of any other provisions hereof (whether or not similar) nor shall such waiver constitute a continuing waiver.

16. Notice By the Indemnitee. the Indemnitee agrees promptly to notify the Company in writing upon being served with or otherwise receiving any summons, citation, subpoena, complaint, indictment, information or other document relating to any Proceeding or matter which may be subject to indemnification covered hereunder. The failure to so notify the Company shall not relieve the Company of any obligation which it may have to the Indemnitee under this Agreement or otherwise unless and only to the extent that such failure or delay materially prejudices the Company.

17. Notices. All notices and other communications given or made pursuant to this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed effectively given: (a) upon personal delivery to the party to be notified, (b) when sent by confirmed electronic mail or facsimile if sent during normal business hours of the recipient, and if not so confirmed, then on the next business day, (c) five days after having been sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, or (d) one day after deposit with a nationally recognized overnight courier, specifying next day delivery, with written verification of receipt. All communications shall be sent:

 

13


(e) To the Indemnitee at the address set forth below the Indemnitee signature hereto.

To the Company at:

Roan Resources, Inc.

14701 Hertz Quail Springs Pkwy

Oklahoma City, OK 73134

Fax: 405-753-9041

Attention: General Counsel

or to such other address as may have been furnished to the Indemnitee by the Company or to the Company by the Indemnitee, as the case may be.

18. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same Agreement. This Agreement may also be executed and delivered by facsimile signature and in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

19. Headings. The headings of the paragraphs of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and shall not be deemed to constitute part of this Agreement or to affect the construction thereof.

20. Governing Law and Consent to Jurisdiction. This Agreement and the legal relations among the parties shall be governed by, and construed and enforced in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to its conflict of laws rules. The Company and the Indemnitee hereby irrevocably and unconditionally (a) agree that any action or proceeding arising out of or in connection with this Agreement shall be brought only in the Chancery Court and not in any other state or federal court in the United States of America or any court in any other country, (b) consent to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Chancery Court for purposes of any action or proceeding arising out of or in connection with this Agreement, (c) appoint, to the extent such party is not otherwise subject to service of process in the State of Delaware, irrevocably The Corporation Trust Company, 1209 Orange Street, City of Wilmington, County of New Castle, Delaware 19801 (as such address may be changed from time to time by such agent) as its agent in the State of Delaware as such party’s agent for acceptance of legal process in connection with any such action or proceeding against such party with the same legal force and validity as if served upon such party personally within the State of Delaware, (d) waive any objection to the laying of venue of any such action or proceeding in the Chancery Court, and (e) waive, and agree not to plead or to make, any claim that any such action or proceeding brought in the Chancery Court has been brought in an improper or inconvenient forum.

 

14


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

 

ROAN RESOURCES, INC.
By:  

/s/ David Edwards

Name:   David Edwards
Title:   Chief Financial Officer
INDEMNITEE

/s/ Richard A. Gideon

Richard A. Gideon
Address:

 

 

 

 

 

15

EXHIBIT 99.1

 

NEWS RELEASE

   LOGO

 

 

ROAN RESOURCES ENTERS INTO DEFINITIVE MERGER

AGREEMENT TO BE ACQUIRED BY CITIZEN ENERGY

Roan Resources stockholders to receive $1.52 in cash per share of common stock

Sale Follows Comprehensive Review of Strategic Alternatives

Announce Rick Gideon as Chief Executive Officer

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – October 1, 2019 – Roan Resources, Inc. (NYSE: ROAN) (“Roan” or the “Company”) today announced that it has entered into a definitive merger agreement to be acquired by Citizen Energy Operating, LLC (“Citizen Energy”), an affiliate of Warburg Pincus LLC (“Warburg Pincus”), in an all-cash transaction valued at approximately $1.0 billion, including Roan’s funded net debt of approximately $780 million as of September 30, 2019. The transaction is expected to be completed during the fourth quarter of 2019 or the first quarter of 2020, subject to Roan stockholder approval, regulatory approvals and the satisfaction of other customary closing conditions.

Under the terms of the merger agreement, which has been unanimously approved by Roan’s Board of Directors, Roan stockholders will receive $1.52 in cash for each share of Roan common stock they own. The all-cash purchase price represents a premium of approximately 24% over the closing price of Company shares as of September 30, 2019.

“We are pleased to reach this agreement with Citizen Energy” said Joseph A. Mills, Roan’s Executive Chairman of the Board. “This transaction is the culmination of our Board’s extensive review of strategic alternatives to maximize value for our stockholders, including a comprehensive process during which we engaged with a considerable number of counterparties. Ultimately, the Board unanimously determined that an all-cash transaction with Citizen Energy is in the best interests of our stockholders and the Company and will deliver value to our stockholders at a premium to our recent share price.”

Additionally, Roan today announced the appointment of Rick Gideon as its Chief Executive Officer, who will assume his new responsibilities immediately. Mr. Gideon has over 20 years of executive and industry experience at a number of large, publicly held exploration and production companies. Mr. Gideon previously served as Senior Vice President of US Operations at Devon Energy Corporation for four years. Prior to his time at Devon Energy Corporation, Mr. Gideon was the General Manager of the Mid-Continent Region and Drilling & Completions for HighMount Exploration & Production, LLC for six years. Prior to that, Mr. Gideon held senior positions at Linn Energy, Inc. and Dominion Energy, Inc.


 

“We are very pleased to bring Rick onboard to see the Company through the closing process,” said Mr. Mills. “His leadership and focus will be important during the transition of the business.”

Roan has also elected to temporarily reduce its drilling and development activity and to suspend all completion activity. This reduction in activity is to allow Mr. Gideon time to assess the Company’s overall operations plan. As a result of this change, investors should no longer rely on the guidance provided by the Company on its last quarterly investor call, and Roan does not expect to otherwise update or provide further guidance.

Fully committed debt financing for the transaction will be provided by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., BMO Harris Bank N.A., The Toronto Dominion Bank, New York Branch and BofA Merrill Lynch.    Equity financing will be provided by investment funds affiliated with Warburg Pincus and Citizen Energy.

Citi and Jefferies LLC are serving as financial advisors to Roan, and Vinson & Elkins LLP is serving as its legal counsel. BofA Merrill Lynch is serving as financial advisor to Citizen Energy and Latham & Watkins LLP is serving as its legal counsel.

For further information regarding the terms and conditions contained in the definitive merger agreement, please see Roan’s Current Report on Form 8-K, which will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) in connection with this transaction.

About Roan Resources

Roan is an independent oil and natural gas company headquartered in Oklahoma City, OK focused on the development, exploration and acquisition of unconventional oil and natural gas reserves in the Merge, SCOOP and STACK plays of the Anadarko Basin in Oklahoma. For more information, please visit www.RoanResources.com, where we routinely post announcements, updates, events, investor information, presentations and recent news releases.


 

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements that contain our current expectations about future results. These forward-looking statements are based on certain assumptions and expectations made by the Company, which reflect management’s experience, estimates and perception of historical trends, current conditions and anticipated future developments. Such statements are subject to a number of assumptions, risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, which may cause actual results to differ materially from those implied or anticipated in the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the following: (i) the Company may be unable to satisfy the conditions to closing, including that a governmental entity may prohibit, delay or refuse to grant a necessary regulatory approval; (ii) the proposed transaction may involve unexpected costs, liabilities or delays; (iii) the Company’s business may suffer as a result of uncertainty surrounding the proposed transaction; (iv) the risk that the proposed transaction disrupts the Company’s current plans and operations or diverts management’s or employees’ attention from ongoing business operations; (v) the risk of potential difficulties with the Company’s ability to retain and hire key personnel and maintain relationships with suppliers and other third parties as a result of the proposed transaction; (vi) the risk that Citizen Energy’s committed financing will not close; (vii) stockholder litigation in connection with the proposed transaction may affect the timing or occurrence of the proposed transaction or result in significant costs of defense, indemnification and liability; (viii) the Company may be adversely affected by other economic, business or competitive factors; (ix) the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances could give rise to the termination of the definitive merger agreement; and (x) other risks to the consummation of the proposed transaction, including the risk that the proposed transaction will not be consummated within the expected time period or at all. When considering these forward-looking statements, you should also keep in mind the risk factors and other cautionary statements found in the Company’s filings with the SEC, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 and subsequently filed Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K.

All forward-looking statements, expressed or implied, included in this release are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. This cautionary statement should also be considered in connection with any subsequent written or oral forward-looking statements that we or persons acting on our behalf may issue.

Except as otherwise required by applicable law, we disclaim any duty to update any forward-looking statements, all of which are expressly qualified by the statements in this section, to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this release.


 

Additional Information for Stockholders

In connection with the proposed transaction, Roan will file a proxy statement and other relevant documents with the SEC regarding the proposed transaction.

INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS ARE URGED TO READ THE PROXY STATEMENT AND OTHER DOCUMENTS THAT MAY BE FILED WITH THE SEC CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL INCLUDE IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION.

Investors and security holders may obtain a free copy of the proxy statement and other documents filed by Roan (when available) at its website, www.RoanResources.com, or at the SEC’s website, www.sec.gov. The proxy statement and other relevant documents may also be obtained for free from Roan by directing such request to Roan Resources, Inc., to the attention of the Corporate Secretary, 14701 Hertz Quail Springs Parkway, Oklahoma City, OK 73134.

Participants in the Solicitation

Roan and its directors and executive officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the stockholders of Roan in connection with the proposed transaction. Information about the directors and executive officers of Roan is set forth in Roan’s Registration Statement on Form S-1, which was filed with the SEC on July 17, 2019. This document can be obtained free of charge from the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov or from Roan by writing to the address indicated above. Additional information regarding the participants in the proxy solicitation and a description of their direct and indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, will be included in the proxy statement and other relevant materials to be filed with the SEC when they become available.

Investor Contact:

Elijah Lavicky

Vice President - Finance

IR@RoanResources.com