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Exhibit 10.3    
    


 
 

STROUD ENERGY, INC.
  2005 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN    
    


 
  ARTICLE I. ESTABLISHMENT AND PURPOSE    
    


        1.1   Establishment. Stroud Energy, Inc. ("SEI") hereby establishes the Stroud Energy, Inc. 2005 Stock Incentive
Plan, as set forth in this document. In connection with the transactions contemplated by that certain Combination Agreement between SEI, Stroud Energy Management, Ltd., Stroud
Energy, Ltd., Stroud Oil Properties, Inc. and the other parties thereto dated August 1, 2005 (the "Combination Agreement"), the Stroud Oil Properties, Inc. 2001 Stock
Incentive Plan (the "SOP Plan") will be assumed and adopted by SEI and restated into the form of this Plan, and outstanding options under the SOP Plan will be assumed by SEI and adjusted to become
options to purchase shares of SEI's Common Stock in accordance with the rules set forth in Treasury Regulations Section 1.424-1(a). 


        1.2   Purpose. The purposes of the Plan are to attract and retain highly qualified individuals to perform services for SEI and
its Affiliates and to align the interests of those individuals with those of the stockholders of SEI. SEI is committed to creating long-term stockholder value. SEI's compensation
philosophy is based on a belief that SEI can best create stockholder value if key employees, directors, and certain others providing services to the Company act and are rewarded as business owners.
SEI believes that an equity stake through equity compensation programs effectively aligns employee and stockholder interests by motivating and rewarding long-term performance that will
enhance stockholder value. 


        1.3   Effectiveness and Term. This Plan shall become effective as of September 23, 2005, (the "Effective Date"), which
is the date of approval of the Plan by the holders of at least a majority of the shares of Common Stock either (i) present or represented and entitled to vote at a special meeting of the
stockholders of SEI duly held in accordance with applicable law or (ii) by written action in lieu of a meeting in accordance with applicable law. Unless terminated earlier by the Board pursuant
to Section 14.1, this Plan shall terminate on the day prior to the tenth anniversary of the Effective Date. 


 
 

ARTICLE II. DEFINITIONS    
    


        2.1   "Affiliate" means (i) with respect to Incentive Stock Options, a
"parent corporation" or a "subsidiary corporation" of SEI, as those terms are defined in sections 424(e) and (f) of the Code, respectively, and (ii) with respect to other Awards,
(A) a "parent corporation" or a subsidiary corporation" of SEI as defined in (i) above or (B) any other corporation, organization, association, partnership, sole proprietorship or
other type of entity, whether incorporated or unincorporated, directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with SEI. 


        2.2   "Award" means an award granted to a Participant in the form of Options,
SARs, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Performance Awards, Stock Awards or Other Incentive Awards, whether granted singly or in combination. 



        2.3   "Award Agreement" means a written agreement between SEI and a Participant
that sets forth the terms, conditions, restrictions and limitations applicable to an Award. 


        2.4   "Board" means the Board of Directors of SEI. 


        2.5   "Cash Dividend Right" means a contingent right, granted in tandem with a
specific Restricted Stock Unit Award, to receive an amount in cash equal to the cash distributions made by SEI with respect to a share of Common Stock during the period such Award is outstanding. 


        2.6   "Cause" means (i) any material violation by the Participant of any
employment agreement between the Participant and SEI or an Affiliate, (ii) any act or omission by the Participant involving fraud, willful misconduct or gross negligence on the part of the
Participant that is materially injurious 







 



to
SEI, or (iii) the Participant's conviction of, or entry of a plea agreement or consent decree or similar arrangement with respect to any felony involving fraud, moral turpitude or any
violation of federal or state securities law. 


        2.7   "Change of Control" means any of the following events: 



        (a)   the
acquisition by any "person" (including a "group" (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act), but excluding SEI or an existing
stockholder of SEI who, upon closing of the Private Placement, holds 5% or more of the Common Stock) of "beneficial ownership" (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act),
directly or indirectly, of securities of SEI representing more than 20% of the combined voting power of SEI's then outstanding securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors; or 


        (b)   the
consummation of a reorganization, merger, consolidation or other form of business transaction or series of business transactions, in each case, with respect to which
persons who were stockholders of SEI immediately prior to such reorganization, merger or consolidation or other transaction do not, immediately thereafter, own more than 50% of the combined voting
power entitled to vote generally in the election of directors of the reorganized, merged or consolidated company's then outstanding voting securities; or 


        (c)   the
sale, lease or disposition (in one or a series of related transactions) by SEI of all or substantially all of SEI's assets (including those of its subsidiaries) to
any person or its Affiliates, other than SEI or its Affiliates; or 


        (d)   the
members of the Board at the beginning of any consecutive 24-calendar-month period (the "Incumbent Directors") cease for any reason other than death to
constitute at least a majority of the members of the Board, provided that any director whose election, or nomination for election by SEI's stockholders, was approved by a vote of at least a majority
of the members of the Board then still in office who were members of the Board at the beginning of such 24-calendar-month period, shall be deemed to be an Incumbent Director; or 


        (e)   the
approval by the Board or the stockholders of SEI of a complete or substantially complete liquidation or dissolution of SEI; or 


        (f)    any
event similar to the foregoing that the Committee determines in its absolute discretion would, if consummated, materially alter the structure or business SEI. 




Notwithstanding
the foregoing, (i) a Change of Control shall not include any acquisition, merger, or reorganization by SEI in which the stockholders of SEI immediately prior to such
acquisition, merger, or reorganization will have substantially the same proportionate ownership of common stock of the surviving corporation immediately thereafter or which would be considered a
Change of Control only due to the acquisition of Common Stock by any employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by SEI or any parent or subsidiary of SEI, and (ii) a
Change of Control shall not include the transactions contemplated by the Combination Agreement, the Private Placement, or the initial public offering of the Common Stock. 


        2.8   "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to
time, including regulations thereunder and successor provisions and regulations. 



        2.9   "Committee" means the Compensation Committee of the Board or such other
committee of the Board as may be designated by the Board to administer the Plan, which committee shall consist of two or more members of the Board; provided, however, that with respect to the
application of the Plan to Awards made to Outside Directors, the "Committee" shall be the Board. During such time as the Common Stock is registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act, each
member of the Committee shall be an Outside Director. To the extent that no Committee exists that has the authority to administer the Plan, the functions of the Committee shall be exercised by the
Board. 


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        2.10 "Common Stock" means the common stock of SEI, $.001 par value per share,
or any stock or other securities of hereafter issued or issuable in substitution or exchange for the Common Stock. 


        2.11 "Company" means SEI and any Affiliate. 



        2.12 "Dividend Unit Right" means a contingent right, granted in tandem with a
specific Restricted Stock Unit Award, to have an additional number of Restricted Stock Units credited to a Participant in respect of the Award equal to the number of shares of Common Stock that could
be purchased at Fair Market Value with the amount of each cash distribution made by SEI with respect to a share of Common Stock during the period such Award is outstanding. 


        2.13 "Effective Date" means the date this Plan becomes effective as provided
in Section 1.3. 


        2.14 "Employee" means an employee of the Company; provided, however, that the
term "Employee" does not include an Outside Director or an individual performing services for the Company who is treated for tax purposes as an independent contractor at the time of performance of the
services. 


        2.15 "Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. 


        2.16 "Fair Market Value" means the fair market value of the Common Stock, as
determined in good faith by the Committee or (i) if the Common Stock is traded in the over-the-counter market, the average of the representative closing bid and asked
prices as reported by NASDAQ for the date the Award is granted (or if there was no quoted price for such date of grant, then for the last preceding business day on which there was a quoted price), or
(ii) if the Common Stock is traded in the NASDAQ National Market System, the average of the highest and lowest selling prices for such stock as quoted on the NASDAQ National Market System for
the date the Award is granted (or if there are no sales for such date of grant, then for the last preceding business day on which there were sales), or (iii) if the Common Stock is listed on
any national stock exchange, the average of the highest and lowest selling prices for such stock as quoted on such exchange for the date the Award is granted (or if there are no sales for such date of
grant, then for the last preceding business day on which there were sales). 


        2.17 "Grant Date" means the date an Award is determined to be effective by
the Committee upon the grant of such Award. 


        2.18 "Incentive Stock Option" means an Option that is intended to meet the
requirements of section 422(b) of the Code. 


        2.19 "NASDAQ" means The NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc. 


        2.20 "Nonqualified Stock Option" means an Option that is not an Incentive
Stock Option. 


        2.21 "Option" means an option to purchase shares of Common Stock granted to a
Participant pursuant to Article VII. An Option may be either an Incentive Stock Option or a Nonqualified Stock Option, as determined by the Committee. 


        2.22 "Other Incentive Award" means an incentive award granted to a
Participant pursuant to Article XII. 


        2.23 "Outside Director" means a member of the Board who: (i) meets the
independence requirements of the principal exchange or quotation system upon which the shares of Common Stock are listed or quoted, (ii) from and after the date on which the remuneration paid
pursuant to the Plan becomes subject to the deduction limitation under Section 162(m) of the Code, qualifies as an "outside director" under Section 162(m) of the Code,
(iii) qualifies as a "non-employee director" of SEI under Rule 16b-3, and (iv) satisfies independence criteria under any other applicable laws or
regulations relating to the issuance of shares of Common Stock to Employees. 


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        2.24 "Participant" means an Employee, director, or other individual or entity
who performs services for the Company that has been granted an Award; provided, however, that no Award that may be settled in Common Stock may be issued to a Participant that is not a natural person. 


        2.25 "Performance Award" means an Award granted to a Participant pursuant to
Article XI to receive cash or Common Stock conditioned in whole or in part upon the satisfaction of specified performance criteria. 


        2.26 "Permitted Transferee" shall have the meaning given such term in
Section 15.4. 


        2.27 "Plan" means the Stroud Energy, Inc. 2005 Stock Incentive Plan,
as in effect from time to time. 


        2.28 "Private Placement" means the private placement of shares of the Common
Stock to accredited investors, qualified institutional buyers and non-U.S. persons involving SEI and/or its stockholders scheduled to close on or about the Effective Date. 



        2.29 "Purchased Restricted Stock" shall have the meaning given such term in
Section 9.2. 


        2.30 "Restricted Period" means the period established by the Committee with
respect to an Award of Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units during which the Award remains subject to forfeiture. 


        2.31 "Restricted Stock" means a share of Common Stock granted to a
Participant pursuant to Article IX that is subject to such terms, conditions, and restrictions as may be determined by the Committee. 


        2.32 "Restricted Stock Unit" means a fictional share of Common Stock granted
to a Participant pursuant to Article X that is subject to such terms, conditions, and restrictions as may be determined by the Committee. 


        2.33 "Rule 16b-3" means Rule 16b-3
promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Exchange Act, or any successor rule or regulation that may be in effect from time to time. 


        2.34 "SEI" means Stroud Energy, Inc., a Delaware corporation, or any
successor thereto. 


        2.35 "SOP Plan" means the Stroud Oil Properties, Inc. 2001 Stock
Incentive Plan. 


        2.36 "Stock Appreciation Right" or
"SAR" means a right granted to a Participant pursuant to Article VIII with respect to a share of Common Stock to receive upon exercise cash,
Common Stock or a combination of cash and Common Stock, equal to the appreciation in value of a share of Common Stock. 


 
 

ARTICLE III. PLAN ADMINISTRATION    
    



        3.1   Plan Administrator and Discretionary Authority. The Plan shall be administered by the Committee. The Committee shall have
total and exclusive responsibility to control, operate, manage and administer the Plan in accordance with its terms. The Committee shall have all the authority that may be necessary or helpful to
enable it to discharge its responsibilities with respect to the Plan. Without limiting the generality of the preceding sentence, the Committee shall have the exclusive right to: (i) interpret
the Plan and the Award Agreements executed hereunder; (ii) decide all questions concerning eligibility for, and the amount of, Awards granted under the Plan; (iii) construe any ambiguous
provision of the Plan or any Award Agreement; (iv) prescribe the form of Award Agreements; (v) correct any defect, supply any omission or reconcile any inconsistency in the Plan or any
Award Agreement; (vi) issue administrative guidelines as an aid to administering the Plan and make changes in such guidelines as the Committee from time to time deems proper; (vii) make
regulations for carrying out the Plan and make changes in such regulations as the Committee from time to time deems proper; (viii) determine whether Awards should be granted singly or in 


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combination;
(ix) to the extent permitted under the Plan, grant waivers of Plan terms, conditions, restrictions and limitations; (x) accelerate the exercise, vesting or payment of an
Award when such action or actions would be in the best interests of the Company; (xi) require Participants to hold a stated number or percentage of shares of Common Stock acquired pursuant to
an Award for a stated period; and (xii) take any and all other actions the Committee deems necessary or advisable for the proper operation or administration of the Plan. The Committee shall
have authority in its sole discretion with respect to all matters related to the discharge of its responsibilities and the exercise of its authority under the Plan, including without limitation its
construction of the terms of the Plan and its determination of eligibility for participation in, and the terms of Awards granted under, the Plan. The decisions of the Committee and its actions with
respect to the Plan shall be final, conclusive and binding on all persons having or claiming to have any right or interest in or under the Plan, including without limitation Participants and their
respective Permitted Transferees, estates, beneficiaries and legal representatives. 


        3.2   Liability; Indemnification. No member of the Committee, nor any person to whom it has delegated authority, shall be
personally liable for any action, interpretation or determination made in good faith with respect to the Plan or Awards granted hereunder, and each member of the Committee (or delegatee of the
Committee) shall be fully indemnified and protected by SEI with respect to any liability he may incur with respect to any such action, interpretation or determination, to the maximum extent permitted
by applicable law. 


 
 

ARTICLE IV. SHARES SUBJECT TO THE PLAN    
    


        4.1   Available Shares.



        (a)   Subject
to adjustment as provided in Section 4.2, the maximum number of shares of Common Stock that shall be available for grant of Awards under the Plan shall be
1,500,000 shares of Common Stock. 


        (b)   The
maximum number of shares of Common Stock that may be subject to Incentive Stock Options granted under the Plan is 1,500,000 shares. The maximum number of shares of
Common Stock that may be subject to Nonqualified Stock Options and SARs granted under the Plan to any one Participant during a calendar year is 500,000 shares. The maximum number of shares of Common
Stock that may be subject to all Awards granted under the Plan to any one Participant during a calendar year is 750,000 shares. The limitations provided in this Section 4.1(b) shall be subject
to adjustment as provided in Section 4.2. 


        (c)   Shares
of Common Stock issued pursuant to the Plan may be original issue or treasury shares or a combination of the foregoing, as the Committee, in its sole discretion,
shall from time to time determine. SEI will, during the term of this Plan, will at all times reserve and keep available such number of shares of Common Stock as shall be sufficient to satisfy the
requirements of the Plan. 




        4.2   Adjustments for Recapitalizations and Reorganizations. Subject to Article XIII, if there is any change in the
number or kind of shares of Common Stock outstanding (i) by reason of a stock dividend, spin-off, recapitalization, stock split, or combination or exchange of shares, (ii) by
reason of a merger, reorganization, or consolidation, (iii) by reason of a reclassification or change in par value, or (iv) by reason of any other extraordinary or unusual event
affecting the outstanding Common Stock as a class without SEI's receipt of consideration, or if the value of outstanding shares of Common Stock is reduced as a result of a spin-off or
SEI's payment of an extraordinary cash dividend, or distribution or dividend or distribution consisting of any assets of SEI other than cash, the maximum number and kind of shares of Common Stock
available for issuance under the Plan, the maximum number and kind of shares of Common Stock available for issuance under the Plan as Incentive Stock Options, the maximum number and kind of shares of
Common Stock for which any individual may receive Awards 


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of
Nonqualified Stock Options and SARs in any calendar year, the number and kind of shares of Common Stock covered by outstanding Awards, and the price per share or the applicable market value or
performance target of such Awards may be appropriately adjusted by the Committee to reflect any increase or decrease in the number of, or change in the kind or value of, issued shares of Common Stock
to preclude, to the extent practicable, the enlargement or dilution of rights under such Awards; provided, however, that any fractional shares resulting from such adjustment shall be eliminated. 


        4.3   Adjustments for Awards. The Committee shall have sole discretion to determine the manner in which shares of Common Stock
available for grant of Awards under the Plan are counted. Without limiting the discretion of the Committee under this Section 4.3, unless otherwise determined by the Committee, the following
rules shall apply for the purpose of determining the number of shares of Common Stock available for grant of Awards under the Plan: 



        (a)   Options, Restricted Stock and Stock Awards. The grant of Options, Restricted Stock or Stock Awards shall reduce the
number of shares of Common Stock available for grant of Awards under the Plan by the number of shares of Common Stock subject to such an Award. 


        (b)   SARs. The grant of SARs that may be paid or settled (i) only in Common Stock or (ii) in either cash or
Common Stock shall reduce the number of shares available for grant of Awards under the Plan by the number of shares subject to such an Award; provided, however, that upon the exercise of SARs, the
excess of the number of shares of Common Stock with respect to which the Award is exercised over the number of shares of Common Stock issued upon exercise of the Award shall again be available for
grant of Awards under the Plan. The grant of SARs that may be paid or settled only for cash shall not affect the number of shares available for grant of Awards under the Plan. 


        (c)   Restricted Stock Units. The grant of Restricted Stock Units (including those credited to a Participant in respect of a
Dividend Unit Right) that may be paid or settled (i) only in Common Stock or (ii) in either cash or Common Stock shall reduce the number of shares available for grant of Awards under the
Plan by the number of shares subject to such an Award; provided, however, that upon settlement of the Award, the excess, if any, of the number of shares of Common Stock that had been subject to such
Award over the number of shares of Common Stock issued upon its settlement shall again be available for grant of Awards under the Plan. The grant of Restricted Stock Units that may be paid or settled
only for cash shall not affect the number of shares available for grant of Awards under the Plan. 


        (d)   Other Incentive Awards. The grant of a Performance Award or Other Incentive Award in the form of Common Stock or that may
be paid or settled (i) only in Common Stock or (ii) in either Common Stock or cash shall reduce the number of shares available for grant of Awards under the Plan by the number of shares
subject to such an Award; provided, however, that upon settlement of the Award, the excess, if any, of the number of shares of Common Stock that had been subject to such Award over the number of
shares of Common Stock issued upon its settlement shall again be available for grant of Awards under the Plan. The grant of a Performance Award or Other Incentive Award that may be paid or settled
only for cash shall not affect the number of shares available for grant of Awards under the Plan. 


        (e)   Cancellation, Forfeiture and Termination. If any Award referred to in Sections 4.3(a), (b), (c), or (d) (other
than an Award that may be paid or settled only for cash) is canceled or forfeited, or terminates, expires or lapses, for any reason, the shares then subject to such Award shall again be available for
grant of Awards under the Plan. 


        (f)    Payment of Exercise Price and Withholding Taxes. If previously acquired shares of Common Stock are used to pay the
exercise price of an Award, the number of shares available for grant of Awards under the Plan shall be increased by the number of shares delivered as payment 



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of
such exercise price. If previously acquired shares of Common Stock are used to pay withholding taxes payable upon exercise, vesting or payment of an Award, or shares of Common Stock that would be
acquired upon exercise, vesting or payment of an Award are withheld to pay withholding taxes payable upon exercise, vesting or payment of such Award, the number of shares available for grant of Awards
under the Plan shall be increased by the number of shares delivered or withheld as payment of such withholding taxes. 



 
 

ARTICLE V. ELIGIBILITY    
    


        The Committee shall select Participants from those Employees, directors and other individuals or entities providing services to the Company that, in the opinion
of the Committee, are in a position to make a significant contribution to the success of the Company. Once a Participant has been selected for an Award by the Committee, the Committee shall determine
the type and size of Award to be granted to the Participant and shall establish in the related Award Agreement the terms, conditions, restrictions and limitations applicable to the Award, in addition
to those set forth in the Plan and the administrative guidelines and regulations, if any, established by the Committee. 


 
 

ARTICLE VI. FORM OF AWARDS    
    


        6.1   Form of Awards. Awards may be granted under the Plan, in the Committee's sole discretion, in the form of Options pursuant
to Article VII, SARs pursuant to Article VIII, Restricted Stock pursuant to Article IX, Restricted Stock Units pursuant to Article X, Performance Awards pursuant to
Article XI, and Stock Awards and Other Incentive Awards pursuant to Article XII, or a combination thereof. All Awards shall be subject to the terms, conditions, restrictions and
limitations of the Plan. The Committee may, in its sole discretion, subject any Award to such other terms, conditions, restrictions and/or limitations (including without limitation the time and
conditions of exercise, vesting or payment of an Award and restrictions on transferability of any shares of Common Stock issued or delivered pursuant to an Award), provided they are not inconsistent
with the terms of the Plan. The Committee may, but is not required to, subject an Award to such conditions as it determines are necessary or appropriate to ensure than an Award constitutes "qualified
performance based compensation" within the meaning of section 162(m) of the Code and the regulations thereunder. Awards under a particular Article of the Plan need not be uniform, and Awards
under more than one Article of the Plan may be combined in a single Award Agreement. Any combination of Awards may be granted at one time and on more than one occasion to the same Participant. Subject
to compliance with applicable tax law, an Award Agreement may provide that a Participant may elect to defer receipt of income attributable to the exercise or vesting of an Award. 


        6.2   No Repricing. Except for adjustments made pursuant to Section 4.2, no Award may be repriced, replaced, regranted
through cancellation or otherwise modified without stockholder approval, if the effect would be to reduce the exercise price for the shares underlying such Award; and, the Committee may not cancel an
outstanding Option that is under water for the purpose of granting a replacement Award of a different type. 



        6.3   Loans. The Committee may, in its sole discretion, approve the extension of a loan by the Company to a Participant who is
an Employee to assist the Participant in paying the exercise price or purchase price of an Award; provided, however, that no loan shall be permitted if the extension of such loan would violate any
provision of applicable law. Any loan will be made upon such terms and conditions as the Committee shall determine. 


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ARTICLE VII. OPTIONS    
    


        7.1   General. Awards may be granted in the form of Options that may be Incentive Stock Options or Nonqualified Stock Options,
or a combination of both; provided, however, that Incentive Stock Options may be granted only to Employees. 



        7.2   Terms and Conditions of Options. An Option shall be exercisable in whole or in such installments and at such times as may
be determined by the Committee. The price at which a share of Common Stock may be purchased upon exercise of an Option shall be determined by the Committee, but such exercise price shall not be less
than 100% of the Fair Market Value per share of Common Stock on the Grant Date unless the Option was granted through the assumption of, or in substitution for, outstanding awards previously granted to
individuals who became Employees as a result of a merger, consolidation, acquisition, or other corporate transaction involving the Company. Except as otherwise provided in Section 7.3, the term
of each Option shall be as specified by the Committee; provided, however, that no Options shall be exercisable later than ten years after the Grant Date. Options may be granted with respect to
Restricted Stock or shares of Common Stock that are not Restricted Stock, as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion. 


        7.3   Restrictions Relating to Incentive Stock Options.



        (a)   Options
granted in the form of Incentive Stock Options shall, in addition to being subject to the terms and conditions of Section 7.2, comply with
section 422(b) of the Code. To the extent the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined as of the times the respective Incentive Stock Options are granted) of Common Stock with respect to which
Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for the first time by an individual during any calendar year under all incentive stock option plans of SEI and its Affiliates exceeds $100,000, such excess
Incentive Stock Options shall be treated as options that do not constitute Incentive Stock Options. The Committee shall determine, in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Code, which of a
Participant's Incentive Stock Options will not constitute Incentive Stock Options because of such limitation and shall notify the Participant of such determination as soon as practicable after such
determination. The price at which a share of Common Stock may be purchased upon exercise of an Incentive Stock Option shall be determined by the Committee, but such exercise price shall not be less
than 100% of the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the Grant Date. No Incentive Stock Option shall be granted to an Employee under the Plan if, at the time such Option is granted, such
Employee owns stock possessing more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of SEI or an Affiliate, within the meaning of section 422(b)(6) of the Code, unless
(i) on the Grant Date of such Option, the exercise price of such Option is at least 110% of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock subject to the Option and (ii) such Option by its
terms is not exercisable after the expiration of five years from the Grant Date of the Option. 


        (b)   Each
Participant awarded an Incentive Stock Option shall notify SEI in writing immediately after the date he or she makes a disqualifying disposition of any shares of
Common Stock acquired pursuant to the exercise of such Incentive Stock Option. A disqualifying disposition is any disposition (including any sale) of such Common Stock before the later of
(i) two years after the Grant Date of the Incentive Stock Option or (ii) one year after the date of exercise of the Incentive Stock Option. 




        7.4   Exercise of Options.



        (a)   Subject
to the terms and conditions of the Plan, Options shall be exercised by the delivery of a written notice of exercise to SEI, setting forth the number of whole
shares of Common Stock with respect to which the Option is to be exercised, accompanied by full payment for such shares. 


        (b)   Upon
exercise of an Option, the exercise price of the Option shall be payable to SEI in full either: (i) in cash or an equivalent acceptable to the Committee, or
(ii) in the sole discretion 



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of
the Committee and in accordance with any applicable administrative guidelines established by the Committee, by tendering one or more previously acquired nonforfeitable, unrestricted shares of
Common Stock that have been held by the Participant for at least six months having an aggregate Fair Market Value at the time of exercise equal to the total exercise price, or (iii) in a
combination of the forms of payment specified in clauses (i) and (ii) above. 


        (c)   During
such time as the Common Stock is registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act, to the extent permissible under applicable law, payment of the exercise
price of an Option may also be made, in the absolute discretion of the Committee, by delivery to SEI or its designated agent of an executed irrevocable option exercise form together with irrevocable
instructions to a broker-dealer to sell or margin a sufficient portion of the shares with respect to which the Option is exercised and deliver the sale or margin loan proceeds directly to SEI to pay
the exercise price and any required withholding taxes. 


        (d)   As
soon as reasonably practicable after receipt of written notification of exercise of an Option and full payment of the exercise price and any required withholding
taxes, SEI shall (i) deliver to the Participant, in the Participant's name or the name of the Participant's designee, a stock certificate or certificates in an appropriate aggregate amount
based upon the number of shares of Common Stock purchased under the Option, or (ii) cause to be issued in the Participant's name or the name of the Participant's designee, in
book-entry form, an appropriate number of shares of Common Stock based upon the number of shares purchased under the Option. 




        7.5   Termination of Employment or Service. Each Award Agreement embodying the Award of an Option shall set forth the extent to
which the Participant shall have the right to exercise the Option following termination of the Participant's employment or service with the Company. Such provisions shall be determined by the
Committee in its absolute discretion, need not be uniform among all Options granted under the Plan and may reflect distinctions based on the reasons for termination of employment or service. In the
event a Participant's Award Agreement embodying the award of an Option does not set forth such termination provisions, the following termination provisions shall apply with respect to such Award: 



        (a)   Termination Other Than For Cause. If the employment or service of a Participant shall terminate for any reason other than
Cause, each outstanding Option held by the Participant may be exercised, to
the extent then vested, until the earlier of (i) the expiration of one year from the date of such termination of employment or service or (ii) the expiration of the term of such Option. 



        (b)   Termination for Cause. Notwithstanding paragraphs (a) above, if the employment or service of a Participant shall
terminate for Cause, each outstanding Option held by the Participant may be exercised, to the extent then vested, until the earlier of (i) the expiration of 30 days from the date of such
termination of employment or service or (ii) the expiration of the terms of such Option. 




Notwithstanding
the foregoing, an Option will not be treated as an Incentive Stock Option unless at all times beginning on the Grant Date and ending on the day three months (one year in the case of a
Participant who is "disabled" within the meaning of Section 22(e)(3) of the Code) before the date of exercise of the Option, the Participant is an employee of SEI or an Affiliate (or a
corporation or a parent or subsidiary corporation of such corporation issuing or assuming an option in a transaction to which Section 424(a) of the Code applies). 


9







 
 
 

ARTICLE VIII. STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS    
    



        8.1   General. The Committee may grant Awards in the form of SARs in such numbers and at such times as it shall determine. SARs
shall vest and be exercisable in whole or in such installments and at such times as may be determined by the Committee. The price at which SARs may be exercised shall be determined by the Committee
but shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value per share of Common Stock on the Grant Date unless the SARs were granted through the assumption of, or in substitution for, outstanding awards
previously granted to individuals who became Employees as a result of a merger, consolidation, acquisition, or other corporate transaction involving the Company. The term of each SAR shall be as
specified by the Committee; provided, however, that no SARs shall be exercisable later than seven years after the Grant Date. At the time of an Award of SARs, the Committee may, in its sole
discretion, prescribe additional terms, conditions, restrictions and limitations applicable to the SARs, including without limitation rules pertaining to the termination of employment or service (by
reason of death, permanent and total disability, or otherwise) of a Participant prior to exercise of the SARs, as it determines are necessary or appropriate, provided they are not inconsistent with
the Plan. 


        8.2   Exercise of SARs. SARs shall be exercised by the delivery of a written notice of exercise to SEI, setting forth the
number of whole shares of Common Stock with respect to which the Award is being exercised. Upon the exercise of SARs, the Participant shall be entitled to receive an amount equal to the excess of the
aggregate Fair Market Value of the shares of Common Stock with respect to which the Award is exercised (determined as of the date of such exercise) over the aggregate exercise price of such shares.
Such amount shall be payable to the Participant in cash or in shares of Common Stock, as provided in the Award Agreement; provided, however, that if SARs are to be settled in cash, the SARs shall be
structured to avoid negative tax consequences to the Participant under Section 409A of the Code. 


 
 

ARTICLE IX. RESTRICTED STOCK    
    


        9.1   General. Awards may be granted in the form of Restricted Stock in such numbers and at such times as the Committee shall
determine. The Committee shall impose such terms, conditions and restrictions on Restricted Stock as it may deem advisable, including without limitation providing for vesting upon the achievement of
specified performance goals pursuant to a Performance Award and restrictions under applicable Federal or state securities laws. A Participant shall not be required to make any payment for Restricted
Stock unless required by the Committee pursuant to Section 9.2. 


        9.2   Purchased Restricted Stock. The Committee may in its sole discretion require a Participant to pay a stipulated purchase
price for each share of Restricted Stock ("Purchased Restricted Stock"). 


        9.3   Restricted Period. At the time an Award of Restricted Stock is granted, the Committee shall establish a Restricted Period
applicable to such Restricted Stock. Each Award of Restricted Stock may have a different Restricted Period in the sole discretion of the Committee. 


        9.4   Other Terms and Conditions. Restricted Stock shall constitute issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock for all
corporate purposes. Restricted Stock awarded to a Participant under the Plan shall be registered in the name of the Participant or, at the option of SEI, in the name of a nominee of SEI, and shall be
issued in book-entry form or represented by a stock certificate. Subject to the terms and conditions of the Award Agreement, a Participant to whom Restricted Stock has been awarded shall
have the right to receive dividends thereon during the Restricted Period, to vote the Restricted Stock and to enjoy all other stockholder rights with respect thereto, except that (i) SEI shall
retain custody of any certificates evidencing the Restricted Stock during the Restricted Period, and (ii) the Participant may not sell, transfer, pledge, exchange, hypothecate or otherwise
dispose of the Restricted Stock during the Restricted Period. A breach of the terms and conditions established by the Committee pursuant to the Award of the Restricted Stock may result in a forfeiture
of the Restricted Stock. At the 


10







 



time
of an Award of Restricted Stock, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, prescribe additional terms, conditions, restrictions and limitations applicable to the Restricted Stock, including
without limitation rules pertaining to the termination of employment or service (by reason of death, permanent and total disability, retirement, cause or otherwise) of a Participant prior to
expiration of the Restricted Period. 


        9.5   Miscellaneous. Nothing in this Article shall prohibit the exchange of shares of Restricted Stock pursuant to a plan of
merger or reorganization for stock or other securities of SEI or another corporation that is a party to the reorganization, provided that the stock or securities so received in exchange for shares of
Restricted Stock shall, except as provided in Article XIII, become subject to the restrictions applicable to such Restricted Stock. Any shares of Common Stock received as a result of a stock
split or stock dividend with respect to shares of Restricted Stock shall also become subject to the restrictions applicable to such Restricted Stock. 


 
 

ARTICLE X. RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS    
    


        10.1 General. Awards may be granted in the form of Restricted Stock Units in such numbers and at such times as the Committee
shall determine. The Committee shall impose such terms, conditions and restrictions on Restricted Stock Units as it may deem advisable, including without limitation prescribing the period over which
and the conditions upon which a Restricted Stock Unit may become vested or be forfeited, and providing for vesting upon the achievement of specified performance goals pursuant to a Performance Award.
Upon the lapse of restrictions with respect to each Restricted Stock Unit, the Participant shall be entitled to receive from the Company one share of Common Stock or an amount of cash equal to the
Fair Market Value of one share of Common Stock, as provided in the Award Agreement. A Participant shall not be required to make any payment for Restricted Stock Units. Restricted Stock Units shall be
structured to avoid negative tax consequences to the Participant under Section 409A of the Code. 



        10.2 Restricted Period. At the time an Award of Restricted Stock Units is granted, the Committee shall establish a Restricted
Period applicable to such Restricted Stock Units. Each Award of Restricted Stock Units may have a different Restricted Period in the sole discretion of the Committee. 


        10.3 Cash Dividend Rights and Dividend Unit Rights. To the extent provided by the Committee in its sole discretion, a grant
of Restricted Stock Units may include a tandem Cash Dividend Right or Dividend Unit Right grant. A grant of Cash Dividend Rights may provide that such Cash Dividend Rights shall be paid directly to
the Participant at the time of payment of related dividend, be credited to a bookkeeping account subject to the same vesting and payment provisions as the tandem Award (with or without interest in the
sole discretion of the Committee), or be subject to such other provisions or restrictions as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion. A grant of Dividend Unit Rights may provide that such
Dividend Unit Rights shall be subject to the same vesting and payment provisions as the tandem Award or be subject to such other provisions and restrictions as determined by the Committee in its sole
discretion. 


        10.4 Other Terms and Conditions. At the time of an Award of Restricted Stock Units, the Committee may, in its sole
discretion, prescribe additional terms, conditions, restrictions and limitations applicable to the Restricted Stock Units, including without limitation rules pertaining to the termination of
employment or service (by reason of death, permanent and total disability, retirement, cause or otherwise) of a Participant prior to expiration of the Restricted Period. 


 
 

ARTICLE XI. PERFORMANCE AWARDS    
    


        11.1 General. Awards may be granted in the form of Performance Awards that may be payable in the form of cash, shares of
Common Stock, or a combination of both, in such amounts and at such times as the Committee shall determine. Performance Awards shall be conditioned upon the level of 


11







 

achievement
of one or more stated performance goals over a specified performance period that shall not be shorter than one year. Performance Awards may be combined with other Awards to impose
performance criteria as part of the terms of such other Awards. 


        11.2 Terms and Conditions. Each Award Agreement embodying a Performance Award shall set forth (i) the amount,
including a target and maximum amount if applicable, a Participant may earn in the form of cash or shares of Common Stock or a formula for determining such amount, (ii) the performance criteria
and level of achievement versus such criteria that shall determine the amount payable or number of shares of Common Stock to be granted, issued, retained and/or vested, (iii) the performance
period over which performance is to be measured, (iv) the timing of any payments to be made, (v) restrictions on the transferability of the Award, and (vi) such other terms and
conditions as the Committee may determine that are not inconsistent with the Plan. 


        11.3 Code Section 162(m) Requirements. From and after the date on which remuneration paid pursuant to the Plan becomes
subject to the deduction limitation under Section 162(m) of the Code, the Committee shall determine in its sole discretion whether all or any portion of a Performance Award shall be intended to
satisfy the requirements for "performance-based compensation" under section 162(m) of the Code (the "162(m) Requirements"). The performance criteria for any Performance Award that is intended
to satisfy the 162(m) Requirements shall be established in writing by the Committee based on one or more performance goals as set forth in Section 11.4 not later than 90 days after
commencement of the performance period with respect to such Award, provided that the outcome of the performance in respect of the goals remains substantially uncertain as of such time. The maximum
amount that may be paid in cash pursuant to Performance Awards granted to a Participant with respect to a calendar year that are intended to satisfy the 162(m) Requirements is $1,000,000.00; provided,
however, that such maximum amount with respect to a Performance Award that provides for a performance period longer than one calendar year shall be the foregoing limit multiplied by the number of full
calendar years in the performance period. At the time of the grant of a Performance Award and to the extent permitted under Code section 162(m) and regulations thereunder for a Performance
Award intended to satisfy the 162(m) Requirements, the Committee may provide for the manner in which the performance goals will be measured in light of specified corporate transactions, extraordinary
events, accounting changes and other similar occurrences. 


        11.4 Performance Goals. The performance measure(s) to be used for purposes of Performance Awards may be described in terms of
objectives that are related to the individual Participant or objectives that are Company-wide or related to a subsidiary, division, department, region, function or business unit of the
Company in which the Participant is employed or with respect to which the Participant performs services, and may consist of one or more or any combination of the following criteria:
(i) earnings or earnings per share (whether on a pre-tax, after-tax, operational or other basis), (ii) return on equity, (iii) return on assets or net
assets, (iv) return on capital or invested capital and other related financial measures, (v) cash flow, (vi) revenues, (vii) income or operating income,
(viii) expenses or expense levels, (ix) one or more operating ratios, (x) stock price, (xi) total stockholder return, (xii) market share, (xiii) operating
profit, (xiv) profit margin, (xv) growth in production, (xvi) capital expenditures, (xvii) net borrowing, debt leverage levels, credit quality or debt ratings,
(xviii) the accomplishment of mergers, acquisitions, dispositions, public offerings or similar extraordinary business transactions, (xix) net asset value per share, (xx) economic
value added, (xxi) individual business objectives and (xxii) added reserves. The performance goals based on these performance measures may be made relative to the performance of other
business entities. 


        11.5 Certification and Negative Discretion. Prior to the payment of any compensation pursuant to a Performance Award that is
intended to satisfy the 162(m) Requirements, the Committee shall certify the extent to which the performance goals and other material terms of the Award have been achieved or satisfied. The Committee
in its sole discretion shall have the authority to reduce, but not to increase, 


12







 



the
amount payable and the number of shares to be granted, issued, retained or vested pursuant to a Performance Award. 


 
 

ARTICLE XII. STOCK AWARDS AND OTHER INCENTIVE AWARDS    
    



        12.1 Stock Awards. Stock Awards may be granted to Participants upon such terms and conditions as the Committee may determine.
Shares of Common Stock issued pursuant to Stock Awards may be issued for cash consideration or for no cash consideration. The Committee shall determine the number of shares of Common Stock to be
issued pursuant to a Stock Award. 


        12.2 Other Incentive Awards. Other Incentive Awards may be granted in such amounts, upon such terms and at such times as the
Committee shall determine. Other Incentive Awards may be granted based upon, payable in or otherwise related to, in whole or in part, shares of Common Stock if the Committee, in its sole discretion,
determines that such Other Incentive Awards are consistent with the purposes of the Plan. Each grant of an Other Incentive Award shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement that shall specify the amount
of the Other Incentive Award and the terms, conditions, restrictions and limitations applicable to such Award. Payment of Other Incentive Awards shall be made at such times and in such form, which may
be cash, shares of Common Stock or other property (or a combination thereof), as established by the Committee, subject to the terms of the Plan. 


 
 

ARTICLE XIII. CHANGE OF CONTROL    
    


        13.1 Awards Other Than Restricted Stock. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee at the time of grant of an Award or
unless otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement, if the stockholders of SEI shall approve a transaction which upon consummation would constitute a Change of Control of SEI, or in the event
of any Change of Control of SEI not subject to stockholder approval, then, no later than the effective time of such Change of Control, each Participant holding an Award (other than a Restricted Stock
Award) shall be required to surrender such Award in exchange for (i) with respect to each share of Common Stock subject to an Option or SAR (whether or not vested), payment by the Company (or a
successor), in cash, of an amount equivalent to the excess of the value of the consideration received for each share of Common Stock by holders of Common Stock in connection with such Change of
Control (the "Change of Control Consideration") over the exercise price or grant price per share; (ii) with respect to each share of Common Stock subject to an Award of Restricted Stock Units
or Other Incentive Awards, and related Cash Dividend Rights and Dividend Unit Rights (if applicable), payment by the Company (or a successor), in cash, of an amount equivalent to the value of any such
Cash Dividend Rights and Dividend Unit Rights plus the value of the Change of Control Consideration for each share covered by the Award, assuming all restrictions or limitations (including risks of
forfeiture) have lapsed; and (iii) with respect to a Performance Award, payment by the Company (or a successor), in cash, of an amount equivalent to the value of such Award, as determined by
the Committee, taking into account, to the extent applicable, the Change of Control Consideration, and assuming all performance criteria and other conditions to payment of such Awards are achieved or
fulfilled to the maximum extent possible. Except as provided below, cash payments made upon a Change of Control pursuant to this Article shall be made no later than the date on which the Change of
Control occurs. With respect to an Award that consists of deferred compensation under Section 409A of the Code, if a corporate event occurs that would otherwise constitute a Change of Control
under Section 2.7(a)-(f), but does not satisfy the requirements for a change of control or change in control under Section 409A of the Code and Treasury guidance and Regulations related
to Section 409A of the Code, including but not limited to Notice 2005-1 and such other Treasury guidance or Regulations issued after the Effective Date, then such Award shall be
fully vested, all restrictions or limitations shall lapse, or all performance criteria or other conditions related to such Awards shall be deemed to be achieved or fulfilled to the maximum extent
possible as of the date of such corporate event, as applicable, as provided above in this Article XIII, but the cash payment with respect to such 


13







 

Award
shall be delayed until payment may be made to the Participant without negative tax consequences to the Participant under Section 409A of the Code. 



        13.2 Restricted Stock Awards. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee at the time of grant of an Award or unless
otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement, if the stockholders of SEI shall approve a transaction which upon consummation would constitute a Change of Control of SEI, or in the event of any
Change of Control of SEI not subject to stockholder approval, then effective immediately prior to the Change of Control, all Awards shall be fully vested, all restrictions and limitations shall lapse
and all performance criteria or other conditions related to such Awards shall be deemed to be achieved or fulfilled to the maximum extent possible. 


 
 

ARTICLE XIV. AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION    
    


        14.1 Plan Amendment and Termination. The Board may at any time suspend, terminate, amend or modify the Plan, in whole or in
part; provided, however, that no amendment or modification of the Plan shall become effective without the approval of such amendment or modification by the holders of at least a majority of the shares
of Common Stock if (i) such amendment or modification increases the maximum number of shares subject to the Plan (except as provided in Article IV) or changes the designation or class of
persons eligible to receive Awards under the Plan, or (ii) counsel for SEI determines that such approval is otherwise required by or necessary to comply with applicable law or the listing
requirements of NASDAQ or such other exchange or association on which the Common Stock is then listed or quoted. An amendment to the Plan shall not require stockholder approval if it curtails rather
than expands the scope of the Plan, nor if it is made to conform the Plan to new statutory or regulatory requirements that arise after submission of the Plan to stockholders for their approval, such
as, without limitation, changes to section 409A of the Code, or regulations issued thereunder. Upon termination of the Plan, the terms and provisions of the Plan shall, notwithstanding such
termination, continue to apply to Awards granted prior to such termination. Except as otherwise provided herein, no suspension, termination, amendment or modification of the Plan shall adversely
affect in any material way any Award previously granted under the Plan, without the consent of the Participant (or the Permitted Transferee) holding such Award. 


        14.2 Award Amendment and Cancellation. The Committee may amend the terms of any outstanding Award granted pursuant to the
Plan, but except as otherwise provided herein, no such amendment shall adversely affect in any material way the Participant's (or a Permitted Transferee's) rights under an outstanding Award without
the consent of the Participant (or the Permitted Transferee) holding such Award. 


 
 

ARTICLE XV. MISCELLANEOUS    
    


        15.1 Award Agreements. After the Committee grants an Award under the Plan to a Participant, SEI and the Participant shall
enter into an Award Agreement setting forth the terms, conditions, restrictions and limitations applicable to the Award and such other matters as the Committee may determine to be appropriate. The
Committee may permit or require a Participant to defer receipt of the payment of cash or the delivery of shares of Common Stock that would otherwise be due to the Participant in connection with any
Award; provided, however, that any permitted deferrals shall be structured to avoid negative tax consequences to the Participant under Section 409A of the Code. The terms and provisions of the
respective Award Agreements need not be identical. All Award Agreements shall be subject to the provisions of the Plan, and in the event of any conflict between an Award Agreement and the Plan, the
terms of the Plan shall govern. Options, restricted stock and other awards granted pursuant to the SOP Plan shall continue to be governed by the terms of the SOP Plan as in effect at the time of the
award. 


14







 

        15.2 Listing; Suspension.



        (a)   As
long as the Common Stock is listed on a national securities exchange or system sponsored by a national securities association, the issuance of any shares of Common
Stock pursuant to an Award shall be conditioned upon such shares being listed on such exchange or system. SEI shall have no obligation to issue such shares unless and until such shares are so listed,
and the right to exercise any Option or other Award with respect to such shares shall be suspended until such listing has been effected. 



        (b)   If
at any time counsel to SEI or its Affiliates shall be of the opinion that any sale or delivery of shares of Common Stock pursuant to an Award is or may in the
circumstances be unlawful or result in the imposition of excise taxes on SEI or its Affiliates under the laws of any applicable jurisdiction, SEI or its Affiliates shall have no obligation to make
such sale or delivery, or to make any application or to effect or to maintain any qualification or registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or otherwise, with respect to shares of
Common Stock or Awards, and the right to exercise any Option or other Award shall be suspended until, in the opinion of such counsel, such sale or delivery shall be lawful or will not result in the
imposition of excise taxes on SEI or its Affiliates. 


        (c)   Upon
termination of any period of suspension under this Section, any Award affected by such suspension that shall not then have expired or terminated shall be reinstated
as to all shares available before such suspension and as to shares that would otherwise have become available during the period of such suspension, but no such suspension shall extend the term of any
Award unless otherwise determined by the Committee in its sole discretion. 




        15.3 Additional Conditions. Notwithstanding anything in the Plan to the contrary: (i) the Committee may, if it shall
determine it necessary or desirable in its sole discretion, at the time of grant of any Award or the issuance of any shares of Common Stock pursuant to any Award, require the recipient of the Award or
such shares of Common Stock, as a condition to the receipt thereof, to deliver to SEI a written representation of present intention to acquire the Award or such shares of Common Stock for his own
account for investment and not for distribution, (ii) the certificate for shares of Common Stock issued to a Participant may include any legend that the Committee deems appropriate to reflect
any restrictions on transfer, and (iii) all certificates for shares of Common Stock delivered under the Plan shall be subject to such stop transfer orders and other restrictions as the
Committee may deem advisable under the rules, regulations and other requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission, any stock exchange or association upon which the Common Stock is then listed
or quoted, any applicable federal or state securities law, and any applicable corporate law, and the Committee may cause a legend or legends to be placed on any such certificates to make appropriate
reference to such restrictions. 


        15.4 Transferability.



        (a)   All
Awards granted to a Participant shall be exercisable during his lifetime only by such Participant, or if applicable, a Permitted Transferee as provided in subsection
(c) of this Section; provided, however, that in the event of a Participant's legal incapacity, an Award may be exercised by his guardian or legal representative. When a Participant dies, the
personal representative, beneficiary, or other person entitled to succeed to the rights of the Participant may acquire the rights under an Award. Any such successor must furnish proof satisfactory to
SEI of the successor's entitlement to receive the rights under an Award under the Participant's will or under the applicable laws of descent and distribution. 


        (b)   Except
as otherwise provided in this Section, no Award shall be subject to execution, attachment or similar process, and no Award may be sold, transferred, pledged,
exchanged, hypothecated or otherwise disposed of, other than by will or pursuant to the applicable laws of 



15







 




descent
and distribution. Any attempted sale, transfer, pledge, exchange, hypothecation or other disposition of an Award not specifically permitted by the Plan or the Award Agreement shall be null and
void and without effect. 


        (c)   If
provided in the Award Agreement, Nonqualified Stock Options may be transferred by a Participant to a Permitted Transferee. For purposes of the Plan, "Permitted
Transferee" means (i) a member of a Participant's immediate family, (ii) any person sharing the Participant's household (other than a tenant or employee of the Participant),
(iii) trusts in which a person listed in (i) or (ii) above has more than 50% of the beneficial interest, (iv) a foundation in which the Participant or a person listed in
(i) or (ii) above controls the management of assets, (v) any other entity in which the Participant or a person listed in (i) or (ii) above owns more than 50% of the
voting interests, provided that in the case of the preceding clauses (i) through (v), no consideration is provided for the transfer, and (vi) any transferee permitted under applicable
securities and tax laws as determined by counsel to SEI. In
determining whether a person is a "Permitted Transferee," immediate family members shall include a Participant's child, stepchild, grandchild, parent, stepparent, grandparent, spouse, former spouse,
sibling, niece, nephew, mother-in-law, father-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law,
brother-in-law, or sister-in-law, including adoptive relationships. 


        (d)   Incident
to a Participant's divorce, the Participant may request that SEI agree to observe the terms of a domestic relations order which may or may not be part of a
qualified domestic relations order (as defined in Code section 414(p)) with respect to all or a part of one or more Awards made to the Participant under the Plan to the Participant's alternate
payee. SEI's decision regarding such a request shall be made by the Committee, in its sole and absolute discretion, based upon the best interests of SEI. The Committee's decision need not be uniform
among Participants. As a condition of participation, a Participant agrees to hold SEI harmless from any claim that may arise out of SEI's observance of the terms of any such domestic relations order. 




        15.5 Withholding Taxes. The Company shall be entitled to deduct from any payment made under the Plan, regardless of the form
of such payment, the amount of all applicable income and employment taxes required by law to be withheld with respect to such payment, may require the Participant to pay to the Company such
withholding taxes prior to and as a condition of the making of any payment or the issuance or delivery of any shares of Common Stock under the Plan, and shall be entitled to deduct from any other
compensation payable to the Participant any withholding obligations with respect to Awards. In accordance with any applicable administrative guidelines it establishes, the Committee may allow a
Participant to pay the amount of taxes required by law to be withheld from or with respect to an Award by (i) withholding shares of Common Stock from any payment of Common Stock due as a result
of such Award, or (ii) permitting the Participant to deliver to the Company previously acquired shares of Common Stock, in each case having an aggregate Fair Market Value equal to the amount of
such required withholding taxes. No payment shall be made and no shares of Common Stock shall be issued pursuant to any Award unless and until the applicable tax withholding obligations have been
satisfied. 


        15.6 No Fractional Shares. No fractional shares of Common Stock shall be issued or delivered pursuant to the Plan or any
Award granted hereunder, provided that the Committee in its sole discretion may round fractional shares down to the nearest whole share or settle fractional shares in cash. 


        15.7 Notices. All notices required or permitted to be given or made under the Plan or pursuant to any Award Agreement (unless
provided otherwise in such Award Agreement) shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given or made if (i) delivered personally, (ii) transmitted by first class
registered or certified United States mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, (iii) sent by prepaid overnight courier service, or (iv) sent by telecopy or facsimile
transmission, with confirmation 


16







 



receipt,
to the person who is to receive it at the address that such person has theretofore specified by written notice delivered in accordance herewith. Such notices shall be effective (i) if
delivered personally or sent by courier service, upon actual receipt by the intended recipient, (ii) if mailed, upon the earlier of five days after deposit in the mail or the date of delivery
as shown by the return receipt therefor, or (iii) if sent by telecopy or facsimile transmission, when the answer back is received. SEI or a Participant may change, at any time and from time to
time, by written notice to the other, the address that it or such Participant had theretofore specified for receiving notices. Until such address is changed in accordance herewith, notices hereunder
or under an Award Agreement shall be delivered or sent (i) to a Participant at his address as set forth in the records of the Company or (ii) to SEI at the principal executive offices of
SEI clearly marked "Attention: General Counsel." 


        15.8 Compliance with Law and Stock Exchange or Association Requirements. In addition, it is the intent of the SEI that
Options designated as Incentive Stock Options comply with the applicable provisions of Section 422 of the Code, and that Awards intended to constitute "qualified performance-based awards"
comply with the applicable provisions of Section 162(m) of the Code and that any deferral of the receipt of the payment of cash or the delivery of shares of Common Stock that the Committee may
permit or require, and any Award granted that is subject to Section 409A of the Code, comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code. 


To
the extent that any legal requirement of Section 16 of the Exchange Act or Sections 422, 162(m) or 409A of the Code as set forth in the Plan ceases to be required under Section 16 of
the Exchange Act or Sections 422, 162(m) or 409A of the Code, that Plan provision shall cease to apply. Any provision of this Plan to the contrary notwithstanding, the Committee may revoke any Award
if it is contrary to law, governmental regulation, or stock exchange or association requirements or modify an Award to bring it into compliance with any government regulation or stock exchange or
association requirements. The Committee may agree to limit its authority under this Section. 


        15.9 Binding Effect. The obligations of SEI under the Plan shall be binding upon any successor corporation or organization
resulting from the merger, consolidation or other reorganization of SEI, or upon any successor corporation or organization succeeding to all or substantially all of the assets and business of SEI. The
terms and conditions of the Plan shall be binding upon each Participant and his Permitted Transferees, heirs, legatees, distributees and legal representatives. 



        15.10 Severability. If any provision of the Plan or any Award Agreement is held to be illegal or invalid for any reason, the
illegality or invalidity shall not affect the remaining provisions of the Plan or such agreement, as the case may be, but such provision shall be fully severable and the Plan or such agreement, as the
case may be, shall be construed and enforced as if the illegal or invalid provision had never been included herein or therein. 


        15.11 No Restriction of Corporate Action. Nothing contained in the Plan shall be construed to prevent SEI or any Affiliate
from taking any corporate action (including any corporate action to suspend, terminate, amend or modify the Plan) that is deemed by SEI or such Affiliate to be appropriate or in its best interest,
whether or not such action would have an adverse effect on the Plan or any Awards made or to be made under the Plan. No Participant or other person shall have any claim against SEI or any Affiliate as
a result of such action. 


        15.12 Governing Law. The Plan shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal laws (and not the principles
relating to conflicts of laws) of the State of Texas except as superseded by applicable federal law. 



        15.13 No Right, Title or Interest in Company Assets. No Participant shall have any rights as a stockholder of SEI as a result
of participation in the Plan until the date of issuance of Common Stock in his name and, in the case of Restricted Stock, unless and until such rights are granted to the Participant pursuant to the
Plan. To the extent any person acquires a right to receive payments from 


17







 



the
Company under the Plan, such rights shall be no greater than the rights of an unsecured general creditor of the Company, and such person shall not have any rights in or against any specific assets
of the Company. All Awards shall be unfunded. 


        15.14 Risk of Participation. Nothing contained in the Plan shall be construed either as a guarantee by SEI or the Affiliates,
or their respective stockholders, directors, officers or employees, of the value of any assets of the Plan or as an agreement by SEI or the Affiliates, or their respective stockholders, directors,
officers or employees, to indemnify anyone for any losses, damages, costs or expenses resulting from participation in the Plan. 



        15.15 No Guarantee of Tax Consequences. No person connected with the Plan in any capacity, including without limitation SEI
and the Affiliates and their respective directors, officers, agents and employees, makes any representation, commitment or guarantee that any tax treatment, including without limitation federal, state
and local income, estate and gift tax treatment, will be applicable with respect to any Awards or payments thereunder made to or for the benefit of a Participant under the Plan or that such tax
treatment will apply to or be available to a Participant on account of participation in the Plan. 


        15.16 Continued Employment or Service. Nothing contained in the Plan or in any Award Agreement shall confer upon any
Participant the right to continue in the employ or service of the Company, or interfere in any way with the rights of the Company to terminate a Participant's employment or service at any time, with
or without cause. The loss of existing or potential profit in Awards will not constitute an element of damages in the event of termination of employment or service for any reason, even if the
termination is in violation of an obligation of SEI or an Affiliate to the Participant. 


        15.17 Miscellaneous. Headings are given to the articles and sections of the Plan solely as a convenience to facilitate
reference. Such headings shall not be deemed in any way material or relevant to the construction of the Plan or any provisions hereof. The use of the masculine gender shall also include within its
meaning the feminine. Wherever the context of the Plan dictates, the use of the singular shall also include within its meaning the plural, and vice versa. 


        IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, this Plan has been executed as of the Effective Date. 



	 	 	STROUD ENERGY, INC.
	

 	
 	

By:	

/s/  PATRICK J. NOYES      
 Name: Patrick J. Noyes

Title: President & Chief Executive Officer




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Exhibit 10.3


STROUD ENERGY, INC. 2005 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN

ARTICLE I. ESTABLISHMENT AND PURPOSE

ARTICLE II. DEFINITIONS

ARTICLE III. PLAN ADMINISTRATION

ARTICLE IV. SHARES SUBJECT TO THE PLAN

ARTICLE V. ELIGIBILITY

ARTICLE VI. FORM OF AWARDS

ARTICLE VII. OPTIONS

ARTICLE VIII. STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS

ARTICLE IX. RESTRICTED STOCK

ARTICLE X. RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS

ARTICLE XI. PERFORMANCE AWARDS

ARTICLE XII. STOCK AWARDS AND OTHER INCENTIVE AWARDS

ARTICLE XIII. CHANGE OF CONTROL

ARTICLE XIV. AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION

ARTICLE XV. MISCELLANEOUS