**Exhibit 10.5**

**EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT**

THIS AGREEMENT is made effective August 8, 2006 (the“***Effective Date***”), between Bronco Drilling Company, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “***Company***”), and Zachary M. Graves, an individual (the “***Executive***”). 

W I T N E S S E T H: 

WHEREAS, the Companyand the Executive desire to set forth the terms of their agreements relating to the employment of the Executive by the Company. 

NOW,THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises herein contained, the Company and the Executive agree as follows: 

**1. Employment**.The Company hereby employs the Executive and the Executive hereby accepts such employment subject to the terms and conditions contained in this Agreement. The Executive is engaged as an employee of the Company and the Executive and the Company donot intend to create a joint venture, partnership or other relationship that might impose a fiduciary obligation on the Executive or the Company in the performance of this Agreement, other than as an officer and director of the Company. 

**2.****Executive’s Duties**. The Executive is employed on a full-time basis. Throughout the term of this Agreement, the Executive willuse the Executive’s best efforts and due diligence to assist the Company in the objective of achieving the most profitable operation of the Company and the Company’s affiliated entities consistent with developing and maintaining a qualitybusiness operation. 

**2.1****Specific Duties**. During the term of this Agreement the Executive will serve as ChiefFinancial Officer for the Company. The Executive agrees to use the Executive’s best efforts to perform all of the services required to fully and faithfully execute the offices and positions to which the Executive is appointed and such otherservices as may be reasonably directed by the Board of Directors of the Company in accordance with this Agreement. 

**2.2****Modifications**. The precise duties to be performed by the Executive may be extended or curtailed in the discretion of the Board of Directors of the Company. However, except for termination for Cause (as hereinafter defined)under paragraph 6.1(b) of this Agreement, (i) a reduction in Executive’s Base Salary (as hereinafter defined) or a significant reduction in Executive’s then current benefits as provided in paragraph 4, (vi) theCompany’s principal executive officers are moved to a location more than 25 miles from its current location or Executive is required to be based anywhere other than the Company’s principal executive offices, (vii) a failure by theCompany to require any successor to the Company or to all or substantially all of the business or assets of the Company to expressly assume the obligations of the Company under this Agreement or (viii) a breach by the Company of a materialprovision of this Agreement or any other material plan or program covering Executive will constitute termination without Cause (such events, collectively, “***Good Reason***”). 

**2.3****Rules and Regulations**. From time to time, the Company may issuepolicies and procedures applicable to employees and the Executive including an Employment Policies Manual. The Executive agrees to comply with such policies and procedures, except to the extent such policies are inconsistent with this Agreement.Such policies and procedures may be supplemented, modified, changed or adopted without notice in the sole discretion of the Company at any time. In the event of a conflict between such policies and procedures and this Agreement, this Agreement willcontrol unless compliance with this Agreement will violate any law or regulation applicable to the Company or its affiliated entities. 

**3.****Other Activities**. During the term of this Agreement, Executive will devote substantially all of his business time, efforts, skills and abilities and attention to the business of the Company; provided, however, thatExecutive (i) may serve on one board of directors of a publicly traded corporation, (ii) with the consent of the Board of Directors of the Company (which will not be unreasonably withheld), may serve on other boards of directors ofbusiness entities, (iii) may engage in charitable, educational or community affairs, including serving on the board of directors of any charitable, educational or community organization and (iv) may manage his personal investments,provided that such activities do not materially interfere with the performance of his duties hereunder. 

**4.****Executive’sCompensation**. The Company agrees to compensate the Executive as follows: 

**4.1****Base Salary**. A base salary(the “***Base Salary***”), in an annual rate of not less than Two Hundred Thousand Dollars ($200,000.00), will be paid to the Executive in installments consistent with the Company’s customary payroll practices, during the termof this Agreement. 

**4.2****Bonus**. During the term of this Agreement, the Executive will be eligible to receive anannual bonus established by the Board of Directors of the Company (or its Compensation Committee), in its discretion. 

**4.3****Equity Compensation**. In addition to the compensation set forth in paragraphs 4.1 and 4.2 of this Agreement, the Executive may periodically receive grants of stock options, restricted stock or other equity related awardsfrom the Company’s stock compensation plans in effect from time to time, subject to the terms and conditions of such plans. 

**4.4****Benefits**. The Company agrees to extend to the Executive retirement benefits, deferred compensation, reimbursement of reasonable expenditures for dues, travel and entertainment and any other benefits the Company provides toother executives or officers from time to time on the same terms as such benefits are provided to such individuals. Such benefits will include comprehensive healthcare, dental care, life insurance, disability and other welfare benefits that are notless favorable than the plans in force on the Effective Date. The following specific benefits will also be provided to the Executive at the expense of the Company. 

 

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(a) **Vacation**. The Executive will be entitled to take up to two (2) weeks ofpaid vacation each calendar year during the term of this Agreement, subject to proration for any portion of a calendar year under this Agreement. No additional compensation will be paid for failure to take vacation and no vacation may be carriedforward from one calendar year to another. 

(b) **Membership Dues**. The Company will reimburse the Executive forjoining, and maintaining a full membership in, any country club in the Oklahoma City area. 

(c) **Reimbursement ofExpenses**. The Company will reimburse the Executive for such reasonable and necessary out-of-pocket business expenses as may be incurred by him in the performance of the Executive’s duties hereunder. 

(d) **Supplemental Retirement Plan.**The Executive will be eligible to participate in the Company’s supplemental retirement plan,if any, on terms no less favorable than those available to other senior executives. 

(e) **Tax Withholding.** The Companyhas the right to deduct from any compensation payable to Executive under this Agreement social security (FICA) taxes and all Federal, state and local income taxes and charges as are required by applicable law and regulations. 

**4.5****Gross-Up Payment**. In the event it is determined that any payment or distribution by the Company or the Company’ssubsidiaries or affiliates to or for the benefit of the Executive (whether paid or payable or distributed or distributable pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or otherwise, but determined without regard to any additional payments required underthis paragraph 4.5) (a “***Payment***”) is subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code (the “***Code***”) or any interest or penalties related to such excise tax(collectively, the “***Excise Tax***”), the Executive will be entitled to receive an additional payment (a “***Gross-Up Payment***”) from the Company. The Gross-Up Payment will be equal to the amount such thatafter payment by the Executive of all taxes (including the Excise Tax, income taxes, interest and penalties imposed with respect to such taxes) on the Gross-Up Payment, the Executive will retain an amount of the Gross-Up Payment equal to the ExciseTax imposed on the Payment. 

(a) **Determination**. Subject to the provisions of paragraph 4.5(b), all determinationsrequired to be made under this paragraph 4.5 (including whether and when a Gross-Up Payment is required, the amount of such Gross-Up Payment and the assumptions to be utilized) will be made by a nationally recognized certified public accounting firmdesignated by the Executive (the “***Accounting Firm***”). The Executive will request that the Accounting Firm provide detailed supporting calculations both to the Company and the Executive within fifteen (15) business days ofthe receipt of notice from the Executive that there has been a Payment, or such earlier time as is reasonably requested by the parties. In the event that the Accounting Firm is serving as accountant or auditor for the 

 

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individual, entity or group effecting a Change of Control (as hereinafter defined), the Executive will be entitled to appoint another nationally recognizedaccounting firm to make the determinations required under this paragraph (which accounting firm will then be referred to as the Accounting Firm hereunder). All fees and expenses of the Accounting Firm will be paid by the Company. Any Gross-UpPayment required to be paid under this paragraph 4.5 will be paid by the Company to the Executive within five (5) days of the receipt of the Accounting Firm’s determination. Any determination by the Accounting Firm will be binding on theCompany and the Executive. As a result of the uncertainty in the application of Section 4999 of the Code at the time of the initial determination by the Accounting Firm, the Gross-Up Payment made by the Company may be less than actuallyrequired (an “***Underpayment***”) consistent with the calculations required to be made hereunder. In the event that the Company exhausts its remedies pursuant to paragraph 4.5(b) below and the Executive thereafter is required tomake a payment of any Excise Tax, the Accounting Firm will determine the amount of the Underpayment that has occurred and any such Underpayment will be promptly paid by the Company to or for the benefit of the Executive. 

(b) **Contest of Claims**. The Executive will notify the Company in writing of any claim by the Internal Revenue Service that, ifsuccessful, would require the payment by the Company of a Gross-Up Payment. Such notification will be given as soon as practicable but no later than ten (10) business days after the Executive is informed in writing of such claim and willapprise the Company of the nature of such claim and the date on which such claim is requested to be paid. The Executive will not pay such claim prior to the expiration of the thirty (30)-day period following the date on which the Executive notifiesthe Company (or such shorter period ending on the date that any payment of taxes with respect to such claim is due). If the Company notifies the Executive in writing prior to the expiration of such thirty (30)-day period that the Company desires tocontest such claim, the Executive will: (i) provide to the Company any information reasonably requested by the Company relating to such claim; (ii) take such action in connection with contesting such claim as the Company reasonablyrequests in writing including, without limitation, accepting legal representation with respect to such claim by an attorney reasonably selected by the Company; (c) cooperate with the Company in good faith as necessary to effectively contestsuch claim; and (d) permit the Company to participate in any proceedings relating to such claim. The Company will bear and pay directly all costs and expenses (including additional interest and penalties) incurred in connection with the contestof the claim and agrees to indemnify and hold the Executive harmless, on an after-tax basis, for any Excise Tax or income tax (including interest and penalties with respect thereto) imposed as a result of such contest (including payment of costs andexpenses as provided hereunder). Without limitation on the foregoing provisions, the Company will control all proceedings related to such contested claim, may at its sole option pursue or forego any and all administrative appeals, proceedings,hearings and conferences with the taxing authority in respect of such claim and may at its sole option either direct the Executive to pay the tax claimed 

 

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and sue for a refund, or contest the claim in any permissible manner. The Executive agrees to prosecute such contest to a determination before anyadministrative tribunal, in a court of initial jurisdiction and in one or more appellate courts, as the Company reasonably determines. If the Company directs the Executive to pay a claim and sue for a refund, the Company will be required to advancethe amount of such payment to the Executive on an interest-free basis and agrees to indemnify and hold the Executive harmless, on an after-tax basis, from any Excise Tax or income tax (including interest or penalties with respect thereto) imposedwith respect to such advance or with respect to any imputed income with respect to such advance, provided that any extension of the statute of limitations relating to payment of taxes for the taxable year of the Executive with respect to which suchcontested amount is claimed to be due is limited solely to such contested amount. Furthermore, the Company’s control of the contested claim will be limited to issues with respect to which a Gross-Up Payment would be payable hereunder and theExecutive will be entitled to settle or contest, as the case may be, any other issue raised by the Internal Revenue Service or any other taxing authority. 

(c) **Refunds**. If, after the receipt by the Executive of an amount advanced by the Company pursuant to paragraph 4.5(b), the Executive becomes entitled to receive any refund with respect to such claim, theExecutive will (subject to the Company’s complying with the requirements of paragraph 4.5(b)) promptly pay to the Company the amount of such refund (together with any interest paid or credited thereon after taxes applicable thereto). If, afterthe receipt by the Executive of an amount advanced by the Company pursuant to paragraph 4.5(b), a determination is made that the Executive will not be entitled to any refund with respect to such claim and the Company does not notify the Executive inwriting of its intent to contest such denial of refund prior to the expiration of thirty (30) days after such determination, then the advance will be forgiven and will not be required to be repaid and the amount of such advance will offset, tothe extent thereof, the amount of Gross-Up Payment required to be paid. 

**4.6****Compensation Review**. Thecompensation of the Executive will be reviewed not less frequently than annually by the Board of Directors of the Company (or a Compensation Committee thereof) and shall be reviewed semi-annually if the compensation of other executive officers ofthe Company is reviewed at such frequency. The compensation of the Executive prescribed in paragraph 4 of this Agreement (including benefits) may be increased at the discretion of the Board of Directors of the Company or the Compensation Committee,but may not be reduced without the prior written consent of the Executive except as expressly provided herein. 

**5.****Term**. Inthe absence of termination as set forth in paragraph 6 below, this Agreement will extend for a term commencing on the Effective Date, and ending on August 8, 2009 (the “***Expiration Date***”) as extended from time to time.Unless the Company provides thirty (30) days’ prior written notice of non-extension to the Executive on or before each August 8 during the term of this Agreement, the term and the Expiration Date will be automatically 

 

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extended for one (1) additional year so that the remaining term on this Agreement will be not less than two (2) and not more than three(3) years. 

**6.****Termination**. The Executive’s employment will continue in effect until the expiration of the term setforth in paragraph 5 of this Agreement unless earlier terminated pursuant to this paragraph 6. 

**6.1****Termination bythe Company**. The Company will have the following rights to terminate Executive’s employment: 

(a) **Terminationwithout Cause**. The Company may terminate Executive’s employment without Cause at any time by the service of written notice of termination to the Executive specifying an effective date of such termination not sooner than ten (10) daysafter the date of such notice (the “***Termination Date***”). In the event the Executive is terminated without Cause (other than in connection with a Change of Control or a Potential Change of Control under paragraph 6.3 of thisAgreement), the Executive will receive as termination compensation: (i) an amount equal to his Base Salary (as in effect on the Termination Date) during the remaining term of this Agreement, but in any event through the Expiration Date;provided, however, such amount shall not be less than two times the then current Base Salary; plus (ii) the greater of any target bonus for the year of termination or the average of the immediately preceding two years’ annual incentivebonuses received by Executive; plus (iii) any vacation pay accrued through the Termination Date. In addition, during the greater of (i) twenty-four month period following the date of termination and (ii) the number of months,including fractional months, remaining in the term of this Agreement, the Company will continue to provide Executive (and, as applicable, his family) with the benefits, including but not limited to healthcare, dental, life insurance and otherbenefits set forth in paragraph 4.4. The payment of such amounts shall be made, at Executive’s option, either in a lump sum within ten (10) days of termination or during the remaining term of the Agreement in installments consistent withthe Company’s normal payroll practices, but, if on the Termination Date, the Executive is a “specified employee” as defined in regulations under Section 409A of the Code, such payments will commence on the first payroll paymentdate which is more than six months following the Termination Date, and the first payment shall include any amounts that would have otherwise been payable during the six-month period. 

(b) **Termination for Cause**. The Company may terminate Executive’s employment for Cause. For purposes of this Agreement,“***Cause***” means: (i) the willful and continued failure of the Executive to perform substantially the Executive’s duties with the Company or its subsidiaries or affiliates (other than a failure resulting fromincapacity due to physical or mental illness), after a written demand for substantial performance is delivered to the Executive by the Board of Directors which specifically identifies the manner in which the Board of Directors believes that theExecutive has not substantially performed the Executive’s duties; or (ii) the willful engaging by the Executive in 

 

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illegal conduct, gross misconduct or a clearly established violation of the Company’s written policies and procedures, in each case which is materiallyand demonstrably injurious to the Company. For purposes of this provision, an act or failure to act, on the part of the Executive, will not be considered “willful” unless it is done, or omitted to be done, by the Executive in bad faith orwithout reasonable belief that the Executive’s action or omission was in the best interests of the Company. Any act, or failure to act, based on authority given pursuant to a resolution duly adopted by the Board of Directors or based on theadvice of counsel for the Company will be conclusively presumed to be done, or omitted to be done, by the Executive in good faith and in the best interests of the Company. In the event Executive’s employment is terminated for Cause, the Companywill not have any obligation to provide any further payments or benefits to the Executive after the effective date of such termination. Executive’s employment will not be deemed to have been terminated for Cause unless a written determinationspecifying the reasons for such termination is made, approved by a majority of the independent and disinterested members of the Board of Directors of the Company and delivered to the Executive. Thereafter, the Executive will have the right for aperiod of thirty (30) days to request a Board of Directors meeting to be held at a mutually agreeable time and location to be attended by the members of the Board of Directors in person within the following thirty (30) days, at whichmeeting the Executive and his designated representatives will have an opportunity to be heard. Failing such determination and opportunity for hearing, any termination of Executive’s employment will be deemed to have occurred without Cause.

**6.2****Termination by Executive**. The Executive may voluntarily terminate his employment with or without Cause bythe service of written notice of such termination to the Company specifying an effective date of such termination ninety (90) days after the date of such notice, during which time the Executive may use remaining accrued vacation days, or at theCompany’s option, be paid for such days. Subject to paragraphs 2.2 and 6.1, in the event his employment is terminated by the Executive, neither the Company nor the Executive will have any further obligations hereunder, except for anyobligations which expressly survive termination of employment including, without limitation, any obligation of the Company to provide any further payments or benefits to the Executive after the effective date of such termination. 

**6.3****Termination in Connection with Change of Control or Potential Change of Control**. If (x) within two (2) yearsfollowing a “***Change of Control***” or (y) following a “***Potential Change of Control***” which is followed within one (1) year by a Change of Control, there is a CC Termination (as hereinafterdefined), then the Executive will be entitled to a severance payment (in addition to any other rights and other amounts payable to the Executive under Section 6.7 or under Company plans in which Executive is a participant) payable in a lump sumin cash within ten (10) days following the CC Termination in an amount equal to the sum of the following: (i) three (3) times the Executive’s Base Salary for the last 12 calendar months ending immediately prior to the CCTermination and bonus paid pursuant to Section 4.2 (based on the average of the last three years’ annual bonuses or such lesser number of years as Executive may have been 

 

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employed); plus (ii) any applicable Gross-Up Payment. If the foregoing amount is not paid within ten (10) days after the CC Termination, the unpaidamount will bear interest at the per annum rate of 12%. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if at the time of a CC Termination the Executive is a “specified employee” as defined in regulations under Section 409A of the Code, such paymentwill be made on the first day which is more than six (6) months following the CC Termination. In connection with any Potential Change of Control or Change of Control, the Company shall obtain the assumption of this Agreement, without limitationor reduction, by any successor to the Company or any parent corporation of the Company. 

(a) **Change of Control**. Forthe purpose of this Agreement, a “***Change of Control***” means the occurrence of any of the following: 

(i) The acquisition by any individual, entity or group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “***Exchange Act***”)) (a“***Person***”), other than Executive or his affiliates or Wexford Capital LLC or its affiliates (the “***Exempt Persons***”), of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under theExchange Act) of 40% or more of either (a) the then outstanding shares of common stock of the Company (the “***Outstanding Company Common Stock***”) or (b) the combined voting power of the then outstanding votingsecurities of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (the “***Outstanding Company Voting Securities***”). For purposes of this paragraph (i), any acquisition by any employee benefit plan (or relatedtrust) sponsored or maintained by the Company or any corporation controlled by the Company will not constitute a Change in Control. 

(ii) The individuals who, as of the date hereof, constitute the Board of Directors (the “***Incumbent Board***”) cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board of Directors. Any individual becoming adirector subsequent to the date hereof whose election, or nomination for election by the Company’s stockholders, is approved by a vote of at least a majority of the directors then comprising the Incumbent Board will be considered a member ofthe Incumbent Board as of the date hereof, but any such individual whose initial assumption of office occurs as a result of an actual or threatened election contest with respect to the election or removal of directors or other actual or threatenedsolicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a Person other than the Incumbent Board will not be deemed a member of the Incumbent Board as of the date hereof. 

(iii) The consummation of a reorganization, merger, consolidation or sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assetsof the Company (a “***Business Combination***”), unless following such Business Combination: (a) the individuals and entities who were the beneficial owners, respectively, of the Outstanding Company Common 

 

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Stock and Outstanding Company Voting Securities immediately prior to such Business Combination beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than 60% of,respectively, the then outstanding shares of common stock and the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, as the case may be, of the corporation resulting from suchBusiness Combination (including, without limitation, a corporation which, as a result of such transaction, owns the Company or all or substantially all of the Company’s assets either directly or through one ore more subsidiaries) insubstantially the same proportions as their ownership, immediately prior to such Business Combination of the Outstanding Company Common Stock and Outstanding Company Voting Securities, as the case may be; (b) no Person (excluding anycorporation resulting from such Business Combination or any employee benefit plan (or related trust) of the Company or such corporation resulting from such Business Combination) other than one or more of the Exempt Persons beneficially owns,directly or indirectly, 40% or more of, respectively, the then outstanding shares of common stock of the corporation resulting from such Business Combination or the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of such corporationexcept to the extent that such ownership existed prior to the Business Combination and (c) at least a majority of the members of the board of directors of the corporation resulting from such Business Combination were members of the IncumbentBoard at the time of the execution of the initial agreement, or of the action of the Board, providing for such Business Combination. 

(iv) The approval by the stockholders of the Company of a complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company. 

(b) **Potential Change of Control**. For the purpose of the Agreement, a “***Potential Change of Control***” means the earliest to occur of the following events: (i) the Company enters intoan agreement the consummation of which, or the approval by stockholders of which, would constitute a Change of Control; (ii) proxies for the election of members of the Board are solicited by any Person other than the Company; (iii) anyPerson publicly announces an intention to take or to consider taking actions which, if consummated, would constitute a Change of Control; or (iv) any other event occurs which is deemed to be a Potential Change of Control by the Board and theBoard adopts a resolution to the effect that a Potential Change of Control has occurred. 

(c) **CC Termination**. Theterm “***CC Termination***” means any of the following: (i) the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company other than under paragraphs 6.1(b), 6.4 or 6.5; or (ii) the Executive resigns as a result of any ofthe events constituting Good Reason as defined in paragraph 2.2. 

**6.4****Disability of Executive**. (a) Theemployment of Executive will terminate upon the Disability of Executive. For purposes of this Agreement, “Disability” means 

 

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Executive’s inability to perform his duties and responsibilities as contemplated under this Agreement for a period of more than 120 consecutive days dueto physical, mental or emotional incapacity or impairment. A determination of Disability will be made by a physician acceptable to both Executive and the Company; provided that if Executive and the Company cannot agree as to a physician, each willselect a physician and the two physicians will select a third physician, whose determination as to Disability will be binding on Executive and the Company. Executive, his legal representative or any adult member of his immediate family will have theright to present to the Company and such physician such information and arguments on his behalf as Executive or they deem appropriate, including the opinion of his personal physician. Executive’s employment will not be terminated due toDisability until the physician has delivered a written opinion certifying such disability and a written notice of termination for Disability has been delivered by the Company or Executive, as the case may be, to the other party. 

(b) In the event Executive’s employment is terminated for Disability, the Company will pay Executive his Base Salary in effect on thedate of termination through the remaining term of this Agreement, but in any event through the Expiration Date. The payment of such amounts shall be made during the remaining term of the Agreement in installments consistent with the Company’snormal payroll practices, but, if on the termination date, the Executive is a “specified employee” as defined in regulations under Section 409A of the Code, such payments will commence on the first payroll payment date which is morethan six months following the termination date and the first payment shall include any amounts that would have otherwise been payable during the six-month period. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the amount payable hereunder will be reduced by anybenefits payable under any disability plans provided by the Company under paragraph 4.4 of this Agreement. 

**6.5****Death of Executive**. If Executive dies during the term of this Agreement, Executive’s employment will terminate without compensation to the Executive’s estate, except: (a) the obligation to continue the Base Salary paymentsunder paragraph 4.1 of this Agreement for twelve (12) months after the effective date of such termination, and (b) the benefits described in paragraph 4.4 of this Agreement accrued through the effective date of such termination.

**6.6****Effect of Termination**. The termination of Executive’s employment will terminate all obligations ofthe Executive to render services on behalf of the Company. Executive will maintain the confidentiality of all information acquired by the Executive during the term of his employment in accordance with paragraph 7 of this Agreement. In the event ofExecutive’s termination of employment, and in addition to any other payments or benefits owed to Executive under this paragraph 6, the Company will pay Executive, his estate or his representative, as the case may be, any accrued but unpaidsalary, bonuses, expenses or benefits as of the date of termination. Except as provided in the previous sentence, no accrued bonus, severance pay or other form of compensation will be payable by the Company to the Executive by reason of thetermination of his employment. In the event that payments are required to be made by the Company under this paragraph 6, the Executive will not be required to seek other employment as a means of mitigating the Company’s obligations hereunderresulting from termination of the 

 

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Executive’s employment and the Company’s obligations hereunder (including payment of severance benefits) will not be terminated, reduced ormodified as a result of the Executive’s earnings from other employment or self-employment. All keys, entry cards, credit cards, files, records, financial information, furniture, furnishings, equipment, supplies and other items relating to theCompany will remain the property of the Company. All such personal items will be removed from such offices no later than ten (10) days after the effective date of termination, and the Company is hereby authorized to discard any items remainingand to reassign the Executive’s office space after such date. Prior to the effective date of termination, the Executive will cooperate with the Company to provide for the orderly termination of the Executive’s employment. 

**6.7****Equity Compensation Provisions**. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in any option agreement, restricted stockagreement, plan or other agreement relating to equity based compensation, in the event of a termination under paragraph 6.1(a) (which includes any termination by Executive for Good Reason) or 6.3 of this Agreement: (a) all units, stock options,incentive stock options, performance shares, stock appreciation rights and restricted stock held by Executive immediately prior to such termination will immediately become 100% vested; and (b) the Executive’s right to exercise anypreviously unexercised options will not terminate until the latest date on which such option would expire but for Executive’s termination of employment. To the extent the Company is unable to provide for one or both of the foregoing rights, theCompany will provide, in lieu thereof, a lump-sum cash payment equal to the difference between the total value of such units, stock options, incentive stock options, performance shares, stock appreciation rights and shares of restricted stock (the“***Equity Compensation Rights***”) with the foregoing rights as of the date of Executive’s termination of employment and the total value of the Equity Compensation Rights without the foregoing rights as of the date of theExecutive’s termination of employment. The foregoing amounts will be determined by the Board of Directors in good faith based on a valuation performed by an independent consultant selected by the Board of Directors and the cash payment, if any,will be paid in a lump sum in the case of a termination under Section 6.1(a), at the same time as the first severance payment is otherwise due under such Section, and in the case of a termination under Section 6.3, at the same time thepayment is due under such Section. 

**6.8****Payment in Lieu of Benefits**. In the event that Executive and/or hisfamily is entitled to benefits, such as healthcare, under this paragraph 6, to the extent that the Company’s plans, programs and arrangements do not permit a continuation of Executive’s and/or his family’s participation in a benefitplan, program or arrangement following his termination of employment, the Company will pay Executive (and/or his family), no less frequently than quarterly in advance an amount which, after all taxes on such amount, is sufficient for him and/or hisfamily to purchase equivalent benefits. 

**6.9****Release**. As a condition of receiving any amounts pursuant toparagraph 6, or of accelerated vesting of any equity-based or cash-based award in connection with the termination of Executive’s employment, Executive agrees to execute a release of claims that he has or may have against the Company relatingto, or arising out of his 

 

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employment (including the termination of such employment) with the Company; provided, however, Executive will not release: 

(i) claims that Executive may have against the Company for reimbursement of ordinary and necessary business expenses incurred by himduring the course of his employment; 

(ii) claims that arise after the effective date of the release; 

(iii) any rights Executive may have to enforce this Agreement; 

(iv) any rights or entitlements that Executive has under any applicable plan, policy, program, or arrangement of, or other agreement with,the Company; and 

(v) claims for which Executive is entitled to be indemnified under the Company’s Certificate ofIncorporation or By-laws or under applicable law or pursuant to the Company’s directors’ and officer’s liability insurance policies. 

**7.****Confidentiality**. The Executive recognizes that the nature of the Executive’s services are such that the Executive will have access to information that constitutes trade secrets, is of a confidential nature, is of greatvalue to the Company or is the foundation on which the business of the Company is predicated (“***Confidential Information***”). The Executive agrees not to disclose to any person other than the Company’s employees or theCompany’s legal counsel or other parties authorized by the Company to receive confidential information nor use for any purpose, other than the performance of this Agreement, any Confidential Information. Confidential Information includes dataor material (regardless of form) which is: (a) a trade secret; (b) provided, disclosed or delivered to Executive by the Company, any officer, director, employee, agent, attorney, accountant, consultant or other person or entity employee bythe Company in any capacity, any customer, borrower or business associate of the Company or any public authority having jurisdiction over the Company of any business activity conducted by the Company; or (c) produced, developed, obtained orprepared by or on behalf of the Executive or the Company (whether or not such information was developed in the performance of this Agreement) with respect to the Company or any assets, business activities, officers, directors, employees, borrowersor customers of the foregoing. However, Confidential Information will not include any information, data or material which at the time of disclosure or use was generally available to the public other than by a breach of this Agreement, was availableto the party to whom disclosed on a non-confidential basis by disclosure or access provided by the Company or a third party, or was otherwise developed or obtained independently by the person to whom disclosed without a breach of this Agreement. Onrequest by the Company, the Company will be entitled to a copy of any Confidential Information in the possession of the Executive. The provisions of this paragraph 7 will survive the termination, expiration or cancellation of Executive’semployment for a period of one (1) year after the date of termination. The Executive will deliver to the Company all originals and copies of the documents or materials containing Confidential Information. For purposes of paragraphs 7, 8 and 9of this Agreement, the Company expressly includes any of the Company’s subsidiaries or affiliates. 

 

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**8.****Non-competition**. During the period of Executive’s employment and for a periodending six (6) months after the Executive’s termination of employment for any reason other than pursuant to Section 6.1(a) or 6.3, (a) the Executive will not solicit, induce, entice or attempt to entice any employee, contractor,customer, vendor or subcontractor to terminate or breach any relationship with the Company or the Company’s subsidiaries or affiliates for the Executive’s own account or for the benefit of another party; and (b) the Executive will notcircumvent or attempt to circumvent the foregoing agreements in clause (a) by any future arrangement or through the actions of a third party. The foregoing will not prohibit the activities which are expressly permitted by paragraph 3 of thisAgreement. 

**9.****Proprietary Matters**. The Executive expressly understands and agrees that any and all improvements, inventions,discoveries, processes or know-how that are generated or conceived by the Executive during the term of this Agreement, whether generated or conceived during the Executive’s regular working hours or otherwise, will be the sole and exclusiveproperty of the Company. Whenever requested by the Company (either during the term of this Agreement or thereafter), the Executive will assign or execute any and all applications, assignments and/or other instruments and do all things which theCompany deems necessary or appropriate in order to permit the Company to: (a) assign and convey or otherwise make available to the Company the sole and exclusive right, title and interest in and to said improvements, inventions, discoveries,processes, know-how, applications, patents, copyrights, trade names or trademarks; or (b) apply for, obtain, maintain, enforce and defend patents, copyrights, trade names or trademarks of the United States or of foreign countries for saidimprovements, inventions, discoveries, processes or know-how. However, the improvements, inventions, discoveries, processes or know-how generated or conceived by the Executive and referred to above (except as they may be included in the patents,copyrights or registered trade names or trademarks of the Company, or corporations, partnerships or other entities which may be affiliated with the Company) will not be exclusive property of the Company at any time after having been disclosed orrevealed or have otherwise become available to the public or to a third party on a non-confidential basis other than by a breach of this Agreement, or after they have been independently developed or discussed without a breach of this Agreement by athird party who has no obligation to the Company or the Company Entities. 

**10.****Arbitration**. The parties will attempt topromptly resolve any dispute or controversy arising out of our relating to this Agreement or termination of the Executive by the Company. Any negotiations pursuant to this paragraph 10 are confidential and will be treated as compromise andsettlement negotiations for all purposes. If the parties are unable to reach a settlement amicably, the dispute will be submitted to binding arbitration before a single arbitrator in accordance with the Employment Dispute Resolution Rules of theAmerican Arbitration Association. The arbitrator will be instructed and empowered to take reasonable steps to expedite the arbitration and the arbitrator’s judgment will be final and binding upon the parties subject solely to challenge on thegrounds of fraud or gross misconduct. Except for damages arising out of a breach of paragraphs 6, 7, 8 or 9 of this Agreement, the arbitrator is not empowered to award total damages (including compensatory damages) that exceed 300% of compensatorydamages and each party hereby irrevocably waives any damages in excess of that amount. The arbitration will be held in Oklahoma County, Oklahoma. Judgment upon any verdict in arbitration may be entered in any court of competent jurisdiction and theparties hereby consent to the jurisdiction of, and proper venue in, the federal and state courts located in 

 

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Oklahoma County, Oklahoma. The Company will pay the costs and expenses of the arbitration including, without implied limitation, the fees for thearbitrators. Unless otherwise expressly set forth in this Agreement, the procedures specified in this paragraph 10 will be the sole and exclusive procedures for the resolution of disputes and controversies between the parties arising out of orrelating to this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a party may seek a preliminary injunction or other provisional judicial relief if in such party’s judgment such action is necessary to avoid irreparable damage or to preserve the statusquo. 

**11.****Miscellaneous**. The parties further agree as follows: 

**11.1****Time**. Time is of the essence of each provision of this Agreement. 

**11.2****Notices**. Any notice, payments, demand or communication required or permitted to be given by any provision of thisAgreement will be in writing and will be deemed to have been given when received by personal delivery, by facsimile, by overnight courier, or be certified mail, postage and charges prepaid, directed to the following address or to such otheradditional addresses as any party might designate by written notice to the other party: 

 
To the Company:  Bronco Drilling Company, Inc.  16217 N. May Avenue  Edmond, OK 73013  Attn: General CounselTo the Executive:  Zachary M. Graves  14616 Lamplight Lane  Oklahoma City, OK 73012
**11.3****Assignment**. Neither this Agreement nor any of the parties’rights or obligations hereunder can be transferred or assigned without the prior written consent of the other parties to this Agreement. 

**11.4****Construction**. If any provision of this Agreement or the application thereof to any person or circumstances is determined, to any extent, to be invalid or unenforceable, the remainder of thisAgreement, or the application of such provision to persons or circumstances other than those as to which the same is held invalid or unenforceable, will not be affected thereby, and each term and provision of this Agreement will be valid andenforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law. This Agreement is intended to be interpreted, construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Oklahoma. 

**11.5****Entire Agreement**. Except as provided in paragraph 2.3 of this Agreement, this Agreement constitutes the entireagreement between the parties hereto 

 

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with respect to the subject matter herein contained, and no modification hereof will be effective unless made by a supplemental written agreement executed byall of the parties hereto. 

**11.6****Binding Effect**. This Agreement will be binding on the parties and theirrespective successors, legal representatives and permitted assigns. In the event of a merger, consolidation, combination, dissolution or liquidation of the Company, the performance of this Agreement will be assumed by any entity which succeeds to oris transferred the business of the Company as a result thereof. 

**11.7****Attorneys’ Fees**. If any partyinstitutes an action, proceeding or arbitration against any other party relating to the provisions of this Agreement or any default hereunder, the Company will be responsible for paying the Company’s legal fees and expenses and the Company willbe required to reimburse the Executive for reasonable expenses and legal fees incurred by the Executive in connection with the resolution of such action or proceeding, including any costs of appeal. 

**11.8****Superseding Agreement**. This Agreement is the final, complete and exclusive expression of the agreement between theCompany and the Executive and supersedes and replaces in all respects any prior oral or written employment agreements. On execution of this Agreement by the Company and the Executive, the relationship between the Company and the Executive after theeffective date of this Agreement will be governed by the terms of this Agreement and not by any other agreements, oral or otherwise. 

**11.9****Non-Contravention**. Executive represents and warrants to the Company that the execution and performance of this Agreement will not violate, constitute a default under, or otherwise give rights to any third party, pursuantto the terms of any Agreement to which Executive is a party. 

**11.10****Compliance with Section 409A of theCode**. This Agreement is intended to comply with Section 409A of the Code and shall be construed and interpreted in accordance with such intent. To the extent any benefit paid under this Agreement shall be subject to Section 409A of theCode, such benefit shall be paid in a manner that will comply with Section 409A, including any IRS 409A Guidance. Any provision of this Agreement that would cause the payment of any benefit to fail to satisfy Section 409A of the Code shallhave no force and effect until amended to comply with Section 409A (which amendment may be retroactive to the extent permitted by the IRS 409A Guidance. 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this Agreement effective the date first above written. 

**[SIGNATURES ON FOLLOWING PAGE]**

 

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COMPANY:
By: 
/s/ Frank Harrison

Name:
 
Frank Harrison

Title:
 
CEO

EXECUTIVE:
/s/ Zachary M. Graves
Zachary M. Graves