THIS OPTION HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED
UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED. THE OPTIONEE WILL NOT TRANSFER THIS OPTION OR THE UNDERLYING COMMON SHARES UNLESS
(I) THERE IS AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION COVERING SUCH OPTION OR SUCH SHARES, AS THE CASE MAY BE, UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933,
AS AMENDED, AND APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS, (II) AMERICAN EAGLE ENERGY INC. FIRST RECEIVES A LETTER FROM AN ATTORNEY, ACCEPTABLE
TO IT, STATING THAT, IN THE OPINION OF THE ATTORNEY, THE PROPOSED TRANSFER IS EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT
OF 1933, AS AMENDED, AND UNDER ALL APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS, OR (III) THE TRANSFER IS MADE PURSUANT TO RULE 144 UNDER THE
SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED.


NON-QUALIFIED STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT


THIS STOCK OPTION
AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”) is made and entered into effective as of the 17th day of January, 2012 (the
“Effective Date”), by and between American Eagle Energy Corporation, a Nevada corporation (“AMZG”),
and Britton James (the “Optionee”).


1.   
Recitals. Optionee is presently employed by AMZG. AMZG desires to provide Optionee with an incentive to remain
in its employ and to afford Optionee the opportunity to obtain share ownership in AMZG so that Optionee may have a significant
proprietary interest in the Corporation’s success. AMZG therefore hereby issues Optionee this non-qualified option to purchase
shares of its stock pursuant to the terms of, and subject to the conditions set forth in, this Agreement.


2.   
Shares Subject to Option. As of the Effective Date, AMZG hereby grants to the Optionee the option (“Option”)
to purchase one hundred and fifty thousand (150,000) shares of AMZG’s common stock (the “Optioned Shares”),
at the price set forth in the Paragraph of this Agreement entitled “Exercise Price” (the “Exercise Price”),
subject to the terms and conditions and within the period of time set forth in this Agreement. This Option is intended to be a
non-statutory, non-qualified stock option which does not qualify as an “incentive stock option” under Section
422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”).


3.   
Term. This Agreement and the Option granted hereunder shall expire at 6:00 p.m. Mountain Time on the fifth
anniversary of the Effective Date. If all or any portion of this Option is unexercised upon the expiration of this Agreement, then,
to that extent, this Option shall be deemed to have been forfeited and of no further force or effect.


4.   
Vesting.


4.1Vesting
Schedule. Subject to the terms of the Subparagraph in this Agreement entitled “Change in Control,” the Option granted
hereunder shall vest as follows:  fifty percent (50%) of the Optioned Shares shall vest on January 17, 2013, and fifty percent
(50%) of the Optioned Shares shall vest on January 17, 2014, in each event subject to the Optionee’s continued service as
an employee of, consultant to, or director of AMZG through such dates. From and after the respective vesting dates and through
the expiration hereof, the Option may be fully and immediately exercisable in whole or in part at any time and from time to time
in respect of such Optioned Shares.






    	1



    	 



    
4.2Change
in Control. Notwithstanding the vesting schedule set forth in the Subparagraph of this Agreement entitled “Vesting
Schedule” immediately above, if at any time prior to full vesting of all of the Optioned Shares and while Optionee is performing
services for AMZG a Change in Control (as that phrase is defined below) in AMZG occurs, Optionee’s grant and right to exercise
this Option shall immediately and fully vest and this Option shall immediately be exercisable as to one hundred percent (100%)
of the Optioned Shares (or such percentage of the Optioned Shares as may not then have been previously purchased) on the date immediately
preceding the consummation of such transaction. For purposes of this Agreement, “Change of Control” shall mean the
occurrence of any of the following events: (i) the consummation of any transaction after the Effective Date in which any person
or entity or group of related persons and\or entities becomes the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of securities representing
more than thirty percent (30%) of the combined voting power of AMZG’s then outstanding voting securities, or (ii) three or
more directors, whose election or nomination for election is not approved by a majority of the members of AMZG’s Board of
Directors on the Effective Date, are elected within any twelve month period to serve on its Board of Directors, or (iii) any merger
(other than a merger in which AMZG is the survivor and there is no change of control pursuant to (i) or (ii) of this sentence),
reorganization, consolidation, liquidation, winding up or dissolution of AMZG or the sale of all or substantially all of its assets.


5.   
Exercise Price. Subject to the provisions of the Paragraph in this Agreement entitled “Vesting”
and for adjustment in the manner provided below, the exercise price for each Optioned Share shall be one and 21/100ths US Dollars
($1.21).


6.   
Method of Exercise. This Option shall be deemed to be exercised when written notice identifying the number
of Optioned Shares as to which this Option is then being exercised has been provided to AMZG in accordance with the terms of this
Option and full payment for the Optioned Shares with respect to which the Option is exercised has been received by AMZG. Upon the
exercise of this Option in whole or in part and payment of the Exercise Price in the manner provided by this Agreement, AMZG shall,
as soon thereafter as practicable, deliver to the Optionee a certificate or certificates for the shares purchased. The Exercise
Price for the Optioned Shares to be purchased upon the exercise of the Option may be paid (i) in cash or cash equivalents, (ii)
by delivery (by either actual delivery or attestation) of AMZG shares of its common stock already owned by the Optionee, having
a Fair Market Value, defined below, on the date of exercise less than (with the balance paid in cash or cash equivalents) or equal
to the aggregate Exercise Price for the purchased shares, (iii) to the extent permitted by law, by a “cashless exercise”
procedure approved by AMZG in the exercise of its reasonable discretion, or (iv) by a combination of the foregoing methods. The
term “Fair Market Value” for shares of AMZG’s common stock on any particular date shall mean the last reported
sale price of the common stock on the principal market on which the common stock trades on such date or, if no trades of common
stock are made or reported on such date, then on the next preceding date on which the common stock traded. If AMZG’s common
stock ceases to be traded on any market, the Optionee and the Board of Directors of AMZG shall mutually agree upon an alternative
method of determining the Fair Market Value for shares of AMZG’s common stock.


7.   
Withholding. AMZG may, in its discretion, require that the Optionee pay to it at or after the time of the
exercise of any portion of this Option any such additional amount as AMZG deems necessary, in the exercise of its reasonable discretion,
to satisfy its liability to withhold federal, state, or local income tax or any other tax incurred by reason of the exercise of
this Option. The Optionee may satisfy this requirement by (i) tendering to AMZG shares of AMZG’s common stock already owned
by the Optionee, which, in the case of shares of common stock purchased by the Optionee pursuant to the exercise of an option granted
by AMZG, have been held by the Optionee for at least six months following the date of such purchase or (ii) by electing to have
AMZG withhold from delivery Optioned Shares, provided that, in either case, such shares have a Fair Market Value equal to the minimum
amount of tax required to be withheld. Such shares shall be valued on the date as of which the amount of tax to be withheld is
determined. Fractional share amounts shall be settled in cash. Such election may be made with respect to all or any portion of
the Optioned Shares to be delivered pursuant to exercise of this Option.



    	2



    	 



    



8.   
Adjustment of Optioned Shares. In the event that there is any stock dividend, stock split, reverse stock
split, combination, reclassification, reorganization, recapitalization, merger, consolidation, split-up, spin-off, combination,
repurchase, or exchange of common stock or other securities of AMZG, issuance of warrants or other rights to purchase common stock
or other securities of AMZG, or other similar corporate transaction or events that
affect the common stock of AMZG such that an adjustment is necessary to prevent dilution or enlargement of the benefits or potential
benefits intended to be made available pursuant to this Option, then the number of unexercised Optioned Shares subject to this
Option and the exercise price per share of such Optioned Shares shall be proportionately adjusted.


9.   
Option Non-Transferable. This Option shall not be transferable other than by will or the laws of descent and
distribution and this Option shall be exercisable during the Optionee’s lifetime only by the Optionee or her guardian or
legal representative. Any purported assignment of this Option, or of any right or privilege conferred hereunder, contrary to the
provisions hereof shall be null and void.


10.
 Laws and Regulations. No shares of common stock shall be issued under this Option unless and until all legal
requirements applicable to the issuance of such shares have been complied with to the satisfaction of AMZG in the exercise of its
reasonable discretion.


11.
 Rights in Stock Before Issuance and Delivery. The Optionee shall not be entitled to the privileges of stock
ownership in respect of any shares issuable upon exercise of this Option, unless and until such shares have been issued to the
Optionee by AMZG. Except as provided in this Agreement, no adjustment shall be made in the number of shares of common stock issued
to the Optionee or in any other rights of the Optionee upon exercise of this Option by reason of any dividend (other than a stock
dividend), distribution, or other right granted to AMZG’s stockholders for which the record date is prior to the date of
exercise of this Option.


12.
 Tax Consequences.


12.1Section
409A. This Option is intended to meet the requirements of Internal Revenue Code Section 409A and the Treasury Regulations
promulgated thereunder. If the Option contained in this Agreement is determined to be taxable to the Optionee and/or to AMZG,
then AMZG, after consultation with the Optionee, shall have the authority to adopt, prospectively or retroactively, such amendments
to this Agreement that AMZG determines in its reasonable discretion to be appropriate to: (i) exempt the transactions contemplated
under this Agreement from Section 409A; (ii) make this Agreement comply with the requirements of Section 409A; or (iii) avoid
more generally the adverse tax consequences of Section 409A as it applies to this Agreement.



    	3



    	 



    
 


12.2Other Tax
Consequences. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, the Optionee acknowledges that AMZG has not made any representations
or warranties to the Optionee with respect to the tax consequences related to the transactions contemplated in this Agreement,
and the Optionee is in no manner relying on AMZG or its representatives for an assessment of such tax consequences. The Optionee
acknowledges that (i) there may be adverse tax consequences upon acquisition or disposition of this Option or the Shares subject
to this Option, (ii) AMZG has no responsibility to the Optionee to ensure any particular tax result, and (iii) Optionee should
consult her own tax advisor prior to the acquisition, exercise, or disposition of this Option and the underlying Shares with regard
the particular tax treatment of this Option as it relates to the Optionee.


13.
Miscellaneous.


13.1Agreement Binding. This Agreement shall be binding
upon the parties, their legal representatives, and permitted successors and assigns.


13.2Entire Agreement. This Agreement supersedes any
statements, representations, or agreements of AMZG with respect to the grant of the Option made herein and any related rights
set forth herein and affecting the grant of this Option and the Optionee hereby waives any rights or claims related to any such
statements, representations, or agreements. Except to the extent specifically set forth herein, this Agreement does not supersede
or amend any existing agreement, between the Optionee and AMZG. No addition to or modification of any provision of this Agreement
shall be binding upon the Optionee or AMZG unless made in writing and signed by both the Optionee and AMZG.


13.3Notice.
All notices, demands or other communications to be given or delivered under or by reason of the provisions of this Agreement shall
be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given (a) when delivered to and received personally by the recipient, (b) when
sent to and received by the recipient by facsimile (receipt electronically confirmed by sender’s facsimile machine) if during
normal business hours of the recipient, otherwise on the next business day, (c) one business day after the date when sent to the
recipient by reputable express overnight courier service (charges prepaid) and delivery confirmed, or (d) three business days
after the date when mailed to the recipient by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested and postage prepaid and
such receipt is confirmed. Such notices, demands and other communications shall be sent to the parties at the addresses indicated
below or to such other address as a party may direct on written notice given pursuant to the terms of this Sub-paragraph:





	 	If to the Optionee:	Britton James	 
	 	 	 	 
	 	 	 	 
	 	 	 	 
	 	 	Fax:  _______________________________	 
	 	 	 	 
	 	If to AMZG:	American Eagle Energy Corporation	 
	 	 	2549 West Main Street, Suite 202	 
	 	 	Littleton, Colorado 80120	 
	 	 	Fax:  303-798-5767	 
	 	 	Attn:  Bradley Colby, Chief Executive Officer	 









    	4



    	 



    
13.4Non-Waiver.
No delay or failure by either party to exercise any right under this Agreement, and no partial or single exercise of that right,
shall constitute a waiver of that or any other right, unless otherwise expressly provided herein.


13.5Governing
Law; Jurisdiction; Venue. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Colorado,
exclusive of the conflict of law provisions thereof. The parties agree that the District Court of the County of Arapahoe, State
of Colorado shall have exclusive jurisdiction, including in personam jurisdiction, and shall be the exclusive venue for
any and all controversies and claims arising out of or relating to this Agreement or a breach thereof, except as otherwise jointly
agreed upon by the parties.


13.6Attorneys’
Fees. If any party shall commence any action or proceeding against another party in order to enforce the provisions hereof,
or to recover damages as the result of alleged breach of any of the provisions hereof, the prevailing party therein shall be entitled
to recover all reasonable costs incurred in connection therewith, including, but not limited to, reasonable attorney’s fees.


13.7Gender
and Number. As used herein, the masculine gender shall include the feminine and neuter genders, and the singular shall include
the plural, and vice versa, where the context requires.


13.8Caption.
All captions, titles, headings, and divisions hereof are for purposes of convenience and reference only and shall not be construed
to limit or affect the interpretation of this Agreement.


13.9Counterparts
and Electronic Signatures. For the convenience of the parties, any number of counterparts of this Agreement may be executed
by any one or more parties hereto, and each such executed counterpart shall be, and shall be deemed to be, an original, but all
of which shall constitute, and shall be deemed to constitute, in the aggregate but one and the same instrument. This Agreement
may be circulated for signature through electronic transmission, including, without limitation, facsimile and email, and all signatures
so obtained and transmitted shall be deemed for all purposes under this Agreement to be original signatures until such time, if
ever, as original counterparts are exchanged by the parties.


IN WITNESS WHEREOF,
AMZG has executed this Agreement as of the day and year first above written.


AMERICAN EAGLE ENERGY CORPORATION





	By:	 
	 	Bradley Colby, Chief Executive Officer
	 
	 
	 
	 





Britton James


 






    	5