**Exhibit 10.5**

**PETROHAWK ENERGY CORPORATION**

**RESTRICTED STOCK AWARD AGREEMENT PURSUANT TO THE KCS ENERGY, INC.2005 EMPLOYEE AND DIRECTORS STOCK PLAN**

This Restricted Stock Award Agreement (this ***“Agreement”***), is made andentered into on the execution date of the Stock Award Certificate to which it is attached (the ***“Certificate”***), by and between Petrohawk Energy Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the ***“Company”***), andthe Director, Employee or Consultant (***“Grantee”***) named in the Certificate. 

Pursuant to the KCS Energy, Inc. 2005Employee and Directors Stock Plan (the ***“Plan”***), the Administrator of the Plan has authorized the grant to Grantee of the right to receive shares of the Company’s Common Stock (the ***“Award”***), uponthe terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement and in the Plan. Capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Plan. 

**NOW**, **THEREFORE**, in consideration of the premises and the benefits to be derived from the mutual observance of the covenants and promisescontained herein and other good and valuable consideration, the sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows: 

**Basis for Award**. This Award is made pursuant to the Plan for valid consideration provided to the Company by the Grantee. Grantee hereby represents to the Company that Grantee was an employee of KCS Energy, Inc. at the time of itsmerger with and into the Company on July 12, 2006. By your execution of the Certificate, you agree to accept the Restricted Stock Award rights granted pursuant to the Certificate and this Restricted Stock Agreement and to receive the shares ofRestricted Stock of Petrohawk Energy Corporation designated in the Certificate subject to the terms of the Plan, the Certificate and this Agreement. 

**Restricted Stock Award**. The Company hereby awards and grants to Grantee, for valid consideration with a value in excess of the aggregate par value of the Common Stock awarded to Grantee, the number of shares ofCommon Stock of the Company set forth in the Certificate, which shall be subject to the restrictions and conditions set forth in the Plan, the Certificate and in this Agreement (the “*Restricted Stock*”). One or more stockcertificates representing the number of Shares specified in the Certificate shall hereby be registered in the Grantee’s name (the “*Stock Certificate*”), but shall be deposited and held in the custody of the Company for theGrantee’s account as provided in Section 10 hereof until such Restricted Stock becomes vested. 

**Vesting**. The RestrictedStock shall vest and restrictions on transfer shall lapse subject to the Vesting Schedule set forth in the Certificate. If the Grantee shall cease Continuous Service on account of the Grantee’s death, Total and Permanent Disability orRetirement (as such terms are defined in the Plan), the Restricted Stock shall vest upon such event and the restrictions on transfer shall lapse. Provided the Grantee is serving as an employee of the Company at the time of a Change in Control, uponthe occurrence of a Change in Control, the Restricted Stock shall become 100% vested on such event and the restrictions on transfer shall lapse. Except as otherwise provided in this Section, if the Grantee ceases Continuous Service for any otherreason, the Unvested Shares shall be forfeited immediately. 

**Compliance with Laws and Regulations**. The issuance and transfer ofCommon Stock shall be subject to compliance by the Company and Grantee with all applicable requirements of federal and state securities laws and with all applicable requirements of any stock exchange on which the Company’s Common Stock may belisted at the time of such issuance or transfer. 

**Tax Withholding**. 

Grantee agrees that, no later than the first to occur of (i) the date as of which the restrictions on the Restricted Stock shalllapse with respect to all or any of the Restricted Stock covered by this Agreement or (ii) the date required by Section 5(b) below, Grantee shall pay to the Company (in cash or to the extent permitted by the Administrator, by tenderingCompany Stock held by the Grantee, including shares of Restricted Stock held in escrow that become vested (“Share Withholding”), with a Fair Market Value on the date the Restricted Stock vests equal to the amount of Grantee’s minimumstatutory tax withholding liability, or to the extent permitted by the Administrator, a combination thereof) any federal, state or local taxes of any kind required by law to be withheld, if 

any, with respect to the Restricted Stock for which the restrictions shall lapse. The Company shall, to the extent permitted by law, have the right to deductfrom any payment of any kind otherwise due to Grantee any federal, state or local taxes of any kind required by law to be withheld with respect to the shares of such Company Stock. Payment of the tax withholding by a Participant who is an officer,director or other “insider” subject to Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act by tendering Company Stock or in the form of Share Withholding is subject to pre-approval by the Administrator, in its sole discretion, in a manner that complieswith the specificity requirements of Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act, including the name of the Participant involved in the transaction, the nature of the transaction, the number of shares to be acquired or disposed of by the Participant and thematerial terms of the Options involved in the transaction. 

Grantee may elect, within thirty (30) days of the GrantDate, elect to include in gross income for federal income tax purposes an amount equal to the Fair Market Value of the Restricted Stock less the amount, if any, paid by the Grantee (other than by prior services) for the Restricted Stock grantedhereunder pursuant to Section 83(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. In connection with any such Section 83(b) election, Grantee shall pay to the Company, or make such other arrangements satisfactory to the Administratorto pay to the Company based on the Fair Market Value of the Restricted Stock on the Grant Date, any federal, state or local taxes required by law to be withheld with respect to such Shares at the time of such election. If Grantee fails to make suchpayments, the Company shall, to the extent permitted by law, have the right to deduct from any payment of any kind otherwise due to Grantee any federal, state or local taxes required by law to be withheld with respect to such Shares. 

**No Right to Continued Service.** Nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed by implication or otherwise to impose any limitation on any right of theCompany to terminate the Grantee’s service at any time. In the event Grantee’s employment with the Company is terminated by the Company, by Grantee or as a result of Grantee’s death or disability (unless the acceleration provisions ofSection 3 are applicable), no unvested shares of Common Stock shall become vested after such termination of employment. 

**Representations and Warranties of Grantee**. Grantee represents and warrants to the Company that: 

(a)**Agrees to Terms of the Plan.** Grantee has received a copy of the Plan and has read and understands the terms of the Plan, the Certificate and this Agreement, and agrees to be bound by their terms and conditions. Grantee acknowledgesthat there may be adverse tax consequences upon the vesting of Restricted Stock or disposition of the shares of Common Stock once vested, and that Grantee should consult a tax advisor prior to such time. 

(b) **Stock Ownership.** Grantee is the record and beneficial owner of the shares of Restricted Stock with full right and powerto transfer the Unvested Shares to the Company free and clear of any liens, claims or encumbrances and Grantee understands that the stock certificates evidencing the Restricted Stock will bear a legend referencing this Agreement. 

(c) **SEC Rule 144.** Grantee understands that Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act may indefinitely restrict transferof the Common Stock so long as Grantee remains an “affiliate” of the Company or if “current public information” about the Company (as defined in Rule 144) is not publicly available. 

**Compliance with U.S. Federal Securities Laws**. Grantee understands and acknowledges that notwithstanding any other provision of the Agreement tothe contrary, the vesting and holding of the Common Stock is expressly conditioned upon compliance with the Securities Act and all applicable federal and state securities laws. Grantee agrees to cooperate with the Company to ensure compliance withsuch laws. 

**Forfeiture of Unvested Stock**. Unless otherwise provided in an employment agreement the terms of which have been approvedby the Administrator, if unvested Common Stock (“*Unvested Shares*”) standing in the name of Grantee on the books of the Company does not become vested on or before the expiration of the period during which the applicable vestingconditions must occur, such Unvested Shares shall be automatically forfeited and cancelled as outstanding shares of Common Stock immediately upon the occurrence of the event or time period after which such Unvested Shares may no longer becomevested. 

**Restrictions on Unvested Shares.**

(a) **Deposit of the Unvested Shares.** Grantee shall deposit all of the Unvested Shares with the Company to hold until theUnvested Shares become vested, at which time such vested shares shall no longer constitute Unvested Shares. Grantee shall execute and deliver to the Company, concurrently with the execution of this Agreement blank stock powers for use in connectionwith the transfer to the Company or its designee of Unvested Shares that do not become vested. The Company will deliver to Grantee the Stock Certificate for the shares of Common Stock that become vested upon vesting of such shares. 

(b) **Restriction on Transfer of Unvested Shares.** Grantee shall not transfer, assign, grant a lien or security interest in,pledge, hypothecate, encumber or otherwise dispose of any of the Unvested Shares, except as permitted by this Agreement. 

**Adjustments**. The number of Unvested Shares shall be automatically adjusted to reflect any stock split, stock dividend, recapitalization, merger, consolidation, reorganization, combination or exchanges of shares or other similar eventaffecting the Company’s outstanding Common Stock subsequent to the date of this Agreement. If Grantee becomes entitled to receive any additional shares of Common Stock or other securities (“*Additional Securities*”) in respect ofthe Unvested Shares, the total number of Unvested Shares shall be equal to the sum of (i) the initial Unvested Shares; and*,*(ii*)* the number of Additional Securities issued or issuable in respect of the initial Unvested Sharesand any Additional Securities previously issued to Grantee. 

**Restrictive Legends and Stop-Transfer Orders.**

(a) **Legends.** Grantee understands and agrees that the Company will place the legends set forth below or similar legends onany stock certificate(s) evidencing the Common Stock, together with any other legends that may be required by state or U.S. Federal securities laws, the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws, any other agreement between Grantee andthe Company or any agreement between Grantee and any third party: 

**THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE SUBJECT TO CERTAINRESTRICTIONS ON PUBLIC RESALE AND TRANSFER, AS SET FORTH IN A RESTRICTED STOCK AWARD AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE ISSUER AND THE ORIGINAL HOLDER OF THESE SHARES. SUCH PUBLIC SALE AND TRANSFER RESTRICTIONS ARE BINDING ON TRANSFEREES OF THESE SHARES.**

(b) **Stop-Transfer Instructions.** Grantee agrees that, to ensure compliance with the restrictions imposedby this Agreement, the Company may issue appropriate “stop-transfer” instructions to its transfer agent, if any, and if the Company transfers its own securities, it may make appropriate notations to the same effect in its own records.

(c) **Refusal to Transfer.** The Company will not be required (i) to transfer on its books any shares ofCommon Stock that have been sold or otherwise transferred in violation of any of the provisions of this Agreement or (ii) to treat as owner of such shares, or to accord the right to vote or pay dividends to any purchaser or other transferee towhom such shares have been so transferred. 

**Modification**. The Agreement may not be modified except in writing signed by bothparties. 

**Plan**. Except as otherwise provided herein, or unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, capitalized terms hereinwhich are defined in the Plan have the same definitions as provided in the Plan. The terms and provisions of the Plan are incorporated herein by references, and the Grantee hereby acknowledges receiving a copy of the Plan. In the event of a conflictor inconsistency between the terms and provisions of the Plan and the provisions of this Agreement, the Plan shall govern and control. 

**Interpretation**. Any dispute regarding the interpretation of this Agreement shall be submitted by Grantee or the Company to the Plan Administrator for review. The resolution of such a dispute by the Plan Administrator shall be finaland binding on the Company and Grantee. 

**Entire Agreement**. The Plan and the Certificate are incorporated herein by reference. ThisAgreement, the Certificate and the Plan constitute the entire agreement of the parties and supercede all prior undertakings and agreements with respect to the subject matter hereof. If any inconsistency should exist between the nondiscretionaryterms and conditions of this Agreement, the Certificate and the Plan, the Plan shall govern and control. 

**Notices**. Any noticerequired to be given or delivered to the Company under the terms of this Agreement shall be in writing and addressed to the Corporate Secretary of the Company at its principal corporate offices. Any notice required to be given or delivered toGrantee shall be in writing and addressed to Grantee at the address indicated on the signature page hereof or to such other address as such party may designate in writing from time to time to the Company. All notices shall be deemed to have beengiven or delivered upon: (a) personal delivery; (b) three (3) days after deposit in the United States mail by certified or registered mail (return receipt requested); (c) one (1) business day after deposit with any returnreceipt express courier (prepaid); or (d) one (1) business day after transmission by facsimile or telecopier. 

**Successors andAssigns**. The Company may assign any of its rights under this Agreement. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of the Company. Subject to the restrictions on transfer set forth herein, thisAgreement shall be binding upon Grantee and Grantee’s heirs, executors, administrators, legal representatives, successors and assigns. 

**Governing Law**. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware without giving effect to its conflict of law principles. If any provision of this Agreement is determined by acourt of law to be illegal or unenforceable, then such provision will be enforced to the maximum extent possible and the other provisions will remain fully effective and enforceable. 

**Acceptance**. Grantee hereby acknowledges receipt of a copy of the Plan and this Agreement. Grantee has read and understands the terms andprovisions thereof, and accepts the Award subject to all the terms and conditions of the Plan and this Agreement. Grantee acknowledges that there may be adverse tax consequences upon exercise of the Award or disposition of the Shares and thatGrantee should consult a tax advisor prior to such exercise or disposition. 

**EXHIBIT A**

**KCS Energy, Inc. 2005 Employee and Directors Stock Plan**