Document:

Exhibit 10.8

 

CERTAIN MATERIAL (INDICATED BY THREE ASTERISKS) HAS BEEN OMITTED FROM THIS DOCUMENT PURSUANT TO A REQUEST FOR CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT. THE OMITTED MATERIAL HAS BEEN FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION.

 

SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED GAS GATHERING AGREEMENT

 

This Second Amended and Restated Gas Gathering Agreement (“Agreement”) is made and entered into this 1st day of November, 2010 (the “Effective Date”) by and between WILLIAMS PRODUCTION RMT COMPANY LLC, formerly known as WILLIAMS PRODUTION RMT COMPANY, successor in interest to Orion Energy Partners L.P., (“Shipper”), and ENCANA OIL & GAS (USA) INC. (“Gatherer”). Shipper and Gatherer may be referred to individually as “Party,” or collectively as “Parties.”

 

RECITALS

 

A.                               Orion Energy Partners L.P., as “Shipper,” and Gatherer entered into that certain Gas Gathering Agreement dated November 7, 2006, as amended and restated by that certain First Amended and Restated Gas Gathering Agreement dated November 1, 2007 (the “Original Agreement”); and

 

B.                               Shipper, as the successor Shipper to Orion Energy Partners L.P. under the Original Agreement, has advised Gatherer of its intent to expand its drilling program in the Dedicated Area and the Interruptible Area; and

 

C.                               The Gas production related to Shipper’s expanded drilling program is expected to exceed Shipper’s MDQ; and

 

D.                               Gatherer has determined that the Expanded Facilities (defined in Section 1.5 of this Agreement) will be necessary to accommodate Shipper’s increased production; and

 

E.                                 The Parties desire to amend and restate the Original Agreement in its entirety in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises, the terms and conditions contained in this Agreement and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged and confessed, the Parties agree as follows.

 

SECTION 1: COMMITMENTS

 

1.1                  Initial Volume Commitment and Dedication.

 

(a)                                                              For an initial period of ten (10) years and three (3) months from the Operational In-Service Date (“Initial Period”), Shipper commits and agrees to deliver and shall cause its Affiliates to commit and deliver to Gatherer at the Receipt Points for Gathering a quantity of Gas equal to Shipper’s applicable MDQ produced from Shipper’s acreage within the Dedication Area and/or within the Interruptible Area, as each is set forth on Exhibit “A.” Gatherer agrees that during such Initial Period, that portion of Shipper’s Gas produced from the Dedication Area and/or the Interruptible Area in excess of Shipper’s applicable MDQ shall not be so committed

 

*** Certain information in this document has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

1

 

and Shipper shall have the right to enter into agreements with other parties for the gathering of such of Shipper’s Gas as is in excess of Shipper’s applicable MDQ.

 

(b)         Both before and after (but not during) the Initial Period referenced in Section 1.1(a) above, Shipper dedicates and agrees to deliver and shall cause its Affiliates to dedicate and deliver to Gatherer at the Receipt Points for Gathering (i) all Gas now or hereafter produced from all formations from all wells now or hereafter located within the Dedication Area which is attributable to Interests now owned or hereafter acquired by Shipper and/or its Affiliates, or from wells located on lands pooled, unitized, or communitized within any portion of the Dedication Area and (ii) with respect to wells located within the Dedication Area, Gas produced from such wells which is attributable to the Interests in such wells owned by working interest owners, royalty owners, and overriding royalty owners which is not taken “in-kind” by such owners and for which Shipper has the right and/or obligation to market such Gas, for only so long as such Gas is not taken “in-kind” (collectively, the “Dedication,” and the Gas that is the subject of either the volume commitment described in Section 1.1(a) above or the Dedication being herein referred to as “Shipper’s Gas”), limited, however, to the aggregate amount of Gas dedicated and to be delivered pursuant to both of the preceding clauses (i) and (ii), to the Maximum Daily Quantity (“MDQ”) described on Exhibit “C”.

 

1.2                        Gathering Services. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, Gatherer agrees to Gather and deliver, or cause to be delivered, to Shipper, or for the account of Shipper, at the Delivery Points designated on Exhibit “B,” the total Thermal Content of Shipper’s Gas received at the Receipt Points, less FLU and Condensate as allowed under this Agreement. Shipper’s Gas, up to the MDQ or the Pressure-Adjusted MDQ or the Adjusted MDQ, as applicable, shall be Firm Capacity Gas and given priority as described in Article 3.3 of the General Terms and Conditions.

 

1.3                        Gas in Excess of MDO, Pressure-Adjusted MDQ or Adjusted MDO. On a space available basis, as determined by Gatherer in its sole discretion, Gatherer agrees to provide Gathering services on an interruptible basis for Gas in excess of Shipper’s MDQ, Pressure-Adjusted MDQ or Adjusted MDQ, as applicable, that Shipper requests in accordance with Article 6 of Appendix “A” be delivered to Gatherer for Gathering in accordance with the terms hereof (“Shipper IT Gas”). In the event that, from time to time, Gatherer does not provide Gathering services with respect to all or any part of Shipper IT Gas, Gatherer shall notify Shipper of the quantity of Shipper IT Gas for which Gatherer will not provide Gathering services in accordance with Article 6 of Appendix “A” whereupon Shipper shall have the right to enter into agreements with other parties for the gathering of such Shipper IT Gas. For the avoidance of doubt, and notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, neither Shipper nor Gatherer shall ever be obligated on any given day to deliver or receive and Gather, respectively, a volume of Gas in excess of Shipper’s MDQ, Pressure-Adjusted MDQ or Adjusted MDQ, as applicable. and any Gas Gathered in excess of Shipper’s MDQ, Pressure-Adjusted MDQ or Adjusted MDQ, as applicable, shall be Shipper IT Gas. In addition, both before and after (but not during) the

 

*** Certain information in this document has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

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Initial Period referenced in Section 1.1(a) above, Gas delivered by Shipper from the Interruptible Area shall considered Shipper IT Gas for the purpose of this Agreement.

 

1.4                        Shipper’s Redelivery Obligations. Shipper shall be responsible for arranging for transportation at the Delivery Points in the quantity necessary to accept redeliveries of Shipper’s Gas and Shipper 1T Gas. Shipper’s failure to make such arrangements shall not alter or diminish Shipper’s obligations under this Agreement, including Shipper’s obligation to make payment to Gatherer in accordance with Section 4.1 of this Agreement.

 

1.5                        Gatherer’s Expanded Facilities. To accommodate Shipper’s new Gas production and related deliveries into the Gathering System, Gatherer will: (i) install new compression and other facilities at the Rifle Compressor Station, (ii) modify facilities at the Rifle Compressor Station, (iii) install new compression facilities at the existing Mamm Creek Compression Facilities, and (iv) loop the pipeline upstream of the Mamm Creek Compression Facilities and install a new Receipt Point (collectively, the “Expanded Facilities”). Gatherer shall provide written notice to Shipper advising the date that the Expanded Facilities or portions thereof, are capable of providing the Firm Capacity Gas services with respect to Shipper’s Gas as stated in this Agreement. The “Operational In-Service Date” shall be the first day of the month following such notification. Gatherer shall use commercially reasonable efforts to complete the Expanded Facilities on or before July 1, 2011.

 

1.6                        Target Pressure and Pressure Limit. Effective upon the Operational In-Service Date, Gatherer shall use reasonable commercial efforts to maintain an average pressure for each Accounting Period, such pressure to be determined based on the average pressures (taken no less than hourly) measured at the pressure tap of the meter during each month, at each Receipt Point equal to or less than the “Target Pressure” as described in Exhibit “D”. Gatherer shall not install a valve or other pressure control device upstream of the meter(s) used to monitor the Target Pressure. Within thirty (30) days after the end of each Accounting Period, Gatherer shall provide to Shipper a Target Pressure report for such Accounting Period. In the event the pressure at a Receipt Point exceeds the applicable amount shown on Exhibit “D” under the “Pressure Limit’ column for such Receipt Point, the respective rights and obligations of Gatherer and Shipper shall be as follows,

 

(a)                                                                        Shut-in Production. Any time the pressure at a Receipt Point exceeds its applicable Pressure Limit for more than [***] hours and such condition prevents Gatherer from Gathering Shipper’s Gas, the portion of Shipper’s Gas for which Gatherer is unable to Gather shall be immediately and temporarily released from this Agreement during the period in which Gatherer is unable to Gather such Gas and maintain the Target Pressure. Gatherer shall provide Shipper at least two (2) days prior notice that that Gatherer is again able to Gather Shipper’s Gas and maintain the Target Pressure; provided, however, Shipper shall not be obligated to resume on weekends or holidays deliveries to Gatherer of the portion of its Gas that was temporarily released from this Agreement.

 

*** Certain information in this document has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

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(b)                            Pressure-Adjusted MDO. Should the average monthly pressure at a Receipt Point exceed the applicable Pressure Limit for [***] or more consecutive Accounting Periods other than for reasons of Force Majeure, Maintenance or breach of this Agreement by Shipper then, subject to Gatherer’s receipt of written notice from Shipper (“Reduced MDQ Notice”), Gatherer shall determine the highest reduced daily quantity of Shipper’s Gas that can be delivered to such Receipt Point that will enable Gatherer to maintain the Target Pressure (the “Pressure-Adjusted MDQ”) and provide written notice to Shipper of such Pressure-Adjusted MDQ within five (5) days of its receipt of the Reduced MDQ Notice. The Pressure-Adjusted MDQ shall replace Shipper’s MDQ for all purposes of this Agreement and remain in effect until the first day of the Accounting Period that begins no earlier than fifteen (15) days after written notification from Gatherer specifying either a new, higher Pressure-Adjusted MDQ or Shipper’s original MDQ, whichever is lower.

 

(c)                             Permanent MDQ Reduction. Within thirty (30) days after receipt of a Reduced MDQ Notice from Shipper, Gatherer shall develop plans to reduce pressure at the impacted Receipt Point such that Shipper’s original MDQ may be restored at the Target Pressure and provide such plans to Shipper. Gatherer shall have up to [***] Accounting Periods after receipt of the Reduced MDQ Notice to successfully implement its plans and to provide Shipper with written notice, which shall be effective the first day of the next Accounting Period that is at least fifteen (15) days following such notice, that Shipper’s original MDQ will again become effective. If by the end of the [***] Accounting Period after receipt of the Reduced MDQ Notice from Shipper, Gatherer has not given such notice, Shipper shall have the option to permanently reduce its MDQ to a level that will reasonably result in the ability of Gatherer to achieve compliance with the Target Pressure at such Receipt Point (“Permanent MDQ Reduction”). Upon written notice from Shipper that it desires a Permanent MDQ Reduction (a “Permanent MDQ Reduction Notice”), the Parties shall meet and mutually agree to the Permanent MDQ Reduction utilizing hydraulic modeling. The Parties shall use commercially reasonable efforts to agree upon such new MDQ within fifteen (15) days of the Permanent MDQ Reduction Notice or, if unable to so mutually agree, Shipper and Gatherer shall select one independent, neutral, qualified and appropriately licensed engineer with experience in hydraulic modeling to serve as a sole arbitrator who will decide. based solely on written submissions by the Parties, upon the Permanent MDQ Reduction and whose decision shall be final and non-appealable unless such appeal is based upon manifest error. No Permanent MDQ Reduction shall occur until such time as the Parties mutually agree to or the arbitrator decides upon the Permanent MDQ Reduction, whereupon Exhibit “C” shall be deemed automatically amended to reflect such change and the Parties shall thereafter formalize such deemed amendment by means of entering into a written amendment in that regard. Any such amendment shall terminate at the end of the Initial Period beginning on the Operational In-Service Date.

 

*** Certain information in this document has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

4

 

(d)                            Effect of Nominating Shipper IT Gas. Effective upon the Operational In-Service Date, should Shipper nominate Shipper IT Gas during any Accounting Period and Gatherer accepts such nomination, then Gatherer shall not be obligated to meet any Target Pressure with respect to Shipper’s Gas and Shipper IT Gas for such Accounting Period and the time periods relating to adjustment and/or reduction of the MDQ in Sections 1.6(b) and 1.6(c) shall be suspended for such Accounting Period; provided, however, in the event that Shipper delivers Shipper IT Gas, Gatherer shall use reasonable efforts to operate its compression at the lowest possible pressure relative to the total system volume.

 

(e)                             Circumstances When Shipper’s Gas Delivered to 01E Receipt Point Treated as Firm Capacity Gas. During the Term, Shipper’s Gas delivered to the 01E Receipt Point shall be considered Shipper 1T Gas. However, in the event that Gatherer is unable to receive any volumes of Shipper’s Gas delivered to the P4E Receipt Point, then Shipper’s Gas up to the applicable MDQ that Gatherer accepts and is able to receive during an Accounting Period at the 01E Receipt Point shall be treated as Firm Capacity Gas for such Accounting Period. For purposes of clarification and avoidance of doubt, volumes of Shipper’s Gas delivered to the 01E Receipt Point shall be treated as Firm Capacity Gas up to the MDQ for an applicable Accounting Period if and only to the extent that Gatherer (i) is unable to accept any volumes (i.e., accepts zero (o) volumes) of Shipper’s Gas at the P4E Receipt Point and (ii) agrees to accept Shipper’s Gas delivered to the 01E Receipt Point.

 

(f)                               Sole Remedy for Excess Pressure at 01E Receipt Point. The Parties acknowledge that the O1E Receipt Point does not have a Pressure Limit. Should the pressure at the O1E Receipt Point exceed Shipper’s requirements, Shipper’s sole remedy is to redirect its Gas to the P4E Receipt Point and the Pressure Limit at that point will apply.

 

(g)                            Sole Remedy for Failure to Maintain Target Pressure and/or Pressure Limit. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, Shipper’s sole and exclusive remedy for the failure of Gatherer to comply with the Target Pressure and/or Pressure Limit under this Agreement or for Gatherer’s failure to Gather all or any part of Shipper’s Gas as a result of the failure to comply with the Target Pressure and/or Pressure Limit shall be limited to those remedies specifically provided for in this Agreement,

 

SECTION 2: GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS

 

This Agreement incorporates and is subject to all of the General Terms and Conditions contained in Appendix “A” attached hereto, together with any Exhibits attached hereto. Capitalized terms used herein, but not defined herein, are defined in the General Terms and Conditions.

 

*** Certain information in this document has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

5

 

SECTION 3: TERM

 

This Agreement shall become effective on the Effective Date and, unless terminated as provided under this Agreement, shall remain in full force and effect for as long as Shipper and/or its Affiliates and/or any of their respective successors and assigns own any Interests in the Dedication Area (the “Term”).

 

SECTION 4: FEE AND CONSIDERATION

 

4.1                                 Gathering Fee. For each MMBtu of Shipper’s Gas delivered during an Accounting Period to the Receipt Points, Shipper shall pay Gatherer the “Gathering Fee” shown in the following table, which shall apply to both Shipper’s Gas and Shipper IT Gas:

 

Gathering Fee for Deliveries to the Gathering System

 

	
 
    	
 
    	
($/MMBtu) for
   deliveries
   prior to the
   Operational
   In-Service Date
    	
 
    	
(S/MMBtu) for deliveries
   from and after the
   Operational In-Service
   Date
    	
 
    
	
Less than or equal to [***]  MMcfd
    	
 
    	
$
    	
[***]
    	
 
    	
$
    	
[***]
    	
 
    
	
Greater than [***] MMcfd
    	
 
    	
$
    	
[***]
    	
 
    	
$
    	
[***]
    	
 
    

 

4.2                                 Deliveries Less Than MDQ. In any Accounting Period within the Initial Period during which the average daily volume of Shipper’s Gas measured at all Receipt Points is less than the applicable MDQ for such Accounting Period (“Volume Shortfall”), then Shipper shall pay to Gatherer an amount, in addition to the Gathering Fee, equal to the product of (a) the Gathering Fee in effect for such Accounting Period and (b) the amount by which such volume is less than the Adjusted MDQ for such Month (“Below MDQ Fee”). The “Adjusted MDQ” for an Accounting Period is the lesser of the MDQ on Exhibit “C” or the Pressure-Adjusted MDQ, if applicable, further reduced by the volume of Shipper’s Gas (in Mcf) that Shipper is prevented from delivering due to (i) Force Majeure related to the Gathering System or the Interconnecting Pipelines, (ii) Maintenance related to the Gathering System or the Interconnecting Pipelines, and/or (iii) capacity allocations pursuant to Article 3.3 on the Gathering System or the Interconnecting Pipelines. To determine the volume of Shipper’s Gas that Shipper was prevented from delivering Gatherer may rely on the average delivery volume on the day before the curtailment event and the day after the curtailment event. This average volume shall be adjusted for the amount of time of the curtailment event and shall reduce the MDQ or Pressure-Adjusted MDQ, as applicable, accordingly. If during any Accounting Period, an Adjusted MDQ is applicable then the Adjusted MDQ for that Accounting Period shall be used in place of the otherwise applicable MDQ for the purpose of calculating Shipper’s Volume Shortfall.

 

4.3                                 Volume Bank. Beginning on the Operational In-Service Date, a cumulative “Volume Bank” shall be established for purposes of adjusting the Gathering Fee payable by Shipper during an applicable Accounting Period. The Volume Bank shall operate as follows:

 

*** Certain information in this document has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

6

 

(a)                             For any Accounting Period that the average volume of Shipper’s Gas accepted by Gatherer and measured at all Receipt Points is greater than the MDQ or Adjusted MDQ, as applicable for such period, then a positive credit equal to the amount of such volume in excess of the MDQ or Adjusted MDQ (“Volume Excess”) for that Accounting Period shall be added to the Volume Bank; and, for any Accounting Period that there is a Volume Shortfall, then a deduction equal to the amount of such Volume Shortfall shall be subtracted from the Volume Bank. For purposes of this Section 4.3, the term “Offset Amount” shall mean the lesser of the absolute value of (i) the ending Volume Bank balance for the prior Accounting Period or (ii) Volume Shortfall or Volume Excess, as applicable, for the current Accounting Period.

 

(b)                            If the Volume Bank has a positive balance and a Volume Shortfall occurs in an Accounting Period, then: (i) such positive balance shall be used to offset all or part of the Volume Shortfall; (ii) the Volume Bank shall be reduced by the Volume Shortfall; (iii) an amount equal to the applicable Offset Amount multiplied by the applicable Gathering Fee shall be credited to Shipper’s account (a “Volume Bank Fee Credit”); and, (iv) the total amount of the Below MDQ Fee payable by Shipper in an Accounting Period shall be reduced by such Volume Bank Fee Credit.

 

(c)                             If the Volume Bank has a negative balance and a Volume Excess occurs in an Accounting Period, then: (i) such negative balance shall be used to offset all or part of the Volume Excess; (ii) the Volume Bank shall be increased by the Volume Excess; (iii) an amount equal to the Volume Bank Fee Credit shall be credited to Shipper’s account; and, (iv) the total amount of the Below MDQ Fee payable by Shipper in an Accounting Period shall be reduced by such Volume Bank Fee Credit.

 

(d)                            For purposes of clarification and avoidance of doubt, in no event shall a Volume Bank Fee Credit apply under circumstances when either (i) a positive balance exists in the Volume Bank and a Volume Excess occurs, or (ii) a negative balance exists in the Volume Bank and a Volume Shortfall occurs. The Volume Bank shall continue for the Initial Period. Upon expiration of the Initial Period, (i) any remaining positive or negative balances shall be cancelled without any further adjustment owed to either Party, (ii) Shipper’s MDQ shall be adjusted as set forth in Exhibit “C” and the Below MDQ Fee set forth in Section 4.2 shall no longer apply. A statement showing the current status of the Volume Bank and any changes to the Volume Bank shall be provided for each Accounting Period. An example of the Volume Bank is shown on Exhibit “E”.

 

4.4                                Shipper Measurement Facilities.  In order to determine the volume of Shipper’s Gas delivered from the Dedication Area, Shipper shall install, own, and operate measurement facilities necessary to separately measure all volumes produced by Shipper and delivered to Gatherer from the Interruptible Area. Such facilities shall be installed, operated, and maintained in accordance with Article 8 of the General Terms and Conditions. Shipper shall provide equipment necessary to enable Gatherer to receive real

 

*** Certain information in this document has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

7

 

time operational data collected from such facilities. Shipper shall provide Gatherer with production data as reasonably requested by Gatherer. Such production data shall include, without limitation, monthly measurement and production data. Shipper shall provide Gatherer with monthly data by the tenth day of each following month. Notwithstanding anything in this Section 4.4 to the contrary, for the Initial Period, Shipper’s obligation to separately measure Gas delivered from the Interruptible Area shall be temporarily suspended.

 

4.5                                 Fee Reduction for High Pressure. If the average monthly pressure measured at any Receipt Point during any Accounting Period during the Initial Period beginning with the Operational In-Service Date exceeds the applicable Pressure Limit for such Receipt Point, then the applicable Gathering Fees referenced in Section 4.1 for such Accounting Period shall be reduced by $[***] per MMBtu.

 

4.6                                 FLU. In addition to the Gathering Fee described in Section 4.1, Shipper agrees to pay to Gatherer Shipper’s actual pro rata share of FLU and power costs directly related to Gathering under this Agreement. Such FLU shall be provided in kind to Gatherer immediately downstream of the Receipt Points. Any power costs allocated to Shipper shall be included in Shipper’s monthly invoice.

 

4.7                                 Gathering Fee Adjustment Based upon CPI. Beginning on December 1, 2010, and every year thereafter on December 1, the Gathering Fee set forth in Section 4.1 shall be adjusted by the percentage increase or decrease, if any, in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (“CPI-U”); provided, however, the fee applicable to deliveries greater than [***] MMcfd from and after the Operational In-Service Date shall be adjusted beginning on December 1, 2011. This percentage adjustment shall be calculated based upon the difference between the most recent calendar year and the previous calendar year, as published in the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics. If the CPI-U ceases to be published, the Parties shall use commercially reasonable efforts to negotiate a replacement index. In no event will the Gathering Fee be reduced below the initial Gathering Fees stated in Section 4.1 above.

 

4.8                                 Service Improvements. In the event that Gatherer improves, or intends to improve, its service above the Expanded Facilities described in Section 1.5 to maximize production from the Dedication Area by providing a lower pressure service, Gatherer shall provide notice to Shipper of its plans to install additional compression, along with the anticipated benefits and economic justification underlying such additional compression so that the Parties may negotiate a fee for such improved service. If the Parties are unable to negotiate a fee for such improved service within [***] days of notice thereof from Gatherer, then Gatherer shall have the right to withhold such improved service or the benefit of such improved service from Shipper.

 

4.9                                 Shipper Condensate. Subject to Section 2.5 of the General Terms and Conditions, Gatherer shall retain and  own all Condensate attributable to Shipper’s Gas and Shipper IT Gas collected in the Gathering System and any and all revenues from the sale thereof.

 

*** Certain information in this document has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

8

 

SECTION 5: NOTICES

 

All notices, statements, invoices or other communications required or permitted between the Parties shall be in writing and shall be considered as having been given if delivered by mail, courier, hand delivery, or facsimile to the other Party at the designated address or facsimile numbers, as designated below. Normal operating instructions can be delivered by telephone or other agreed means. Notice of events of Force Majeure may be made by telephone and confirmed in writing within a reasonable time after the telephonic notice. Monthly statements, invoices, payments and other communications shall be deemed delivered when actually received. Either Party may change its address or facsimile and telephone numbers upon written notice to the other Party:

 

Gatherer:

 

If by mail or facsimile delivery:

Encana Oil & Gas (USA) Inc.

370 17th Street, Suite 1700

Denver, CO 80202

Facsimile: 720-876-4169

Attention: Vice President, U.S. Midstream

 

With copy to

General Counsel

Encana Oil & Gas (USA) 

Inc. 370 17th Street, Suite

1700 Denver, CO 80202

Facsimile: 720-876-3655

 

Group Lead, Contracts 

Encana Oil & Gas (USA) 

Inc. 370 17`h Street, Suite 

1700 Denver, CO 80202

Facsimile: 720-876-6009

 

Shipper:

 

If by mail or facsimile delivery:

Williams Production RMT Company LLC

One Williams Center

Tulsa, OK 74172

Attn: Gas Management — Mail Drop 36-8

Telephone: 918-573-3885

Facsimile: 918-573-1324

 

*** Certain information in this document has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

9

 

SECTION 6: EXECUTION

 

This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be considered an original, and all or which shall be considered one instrument.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed this Agreement on the date first set forth above.

 

 

	
GATHERER:
    	
 
    	
SHIPPER:
    
	
By:
    	
 
    	
By:
    
	
Name:
    	
 
    	
Name:
    
	
Title:
    	
 
    	
Title:
    
	
Date:
    	
 
    	
Date:
    

 

*** Certain information in this document has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

10

 

EXHIBIT “A”

 

DEDICATION AREA & INTERRUPTIBLE AREA

 

The following lands comprise the Dedication Area:

 

[***]

 

[***]

[***]

[***]

[***]

[***]

[***]

 

The following lands comprise the Interruptible Area:

 

[***]

 

[***]

 

[***]

[***]

[***]

[***]

[***]

[***]

 

*** Certain information in this document has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

 

EXHIBIT “B”

 

RECEIPT POINTS & DELIVERY POINTS

 

Receipt Points:

 

[***]

 

[***]

 

Other points as mutually agreed.

 

Delivery Points:

 

[***]

 

Other points as mutually agreed.

 

*** Certain information in this document has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

 

EXHIBIT “C”

SHIPPER’S MDQ

 

Shipper’s Maximum Daily Quantity (MDQ)

 

	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
(MMcfd)
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
[***]
    	
 
    	
[***]
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
[***]
    	
 
    	
[***]
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
[***]
    	
 
    	
[***]
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
[***]
    	
 
    	
[***]
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
[***]
    	
 
    	
[***]
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
[***]
    	
 
    	
[***]
    	
 
    

 

Notes:

 

1.                                       Assumes the Operational In-Service Date is [***]. If the Operational In-Service Date occurs in another month, then the above chart shall be revised accordingly to reflect a [***] and [***] beginning with the actual Operational In-Service Date.

 

*** Certain information in this document has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

 

EXHIBIT “D”

 

TARGET PRESSURE AND PRESSURE LIMIT

 

Target Pressure and Pressure Limit

 

	
Receipt Point
    	
 
    	
Target Pressure
    	
 
    	
Pressure Limit
    	
 
    
	
[***]
    	
 
    	
[***]
    	
 
    	
[***]
    	
 
    
	
[***]
    	
 
    	
[***]
    	
 
    	
[***]
    	
 
    

 

*** Certain information in this document has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

 

EXHIBIT “E”

 

[***]

 

*** Certain information in this document has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

 

EXHIBIT “F”

 

MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT

 

THIS MEMORANDUM OF GAS GATHERING AGREEMENT (this “Memorandum”) is for the purpose of placing third parties on notice of an agreement made and entered into on the 1st day of November, 2010 (the “Effective Date”), by and between WILLIAMS PRODUCTION RMT COMPANY LLC (“Shipper”) with an address of One Williams Center, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74172, and ENCANA OIL & GAS (USA) INC. (“Gatherer”), with an address of 370 17th Street, Suite 1700, Denver, Colorado 80202.

 

WHEREAS, Shipper and Gatherer entered into that certain Second Amended and Restated Gas Gathering Agreement dated November 1, 2010 (the “Agreement”), pursuant to which Gatherer will provide Gathering for Shipper’s Gas and Shipper IT Gas;

 

WHEREAS, any capitalized term used, but not defined, in this Memorandum shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the Agreement; and

 

WHEREAS, this Memorandum is filed of record in the real property records of Garfield County, Colorado, to give notice of the existence of the Agreement and certain provisions contained therein;

 

1.             Notice. Notice is hereby given of the existence of the Agreement and all of its terms, covenants and conditions to the same extent as if the Agreement was fully set forth herein. Certain provisions of the Agreement are summarized in Sections 2 through 3 below.

 

2.             Dedication. Subject to the terms and conditions of the Agreement and certain exclusions from dedication described in the Agreement, Shipper has dedicated and agreed to deliver, and shall cause its Affiliates to dedicate and deliver to Gatherer, at the Receipt Points (i) all Gas produced from all wells now or hereafter located within the Dedicated Area (described on the attached Schedule 1) or on lands pooled therewith which is attributable to Interests now owned or hereafter acquired by Shipper and/or its Affiliates and their respective successors and assigns and (ii) with respect to such wells in which Shipper and/or any of its Affiliates is the operator, Gas produced from such wells which is attributable to the Interests in such wells owned by other working interest owners and royalty owners which is not taken “in-kind” by such royalty owners and for which Shipper and/or its Affiliates has the right and/or obligation to deliver such Gas and only for the period that Shipper and/or its Affiliates has such right and/or obligation.

 

3.             Covenant Running with the Land. Subject to the terms and conditions of the Agreement, so long as the Agreement is in effect, the Agreement shall (i) be a covenant running with the Interests now owned or hereafter acquired by Shipper and/or its Affiliates within the Dedicated Area and (ii) be binding on and enforceable by Gatherer and its successors and assigns against Shipper and/or its Affiliates and all subsequent owners of all or any part of the Dedicated Area and their respective successors and assigns. Shipper shall cause any conveyance of all or any Interests in the Dedicated Area to be made expressly

 

*** Certain information in this document has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

 

subject to this Agreement.

 

4.             No Amendment to Agreement. This Memorandum is executed and recorded solely for the purpose of giving notice and shall not amend nor modify the Agreement in any way.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Memorandum has been signed by or on behalf of each of the Parties as of the day first above written.

 

	
 
    	
ENCANA   OIL & GAS (USA) INC. 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
Name:
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
Title:
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
WILLIAMS   PRODUCTION RMT COMPANY LLC
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
Name:
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
Title:
    	
 
    

 

*** Certain information in this document has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

 

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

 

STATE OF COLORADO

 

CITY AND COUNTY OF DENVER

 

The foregoing instrument was acknowledged before me on the                  day of          2010, by                                         of Encana Oil & Gas (USA) Inc., a Delaware corporation, on behalf of said corporation.

 

	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
Notary Public in and for
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
Printed or Typed Name of   Notary
    

 

STATE OF COLORADO

 

CITY AND COUNTY OF DENVER

 

The foregoing instrument was acknowledged before me on the                  day of         , 2010, by                                                                     of Williams Production RMT Company LLC, a                                                             , on behalf of said entity.

 

	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
Notary Public in and for
    

 

*** Certain information in this document has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

 

	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
Printed or Typed Name of   Notary
    

 

*** Certain information in this document has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

 

Schedule 1 to Memorandum of Agreement

 

[***]

 

*** Certain information in this document has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

 

APPENDIX “A”

 

GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS
 Attached to and made a part of that certain
 Second Amended and Restated Gas Gathering Agreement dated November 1, 2010
 between
 Encana Oil & Gas (USA) Inc. (“Gatherer”)
 and
 Williams Production RMT Company LLC (“Shipper”)

 

ARTICLE 1: DEFINITIONS

 

1.1           Accounting Period. The period commencing at 8:00 a.m., Gatherer Time, on the first day of a calendar month and ending at 8:00 a.m., Gatherer Time, on the first day of the next succeeding month.

 

1.2           Adjusted MDQ. As defined in Section 4.2 of this Agreement.

 

1.3           Affiliate.       Any Person that directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls or is controlled by or is under common control with another Person. The term “control” (including its derivatives and similar terms) means possessing the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether through ownership, by contract, or otherwise. Any Person shall be deemed to be an Affiliate of any specified Person or entity if such Person or entity owns fifty percent (50%) or more of the voting securities of the specified Person, if the specified Person owns fifty percent (50%) or more of the voting securities of such Person, or if fifty percent (50%) or more of the voting securities of the specified Person and such Person are under common control.

 

1.4           Average Market Index. As defined in Article 6.2(c) of these General Terms and Conditions.

 

1.5           Below MDQ Fee. As defined in Section 4.2 of this Agreement.

 

1.6           Btu. The amount of heat required to raise the temperature of one (1) pound  of water from 59°F to 60°F at a standard pressure base of 14.73 pounds per square inch absolute (psi a).

 

1.7           Condensate. Liquid hydrocarbons that have condensed from the Gas in the Gathering System downstream of the Receipt Points.

 

1.8           Cubic Foot. The volume of Gas contained in one (1) Cubic Foot of space at a standard pressure base of 14.73 pounds per square inch absolute (psia) and a standard temperature base of 60° F.

 

*** Certain information in this document has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

1

 

1.9           Curtailed Gas Notice. As defined in Article 3.5 of these General Terms and Conditions.

 

1.10         Dedication. As defined in Section 1.1 of this Agreement.

 

1.11         Dedication Area. The lands, wells and/or leaseholds described on Exhibit “A” and designated as Dedication Area.

 

1.12         Delivery Point. The point at which Shipper’s Gas or Shipper IT Gas is redelivered to Shipper, or to Shipper’s designee, or to others entitled thereto, as designated on Exhibit “B.”

 

1.13         Expanded Facilities. As defined in Section 1.5 of this Agreement.

 

1.14         Firm Capacity Gas. Gas that is accorded the highest priority on the Gathering System with respect to capacity allocations, interruptions, or curtailments; specifically including (i) Gas produced by Gatherer or its Affiliates and (ii) Gas delivered to the Gathering System from any Person for which Gatherer is contractually obligated to provide the highest priority, including, without limitation, Shipper’s Gas up to the applicable MDQ, but expressly excluding Shipper IT Gas. Firm Capacity Gas will be the last Gas removed from the Gathering System in the event of an interruption or curtailment and all Firm Capacity Gas will be treated equally in the event an allocation is necessary, including, without limitation, Shipper’s Gas.

 

1.15         Firm Capacity Gas Shipper. Any Person that delivers Firm Capacity Gas to Gatherer.

 

1.16         Fuel, Lost and Unaccounted for Gas or “FLU” or FLU Quantity. That volume of Shipper’s Gas or Shipper IT Gas, in terms of MMBtus, received by Gatherer which is retained by Gatherer for fuel, or is released or lost through piping, equipment, measurement error or inaccuracies, or is vented, flared or lost in connection with the operation of the Gathering System, including, without limitation, line pack and system gains. The Fuel Quantity is stated as a percentage of the Gas delivered by Shipper at the Receipt Points. Title to FLU Quantity shall vest in Gatherer immediately downstream of the Receipt Points at no cost to Gatherer, and free and clear of all adverse claims and liabilities.

 

1.17         Gas. Any Mixture of gaseous hydrocarbons or of hydrocarbons and other gasses, in a gaseous state, consisting primarily of methane.

 

1.18         Gather, Gathered, or Gathering. The movement of Gas through the Gathering System, equipment, devices, or pipeline from the Receipt Points to the Delivery Points.

 

1.19        Gathering Fee. As defined in Section 4.1 of this Agreement.

 

 

*** Certain information in this document has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

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1.20         Gathering System. The Gas gathering facilities owned and operated by Gatherer, from the Receipt Points to the Delivery Points, including but not limited to piping, compression facilities, dehydration and meters.

 

1.21         Gross Heating Value. The number of Btu’s produced by the combustion, on a dry basis and at a constant pressure, of the amount of the Gas which would occupy a volume of 1 Cubic Foot at a temperature of 60°F and at a pressure of 14.73 psis, with air of the same temperature and pressure as the Gas, when the products of combustion are cooled to the initial temperature of the Gas and air and when the water formed by combustion is condensed to the liquid state.

 

1.22         Indemnifying Party and Indemnified Party. As defined in Article 11 of these General Terms and Conditions.

 

1.23         Initial Period. As defined in Section 1.1 of this Agreement.

 

1.24         Interconnecting Pipelines. Any pipeline connected immediately downstream of the Delivery Points.

 

1.25         Interests. Any right, title, or interest in lands and the right to produce oil and/or Gas therefrom whether arising from fee ownership, working interest ownership, mineral ownership, leasehold ownership, or arising from any pooling, unitization or communitization of any of the foregoing rights.

 

1.26         Interruptible Area. The lands, wells and/or leaseholds described on Exhibit “A” and designated as Interruptible Area.

 

1.27         Interruptible Gas. Gas that is accorded the lowest priority on the Gathering System with respect to capacity allocations, interruptions, or curtailments. Interruptible Gas will be the first Gas removed from the Gathering System in the event of an interruption or curtailment, including, without limitation, Shipper IT Gas.

 

1.28         Interruptible Gas Shipper. Any Person that delivers Interruptible Gas to Gatherer.

 

1.29         Losses. Any actual loss, cost, expense, liability, damage, demand, suit, sanction, claim, judgment, lien, fine or penalty, including attorney’s fees, asserted by a third party unaffiliated with the Party incurring such, and which are incurred by the applicable Indemnified Party on account of injuries (including death) to any person or damage to or destruction of any property, sustained or alleged to have been sustained in connection with or arising out of the matters for which the Indemnifying Party has indemnified the applicable Indemnified Party.

 

1.30         Maintenance. As defined in Article 3.2 of these General Terms and Conditions.

 

*** Certain information in this document has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

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1.31        Mamm Creek Compression Facilities. The compressor stations and related facilities owned and operated by Gatherer, which include the East Mamm Compression Facility located in Section 36, Township 6 South, Range 93 West, Garfield County, Colorado; the Hunter Mesa Compression Facility located in Section 31, Township 6 South, Range 92 West, Garfield County, Colorado; and, the Pumba Compression Facility located in Section 3, Township 7 South, Range 93West, Garfield County, Colorado.

 

1.32        Mcf.  1,000 Cubic Feet.

 

1.33        MDQ. Maximum Daily Quantity, as further described in Exhibit “C.”

 

1.34        MMBtu. 1,000,000 Btu’s.

 

1.35        MMcf.  1,000,000 Cubic Feet.

 

1.36        Offset Amount. As defined in Section 4.3(a) of this Agreement and shown in the example on Exhibit “E”.

 

1.37        Operational In-Service Date. As defined in Section 1.5 of this Agreement

 

1.38        Permanent MDQ Reduction. As defined in Section 1.6(c) of this Agreement.

 

1.39        Permanent MDQ Reduction Notice. As defined in Section 1.6(c) of this Agreement.

 

1.40        Person. Any individual, firm, corporation, trust, partnership, limited liability company, association, joint venture, other business enterprise or governmental authority.

 

1.41        Pressure-Adjusted MDQ. As defined in Section 1.6(b) of this Agreement.

 

1.42        Pressure Limit. As defined in Section 1.6 of this Agreement and shown on Exhibit “D.”

 

1.43        Pressure Regulation Devices. As defined in Article 5.3 of these General Terms and Conditions.

 

1.44        Receipt Points. The inlet flange of the custody transfer meters where Shipper’s Gas or Shipper IT Gas is delivered to Gatherer at the Receipt Points designated on Exhibit “B.”

 

1.45        Rifle Compressor Station. The compressor station and related facilities owned and operated by Gatherer, located in Section 13, Township 6 South, Range 94 West, Garfield County, Colorado.

 

*** Certain information in this document has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

4

 

1.46         Reduced MDQ Notice. As defined in Section 1.6 (b) of this Agreement.

 

1.47         Scheduled Nominations. As defined in Article 6.1(a) of these General Terms and Conditions.

 

1.48         Shipper’s. Gas. As defined in Section 1.1(b) of this Agreement.

 

1.49         Shipper IT Gas. As defined in Section 1.3 of this Agreement.

 

1.50         Target Pressure. As defined in Section 1.6 of this Agreement and shown on Exhibit “D.”

 

1.51         Taxes. All gross production, severance, conservation, ad valorem and similar or other taxes measured by or based upon production, together with all taxes on the right or privilege of ownership of the Gas, or upon the handling, transmission, compression, processing, treating, conditioning, distribution, sale, delivery or redelivery of the Gas, including all of the foregoing now existing or in the future imposed or promulgated.

 

1.52         Term. As defined in Section 3 of this Agreement.

 

1.53         Thermal Content. The product of the measured volume in Mcf multiplied by the Gross Heating Value per Ma, adjusted to the same pressure base and expressed in MMBtu’s.

 

1.54         Volume Bank. As defined in Section 4.3 of this Agreement and shown in the example on Exhibit “E”.

 

1.55         Volume Bank Fee Credit. As defined in Section 4.3(b) of this Agreement and shown in the example on Exhibit “E”.

 

1.56         Volume Excess. As defined in Section 4.3(a) of this Agreement and shown in the example on Exhibit “E”.

 

1.57         Volume Shortfall. As defined in Section 4.2 of this Agreement and shown in the example on Exhibit “E”.

 

ARTICLE 2: SHIPPER COMMITMENTS AND RIGHTS

 

2.1           Subsequently Acquired Interests. In the event that after the date hereof Shipper and/or any of its Affiliates acquire Interests within the Dedication Area, then the Gas produced from such Interests shall automatically be included within the Dedication; provided, however, if any of the Gas produced from such Interests is subject to a prior written dedication or commitment for gathering at the time of any such acquisition, then such Gas shall be excluded from the Dedication until such prior dedication or

 

*** Certain information in this document has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

5

 

commitment expires. In the event that any such prior dedication or commitment expires or terminates, then the Gas subject to such prior dedication or commitment shall automatically be included within the Dedication and subject to this Agreement without any further actions by the Parties. Tn the event that at any time in the future Shipper or any of its Affiliates has the right or ability to terminate any such prior dedication or commitment, then Shipper shall terminate, or cause its Affiliate to terminate, such prior dedication or commitment, and upon such termination, the Gas subject to such prior dedication or commitment shall automatically be included within the Dedication and subject to this Agreement without any further actions by the Parties. Shipper represents and warrants to Gatherer that as of the date hereof (i) there are no prior dedications and/or commitments covering the gathering and/or transportation of any Gas produced from any Interests owned by Shipper and/or its Affiliates within the Dedication Area and (ii) Shipper’s Affiliates do not own any Interests within the Dedication Area.

 

2.2           Covenant Running with the Land. So long as this Agreement is in effect, this Agreement shall (i) be a covenant running with the interests now owned or hereafter acquired by Shipper and/or its Affiliates within the Dedication Area and (ii) be binding on and enforceable by Gatherer and its successors and assigns against Shipper and/or its Affiliates and all subsequent owners of all or any part of the Dedication Area and their respective successors and assigns. Shipper shall cause any conveyance of all or any Interests in the Dedication Area to be made expressly subject to this Agreement.

 

2.3           Conveyance of Rights to Gatherer. Shipper hereby grants, transfers, conveys and assigns to Gatherer, subject to certain exclusions from Dedication described in this Agreement, (i) the exclusive right to Gather Shipper’s Gas, and (ii) all right, title, interest and/or ownership of Condensate recovered from the Gathering of Shipper’s Gas or Shipper IT Gas.

 

2.4           Memorandum of Agreement. Contemporaneously with the execution of this Agreement, the Parties shall execute, acknowledge, deliver and record a “short form” memorandum of this Agreement in the form of Exhibit “F” attached hereto which shall be placed of record in Garfield County, Colorado.

 

2.5           Upstream Processing Prohibited. Shipper agrees that it shall not remove or permit to be removed any liquefiable hydrocarbons from Shipper’s Gas or Shipper IT Gas or remove Condensate from such Gas prior to delivery to the Receipt Points, except for liquefiable hydrocarbons that condense from such Gas during transportation to the Receipt Points that are removed by pipeline pigging or conventional mechanical type Gas liquid field separators commonly used in the industry to separate liquid hydrocarbons and free water from Shipper’s Gas or Shipper IT Gas, to the extent, and only to the extent, reasonably necessary for the safe transportation of such Gas to the Receipt Points.

 

2.6           Information. Shipper shall provide Gatherer timely information with respect to Shipper’s drilling plans and volume forecasts with respect to its interests in the Dedication Area, and shall provide reasonable advance notice to Gatherer of scheduled well shut-ins.

 

*** Certain information in this document has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

6

 

2.7           Compression. Shipper shall have the right to install compression facilities and plunger lifts upstream of each Receipt Point. Any compression facilities or plunger lifts installed by Shipper shall be installed, operated, and maintained in a manner that does not materially and adversely affect Gatherer’s dehydration, measurement, gathering or other facilities.

 

2.8           Gas for Lease Operations. Shipper reserves the right to withhold from delivery any Gas (i) that Shipper is required to deliver to its lessor under the terms of any leases; or (ii) that Shipper reasonably requires for oil and gas producing operations with respect to Shipper’s wells.

 

2.9           Control of Shipper’s Wells. Shipper may, at any time, shut in, clean out, deepen or abandon any wells within Shipper’s Interests, or may use any efficient, modern or improved method for the production of Gas; provided, before any well is taken out of service for any reason, Shipper shall first shut off the well’s connection with the Receipt Point.

 

2.10         Units.  Shipper may form, dissolve and/or participate in units encompassing portions of Shipper’s Interests, provided that the exercise of those rights shall not diminish Gatherer’s rights under this Agreement nor increase Gatherer’s obligations under this Agreement.

 

ARTICLE 3: OPERATION OF THE GATHERING SYSTEM

 

3.1           Operational Control of the Gathering System. Gatherer shall be entitled to complete operational control of its Gathering System and shall operate its Gathering System in a manner which, in Gatherer’s sole opinion, is consistent with its obligations under this Agreement. Gatherer shall have the unqualified right to commingle Shipper’s Gas and Shipper IT Gas received by Gatherer at the Receipt Points with other Gas in the Gathering System. However, this Article 3.1 shall not be interpreted to relieve Gatherer of its obligations under this Agreement.

 

3.2           Maintenance. Gatherer shall, without liability, be entitled to perform such maintenance, testing, alteration, modification, repair or replacement of the Gathering System as would be done by a prudent operator (“Maintenance”).

 

3.3           Capacity Allocations, If the quantity of Shipper’s Gas and all other Gas available for delivery into the Gathering System exceeds the capacity of the Gathering System at any point including the Receipt Points, then Gatherer shall interrupt or curtail receipts of Shipper’s Gas in accordance with the following:

 

(a)           First, Gatherer shall curtail all Interruptible Gas prior to curtailing Firm Capacity Gas. In the event Gatherer curtails some, but not all, Interruptible Gas on a particular day, Gatherer shall allocate the capacity of the Gathering System at the affected point on a pro rata basis based upon Shipper’s and other Interruptible Gas

 

*** Certain information in this document has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

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Shippers’ last confirmed nominations of Interruptible Gas prior to the event causing the curtailment.

 

(b)           Second, if additional curtailments are required beyond Article 3.3(a) above, Gatherer shall curtail Firm Capacity Gas. In the event Gatherer curtails some, but not all, Finn Capacity Gas on a particular Day, Gatherer shall allocate the capacity of the Gathering System at the affected point on a pro rata basis based upon Shipper’s and other Firm Capacity Gas Shippers’ last confirmed nominations of Firm Capacity Gas prior to the event causing the curtailment.

 

3.4         Temporary Release of Curtailed Gas. The volume of Shipper’s Gas that is curtailed due to capacity allocations shall be temporarily released from this Agreement during the period of such capacity allocation.

 

3.5         Permanent MDO Reduction Due to Curtailed Gas. At any time during the Initial Period, if Shipper’s Firm Capacity Gas is continuously curtailed for [***] or more Accounting Periods for reasons other than exceeding the applicable Pressure Limit, Force Majeure, Maintenance or breach of this Agreement by Shipper, then Shipper may provide Gatherer with a written notification that includes the quantity of Firm Capacity Gas that has been curtailed (“Curtailed Gas Notice”). In the event that, following the giving of a Curtailed Gas Notice, an additional quantity of Shipper’s Firm Capacity Gas is continuously curtailed for [***] or more Accounting Periods for reasons other than exceeding the applicable Pressure Limit, Force Majeure, Maintenance or breach of this Agreement by Shipper, then Shipper may provide Gatherer with a second, third or more, as applicable, Curtailed Gas Notice that includes the additional quantity of Firm Capacity Gas that has been curtailed. Gatherer shall have up to [***] Accounting Periods after receipt of a Curtailed Gas Notice to successfully implement its plans to relieve the curtailment or additional curtailment, as applicable. If by the end of the [***] Accounting Period after receipt of a Curtailed Gas Notice from Shipper, Gatherer has not relieved the curtailment or additional curtailment, as applicable, Shipper shall have the option to permanently reduce its MDQ by an amount equal to the curtailed amount in effect in such [***] Accounting Period. Concurrently with the first day of the initial Accounting Period intended to be affected by such permanent MDQ reduction, this Agreement shall be deemed to have been automatically amended to reflect such permanent release and Exhibit “C” shall be deemed revised accordingly. As soon as practicable thereafter, the Parties shall document such permanent release and revision to Exhibit “C” by means of a formal amendment to this Agreement. Any such amendment shall terminate at the end of the Initial Period.

 

3.6         Other Allocations for the Shipper Contract Capacity Volume. Subject to the other terms and conditions of this Agreement, during any period when (i) all or any portion of the Gathering System is shut down because of mechanical failure, Maintenance, non-routine operating conditions, or Force Majeure; or (ii) the Gas available for receipt exceeds the capacity of the Gathering System; or (iii) Gatherer determines that the operation of all or any portion of the Gathering System will cause injury or harm to Persons or property or to

 

*** Certain information in this document has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

8

 

the integrity of the Gathering System, then Shipper’s Gas or Shipper IT Gas may be curtailed as described in Article 3.3.

 

3.7         Gatherer’s Delivery Obligations. Gatherer shall deliver, or cause to be delivered, the portions of the Gas that it is required to deliver to Shipper, or for Shipper’s account, at the Delivery Points at a quality meeting the most restrictive specifications required by the Interconnecting Pipelines receiving Shipper’s Gas or Shipper IT Gas at the Delivery Points. Gatherer shall deliver Shipper’s Gas at pressure sufficient to enter Interconnecting Pipelines at a pressure not to exceed the greater of the maximum allowable operating pressure of the Interconnecting Pipeline or [***] psig.

 

3.8         Arrangements Prior to Receipt and After Delivery. It shall be Shipper’s obligation to make any required arrangements with other parties for delivery of Shipper’s Gas and Shipper IT Gas into the Gathering System at the Receipt Points and following delivery at the Delivery Points.

 

ARTICLE 4: FACILITIES; CONNECTION TO GATHERING SYSTEM

 

Shipper, at its sole expense, shall construct, or arrange to construct, facilities necessary to deliver Gas to Gatherer at the Receipt Points. Gatherer shall construct, operate, own, and maintain the facilities necessary to receive and measure Gas from Shipper at the Receipt Points. Shipper shall reimburse Gatherer for facility and metering costs incurred by Gatherer for new Receipt Points or new Delivery Points that are not listed on the current Exhibit “B.” Notwithstanding the foregoing, Gatherer shall be under no obligation to install new or additional facilities, including, without limitation, new Receipt Points or Delivery Points, without mutual consent of the Parties.

 

ARTICLE 5: RECEIPT POINTS AND CONDITIONS

 

5.1         Receipt Points. Shipper shall deliver Gas to the Receipt Points as specified on Exhibit “B,” which shall be located at a location downstream of Shipper’s production facilities.

 

5.2         Rate of Flow. Shipper shall deliver Gas at a reasonably uniform rate of flow, or Shipper shall accept and follow a schedule for delivery of Shipper’s Gas or Shipper IT Gas to be established by Gatherer as to not materially affect Shipper’s overall Gas deliveries.

 

5.3         Receipt Point Pressure. At each Receipt Point, Shipper shall provide equipment acceptable to Gatherer that will prevent over-pressuring of the Gathering System (“Pressure Regulation Devices”). Gatherer, in its sole discretion, may require Shipper to install, operate and maintain, at its own expense, such Pressure Regulation Devices as may be necessary to regulate the pressure of Gas prior to receipt by Gatherer. If regulation equipment is installed on Gatherer’s Gathering system, it shall be installed in a manner that does not interfere with measurement or induce measurement errors.

 

*** Certain information in this document has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

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ARTICLE 6: NOMINATION AND BALANCING PROCEDURES

 

6.1           Nomination Procedures. Pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, the nomination procedures detailed in this Article will be utilized by Shipper with respect to the deliveries and receipt of Gas hereunder. All nominations must be made by Shipper or Shipper’s designee. Should Interconnecting Pipelines receiving Gas revise their nomination requirements in a manner that conflicts with the nomination procedures herein, the Parties agree to negotiate changes to the nomination procedures herein as are reasonably required. The Parties agree as follows with respect to the nomination and balancing procedures:

 

(a)          Shipper’s nominations shall be accepted and scheduled for delivery by Gatherer (“Scheduled Nomination?) to the extent that (i) Gas is sufficient to support the nominations, (ii) Gatherer has available capacity to Gather the nominated Gas subject to Article 3.3 Capacity Allocations, and (iii) Gatherer is required to accept such Gas under this Agreement, and (iv) the party receiving Gas at the Delivery Points accepts Shipper’s nominations.

 

(b)         Each nomination shall be made as follows, the timeline may change from time to time (all timelines are stated in Mountain Time):

 

	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
Nomination Due:
    	
 
    	
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[***]
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    

 

(c)          Shipper shall provide to Gatherer’s dispatcher in writing, via fax, e-mail, or web-based nomination process, the actual daily nominations of the quantities to be delivered by Gatherer for Shipper’s account at each Delivery Point in accordance with Gatherer’s requirements. Such nominations shall include the information requested by Gatherer, and Gatherer shall maintain a record of such nominations. Shipper shall provide [***] days notice for nominations for deliveries on the first day of any given month.

 

(d)         Gatherer may, but is not obligated to accept (i) any nomination which exceeds Shipper’s MDQ or allocated capacity pursuant to terms of this Agreement, (ii) nomination changes on weekends or holidays, or (iii) any revisions to a prior nomination which result in an increase in quantities of Gas Shipper desires to deliver to a Delivery Point which arc not supported by operational improvements or additional wells. Gatherer’s dispatcher shall thereupon advise Shipper of the quantity it will accept for Gathering.

 

6.2         Shipper Gas Balancing.

 

(a)           Imbalances. If the number of MMBtus of Gas received by Gatherer at the Receipt Points, after subtracting FLU does not equal Shipper’s Scheduled Nominations,

 

*** Certain information in this document has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

10

 

an imbalance exists. If the number of MMBtus of Gas received by Gatherer at the Receipt Points, after subtracting FLU is less than Shipper’s Scheduled Nominations, a positive imbalance exists. If the number of MMBtus of Gas received by Gatherer at the Receipt Points, after subtracting FLU, is greater than Shipper’s Scheduled Nominations, a negative imbalance exists. The term balance or balancing refers to equalizing the number of MMBtus of Gas received by Gatherer at the Receipt Points with the number of MMBtus constituting Shipper’s Scheduled Nominations plus FLU. The Parties shall use reasonable efforts to minimize these imbalances and agree to make the daily and monthly adjustments as outlined herein. At Gatherer’s sole discretion, and with [***] day prior written notice to Shipper, Gatherer may decline such nomination and/or shut-in production if necessary to balance Shipper.

 

(b)           Daily Balancing. Each day Shipper shall cause the number of MMBtus of
 Gas being delivered at the Receipt Points to equal as closely as practicable Shipper’s Scheduled Nominations plus FLU. Whenever the number of MMBtus of Gas being delivered at the Receipt Points is insufficient to support Shipper’s Scheduled Nominations plus FLU, Shipper shall promptly decrease its daily Scheduled Nomination. Whenever the number of MMBtus of Gas being delivered at the Receipt Points exceeds Shipper’s Scheduled Nominations plus FLU, Shipper shall promptly increase Scheduled Nominations. If Shipper does not adjust such nomination, Gatherer may in its sole discretion, decline such nomination and/or shut-in production if necessary to balance Shipper. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Shipper may request the right to create a daily imbalance when necessary to counteract a prior daily imbalance. Whether such request will be granted is within the sole discretion of Gatherer.

 

(c)           Monthly Balancing. Within twenty (20) working Days after the month of production, Gatherer shall provide Shipper with Shipper’s gathering Imbalance statement by facsimile or electronic mail to be followed by a hard copy by mail. Shipper shall be given an Imbalance tolerance equal to [***]% of actual Gas receipts, within which the cash out price will be [***]% of Average Market Index. The “Average Market Index” shall be the average gas daily index for CIG, Rocky Mountains as published in Gas Daily for the month the imbalance occurred minus an additional $[***]/MMBtu. Should Shipper’s Imbalance exceed zero, Gatherer shall bring Shipper’s Imbalance to zero by charging or crediting Shipper’s account, as applicable. Such charges or credits shall be made according to a percentage of the Average Market Index, applicable to the month in which the Imbalance occurred, as provided in the schedule below:

 

	
Imbalance as a
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
% of Gas at Receipt Points
    	
 
    	
If deficient receipts
    	
 
    	
If excess receipts 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
less FLU
    	
 
    	
Gatherer Charges
    	
 
    	
Gatherer Credits
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
[***]
    	
 
    	
[***]
    	
%
    	
[***]
    	
%
    	
 
    
	
[***]
    	
 
    	
[***]
    	
%
    	
[***]
    	
%
    	
 
    
	
[***]
    	
 
    	
[***]
    	
%
    	
[***]
    	
%
    	
 
    
	
[***]
    	
 
    	
[***]
    	
%
    	
[***]
    	
%
    	
 
    

 

In the event it is determined Shipper’s imbalance is the result of variances in estimated volume of FLU provided by Gatherer, such imbalance shall be cashed out at [***]% of the

 

*** Certain information in this document has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

11

 

Average Market Index or such imbalance may be carried over to the following month and reduced caused by during such month through the cooperative efforts of both Parties.

 

(d)           Third Party Cooperation. Both Parties recognize that Gatherer’s ability to schedule Daily Balance Gas is dependent upon the cooperation of third parties.

 

(e)           Interconnecting Pipelines. Whenever an Interconnecting Pipeline requires Gatherer to balance, Gatherer may require Shipper to make adjustments to nominations as imposed by the Interconnecting Pipeline.

 

(1)           Duty to Maintain Balance. Gatherer shall use reasonable efforts to require all shippers using the Gathering System to maintain balance.

 

6.3           Unscheduled Capacity Allocations.

 

(a)           Gatherer will use reasonable efforts to provide timely notification to Shipper by telephone, with subsequent e-mail notification, of the potential size and duration of any unscheduled capacity disruption. If Shipper does not adjust its nomination within [***] hours, Gatherer may adjust Shipper’s nomination and/or not confirm the nominations requested by Shipper in the next nomination cycle; provided however, Gatherer shall at all times use its reasonable efforts to avoid cycle four curtailments of Gas. Gatherer will determine Shipper nomination adjustments in accordance with Article 6 of these General Terms and Conditions.

 

(b)           Gatherer also may request that Shipper shut in wells to match production with nominations. In the event that Shipper does not adjust its nomination as reasonably directed by Gatherer, and such failure to adjust nominations materially impacts operations on the Gathering System, Gatherer may curtail or shut in Gas for a reasonable period of time. Gatherer shall not be liable for Losses caused by any curtailment imposed by Gatherer unless such curtailment is due to negligence of Gatherer.

 

ARTICLE 7: GAS QUALITY

 

7.1           Receipt Point Gas Specifications. Gas delivered by Shipper to the Receipt Points shall meet the following specifications:

 

(a)           commercially free from dust, gum, gum-forming constituents or solid or liquid matter that might cause injury or interfere with proper operation of the Gathering System or the Interconnecting Pipelines;

 

(b)           free of hydrocarbons and water in their liquid state;

 

(c)           commercially free of crude oil, mineral seal, distillate and other impurities that would adversely affect Gatherer’s delivery to other third party transporters;

 

(d)           at a temperature not in excess of [***] degrees Fahrenheit ([***]°F);

 

*** Certain information in this document has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

12

 

(e)           a maximum carbon dioxide content of [***] mol percent.

 

(f)            a Gross Heating Value of not less than [***] Btu per Cubic Foot; and,

 

(g)           Gas delivered by Shipper shall meet the most restrictive quality specifications required from time to time by the Interconnecting Pipelines.

 

7.2           Non-Conforming Gas. If at any time Shipper’s Gas or Shipper IT Gas at the Receipt Points fails to conform to such quality specifications, Gatherer shall give Shipper written notice of the deficiency and Shipper shall immediately remedy the deficiency. If Shipper fails to immediately remedy the deficiency, Gatherer may:

 

(a)     take receipt of the non-conforming Gas and that receipt shall not be construed as a waiver or change of standards for future volumes; or

 

(b)     at its sole discretion, cease receiving the non-conforming Gas from Shipper and shall notify Shipper that it has, or will, cease receiving the non-conforming Gas.

 

(c)     if the Gas as delivered contains contaminants not in conformance with the quality specifications, then Shipper shall be responsible for, and shall reimburse Gatherer for all actual expenses, damages and costs resulting therefrom,

 

7.3           Water. Shipper shall retain title to all water removed from Shipper’s Gas and Shipper IT Gas in the field, upstream of the Receipt Points, by whatever method, whether removed by Shipper or Gatherer. Shipper shall be responsible for the proper disposal of all such water and shall release, indemnify and defend Gatherer from and against any and all damages, claims, actions, expenses, penalties and liabilities, including attorney’s fees, arising from personal injury, death, property damage, environmental damage, pollution, or contamination relating to such disposal. This Article 7.3 by itself does not obligate Gatherer to dehydrate Shipper’s Gas or Shipper IT Gas.

 

ARTICLE 8: MEASUREMENT EQUIPMENT AND PROCEDURES

 

8.1           Measurement Equipment.

 

(a)           Gatherer’s Measurement Equipment. All Gas measurements required hereunder by Gatherer shall be made with equipment of standard make to be furnished, installed, operated, and maintained by Gatherer in accordance with the most current industry standards. Shipper, or others having Shipper’s consent, may, at its option and expense, install and operate measuring equipment upstream of the measuring equipment to check the measuring equipment provided the installation of the check measuring equipment in no way interferes with the operation of Gatherer’s measuring equipment.

 

(b)           Shared Measurement Data. Gatherer shall make a “read-only” signal available from its flow computer at the Receipt Points to enable Shipper to receive real

 

*** Certain information in this document has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

13

 

time data collected from the Receipt Points in order that Shipper, utilizing its own equipment, may monitor the flow, pressure, and other pertinent date at the Receipt Points. Gatherer makes no representation or warranty with respect to such data.

 

(c)           Shipper’s Measurement Equipment. Shipper shall install, own and operate measurement facilities necessary to separately measure all volumes produced by Shipper and delivered to Gatherer from the Dedicated Area and the Interruptible Area. Such facilities shall be installed, operated and maintained in accordance with industry standards and the General Terms and Condition of this Agreement.

 

8.2           Measurement Factors. All Gas volume measurements shall be based on an actual atmospheric pressure that correlates to the meter site elevation. The factors used in computing Gas volumes shall be the latest industry standard published factors. These factors shall include:

 

(a)     a pressure base factor based on a pressure base of [***] psia;

 

(b)     a temperature base factor based on a temperature base of [***]°F;

 

(c)     a super compressibility factor, obtained from the latest AGA Manual for the Determination of Super Compressibility Factors for Natural Gas (AGA 8); and

 

(d)     a specific gravity factor, based on the specific gravity of the Gas as determined under the provisions set forth below.

 

8.3           Testing of Equipment. Gatherer shall test the accuracy of its measuring equipment at least quarterly if the average production delivered to the particular measuring equipment during the previous [***] Accounting Periods exceeds [***] Mcf per day. If the average production is less than or equal to [***] Mcf per day, Gatherer shall test the accuracy of its measuring equipment semi-annually. Additional tests shall be promptly performed upon notification by either Party to the other. If any additional test requested by Shipper indicates that no inaccuracy of more than 2% exists, at a recording rate corresponding to the average rate of flow for the period since the last preceding test, then Shipper shall reimburse Gatherer for all its direct costs in connection with that additional test within [***] days following receipt of a detailed invoice and supporting documentation setting forth those costs.

 

8.4           Adjustment of Inaccuracies. This Article 8.4 specifically excludes wells operated by Gatherer in which Shipper holds an Interest. If, upon test, any measuring equipment is found to be in error by an amount not exceeding [***]%, at a recording rate corresponding to the average rate of flow for the period since the last preceding test, previous recordings of that equipment shall be considered correct in computing deliveries hereunder. If the measuring equipment shall be found to be in error by an amount exceeding [***]%, at a recording rate corresponding to the average rate of flow for the period since the last preceding test, then any preceding recordings of that equipment since the last preceding test shall be corrected to zero error for any period which is known

 

*** Certain information in this document has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

14

 

definitely or agreed upon. If the period is not known definitely or agreed upon, the correction shall be for a period extending back one-half of the time elapsed since the last test. In the event a correction is required for previous deliveries, the volumes delivered shall be calculated by the first of the following methods which is feasible: (i) by using the registration of any check meter or meters if installed and accurately registering; or (ii) by correcting the error if the percentage of error is ascertainable by calibration, test, or mathematical calculations; or (iii) by estimating the quantity of delivery by deliveries during periods of similar conditions when the meter was registering accurately.

 

8.5           Gas Composition. The composition and Gross Heating Value shall be determined by composite sampling and analysis every thirty (30) days, or sooner at Gatherer’s sole election, by Gatherer at the Receipt Points. Such sampling and analysis shall conclusively establish the composition and Gross Heating Value of Shippers’ Gas until such sampling and analysis is conducted again. Gas delivered at the Receipt Points, downstream of any dehydration equipment, having a water content of [***] pounds per Mcf, or less, shall be considered dry, otherwise the Gas shall be considered fully saturated.

 

8.6           Allocation to Delivery Points. Each Accounting Period, Gatherer will allocate the Gas delivered to the Delivery Point(s) back to each receipt point delivering Gas to the Gathering System on a component basis that reflects the natural gas liquids and other components contained in the Gas pursuant to the most current gas analysis in effect for each receipt point. The allocation will be consistently applied to all shippers and performed in accordance with generally accepted allocation procedures and will be provided timely to the Interconnecting Pipelines. The Parties recognize that the above allocation procedure is a new procedure and, if necessary, Gatherer shall have until January 1, 2011 to implement such new procedure.

 

8.7           Approvals. Gatherer may request Shipper to seek any requisite approvals from and notify the appropriate governmental agencies that electronic flow measurement equipment will be utilized for custody transfer measurement from Shipper at the Receipt Points as designated by Gatherer.

 

8.8           Access. Each Party, at its sole risk and liability, shall have access at all reasonable business hours to all facilities which are related to Gas measurement and sampling. Each Party, at its sole risk and liability, shall have the right to be present for any installing, reading, cleaning, changing, repairing, testing, calibrating and/or adjusting of either Party’s measuring equipment.

 

ARTICLE 9: PAYMENTS

 

9.1           Invoices. Gatherer shall provide Shipper with a statement explaining how all consideration due (including deductions) under the terms of this Agreement was determined not later than the last day of the Accounting Period following the Accounting Period for which the consideration is due.

 

*** Certain information in this document has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

15

 

9.2           Netting. Any sums due Shipper under this Agreement shall be paid no later than the last day of the Accounting Period following the Accounting Period for which the payment is due. During any Accounting Period, if Shipper owes any amount to Gatherer under this Agreement, or any other contract between the Parties, Gatherer may deduct the amount from any amount otherwise due Shipper hereunder before making payment to Shipper.

 

9.3           Audit Rights. Either Party, on thirty (30) days prior written notice, shall have the right at its expense, at reasonable times during business hours, to audit the books and records of the other Party to the extent necessary to verify the accuracy of any statement, allocation, measurement, computation, charge, or payment made under or pursuant to this Agreement. The scope of any audit shall be limited to transactions affecting the Gas hereunder within the immediate geographic region of the Gathering System, and shall be limited to the [***] month period immediately prior to the month in which the notice requesting an audit was given. However, no audit may include any time period for which a prior audit hereunder was conducted, and no audit may occur more frequently than once each [***] months. All statements, allocations, measurements, computations, charges, or payments made in any period prior to the [***] month period immediately prior to the month in which the audit is requested, or made in any [***] month period for which the audit is requested but for which a written claim for adjustments is not made within [***] days after the audit is requested shall be conclusively deemed true and correct and shall be final for all purposes. To the extent that the foregoing varies from any applicable statute of limitations, the Parties expressly waive all such other applicable statutes of limitations.

 

9.4           Right to Suspend on Failure to Pay. if any amount due hereunder remains unpaid for thirty (30) days after the due date, Gatherer shall have the right to suspend or discontinue services hereunder until any such past due amount is paid. Shipper agrees to pay all costs incurred by Gatherer in connection with the collection of any amounts due hereunder, including, without limitation, reasonable attorney’s fees and court costs.

 

9.5           Payment Disputes. In the event of any dispute with respect to any payment hereunder, Shipper shall make timely payment of all undisputed amounts.

 

9.6           Interest on Late Payments. In the event that Shipper shall fail to make timely payment of any sums, except those contested in good faith or those in a good faith dispute, when due under this Agreement, interest will accrue at an annual rate equal to the prime rate as published in the “Money Rates” section of The Wall Street Journal plus [***] percent ([***]%) from the date payment is due until the date payment is made.

 

9.7           Creditworthiness. If Gatherer has reasonable grounds for insecurity regarding Shipper’s ability to make payments under this Agreement, including without limitation, the occurrence of a material change in Shipper’s credit rating, Gatherer may demand Adequate Assurance of Performance. “Adequate Assurance of Performance” shall mean sufficient security in the form, amount and for a term reasonably acceptable to Gatherer, including, but not limited to, a standby irrevocable letter of credit, a prepayment, a security interest in an asset, or guaranty. If Shipper does not provide

 

*** Certain information in this document has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

16

 

Adequate Assurance of Performance within [***] days of Shipper’s request, Shipper may, at its option, terminate this Agreement. The amount of Shipper’s Adequate Assurance of Performance shall not exceed the sum of [***] months estimated fees under this Agreement and Shipper shall maintain this amount until Gatherer no longer has reasonable grounds for insecurity regarding Shipper’s ability to make payments under this Agreement.

 

ARTICLE 10: FORCE MAJEURE

 

10.1 Definition of Force Majeure. The term “Force Majeure” as used in this Agreement, shall mean any cause or causes not reasonably within the control of the Party claiming suspension and which, by the exercise of due diligence, such Party is unable to prevent or overcome. Such term shall likewise include, but not be limited to: Acts of God; acts of terrorism, acts, omissions to act and or delays in action of federal, state or local government or any agency thereof; compliance with rules, regulations or orders of any governmental authority or any office, department, agency or instrumentality thereof; strikes, lockouts or other industrial disturbances; acts of the public enemy; wars; blockades; insurrections; riots; epidemics; landslides; lightning; earthquakes; fires; storms; floods; washouts; arrest or restraint of rulers of peoples; civil disturbances; interruptions by governmental or court orders; present and future valid orders of any regulatory body having jurisdiction; explosions; the interruption or suspension of the receipt or delivery of Gas hereunder due to the inability, failure of any party not a party to this Agreement to receive or deliver such Gas; breakage or accident to machinery or lines or pipes, compressors or plants; failure to obtain materials and supplies due to governmental regulations; the inability of either Party to acquire, or the delays on the part of such Party in acquiring, at reasonable cost and after the exercise of reasonable diligence, materials and supplies, permits and consents, and easements and/or rights-of-way.

 

10.2 Effect on Force Majeure. In the event any Party hereto is rendered, wholly or in part, by Force Majeure, unable to carry out its obligations under this Agreement due to any event of Force Majeure, other than to indemnify or to make payments of any amount due hereunder, it is agreed upon such Party giving notice and full particulars of such Force Majeure, in writing, to the other Party as soon as possible after the occurrence of the causes relied on, then the obligation of the Party giving such notice, so far as they are affected by such Force Majeure, shall be cancelled during the continuance of any inability so caused, but for no longer period, and such cause shall, so far as possible, be remedied with all reasonable dispatch; provided, however, that this provision shall not require the settlement of strikes or lockouts by acceding to the demands of the opposing parties when such course is inadvisable at the discretion of the Party hereto having the difficulty.

 

ARTICLE I I: INDEMNIFICATION

 

Each Party (“Indemnifying Party”) hereby covenants and agrees with the other Party, and its Affiliates, and each of their directors, officers and employees (“Indemnified

 

*** Certain information in this document has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

17

 

Parties”), that except to the extent caused by the Indemnified Parties’ negligence or willful misconduct, the Indemnifying Party shall protect, defend, indemnify and hold harmless the Indemnified Parties from, against and in respect of any and all Losses incurred by the Indemnified Parties to the extent those Losses arise from or are caused by the negligence or willful misconduct of the indemnifying Party.

 

ARTICLE 12: TITLE

 

12.1 Shipper Warranty. Shipper represents and warrants that it owns, controls, or has the right to market or the right to dedicate, all Gas dedicated under this Agreement and to deliver that Gas to the Receipt Points for the purposes of this Agreement, free and clear of all liens, encumbrances and adverse claims. If the title to Gas delivered by Shipper hereunder is disputed or is involved in any legal action, Gatherer shall have the right to withhold payment (without interest), or cease receiving the Gas, to the extent of the interest disputed or involved in legal action, during the pendency of the action or until title is freed from the dispute, or until Shipper furnishes, or causes to be furnished, indemnification to save Gatherer harmless from all Losses arising out of the dispute or action, with surety acceptable to Gatherer. Shipper hereby indemnifies Gatherer against and holds Gatherer harmless from any and all Losses arising out of or related to any breach of the foregoing representation and warranty.

 

12.2 Title. Title to all Gas delivered under this Agreement, including all constituents thereof, shall remain with and in Shipper at all times; provided, however, title to Condensate shall pass from Shipper to Gatherer immediately downstream of the Receipt Points. Gatherer shall be entitled to use Shipper’s Gas and Shipper IT Gas for FLU purposes for the operation of the Gathering System, provided that Gatherer complies with all other requirements under this Agreement.

 

ARTICLE 13: ROYALTY AND TAXES

 

13.1 Proceeds of Production. Shipper shall have the sole and exclusive obligation and liability for the payment of all Persons due any proceeds derived from the Gas delivered under this Agreement, including royalties, overriding royalties, and similar interests, in accordance with the provisions of the leases or agreements creating those rights to proceeds. In no event will Gatherer have any obligation to those Persons due any of those proceeds of production attributable to the Gas under this Agreement.

 

13.2 Taxes. Shipper shall pay and be responsible for all Taxes levied against or with respect to Gas delivered or services provided under this Agreement. Gatherer shall under no circumstances become liable for those Taxes, unless designated to remit those Taxes on behalf of Shipper by any duly constituted jurisdictional agency having authority to impose such obligations on Gatherer, in which event the amount of those Taxes remitted on Shipper’s behalf shall (i) be reimbursed by Shipper upon receipt of invoice, with corresponding documentation from Gatherer setting forth such payments, or (ii) deducted from amounts otherwise due Shipper under this Agreement.

 

*** Certain information in this document has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

18

 

13.3 Indemnification. Shipper hereby agrees to defend and indemnify and hold Gatherer harmless from and against any and all Losses, arising from the payments made by Shipper in accordance with Articles 13.1 and 13.2, above, including, without limitation, Losses arising from claims for the nonpayment, mispayment, or wrongful calculation of those payments.

 

ARTICLE 14: UNPROFITABLE GAS OR OPERATIONS

 

In the event it has become unprofitable for Gatherer, in its reasonable discretion, to (i) continue to receive Gas at any Receipt Point or (ii) continue to operate the Gathering System, in each case for a period of at least [***] Accounting Periods, then Gatherer shall have the right to give Shipper a written notice of unprofitability. The Parties shall then attempt in good faith to negotiate mutually acceptable terms to provide for continued delivery of Gas to the Receipt Point. If the Parties cannot agree on those terms within thirty (30) days, Gatherer may notify Shipper that it will terminate this Agreement not less than sixty (60) days prior to the date that such termination is to become effective. Notwithstanding anything in this Article 14 to the contrary, for the Initial Period, Gatherer’s right to declare unprofitability shall be temporarily suspended.

 

ARTICLE 14: RIGHTS-OF-WAY

 

Shipper hereby grants to Gatherer, insofar as Shipper has the right to do so, all requisite rights-of-way for full right of ingress and egress to the Receipt Point sites, for the purposes of constructing, operating, repairing, replacing and maintaining the Receipt Points equipment necessary for the performance of Gatherer’s obligations set forth in this Agreement; provided, the exercise of those rights by Gatherer will not unreasonably interfere with the operation of Shipper’s facilities including Shipper’s lease operations or with the rights of owners in fee. All facilities and other equipment acquired, placed, or installed by Gatherer for the purposes of this Agreement pursuant to the provisions of this Article, shall remain the property of Gatherer.

 

ARTICLE 16: DISPUTE RESOLUTION

 

16.1 Negotiation. Prior to submitting any dispute for resolution by a court, a Party shall provide written notice to the other of the occurrence of such dispute. If the Parties have failed to resolve the dispute within fifteen (15) business days after such notice was given, the Parties shall seek to resolve the dispute by negotiation between the Parties. The Parties shall endeavor to meet and attempt to amicably resolve the dispute. If the Parties are unable to resolve the dispute for any reason within thirty (30) business days after the original notice of dispute was given, then either Party shall be entitled to pursue any remedies available at law or in equity.

 

16.2 Jurisdiction and Venue. The Parties hereby irrevocably consent to the exclusive jurisdiction of the federal courts situated in the State of Colorado; provided, however, in the event that such federal courts do not have jurisdiction over the dispute in question, then the Parties hereby irrevocably consent to the exclusive jurisdiction of the

 

*** Certain information in this document has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

19

 

state courts situated in the State of Colorado with respect to such dispute. The Parties hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waive, to the fullest extent they may legally and effectively do so, any objection which they may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby in the Colorado federal or state courts.

 

16.3 Waiver of Jury Trial. The Parties hereby waive all rights to a trial by jury for disputes arising from or under this Agreement.

 

ARTICLE 17: MISCELLANEOUS

 

17.1 Rights. The failure of any Party hereto to exercise any right granted hereunder shall not impair nor be deemed a waiver of that Party’s privilege of exercising that right at any subsequent time or times.

 

17.2 Applicable Laws. This Agreement is subject to all valid present and future laws, regulations, rules and orders of governmental authorities now or hereafter having jurisdiction over the Parties, this Agreement, or the services performed or the Gathering System utilized under this Agreement. It is the intent of the Parties that Gatherer provide the services under this Agreement to Shipper on a negotiated contract basis only and the Parties hereby agree that, in the event that (i) the Gathering System, or any part thereof, become subject to regulation by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, or any successor agency thereto (“FERC”), or any other governmental body or agency of the rates, terms and conditions for service, (ii) Gatherer becomes obligated by FERC or any other governmental body or agency to provide the services under this Agreement on an open access, nondiscriminatory basis as a result of Gatherer’s execution, performance or continued performance of this Agreement, or (iii) FERC or any other governmental body or agency seeks to modify any rates under, or term or conditions of, this Agreement, then:

 

(a)     in the event that FERC or governmental body or agency having jurisdiction modifies the rates or terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, the Parties hereby agree to attempt to enter into such amendments to this Agreement and or enter into a separate arrangement in order to give effect, to the greatest extent possible, to the rates and other terms and conditions set forth herein; and

 

(b)     in the event that the Parties are not successful in accomplishing the objectives set forth in (a) above such that the Parties are in substantially the same economic position as they were prior to any such regulation, then either Party may terminate this Agreement upon the delivery of written notice of termination to the other Party.

 

17.3. Governing Law, This Agreement shall be governed by, construed, and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Colorado without regard to choice of law principles.

 

17.4 Interconnecting Pipelines. Gatherer may from time to time become subject to new requirements imposed by the Interconnecting Pipelines or a third party.

 

*** Certain information in this document has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

20

 

Gatherer shall provide timely written notice to Shipper of any such new requirements. Thereafter, Shipper shall comply with such new requirements or Gatherer may suspend or terminate this Agreement upon Shipper’s refusal or failure to comply with such new requirements after thirty days (30) days written notice that Shipper is in default of its obligations to comply with such new requirements.

 

17.5 Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall extend to and inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Parties and their respective successors and assigns, including any assigns of Shipper’s Interests covered by this Agreement. Each Party shall have the right to assign its respective rights and obligations in whole or in part under this Agreement; provided, however, (i) except with respect to a partial or complete divestiture of Gatherer’s interest in the Gathering System by Gatherer, this Agreement shall not be assigned by a Party without the prior written consent of the other Party, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed; (ii) Shipper may only assign an interest in this Agreement to a party which acquires Shipper’s Interests within the Dedication Area; and, (iii) any transfer by Shipper of any of its Interests within the Dedication Area shall be expressly made subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement and any assignee shall expressly agree to assume the obligations of this Agreement, including the Dedication.

 

17.6 Severability. Should any part of this Agreement be found to be unenforceable or be required to be modified by a court or governmental authority, then only that part of this Agreement shall be affected. The remainder of this Agreement shall remain in force and unmodified.

 

17.7 Waiver. A waiver by either Party of any one or more defaults by the other Party shall not operate as a waiver of any future defaults, whether of a like or different character.

 

17.8 Confidentiality. The Parties agree to keep the terms of this Agreement confidential and not disclose the same to any other persons, firms or entities without the prior written consent of the other Party; provided, the foregoing shall not apply to (i) disclosures compelled by law, securities exchange or court order, (ii) disclosures to a Party’s financial advisors, consultants, attorneys, banks, institutional investors and prospective purchasers of property or the Gathering System provided those persons, firms or entities likewise agree to keep this Agreement confidential or (iii) any royalty and overriding royalty interest owners or other owners of production due payments from Shipper on the Gas delivered to Gatherer hereunder.

 

17.9 Published Indices. In the event any published price index referred to in this Agreement ceases to be published, the Parties shall mutually agree to an alternative published price index representative of the published price index referred to in this Agreement.

 

17.10 Amendments. Any amendment, change, modification or alteration of this Agreement shall be in writing, signed by the Parties.

 

*** Certain information in this document has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

21

 

17.11 Entire Agreement. This Agreement, including all exhibits and appendices, contains the entire agreement between the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof, and there are no oral or other promises, agreements, warranties, obligations, assurances, or conditions precedent, affecting it.

 

17.12 Waiver of Consequential Damages. NO BREACH OF THIS AGREEMENT OR CLAIM FOR LOSSES UNDER ANY INDEMNITY OBLIGATION CONTAINED IN THIS AGREEMENT SHALL CAUSE ANY PARTY TO BE LIABLE FOR, NOR SHALL LOSSES INCLUDE, ANY DAMAGES OTHER THAN ACTUAL AND DIRECT DAMAGES, AND EACH PARTY EXPRESSLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO CLAIM ANY OTHER DAMAGES, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, CONSEQUENTIAL, SPECIAL, INDIRECT, PUNITIVE OR EXEMPLARY DAMAGES, OR LOST PROFITS; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THE FOREGOING SHALL NOT BE CONSTRUED AS LIMITING THE OBLIGATION OF EITHER PARTY UNDER THIS AGREEMENT TO INDEMNIFY THE OTHER PARTY AGAINST CLAIMS ASSERTED BY UN-AFFILIATED THIRD PARTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, UN-AFFILIATED THIRD PARTY CLAIMS FOR CONSEQUENTIAL, SPECIAL, INDIRECT, PUNITIVE OR EXEMPLARY DAMAGES.

 

17.13 First Amended and Restated Gas Gathering Agreement. The First Amended and Restated Gas Gathering Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety and replaced and superseded by this Agreement effective as of the Effective Date.

 

*** Certain information in this document has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

22Exhibit 10.9

 

CERTAIN MATERIAL (INDICATED BY THREE ASTERISKS) HAS BEEN OMITTED FROM THIS DOCUMENT PURSUANT TO A REQUEST FOR CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT. THE OMITTED MATERIAL HAS BEEN FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION.

 

FUTURE DEVELOPMENT GAS GATHERING AGREEMENT

 

This Gas Gathering Agreement (“Agreement”) is made and entered into this 1st day of October, 2011 (the “Effective Date”) by and among Encana Oil & Gas (USA) Inc. (“Shipper”), Grand River Gathering, LLC (“Gatherer”) and, for the limited purposes set forth in Section 9.1, Summit Midstream Partners, LLC (“Buyer”).  Shipper and Gatherer may be referred to individually as “Party,” or collectively as “Parties.”

 

BACKGROUND

 

A.            Pursuant to that certain Purchase and Sale Agreement dated September 2, 2011 (the “PSA”), by and between Shipper, Buyer and Gatherer, Shipper (i) contributed and assigned the Gathering System (as such term is defined in the PSA) and related assets to Gatherer and (ii) conveyed one hundred percent (100%) of the membership interest in Gatherer to Buyer.

 

B.            Concurrently with the execution of this Agreement, Shipper and Gatherer have executed that certain (i) Mamm Creek Gas Gathering Agreement (the “Mamm Creek Gas Gathering Agreement”) and (ii) South Parachute and Orchard Gas Gathering Agreement dated as of the date of this Agreement (the “South Parachute and Orchard Gas Gathering Agreement”).

 

C.            Shipper desires Gathering services and Carbon Dioxide Treating services, if necessary, for Gas produced from wells that are completed within the Area of Mutual Interest (as defined in this Agreement).

 

Shipper and Gatherer wish to accomplish the foregoing, all pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.  Accordingly, Shipper and Gatherer agree as follows:

 

SECTION 1:  COMMITMENTS

 

1.1           Area of Mutual Interest.  Shipper agrees to deliver to Gatherer for Gathering and Carbon Dioxide Treating at the Receipt Points within the Mamm Creek Area, the South Parachute Area and the Orchard Area (collectively, the “Area of Mutual Interest” or “AMI”) the following:

 

(a) all Gas attributable to any Interest of Shipper produced from wells within the AMI;  provided, however, that: (i) in the case of the Orchard Area, the obligation to deliver and the corresponding Gathering service shall be limited to the extent, and only to the

 

*** Certain information in this document has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

1

 

extent, that the aggregate production from wells in the Orchard Area is in excess of (x) the [***] MMcf per Day of Gas that is to be delivered to the Low Pressure System pursuant to the South Parachute and Orchard Gas Gathering Agreement and (y) the [***] MMcf per Day of Gas that is to be delivered to the Medium Pressure System pursuant to the South Parachute and Orchard Gas Gathering Agreement; and (ii) the obligation to deliver and the corresponding Gathering services to be provided with respect to Gas produced from wells completed to any depths other than (x) any depth deeper than the Mesa Verde formation (the depth deeper than the Mesa Verde formation starting at [***] feet as shown in the [***] well described in Exhibit “D”) and shallower than the base of the Niobrara formation (the base depth of the Niobrara formation being [***] feet as shown in the Type Log for the [***] well described in Exhibit “D”) in the Mamm Creek Area and South Parachute Area and (y) for the Orchard Area, at or above the base of the Niobrara formation (the base depth of the Niobrara formation being [***] feet as shown in the Type Log for the [***] well described in Exhibit “D”) (the depths described in clauses (ii)(x) and (y) being referred to as the “Niobrara Depths”), shall be subject to Section 1.6 of this Agreement;

 

(b) Gas attributable to any Interest of Shipper produced from the wells that are added to the AMI from time to time as mutually agreed by Shipper and Gatherer, including (if so agreed) those listed on Exhibit “F”; and

 

(c) with respect to the wells located within the AMI in which Shipper is the operator,  Gas produced from such wells which is attributable to Interests of other working interest owners, overriding royalty interest owners, and royalty interest owners (i) which is not taken “in-kind” by such owners upstream of the Delivery Points and/or (ii) for which Shipper has the right and/or obligation to market or deliver such Gas.  Interests within the AMI that are subject to prior commitments as of the Effective Date, all of which are listed on Schedule 1.1(c) may, at Shipper’s option, be renewed with such prior parties or become part of the AMI after expiration of such commitments.  Interests hereafter acquired by Shipper within the AMI that are subject to prior commitments at the time of acquisition will become part of the AMI after expiration of such commitments.  By mutual agreement, the Parties may increase or decrease the AMI.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary above, the following shall be excluded from the AMI (unless the Parties mutually agree otherwise) and the Parties shall have no obligation to each other with respect thereto:

 

(x) Gas attributable to Shipper’s non-operating Interest in the wells that Shipper does not take “in kind”; and

 

(y) Gas produced by Shipper and reserved and/or utilized in accordance with Article 2.4 of the General Terms and Conditions.

 

For purposes of clarification and avoidance of doubt (but without in any way limiting Shipper’s obligations hereunder), it is understood by the Parties that the Gas volumes dedicated to Gatherer but designated to be delivered at Delivery Points to Enterprise Gas Processing, LLC (“Enterprise”) are dedicated and/or committed to both Gatherer and

 

*** Certain information in this document has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

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Enterprise (unless released pursuant to the agreement with Enterprise) for their respective gathering service purposes.

 

1.2           Gathering Services.  Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, Gatherer agrees to accept, Gather, Compress, measure, and dehydrate, and perform Carbon Dioxide Treating with respect to, as necessary, all of Shipper’s Gas tendered to Receipt Points and deliver such Gas to Delivery Points, less Fuel and L&U (“FL&U”).  Shipper shall have the ability to designate Receipt Points that would receive either the Low Pressure System or Medium Pressure System service requirements with sufficient notice to Gatherer for any New Capital Projects needed to make such adjustment as provided for in Section 6.2 of this Agreement.  In addition, Shipper shall have the right, upon not less than twelve (12) months’ notice, to request that Gatherer convert any Facilities that were Approved New Capital Projects, in whole or in part, from Medium Pressure System to Low Pressure System and to modify such Facilities that comprise the Medium Pressure System and/or construct new Facilities, as necessary, and in either case as a New Capital Project, to convert the receipt and Gathering of Shipper’s Gas on the Medium Pressure System to the receipt and Gathering of Shipper’s Gas on the Low Pressure System.

 

1.3           Priority of Shipper’s Gas.  Except as expressly provided in Section 6.1(b), Shipper’s Gas tendered under this Agreement shall be Firm Capacity Gas.

 

1.4           Gatherer’s Delivery Obligations.  Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, Gatherer shall deliver Shipper’s Gas to Shipper at the Delivery Points at a quality that meets the specifications required by the Interconnecting Pipelines receiving Shipper’s Gas and at a pressure sufficient to enter the Interconnecting Pipelines.

 

1.5           Shipper’s Obligation to Accept Gas.  It shall be Shipper’s obligation to make the necessary arrangements with other parties to accept Gas at the Delivery Points.  For the purposes of clarification, Shipper has contracted for capacity in downstream Interconnecting Pipelines and shall have capacity through the meters at the Delivery Points owned by such Interconnecting Pipelines up to such capacity, at any given time, as provided by the Interconnecting Pipeline.  In addition, Shipper expressly reserves all existing capacity at the Orchard Meter Delivery Point, Tombstone Meter Delivery Point and the High Mesa Meter Delivery Point (as such terms are defined in the South Parachute and Orchard Gathering Agreement); provided, however, such capacity may be utilized by Gatherer to provide Gathering services to third party shippers at such times and to the extent that such capacity is not being utilized by Shipper.  In the event Gatherer provides such third party service, Gatherer will not allocate firm third party Gas volumes through Shipper’s meters.  From time to time, Shipper may cause Interconnecting Pipelines to increase the capacity of any Delivery Point, and, in such event, no Person other than Shipper shall be entitled to such increased capacity without written approval of Shipper.  For purposes of clarification and avoidance of doubt, the provisions of this Section 1.5 of this Agreement with respect to capacity through the meters at applicable Delivery Points shall only apply with respect to capacity at such points and shall not be interpreted to

 

*** Certain information in this document has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

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otherwise modify or amend the provisions of Section 6.2 of this Agreement and/or Article 3.3 of the General Terms and Conditions.

 

1.6           Depths Other Than Niobrara Depths.  In each of the Mamm Creek Area, South Parachute Area, and Orchard Area, Shipper may drill up to [***] initial test wells to produce from any particular geological horizon at depths other than the Niobrara Depths, and such test wells shall be connected to the Gathering System in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement, including Section 6.  These initial test wells, once connected to the Gathering System, shall be deemed to be dedicated to this Agreement.  If Shipper intends to otherwise begin a drilling and production program to produce Gas from any depths or horizons within the AMI other than the Niobrara Depths, Shipper will provide written notice to Gatherer and, in such notice, will provide reasonable detail about the locations and scope of such program, the applicable depths or horizons, the expected production and other information reasonably relevant to the provision of Gathering and other required services (the “Deep Program Notice”).  Gatherer shall have the right (but not the obligation) to make a written proposal to provide Gathering and other required services to Shipper with respect to such production from such depths or horizons.  Gatherer shall provide its written proposal no later than twenty (20) Business Days following the Deep Program Notice, and, thereupon, the Parties will negotiate in good faith for a period of not less than thirty (30) Business Days to reach a formal, written agreement with respect to the matters contained within the Deep Program Notice, including, without limitation, the terms and conditions of Gathering and other services to be provided by Gatherer.  If the Parties fail to reach agreement by such time, then the relevant depths or horizons that are the subject of the Deep Program Notice shall be released from this Agreement.

 

1.7           Integrated Transaction.   The Parties acknowledge and agree that this Agreement, the Mamm Creek Gas Gathering Agreement and the South Parachute and Orchard Gas Gathering Agreement are all part of a single, integrated, transaction and that in the event of a conflict between the terms and provisions of this Agreement and/or the Mamm Creek Gas Gathering Agreement and the South Parachute and Orchard Gas Gathering Agreement, the Parties (or a court of law in the event of a dispute) shall attempt to harmonize, to the extent possible and practicable under the circumstances,  the provisions of all three agreements in order to give effect to such agreements.

 

1.8           Covenant Running with the Land.    This Agreement shall (a) be a covenant running with (i) the Gathering System and (ii) the Interests now owned or hereafter acquired by Shipper and its successors and assigns within the AMI and (b) be binding on and enforceable by (i) Gatherer against Shipper and its successors and assigns and (ii) Shipper against Gatherer and it successors and assigns.  In the event Shipper sells, transfers, conveys, assigns, grants or otherwise disposes of all or any Interests in the AMI, then any such sale, transfer, conveyance, assignment or other disposition shall be made expressly subject to this Agreement and state such in any instrument of conveyance.  In the event Gatherer sells, transfers, conveys, assigns, grants or otherwise disposes of all or any interest in the Gathering System, then any such sale, transfer, conveyance, assignment or

 

*** Certain information in this document has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

4

 

other disposition shall be made expressly subject to this Agreement and state such in any instrument of conveyance.  Contemporaneously with the execution of this Agreement, the Parties shall execute, acknowledge, deliver and record a “short form” memorandum of this Agreement in the form of Exhibit “H” attached hereto, which shall be placed of record in the counties in which the AMI is located.  Upon termination of this Agreement, Shipper and Gatherer shall file of record a release and termination of such memorandum.

 

SECTION 2:  GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS

 

This Agreement incorporates and is subject to the General Terms and Conditions attached hereto, together with all other Exhibits attached hereto.

 

SECTION 3:  TERM

 

This Agreement shall take effect as of the Effective Date and continue thereafter for twenty-five years (each year, a “Primary Term Year” and such twenty five (25) year period, the “Primary Term”), unless terminated earlier in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement.  After expiration of the Primary Term, this Agreement will automatically renew for one (1) successive one (1) year renewal period (a “Renewal Term,” as applicable) unless terminated by Shipper upon written notice to Gatherer given no less than six (6) months prior to the expiration of the Primary Term.  After expiration of the first Renewal Term, this Agreement will automatically renew for one (1) additional, successive one (1) year Renewal Term unless terminated by Shipper upon written notice to Gatherer no less than six (6) months prior to the expiration of the then current Renewal Term.  This Agreement will renew every year for one year thereafter unless terminated by either Party upon written notice to the other Party no later than six (6) months prior to the expiration of the Renewal Term (the Primary Term and any Renewal Terms shall be collectively referred to as the “Term”).

 

SECTION 4:  FACILITIES OPERATIONS AND AVAILABILITY

 

4.1           Operation of Facilities.  Gatherer agrees to operate its Facilities as a prudent operator in a manner consistent with generally accepted industry practices with the goal, to the extent consistent with such practices, to reasonably and prudently minimize leaks, minimize downtime, and maximize service and Facilities availability.  Accordingly, Gatherer agrees to implement prudent procedures that include regular pigging of the Gathering System and a reliable means of corrosion inhibition such as cathodic protection, injection of an inhibitor, or installation of field dehydration facilities.  Shipper may also require that Gatherer use corrosion inhibition to control corrosion in the Gathering System consistent with previous operation of the Gathering System as directed by a third party corrosion control expert as described in Exhibit “K”. Additional requirements for the operation of the Facilities are included in Article 3 of the General Terms and Conditions.

 

4.2           Construction of Facilities.  As described in Section 6.1 (and, if applicable Section 1.2 or 1.6), the Parties will meet periodically to plan and coordinate with respect to

 

*** Certain information in this document has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

5

 

Shipper’s drilling operations in order to allow the Parties to comply with their obligations under this Agreement.  Subject to and in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement, during the Primary Term, Gatherer shall construct such new Facilities, and/or expand the capacity of the Facilities, as necessary, in order to receive, Gather, provide Carbon Dioxide Treating with respect to, and deliver the total quantity of Shipper’s Gas tendered to Gatherer, less FL&U.  Notwithstanding any provision in this Agreement to the contrary, in no event shall Gatherer be obligated to make capital expenditures under this Agreement, including in respect of New Capital Projects, Additional Services Facilities, any Facilities modified or constructed pursuant to Section 1.2 and the interconnection of any test wells as described in Section 1.6, (a) in excess of (i) [***] in any Contract Year or (ii) [***] in the aggregate, in each case during the first [***] of the Primary Term (the amounts in (i) and (ii), collectively, the “Cap”) or (b) with respect to Gas produced from depths other than the Niobrara Depths, except for the interconnection of test wells as described in Section 1.6, unless otherwise mutually agreed pursuant to Section 1.6.  In the event that Shipper desires any New Capital Project or Additional Service Facilities that would require a commitment or expenditure by Gatherer in excess of the Cap (“Cap Facilities”), then Gatherer shall either (i) agree to construct such New Capital Project or Additional Service Facilities pursuant to this Agreement or (ii) permanently release from this Agreement any Gas produced from wells that would otherwise be serviced by the Cap Facilities.

 

SECTION 5:  PRESSURE REQUIREMENTS

 

5.1           Receipt Point Pressure Requirements.  The Parties intend that Gatherer shall operate the Sub-Systems at a pressure not to exceed the applicable Target Pressure and that Gatherer shall design, upgrade, and operate the Facilities as necessary to meet such pressure obligation.  Shipper shall approve the design of any such Facilities in accordance with Section 6.2 of this Agreement.  The initial Average System Pressure Requirement and Maximum Allowable Receipt Point Pressure (jointly the “Base Pressure Requirements”) are designated on Exhibit “G” and are subject to periodic adjustment as provided for herein.  The Parties will maintain a current revision to Exhibit “G” showing the current Average System Pressure Requirement and Maximum Allowable Receipt Point Pressure.  The Parties agree that the provisions of this Section 5 shall be suspended to the extent provided in the Transition Services Agreement executed October 27, 2011 between Gatherer and Shipper.

 

5.2           Average System Pressure Requirement.

 

(a)           Gatherer shall maintain an average monthly pressure each Accounting Period on the Gathering System that does not exceed the Average System Pressure Requirement for each Sub-System.

 

(b)           If, during any Accounting Period, for reasons other than Force Majeure, and after taking into account the waiver, as applicable, provided under Section 6.2(c) of this Agreement, the Average System Pressure Requirement is exceeded, Shipper

 

*** Certain information in this document has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

6

 

shall be entitled to a reduction in the Gathering Fee for the Accounting Period with respect to the Gas tendered at all of the Receipt Points on the applicable system affected by such exceedance. The reduction in the Gathering Fee shall be determined as follows:

 

(i)            For each month (up to [***] consecutive months) that the average pressure exceeds the applicable requirement during the Accounting Period, the reduction shall be equal to [***] percent ([***]%) of the Gathering Fees described in Section 7 for each affected Receipt Point per [***] for each [***] percent ([***]%)(or portion thereof) that the average pressure exceeds the applicable requirement during the Accounting Period; provided, however, that in no event will the Gathering Fee reduction at a Receipt Point pursuant to this clause (i) be greater than [***] percent ([***]%) of the Gathering Fee described in Section 7.

 

(ii)           For each consecutive month beyond the [***] consecutive month (up to [***] additional consecutive months) that the average pressure exceeds the applicable requirement during the Accounting Period, the reduction shall be equal to [***] percent ([***]%) of the Gathering Fees described in Section 7 for each affected Receipt Point per M cf for each [***] percent ([***]%)(or portion thereof) that the average pressure exceeds the applicable requirement during the Accounting Period; provided, however, that in no event will the Gathering Fee reduction at a Receipt Point pursuant to this clause (ii) be greater than [***] percent ([***]%) of the Gathering Fee described in Section 7.

 

(iii)          For each consecutive month beyond the [***] consecutive month that the average pressure exceeds the applicable requirement during the Accounting Period, the reduction shall be equal to [***] percent ([***]%) of the Gathering Fees described in Section 7 for each affected Receipt Point per M  cf for each [***] percent ([***]%)(or portion thereof) that the average pressure exceeds the applicable requirement during the Accounting Period; provided, however, that in no event will the Gathering Fee reduction at a Receipt Point pursuant to this clause (iii) be greater than [***] percent ([***]%) of the Gathering Fee described in Section 7.

 

(iv)          If both an Average System Pressure Requirement Gathering Fee reduction hereunder and a Maximum Allowable Receipt Point Pressure Gathering Fee reduction under Section 5.3(b) apply to a Receipt Point for an Accounting Period, only the greater reduction of such Gathering Fee will apply to such Receipt Point.

 

5.3           Maximum Allowable Receipt Point Pressure.

 

(a)           Gatherer shall maintain an average monthly pressure each Accounting Period at each Receipt Point that does not exceed the Maximum Allowable Receipt Point Pressure.

 

(b)           If, during any Accounting Period, for reasons other than Force Majeure, and after taking into account the waiver, as applicable, provided under Section 6.2(c) of this Agreement, the Maximum Allowable Receipt Point Pressure is exceeded,

 

*** Certain information in this document has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

7

 

Shipper shall be entitled to a reduction in the Gathering Fee for the Accounting Period with respect to the Gas tendered at any Receipt Point that suffers such an exceedance. The reduction in the Gathering Fee shall be determined as follows:  The reduction in the Gathering Fee shall be determined as follows:

 

(i)            For each month (up to [***] consecutive months) that the Maximum Allowable Receipt Point Pressure is exceeded during the Accounting Period, the reduction shall be equal to [***] percent ([***]%) of the Gathering Fees described in Section 7 for each affected Receipt Point per M  cf for each [***] percent ([***]%)(or portion thereof) that the average pressure exceeds the applicable Maximum Allowable Receipt Point Pressure during the Accounting Period; provided, however, that in no event will the Gathering Fee reduction at a Receipt Point pursuant to this clause (i) be greater than [***] percent ([***]%) of the Gathering Fee described in Section 7.

 

(ii)           For each consecutive month beyond the [***] consecutive month (up to [***] additional consecutive months) that the average pressure exceeds the applicable Maximum Allowable Receipt Point Pressure during the Accounting Period, the reduction shall be equal to [***] percent ([***]%) of the Gathering Fees described in Section 7 for each affected Receipt Point per M  cf for each [***] percent ([***]%)(or portion thereof) that the average pressure exceeds the applicable Maximum Allowable Receipt Point Pressure during the Accounting Period; provided, however, that in no event will the Gathering Fee reduction at a Receipt Point pursuant to this clause (ii) be greater than [***] percent ([***]%) of the Gathering Fee described in Section 7.

 

(iii)          For each consecutive month beyond the [***] consecutive month that the average pressure exceeds the applicable Maximum Allowable Receipt Point Pressure during the Accounting Period, the reduction shall be equal to [***] percent ([***]%) of the Gathering Fees described in Section 7 for each affected Receipt Point per M  cf for each [***] percent ([***]%)(or portion thereof) that the average pressure exceeds the applicable Maximum Allowable Receipt Point Pressure during the Accounting Period; provided, however, that in no event will the Gathering Fee reduction at a Receipt Point pursuant to this clause (iii) be greater than [***] percent ([***]%) of the Gathering Fee described in Section 7.

 

(iv)          If both a Maximum Allowable Receipt Point Pressure Gathering Fee reduction hereunder and an Average System Pressure Requirement Gathering Fee reduction under Section 5.2(b) apply to a Receipt Point for an Accounting Period, only the greater reduction of such Gathering Fee will apply to such Receipt Point.

 

5.4           Daily Pressure Variances.

 

(a)           Gatherer shall not allow the average daily variance in pressure at any Receipt Point on a Low Pressure System measured on an hourly basis within a Day to exceed [***] psig (the “Allowable Daily Pressure Variance”) for more than [***]

 

*** Certain information in this document has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

8

 

consecutive Days or for any [***] Days in a [***] consecutive Day period (an exceedance for either such period, an “ADP Variance Exceedance Event”).

 

(b)           If, during any Accounting Period, for reasons other than Force Majeure or planned Maintenance, and after taking into account the waiver, as applicable, provided under Section 6.2(c) of this Agreement, there is an ADP Variance Exceedance Event at any Receipt Point, Shipper shall be entitled to a reduction in the Gathering Fee of $[***] per M  cf with respect to Shipper’s Gas tendered to the applicable Receipt Point on any Day during such Accounting Period that (i) is after the date on which such ADP Variance Exceedance Event occurs and (ii) is a Day on which the average daily variance in pressure at such Receipt Point measured on an hourly basis within such Day exceeds the Allowable Daily Pressure Variance.  The foregoing fee reduction shall be cumulative of the fee reductions provided for in Section 5.2(b) and 5.3(b) above; provided, however, the cumulative fee reductions provided for hereunder and under Sections 5.2(b) and 5.3(b) shall not be greater than [***] percent ([***]%) of the Gathering Fee for any Accounting Period.

 

5.5           Extended Failure to Comply with Pressure Requirements.  If, for reasons other than Force Majeure, and after taking into account the waiver, as applicable, provided under Section 6.2(c) of this Agreement, the average of the daily pressure on any Sub-System exceeds the Average System Pressure Requirement and/or the Maximum Allowable Receipt Point Pressure, as applicable, by more than [***] percent ([***]%) for any [***] Accounting Periods during any consecutive [***] Accounting Periods, such situation will constitute a “Material Pressure Condition.”  In the event of the occurrence of a Material Pressure Condition, (a) prior to exercising any of the following remedies, Shipper shall notify Gatherer, and the Parties shall meet to discuss in good faith potential solutions to address the impact of such Material Pressure Condition on Shipper and (b) if such meetings fail to achieve mutual agreement between the Parties regarding a solution to such impacts, then (except in the case of the remedy described in clause (ii) below, which shall be the sole and exclusive remedy if elected) without limiting its rights and remedies under this Agreement or under applicable law, Shipper, at its election, shall be entitled to elect (but shall not be required to do so) one of the following:

 

(i)            Require Gatherer to waive the Gathering Fee for all affected Receipt Points for [***] Accounting Period following the event of Material Pressure Condition and all subsequent Accounting Periods until Gatherer does not exceed the Average System Pressure Requirement and/or the Maximum Allowable Receipt Point Pressure, as applicable, by more than [***] percent ([***]%) for [***] Accounting Period (and in such event no fee reduction shall apply under Section 5.2(b) or 5.3(b) during such period); or

 

(ii)           Permanently release [***] of Shipper’s Gas (such portion at Shipper’s election) from this Agreement; provided, however, in the case of a violation of only a Maximum Allowable Receipt Point Pressure, the release shall be limited to the volume of Gas that would otherwise be delivered to such Receipt Point in the absence of a

 

*** Certain information in this document has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

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Material Pressure Condition (and thereafter no fee reduction shall apply under Section 5.2(b) in respect of the released Gas).  Any election to release such Gas from this Agreement shall be made in writing to Gatherer within thirty (30) days from the end of the Accounting Period during which Shipper was eligible to elect such release, and this release will become effective thirty (30) days after Shipper’s written notice to Gatherer.  Following a release of any Gas as provided herein, Gatherer shall have the right to make available (as Firm Capacity Gas or Interruptible Gas) to other Persons any capacity on the Gathering System associated with such released Gas if sufficient capacity exists to enable Gatherer to maintain the Base Pressure Requirements.

 

5.6           Revisions to the Base Pressure Requirements.  In the event Shipper requires a pressure lower than the Base Pressure Requirement in effect at any Receipt Point or group of Receipt Points, Shipper may request, in writing, that Gatherer provide such lower pressure.  Gatherer will consider such request subject to, and in accordance with, the terms and conditions of Section 6.2 of this Agreement, but subject to Section 4.2 of this Agreement.  Gatherer may also consider and offer to Shipper a change in the Gathering Fee to accommodate such request.  In the event that Gatherer recommends a new Base Pressure Requirement and corresponding change to the Gathering Fee, if any, then the Parties shall amend the Agreement to document the new Base Pressure Requirement and Gathering Fee for any affected Receipt Points, as applicable.  If Gatherer and Shipper cannot agree on any such amendment to the Agreement, then Shipper shall have the option to request such project be performed under, and a new fee calculated in accordance with, Section 6.4 and Section 7.3 of the Agreement.

 

5.7           Compression Operation Requirements. During any Accounting Period, if the inlet suction pressure at the Field Compressor Stations is operated at less than [***] for the High Mesa Compressor Station, East Mamm Compressor Station, Pumba Compressor Station, Hunter Mesa Compressor Station nor the Orchard Field Low Pressure Compressor Stations, or the Orchard Field Medium Pressure Compressor Stations is operated at less than [***] psig or the Rifle Booster Compressor Station is operated at less than [***] psig, unless otherwise approved by Shipper in writing, then (if applicable) Shipper shall be reimbursed its allocable share of such Fuel or electricity required for such lower operation as described below.  Shipper and Gatherer shall agree to such similar minimum suction pressures for any new compression services in addition to those listed above that may be installed for Shipper’s Gas during the term of this Agreement.  In the event that the daily average of a minimum hourly reading of inlet suction pressures are lower than the pressures specified in this Section 5.7 for a period of [***] or longer during a particular Accounting Period, then the additional Fuel or electricity consumed in connection with such operation shall not be allocated to Shipper’s Gas during the applicable Accounting Period.  Such calculation of Fuel or electricity consumed shall be based on mutually agreeable estimation methods and sound engineering principles to determine the estimated amount of additional Fuel or electricity used allocable to Shipper’s Gas.  Fuel will be valued at the [***].  Electricity, if applicable, will be valued at the average electrical cost for the particular compressor station, as applicable, for such Accounting Period.  Gatherer

 

*** Certain information in this document has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

10

 

shall provide read only signal available to Shipper to report the current operating pressure at each Field Compressor Station.  Any dispute related to calculation or measurement of Fuel or electricity under this Section 5.7 will be subject to the provisions of Article 14.4 of the General Terms and Conditions.

 

5.8           Pressure Control Devices.  Gatherer shall not install any pressure control or flow control devices downstream of Receipt Points, unless required by law, other than pressure or flow control equipment to enable delivery of Gas to Interconnecting Pipelines, customary compressor station or compressor inlet suction control devices designed to prevent high pressure alarms or shut down of compression equipment or allow venting of any Gas, such as control or rupture pin valves, rupture discs, or pressure relief devices, unless such device is used solely for the purpose of over pressure protection for the Gathering System and is set at the MAOP of the protected equipment.

 

5.9           Delivery Point Pressure Requirement.  In addition to the requirements set forth in Section 1.4 above, Gatherer shall operate and maintain the Facilities to deliver Shipper’s Gas at a delivery pressure up to (but no greater than) [***] psig at the applicable Delivery Point.

 

*** Certain information in this document has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

11

 

 

SECTION 6:  NEW FACILITIES

 

6.1           Planning for New Facilities and Capacity.

 

(a)           Periodic Planning Meetings.  The Parties shall meet no less often than quarterly to discuss operational issues, Shipper’s drilling plans (including an estimate of Shipper’s drilling schedule and a list of proposed well locations for the next quarter), Shipper’s good faith production forecasts, the facility requirements for Gatherer’s Gathering System, and any anticipated changes to the Base Pressure Requirements for any Receipt Points, in each case in a format mutually agreed by the Parties.  Concurrently, Gatherer shall provide updates, plans of action, and expected timelines on all projects to support Shipper’s previous drilling plans, current operational data and updates, the most recent hydraulic models of the Gathering System used to support system planning, and a current update of Unreserved Capacity in the Facilities, in each case in a format mutually agreed by the Parties. The update with respect to Unreserved Capacity shall include the current Unreserved Capacity in individual Facilities existing as of the Effective Date, Unreserved Capacity in individual Facilities built after the Effective Date under the South Parachute and Orchard Gas Gathering Agreement or the Mamm Creek Gathering Agreement, and Unreserved Capacity in individual Facilities otherwise constructed after the Effective Date (including the associated costs allocable to such capacity to enable Shipper the ability to evaluate its rights and obligations pursuant to Section 6.2).  In advance of each such periodic planning meetings, Shipper shall provide Shipper’s good faith and reasonable estimates as to the incremental volumes of Shipper’s Gas that are likely to be tendered for Gathering to the Gathering System over the next succeeding six quarters as well as an estimated drilling schedule and/or a proposed number of wells to be drilled to support such forecast.  The purpose of these meetings shall be to promote meaningful communication and advance planning for expansion or improvements of Facilities and to update Shipper on the progress of, or resolve other matter relating to, the construction, expansion, and improvement of the Gathering System.  In addition, Gatherer shall designate a representative to participate in Shipper’s planning meetings and to serve as Gatherer’s single point of contact with respect to planning, operation, and coordination for purposes of implementing the terms of this Agreement.  In addition to the foregoing provisions of this Section 6.1, the Parties agree that: (i) Gatherer shall attend, when reasonably requested by Shipper, any and all meetings with applicable government agencies and stakeholders relating to Shipper’s drilling operations and the need for additional Facilities to support Shipper’s planned operations, including, without limitation, meetings with the United States Bureau of Land Management; Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission; city and local governments; and, the Colorado Division of Wildlife; and, (ii) Shipper shall attend, when reasonably requested by Gatherer, any and all meetings with applicable government agencies and stakeholders relating to Gatherer’s Gathering operations and the need for additional Facilities to support Shipper’s planned operations, including, without limitation, meetings with the United States Bureau of Land Management; Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission; city and local governments; and, the Colorado Division of Wildlife.

 

*** Certain information in this document has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

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(b)           Unreserved Capacity in the Gathering System.  Based on Shipper’s [***] forecast provided pursuant to Section 6.1(a) above and for a period of [***] after such production forecast is provided, Gatherer shall allow Shipper to designate as Firm Capacity Gas any Unreserved Capacity in the Facilities that is available at the time of such forecast and that (i) was existing as of the Effective Date or (ii) constructed after the Effective Date in order to receive and Gather volumes of Shipper’s Gas pursuant to the Mamm Creek Gas Gathering Agreement or South Parachute and Orchard Gas Gathering Agreement.  With respect to Unreserved Capacity in any Facilities other than as described in clause (i) or (ii) above that may exist from time to time, Shipper shall have the right to designate as Firm Capacity Gas such Unreserved Capacity (and, thereby, so reserve such Unreserved Capacity by including the costs associated with such Unreserved Capacity into the Capital Payout Commitment as if the project to construct such Unreserved Capacity was an Approved New Capital Project).  In the event that Shipper elects to designate such Unreserved Capacity as Firm Capacity Gas, then the capital costs corresponding with such Unreserved Capacity will be deemed to have been spent upon the later of the (x) date of Shipper’s designation and (y) completion of any Facilities associated with such Unreserved Capacity, irrespective of the actual date of the construction of such Facilities.  Until such time (if at all) that Shipper designates any such Unreserved Capacity as Firm Capacity Gas, Shipper shall be entitled to deliver Shipper’s Gas to such Facilities as Firm Capacity Gas having the same priority as any other Firm Capacity Gas then being delivered to such Facilities, but Shipper acknowledges and understands that a Person other than Shipper may obtain a superior claim to such Unreserved Capacity through such Facilities at any time; and, in the event that such Unreserved Capacity is subsequently reserved to a Firm Capacity Gas Shipper, and Shipper has been delivering Gas to such Facilities, then Gatherer shall notify Shipper when the Unreserved Capacity will no longer be available to receive Shipper’s Gas and, at such time, any new capacity required by Shipper shall be constructed in accordance with the provisions of Section 6.2 of this Agreement.  Until such new capacity is available, the volume of affected Shipper’s Gas for which Gatherer cannot provide capacity shall not be Firm Capacity Gas and may be curtailed subject to the provisions of Article 3.3 as Interruptible Gas.  In addition, deliveries of Shipper’s Gas pursuant to the Mamm Creek Gathering Agreement and the South Parachute and Orchard Gathering Agreement shall be accorded priority over any other Shipper’s Gas delivered to such Facilities.

 

6.2           Process for Approval of New Capital Projects.

 

(a)           New Capital Project Proposal.  As a result of the planning meetings addressed in Section 6.1 (and, if applicable, Section 1.6), and any other notice of required projects provided to Gatherer from Shipper under this Agreement, Gatherer shall provide to Shipper, no later than twenty (20) Business Days after such meeting or notice for projects other than new Receipt Point projects, and the period of time specified in Section 6.3 for new Receipt Point projects (the “New Capital Project Response Date”), any estimated new capital projects required to provide Gathering services or Carbon Dioxide Treating services with respect to Shipper’s Gas in accordance with this Agreement (individually a “New

 

*** Certain information in this document has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

13

 

Capital Project”), along with the following (collectively, a “Scope of Work”): the associated design; modeling for the New Capital Project demonstrating that the proposed Facilities are sufficiently sized to meet the Base Pressure Requirements; the volumetric capacity of the new Facilities comprising the New Capital Project to accommodate Shipper’s Gas (the “Shipper Gas Capacity”); the estimated monthly and yearly volumes of Gas to be delivered to the Facilities comprising the New Capital Project that will be attributable to an Interest of Persons other than Shipper (other than with respect to volumes comprising Shipper’s Gas); the completion date of project (the “In-Service Date”); and, the expected capital commitment associated with the Capital Payout Commitment set forth in Section 8.1 (collectively, the “New Capital Project Proposal”).  Gather shall provide to Shipper the New Capital Project Proposal in writing on or before the New Capital Project Response Date.

 

(b)           Joint Facilities.  If, during the construction of a New Capital Project to provide Gathering services, Gatherer intends to construct additional capacity on New Capital Project Facilities in order to accommodate Gas delivered by a Person other than Shipper, then Gatherer shall allocate capital costs to Shipper (i) in like manner as Gatherer would allocate capital costs to Shipper pursuant to Section 8 of this Agreement, (ii) as if Gatherer constructed such Facilities project for Shipper only and (iii) as if no Joint Facility had existed.  For example, if it is determined that Shipper requires a ten-inch pipeline to be constructed in a specific project, and Gatherer alternatively designed a sixteen-inch line as a Joint Facility, Gatherer shall allocate the capital cost as if it had constructed ten-inch pipeline to Shipper for the purposes of Section 8. Gatherer shall adequately log and maintain during the Term records of the details of the capital costs as provided herein for the purposes of Section 1.2 of this Agreement.  For a New Capital Project that adds Carbon Dioxide Treating Facilities with respect to which Gatherer adds additional capacity for Persons other than Shipper, then Gatherer shall allocate capital to Shipper on a volumetric basis in proportion to Shipper’s required Carbon Dioxide Treating capacity and the overall Carbon Dioxide Treating capacity of any such Facility.

 

(c)           Approved New Capital Projects.  Upon agreement of the Scope of Work for a New Capital Project (an “Approved New Capital Project”), Shipper shall provide Gatherer approval to proceed with such project.  As long as Shipper maintains production within the Shipper Gas Capacity applicable to an Approved New Capital Project, Gatherer shall comply with the Base Pressure Requirements in accordance with the provisions of Section 5 of this Agreement.  If Shipper’s tenders of Gas for Gathering exceed the Shipper Gas Capacity after the In-Service Date for any Approved New Capital Project, as applicable, then Shipper shall waive the applicable Base Pressure Requirements with respect to the particular Sub-System until the Gas volumes being tendered for Gathering are equal to or less than the Shipper Gas Capacity or until such time as Gatherer expands the Facilities with one or more additional Approved New Capital Projects.

 

(d)           Disputes Related to New Capital Project Proposals.  Shipper may dispute the proposed Scope of Work or schedule set forth in any New Capital Project

 

*** Certain information in this document has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

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Proposal by delivering written notice to Gatherer, describing the basis for such dispute.  The Parties shall then use commercially reasonable efforts to resolve any disputed items within fifteen (15) Business Days after Shipper delivers its notice of dispute to Gatherer.  If after such fifteen (15) Business Day period the dispute has not been resolved, then the Parties shall refer their positions regarding the New Capital Project Proposal to a nationally recognized engineering firm having expertise in the design and operation of natural gas gathering systems to be agreed upon by the Parties (such firm, the “Technical Expert”) for resolution in accordance with the procedure specified for such referrals in Article 14.4 of the General Terms and Conditions.  The Technical Expert will resolve the dispute with reference to the following criteria: (i) maintenance of the Base Pressure Requirements in a cost-effective manner; and (ii) accommodating the volumes of Gas anticipated to be delivered to Gatherer as contemplated by Shipper, as well as providing the services required by Shipper, in a timely (but commercially reasonable) manner and as communicated pursuant to the procedures set forth in Section 6.1.

 

(e)           Costs and Revenues Allocable to Capital Payout Commitment.  Upon completion of an Approved New Capital Project (other than a New Capital Project constructed and installed by Shipper pursuant to Section 6.3(b)), the actual capital costs, but not to exceed [***] percent ([***]%) of the New Capital Project proposal provided to and approved by Shipper, shall be utilized for purposes of determining the need for payments to satisfy the Capital Payout Commitment described in Section 8.2.  Upon completion of a New Capital Project constructed by Shipper pursuant to Section 6.3(b) and the conveyance of such New Capital Project to Gatherer, the actual reimbursement payment made by Gatherer to Shipper in connection with such conveyance shall be utilized for purposes of determining the need for payments to satisfy the Capital Payout Commitment described in Section 8.2.   The Parties agree to the following with respect to new Receipt Points and other Facilities to be constructed and installed in the Orchard Area pursuant to this Agreement and the South Parachute and Orchard Gas Gathering Agreement:

 

(i)            The following shall constitute New Capital Projects if constructed and/or installed within the Orchard Area:  (x) any compressor stations and dehydration facilities to provide services for volumes of Gas delivered by Shipper to the Receipt Points other than any compression projects in the Orchard Area on the Medium Pressure System that are under construction as of the Effective Date (the “MP Compression Projects”); or (y) Carbon Dioxide Treating Facilities to provide services for volumes of Gas delivered by Shipper to the Receipt Points;

 

(ii)           For the MP Compression Projects and any Receipt Point or project involving the construction of pipelines in the Orchard Area constructed after the Effective Date to provide Gathering for volumes of Gas delivered by Shipper to the Receipt Points within the Orchard Area (an “Orchard Base Project”), Gatherer shall provide Shipper an allowance of $[***] in capital costs (that would otherwise be applied to a Capital Payout Commitment pursuant to Section 8 hereof) to utilize for capital projects

 

*** Certain information in this document has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

15

 

required under the South Parachute and Orchard Gas Gathering Agreement and this Agreement for any Shipper Gas Capacity (“Orchard Base Capital Allowance”).  Shipper and Gatherer shall agree on each capital project scope and agree to the allocation of actual project costs in the manner provided in Section 6.3(d) of the South Parachute and Orchard Gas Gathering Agreement, which costs will then be deducted from the Orchard Base Capital Allowance.  Subject to the foregoing agreement with respect to allocation of costs, the actual capital costs associated with an Orchard Base Project shall then be deducted from the Orchard Base Capital Allowance. Once the Orchard Base Capital Allowance is reduced to zero with respect to Orchard Base Projects, then any additional capital costs associated with an Orchard Base Project shall be deemed to be a New Capital Project and, as such, subject to the provisions of Sections 6 and Section 8 of this Agrement.  Shipper may dispute the proposed scope of work or allocation of actual project costs by delivering written notice to Gatherer, describing the basis for such dispute.  The Parties shall then use commercially reasonable efforts to resolve any disputed items within fifteen (15) Business Days after Shipper delivers its notice of dispute to Gatherer.  If after such fifteen (15) Business Day period the dispute has not been resolved, then the Parties shall refer their positions regarding the proposal to Technical Expert for resolution in accordance with the procedure specified for such referrals in Article 14.4 of the General Terms and Conditions.  The Technical Expert will resolve the dispute with reference to the following criteria: (i) maintenance of the Base Pressure Requirements in a cost-effective manner; and (ii) an allocation of costs in the manner provided in Section 6.3(d) of the South Parachute and Orchard Gas Gathering Agreement;

 

(iii)          Once the Orchard Base Capital Allowance has been fully utilized and an Approved New Capital Project has been constructed and installed in the Orchard Area for Shipper, (A) all volumes of Gas delivered by Shipper from the Orchard Area in excess of the Orchard Base Volume, and after January 1, 2018 the lesser of the Orchard Base Volume or the Orchard Volume Commitment, shall be deemed to be delivered by means of Approved New Capital Projects and (B) all revenues associated with such volumes in excess of the Orchard Base Volume or Orchard Volume Commitment, as applicable, shall be utilized as described in Section 8.2 for purposes of the calculations required to implement the Capital Payout Commitment.

 

6.3           Connection of New Receipt Points.  The Parties agree as follows with respect to new Receipt Points.

 

(a)           If Shipper is drilling a new well, or wells, that would require the addition of a new Receipt Point as a New Capital Project under this Agreement, Shipper shall provide notice to Gatherer (the “Receipt Point Notice”).  The Receipt Point Notice shall include the desired location, the required completion date for Gatherer to have its Facilities in place in conjunction with Shipper constructing road access, if required, to the Receipt Point, the desired capacity of the Receipt Point, and an updated production forecast, if necessary, for the new Receipt Point as well as the applicable portions of the Gathering System.  When reasonably practical, Shipper shall provide notice of its projected

 

*** Certain information in this document has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

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needs for new Receipt Points at one hundred and twenty (120) Days prior to the need for such Receipt Point, but lack of such notice does not relieve Gatherer of its obligations hereunder.  Shipper shall provide the Receipt Point Notice at least thirty (30) Days prior to the expected completion date for Gatherer to have its Facilities in place in conjunction with the completion of the construction of the access road. Within three (3) Business Days of the Receipt Point Notice, Gatherer shall begin the process of determining potential pipeline routes and the necessary right-of-way, permits, and materials to construct any new Facilities required to connect the new Receipt Point to the Gathering System. Within ten (10) Business Days of the Receipt Point Notice, Gatherer shall provide Shipper with a written response of the design and completion date of the new Receipt Point.  If the design and completion date is acceptable to Shipper, Shipper will advise Gatherer in writing within three (3) Business Days after receiving such estimate, and Gatherer will complete construction of the new connection Facilities for such Receipt Point with due diligence.  Gatherer shall be responsible for all costs, including overhead, associated with installation of the new lateral and required metering and sampling equipment.  Provided that Shipper provides sufficient notice, Gatherer shall cooperate in good faith with Shipper to minimize the overall impact to landowners and the environment by coordinating, and cooperating with respect to, (i) installation (and related construction) by Gatherer of necessary pipelines for new Receipt Points and (ii) construction by Shipper of new access roads to access well and well pad locations.  If a Receipt Point is not constructed within ten (10) Days of the expiration of the estimated completion date, and/or Gatherer is unable to receive and Gather volumes tendered by Shipper from such Receipt Point by such date, in either case other than as a result of Force Majeure, then provided that Shipper is ready and able to begin tendering volumes to Gatherer at such Receipt Point, for each Day thereafter that Shipper is unable to deliver volumes to the new Receipt Point under this Agreement, Shipper shall be entitled to [***] (plus, in the case of the first such Day thereafter, an additional ten (10 Days) of Gathering services without paying the associated Gathering Fee for such new Receipt Point beginning on the first Day when Gatherer is able to receive and Gather volumes from such new Receipt Point.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, Shipper shall be deemed to have paid such Gathering Fee for purposes of the Capital Payout Commitment.

 

(b)           If the design and schedule with respect to Receipt Points provided by Gatherer to Shipper is not acceptable to Shipper and the Parties are unable to reach agreement on an alternative, Shipper shall have the right, by notice to Gatherer, to construct and install, as Gatherer’s agent, the new connection facilities (including piping and meters).  Shipper shall be able to connect such facilities to the Gathering System without delay, and Gatherer shall be required to accept the Gas delivered from these newly constructed facilities under the terms and conditions of this Agreement.  If Shipper exercises this right, Shipper shall be entitled to utilize any right-of-way and/or materials obtained by Gatherer for the purpose of installing the connection facilities at cost, excluding any overhead, and Shipper shall be entitled to reimbursement from Gatherer of its actual costs, not to exceed Gatherer’s last proposed cost estimate, to install the connection facilities, plus an overhead of [***] percent ([***]%), at completion. Gatherer may, at its own cost, inspect (or cause

 

*** Certain information in this document has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

17

 

another Person to inspect) such construction on a timely basis only to the extent necessary to ensure compliance with Gatherer’s specifications.  Upon payment of the reimbursement described herein, Shipper shall convey to Gatherer, and Gatherer shall thereafter own and operate, the facilities constructed by Shipper, and all such facilities shall constitute Approved New Capital Projects.

 

(c)           Gatherer shall use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain from Persons other than Shipper all rights-of-way and other site access rights as it may require for completion of any Receipt Point.  If, after exercising such efforts, Gatherer is unable to obtain any such rights, then Shipper shall grant to Gatherer any such rights it may have that it is permitted to grant to Gatherer and shall use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain or exercise on behalf of Gatherer any other such rights.

 

6.4           Additional Services.

 

The Parties understand that during the term of this Agreement new facilities may be required to optimize development of Shipper’s producing assets that provide services that are beyond the initial scope of this Agreement set forth in Section 1.2 (“Additional Services”).  Additional Services may include, but are not limited to, (a) new compression facilities to lower pressure below the established pressure requirements, (b) Treating services for the removal of hydrogen sulfide or other sulfur compounds, (c) facilities to remove other potential contaminants that are not currently required or (d) new Delivery Points requested by Shipper.  Additional Services do not include new connections of Receipt Points already provided for in this Agreement, nor do they include the expansion of any Gathering System, Facilities for Carbon Dioxide Treating, or dehydration to accommodate additional volumes of Shipper’s Gas.  In the event Additional Services are required, the Parties shall agree in writing on a scope of work within ten (10) Business Days of Shipper notifying Gatherer of such need for Additional Services, and Gatherer, no later than thirty (30) Business Days (but as soon as reasonably practicable) thereafter, shall provide Shipper with a proposed cost estimate (including estimate of the capital costs), completion date, and Gatherer’s proposed fee for the new Facilities (“Additional Services Facilities”) determined in accordance with Section 7.3 (the “Additional Services Proposal”).  Within ten (10) Business Days of receipt of such information, Shipper will either (A) accept Gatherer’s proposal for Additional Services, (B) suggest an alternative, whereby Gatherer shall have an additional ten (10) Business Days to provide a proposal based on such alternative and containing the same information as the Additional Services Proposal, which proposal shall be treated as a new Additional Services Proposal hereunder, or (C) notify Gatherer that Shipper, or a designee of Shipper, will construct, install, and operate the necessary Additional Services Facilities.  As Additional Services Facilities are constructed in accordance with the provisions of this Section 6.4 by Gatherer, they shall become part of the Facilities.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the capital required for Additional Services is subject to the capital limitations described in Section 4.2 of this Agreement.  If Shipper selects (C) above, the Additional Services Facilities shall not be installed (i) on or within the Facilities (except as necessary to receive

 

*** Certain information in this document has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

18

 

or return Shipper’s Gas to Gatherer if necessary for the completion and operation of the project, and in such case the Parties shall enter into a customary interconnection agreement reasonably satisfactory to the Parties) or (ii) in such a way that interferes in any material respect with the operation or maintenance of the Facilities.  If Gatherer undertakes the Additional Services project and such Additional Services Facilities are not constructed, for reasons other than Force Majeure, within (A) sixty (60) Days of the specified completion date provided for in the Additional Services Proposal for any Additional Services project that includes compression or (B) thirty (30) Days of the specified completion date provided for in the Additional Services Proposal for any Additional Services project that does not include compression, for each Day thereafter that Shipper is unable to use such Additional Services under this Agreement, Shipper shall be entitled to [***] Day of Additional Services without paying the daily pro rate portion of the associated fixed monthly payment beginning on the first Day when Gatherer is able to provide such Additional Service.

 

SECTION 7:  FEES AND CONSIDERATION

 

7.1           Gathering Fees.  The Parties agree as follows with respect to the fees and consideration to be paid under this Agreement (individually, as applicable, the “Gathering Fee” and, collectively, the “Gathering Fees”).

 

(a)           Shipper’s Low Pressure System Fees.  With respect to Gas delivered to a Receipt Point on the Low Pressure System, Shipper shall pay Gatherer the amount of $[***] for each Mc  f of Shipper’s Gas accepted at such Receipt Point.    If for any reason (x) only a portion of the Gathering System will be utilized by Shipper’s Gas or (y) the Parties agree to separate or apportion Gathering Fees, then the Gathering Fees shall be deemed to be divided as follows for purposes of this Section 7.1:

 

(i)            Gathering - $[***] for each M  cf of Shipper’s Gas delivered to Receipt Points from the Mamm Creek Area, which is comprised of $[***] for each M  cf of Shipper’s Gas for Gathering on the Low Pressure System, and $[***] per M  cf of Shipper’s Gas for Gathering on the Mamm Creek High Pressure System and $[***] for each M  cf of Shipper’s Gas delivered to Receipt Points from the South Parachute Area and Orchard Area;

 

(ii)           Field Compression and Dehydration - in the case of Gas delivered from the Orchard Area, $[***] for each M  cf of Shipper’s Gas Compressed and dehydrated at compressor stations; in the case of Gas delivered from the South Parachute Area. $[***] for each M  cf of Shipper’s Gas Compressed, dehydrated and delivered to the High Mesa Delivery Point or the Orchard Delivery Point; and, in the case of Gas delivered from the Mamm Creek Area, (x) $[***] per M  cf of Shipper’s Gas Compressed and dehydrated at the Field Compressor Stations, and (y) $[***] per M  cf of Shipper’s Gas Compressed at the Rifle Booster Compressor Station;

 

*** Certain information in this document has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

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(b)           Shipper’s Medium Pressure System Fees.  With respect to Gas delivered to a Receipt Point on the Medium Pressure System, Shipper shall pay Gatherer the amount of $[***] for each M  cf of Shipper’s Gas accepted at such Receipt Point.  If for any reason only a portion of the Gathering System is utilized by Shipper’s Gas, or if the Parties agree to separate or apportion Gathering Fees for any reason, then the Gathering Fees shall be deemed to be divided as follows for purposes of this Section 7.1:

 

(i)            Gathering - $[***] for each M  cf of Shipper’s Gas;

 

(ii)           Medium Pressure Field Compression and Dehydration - $[***] for each M  cf of Shipper’s Gas Compressed and dehydrated at a compressor station on the Medium Pressure System.

 

If further apportionment of the Gathering Fee with respect to Shipper’s Gas delivered to the Medium Pressure System is needed to reflect the actual design and operation of the future Medium Pressure System in the Mamm Creek Area or the South Parachute Area, the Parties will mutually agree on such apportionment.  By way of example only, if the Medium Pressure System in the Mamm Creek Area is designed similarly to the current Low Pressure System in the Mamm Creek Area, it may be reasonable that the  $[***] per M  cf Gathering Fee for Medium Pressure service may be further apportioned to reflect $[***] for each M  cf for Medium Pressure Gathering, $[***] for each M  cf for High Pressure Gathering, $[***] for each M cf for Medium Pressure Field Compression and Dehydration, and $[***] for each M  cf for Rifle Compression.

 

(c)           Gathering Fee Adjustment.  Beginning on January 1, 2013, and every year thereafter on such date, [***] percent ([***]%) of the total Gathering Fees set forth in Section 7.1 above shall be adjusted by the percentage increase or decrease, if any, in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (“CPI-U”) between the immediately preceding December and the previous December.  This percentage adjustment shall be calculated based upon the difference between the most recent calendar year and the previous calendar year, as published in the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics.  If the CPI-U ceases to be published, the parties shall use commercially reasonable efforts to negotiate a replacement index.  The remaining [***] percent ([***]%) of the fee shall remain fixed for the term of this Agreement.

 

7.2           Carbon Dioxide Treating Fee. Shipper shall pay Gatherer $[***] for each M  cf of Shipper’s Gas for Carbon Dioxide Treating required for each [***] percent ([***]%), or portion thereof, carbon dioxide content removed from the Gas (“the Treating Fee”).  The Treating Fee shall include (and Shipper shall not otherwise be required to bear) electrical costs, or any fuel costs to generate electricity, in connection with the operation of the Carbon Dioxide Treating Facilities; provided, however, the Treating Fee shall not include (and Shipper shall be required to bear) any additional fees necessary to handle any hydrogen sulfide or other sulfur bearing compounds in excess of the specifications set forth under Article 6 of the General Terms and Conditions of this Agreement.  As consistent

 

*** Certain information in this document has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

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with Article 6, Shipper shall be entitled to determine, in its sole discretion, the amount of carbon dioxide removal required by any Carbon Dioxide Treating Facilities.

 

(a)           Treating Fee Adjustment.  Beginning on January 1, 2013, and every year thereafter on such date, [***] percent ([***]%) of the Treating Fees set forth in Section 7.2 above shall be adjusted by the percentage increase or decrease, if any, in the CPI-U between the immediately preceding December and the previous December.  This percentage adjustment shall be calculated based upon the difference between the most recent calendar year and the previous calendar year, as published in the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics.  If the CPI-U ceases to be published, the Parties shall use commercially reasonable efforts to negotiate a replacement index.  The remaining [***] percent ([***]%) of the fee shall remain fixed for the term of this Agreement.

 

7.3           Additional Services Fee.  For any Additional Services supplied by Gatherer, Shipper will pay a mutually agreeable fee (the “Additional Services Fee”) in addition to the Gathering Fee and Treating Fee to enable Gatherer to recover its related capital costs, plus the return described below and all actual Operating Costs.  Additional Services Fees are determined as follows:

 

(a)           With respect to the capital cost as agreed to in accordance with Section 6.4, a fixed monthly fee will be calculated that returns to Gatherer, over a period of time equal to the lesser of (i) fifteen (15) years and (ii) the remaining Term, a return pre-tax, equal to [***] percent ([***]%) on an unleveraged basis (no cost of debt included).  An example of such calculation is shown in Exhibit “I”.  In addition to the fixed monthly fee, Shipper shall pay Gatherer’s Operating Costs associated with such Additional Services Facilities.

 

(b)           Shipper shall pay Gatherer the Additional Services Fee as calculated in (a) above beginning with the first Day of the Accounting Period following the date the Additional Services Facility is complete and capable of Gas service, and shall continue to pay such fee each month for a period of fifteen (15) years or the remaining Term, as applicable, at which time the Additional Services Fee will be reduced to [***] percent ([***]%) of the Operating Costs associated with the Additional Services Facility for as long as such Additional Services Facility is in use for Shipper’s Gas.  It is understood that multiple Additional Services Fees could be in effect simultaneously, as there may be requirements for multiple Additional Services Facilities.

 

(c)           Shipper shall hold all Firm Capacity Gas rights through such Additional Services Facilities, and Gatherer shall not enter into any contracts to provide capacity to any additional Firm Capacity Gas Shippers through such Additional Services Facilities.  If Gatherer uses such Additional Services Facilities for the benefit of any Gas other than Shipper’s Gas in any form,  the Additional Services Fee shall be reduced by the [***] percent ([***]%) of the incremental portion of revenues received by Gatherer from such third party attributable to such Additional Services Facilities.

 

*** Certain information in this document has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

21

 

 

7.4           Fuel.  Fuel shall be equal to the actual Fuel used and allocated in accordance with Article 8.2 of the General Terms and Conditions, except for additional Fuel as described in Section 5.7 that shall not be allocated to Shipper. Shipper’s allocated Fuel shall be deducted in-kind from the quantity of Gas received from Shipper at the Receipt Points.  Gatherer shall also be able to deduct electricity as Fuel used and /or consumed at the Rifle Booster Compressor Station, the K-28E Compressor Station and the Orchard Compressor Station if electrical driven compression is utilized at these compressor stations.  No other deduction for Fuel shall apply.  If Gatherer desires to use electricity in place of Fuel for additional Compression at stations other than described above, Gatherer shall gain prior approval from Shipper that such electricity costs may be deducted as Fuel. All other electricity utilized for Gathering of such Gas, including utility electricity at other compressor stations other than as allowed above shall be deemed included in the fees set forth in this Section 7.

 

7.5           Lost and Unaccounted For Gas.  Actual Lost and Unaccounted For Gas allocated to Shipper’s Gas, up to a maximum of [***] percent ([***]%) in any Accounting Period, shall be deducted in-kind from the quantity of Gas received from Shipper at the Receipt Points.  Gatherer shall retain any Condensate condensed and collected in the Gathering System.  If Gatherer does not have sufficient quantities of Gas available to supply in-kind Gas to Shipper if the L&U exceeds the cap provided in this Section 7.5 for a particular Accounting Period, then Gatherer shall pay to Shipper an amount equal to the product of the (i) volume of Gas in excess of the cap and the (ii) applicable Index Price with respect to such volume of Gas in excess of the cap provided hereunder.

 

SECTION 8:  CAPITAL PAYOUT COMMITMENT

 

8.1           Commitment.  Pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, including, without limitation, the provisions contained Section 8 below, Shipper agrees to provide Gatherer a [***] year simple payout of invested New Capital Project capital expenditures (the “Capital Payout Commitment”). An example of such calculations shown below is included in Exhibit “J”.

 

8.2           Calculation of Simple Payout.

 

(a)           Each Contract Year, Gatherer shall determine the total amount of capital, if any, expended during such year on Approved New Capital Projects allocable to Shipper’s Gas and qualifying for inclusion at such time in the Capital Payout Commitment as provided in Section 6 (such amount being referred to as such Contract Year’s “NCP Capital Expenditures”) and the assumed total cash flow associated with Approved New Capital Projects for such year (such amount being referred to as such Contract Year’s “Assumed Total Cash Flow”), which shall be equal to the sum of the following:

 

(i)            The revenues received by Gatherer and attributable to the product of (A) the volume of Shipper’s Gas delivered under this Agreement (including Shipper’s Gas delivered from the Orchard Area in excess of the Orchard Base Volume) and

 

*** Certain information in this document has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

22

 

(B) the corresponding Gathering Fee (which, in the case of any separation or apportionment of the Gathering Fee pursuant to Section 7.1, shall equal the actual portion or portions of the Gathering Fee that are actually paid) for Gas accepted on either a Low Pressure System or Medium Pressure System and (C) [***].

 

(ii)           The resulting revenues attributable to the product of (A) the volume of Shipper’s Gas delivered under this Agreement utilizing Carbon Dioxide Treating and (B) the corresponding Treating Fee for such Gas and (C) [***].

 

(iii)          The revenues attributable to the product of (A) the Third Party Volume Revenues and (B) [***] for Gathering [***] for Treating.

 

(b)           Each Contract Year, the NCP Capital Expenditures for such Contract Year will be deemed to have been deposited in a notional tracking account (each a “Simple Payout Tracking Account”, and the balance in any Simple Payout Tracking Account from time to time being referred to as the “Unrecovered Balance”).

 

(c)           Each Contract Year, the Assumed Total Cash Flow for such Contract Year (plus, if applicable, any “banked” Assumed Total Cash Flow that is available for application under Section 8.3) shall be applied to reduce (but not below zero) any Unrecovered Balance that then exists in any Contract Year’s Simple Payout Tracking Account, with such reduction being applied to the earliest occurring Contract Year for which there is then an Unrecovered Balance; provided, however, that any Assumed Total Cash Flow remaining after the Unrecovered Balance in the earliest-occurring Contract Year’s Simple Payout Tracking Account to which it is applied is reduced to zero will be applied to reduce the Unrecovered Balance in the Simple Payout Tracking Account for the next earliest occurring Contract Year (and so forth until all amounts have been applied).  Once the Unrecovered Balance in a particular Contract Year’s Simple Payout Tracking Account has been reduced to zero, Shipper’s Capital Payout Commitment with respect thereto shall be deemed to have been satisfied.

 

(d)           If, on the [***] anniversary of the first Day of any Contract Year (after application of any applicable Assumed Total Cash Flow pursuant to Section 8.2(c)), such Contract Year’s Simple Payout Tracking Account has an Unrecovered Balance, then Shipper shall pay Gatherer within ten (10) Days after such [***] anniversary an amount equal to such Unrecovered Balance, and Shipper’s Capital Payout Commitment with respect thereto shall be deemed to have been satisfied.

 

8.3           Excess Cash Flow Bank.   If, at the end of any Contract Year, after application of the Assumed Total Cash Flow for such Contract Year to any then-existing Unrecovered Balances in any Simple Payout Tracking Accounts, there are no remaining Unrecovered Balances, then the unapplied Assumed Total Cash Flow from such Contract Year may be “banked” in a notional “excess cash flow bank” and applied to any Unrecovered Balances that arise in any future Contract Year’s Simple Payout Tracking Account, but only if such Unrecovered Balances arise with respect to either of the next two

 

*** Certain information in this document has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

23

 

Contract Years.  For example, if the Unrecovered Balance in the Simple Payout Tracking Account for Contract Year 1 is reduced to zero in Contract Year 1, any unapplied Assumed Total Cash Flow from Contract Year 1 could be applied to any Unrecovered Balance that arises during Contract Year 2 or 3, but not Contract Year 4.

 

8.4           Third Party Gas to be Applied to Capital Payout Commitment.  Any revenues received from Third Party Gas utilizing Shipper Gas Capacity in New Capital Projects that has not been used to offset any Volume Commitments, as applicable, under the Mamm Creek Gas Gathering Agreement or the South Parachute and Orchard Gas Gathering Agreement (the “Third Party Volume Revenues”) shall count towards Shipper’s Capital Payout Commitment as provided in Section 8.2(a)(iii).

 

SECTION 9:  GUARANTEE

 

9.1           Buyer Guarantee. By execution of this Agreement, Buyer hereby unconditionally and irrevocably guarantees to Shipper the performance when required of any and all obligations, whether related to payment or performance, of Gatherer now or hereafter existing under this Agreement, as may be supplemented, amended, renewed, extended or modified from time to time; provided, however, that Buyer shall be permitted to transfer or assign its obligations under this Section 9.1 from and after the Effective Date to either a New Public Company or other Person in accordance with clause (i)(B) or (i)(C) of Article 16.4(b), as applicable, of the General Terms and Conditions; provided further, that such New Public Company or Person, as applicable, (a) either: (i) has an Investment Grade Rating; (ii) provides a guaranty, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to Shipper, with respect to such Person’s obligations hereunder from a Person that has an Investment Grade Rating; (iii) (x) in the case of a New Public Company, has net assets in excess of $[***], or (y) in the case of a Person, has net assets in excess of $[***]; or, (iv) provides a letter of credit in an amount sufficient to perform the obligations under this Agreement reasonably acceptable to Shipper and (b) agrees in writing to assume the obligations of Buyer under this Section 9.1.  Any transfer or assignment by Buyer in strict compliance with the foregoing requirements shall relieve Buyer of its obligations under this Section 9.1 (but not the New Public Company or Person with respect to which the obligations under this Section 9.1 will be transferred or assigned).  For purposes of this Section 9.1, “net assets” means total assets less total funded indebtedness.

 

SECTION 10:  NOTICES

 

10.1         Notices, Statements, and Invoices.  All notices, statements, invoices or other communications required or permitted between the Parties shall be in writing and shall be considered properly given if delivered by mail, courier, hand delivery, or facsimile to the other Party at the designated address or facsimile numbers, as designated below.  Normal operating instructions can be delivered by telephone or other agreed means.  Notice of events of Force Majeure may be made by telephone and confirmed in writing within a reasonable time after the telephonic notice.  Monthly statements, invoices, payments and other communications shall be deemed delivered when actually received.  Either Party may

 

*** Certain information in this document has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

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change its address or facsimile and telephone numbers upon written notice to the other Party:

 

	
Gatherer:
    	
Grand River   Gathering, LLC
    
	
 
    	
2300 Windy Ridge   Parkway, Suite 240S
    
	
 
    	
Atlanta, GA   30339
    
	
 
    	
Fax: (770)   504-5005
    
	
 
    	
Attention: Steve   Newby
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
With required   copy to:
    
	
 
    	
Latham &   Watkins LLP
    
	
 
    	
885 Third Avenue
    
	
 
    	
New York, NY   10022
    
	
 
    	
Fax: (212)   751-4864
    
	
 
    	
Attention: David   Kurzweil, Esq.
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
Buyer:
    	
Summit Midstream   Partners, LLC
    
	
 
    	
2300 Windy Ridge   Parkway, Suite 240S
    
	
 
    	
Atlanta, GA   30339
    
	
 
    	
Fax: (770)   504-5005
    
	
 
    	
Attention: Steve   Newby
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
With required   copy to:
    
	
 
    	
Latham &   Watkins LLP
    
	
 
    	
885 Third Avenue
    
	
 
    	
New York, NY   10022
    
	
 
    	
Fax: (212)   751-4864
    
	
 
    	
Attention: David   Kurzweil, Esq
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
Shipper:
    
	
 
    
	
Encana Oil &   Gas (USA) Inc.
    
	
370 17th Street,   Suite 1700
    
	
Denver, Colorado   80202
    
	
Attn: Midstream   Contract Administration
    
	
Phone: (720) 876-5009
    
	
Fax: (720) 876-6009
    
	
 
    
	
Encana Oil &   Gas (USA) Inc.
    
	
370 17th Street,   Suite 1700
    
	
Denver,   Colorado, 80202
    
	
Attention: Vice   President, U.S. Midstream
    
	
Phone: (720) 876-3169
    
	
Fax: (720) 876-4169
    

 

*** Certain information in this document has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

25

 

With required copy to:

 

Encana Oil & Gas (USA) Inc.
 370 17th Street, Suite 1700
 Denver, Colorado, 80202
 Attention:  General Counsel
 Phone:  (303) 623-2300
 Fax:  (303) 623-2400

 

(a)           This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be considered an original, and all of which shall be considered one instrument.

 

*** Certain information in this document has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed this Agreement on the date first set forth above.

 

	
GATHERER:
    	
 
    	
SHIPPER:
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
By:
    	
 
    	
 
    	
By:
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Name:
    	
 
    	
 
    	
Name:
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Title:
    	
 
    	
 
    	
Title:
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Date:
    	
 
    	
 
    	
Date:
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
BUYER (for the   limited purposes set forth in Section 9.1):
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
By:
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Name:
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Title:
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Date:
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    

 

*** Certain information in this document has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

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GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS
 Attached to and made a part of that certain
 Gas Gathering Agreement dated October 1, 2011
 among
 Encana Oil & Gas (USA) Inc. (“Shipper”),
 Grand River Gathering, LLC (“Gatherer”) and (for the limited purposes set forth in Section 9.1) Summit Midstream Partners, LLC (“Buyer”)

 

ARTICLE 1:  DEFINITIONS

 

1.1                         Accounting Period.  The period commencing at 8:00 a.m., Mountain clock time, on the first day of a calendar month and ending at 8:00 a.m., Mountain clock time, on the first day of the next succeeding month.

 

1.2                         Actual Allocated Gas. The volume of Gas allocated to Shipper at the Delivery Point(s) which shall be a percentage of all Gas delivered at the Delivery Point(s) for the account of all shippers on the Gathering System.

 

1.3                         Adequate Assurance of Performance.  As defined in Article 15.1 of the General Terms and Conditions.

 

1.4                         Additional Services.  As defined in Section 6.4 of this Agreement.

 

1.5                         Additional Services Facilities.  As defined in Section 6.4 of this Agreement.

 

1.6                         Additional Services Fee.  As defined in Section 7.3 of this Agreement.

 

1.7                         Additional Services Proposal.  As defined in Section 6.4 of this Agreement.

 

1.8                         Affiliate.  Any Person that directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls or is controlled by or is under common control with another Person.  The term “control” (including its derivatives and similar terms) means possessing the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether through ownership, by contract, or otherwise.  Any Person shall be deemed to be an Affiliate of any specified Person or entity if such Person or entity owns fifty percent (50%) or more of the voting securities of the specified Person, if the specified Person owns fifty percent (50%) or more of the voting securities of such Person, or if fifty percent (50%) or more of the voting securities of the specified Person and such Person are under common control.

 

1.9                         Agreement.  As defined in the preamble of this Agreement.

 

*** Certain information in this document has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

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1.10                       Allowable Daily Pressure Variance.  As defined in Section 5.4(a) of this Agreement.

 

1.11                       ADP Variance Exceedance Event.  As defined in Section 5.4(a) of this Agreement.

 

1.12                       Approved New Capital Project.  As defined in Section 6.2 of this Agreement.

 

1.13                       Area of Mutual Interest or “AMI”.  As defined in Section 1.1 of this Agreement.

 

1.14                       Assumed Total Cash Flow.  As defined in Section 8.2(a) of this Agreement.

 

1.15                       Average System Pressure Requirement.  The pressure that the numeric average pressure of all Receipt Points on the Gathering System shall not exceed during an Accounting Period, as specified on Exhibit “G”.

 

1.16                       Balancing Period.  As defined in Article 5.3 of the General Terms and Conditions.

 

1.17                       Base Pressure Requirements.  The pressure measured at each Receipt Point that Gatherer is required to maintain, as further defined in Section 5.1 of this Agreement.

 

1.18                       Btu.  The amount of heat required to raise the temperature of one pound of water from 59°F to 60°F.

 

1.19                       Business Day.  Any day that commercial banks in Denver, Colorado and New York, New York are open for business.

 

1.20                       CPI-U.  As defined in Section 7.1 of this Agreement.

 

1.21                       Cap.         As defined in Section 4.2 of this Agreement.

 

1.22                       Cap Facilities.  As defined in Section 4.2 of this Agreement.

 

1.23                       Capital Payout Commitment.  As defined in Section 8.1 of this Agreement.

 

1.24                       Carbon Dioxide Treating.  The Treating for the removal of carbon dioxide in Gas.

 

*** Certain information in this document has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

2

 

1.25                       Claiming Party.  As defined in Article 15.1 of the General Terms and Conditions.

 

1.26                       Compress, Compressed or Compressing.  Increasing the pressure of Shipper’s Gas received on the Gathering System to a pressure sufficient to be delivered into a downstream pipeline.

 

1.27                       Condensate.  Liquid hydrocarbons that have condensed from the Gas in the Gathering System or Facilities (including as a result of compression) downstream of a Receipt Point and are collected at the Facilities upstream of a Delivery Point.

 

1.28                       Contract Year.  Each anniversary of this Agreement commencing upon the Effective Date.

 

1.29                       Cubic Foot.  The volume of Gas contained in one cubic foot of space at a standard pressure base of 14.73 pounds per square inch absolute (psia) and a standard temperature base of 60° F.

 

1.30                       Daily Balance Gas.  As defined in Article 5.3 of the General Terms and Conditions.

 

1.31                       Day or Daily.  A period of twenty-four (24) consecutive hours, commencing at 8:00 a.m., Mountain clock time, and ending at 8:00 a.m., Mountain clock time, immediately following said twenty-four (24) hour period.  The reference date for any Day shall be the calendar date upon which said twenty-four (24) period begins.

 

1.32                       Deep Program Notice.  As defined in Section 1.6 of this Agreement.

 

1.33                       Defaulting Party.  As defined in Article 15.2 of the General Terms and Conditions.

 

1.34                       Delivery Party.  The new entity at which Shipper’s Gas is delivered to Shipper, or to Shipper’s designee, or to others entitled thereto, as designated at the Delivery Points.

 

1.35                       Delivery Points.  The points at which Shipper’s Gas is redelivered to Shipper, or to Shipper’s designee, or to others entitled thereto, as designated on Exhibit “E”.

 

1.36                       East Mamm Compressor Station.  That certain compressor station located in Section 36, Township 6 South, Range 93 West, Garfield County, Colorado.

 

1.37                       Effective Date.  As defined in the preamble of this Agreement.

 

1.38                       Enterprise.  As defined in Section 1.1 of this Agreement.

 

*** Certain information in this document has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

3

 

1.39                       Event of Default.  As defined in Article 15.2 of the General Terms and Conditions.

 

1.40                       FL&U.  As defined in Section 1.2 of this Agreement.

 

1.41                       Facilities.  The Gathering System together with the compression, liquids handling, dehydration plants and equipment, Treating equipment, and measurement equipment which are owned and operated by Gatherer.

 

1.42                       Field Compressor Stations.  Those certain compressor stations known as: (i) High Mesa Compressor Station; (ii) Hunter Mesa Compressor Station; (iii) Pumba Compressor Station; (iv) East Mamm Compressor Station ; (v) K-28E Compressor Station; and (vi) the Orchard Compressor Station.

 

1.43                       Financing Parties.  As defined in Article 16.4(c) of the General Terms and Conditions.

 

1.44                       Firm Capacity Gas.  Gas that is accorded the highest priority on the Gathering Systems with respect to capacity allocations, interruptions, or curtailments, specifically including (i) Shipper’s Gas and (ii) Gas delivered to the Gathering System from any Person for which Gatherer is contractually obligated to provide the highest priority.  Firm Capacity Gas will be the last Gas removed from the Gathering System in the event of an interruption or curtailment and all Firm Capacity Gas will be treated equally in the event an allocation is necessary, including, without limitation, Shipper’s Gas.  Firm Capacity Gas shall not include Gas received by Gatherer under an agreement with a primary term of less than one (1) year.

 

1.45                       Firm Capacity Shipper.  Any Person that delivers Firm Capacity Gas.

 

1.46                       Force Majeure.  As defined in Article 10 of the General Terms and Conditions.

 

1.47                       Fuel.  The quantity of Gas received by Gatherer which is retained and metered by Gatherer for fuel used in connection with the operation of compressors, heaters, flares, and other equipment as necessary to perform the Gathering services as described in Section 1.2 of this Agreement.

 

1.48                       Gas.  Any mixture of hydrocarbons and noncombustible gases in a gaseous state consisting primarily of methane.

 

1.49                       Gather, Gathered, or Gathering.  The movement of Gas through the Gathering System.

 

1.50                       Gatherer.  As defined in the preamble of this Agreement.

 

*** Certain information in this document has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

4

 

 

1.51                       Gathering Fee.  As described in Section 7.1 of this Agreement.

 

1.52                       Gathering System or Gathering Systems.  Gas gathering Facilities, including all Sub-Systems, owned, operated and maintained by Gatherer, to transport Gas from, as applicable, the Receipt Points to, as applicable, the Delivery Points, and as further described in Section A of the Background; as such system may be expanded or altered from time to time pursuant to this Agreement.

 

1.53                       Great Divide Gathering System.  A 24-inch diameter, approximately 32-mile natural gas gathering pipeline owned and operated by Enterprise, known as the Great Divide Gathering System, located in Garfield County, Colorado.

 

1.54                       Gross Heating Value.  The number of Btu’s produced by the combustion, on a dry basis and at a constant pressure, of 1 Cubic Foot of Gas at a temperature of 60°F and at a pressure of 14.73 psia, with air of the same temperature and pressure as the Gas, when the products of combustion are cooled to the initial temperature of the Gas and air and when the water formed by combustion is condensed to the liquid state.

 

1.55                       Guarantor.  As defined in Article 15.1 of the General Terms and Conditions.

 

1.56                       High Mesa Compressor Station.  That certain compressor station located in Section 36, Township 7 South, Range 96 West, Garfield County, Colorado.

 

1.57                       High Pressure System.  The system of Facilities in each of the Mamm Creek Area and the South Parachute Area owned and operated by Gatherer that is capable of receiving Gas from or at the Field Compressor Stations and delivering such Gas to the Delivery Point or to the Rifle Compressor Station at or about a pressure in excess of [***] psig.

 

1.58                       Hunter Mesa Compressor Station.  That certain compressor station located in Section 1, Township 7 South, Range 93 West, Garfield County, Colorado.

 

1.59                       Index Price.  The average of the Daily index for CIG, Rocky Mountains as published in Gas Daily for the applicable Accounting Period.

 

1.60                       Indemnifying Party and Indemnified Party.  As defined in Article 11 of the General Terms and Conditions.

 

1.61                       Interconnecting Pipelines.  Pipeline systems physically connected to the Gathering System, including the Great Divide Gathering System and any other pipeline connected in the future to accept Gas from the Facilities.

 

*** Certain information in this document has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

5

 

1.62                       Interests.  Any right, title, or interest in lands and the right to produce oil and/or Gas therefrom whether arising from fee ownership, working interest ownership, mineral ownership, leasehold ownership, or arising from any pooling, unitization or communitization of any of the foregoing rights.

 

1.63                       Interruptible Gas.  Gas that is accorded the lowest priority on the Gathering System with respect to capacity allocations, interruptions, or curtailments.  Interruptible Gas will be the first Gas removed from the Gathering System in the event of an interruption or curtailment.

 

1.64                       In-Service Date.  As defined in Section 6.2 of this Agreement.

 

1.65                       Investment Grade Rating.  An issuer rating or a rating on senior, unsecured long-term debt (excluding third-party enhancement) that is equal to or better than at least two (2) of the following: (i) “BBB-” from Standard and Poor’s, a division of the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., as well as its successors-in-interest; or, (ii) “Baa3” from Moody’s Investors Service, Inc., as well as its successors-in-interest; or, (iii) “BBB (low)” from Dominion Bond Rating Service Limited, as well as its successors-in-interest.

 

1.66                       K-28E Compressor Station.  That certain compressor station located in Section 28, Township 7 South, Range 92 West, Garfield County, Colorado.

 

1.67                       “Lien” shall mean any lien, mortgage, security interest, collateral assignment or pledge granted as collateral security for the repayment of indebtedness.

 

1.68                       Losses.  Any actual loss, cost, expense, liability, damage, demand, suit, sanction, claim, judgment, lien, fine or penalty, including attorney’s fees.

 

1.69                       Lost and Unaccounted For Gas or L&U.  Any Gas lost or otherwise not accounted for incident to or occasioned by the gathering, measurement, dehydration,  compression and delivery, as applicable, of Gas, including Gas released through leaks, instrumentation, relief valves, ruptured pipelines, and blow downs of pipelines, vessels, and equipment, including line pack and Condensate.

 

1.70                       Low Pressure System.  The system of Facilities owned and operated by Gatherer that is capable of receiving Gas from the Receipt Points at a pressure less than [***] psig and delivering such Gas to the Delivery Point.

 

1.71                       Maintenance.  As defined in Article 3.2 of the General Terms and Conditions.

 

1.72                       MAOP.  Maximum allowable operating pressure.

 

*** Certain information in this document has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

6

 

1.73                       MP Compression Projects.  As defined in Section 6.2(e)(i) of this Agreement.

 

1.74                       Mamm Creek Area.  As depicted on Exhibit “A”.

 

1.75                       Mamm Creek Gas Gathering Agreement.  As defined in Section B of the Background.

 

1.76                       Material Pressure Condition.  As defined in Section 5.5 of this Agreement.

 

1.77                       Maximum Allowable Receipt Point Pressure.  The specified pressure that the average pressure at a Receipt Point for an Accounting Period shall not exceed as set forth on Exhibit “G”.

 

1.78                       Mcf.  1,000 Cubic Feet.

 

1.79                       Medium Pressure System.  The system of Facilities owned and operated by Gatherer that is capable of receiving Gas from the Receipt Points at or above [***] psig and delivering Gas to the Delivery Point.

 

1.80                       MMBtu.  1,000,000 Btu’s.

 

1.81                       MMcf.  1,000,000 Cubic Feet.

 

1.82                       NCP Capital Expenditures.  As defined in Section 8.2(a) of this Agreement.

 

1.83                       New Capital Project.  As defined in Section 6.2 of this Agreement.

 

1.84                       New Capital Project Proposal.  As defined in Section 6.2 of this Agreement.

 

1.85                       New Capital Projects Response Date.  As defined in Section 6.2 of this Agreement.

 

1.86                       New Public Company.  As defined in Article 16.4(b) of the General Terms and Conditions.

 

1.87                       Niobrara Depths.  As defined in Section 1.1 of this Agreement.

 

1.88                       Non-Conforming Event.  As defined in Article 6.4 of the General Terms and Conditions.

 

*** Certain information in this document has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

7

 

1.89                       Non-Defaulting Party.  As defined in Article 15.2 of the General Terms and Conditions.

 

1.90                       Operating Costs.  All costs directly associated with or needed to operate and maintain a Facility, including, without limitation, personnel, fuel, parts, maintenance, consumable materials, chemicals, information technology, insurance, rents and regulatory costs (but excluding overhead or home office costs).

 

1.91                       Orchard Area.  As depicted on Exhibit “C”.

 

1.92                       Orchard Base Capital Allowance.  As defined in Section 6.2 of this Agreement.

 

1.93                       Orchard Base Project.  As defined in Section 6.2 of this Agreement.

 

1.94                       Orchard Base Volume.  The [***] MMcf per Day of production that is to be delivered to the Low Pressure System pursuant to the South Parachute and Orchard Gas Gathering Agreement and the [***] MMcf per Day that is to be delivered to the Medium Pressure System pursuant to the South Parachute and Orchard Gas Gathering Agreement.

 

1.95                       Orchard Compressor Station.  That certain compressor station located in Section 27, Township 7 South, Range 96 West, Garfield County, Colorado that services both the Low Pressure System and Medium Pressure System.

 

1.96                       Orchard Volume Commitment.  The Volume Commitment as defined in the South Parachute and Orchard Gas Gathering Agreement.

 

1.97                       PSA.  As defined in Section A of the Background.

 

1.98                       Party or Parties.  As defined in the preamble of this Agreement.

 

1.99                       Person.  Any individual, firm, corporation, trust, partnership, limited liability company, association, joint venture, other business enterprise or governmental authority.

 

1.100                     Position Notice.  As defined in Article 14.4 of the General Terms and Conditions.

 

1.101                     Primary Term.  As defined in Section 3 of this Agreement.

 

1.102                     Primary Term Year.  As defined in Section 3 of this Agreement.

 

1.103                     Pumba Compressor Station.  That certain compressor station located in Section 10, Township 7 South, range 93 West, Garfield County, Colorado.

 

*** Certain information in this document has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

8

 

1.104                     Receipt Points.  Any currently existing or future point(s) where Gas enters the Gathering System or Gathering Systems at the inlet flange of the custody transfer meters where custody and control of Shipper’s Gas transfers from Shipper to Gatherer, as designated on Exhibit “E” (with respect to existing points) or as determined pursuant to Section 6.3 of this Agreement (with respect to future point(s)) or, if no custody transfer meter currently exists as of the Effective Date, the interconnection of well pad flow lines and a mainline gathering pipeline, which pipeline forms part of the Gathering System until such time as such custody transfer meter is installed, as designated on Exhibit “E” or determined pursuant to Section 6.3 of this Agreement, as applicable.

 

1.105                     Receipt Point Notice.  As defined in Section 6.3(a) of this Agreement.

 

1.106                     Renewal Term.  As defined in Section 3 of this Agreement.

 

1.107                     Rifle Booster Compressor Station.  That certain compressor station located in Section 13, Township 6 South, Range 94 West, Garfield County, Colorado that delivers Gas to the Great Divide Gathering System or other Interconnecting Pipelines.

 

1.108                     Scheduled Nominations.  As defined in Article 5 of the General Terms and Conditions.

 

1.109                     Scope of Work.  As defined in Section 6.2 of this Agreement.

 

1.110                     Shipper.  As defined in the preamble of this Agreement.

 

1.111                     Shipper Gas Capacity.  As defined in Section 6.2 of this Agreement.

 

1.112                     Shipper’s Gas.  All Gas that Shipper is obligated to deliver, and that Gatherer is obligated to receive and Gather pursuant to this Agreement, from within the Area of Mutual Interest.

 

1.113                     Simple Payout Tracking Account. As defined in Section 8.2(b) of this Agreement.

 

1.114                     South Parachute Area.  As depicted on Exhibit “B”.

 

1.115                     South Parachute and Orchard Gas Gathering Agreement.  As defined in Section B of the Background.

 

1.116                     Sub-System.  A defined and named portion of the Gathering System, as identified in Exhibit “G”.

 

*** Certain information in this document has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

9

 

1.117                     Target Pressure.  The monthly average gathering Receipt Point pressure Gatherer will design, construct, and operate to achieve for each Sub-System described in Exhibit “G”.

 

1.118                     Taxes.  All gross production, severance, conservation, ad valorem, gross-receipts and similar or other taxes measured by or based upon production, together with all taxes on the right or privilege of ownership of the Gas, or upon the handling, compression, treating, conditioning, sale, receipt or delivery of the Gas, including all of the foregoing now existing or in the future imposed or promulgated.

 

1.119                     Technical Expert.  As defined in Section 6.2 of this Agreement.

 

1.120                     Term.  As defined in Section 3 of this Agreement.

 

1.121                     Third Party Gas. As such term is defined in the Mamm Creek Gas Gathering Agreement and the South Parachute and Orchard Gas Gathering Agreement.

 

1.122                     Third Party Volume Revenues. As defined in Section 8.4 of this Agreement.

 

1.123                     Treat, Treating or Treatment.  The removal, reduction or dilution of carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide or other impurities in Gas.

 

1.124                     Treating Fee.  The Fee described in Section 7.2 of this Agreement.

 

1.125                     Unrecovered Balance.  As defined in Section 8.2(b) of this Agreement.

 

1.126                     Unreserved Capacity.  Any capacity on a Facility that, as of the time of determination, is not subject to an executed letter of intent or agreement for Firm Capacity Gas.

 

1.127                     Volume Commitment.  As defined in the Mamm Creek Gas Gathering Agreement and the South Parachute and Orchard Gas Gathering Agreement.

 

ARTICLE 2:  SHIPPER COMMITMENTS AND RIGHTS

 

2.1                         Conveyance of Rights to Gatherer.  Shipper hereby grants, transfers, conveys and assigns to Gatherer the exclusive right to Gather Shipper’s Gas connected to Receipt Points and the right to consume Shipper’s Gas as Fuel in connection with the Gathering of Shipper’s Gas under this Agreement.

 

2.2                         Upstream Separation Equipment.  At or near its wellhead and upstream of the Receipt Points, Shipper shall utilize conventional mechanical type field separators commonly used in the industry to separate liquid hydrocarbons and free water

 

*** Certain information in this document has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

10

 

from Shipper’s Gas, to the extent reasonably necessary for the safe transportation of such Gas to the Receipt Points.  Any liquids recovered in these facilities shall be [***].

 

2.3                         Upstream Facilities.  Shipper shall have the right, at its own expense, to install compression facilities, plunger lifts, and gas lift facilities upstream of each Receipt Point.  Any such facilities installed by Shipper shall be installed, operated, and maintained by Shipper in a manner that does not materially and adversely affect Gatherer’s Facilities.

 

2.4                         Gas for Lease Operations.  Shipper reserves the right to withhold from delivery any Gas (i) that Shipper is required to deliver to its lessor under the terms of any leases; or (ii) that Shipper requires for oil and gas producing operations, including, without limitation, gas lift operations and drilling and completion.  Shipper reserves the right to deliver Gas from the Gathering System prior to the delivery of such Gas to the Delivery Points for use in Shipper’s oil and gas producing operations; accordingly, Shipper and Gatherer will cooperate in good faith to allow Shipper to install and construct interconnections with the Gathering System for such purposes, and Shipper will install measurement equipment to meet the requirements, as applicable, of Article 7 of these General Terms and Conditions.  The provisions of this Agreement would apply with respect to the Gas delivered to Shipper for the purposes set forth in this Article 2.4, including, without limitation, the provisions with respect to the Gathering Fee as set forth in Section 7 of the Agreement.

 

2.5                         Pooling or Units.  Shipper may form, dissolve and/or participate in pooling agreements or units encompassing portions of Shipper’s Interests, provided that the exercise of those rights shall not diminish Gatherer’s rights under this Agreement nor increase Gatherer’s obligations under this Agreement.

 

2.6                         Operational Control of Shipper’s Wells.  Shipper may, at any time, shut-in, clean out, rework, modify, deepen or abandon any wells within Shipper’s Interests, or may use any efficient, modern or improved method for the production of Gas; provided, before any well is taken out of service for any reason, Shipper shall first shut-off the well’s connection with the Receipt Point.

 

2.7                         No Upstream Processing.

 

(a)           Shipper agrees that it shall not remove or permit to be removed (i) any liquefiable hydrocarbons from either Shipper’s Gas or any other Gas in the Gathering System or (ii) remove Condensate from such Gas prior to delivery to the Receipt Points, except for liquefiable hydrocarbons that condense from such Gas during transportation to the Receipt Points that are removed by conventional mechanical type Gas liquid field separators commonly used in the industry, upstream of the Receipt Points, to separate liquid hydrocarbons and free

 

*** Certain information in this document has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

11

 

water from Shipper’s Gas, to the extent, and only to the extent, reasonably necessary for the safe transportation of such Gas to the Receipt Points.

 

(b)           Gatherer agrees it shall not accept into the Gathering System any Gas that has been previously processed for the removal of liquefiable hydrocarbons or Condensate from such Gas prior to delivery to the Gathering System, except for those liquefiable hydrocarbons that condense from such Gas during transportation that are removed by conventional mechanical type Gas liquid field separators commonly used in the industry to separate liquid hydrocarbons and free water from Gas, to the extent, and only to the extent, reasonably necessary for the safe transportation of such Gas.  In addition, Gatherer agrees that it shall not remove or permit to be removed any liquefiable hydrocarbons from Shipper’s Gas or any other Gas once in the possession and control of Gatherer in Gatherer’s Gathering System or Condensate prior to delivery of Shipper’s Gas to Shipper at the Delivery Points, except for those liquefiable hydrocarbons that condense from such Gas during transportation to the Delivery Points that are removed by conventional mechanical type Gas liquid field separators commonly used in the industry, upstream of the Delivery Points, to separate liquid hydrocarbons and free water from Gas, to the extent, and only to the extent, reasonably necessary for the safe transportation of such Gas to the Delivery Points.

 

ARTICLE 3:  OPERATION OF GATHERER’S FACILITIES

 

3.1                         Operational Control of Gatherer’s Facilities.  Gatherer shall be entitled to complete operational control of its Facilities and shall operate its Facilities in a manner which is consistent with its obligations under this Agreement.  Gatherer shall have the right to commingle Shipper’s Gas received by Gatherer at the Receipt Points with other Gas in the Gathering System.  However, this Article 3.1 shall not be interpreted to relieve Gatherer of its obligations under this Agreement.

 

3.2                         Maintenance.  Gatherer shall be entitled to perform such maintenance, testing, alteration, modification, repair or replacement of the Gathering System as would be done by a prudent operator (“Maintenance”).  Except in situations where Gatherer reasonably determines that Maintenance is required to avoid injury or harm to Persons or property or the integrity of its Facilities, Gatherer agrees to provide thirty (30) Days notice to Shipper prior to performing any planned Maintenance that may materially impact Shipper’s wells and / or production volumes, and if such notice is not provided, such Maintenance will be deemed not to have been planned.

 

3.3                         Capacity Allocations.  If the quantity of Shipper’s Gas and all other Gas available for delivery to a Receipt Point,  or any other point on the Facilities exceeds the capacity of the Facilities at any such point, then Gatherer shall interrupt or curtail receipts of Shipper’s Gas in accordance with the following:

 

*** Certain information in this document has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

12

 

(a)           First, Gatherer shall curtail all Interruptible Gas prior to curtailing Firm Capacity Gas.

 

(b)           Second, if additional curtailments are required beyond Article 3.3(a) above, Gatherer shall curtail Firm Capacity Gas.  In the event Gatherer curtails some, but not all Firm Capacity Gas on a particular Day, Gatherer shall allocate the capacity of the applicable point on the Facilities available to such Firm Capacity Shippers on a pro rata basis based upon Shipper’s and the other Firm Capacity Shipper’s average of the confirmed nominations for the previous [***] Day period of Firm Capacity Gas prior to the event causing the curtailment.

 

Notwithstanding the above, Shipper shall be entitled to a temporary release of Shipper’s Gas from this Agreement for the duration of any curtailment by Gatherer that impacts Shipper’s Gas, including, without limitation, curtailments resulting from a Force Majeure event and if necessary, Gatherer shall deliver Gas to Shipper at other delivery points than the Delivery Points if such delivery points are made available to Gatherer at no cost to Gatherer.  During any such temporary release, Shipper may direct Shipper’s Gas to any other available facility.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, with respect to capacity allocations on the Gathering Systems, Gatherer shall accord the highest priority to Firm Capacity Gas.

 

3.4                         Other Allocations.  During any period when (i) all or any portion of the Facilities is shut down because of mechanical failure, Maintenance, non-routine operating conditions, or Force Majeure; or (ii) Gatherer determines that the operation of all or any portion of the Facilities will cause injury or harm to Persons or property or to the integrity of the Facilities, Shipper’s Gas may be curtailed as described in Article 3.3.

 

3.5                         No Relief from Obligations.  Except in the event of Force Majeure or Maintenance allowed under this Agreement and without limiting any other provision of this Agreement that by its terms relieves Gatherer of any obligations under this Agreement, the provisions of Article 3.3 above shall not relieve Gatherer from its other obligations under this Agreement, including, without limitation, the provisions of Sections 4 and 5 of this Agreement.

 

ARTICLE 4:  RECEIPT POINTS AND CONDITIONS

 

4.1                         Receipt Points.  Shipper shall deliver Gas to the Receipt Points specified on Exhibit “E”, which shall be located downstream of Shipper’s production facilities.

 

4.2                         Uniform Rate of Flow.  Subject to Article 2.3 of these General Terms and Conditions, including Shipper’s right to install and operate plunger lifts that inherently may cause periodic flow on a per well basis, to the extent reasonably practical and without

 

*** Certain information in this document has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

13

 

materially impacting Shipper’s overall Gas deliveries, Shipper shall deliver Gas at a reasonably uniform rate of flow.

 

4.3                         Pressure Regulation Equipment.  Upstream of each Receipt Point, Shipper shall provide pressure regulation equipment acceptable to Gatherer that will prevent over-pressuring of the Gathering System.  If regulation equipment is installed in proximity of the Gathering System, it shall be installed in a manner that does not interfere with measurement or induce measurement errors.

 

ARTICLE 5:  NOMINATION AND BALANCING PROCEDURES

 

5.1                         Notice of Available Capacity.  On or before the 20th day of each calendar month, Gatherer shall provide written notice to Shipper of Gatherer’s good faith estimate and capacity allocation or curtailments, if any, that, based on then currently available information, Gatherer anticipates will be required or necessary during the next succeeding calendar month.  In the event that the 20th day of the calendar month is a weekend or holiday, such notice will be provided on the last Business Day preceding the 20th day of such calendar month.

 

5.2                         Nomination Procedures.  Pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, the nomination procedures detailed in this Article will be utilized by Shipper with respect to the Gathering of Shipper’s Gas hereunder.  All nominations must be made by Shipper or Shipper’s designee. Should Interconnecting Pipelines receiving Shipper’s Gas revise their nomination requirements in a manner that conflicts with the nomination procedures herein, the Parties agree to negotiate changes to the nomination procedures herein as are reasonably required.

 

(a)   Shipper’s nomination(s) shall be accepted and scheduled for delivery by Gatherer to the extent that (1) Shipper’s Gas is sufficient to support such nomination(s), (ii) Shipper has sufficient capacity in the Gathering System as allocated to Shipper pursuant to Article 3.3 of the General Terms and Conditions, and (iii) the party receiving Gas at the Delivery Point accepts Shipper’s nominations.  Upon being scheduled for delivery, Gatherer’s dispatcher shall thereupon advise Shipper in writing, via fax, e-mail or web-based nomination process of the quantity scheduled for Gathering (a “Scheduled Nomination”) and the reason for any failure to schedule any Shipper’s Gas nominated by Shipper.

 

(b)           Each nomination shall be made in conformance with the North American Energy Standards Board timeline as follows, which may change from time to time (all timelines are stated in Mountain Time):

 

*** Certain information in this document has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

14

 

 

	
 
    	
 
    	
Nomination Due:
    	
 
    	
For Flow at:
    
	
Cycle 1 (Timely)
    	
 
    	
10:30 AM
    	
 
    	
8:00 AM   Next Day
    
	
Cycle 2 (Evening)
    	
 
    	
5:00 PM
    	
 
    	
8:00 AM   Next Day
    
	
Cycle 3 (Intra-day 1)
    	
 
    	
9:00 AM
    	
 
    	
4:00 PM   Same Day
    
	
Cycle 4 (Intra-day 2)
    	
 
    	
4:00 PM
    	
 
    	
8:00 PM   Same Day
    

 

(c)   Shipper shall provide to Gatherer’s dispatcher in writing, via fax, e-mail, or web-based nomination process the actual daily nominations of the quantities to be delivered by Gatherer for Shipper’s account at each Delivery Point in accordance with Gatherer’s requirements. Such nominations shall include the information requested by Gatherer, and Gatherer shall maintain a record of such nominations.

 

(d)   Gatherer may, but is not obligated to accept (i) any nomination which exceeds Shipper’s allocated capacity on the Gathering System subject to Article 3.3 Capacity Allocations, or (ii) any revisions to a prior nomination which result in an increase in quantities of Gas Shipper desires to deliver to a Delivery Point which are not supported by operational improvements or additional wells.  Gatherer’s dispatcher shall thereupon advise Shipper of the quantity it will accept for Gathering.

 

5.3                         Gas Balancing.

 

(a)   Imbalances. Imbalances.  If the number of MMBtus of Shipper’s Gas received by Gatherer at the Receipt Points, after subtracting FL&U, do not equal Shipper’s estimated Actual Allocated Gas delivered at the Delivery Points, an imbalance exists.  If the number of MMBtus of Shipper’s Gas received by Gatherer at the Receipt Points, after subtracting FL&U, are less than Shipper’s estimated Actual Allocated Gas delivered at the Delivery Points, a positive imbalance exists.  If the number of MMBtus of Shipper’s Gas received by Gatherer at the Receipt Points, after subtracting FL&U, are greater than Shipper’s estimated Actual Allocated Gas delivered at the Delivery Points, a negative imbalance exists.  The term balance or balancing refers to equalizing the number of MMBtus of Shipper’s Gas received by Gatherer at the Receipt Point with the number of MMBtus constituting Shipper’s estimated Actual Allocated Gas delivered at the Delivery Points plus FL&U.  Parties shall use reasonable efforts to minimize these imbalances and agree to make the daily and monthly adjustments as outlined herein. At Gather’s sole discretion, Gatherer may decline a nomination into an Interconnecting Pipeline and/or curtail receipts of Shipper’s Gas if necessary to balance Shipper’s nominated quantity of Gas on the Interconnecting Pipelines .

 

(b)   Daily Balancing.  Each Day Shipper shall cause the number of MMBtu’s of Shipper’s Gas being delivered at the Receipt Points to equal as closely as practicable to Shipper’s Scheduled Nominations.  Each Day Gatherer shall cause the number of MMBtus of Shipper’s Gas being delivered at the Delivery Points to Interconnecting Pipelines to equal as closely as practicable Shipper’s Gas received by Gatherer at the Receipt Points,

 

*** Certain information in this document has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

15

 

after subtracting FL&U.  Whenever the Number of MMBtus of Shipper’s Gas being delivered at the Receipt Points exceeds Shipper’s estimated Actual Allocated Gas delivered at the Delivery Points plus FL&U, Gatherer shall promptly increase amount of Gas delivered to an Interconnecting Pipeline on Shipper’s behalf.  In the event that Shipper’s Gas received by Gatherer at the Receipt Points, after subtracting FL&U equals or exceeds Shipper’s nominated quantities of Gas on Interconnecting Pipelines and the Gatherer does not deliver any or all of Shipper’s Gas to the Interconnecting Pipeline on Shipper’s behalf, and the Interconnecting Pipeline reduces Shipper’s nominated quantity of Gas at the Delivery Point, Gatherer shall waive the applicable Gathering Fee with respect to the total quantity of Shipper’s Gas received by Gatherer but not delivered to the Interconnecting Pipeline specified by Shipper.

 

(c)   Monthly Balancing. Shipper and Gatherer will work cooperatively to reduce any cumulative imbalance reflected on the monthly balancing statement as close to zero (0) as practicable during the Accounting Period following the delivery of such statement (“Balancing Period”).  Gatherer shall advise the Shipper of such adjustments required to Shipper’s nominations for each Day during the Balancing Period in order to balance (“Daily Balance Gas”).  Gatherer shall advise Shipper of the number of MMBtus of Shipper’s Gas which must be nominated into Interconnecting Pipelines or nominated and produced by Shipper for each Day during the Balancing Period.  If at any time Gatherer causes an imbalance due to delivering Shipper’s Gas to an Interconnecting Party not specified by Shipper or through mis-allocation of Gas among all shippers on the Gatherer’s System that exceeds [***]% in total volumes for that Accounting Period, then Gatherer shall waive the applicable Gathering Fee with respect to the total quantity of Shipper’s Gas received by Gatherer but not delivered to the Interconnecting Pipeline specified by Shipper.

 

(d)   Gatherer will true up the imbalance each month between the estimated Actual Allocated Gas and the Actual Allocated Gas delivered at the delivery points.   Gatherer will provide this information to Shipper on the monthly balancing statement.  Shipper will reduce any imbalance through nominations the following month.

 

(e)   Positive Imbalance.  When a positive imbalance exists (Shipper owes Gatherer), Shipper shall include in its daily nominations to the Interconnecting Pipelines during the Balancing Period a nomination of Daily Balance Gas, specifically designated as such, and Shipper shall deliver sufficient amounts of Shipper’s Gas to fulfill its daily nominations.

 

(f)    Negative Imbalance.  When a negative imbalance exists (Gatherer owes Shipper), Shipper shall include in its daily nominations to Interconnecting Pipelines during the Balancing Period a nomination of Daily Balance Gas, specifically designated as such, but Shipper shall only deliver sufficient amounts of Shipper’s Gas to fulfill its daily nominations less the Daily Balance Gas nomination.

 

*** Certain information in this document has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

16

 

(g)   Third Party Cooperation.  Both Parties recognize that Gatherer’s ability to schedule Daily Balance Gas is dependant upon the cooperation of third parties.

 

(h)   Interconnecting Pipelines.  Whenever an Interconnecting Pipeline requires Shipper to balance, Gatherer may require Shipper to make adjustments to nominations as imposed by the Interconnecting Pipeline.

 

(i)    Duty to Maintain Balance.  Gatherer shall use reasonable efforts to require all shippers using the Gathering System to maintain balance thereon in accordance with provisions that are consistent with, or more stringent than, this Article 5.3.

 

(j)    Final Gas Balancing.  The parties agree to final cash balancing upon termination of this Agreement or at such other time as agreed by the Parties. Gatherer will calculate the value of a cash payment by multiplying the imbalance volume for each Accounting Period of flow by the Index Price associated with such Accounting Period.

 

(k)   Modification of Balancing Procedures.  In the event that Gatherer or Shipper reasonably determines that the procedures set forth in this Article 5.3 may result in an inequitable balancing or unreasonable management of volumes on the Gathering System and undue financial risk to the Parties, the Parties shall enter into good faith discussions with a view to modifying the balancing procedures set forth in this Agreement.  The Parties agree that any modifications to the balancing procedures shall be applicable prospectively to this Agreement.

 

5.4                         Maintenance.

 

(a)           Monthly Maintenance schedules will be sent via e-mail to Shipper by the 20th Day of each calendar month setting forth the Maintenance that is to be performed during the next calendar month: provided, however, in the event that the 20th Day of the calendar month is a weekend or holiday, monthly Maintenance schedules will be provided no later than the last Business Day preceding the 20th Day of the calendar month. The foregoing shall not be interpreted to relieve Gatherer of its obligation to provide notice pursuant to Article 3.2 of these General Terms and Conditions.

 

(b)           Maintenance schedules will include by compressor station a description of each Maintenance project at the compressor stations and an estimate of capacity curtailment and duration for each project.

 

*** Certain information in this document has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

17

 

(c)           No later than forty-eight (48) hours prior to the beginning of the Day of each Maintenance project, a volume curtailment allocation will be sent to Shipper if capacity allocations are determined to be necessary by Gatherer.

 

5.5                         Unscheduled Capacity Allocations.

 

(a)           Gatherer will use reasonable efforts to provide timely notification to Shipper by telephone, with subsequent e-mail notification, of the potential size and duration of any unscheduled capacity disruption.  If Shipper does not adjust its nomination within two (2) hours, Gatherer may adjust Shipper’s nomination and/or not confirm the nominations requested by Shipper in the next nomination cycle.

 

(b)           Gatherer may also require that Shipper cease or curtail deliveries of Shipper’s Gas to match production with nomination.  In the event that Shipper does not adjust its nomination as reasonably directed by Gatherer, and such failure to adjust nominations materially impacts operations on the Gathering System, Gatherer may curtail receipts of Shipper’s Gas for a reasonable period of time.

 

ARTICLE 6:  GAS QUALITY

 

6.1                         Constituents.  The Gas as delivered by Shipper to Gatherer at the Receipt Points or from Gatherer to Shipper at the Delivery Points shall be delivered commercially free of solids, dust, gum and gum forming constituents, free water or hydrocarbons in their liquid state, and other matter which may interfere with the delivery thereof or become separated therefrom during Gathering.

 

6.2                         Receipt Point Quality Specifications.  The Parties agree as follows with respect to Receipt Point quality specifications.

 

(a)           The Gas as delivered by Shipper to Gatherer at the Receipt Points shall meet the following specifications:

 

(i)            Commercially free of crude oil, mineral seal, distillate and other impurities that would adversely affect Gatherer’s deliveries to other third party transporters;

 

(ii)           Except for hydrocarbon and water dewpoint restrictions, Gross Heating Value and carbon dioxide content, Shipper’s Gas shall meet the most restrictive quality specifications required from time to time by the downstream processing plants or Interconnecting Pipelines receiving Gas at the Delivery Points;

 

*** Certain information in this document has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

18

 

(iii)          Contain not more than [***] percent ([***]%) by volume of carbon dioxide on an average basis for all Receipt Points on the Gathering System;

 

(iv)          Have a temperature of not more than [***] degrees Fahrenheit;

 

(b)           Notwithstanding the above specifications, if Shipper or Shipper’s designee agrees to accept Gas that does not conform to the requirements of Article 6.2(a)(ii) or (iii) hereof from Gatherer at the Delivery Point and imposes no additional fees upon Gatherer to provide services with respect to such non-conforming Gas, Gatherer shall accept such non-conforming Gas, such Gas shall be automatically deemed in conformance with the quality specifications described above, and Gatherer shall perform such Gathering Services without additional liability to Shipper for not meeting such specifications.

 

6.3                         Delivery Point Additional Fees.  If Shipper or Shipper’s designee agrees to accept Gas that does not conform to the requirements of Article 6.2(a)(ii) or (iii) hereof from Gatherer at the Delivery Point and imposes additional fees upon Shipper and/or Gatherer to provide services with respect to such non-conforming Gas, Gatherer shall accept such non-conforming Gas and such additional fees and costs shall be allocated on a volume-weighted basis between Shipper’s Gas and all Gas delivered by any other shipper causing the non-conformance with the quality specifications.  In addition, if Shipper’s Gas meets the quality specifications of this Article 6, and any non-conformance with the quality specifications are caused by Gas delivered by a third party, or as a result of Gatherer’s operations, actions or inactions, then Shipper shall not be required to pay any of the additional costs associated with the conditions creating the violation of the applicable quality specifications.  Gatherer and Shipper shall agree to the allocation procedures that would be utilized to allocate the additional costs.  Gatherer shall also provide information to Shipper and/or to Interconnecting Pipelines of the carbon dioxide and inert content of Shipper’s Gas only (exclusive of any third party Gas carbon dioxide and other inert content) for the purposes of determining Shipper’s allowable blending into such Interconnecting Pipeline, as applicable.

 

6.4                         No Fees when Gatherer Delivers Non-Conforming Gas.  Except under circumstances where Shipper delivers non-conforming Gas to Gatherer at a Receipt Point, if Shipper’s Gas is not accepted by Shipper, Shipper’s designee, or any party accepting Gas at or downstream of the Delivery Points as a result of Gatherer delivering non-conforming Gas to the Delivery Points or any reason (a “Non-Conforming Event”), Gatherer [***] on the affected Gathering System from the time the Gas is not accepted at the Delivery Point until the non-conformity (e.g., where Gatherer delivers non-conforming Gas to the Delivery Point) is corrected or Shipper, Shipper’s designee, or any party accepting Gas at or downstream of the Delivery Points accepts Shipper’s Gas.  If for any

 

*** Certain information in this document has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

19

 

reason, Gatherer exceeds the L&U cap under Section 7.5 of this Agreement in the same Accounting Period in which a Non-Conforming Event occurs, then [***].

 

6.5                         Delivery Point Specifications.  The Parties agree as follows with respect to Delivery Point quality specifications :

 

(a)           Commercially free of crude oil, mineral seal, distillate and other impurities that would adversely affect Shipper’s deliveries to other third party transporters;

 

(b)           A Gross Heating Value of [***] Btu per Cubic foot or the [***] Gross Heating Value of Shipper’s Gas gathered by Gatherer, whichever is less;

 

(c)           Contain not more than over [***] percent ([***]%) by volume of carbon dioxide unless Shipper has delivered to Gatherer on average of all Receipt Points over [***] percent ([***]%) carbon dioxide;

 

(d)           Contain not more than a total of [***] pounds per MMcf of water;

 

(e)           Have a temperature of not more than [***] degrees Fahrenheit ; and,

 

(f)            The Gas delivered to Shipper or Shipper’s designee at the Delivery Points shall meet the most restrictive quality specifications required from time to time by the downstream processing plants or Interconnecting Pipelines receiving Gas at such Delivery Points.

 

6.6                         Impact on Specifications when Shipper Requests Additional Services.  Notwithstanding the quality specifications contained in Article 6.2 and 6.5 above, if Shipper, or its designee, has installed Additional Services Facilities or Gatherer has installed Additional Services Facilities in order to provide Additional Services, the Receipt Point specifications shall be revised to reflect the change in ability of the Facilities to meet the Delivery Point specifications.

 

6.7                         Representation at Tests.  Shipper shall have the right to be represented and to participate in all tests of the Gas delivered hereunder, and to inspect any equipment used in determining the nature or quality of the Gas.

 

6.8                         Failure to Conform.  In the event that Shipper’s Gas fails to conform to any of the specifications set forth in Articles 6.1 and 6.2, Gatherer shall notify Shipper of the deficiency, and Gatherer may refuse to accept such non-conforming Gas.  If Shipper fails to remedy such deficiency, Gatherer may: (i) take receipt of the non-conforming Gas with no further liability to Shipper for the delivery of non-conforming Gas; or (ii) cease receiving the non-conforming Gas from Shipper and Gatherer shall notify Shipper that it has, or will, cease receiving the non-conforming Gas.

 

*** Certain information in this document has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

20

 

ARTICLE 7:  MEASUREMENT EQUIPMENT AND PROCEDURES

 

7.1                         Measurement Equipment.  All Gas measurement required hereunder shall be made with equipment of standard make to be furnished, installed, operated, and maintained by Gatherer in accordance with the recommendations contained in ANSI/API 2530 as then published.  Shipper may, at its option and expense, install and operate measuring equipment upstream of the measuring equipment to check the measuring equipment provided the installation of the check measuring equipment in no way interferes with the operation of Gatherer’s measuring equipment.

 

7.2                         Measurement Factors.  All Gas volume measurements shall be based on a site specific calculated atmospheric pressure based on actual meter site elevation.  The factors used in computing Gas volumes from orifice meter measurements shall be the latest factors published by the AGA.  These factors shall include:

 

(a)           a basic orifice factor;

 

(b)           a pressure base factor based on a pressure base of [***] psia;

 

(c)           a temperature base factor based on a temperature base of [***]oF;

 

(d)           a flowing temperature factor, based on the flowing temperature as measured by an industry accepted recording device, if, at Gatherer’s option, a recording device has been installed, otherwise the temperature shall be assumed to be [***]oF;

 

(e)           a super compressibility factor, obtained from the latest AGA Manual for the Determination of Super Compressibility Factors for Natural Gas (AGA 8); and

 

(f)            a specific gravity factor, based on the specific gravity of the Gas as determined under the provisions set forth below.

 

7.3                         Testing of Equipment.  Gatherer shall test the accuracy of its measuring equipment at intervals determined by the average production delivered to the particular measuring equipment during the previous six (6) Accounting Periods, as shown below:

 

	
 
    	
Gas Production (Mcf/day)
    	
 
    	
Testing Intervals
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
[***]
    	
 
    	
[***]
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
[***]
    	
 
    	
[***]
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
[***]
    	
 
    	
[***]
    	
 
    

 

*** Certain information in this document has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

21

 

Additional tests shall be promptly performed upon request and notification by either Party to the other. If any additional test requested by Shipper indicates that no inaccuracy of more than [***] percent ([***]%) exists, at a recording rate corresponding to the average rate of flow for the period since the last preceding test, then Shipper shall reimburse Gatherer for all its direct costs in connection with that additional test within thirty (30) Days following receipt of a detailed invoice and supporting documentation setting forth those costs.

 

7.4                         Adjustment of Inaccuracies.  If, upon test, any measuring equipment is found to be in error by an amount not exceeding [***] percent ([***]%), at a recording rate corresponding to the average rate of flow for the period since the last preceding test, previous recordings of that equipment shall be considered correct in computing deliveries hereunder.  If the measuring equipment shall be found to be in error by an amount exceeding [***] percent ([***]%), at a recording rate corresponding to the average rate of flow for the period since the last preceding test, then any preceding recordings of that equipment since the last preceding test shall be corrected to zero error for any period which is known definitely or agreed upon.  If the period is not known definitely or agreed upon, the correction shall be for a period extending back one-half of the time elapsed since the last test.  In the event a correction is required for previous deliveries, the volumes delivered shall be calculated by the first of the following methods which is feasible: (i) by using the registration of any check meter or meters if installed and accurately registering; or (ii) by correcting the error if the percentage of error is ascertainable by calibration, test, or mathematical calculations; or (iii) by estimating the quantity of delivery by deliveries during periods of similar conditions when the meter was registering accurately.

 

7.5                         Gas Composition. The composition and Gross Heating Value shall be determined by:

 

(a)           Gatherer at the Receipt Points by sampling and analysis at intervals determined by the average production during the previous six (6) Accounting Periods, as shown in the table below or more frequently at Gatherer’s sole election:

 

	
 
    	
Gas Production (Mcf/day)
    	
 
    	
Sample Intervals
    	
 
    	
Sample Method
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
[***]
    	
 
    	
[***]
    	
 
    	
[***]
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
[***]
    	
 
    	
[***]
    	
 
    	
[***]
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
[***]
    	
 
    	
[***]
    	
 
    	
[***]
    	
 
    

 

(b)           By Delivery Party at each Delivery Point. Gatherer shall provide Shipper access to the SCADA information being provided to Gatherer at the Delivery Point at intervals and method corresponding to the table above.

 

In addition, should Shipper at any time, in its sole discretion, believe that an analysis is incorrect Shipper may require Gatherer to perform an additional analysis at Shipper’s

 

*** Certain information in this document has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

22

 

expense and the results of such analysis shall be utilized in future Accounting Periods.  Gas delivered at the Receipt Point(s) or Delivery Point(s), downstream of any dehydration equipment, having a water content of [***] pounds per MMcf, or less, shall be considered dry.

 

7.6                         Access.  Each Party, at its sole risk and liability, shall have access at all reasonable business hours to all facilities which are related to Gas measurement and sampling.  Each Party, at its sole risk and liability, shall have the right to be present for any installing, reading, cleaning, changing, repairing, testing, calibrating and/or adjusting of either Party’s measuring equipment.

 

ARTICLE 8:  ALLOCATION PROCEDURES

 

8.1                         Receipt Point Meters and Allocation Information.  Gatherer shall maintain meters at each Receipt Point which shall determine the total quantity and quality of Gas delivered under this Agreement.  Gatherer shall allocate on a component basis the Gas and Condensate at each Receipt Point.  Gatherer shall, for all hydrocarbons ethane and heavier, assign each component, in gallons, of the Gas at the Delivery Point to Receipt Points based on the proportion that each Receipt Point contributed to the total gallons for hydrocarbons of ethane and heavier at all Receipt Points, and for all other components the allocation will assign those components of the Gas at the Delivery Point to Receipt Points based on the proportionate volume that each Receipt Point contributed to the total volume of all Receipt Points.  Gatherer agrees to provide to Shipper, in its monthly settlement statement pursuant to Article 9.1 below, all necessary and relevant settlement data including, but not limited to, allocated Receipt Point volumes and Gas compositions, Gathering System Fuel usage, and L&U on the Gathering System.

 

8.2                         Allocation of Fuel.  Subject to Section 5.7 and 7.4 of the Agreement, Gatherer will allocate Fuel to each Receipt Point based on the ratio of the volume of Gas measured at such Receipt Point to the total volumes of Gas delivered to all Delivery Points.  Where compression Facilities or other types of Facilities using Fuel are installed on a Gathering pipeline, Gatherer will allocate actual fuel consumed in such compression Facilities to each Receipt Point attached to such Gathering pipeline based on the ratio of the volume of Gas measured at such Receipt Point to the total volumes of Gas Delivered to all Receipt Points attached to such Gathering pipeline.

 

8.3                         Allocation of Gains and Losses.  Gatherer will allocate L&U to each Receipt Point based on the ratio of the volume of Gas measured at such Receipt Point to the total volumes of Gas delivered to all Delivery Points.

 

8.4                         Allocation of Gas. Gas delivered to Delivery Points shall be allocated ratably to each Receipt Point based on the volumes attributable to the Delivery Point meters in relation to the total quantity of Gas received from all Receipt Points into the Gathering System.

 

*** Certain information in this document has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

23

 

8.5                         Modifications to Allocation Procedures.  In the event that Gatherer or Shipper reasonably determines that the allocation procedures set forth in this Article 8 may result in an inequitable allocation, the Parties shall enter into good faith discussions with a view to modifying the allocation procedures set forth in this Agreement, provided that if the Parties fail to agree on an appropriate course of action, either Party may propose that the matter be referred to a mutually acceptable third party expert.  The Parties agree that any modifications to the allocation procedures shall be applicable prospectively to this Agreement.

 

ARTICLE 9:  PAYMENTS

 

9.1                         Invoices.  Gatherer shall provide Shipper with an invoice and an associated statement not later than the last Day of the Accounting Period following the Accounting Period for which the activity occurred and payment is due.  The associated statement shall include a detailed explanation of how all payments due were determined.  Shipper shall make payment to Gatherer within ten (10) Days after receipt of the invoice and statement from Gatherer.  Unpaid amounts due shall accrue interest at the lesser of a rate equal to [***] percent ([***]%) per month or the maximum permitted by law, until the balance is paid in full.

 

9.2                         Audit Rights.  Either Party, on thirty (30) Days prior written notice, shall have the right at its expense, at reasonable times during business hours, to audit the books and records of the other Party to the extent necessary to verify the accuracy of any statement, allocation, measurement, computation, charge, or payment made under or pursuant to this Agreement.  The scope of any audit shall be limited to transactions affecting the Gas hereunder within the immediate geographic region of the Facilities and shall be limited to the twenty-four (24) month period immediately prior to the month in which the notice requesting an audit was given. However, no audit may include any time period for which a prior audit hereunder was conducted, and no audit may occur more frequently than once every [***] months.  All statements, allocations, measurements, computations, charges, or payments made in any period prior to the [***] month period immediately prior to the month in which the audit is requested, or made in any [***] month period for which the audit is requested but for which a written claim for adjustments is not made within ninety (90) Days after the audit is requested shall be conclusively deemed true and correct and shall be final for all purposes.  To the extent that the foregoing varies from any applicable statute of limitations, the Parties expressly waive all such other applicable statutes of limitations.

 

9.3                         Payment Disputes.  In the event of any good faith dispute with respect to any payment hereunder, Shipper shall make timely payment of all undisputed amounts.

 

*** Certain information in this document has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

24

 

 

ARTICLE 10:  FORCE MAJEURE

 

10.1                       Definition of Force Majeure.  The term “Force Majeure” as used in this Agreement shall mean any cause or causes not reasonably within the control of the Party claiming suspension and which, by the exercise of reasonable diligence, such Party is unable to prevent or overcome.  To the extent not reasonably within the control of the Party claiming suspension and which, by the exercise of reasonable diligence, such Party is unable to prevent or overcome, examples of Force Majeure may include, but not be limited to, acts of God, strikes, lockouts, or other industrial disturbances, acts of a public enemy, sabotage, wars, blockades, insurrections, riots, acts of terror, epidemics, landslides, lightning, earthquakes, fires, storms, storm warnings, floods, washouts, arrests and restraints of governments and people, civil disturbances, explosions, breakage or accident to equipment installations, machinery or lines of pipe, and associated repairs, freezing of wells or lines of pipe, partial or entire failure of wells, pipes or other delivery facilities, the shutting in of facilities owned by third parties, electric power unavailability or shortages, inability to obtain or timely obtain, or obtain at a reasonable cost, after exercise of reasonable diligence, pipe, materials, equipment, rights-of-way, servitudes, governmental approvals, or labor, including those necessary for the facilities provided for in this Agreement, and any legislative, governmental or judicial actions.  It is understood and agreed that the settlement of strikes or lockouts shall be entirely within the discretion of the Party having the difficulty, and that the above requirement that any Force Majeure shall be remedied with all reasonable dispatch shall not require the settlement of strikes or lockouts by acceding to the demands of the opposing party when such course is inadvisable in the sole discretion of the Party having the difficulty.

 

10.2                       Effect of Force Majeure.  In the event any Party hereto is rendered, wholly or in part, by Force Majeure, unable to carry out its obligations under this Agreement due to any event of Force Majeure, other than to indemnify or to make payments of any amount due hereunder, and if such Party gives prompt notice and reasonably full particulars of such Force Majeure in writing, by electronic mail or by facsimile, to the other Party after the occurrence of the cause relied on, the Party giving such notice, so far as and to the extent that it is affected by such Force Majeure, shall be relieved of its performance obligations under this Agreement, and shall not be liable in damages to the other Party for its failure to carry out its obligations during the continuance of any inability so caused; provided, however, as possible, that such cause shall be remedied with all reasonable dispatch.  The foregoing provision shall not require the settlement of strikes or lockouts by acceding to the demands of the opposing parties when such course is inadvisable at the discretion of the Party hereto having the difficulty.  Shipper shall have the right to secure Gathering services from any Party during Force Majeure events that affect Gatherer’s ability to provide Gathering services hereunder.

 

*** Certain information in this document has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

25

 

ARTICLE 11:  LIABILITY AND INDEMNIFICATION

 

11.1                       Shipper Custody.  Shipper and any of its designees shall be in custody, control and possession of Shipper’s Gas hereunder, including any portion thereof which accumulates as liquids, until such Gas is delivered to Gatherer at the Receipt Points and after any portion of Shipper’s Gas is redelivered to Shipper at the Delivery Points.

 

11.2                       Gatherer Custody.  Gatherer and any of its designees shall be in custody, control and possession of Shipper’s Gas hereunder, including any portion thereof which accumulates as liquids, after such Gas is delivered to Gatherer at the Receipt Points and until any portion of Shipper’s Gas is redelivered to Shipper at the Delivery Points.

 

11.3                       Indemnification.  Each Party (“Indemnifying Party”) hereby covenants and agrees with the other Party, and its Affiliates, and each of their directors, officers and employees (“Indemnified Parties”), that except to the extent caused by the Indemnified Parties’ negligence or willful misconduct, the Indemnifying Party shall protect, defend, indemnify and hold harmless the Indemnified Parties from, against and in respect of any and all Losses incurred by the Indemnified Parties to the extent those Losses arise from or are related to: (i) the Indemnifying Party’s obligations under this Agreement, (ii) the Indemnifying Party’s facilities, or (iii) the Indemnifying Party’s control and possession of the Gas.

 

ARTICLE 12:  TITLE

 

12.1                       Shipper Warranty.  Shipper represents and warrants that it owns, or has the right to dedicate, all of Shipper’s Gas dedicated under this Agreement and to deliver that Gas to the Receipt Points for the purposes of this Agreement, free and clear of all liens, encumbrances and adverse claims.  If the title to Shipper’s Gas delivered by Shipper hereunder is disputed or is involved in any legal action, Gatherer shall have the right to cease receiving the Gas, to the extent of the interest disputed or involved in legal action, during the pendency of the action or until title is freed from the dispute, or until Shipper furnishes, or causes to be furnished, indemnification to save Gatherer harmless from all Losses arising out of the dispute or action, with surety acceptable to Gatherer.  Shipper hereby indemnifies Gatherer against and holds Gatherer harmless from any and all Losses arising out of or related to any breach of the foregoing representation and warranty.

 

12.2                       Title.  Title to all of Shipper’s Gas shall remain with and in Shipper at all times; provided, however, title to water removed in Gatherer’s dehydration facilities shall pass from Shipper to Gatherer immediately downstream of the point of recovery.  Title to Fuel and L&U transferred to Gatherer in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Agreement, including all Condensate condensed and collected in the Gathering System and any water condensed in the Gathering System, shall vest in Gatherer immediately downstream of the applicable Receipt Points.

 

*** Certain information in this document has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

26

 

ARTICLE 13:  ROYALTY AND TAXES

 

13.1                       Proceeds of Production.  Shipper shall have the sole and exclusive obligation and liability for the payment of all Persons due any proceeds derived from Shipper’s Gas delivered under this Agreement, including royalties, overriding royalties, and similar interests, in accordance with the provisions of the leases or agreements creating those rights to proceeds.  In no event will Gatherer have any obligation to those Persons due any of those proceeds of production attributable to Shipper’s Gas under this Agreement.

 

13.2                       Taxes.  Shipper shall pay and be responsible for all Taxes levied against or with respect to Shipper’s Gas delivered or services provided under this Agreement.  Gatherer shall not become liable for those Taxes, unless designated to remit those Taxes on behalf of Shipper by any duly constituted jurisdictional agency having authority to impose such obligations on Gatherer, in which event the amount of those Taxes remitted on Shipper’s behalf shall (i) be reimbursed by Shipper upon receipt of invoice, with corresponding documentation from Gatherer setting forth such payments, or (ii) deducted from amounts otherwise due Shipper under this Agreement.

 

13.3                       Indemnification.  Shipper hereby agrees to defend and indemnify and hold Gatherer harmless from and against any and all Losses, arising from the payments made by Shipper in accordance with Articles 13.1 and 13.2, above, including, without limitation, Losses arising from claims for the nonpayment, mispayment, or wrongful calculation of those payments.

 

ARTICLE 14:  DISPUTE RESOLUTION

 

14.1                       Negotiation.  Prior to submitting any dispute for resolution by a court, a Party shall provide written notice to the other of the occurrence of such dispute.  If the Parties have failed to resolve the dispute within fifteen (15) Business Days after such notice was given, the Parties shall seek to resolve the dispute by negotiation between the Parties.  The Parties shall endeavor to meet and attempt to amicably resolve the dispute.  If the Parties are unable to resolve the dispute for any reason within thirty (30) Business Days after the original notice of dispute was given, then either Party shall be entitled to pursue any remedies available at law or in equity; provided, however, the foregoing shall not prevent a Party from seeking any relief or pursuing any remedies in order to prevent irreparable harm or in order to comply with any statute or period of limitations.

 

14.2                       Jurisdiction and Venue.  The Parties hereby irrevocably consent to the exclusive jurisdiction of the federal courts situated in the State of Colorado; provided, however, in the event that such federal courts do not have jurisdiction over the dispute in question, then the Parties hereby irrevocably consent to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state courts situated in the State of Colorado with respect to such dispute.  The Parties hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waive, to the fullest extent they may legally and

 

*** Certain information in this document has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

27

 

effectively do so, any objection which they may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby in the Colorado federal or state courts.

 

14.3                       Waiver of Jury Trial.  The Parties hereby waive all rights to a trial by jury for disputes arising from or under this Agreement.

 

14.4                       Technical Expert Procedure.

 

(a)           Notwithstanding the provisions of Articles 14.1 through 14.3 above, in the event the Parties are required to refer a matter to a Technical Expert under this Agreement, either Party shall provide written notice to the other Party of its intent to invoke the provisions of this Article 14.4.  The selection of such Technical Expert shall be made from the list of technical experts set forth in Attachment 14.4 hereto (as such list may be supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time pursuant to subsections (f) and (g) below).  Each candidate technical expert included on the list set forth in Attachment 14.4 shall be (x) nationally recognized as having expertise in the engineering, design and operation of natural gas gathering systems and in the development of cost estimates for natural gas gathering system construction or expansion, (y) not an Affiliate of either Party, and (z) either (i) not currently employed by either Party or (ii) currently employed by both Parties to provide design, engineering or construction oversight services in respect of the Gathering System or any other natural gas gathering systems owned or operated by either Party.  In selecting the Technical Expert to resolve a specific dispute, each Party (starting with Gatherer for the first dispute and alternating between Gatherer and Shipper for each dispute thereafter) shall alternate in deleting one name from the list of technical expert candidates until only one such technical expert shall remain, which remaining technical expert shall be the Technical Expert with regard to that dispute.  The Technical Expert shall be designated from such list not later than the third (3rd) Business Day following the date of the notice described above and such designation shall become effective as of the end of such Business Day.

 

(b)           Within five (5) Business Days of the effectiveness of the designation of the Technical Expert, Shipper and Gatherer each shall submit to the Technical Expert a confidential notice (a “Position Notice”) setting forth in detail such Party’s position concerning a dispute subject to the provisions of this Article 14.4.  Immediately upon its receipt of each Party’s Position Notice, the Technical Expert shall evaluate and analyze the dispute,  taking into account the information and positions set forth in the Parties’ Position Notices, as well as the standards set forth in the relevant sections of the Agreement with respect to such matter.   The Technical Expert shall only have the authority to select the position of either Shipper or Gatherer as set forth in their respective Position Notices and may not select or reach any other position or result.

 

*** Certain information in this document has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

28

 

(c)           The Technical Expert shall complete its evaluation and analysis and issue its written decision with regard to the issues in dispute as promptly as reasonably possible but, in any event, within ten (10) Business Days of the date on which the last Position Notice is submitted, unless the Technical Expert reasonably determines that additional time is required in order to give adequate consideration to the issues raised.  In such case, the Technical Expert shall state in writing his or her reasons for believing that additional time is needed and shall specify the additional time period required, which period shall not exceed ten (10) Business Days without both Parties’ agreement.

 

(d)           The resolution reached by the Technical Expert shall be binding upon the Parties and non-appealable.  Gatherer and Shipper shall each bear one-half of all costs reasonably incurred by the Technical Expert in connection with its resolution of a dispute under this Article 14.4.

 

(e)           If the Technical Expert fails to resolve the dispute within the time periods specified in Article 14.4(c) above, the Parties shall first seek to resolve the dispute in accordance with the procedure described in Article 14.1.  If the Parties are not able to resolve the dispute in this manner within the time period specified in Article 14.1, then either Party shall be entitled to pursue any remedies available at law or equity; provided, however, that the foregoing shall not prevent a Party from seeking any relief or pursing any remedies in order to prevent irreparable harm or in order to comply with any statute or period of limitations.

 

(f)            The initial list of technical experts referred to in subparagraph (a) above shall agreed by the Parties upon execution of this Agreement and set forth as Attachment 14.4.  A Party may at any time remove a particular technical expert from the list by obtaining the other Party’s consent to such removal; however, neither Party may remove a name or names from the list if such removal would leave the list without at least three (3) names after giving effect to any concurrent addition of names pursuant to subparagraph (g) below.

 

(g)           By not later than January 30 of each year, each of Shipper and Gatherer shall review the then-current list set forth in Attachment 14.4 and give notice to the other Party of any proposed additions to, and any intended deletions from, the list.  Intended deletions shall automatically become effective thirty (30) Days after notice is received by the other Party unless written objection is made by the other Party within such thirty (30) Days and provided that such deletions do not leave the list without at least three (3) names after giving effect to any concurrent addition of names pursuant to this paragraph (g).  Proposed additions to the list shall automatically become effective thirty (30) Days after notice is received by the other Party unless written objection is made by such other Party within thirty (30) Days.

 

*** Certain information in this document has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

29

 

By mutual agreement of the Parties, a new name or names may be added to the list set forth in Attachment 14.4 at any time.

 

ARTICLE 15:  CREDIT ASSURANCE

 

15.1                       Assurance of Performance.  In the event either Party (the “Claiming Party”), in the exercise of reasonable judgment, has reasonable grounds for insecurity regarding the payment or performance of any obligation under this Agreement and determines the other Party’s credit to be unsatisfactory in the Claiming Party’s reasonable opinion based on analysis of the financial information of Shipper or Gatherer, or of an entity that guarantees Shipper’s or Gatherer’s obligations under this Agreement (“Guarantor”), then the following shall apply.  For clarification, lack of a credit rating from Shipper or its Guarantor, alone, does not constitute unsatisfactory creditworthiness.  At any time during the term of this Agreement, the Claiming Party may demand, in writing, “Adequate Assurance of Performance” which shall mean [***] months of anticipated fees and/or charges that are provided for under this Agreement and Capital Payout Commitment amounts when Gatherer is the Claiming Party, or (ii) [***] months of anticipated operating expenses and Approved New Capital Project and new Receipt Point capital expenses when Shipper is the Claiming Party.  The non-Claiming Party at its option may provide one of the following forms of security:

 

(a)           Post an irrevocable standby letter of credit in a form and from a bank satisfactory to the Claiming Party; or,

 

(b)           Provide a cash prepayment or a cash collateral deposit; or,

 

(c)           A guaranty in the form and from an entity acceptable to the Claiming Party, acting reasonably.

 

Should the non-Claiming Party fail to provide Adequate Assurance of Performance within twelve (12) Business Days after receipt of written demand for such assurance, then Claiming Party shall have the right to suspend performance under this Agreement until such time as non-Claiming Party furnishes Adequate Assurance of Performance. If the non-Claiming Party fails to provide Adequate Assurance of Performance for an additional ten (10) Business Days after the suspension of performance under this Agreement, then the Claiming Party may terminate this Agreement, in addition to having any and all other remedies available hereunder and at law.  If at any time, in the Claiming Party’s reasonable opinion, Shipper, Gatherer, or either Shipper or Gatherer’s Guarantor, as applicable, becomes creditworthy after providing Adequate Assurance of Performance pursuant to this Article 15.1, then any security provided shall be returned by the Claiming Party no later than five (5) Business Days after receipt of written notice by the non-Claiming Party.

 

15.2       Default, Insolvency or Bankruptcy. Neither Party will be required to perform or continue to perform service hereunder if there is an Event of Default by the

 

*** Certain information in this document has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

30

 

other Party.  In addition to the rights and remedies described in Article 15.1, an event of default shall be deemed to occur when (collectively, an “Event of Default”): (i) the other Party or its Guarantor has voluntarily filed for bankruptcy protection under any chapter of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code; (ii) a Party or its Guarantor is the subject of an involuntary petition of bankruptcy under any chapter of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code, and such involuntary petition has not been settled or otherwise dismissed within ninety (90) Days of such filing; (iii) a Party or its Guarantor otherwise becomes insolvent, whether by an inability to meet its debts as they come due in the ordinary course of business or because its liabilities exceed its assets on a balance sheet test, and/or however such insolvency may otherwise be evidenced; or (iv) a secured party takes possession of all or substantially all of a Party’s or its Guarantor’s assets other than as provided in Article 16.4(c) of the General Terms and Conditions.  Upon and during the continuance of an Event of Default with respect to a Party (the Party defaulting hereinafter the “Defaulting Party”), the other Party (the “Non-Defaulting Party”) may, in addition to any other remedies available hereunder or at law, without defaulting in its own obligations under the Agreement or releasing the Defaulting Party from its obligations thereunder: (x) suspend all of the Non-Defaulting Party’s obligations under this Agreement; (y) apply the proceeds from or otherwise collect any Adequate Assurance of Performance provided by the Defaulting Party; and/or (z) terminate this Agreement without limiting the rights and obligations of the Parties accruing prior to the date of termination.  Such suspension or termination shall be without limitation to the Non-Defaulting Party’s right to claim damages or to avail itself of any other remedies.

 

15.3                       Insurance.  Gatherer shall maintain (and, if Shipper elects to construct any Receipt Points or Additional Services Facilities as provided herein, Shipper shall maintain) valid and effective insurance policies covering all material risk and properties of its business in such type and amount as are (a) consistent with the customary practices and standards of companies engaged in businesses and operations similar thereto and (b) sufficient in all material respects for all requirements of applicable law.

 

ARTICLE 16:  MISCELLANEOUS

 

16.1                       Rights.  The failure of any Party hereto to exercise any right granted hereunder shall neither impair nor be deemed a waiver of that Party’s privilege of exercising that right at any subsequent time or times.

 

16.2                       Applicable Laws.  This Agreement is subject to all valid present and future laws, regulations, rules and orders of governmental authorities now or hereafter having jurisdiction over the Parties, this Agreement, or the services performed or the Facilities utilized under this Agreement.

 

16.3                       Governing Law.  This Agreement shall be governed by, construed, and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Colorado without regard to choice of law principles.

 

*** Certain information in this document has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

31

 

16.4                       Successors and Assigns.

 

(a)           This Agreement shall extend to and inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Parties and their respective successors and assigns, including any assigns of Shipper’s Interests within the AMI covered by this Agreement.  Except as set forth in Article 16.4(b), neither Party may assign its respective rights and/or obligations (in whole or in part) under this Agreement without the other Party’s prior written consent (which such consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed); provided, however, that this Article 16.4(a) shall not prohibit or restrict the granting by Gatherer of a Lien on its rights and obligations under this Agreement.

 

(b)           Notwithstanding the foregoing clause (a):

 

(i) Gatherer shall be entitled to assign this Agreement without the consent of Shipper if such assignment is made to a Person that assumes in writing all of Gatherer’s obligations hereunder and is (A) an Affiliate, (B) a Person formed for the purposes of an initial public offering of the securities of such Person and to which Buyer and/or its Affiliates contribute Gatherer and/or its assets (including the Facilities) and which (1) hires (or retains, as applicable) operating personnel who are then operating the Facilities (or has similarly experienced operating personnel itself) or (2) contracts for the operation of the Facilities with another Person that satisfies the foregoing condition (1) (a “New Public Company”) or (C) a Person who (1) hires (or retains, as applicable) operating personnel who are then operating the Facilities (or has similarly experienced operating personnel itself), (2) has operated for at least [***] years prior to such assignment facilities similar to the Facilities in excess of $[***] in total assets, or (3) contracts for the operation of the Facilities with another Person that satisfies either of the foregoing conditions (1) or (2); and

 

(ii) Shipper shall be entitled to assign this Agreement without the consent of Gatherer to a Person that (A) assumes in writing all of Shipper’s obligations hereunder, (B) has a current Investment Grade Rating or that provides a guaranty, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to Gatherer, with respect to such Person’s obligations hereunder from a Person with a current Investment Grade Rating, and (C) to which Shipper transfers the Interests covered by the AMI.

 

(c)           Gatherer shall be permitted to grant a Lien on its rights and obligations under this Agreement to one or more financial institutions and/or their agents or trustees (the “Financing Parties”), and in connection with the granting of such a Lien, the Shipper agrees to enter into a consent in favor of the Financing Parties (i) pursuant to which the Shipper (A) consents to the granting of such Lien to the Financing Parties, (B) agrees to provide the Financing Parties with a reasonable right to cure any defaults or events of default of Gatherer under this Agreement, (C) upon the agreement of the Financing Parties (or their assignee or designee) to be bound by the terms and conditions of

 

*** Certain information in this document has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

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this Agreement, agrees that the Financing Parties (or such assignee or designee) can be substituted for Gatherer under this Agreement upon an exercise of remedies by the Financing Parties against Gatherer, and (D) agrees to enter into a replacement agreement with the Financing Parties (or their assignee or designee) on the same terms and conditions of this Agreement (with only ministerial changes) if Gatherer rejects this Agreement, or this Agreement is otherwise terminated, in a bankruptcy or similar proceeding affecting Gatherer, and the Financing Parties (or their assignee or designee) become the owner of the Facilities and (ii) that otherwise contains customary terms, provisions and agreements that are reasonably acceptable to Shipper.

 

16.5                       Severability.  Should any part of this Agreement be found to be unenforceable or be required to be modified by a court or governmental authority, then only that part of this Agreement shall be affected.  The remainder of this Agreement shall remain in force and unmodified.

 

16.6                       Waiver.  A waiver by either Party of any one or more defaults by the other party shall not operate as a waiver of any future defaults, whether of a like or different character.

 

16.7                       Confidentiality.  The Parties agree to keep the terms of this Agreement, as well as any information shared between the Parties under Sections 1.6, 4.2 and 6.1 of this Agreement, confidential and not disclose the same to any other persons, firms or entities without the prior written consent of the other Party; provided, the foregoing shall not apply to (i) disclosures compelled by law, securities exchange or court order or (ii) disclosures to a Party’s (or its Affiliate’s) direct or indirect owners and its and their respective financial advisors, lenders (or prospective lenders), consultants, attorneys, banks, institutional investors and prospective direct or indirect purchasers of such Party or its property, provided those persons, firms or entities likewise agree (or are otherwise bound) to keep this Agreement confidential or (iii) owners of an Interest within the AMI whose Gas is sold by Shipper only for the purpose of determining the costs attributable to such owners’ Interest or shared by any royalty owners burdening any working interests owner’s share of Gas provided those persons, firms or entities likewise agree to keep this Agreement confidential.

 

16.8                       Published Indices.  In the event any published price index referred to in this Agreement ceases to be published, the Parties shall mutually agree to an alternative published price index representative of the published price index referred to in this Agreement.

 

16.9                       Amendments.  Any amendment, change, modification or alteration of this Agreement shall be in writing, signed by the Parties.

 

16.10                     Entire Agreement.  This Agreement, including all exhibits and appendices, contains the entire agreement between the Parties with respect to the subject

 

*** Certain information in this document has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

33

 

matter hereof, and there are no oral or other promises, agreements, warranties, obligations, assurances, or conditions precedent, affecting it.

 

16.11                     Waiver of Consequential Damages. NOTWITHSTANDING ANYTHING IN THIS AGREEMENT TO THE CONTRARY, NEITHER PARTY SHALL BE LIABLE TO THE OTHER PARTY FOR SPECIAL, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR EXEMPLARY DAMAGES SUFFERED BY SUCH PARTY RESULTING FROM OR ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT OR THE BREACH THEREOF OR UNDER ANY OTHER THEORY OF LIABILITY, WHETHER TORT, NEGLIGENCE, STRICT LIABILITY, BREACH OF CONTRACT, WARRANTY, INDEMNITY OR OTHERWISE, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, LOSS OF USE, INCREASED COST OF OPERATIONS, LOSS OF PROFIT OR REVENUE, OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTIONS.  IN FURTHERANCE OF THE FOREGOING, EACH PARTY RELEASES THE OTHER PARTY AND WAIVES ANY RIGHT OF RECOVERY FOR SPECIAL, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR EXEMPLARY DAMAGES SUFFERED BY SUCH PARTY REGARDLESS OF WHETHER ANY SUCH DAMAGES ARE CAUSED BY THE OTHER PARTY’S NEGLIGENCE (AND REGARDLESS OF WHETHER SUCH NEGLIGENCE IS SOLE, JOINT, CONCURRENT, ACTIVE, PASSIVE OR GROSS NEGLIGENCE), FAULT, OR LIABILITY WITHOUT FAULT; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THE FOREGOING SHALL NOT BE CONSTRUED AS LIMITING AN OBLIGATION OF A PARTY HEREUNDER TO INDEMNIFY, DEFEND AND HOLD HARMLESS THE OTHER PARTY AGAINST CLAIMS ASSERTED BY UNAFFILIATED THIRD PARTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THIRD PARTY CLAIMS FOR SPECIAL, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR EXEMPLARY DAMAGES.

 

END OF GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS

 

*** Certain information in this document has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

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