Document:

EX-10.1

 Exhibit 10.1 

EXECUTION VERSION 

REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT 

This REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT dated December 27, 2017 (this “Agreement”) is entered into by and among Whiting
Petroleum Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), Whiting Oil and Gas Corporation, a Delaware corporation (“WOGC”), Whiting US Holding Company, a Delaware corporation (“Whiting US”),
Whiting Canadian Holding Company ULC, a British Columbia unlimited liability company (“Whiting Canadian”), Whiting Resources Corporation, a Colorado corporation (together with WOGC, Whiting US and Whiting Canadian, the
“Initial Guarantors”), and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC (“J.P. Morgan”), for itself and as representative of the several initial purchasers listed in Schedule A to the Purchase Agreement (as defined below)
(collectively, the “Initial Purchasers”). The Company and the Guarantors are hereinafter referred to collectively as the “Whiting Parties.” 

The Whiting Parties and the Initial Purchasers are parties to the Purchase Agreement dated December 12, 2017 (the “Purchase
Agreement”), which provides for the sale by the Company to the Initial Purchasers of $1,000,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 6.625% Senior Notes due 2026 (the “Securities”), which will be guaranteed
on an unsecured senior basis by each of the Guarantors. As an inducement to the Initial Purchasers to enter into the Purchase Agreement, the Whiting Parties have agreed to provide to the Initial Purchasers and their direct and indirect transferees
the registration rights set forth in this Agreement. The execution and delivery of this Agreement is a condition to the closing under the Purchase Agreement. 

In consideration of the foregoing, the parties hereto agree as follows: 

1. Definitions. As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings: 

“Additional Guarantor” shall mean any subsidiary of the Company that executes a Subsidiary Guarantee under the Indenture after
the date of this Agreement. 
 “Business Day” shall mean any day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which
commercial banks in New York City are authorized or required by law to remain closed. 
 “Company” shall have the meaning
set forth in the preamble and shall also include the Company’s successors. 
 “DTC” shall mean the Depository Trust
Company. 
 “Exchange Act” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time. 

“Exchange Dates” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2(a)(ii) hereof. 

“Exchange Offer” shall mean the exchange offer by the Whiting Parties of Exchange Securities for Registrable Securities
pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof. 

 “Exchange Offer Registration” shall mean a registration under the Securities Act
effected pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof. 
 “Exchange Offer Registration Statement” shall mean an exchange offer
registration statement on Form S-4 (or, if applicable, on another appropriate form) and all amendments and supplements to such registration statement, in each case including the Prospectus contained therein or
deemed a part thereof, all exhibits thereto and any document incorporated by reference therein. 
 “Exchange Securities”
shall mean the senior unsecured notes issued by the Company and guaranteed by the Guarantors under the Indenture containing terms identical to the Securities (except that the Exchange Securities will not be subject to restrictions on transfer or to
any increase in annual interest rate for failure to comply with this Agreement) and to be offered to Holders of Securities in exchange for Securities pursuant to the Exchange Offer. 

“FINRA” means the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. 

“Free Writing Prospectus” means each free writing prospectus (as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act) prepared by or
on behalf of the Company or used or referred to by the Company in connection with the sale of the Securities or the Exchange Securities. 

“Guarantors” shall mean the Initial Guarantors and any Additional Guarantors and their respective successors. 

“Holders” shall mean the Initial Purchasers, for so long as they own any Registrable Securities, and each of their
successors, assigns and direct and indirect transferees who become owners of Registrable Securities under the Indenture; provided that, for purposes of Section 4 and Section 5 of this Agreement, the term “Holders” shall include
Participating Broker-Dealers. 
 “Indemnified Person” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5(c) hereof. 

“Indemnifying Person” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5(c) hereof. 

“Indenture” shall mean the Senior Indenture, dated as of September 13, 2013, among the Company, the guarantors named
therein and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee, as amended and supplemented by the Fifth Supplemental Indenture relating to the Securities, dated as of December 27, 2017, among the Company, the Guarantors and The Bank
of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee, as amended or supplemented from time to time. 
 “Initial Guarantors”
shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble. 
 “Initial Purchasers” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble.

 “Inspector” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3(a)(xiii) hereof. 

“Issue Date” shall mean December 27, 2017. 

  
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 “Issuer Information” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5(a)
hereof. 
 “J.P. Morgan” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble. 

“Majority Holders” shall mean the Holders of a majority of the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Registrable
Securities; provided that whenever the consent or approval of Holders of a specified percentage of Registrable Securities is required hereunder, any Registrable Securities owned directly or indirectly by the Company or any of its
“affiliates” (as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act) shall not be counted in determining whether such consent or approval was given by the Holders of such required percentage or amount; and provided, further, that if the
Company shall issue any additional Securities under the Indenture prior to consummation of the Exchange Offer or, if applicable, the effectiveness of any Shelf Registration Statement, such additional Securities and the Registrable Securities to
which this Agreement relates shall be treated together as one class for purposes of determining whether the consent or approval of Holders of a specified percentage of Registrable Securities has been obtained. 

“Notice and Questionnaire” shall mean a notice of registration statement and selling security holder questionnaire
distributed to a Holder by the Company upon receipt of a Shelf Request from such Holder. 
 “Participating Broker-Dealers”
shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4(a) hereof. 
 “Person” shall mean an individual, partnership, limited
liability company, corporation, trust or unincorporated organization, or a government or agency or political subdivision thereof. 

“Prospectus” shall mean the prospectus included in, or, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities Act, deemed a
part of, a Registration Statement, including any preliminary prospectus, and any such prospectus as amended or supplemented by any prospectus supplement, including a prospectus supplement with respect to the terms of the offering of any portion of
the Registrable Securities covered by a Shelf Registration Statement, and by all other amendments and supplements to such prospectus, and in each case including any document incorporated by reference therein. 

“Purchase Agreement” shall have the meaning set forth in the recital. 

“Registrable Securities” shall mean the Securities; provided that the Securities shall cease to be Registrable Securities on
the earliest of (i) when a Registration Statement with respect to such Securities has been declared effective by the SEC and such Securities have been exchanged or disposed of pursuant to such Registration Statement, (ii) if an Exchange
Offer is completed, on or after the Exchange Date with respect to the Holders that are eligible to participate in the Exchange Offer but fail to tender such Securities in the Exchange Offer, or (iii) when such Securities cease to be
outstanding. 
 “Registration Expenses” shall mean any and all expenses incident to performance of or compliance by the
Whiting Parties with this Agreement, including without limitation: (i) all SEC, stock exchange or FINRA registration and filing fees, (ii) all fees and expenses incurred in connection with compliance with state securities or blue sky laws
(including reasonable fees and 

  
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disbursements of one counsel for any Underwriters or Holders in connection with blue sky qualification of any Exchange Securities or Registrable Securities), (iii) all expenses of any Persons
approved by the Company in preparing or assisting in preparing, word processing, printing and distributing any Registration Statement, any Prospectus, any Free Writing Prospectus and any amendments or supplements thereto, any underwriting
agreements, securities sales agreements or other similar agreements and any other documents relating to the performance of and compliance with this Agreement, (iv) all rating agency fees, (v) all fees and disbursements relating to the
qualification of the Indenture under applicable securities laws, including the Trust Indenture Act, (vi) the fees and disbursements of the Trustee and its counsel, (vii) the fees and disbursements of counsel for the Whiting Parties and, in
the case of a Shelf Registration Statement, the reasonable fees and disbursements of one counsel for the Holders (which counsel shall be selected by the Majority Holders and which counsel may also be counsel for the Initial Purchasers) and
(viii) the fees and disbursements of the independent public accountants of the Whiting Parties, including the expenses of any special audits or “comfort” letters required by or incident to the performance of and compliance with this
Agreement, but excluding fees and expenses of counsel to the Initial Purchasers and any Underwriters (other than fees and expenses set forth in clause (ii) above) or the Holders and underwriting discounts and commissions, brokerage commissions
and transfer taxes, if any, relating to the sale or disposition of Registrable Securities by a Holder. 
 “Registration
Statement” shall mean any registration statement filed under the Securities Act of the Whiting Parties that covers any of the Exchange Securities or Registrable Securities pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement and all amendments and
supplements to any such registration statement, including post-effective amendments, in each case including the Prospectus contained therein or deemed a part thereof, all exhibits thereto and any document incorporated by reference therein. 

“SEC” shall mean the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. 

“Securities” shall have the meaning set forth in the recital. 

“Securities Act” shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time to time. 

“Shelf Effectiveness Period” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2(b) hereof. 

“Shelf Registration” shall mean a registration effected pursuant to Section 2(b) hereof. 

“Shelf Registration Statement” shall mean a “shelf” registration statement of the Whiting Parties that covers all
or a portion of the Registrable Securities (but no other securities unless approved by the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Registrable Securities to be covered by such Shelf Registration Statement) on an appropriate form
under Rule 415 under the Securities Act, or any similar rule that may be adopted by the SEC, and all amendments and supplements to such registration statement, including post-effective amendments, in each case including the Prospectus contained
therein or deemed a part thereof, all exhibits thereto and any document incorporated by reference therein. 
 “Shelf
Request” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2(b) hereof. 

  
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 “Subsidiary Guarantee” shall mean the guarantee of the Securities and guarantees
of the Exchange Securities by the Guarantors under the Indenture. 
 “Staff” shall mean the staff of the SEC. 

“Target Registration Date” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2(d) hereof. 

“Trust Indenture Act” shall mean the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended from time to time. 

“Trustee” shall mean the trustee with respect to the Securities under the Indenture. 

“Underwriter” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3(e) hereof. 

“Underwritten Offering” shall mean an offering in which Registrable Securities are sold to an Underwriter for reoffering to
the public. 
 “WOGC” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble. 

“Whiting Canadian” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble. 

“Whiting Parties” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble. 

“Whiting US” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble. 

2. Registration Under the Securities Act. (a) To the extent not prohibited by any applicable law or applicable interpretations of
the Staff, the Whiting Parties shall use their reasonable best efforts to (i) cause to be filed an Exchange Offer Registration Statement covering an offer to the Holders to exchange all the Registrable Securities for Exchange Securities,
(ii) cause such Exchange Offer Registration Statement be declared effective by the SEC on or prior to the 365th day following the Issue Date and (iii) have such Registration Statement
remain effective until the earlier of (1) 180 days after the last Exchange Date for use by one or more Participating Broker-Dealers or (2) such time as no Participating Broker-Dealer that receives Exchange Securities in exchange for Securities
in the Exchange Offer holds any such Exchange Securities. The Whiting Parties shall commence the Exchange Offer promptly after the Exchange Offer Registration Statement is declared effective by the SEC and use their reasonable best efforts to
complete the Exchange Offer not later than 60 days after such effective date. 
 The Whiting Parties shall commence the Exchange Offer by
mailing the related Prospectus, appropriate letters of transmittal and other accompanying documents to each Holder stating, in addition to such other disclosures as are required by applicable law, substantially the following: 

 

	 	(i)	that the Exchange Offer is being made pursuant to this Agreement and that all Registrable Securities validly tendered and not properly withdrawn will be accepted for exchange; 

  
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	 	(ii)	the dates of acceptance for exchange (which shall be a period of at least 20 Business Days from the date such notice is mailed (or longer if required by applicable law)) (the “Exchange Dates”);

  

	 	(iii)	that any Registrable Security not tendered will remain outstanding and continue to accrue interest but will not retain any rights under this Agreement, except as otherwise specified herein; 

 

	 	(iv)	that any Holder electing to have a Registrable Security exchanged pursuant to the Exchange Offer will be required to (x) in the case of a Holder electing to exchange a Registrable Security in global form, to comply
with the applicable procedures of DTC for book-entry tenders, and, (y) in the case of a Holder electing to exchange a Registrable Security in certificated form, to surrender such Registrable Security, together with the appropriate letters of
transmittal, to the institution and at the address and in the manner specified in the notice, prior to the close of business on the last Exchange Date; and 

  

	 	(v)	that any Holder will be entitled to withdraw its election, not later than the close of business on the last Exchange Date, by (x) in the case of a Holder withdrawing its election to exchange a Registrable Security
in global form, complying with the applicable procedures of DTC for withdrawal of tenders, and, (y) in the case of a Holder withdrawing its election to exchange a Registrable Security in certificated form, sending to the institution and at the
address specified in the notice, a telegram, telex, facsimile transmission or letter setting forth the name of such Holder, the principal amount of Registrable Securities delivered for exchange and a statement that such Holder is withdrawing its
election to have such Registrable Securities exchanged. 

 As a condition to participating in the Exchange Offer, a Holder
will be required to represent to the Whiting Parties that (i) any Exchange Securities to be received by it will be acquired in the ordinary course of its business, (ii) at the time of the commencement of the Exchange Offer it has no
arrangement or understanding with any Person to participate in the distribution (within the meaning of the Securities Act) of the Exchange Securities in violation of the provisions of the Securities Act, (iii) it is not an “affiliate”
(within the meaning of Rule 405 under the Securities Act) of any of the Whiting Parties and (iv) if such Holder is a broker-dealer that will receive Exchange Securities for its own account in exchange for Registrable Securities that were
acquired as a result of market-making or other trading activities, then such Holder will deliver a Prospectus (or, to the extent permitted by law, make available a Prospectus to purchasers) in connection with any resale of such Exchange Securities.

 As soon as practicable after the last Exchange Date, the Whiting Parties shall: 

 

	 	(i)	accept for exchange Registrable Securities or portions thereof validly tendered and not properly withdrawn pursuant to the Exchange Offer; and 

 

	 	(ii)	deliver, or cause to be delivered, to the Trustee for cancellation all Registrable Securities or portions thereof so accepted for exchange by the Company and issue, and cause the Trustee to promptly authenticate and
deliver to each Holder, Exchange Securities equal in principal amount to the principal amount of the Registrable Securities surrendered by such Holder. 

  
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 The Whiting Parties shall use their reasonable best efforts to complete the Exchange Offer as
provided above and shall comply with the applicable requirements of the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, the Trust Indenture Act and other applicable laws and regulations in connection with the Exchange Offer. Subject to the Section 3(a)(xix),
the Exchange Offer shall not be subject to any conditions, other than that the Exchange Offer does not violate any applicable law or applicable interpretations of the Staff. 

(b) In the event that (i) the Whiting Parties determine that the Exchange Offer Registration provided for in Section 2(a) above is
not available or the Exchange Offer may not be completed as soon as practicable after the last Exchange Date because it would violate any applicable law or applicable interpretations of the Staff, (ii) the Exchange Offer is not for any other
reason completed on or prior to the 365th day following the Issue Date, or (iii) any Initial Purchaser shall make a written request representing that such Initial Purchaser holds Registrable
Securities that are or were ineligible to be exchanged in the Exchange Offer (a “Shelf Request”) (which Shelf Request must be made to the Whiting Parties on or before the 385th
day following the date of this Agreement), the Whiting Parties shall use their commercially reasonable efforts to cause to be filed as soon as practicable after such determination, date or Shelf Request, as the case may be, a Shelf Registration
Statement providing for the sale of all the Registrable Securities by the Holders thereof and to cause such Shelf Registration Statement to be declared effective by the SEC; provided that no Holder will be entitled to have any Registrable Securities
included in any Shelf Registration Statement, or entitled to use the prospectus forming a part of such Shelf Registration Statement, until such Holder shall have delivered a completed and signed Notice and Questionnaire and provided such other
information regarding such Holder to the Company as is contemplated by Section 3(a)(xvii). 
 In the event that the Whiting Parties are
required to file a Shelf Registration Statement pursuant to clause (iii) of the preceding sentence, the Whiting Parties shall use their commercially reasonable efforts to file and have declared effective by the SEC both an Exchange Offer
Registration Statement pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof with respect to all Registrable Securities and a Shelf Registration Statement (which may be a combined Registration Statement with the Exchange Offer Registration Statement) with respect to
offers and sales of Registrable Securities held by the Initial Purchasers after completion of the Exchange Offer. 
 The Whiting Parties
agree to use their commercially reasonable efforts to keep the Shelf Registration Statement continuously effective for one year or such shorter period that will terminate when all the Registrable Securities covered by the Shelf Registration
Statement have been sold pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement (the “Shelf Effectiveness Period”). The Whiting Parties further agree to supplement or amend the Shelf Registration Statement, the related Prospectus and any Free
Writing Prospectus if required by the rules, regulations or instructions applicable to the registration form used by the Whiting Parties for such Shelf Registration Statement or by the Securities Act or by any other rules and regulations thereunder
for shelf registration or if reasonably requested by a Holder of Registrable Securities with respect to information relating to such Holder, and to use their commercially reasonable efforts to cause 

  
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any such amendment to be declared effective, if required, and such Shelf Registration Statement, Prospectus or Free Writing Prospectus, as the case may be, to become usable as soon as thereafter
practicable. The Whiting Parties agree to furnish to the Holders of Registrable Securities copies of any such supplement or amendment promptly after its being used or filed with the SEC. 

(c) The Whiting Parties shall pay all Registration Expenses in connection with any registration pursuant to Section 2(a) or
Section 2(b) hereof. Each Holder shall pay all underwriting discounts and commissions, brokerage commissions and transfer taxes, if any, relating to the sale or disposition of such Holder’s Registrable Securities pursuant to the Shelf
Registration Statement. 
 (d) An Exchange Offer Registration Statement pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof or a Shelf Registration
Statement pursuant to Section 2(b) hereof will not be deemed to have become effective unless it has been declared effective by the SEC or is automatically effective upon filing with the SEC. 

In the event that (i) either the Exchange Offer is not completed or the Shelf Registration Statement, if required pursuant to
Section 2(b)(i) or 2(b)(ii) hereof, is not declared effective on or prior to the 365th day following the Issue Date (the “Target Registration Date”), or (ii) the Company
receives a Shelf Request pursuant to Section 2(b)(iii), and the Shelf Registration Statement required to be filed thereby is not declared effective by the SEC by the later of (x) the
365th day following the Issue Date or (y) 90 days after the delivery of such Shelf Request (such later date, the “Shelf Additional Interest Date”), then the interest rate on the
Registrable Securities will be increased by (A) 0.25% per annum for the first 90-day period immediately following the Target Registration Date or the Shelf Additional Interest Date, as applicable, and
(B) an additional 0.25% per annum with respect to each subsequent 90-day period that liquidated damages continue to accrue, in each case until the Exchange Offer is completed or the Shelf Registration
Statement, if required hereby, is declared effective by the SEC, as applicable, or the Securities no longer qualify as Registrable Securities, up to a maximum of 1.00% per annum of additional interest. 

If the Shelf Registration Statement, if required hereby, has been declared effective by the SEC and thereafter either ceases to be effective
or the Prospectus contained therein ceases to be usable at any time during the Shelf Effectiveness Period, and such failure to remain effective or usable exists for more than 45 days (whether or not consecutive) in any
12-month period, then the interest rate on the Registrable Securities will be increased by (i) 0.25% per annum commencing on the 45th day in such 12-month period and
(ii) an additional 0.25% per annum with respect to each subsequent 90-day period (whether or not consecutive) and ending on such date that the Shelf Registration Statement has again been declared
effective by the SEC or the Prospectus again becomes usable, up to a maximum of 1.00% per annum of additional interest. 
 (e) Any
additional interest paid in accordance with this Section 2 shall be liquidated damages and shall be the sole and exclusive remedy available to Holders due to a failure by the Whiting Parties to comply with their obligations under
Section 2(a) and Section 2(b) hereof. 

  
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 3. Registration Procedures. (a) In connection with their obligations pursuant to
Section 2(a) and Section 2(b) hereof, the Whiting Parties shall as expeditiously as possible: 
 (i) (A) prepare and file with
the SEC a Registration Statement on the appropriate form under the Securities Act, which form (x) shall be selected by the Whiting Parties, (y) shall, in the case of a Shelf Registration, be available for the sale of the Registrable
Securities by the Holders thereof and (z) shall comply as to form in all material respects with the requirements of the applicable form and include all financial statements required by the SEC to be filed therewith; and use their, in the case
of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement reasonable best efforts, and, in the case of a Shelf Registration Statement, commercially reasonable efforts, to cause such applicable Registration Statement to be declared effective by the SEC and remain
effective for the applicable period in accordance with Section 2 hereof; (B) to the extent any Free Writing Prospectus is used, file with the SEC any Free Writing Prospectus that is required to be filed by the Company or the Guarantors
with the SEC in accordance with the Securities Act and to retain any Free Writing Prospectus not required to be filed; 
 (ii) prepare and
file with the SEC such amendments and post-effective amendments to each Registration Statement as may be necessary to keep such Registration Statement effective for the applicable period in accordance with Section 2 hereof and cause each
Prospectus to be supplemented by any required prospectus supplement and, as so supplemented, to be filed pursuant to Rule 424 under the Securities Act; and keep each Prospectus current during the period described in Section 4(3) of and Rule 174
under the Securities Act that is applicable to transactions by brokers or dealers with respect to the Registrable Securities or Exchange Securities; 

(iii) in the case of a Shelf Registration, furnish to each Holder of Registrable Securities, to counsel for the Initial Purchasers, to counsel
for such Holders and to each Underwriter of an Underwritten Offering of Registrable Securities, if any, without charge, as many copies of each Prospectus, preliminary prospectus or Free Writing Prospectus, and any amendment or supplement thereto, as
such Holder, counsel or Underwriter may reasonably request in order to facilitate the sale or other disposition of the Registrable Securities thereunder; and, subject to Section 3(a)(xviii) hereof, the Whiting Parties consent to the use of such
Prospectus, preliminary prospectus or such Free Writing Prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto in accordance with applicable law by each of the Holders of Registrable Securities and any such Underwriters in connection with the offering
and sale of the Registrable Securities covered by and in the manner described in such Prospectus, preliminary prospectus or such Free Writing Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto in accordance with applicable law; 

(iv) in the case of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement, use their reasonable best efforts, and, in the case of a Shelf Registration
Statement, use their commercially reasonable efforts, to register or qualify the Registrable Securities under all applicable state securities or blue sky laws of such jurisdictions in the United States as any Holder of Registrable Securities covered
by the Exchange Offer Registration Statement or Shelf Registration Statement, as applicable, shall reasonably request in writing by the time the applicable Registration Statement is declared effective by the SEC; cooperate with such Holders in
connection with any filings required to be made with FINRA; and do any and all other acts and things that may be reasonably necessary or advisable to enable each Holder to complete the disposition in each such

  
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jurisdiction of the Registrable Securities owned by such Holder; provided that none of the Whiting Parties shall be required to (1) qualify as a foreign corporation or other entity or
as a dealer in securities in any such jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be required to so qualify, (2) file any general consent to service of process in any such jurisdiction or (3) subject itself to taxation in any such
jurisdiction if it is not so subject; 
 (v) notify counsel for the Initial Purchasers and, in the case of a Shelf Registration, notify each
Holder of Registrable Securities and counsel for such Holders promptly and, if requested by any such Holder or counsel, confirm such advice in writing (1) when a Registration Statement has become effective, when any post-effective amendment
thereto has been filed and becomes effective, when any Free Writing Prospectus has been filed and when any amendment or supplement to the Prospectus or any Free Writing Prospectus has been filed, (2) of any request by the SEC or any state
securities authority for amendments and supplements to a Registration Statement, Prospectus or any Free Writing Prospectus or for additional information after the Registration Statement has become effective, (3) of the issuance by the SEC or
any state securities authority of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of a Registration Statement or the initiation of any proceedings for that purpose, including the receipt by the Whiting Parties of any notice of objection of the SEC to
the use of a Shelf Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto pursuant to Rule 401(g)(2) under the Securities Act, (4) if, between the applicable effective date of a Shelf Registration Statement and the closing of any sale
of Registrable Securities covered thereby, the representations and warranties of any of the Whiting Parties contained in any underwriting agreement, securities sales agreement or other similar agreement, if any, relating to an offering of such
Registrable Securities cease to be true and correct in all material respects or if any of the Whiting Parties receives any notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification of the Registrable Securities for sale in any jurisdiction or
the initiation of any proceeding for such purpose, (5) of the happening of any event during the period a Registration Statement is effective that makes such Registration Statement or the related Prospectus or any Free Writing Prospectus contain
an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, or that requires the making of any changes in such
Registration Statement or Prospectus or any Free Writing Prospectus in order to make the statements therein not misleading and (6) of any determination by any of the Whiting Parties that a post-effective amendment to a Registration Statement or
any amendment or supplement to the Prospectus or any Free Writing Prospectus would be appropriate; 
 (vi) in the case of the Exchange Offer
Registration Statement, use their reasonable best efforts, and, in the case of a Shelf Registration Statement, use their commercially reasonable efforts, to obtain the withdrawal of any order suspending the effectiveness of the Exchange Offer
Registration Statement or Shelf Registration Statement, as applicable, or, in the case of a Shelf Registration, the resolution of any objection of the SEC pursuant to Rule 401(g)(2) under the Securities Act, including by filing an amendment to such
Shelf Registration Statement on the proper form, at the earliest practicable moment and provide immediate notice to each Holder of the withdrawal of any such order or such resolution; 

  
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 (vii) in the case of a Shelf Registration, furnish to each Holder of Registrable Securities,
without charge, at least one conformed copy of each Registration Statement and any post-effective amendment thereto (without any documents incorporated therein by reference or exhibits thereto, unless requested); provided, however, that any such
document available on the SEC’s EDGAR database shall satisfy such obligation; 
 (viii) in the case of a Shelf Registration, cooperate
with the Holders of Registrable Securities in certificated form to facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of certificates representing Registrable Securities to be sold and not bearing any restrictive legends and enable such Registrable
Securities to be issued in such denominations and registered in such names (consistent with the provisions of the Indenture) as such Holders may reasonably request at least two Business Days prior to the closing of any sale of Registrable Securities
in certificated form; 
 (ix) upon the occurrence of any event contemplated by Section 3(a)(v)(5) hereof, in the case of the Exchange
Offer Registration Statement, use their reasonable best efforts, and, in the case of a Shelf Registration Statement, use their commercially reasonable efforts, to prepare and file with the SEC a supplement or post-effective amendment to the
applicable Exchange Offer Registration Statement or Shelf Registration Statement or the related Prospectus or any Free Writing Prospectus or any document incorporated therein by reference or file any other required document so that, as thereafter
delivered (or, to the extent permitted by law, made available) to purchasers of the Registrable Securities, such Prospectus or Free Writing Prospectus, as the case may be, will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a
material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; and the Whiting Parties shall notify the Holders (in the case of a Shelf Registration Statement) and the Initial
Purchasers and any Participating Broker-Dealers known to the Company (in the case of an Exchange Offer Registration Statement) to suspend use of the Prospectus or any Free Writing Prospectus as promptly as practicable after the occurrence of such an
event, and such Holders, such Participating Broker-Dealers and the Initial Purchasers, as applicable, hereby agree to suspend use of the Prospectus or any Free Writing Prospectus, as the case may be, until the Whiting Parties have amended or
supplemented the Prospectus or the Free Writing Prospectus, as the case may be, to correct such misstatement or omission; 
 (x) a
reasonable time prior to the filing of any Registration Statement, any Prospectus, any Free Writing Prospectus, any amendment to a Registration Statement or amendment or supplement to a Prospectus or a Free Writing Prospectus or of any document that
is to be incorporated by reference into a Registration Statement, a Prospectus or a Free Writing Prospectus after initial filing of a Registration Statement, provide copies of such document to the Initial Purchasers and their counsel (and, in the
case of a Shelf Registration Statement, to the Holders of Registrable Securities and their counsel) and make such of the representatives of the Whiting Parties as shall be reasonably requested by the Initial Purchasers or their counsel (and, in the
case of a Shelf Registration Statement, the Holders of Registrable Securities or their counsel) available for discussion of such document; and the Whiting Parties shall not, at any time after initial filing of a Registration Statement, use or file
any Prospectus, any Free Writing Prospectus, any amendment of or supplement to a Registration Statement or a Prospectus or a Free Writing Prospectus, or any document that is to be incorporated by reference into a Registration Statement, a Prospectus
or a Free Writing Prospectus, of which the Initial Purchasers and their counsel (and, in the case of a Shelf Registration Statement, the Holders of Registrable Securities and their counsel) shall not have previously been advised and furnished a copy
or to which the Initial Purchasers or their counsel (and, in the case of a Shelf Registration Statement, the Holders of Registrable Securities or their counsel) shall reasonably object; 

  
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 (xi) obtain a CUSIP number for all Exchange Securities or Registrable Securities, as the case may
be, not later than the initial effective date of a Registration Statement; 
 (xii) cause the Indenture to be qualified under the Trust
Indenture Act in connection with the registration of the Exchange Securities or Registrable Securities, as the case may be; cooperate with the Trustee and the Holders to effect such changes to the Indenture as may be required for the Indenture to be
so qualified in accordance with the terms of the Trust Indenture Act; and execute, and use their reasonable best efforts to cause the Trustee to execute, all documents as may be required to effect such changes and all other forms and documents
required to be filed with the SEC to enable the Indenture to be so qualified in a timely manner; 
 (xiii) in the case of a Shelf
Registration, make available for inspection by a representative (an “Inspector”) of the Holders of the Registrable Securities, any Underwriter participating in any disposition pursuant to such Shelf Registration Statement, any
attorneys and accountants designated by a majority of the Holders of Registrable Securities to be included in such Shelf Registration and any attorneys and accountants designated by such Underwriter, at reasonable times and in a reasonable manner,
all pertinent financial and other records, documents and properties of the Whiting Parties and their subsidiaries, and cause the respective officers, directors and employees of the Whiting Parties to supply all information reasonably requested by
any such Inspector, Underwriter, attorney or accountant in connection with a Shelf Registration Statement, in each case as is customary for “due diligence” examinations in the context of underwritten offerings; provided, that the
foregoing inspection on behalf of the Holders shall be conducted by one counsel designated by the Majority Holders, and provided, further, that each such party shall maintain in confidence and not to disclose to any other Person (other than
disclosures to such Person’s affiliates and its and their respective employees who need to know such information in connection with permitted uses thereof) any information or records reasonably designated by the Company as being confidential,
until such time as (A) such information is or has become available to the public (either through its inclusion in such Shelf Registration Statement or through a third party without an accompanying obligation of confidentiality owed by such
Person to the Whiting Parties or otherwise except as a result of a breach of this or any other obligation of confidentiality to the Whiting Parties known to such party), or (B) such Person shall be required so to disclose such information
pursuant to a subpoena or order of any court or other governmental agency or body having jurisdiction over the matter (subject to the requirements of such order, and only after such Person shall have given the Company prompt prior written notice of
such requirement), (C) disclosure is required in connection with any suit, action or proceeding for the purpose of defending itself, reducing its liability or protecting or exercising any of its rights, remedies or interests, or (D) such
information is required to be set forth in such Shelf Registration Statement or the prospectus included therein or in an amendment to such Shelf Registration Statement or an amendment or supplement to such prospectus in order that such Shelf
Registration Statement, prospectus, amendment or supplement, as the case may be, complies with applicable requirements of the federal securities laws and the rules and regulations of the SEC and does not contain an untrue statement of a material
fact or omit to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading in light of the circumstances then existing; 

  
 12 

 (xiv) if reasonably requested by any Holder of Registrable Securities covered by a Shelf
Registration Statement, promptly include in a Prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment such information with respect to such Holder as such Holder reasonably requests to be included therein and make all required filings of such Prospectus
supplement or such post-effective amendment as soon as the Whiting Parties have received notification of the matters to be so included in such filing; 

(xv) in the case of a Shelf Registration, enter into such customary agreements and take all such other commercially reasonable actions in
connection therewith (including those requested by the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Registrable Securities covered by the Shelf Registration Statement) in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of such Registrable
Securities including, but not limited to, an Underwritten Offering and in such connection, (1) to the extent possible, make such representations and warranties to the Holders and any Underwriters of such Registrable Securities with respect to
the business of the Whiting Parties and their subsidiaries and the Registration Statement, Prospectus, any Free Writing Prospectus and documents incorporated by reference or deemed incorporated by reference, if any, in each case, in form, substance
and scope as are customarily made by issuers to underwriters in underwritten offerings and confirm the same if and when requested, (2) obtain opinions of counsel to the Whiting Parties (which counsel and opinions, in form, scope and substance,
shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Holders and such Underwriters and their respective counsel) addressed to each selling Holder (to the extent such Holder has advised the Company that such Holder may have a “due diligence” defense
under Section 11 of the Securities Act) and Underwriter of Registrable Securities, covering the matters customarily covered in opinions requested in underwritten offerings, (3) obtain “comfort” letters from the independent
registered public accounting firm of the Whiting Parties (and, if necessary, any other certified public accountant of any subsidiary of the Whiting Parties, or of any business acquired by the Whiting Parties for which financial statements and
financial data are or are required to be included in the Registration Statement) addressed to each selling Holder (to the extent permitted by applicable professional standards) and Underwriter of Registrable Securities, such letters to be in
customary form and covering matters of the type customarily covered in “comfort” letters in connection with underwritten offerings, including but not limited to financial information contained in any preliminary prospectus, Prospectus or
Free Writing Prospectus and (4) deliver such documents and certificates as may be reasonably requested by the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Registrable Securities being sold or the Underwriters, and which are customarily
delivered in underwritten offerings, to evidence the continued validity of the representations and warranties of the Whiting Parties made pursuant to clause (1) above and to evidence compliance with any customary conditions contained in an
underwriting agreement; 
 (xvi) so long as any Registrable Securities remain outstanding, cause each Additional Guarantor upon the creation
or acquisition by the Company of such Additional Guarantor, to execute a joinder agreement in the form attached hereto as Annex A and to deliver such joinder agreement, together with an opinion of counsel as to the enforceability thereof against
such entity, to the Initial Purchasers no later than five Business Days following the execution thereof; 

  
 13 

 (xvii) in the case of a Shelf Registration Statement, the Company may require each Holder of
Registrable Securities to furnish to the Company such information regarding such Holder and the proposed disposition by such Holder of such Registrable Securities as the Whiting Parties may from time to time reasonably request in writing; 

(xviii) in the case of a Shelf Registration Statement, each Holder of Registrable Securities covered in such Shelf Registration Statement
agrees that, upon receipt of any notice from the Whiting Parties of the happening of any event of the kind described in Section 3(a)(v)(3) or Section 3(a)(v)(5) hereof, such Holder will forthwith discontinue disposition of Registrable
Securities pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement until such Holder’s receipt of the copies of the supplemented or amended Prospectus and any Free Writing Prospectus contemplated by Section 3(a)(ix) hereof and, if so directed by the
Whiting Parties, such Holder will deliver to the Whiting Parties all copies in its possession, other than permanent file copies then in such Holder’s possession, of the Prospectus and any Free Writing Prospectus covering such Registrable
Securities that is current at the time of receipt of such notice; 
 (xix) if the Whiting Parties shall give any notice to suspend the
disposition of Registrable Securities pursuant to a Registration Statement, the Whiting Parties shall extend the period during which such Registration Statement shall be maintained effective pursuant to this Agreement by the number of days during
the period from and including the date of the giving of such notice to and including the date when the Holders of such Registrable Securities shall have received copies of the supplemented or amended Prospectus or any Free Writing Prospectus
necessary to resume such dispositions. The Whiting Parties may give any such notice only twice during any 365-day period and any such suspensions shall not exceed 30 days for each suspension and there shall
not be more than two suspensions in effect during any 365-day period; and 
 (xx) the Holders of
Registrable Securities covered by a Shelf Registration Statement who desire to do so may sell such Registrable Securities in an Underwritten Offering. In any such Underwritten Offering, the investment bank or investment banks and manager or managers
(each an “Underwriter”) that will administer the offering will be selected by the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Registrable Securities included in such offering; provided that, such selections shall be subject to
the approval of the Company, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld. 
 4. Participation of Broker-Dealers in Exchange
Offer. (a) The Staff has taken the position that any broker-dealer that receives Exchange Securities for its own account in the Exchange Offer in exchange for Securities that were acquired by such broker-dealer as a result of market-making
or other trading activities (a “Participating Broker-Dealer”) may be deemed to be an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act and must deliver a prospectus meeting the requirements of the Securities Act in
connection with any resale of such Exchange Securities. 
 The Whiting Parties understand that it is the Staff’s position that if the
Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement includes a plan of distribution containing a statement to the above effect and the means by which Participating Broker-Dealers may resell the Exchange Securities, without naming the
Participating Broker-Dealers or specifying the amount of Exchange Securities owned by them, such Prospectus may be delivered by 

  
 14 

 
Participating Broker-Dealers (or, to the extent permitted by law, made available to purchasers) to satisfy their prospectus delivery obligation under the Securities Act in connection with resales
of Exchange Securities for their own accounts, so long as the Prospectus otherwise meets the requirements of the Securities Act. 
 (b) In
light of the above, and notwithstanding the other provisions of this Agreement, the Whiting Parties agree to amend or supplement the Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement for a period of up to 180 days after the last
Exchange Date (as such period may be extended pursuant to Section 3(xix) of this Agreement), in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of any Exchange Securities by Participating Broker-Dealers consistent with the positions of the
Staff recited in Section 4(a) above. The Whiting Parties further agree that Participating Broker-Dealers shall be authorized to deliver such Prospectus (or, to the extent permitted by law, make available) during such period in connection with
the resales contemplated by this Section 4. 
 (c) The Initial Purchasers shall have no liability to any of the Whiting Parties or any
Holder with respect to any request that they may make pursuant to Section 4(b) above. 
 5. Indemnification and Contribution.
(a) Each of the Whiting Parties, jointly and severally, agree to indemnify and hold harmless each Initial Purchaser and each Holder, their respective affiliates (as such term is defined in Rule 501(b) under the Securities Act), directors and
officers and each Person, if any, who controls any Initial Purchaser or any Holder within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act, from and against any and all losses, claims, damages and
liabilities (including, without limitation, legal fees and other expenses incurred in connection with any suit, action or proceeding or any claim asserted, as such fees and expenses are incurred), joint or several, that arise out of, or are based
upon, (1) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Registration Statement or any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to
make the statements therein not misleading, or (2) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Prospectus, any Free Writing Prospectus used in violation of this Agreement or any “issuer
information” (“Issuer Information”) filed or required to be filed pursuant to Rule 433(d) under the Securities Act, or any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact necessary in order to make the statements
therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, in each case except insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities arise out of, or are based upon, any untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue
statement or omission made in reliance upon and in conformity with any information relating to any Initial Purchaser or information relating to any Holder furnished to the Company in writing through J.P. Morgan or any selling Holder, respectively,
expressly for use therein. In connection with any Underwritten Offering permitted by Section 3, the Whiting Parties, jointly and severally, will also indemnify the Underwriters, their respective affiliates and each Person who controls such
Persons (within the meaning of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act) to the same extent as provided above with respect to the indemnification of the Holders, if requested in connection with any Registration Statement, any Prospectus, any Free
Writing Prospectus or any Issuer Information. 

  
 15 

 (b) Each Holder agrees, severally and not jointly, to indemnify and hold harmless the Whiting
Parties, the Initial Purchasers and the other selling Holders, the directors of the Whiting Parties, each officer of the Whiting Parties who signed the Registration Statement and each Person, if any, who controls the Whiting Parties, any Initial
Purchaser and any other selling Holder within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act to the same extent as the indemnity set forth in paragraph (a) above, but only with respect to any losses,
claims, damages or liabilities that arise out of, or are based upon, any untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission made in reliance upon and in conformity with any information relating to such Holder furnished to the
Whiting Parties in writing by such Holder expressly for use in any Registration Statement, any Prospectus and any Free Writing Prospectus. 

(c) If any suit, action, proceeding (including any governmental or regulatory investigation), claim or demand shall be brought or asserted
against any Person in respect of which indemnification may be sought pursuant to either paragraph (a) or (b) above, such Person (the “Indemnified Person”) shall promptly notify the Person against whom such indemnification may
be sought (the “Indemnifying Person”) in writing; provided that the failure to notify the Indemnifying Person shall not relieve it from any liability that it may have under this Section 5 except to the extent that it has
been materially prejudiced (through the forfeiture of substantive rights or defenses) by such failure; and provided, further, that the failure to notify the Indemnifying Person shall not relieve it from any liability that it may have
to an Indemnified Person otherwise than under this Section 5. If any such proceeding shall be brought or asserted against an Indemnified Person and it shall have notified the Indemnifying Person thereof, the Indemnifying Person shall retain
counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Person to represent the Indemnified Person and any others entitled to indemnification pursuant to this Section 5 that the Indemnifying Person may designate in such proceeding and shall pay the
reasonable fees and expenses of such proceeding and shall pay the reasonable fees and expenses of such counsel related to such proceeding, as incurred. In any such proceeding, any Indemnified Person shall have the right to retain its own counsel,
but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of such Indemnified Person unless (i) the Indemnifying Person and the Indemnified Person shall have mutually agreed in writing to the contrary; (ii) the Indemnifying Person
has failed within a reasonable time to retain counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Person; (iii) the Indemnified Person shall have reasonably concluded that there may be legal defenses available to it that are different from or in
addition to those available to the Indemnifying Person; or (iv) the named parties in any such proceeding (including any impleaded parties) include both the Indemnifying Person and the Indemnified Person and representation of both parties by the
same counsel would be inappropriate due to actual or potential differing interests between them. It is understood and agreed that the Indemnifying Person shall not, in connection with any proceeding or related proceeding in the same jurisdiction, be
liable for the fees and expenses of more than one separate firm (in addition to any local counsel) for all Indemnified Persons, and that all such fees and expenses shall be paid or reimbursed as they are incurred. Any such separate firm (x) for
any Initial Purchaser, its affiliates, agents, directors and officers and any control Persons of such Initial Purchaser shall be designated in writing by J.P. Morgan, (y) for any Holder, its directors and officers and any control Persons of
such Holder shall be designated in writing by the Majority Holders and (z) in all other cases shall be designated in writing by the Company. The Indemnifying Person shall not be liable for any settlement of any proceeding effected without its
written consent (which shall not be unreasonably withheld), but if settled with such consent or if there be a final judgment for the plaintiff, the Indemnifying Person agrees to indemnify each Indemnified Person from and against

  
 16 

 
any loss or liability by reason of such settlement or judgment. Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, if at any time an Indemnified Person shall have requested that an Indemnifying Person
reimburse the Indemnified Person for fees and expenses of counsel as contemplated by this paragraph, the Indemnifying Person shall be liable for any settlement of any proceeding effected without its written consent if (i) such settlement is
entered into more than 45 days after receipt by the Indemnifying Person of such request, (ii) such Indemnifying Person shall have received notice of the terms of such settlement at least 30 days prior to such settlement being entered into and
(iii) the Indemnifying Person shall not have reimbursed the Indemnified Person in accordance with such request prior to the date of such settlement. No Indemnifying Person shall, without the written consent of the Indemnified Person (which
shall not be unreasonably withheld), effect any settlement of any pending or threatened proceeding in respect of which any Indemnified Person is or could have been a party and indemnification could have been sought hereunder by such Indemnified
Person, unless such settlement (A) includes an unconditional release of such Indemnified Person, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to such Indemnified Person, from all liability on claims that are the subject matter of such
proceeding and (B) does not include any statement as to or any admission of fault, culpability or a failure to act by or on behalf of any Indemnified Person. 

(d) If the indemnification provided for in paragraphs (a) and (b) above is unavailable to an Indemnified Person or insufficient in
respect of any losses, claims, damages or liabilities referred to therein, then each Indemnifying Person under such paragraph, in lieu of indemnifying such Indemnified Person thereunder, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such
Indemnified Person as a result of such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (i) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Whiting Parties from the offering of the Securities and the Exchange
Securities, on the one hand, and by the Holders from receiving Securities or Exchange Securities registered under the Securities Act, on the other hand, or (ii) if the allocation provided by clause (i) is not permitted by applicable law,
in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits referred to in clause (i) but also the relative fault of the Whiting Parties on the one hand and the Holders on the other in connection with the statements or
omissions that resulted in such losses, claims, damages or liabilities, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative fault of the Whiting Parties on the one hand and the Holders on the other shall be determined by reference
to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Whiting Parties or by the Holders and the parties’
relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission. 
 (e) The Whiting
Parties and the Holders agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 5 were determined by pro rata allocation (even if the Holders were treated as one entity for such purpose) or by any
other method of allocation that does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to in paragraph (d) above. The amount paid or payable by an Indemnified Person as a result of the losses, claims, damages and liabilities referred to
in paragraph (d) above shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth above, any legal or other expenses incurred by such Indemnified Person in connection with any such action or claim. Notwithstanding the provisions of this
Section 5, in no event shall a Holder be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the total price at which the Securities or Exchange Securities sold by such Holder exceeds the amount of any

  
 17 

 
damages that such Holder has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission. No Person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation
(within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any Person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. The Holders’ obligations to contribute pursuant to this Section 5
are several and not joint. 
 (f) The remedies provided for in this Section 5 are not exclusive and shall not limit any rights or
remedies that may otherwise be available to any Indemnified Person at law or in equity. 
 (g) The indemnity and contribution provisions
contained in this Section 5 shall remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of (i) any termination of this Agreement, (ii) any investigation made by or on behalf of the Initial Purchasers or any Holder or any Person
controlling any Initial Purchaser or any Holder, or by or on behalf of the Whiting Parties or the officers or directors of or any Person controlling any of the Whiting Parties, (iii) acceptance of any of the Exchange Securities and
(iv) any sale of Registrable Securities pursuant to a Shelf Registration Statement. 
 6. General. 

(a) No Inconsistent Agreements. The Whiting Parties represent, warrant and agree that (i) the rights granted to the Holders
hereunder do not in any way conflict with and are not inconsistent with the rights granted to the holders of any other outstanding securities issued or guaranteed by any of the Whiting Parties under any other agreement and (ii) none of the
Whiting Parties has entered into, or on or after the date of this Agreement will enter into, any agreement that is inconsistent with the rights granted to the Holders of Registrable Securities in this Agreement or otherwise conflicts with the
provisions hereof. 
 (b) Amendments and Waivers. The provisions of this Agreement, including the provisions of this sentence, may
not be amended, modified or supplemented, and waivers or consents to departures from the provisions hereof may not be given unless the Whiting Parties have obtained the written consent of Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount
of the outstanding Registrable Securities affected by such amendment, modification, supplement, waiver or consent; provided that no amendment, modification, supplement, waiver or consent to any departure from the provisions of Section 5
hereof shall be effective as against any Holder of Registrable Securities unless consented to in writing by such Holder. Any amendments, modifications, supplements, waivers or consents pursuant to this Section 6(b) shall be by a writing
executed by each of the parties hereto. 
 (c) Notices. All notices and other communications provided for or permitted hereunder
shall be made in writing by hand-delivery, registered first-class mail, telex, telecopier, or any courier guaranteeing overnight delivery (i) if to a Holder, at the most current address given by such Holder to the Company by means of a notice
given in accordance with the provisions of this Section 6(c), which address initially is, with respect to the Initial Purchasers, the address set forth in the Purchase Agreement; (ii) if to the Whiting Parties, initially at the
Company’s address set forth in the Purchase Agreement and thereafter at such other address, notice of which is given in accordance with the provisions of this Section 6(c); and (iii) to such other persons at their respective addresses
as provided in the Purchase Agreement and thereafter at such other address, 

  
 18 

 
notice of which is given in accordance with the provisions of this Section 6(c). All such notices and communications shall be deemed to have been duly given: at the time delivered by hand,
if personally delivered; five Business Days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed; when receipt is acknowledged, if telecopied; and on the next Business Day if timely delivered to an air courier guaranteeing overnight
delivery. Copies of all such notices, demands or other communications shall be concurrently delivered by the Person giving the same to the Trustee, at the address specified in the Indenture. 

(d) Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the successors, assigns and transferees of
each of the parties, including, without limitation and without the need for an express assignment, subsequent Holders; provided that nothing herein shall be deemed to permit any assignment, transfer or other disposition of Registrable
Securities in violation of the terms of the Purchase Agreement or the Indenture. If any transferee of any Holder shall acquire Registrable Securities in any manner, whether by operation of law or otherwise, such Registrable Securities shall be held
subject to all the terms of this Agreement, and by taking and holding such Registrable Securities such Person shall be conclusively deemed to have agreed to be bound by and to perform all of the terms and provisions of this Agreement and such Person
shall be entitled to receive the benefits hereof. The Initial Purchasers (in their capacity as Initial Purchasers) shall have no liability or obligation to the Whiting Parties with respect to any failure by a Holder to comply with, or any breach by
any Holder of, any of the obligations of such Holder under this Agreement. 
 (e) Third Party Beneficiaries. Each Holder shall be a
third party beneficiary to the agreements made hereunder between the Whiting Parties, on the one hand, and the Initial Purchasers, on the other hand, and shall have the right to enforce such agreements directly to the extent it deems such
enforcement necessary or advisable to protect its rights or the rights of other Holders hereunder. 
 (f) Counterparts. This
Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and by the parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement.

 (g) Headings. The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only, are not a part of this Agreement and shall not
limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof. 
 (h) Governing Law. This Agreement and any claim, controversy or dispute arising
under or related to this Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York. 
 (i) Entire
Agreement; Severability. This Agreement contains the entire agreement between the parties relating to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all oral statements and prior writings with respect thereto. If any term, provision, covenant or
restriction contained in this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, void or unenforceable or against public policy, the remainder of the terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions contained herein shall remain in
full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated. The Whiting Parties and the Initial Purchasers shall endeavor in good faith negotiations to replace the invalid, void or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions
the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the invalid, void or unenforceable provisions. 
 [Signature pages
follow] 

  
 19 

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

					
	WHITING PETROLEUM CORPORATION
		
	By:	 	/s/ Michael J. Stevens
		 	Name:	 	Michael J. Stevens
		 	Title:	 	Senior Vice President and
		 		 	Chief Financial Officer

 
					
	
	INITIAL GUARANTORS:
	
	WHITING OIL AND GAS CORPORATION

 
					
		
	By:	 	/s/ Michael J. Stevens
		 	Name:	 	Michael J. Stevens
		 	Title:	 	Senior Vice President and
		 		 	Chief Financial Officer

 
					
	
	WHITING US HOLDING COMPANY

 
					
		
	By:	 	/s/ Michael J. Stevens
		 	Name:	 	Michael J. Stevens
		 	Title:	 	Senior Vice President and
		 		 	Chief Financial Officer

 
					
	
	WHITING CANADIAN HOLDING COMPANY ULC

 
					
		
	By:	 	/s/ Michael J. Stevens
		 	Name:	 	Michael J. Stevens
		 	Title:	 	Senior Vice President and
		 		 	Chief Financial Officer

 
					
	
	WHITING RESOURCES CORPORATION

 
					
		
	By:	 	/s/ Michael J. Stevens
		 	Name:	 	Michael J. Stevens
		 	Title:	 	Senior Vice President and
		 		 	Chief Financial Officer

 [Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement] 

			
	CONFIRMED AND ACCEPTED,
	as of the date first above written:
	
	J.P. MORGAN SECURITIES LLC
		
		 	For itself and on behalf of the
		 	several Initial Purchasers listed
		 	in Schedule A to the Purchase Agreement
		
	By:	 	/s/ Brian A. Tramontozzi
		 	Authorized Signatory

 [Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement] 

 Annex A 

Form of Joinder Agreement 

The undersigned hereby absolutely, unconditionally and irrevocably agrees as a Guarantor (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement,
dated as of December 27, 2017 by and among Whiting Petroleum Corporation, a Delaware company, the Guarantors party thereto, and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, on behalf of itself and the other Initial Purchasers) to be bound by the terms and
provisions of such Registration Rights Agreement.  
 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this agreement as of
______________, 20__. 
  

			
	[NAME]
		
	By:	 	 
		 	Name:
		 	Title:EX-10.1

 Exhibit 10.1 

Execution Version 
 EMPLOYMENT
AGREEMENT 
 THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is
entered into as of December 31, 2017 (the “Effective Date”), between Patterson-UTI Energy, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and John E. Vollmer
III (“Executive”). 
 W I T N E S S E T H: 

WHEREAS, Executive was employed by the Company as Executive Vice President—Corporate Development, Chief Financial Officer &
Treasurer and elected to step down from the Chief Financial Officer role as of September 8, 2017; and 
 WHEREAS, Executive possesses
business knowledge and expertise which may be of substantial assistance to the Company based on his long tenure with the Company and agreed to continue working full-time with the Company in the position of Executive Vice President-Corporate
Development and Treasurer to facilitate a smooth transition; and 
 WHEREAS, immediately following Executive’s last day of full-time
employment on the Effective Date, the Company desires that Executive continue his employment with the Company on a part-time basis, on the terms and conditions set forth below. 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises, the terms and provisions set forth herein, the mutual benefits to be gained by the
performance thereof and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows: 

1. Employment. The Company hereby agrees to employ Executive, and Executive agrees to serve the Company in such capacity on the
terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement. 
 2. Term. Subject to the provision for earlier termination
set forth in Section 5 hereof, the term of Executive’s employment under this Agreement shall begin on the Effective Date and continue to, and including, the fourth anniversary of the Effective Date (the “Term”). At
the expiration of the Term, Executive agrees to voluntarily terminate Executive’s employment with the Company and any other entity controlled by, or under common control with, the Company (each, an “Affiliate”). 

3. Duties and Responsibilities.  

(a) During the Term of this Agreement, the Company shall employ Executive with respect to matters set forth in Section 3(b). Executive
shall be a part-time employee and shall make himself available to the Company to render such advice and assistance regarding the services as may be reasonably requested of Executive by the Company. The Company and Executive currently expect that
Executive’s level of services during the Term shall not exceed 20% of the average level of services performed by Executive for the Company or its Affiliates over the 36-month period immediately preceding
the Effective Date. 
 (b) During the Term, Executive will report to the Chief Executive Officer of the Company. Executive agrees to provide
such services to the Company as the Company may from time to time request, regarding (i) continuing to assist with the transition of the new Chief Financial Officer; (ii) assisting the with the integration of Seventy Seven Energy Inc.
acquisition, including with respect to the Oracle Enterprise Resource Planning System and the Multi-Shot, LLC acquisition, and (iii) any other matters reasonably requested by the Chief Executive Officer of the Company. Provided that he gives
reasonable prior written notice to the Chief Executive Officer, Executive may serve on the boards of 
  

 
directors of other companies and organizations, or become employed by or otherwise perform services for other companies or organizations, but only if such service or employment will not violate
the provisions of Sections 6 or 7, or materially affect the performance of Executive’s duties pursuant to this Agreement. 
 (c)
Executive will comply with all applicable laws, corporate documents governing the conduct of the business and affairs of the Company, and policies of the Company. 

4. Compensation.  

(a) Salary. As compensation for the services to be rendered by Executive while employed during the Term of this Agreement, Executive
shall be entitled to receive a salary at an annual rate of $250,000.00, payable in accordance with the Company’s normal payroll practices. 

(b) Bonus and Incentive Compensation. For 2017, Executive shall receive a cash lump sum bonus payment of $350,000.00, which shall be
payable on the earlier of (i) the date that annual bonuses are paid to other executives of the Company and (ii) March 15, 2018. Executive will not be eligible for any bonus payment in respect of 2018 or any later calendar year.
Executive will not be eligible for any new grants of long-term incentive awards, but any previously granted long-term incentive awards will remain outstanding and continue to vest while Executive is employed in accordance with the terms of the
governing plan and award agreement. 
 (c) Retirement Payment. Executive shall be entitled to a lump sum cash payment equal to
$450,000.00 and payable on the Effective Date. 
 (d) Employee Benefits. During his employment during the Term, Executive shall be
eligible to participate, at Executive’s election, in the Company’s 401(k) plan, short-term disability, long-term disability, life insurance plan, and medical, prescription and dental benefit programs applicable to, and on the same basis
as, similarly situated full-time employees of the Company and its subsidiaries, including Executive’s obligations to pay premiums; provided that Executive’s right to participate in any other benefit plan, program or arrangement of the
Company will cease on the Effective Date. Executive acknowledges and agrees that, if applicable under the circumstances, the Company may impute income to Executive for the cost of any Company-paid premiums related to such coverage. 

(e) Reimbursement of Expenses. The Company agrees to promptly reimburse Executive for all appropriately documented, reasonable travel
and other business expenses incurred by Executive during the Term in the course of providing services requested by the Company or otherwise incurred in his capacity as an employee. 

(f) Vacation and Accrued Entitlements. On the Effective Date, the Company will pay Executive $125,000.00 in settlement of any other owed
compensation, including, without limitation, any accrued vacation or paid time off accruals through the Effective Date. Executive shall not accrue any additional vacation or paid time off during the Term. 

5. Termination of Employment.  

(a) Death or Disability. Executive’s employment under this Agreement shall terminate automatically upon Executive’s death or
Disability. For purposes of this Agreement, Executive shall be deemed to be terminated due to “Disability” if Executive shall be considered to be permanently and totally disabled in accordance with the Company’s
disability plan, if any, for a period of 90 days or more. If there should be a dispute between the Company and Executive as to Executive’s Disability for purposes of this Agreement, the question shall be settled by the opinion of an impartial
reputable physician agreed upon by the parties or their representatives within 30 days after the date of the notice of termination due to Disability. The parties agree to be bound by the final decision of such physician. 

  
 -2- 

 (b) By the Company. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 3, the Company may
terminate Executive’s employment under this Agreement at any time for Cause (as defined below). The Company may terminate Executive’s employment under this Agreement at any time for Cause, by delivering to Executive written notice
describing the cause of termination (x) in the case of clause (i), 30 days before the effective date of such termination and by granting Executive at least 20 days to cure the cause; (y) in the case of clauses (ii), (iii) or (iv), 10 days
before the effective date of such termination and by granting Executive at least 10 days to cure the cause; or (z) in the case of clause (v) on the date of such termination; provided however, that if the matter is reasonably determined by
the Company to not be capable of being cured, Executive may be terminated for cause on the date the written notice is delivered. 

“Cause” shall be limited to the occurrence of the following events: 

 

	 	(i)	Executive’s failure to perform the duties described in Section 2 in an honest and faithful manner; 

  

	 	(ii)	Executive’s omission to perform his duties in a manner that materially and adversely affects the Company; 

  

	 	(iii)	Executive’s taking of any action in violation of any material policies of the Company that could be reasonably expected to damage or negatively impact the business, operations, reputation or financial condition of
the Company in a material manner; 

  

	 	(iv)	any other action taken by Executive in bad faith or that could be reasonably expected to damage or negatively impact the business, operations, reputation or financial condition of the Company in a material manner; or

  

	 	(v)	Executive’s conviction of (or plead of no contest to) a crime involving fraud, dishonesty or moral turpitude or any felony. 

(c) By Executive. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 3, Executive may terminate Executive’s employment under this
Agreement for any reason whatsoever or no reason at all, in the sole discretion of Executive. In such case, Executive must deliver to the Company written notice of such termination at least 30 days before the effective date of such termination,
unless otherwise provided in this Agreement. Following the second anniversary of the Effective Date, Executive may provide a written notice to the Company electing to terminate the Term as of the later of (i) the third anniversary of the
Effective Date and (ii) the date 60 days following the date of the notice (the “Early Termination Date”). If such an election is provided, Executive’s employment will terminate as of such Early Termination Date, and
the Term will end as of the Early Termination Date for purposes of the definition of Prohibited Period in Section 7. 
 (d) Treatment
Upon Termination. If Executive’s employment is terminated pursuant to Section 5(a), (b) or (c), the Company shall pay to Executive the Executive’s Base Salary through the date of termination within 30 days following the date of
termination or such earlier date as may be required by law. The Company shall pay Executive (or his designated beneficiary or legal representative, if applicable) (i) the Benefit Obligation at the times specified in and in accordance with the
terms of the applicable employee benefit plans and compensation arrangements and (ii) the retirement payment pursuant to Section 4(c), to the extent not already paid. For purposes of this Agreement, payment of the

  
 -3- 

 
“Benefit Obligation” shall mean payment by the Company to Executive (or his designated beneficiary or legal representative, as applicable), in accordance with the terms of the
applicable plan document, of all vested benefits to which Executive is entitled under the terms of the employee benefit plans and compensation arrangements in which Executive is a participant as of the date of termination. Following such payments,
the Company shall have no further obligations to Executive other than as may be required by law. 
 (e) General Release of Claims. In
consideration for the compensation and other benefits provided herein, Executive agrees to execute a release, substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A, no later than December 23, 2017, that is not revoked by Executive during any
applicable revocation period provided in such release (which shall release and discharge the Company and its Affiliates, and their officers, directors, managers, employees and agents from any and all claims or causes of action of any kind or
character, including but not limited to all claims or causes of action arising out of Executive’s employment with the Company or its Affiliates or the termination of such employment). 

6. Proprietary Information.  

(a) Confidential Treatment. Executive acknowledges and agrees that he has acquired, and will in the future acquire as a result of his
employment by the Company or otherwise, Proprietary Information (as defined below) of the Company which is of a confidential or trade secret nature, and all of which has a great value to the Company and is a substantial basis and foundation upon
which the Company’s business is predicated. Accordingly, other than in the legitimate performance of his job duties, Executive agrees: 

(i) to regard and preserve as confidential at all times all Proprietary Information, 

(ii) to refrain from publishing or disclosing any part of the Proprietary Information and from using, copying or duplicating it
in any way by any means whatsoever, and 
 (iii) not to use on his own behalf or on behalf of any third party or to disclose
the Proprietary Information to any person or entity without the prior written consent of the Company. 
 “Proprietary
Information” includes all confidential or proprietary scientific or technical information, data, formulas and related concepts, business plans (both current and under development), client lists, promotion and marketing programs, trade
secrets, or any other confidential or proprietary business information relating to drilling, pressure pumping, directional drilling, oilfield equipment rental, drilling rig technology and manufacturing or extraction processes, development programs,
costs, revenues, marketing, investments, sales activities, promotions, credit and financial data, financing methods, plans or the business of the Company or its Affiliates, whether in written or electronic form of writings, correspondence, notes,
drafts, records, maps, invoices, technical and business logs, maps, policies, computer programs, disks or otherwise. Proprietary Information does not include information that is or becomes publicly known through lawful means. 

(b) Property of the Company. Upon the request of the Company on or after the Effective Date, Executive shall surrender to the Company
any and all work papers, reports, manuals, documents and the like (including all originals and copies thereof) in his possession which contain Proprietary Information relating to the business, prospects or plans of the Company or its Affiliates.
Further, upon request of the Company, Executive agrees to delete all Proprietary Information from his 

  
 -4- 

 
computer, smartphone, tablet, or any other personal electronic storage devices that may contain Proprietary Information. Executive acknowledges that all Proprietary Information and other property
of the Company or any Affiliate thereof which Executive accumulates during his engagement are the property of the Company and shall be returned to the Company immediately upon request of the Company. 

(c) Cooperation. Executive agrees that during the Term and following any termination of Executive’s employment with the Company,
he will not disclose or cause to be disclosed any Proprietary Information, or any negative or adverse information of a substantial nature about the Company or its Affiliates, the management of the Company or its Affiliates, any product or service
provided by the Company or its Affiliates or the future prospects of the Company or its Affiliates unless required by court order. Nothing in this Section 6 prohibits Executive from reporting possible violations of law or regulation to any
governmental agency or entity (or of making any other protected disclosures). Pursuant to the Defend Trade Secrets Act of 2016, Executive shall not be held criminally or civilly liable under any Federal or state trade secret law for the disclosure
of any Proprietary Information that (i) is made (A) in confidence to a Federal, state or local government official, either directly or indirectly, or to an attorney and (B) solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a
suspected violation of law or (ii) is made in a complaint or other document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding, if such filing is made under seal. The Company may seek the assistance, cooperation or testimony of Executive during the Term
and following any termination of employment in connection with any investigation, litigation or proceeding arising out of matters within the knowledge of Executive and related to his engagement by the Company, and in any instance, Executive shall
provide such assistance, cooperation or testimony and the Company shall pay Executive’s reasonable costs and expenses in connection therewith. 

7. Restrictive Covenants. 

(a) Definitions. As used in this Section 7, the following terms shall have the following meanings: 

(i) “Business” means the following businesses in which the Company, including its Affiliates, is
engaged in as of the Effective Date: contract drilling, pressure pumping, directional drilling, oilfield equipment rental, and drilling rig component technology and manufacturing. 

(ii) “Competing Business” means any business, individual, partnership, firm, corporation or other
entity which wholly or in any significant part engages in any business competing with the Business in the Restricted Area. 

(iii) “Governmental Authority” means any governmental, quasi-governmental, state, county, city or other
political subdivision of the United States or any other country, or any agency, court or instrumentality, foreign or domestic, or statutory or regulatory body thereof. 

(iv) “Legal Requirement” means any law, statute, code, ordinance, order, rule, regulation, judgment,
decree, injunction, franchise, permit, certificate, license, authorization, or other directional requirement of any Governmental Authority. 

(v) “Prohibited Period” means the period beginning on the Effective Date and ending on the last day of
the Term. For the avoidance of doubt, Executive’s termination of employment for any reason prior to the end of the Term shall not shorten the Term or the Prohibited Period; provided, however, that the Term and the Prohibited

  
 -5- 

 
Period may end early on the Early Termination Date, but only pursuant to the procedure set forth in Section 5(c) and in no event will the Early Termination Date occur prior to the third
anniversary of the Effective Date. 
 (vi) “Restricted Area” (A) means any country or subdivision
thereof in which the Company or its Affiliates (i) is engaged in the Business as of the Effective Date, (ii) has engaged in the Business in the two years prior to the Effective Date or (iii) is actively pursuing business opportunities
for the Business as of the Effective Date (which means North America, Latin America and the Middle East) and (B) includes the parishes in Louisiana listed on Exhibit B. 

(b) Non-Competition; Non-Solicitation. 

(i) Executive and the Company agree to the non-competition and non-solicitation provisions of this Section 7(b); (i) in consideration for the Proprietary Information provided by the Company to Executive pursuant to Section 6 of this Agreement; (ii) as part of the
consideration for the compensation and benefits to be paid to Executive hereunder, including the continued vesting during the Term of any outstanding stock option, restricted stock and performance share awards; (iii) to protect the Proprietary
Information of the Company or its Affiliates disclosed or entrusted to Executive by the Company or its Affiliates or created or developed by Executive for the Company or its Affiliates, the business goodwill of the Company or its Affiliates
developed through the efforts of Executive and/or the business opportunities disclosed or entrusted to Executive by the Company or its Affiliates; and (iv) as an additional incentive for the Company to enter into this Agreement. 

(ii) Subject to the exceptions set forth in Section 7(b)(iii) below, Executive expressly covenants and agrees that during
the Prohibited Period (i) Executive will refrain from carrying on or engaging in, directly or indirectly, any Competing Business in the Restricted Area and (ii) Executive will not, and Executive will cause Executive’s affiliates not
to, directly or indirectly, own, manage, operate, join, become an employee, partner, owner or member of (or an independent contractor to), control or participate in or loan money to, sell or lease equipment to or sell or lease real property to any
business, individual, partnership, firm, corporation or other entity which engages in a Competing Business in the Restricted Area. 

(iii) Notwithstanding the restrictions contained in Section 7(b)(ii), Executive or any of Executive’s affiliates may
own an aggregate of not more than 1% of the outstanding stock of any class of any corporation engaged in a Competing Business, if such stock is listed on a national securities exchange or regularly traded in the over-the-counter market by a member of a national securities exchange, without violating the provisions of Section 7(b)(ii), provided that neither Executive nor any of Executive’s affiliates has the
power, directly or indirectly, to control or direct the management or affairs of any such corporation and is not involved in the management of such corporation. 

(iv) Executive further expressly covenants and agrees that during the Prohibited Period, Executive will not, and Executive will
cause Executive’s affiliates not to (i) engage or employ, or solicit or contact with a view to the engagement or employment of, any person who is an officer or employee of the Company or any of its Affiliates or (ii) canvass, solicit,
approach or entice away or cause to be canvassed, 

  
 -6- 

 
solicited, approached or enticed away from the Company or any of its Affiliates any person who or which is a customer of any of such entities during the period during which Executive is employed
by the Company. 
 (v) Executive expressly recognizes that Executive is a high-level, executive employee who will be provided
with access to Proprietary Information and trade secrets as part of Executive’s employment and that the restrictive covenants set forth in this Section 7 are reasonable and necessary in light of Executive’s executive position and
access to the Proprietary Information. 
 (c) Non-Disparagement. Executive agrees that
during the Term and following any termination of Executive’s employment with the Company, he will not disparage, orally or in writing, the Company or its Affiliates, the management of the Company or its Affiliates, any product or service
provided by the Company or its Affiliates or the future prospects of the Company or its Affiliates. 
 (d) Relief. Executive
and the Company agree and acknowledge that the limitations as to time, geographical area and scope of activity to be restrained as set forth in this Section 7 are reasonable and do not impose any greater restraint than is necessary to protect
the legitimate business interests of the Company. Executive and the Company also acknowledge that money damages would not be sufficient remedy for any breach of Section 6 or this Section 7 by Executive, and the Company or its Affiliates
shall be entitled to enforce the provisions of Section 6 or this Section 7 by terminating payments then owing to Executive under this Agreement or otherwise, forfeiting Executive’s rights to any then unvested equity incentive awards
and to specific performance and injunctive relief as remedies for such breach or any threatened breach. Such remedies shall not be deemed the exclusive remedies for a breach of Section 6 or this Section 7 but shall be in addition to all
remedies available at law or in equity, including the recovery of damages from Executive and Executive’s agents. However, if it is determined that Executive has not committed a breach of Section 6 or this Section 7, then the Company
shall resume the payments and benefits due under this Agreement and pay to Executive all payments and benefits that had been suspended pending such determination. 

(e) Reasonableness; Enforcement. Executive acknowledges that the geographic scope and duration of the covenants contained in this
Section 7 are the result of arm’s-length bargaining and are fair and reasonable in light of (a) the nature and wide geographic scope of the operations of the Business, (b) Executive’s
level of control over and contact with the Business in all jurisdictions in which it is conducted, (c) the fact that the Business is conducted throughout the Restricted Area and (d) the amount of compensation and Proprietary Information
that Executive is receiving in connection with the performance of Executive’s duties hereunder. It is the desire and intent of the parties that the provisions of this Section 7 be enforced to the fullest extent permitted under applicable
Legal Requirements, whether now or hereafter in effect and therefore, to the extent permitted by applicable Legal Requirements, Executive and the Company hereby waive any provision of applicable Legal Requirements that would render any provision of
this Section 7 invalid or unenforceable. 
 (f) Reformation. The Company and Executive agree that the foregoing
restrictions are reasonable under the circumstances and that any breach of the covenants contained in this Section 7 would cause irreparable injury to the Company. Executive expressly represents that enforcement of the restrictive covenants set
forth in this Section 7 will not impose an undue hardship upon Executive or any person or entity affiliated with Executive. Executive understands that the foregoing restrictions may limit Executive’s ability to engage in certain businesses
anywhere in the Restricted Area during the Prohibited Period, but acknowledges that Executive will receive sufficiently high remuneration and other benefits from the Company to justify such restriction. Further, Executive acknowledges that
Executive’s skills are such that Executive can be gainfully employed in non-competitive employment, and that the restrictive 

  
 -7- 

 
covenants will not prevent Executive from earning a living. Nevertheless, if any of the aforesaid restrictions are found by a court of competent jurisdiction to be unreasonable, or overly broad
as to geographic area or time, or otherwise unenforceable, the parties intend for the restrictions herein set forth to be modified by the court making such determination so as to be reasonable and enforceable and, as so modified, to be fully
enforced. 
 (g) Protected Disclosures. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in this Agreement, nothing in this
Agreement prohibits Executive from reporting possible violations of law or regulation to any governmental agency or entity, including but not limited to the Department of Justice, the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Congress, and any agency
Inspector General, or making other disclosures that are protected under the whistleblower provisions of federal law or regulation. Additionally, the parties acknowledge and agree that Executive does not need the prior authorization of the Company to
make any such reports or disclosures and Executive is not required to notify the Company that Executive has made such reports or disclosures. 

8. Notice. All notices, requests, consents, directions and other instruments and communications required or permitted to
be given under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given if (a) delivered personally, (b) mailed first-class, postage prepaid, registered or certified mail, or (c) sent by overnight courier,
facsimile, telecommunication or other similar form of communication (with receipt confirmed), as follows: 
  

			
	 To the Company:
	  	 Patterson-UTI Energy, Inc.

Attention: General Counsel
 10713 West Sam Houston Parkway N.,
Suite 800
 Houston, Texas 77064
 Facsimile: (281) 765-7175

		
	 To Executive:
	  	John E. Vollmer III, at the most recent address for Executive listed in the payroll records of the Company.

 or to such other address and to the attention of such other person(s) or officer(s) as any party may designate by written
notice. Any notice mailed shall be deemed to have been given and received on the third business day following the day of mailing. Any notice sent by overnight courier, facsimile, telecommunication or other similar form of communication (with receipt
confirmed) shall be deemed to have been given and received on the next business day following the day such communication is sent. 
 9.
References to the Company. References in this Agreement to the Company in the context of providing services to the Company shall include the Company and all of its Affiliates as the context reasonably requires, including without
limitation Sections 6 and 7. 
 10. Nonassignment. This Agreement is personal to Executive and to the Company and shall not be
assigned by either party without the other’s written consent, except that the Company may assign its rights and delegate its obligations under this Agreement to any entity that acquires all or substantially all of its business. 

11. Further Assurances. Each party hereto agrees to perform such further actions, and to execute and deliver such additional
documents, as may be reasonably necessary to carry out the provisions of this Agreement. 

  
 -8- 

 12. Severability. In the event that any of the provisions, or portions thereof, of
this Agreement are held to be unenforceable or invalid by any court of competent jurisdiction, the validity and enforceability or the remaining provisions, or portions thereof, shall not be affected thereby.  

13. Governing Law; Venue. This Agreement shall be governed and construed under and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the
State of Texas without giving effect to the doctrine of conflict of laws. With respect to any claim or dispute related to or arising under this Agreement, the parties hereto hereby consent to the exclusive jurisdiction, forum and venue of the state
and federal courts located in or sitting for Houston, Texas. 
 14. Entire Agreement; Interpretation. This Agreement
constitutes the entire agreement of the parties, and supersedes all prior agreements, oral or written, between the Company and Executive relating to his employment by the Company, including the Letter Agreement between the Company and Executive
dated October 22, 2004 and the Change in Control Agreement between the Company and Executive dated January 29, 2004, as amended or otherwise modified from time to time, which as of the Effective Date shall be null and void. For the
avoidance of doubt, any equity incentive award agreements or indemnity agreements between the Company and Executive remain in effect in accordance with their terms and are not superseded pursuant to this Section 14. No change or modification of
this Agreement shall be enforceable unless contained in a writing signed by the party against whom enforcement is sought. No presumption shall be construed against the party drafting this Agreement.  

15. Withholding of Taxes and Other Employee Deductions. The Company may withhold from any benefits and payments made pursuant to
this Agreement all federal, state, city and other applicable taxes and withholdings as may be required pursuant to any law or governmental regulation or ruling and all other customary deductions made with respect to the Company’s employees
generally. 
 16. Executive’s Representations. Executive represents and warrants that: 

(a) he is free to enter into this Agreement and to perform each of the terms and covenants contained herein; 

(b) he has been advised by legal counsel as to the terms and provisions hereof and the effort thereof and fully understands the consequences
thereof; 
 17. Waiver. The failure of any party to insist, in any one or more instances, upon strict performance of any one or
more of the provisions, terms and conditions of this Agreement, or to exercise any right or rights hereunder shall not be construed as a waiver thereof, and any and all such provisions, terms, conditions and rights shall continue and remain in full
force and effect.  
 18. Compliance with Section 409A.  

(a) This Agreement is intended to comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended
(“Section 409A”) and shall be construed and interpreted in accordance with such intent. To the extent any payment or benefit provided under this Agreement is subject to Section 409A, such
benefit shall be provided in a manner that complies with Section 409A, including any IRS guidance promulgated with respect to Section 409A; provided, however, in no event shall any action to comply with Section 409A reduce the
aggregate amount payable to Executive hereunder unless expressly agreed in writing by Executive. 
 (b) All reimbursements or provision of in-kind benefits pursuant to this Agreement shall be made in accordance with Treasury Regulation § 1.409A-3(i)(1)(iv) such that the reimbursement

  
 -9- 

 
or provision will be deemed payable at a specified time or on a fixed schedule relative to a permissible payment event. Specifically, the amount reimbursed or
in-kind benefits provided under this Agreement during Executive’s taxable year may not affect the amounts reimbursed or provided in any other taxable year (except that total reimbursements may be limited
by a lifetime maximum under a group health plan), the reimbursement of an eligible expense shall be made on or before the last day of Executive’s taxable year following the taxable year in which the expense was incurred, and the right to
reimbursement or provision of in-kind benefit is not subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit. 

(c) To the extent required to comply with Section 409A (as determined by the Company), if Executive is a “specified employee,”
as determined by the Company, as of his date of termination, then all amounts due under this Agreement that constitute a “deferral of compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A, that are provided as a result of a
“separation from service” within the meaning of Section 409A, and that would otherwise be paid or provided during the first six months following Executive’s date of termination, shall be accumulated through and paid or provided
on the first business day that is more than six months after Executive’s date of termination (or, if Executive dies during such six month period, within 90 days after Executive’s death). Each payment under this Agreement, including each
payment in a series of installment payments, is intended to be a separate payment for purposes of Treas. Reg. § 1.409A-2(b). 

(d) The Company and Executive intend for Executive to incur a “separation from service” with the Company within the meaning of
Section 409A as of the Effective Date. 
 19. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts,
each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which together will constitute one and the same Agreement.  

[SIGNATURES ON FOLLOWING PAGE] 

  
 -10- 

 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be entered into as of the date
first written above. 
  

			
	PATTERSON-UTI ENERGY, INC.
		
	By:	 	/s/ William Andrew Hendricks, Jr.
		 	     William Andrew Hendricks, Jr.
		 	     Chief Executive Officer
	
	EXECUTIVE
		
		 	     /s/ John E. Vollmer III
		 	     John E. Vollmer III

  
 -11- 

 FORM OF WAIVER AND RELEASE 

[The language in this Release may change based on legal developments and evolving best practices; this form is provided as an example of
what will be included in the final Release document.] 
 In consideration for the compensation and other benefits described in that
certain Employment Agreement (the “Agreement”) effective as of December 31, 2017 between Patterson-UTI Energy, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”),
and John E. Vollmer III (“Executive”), which were offered to Executive in exchange for a general waiver and release of claims (this “Waiver and Release”). Executive having acknowledged the above-stated
consideration as full compensation for and on account of any and all injuries and damages which Executive has sustained or claimed, or may be entitled to claim, Executive, for himself, and his heirs, executors, administrators, successors and
assigns, does hereby release, forever discharge and promise not to sue the Company, its parents, subsidiaries, affiliates, successors and assigns, and their past and present officers, directors, partners, employees, members, managers, shareholders,
agents, attorneys, accountants, insurers, heirs, administrators, executors (collectively the “Released Parties”) from any and all claims, liabilities, costs, expenses, judgments, attorney fees, actions, known and unknown, of
every kind and nature whatsoever in law or equity, which Executive had, now has, or may have against the Released Parties relating in any way to Executive’s employment with the Company or termination thereof prior to and including the date of
execution of this Waiver and Release, including but not limited to, all claims for contract damages, tort damages, special, general, direct, punitive and consequential damages, compensatory damages, loss of profits, attorney fees and any and all
other damages of any kind or nature; all contracts, oral or written, between Executive and any of the Released Parties; any business enterprise or proposed enterprise contemplated by any of the Released Parties, as well as anything done or not done
prior to and including the date of execution of this Waiver and Release. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Waiver and Release, nothing in this Waiver and Release shall be construed to release the Company from any obligations
set forth in the Agreement. 
 Executive understands and agrees that this release and covenant not to sue shall apply to any and all claims
or liabilities arising out of or relating to Executive’s employment with the Company and the termination of such employment, including, but not limited to: claims of discrimination based on age, race, color, sex (including sexual harassment),
religion, national origin, marital status, parental status, veteran status, union activities, disability or any other grounds under applicable federal, state or local law prior to and including the date of execution of this Waiver and Release,
including, but not limited to, claims arising under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the Civil Rights Act of 1991, 42 U.S.C.
§ 1981, the Genetic Information Non-Discrimination Act of 2008, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, the Rehabilitation Act of
1973, the Equal Pay Act of 1963 (EPA), all as amended, as well as any claims prior to and including the date of execution of this Waiver and Release, regarding wages; benefits; vacation; sick leave; business expense reimbursements; wrongful
termination; breach of the covenant of good faith and fair dealing; intentional or negligent infliction of emotional distress; retaliation; outrage; defamation; invasion of privacy; breach of contract; fraud or negligent misrepresentation;
harassment; breach of duty; negligence; discrimination; claims under any employment, contract or tort laws; claims arising under any other federal law, state law, municipal law, local law, or common law; any claims arising out of any employment
contract, policy or procedure; and any other claims related to or arising out of his employment or the separation of his employment with the Company prior to and including the date of execution of this Waiver and Release. 

In addition, Executive agrees not to cause or encourage any legal proceeding to be maintained or instituted against any of the Released
Parties, save and except proceedings to enforce the terms of the Agreement or claims of Executive not released by and in this Waiver and Release. 

This release does not apply to any claims for unemployment compensation or any other claims or rights which, by law, cannot be waived,
including the right to file an administrative charge or participate in an administrative investigation or proceeding; provided, however that Executive disclaims and waives any right to share or participate in any monetary award from the Company
resulting from the prosecution of such charge or investigation or proceeding. Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other provision in this Waiver and Release or the Agreement to the contrary, the Company and Executive further agree that nothing in
this Waiver and Release or the Agreement (i) limits Executive’s ability to file a charge or complaint with the EEOC, the NLRB, OSHA, the SEC or 

  
 -12- 

 
any other federal, state or local governmental agency or commission (each a “Government Agency” and collectively “Government Agencies”); (ii)
limits Executive’s ability to communicate with any Government Agencies or otherwise participate in any investigation or proceeding that may be conducted by any Government Agency, including providing documents or other information and reporting
possible violations of law or regulation or other disclosures protected under the whistleblower provisions of applicable law or regulation, without notice to the Company; or (iii) limits Executive’s right to receive an award for
information provided to any Government Agencies. 
 Executive expressly acknowledges that he is voluntarily, irrevocably and unconditionally
releasing and forever discharging the Company and its respective present and former parents, subsidiaries, divisions, affiliates, branches, insurers, agencies, and other offices from all rights or claims he has or may have against the Company
including, but not limited to, without limitation, all charges, claims of money, demands, rights, and causes of action arising under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, as amended (“ADEA”), up to and including
the date Executive signs this Waiver and Release including, but not limited to, all claims of age discrimination in employment and all claims of retaliation in violation of ADEA. Executive further acknowledges that the consideration given for this
waiver of claims under the ADEA is in addition to anything of value to which he was already entitled in the absence of this waiver. Executive further acknowledges: (a) that he has been informed by this writing that he should consult with an
attorney prior to executing this Waiver and Release; (b) that he has carefully read and fully understands all of the provisions of this Waiver and Release; (c) he is, through this Waiver and Release, releasing the Company from any and all
claims he may have against it; (d) he understands and agrees that this waiver and release does not apply to any claims that may arise under the ADEA after the date he executes this Waiver and Release; (e) he has at least twenty-one (21) days within which to consider this Waiver and Release; and (f) he has seven (7) days following his execution of this Waiver and Release to revoke the Waiver and Release; and
(g) this Waiver and Release shall not be effective until the revocation period has expired and Executive has signed and has not revoked the Waiver and Release. 

Executive acknowledges and agrees that: (a) he has had reasonable and sufficient time to read and review this Waiver and Release and that
he has, in fact, read and reviewed this Waiver and Release; (b) that he has the right to consult with legal counsel regarding this Waiver and Release and is encouraged to consult with legal counsel with regard to this Waiver and Release;
(c) that he was originally provided this Waiver and Release on or about August 20, 2017 and has had (or has had the opportunity to take) twenty-one (21) calendar days to discuss the Waiver and
Release with a lawyer of his choice before signing it and, if he signs before the end of that period, he does so of his own free will and with the full knowledge that he could have taken the full period; (d) that he is entering into this Waiver
and Release freely and voluntarily and not as a result of any coercion, duress or undue influence; (e) that he is not relying upon any oral representations made to him regarding the subject matter of this Waiver and Release; (f) that by
this Waiver and Release he is receiving consideration in addition to that which he was already entitled; and (g) that he has received all information he requires from the Company in order to make a knowing and voluntary release and waiver of
all claims against the Company. 
 Executive acknowledges and agrees that he has seven (7) days after the date he signs this Waiver and
Release in which to rescind or revoke this Waiver and Release by providing notice in writing to the Company. Executive further understands that the Waiver and Release will have no force and effect until the end of that seventh day (the
“Waiver Effective Date”). If Executive revokes the Waiver and Release, the Company will not be obligated to pay or provide Executive with the benefits described in this Waiver and Release, and this Waiver and Release shall be
deemed null and void. 
 AGREED TO AND ACCEPTED this 

______ day of December, 2017 

	
	
	   

	John E. Vollmer III

  
 -13- 

 Exhibit B 

Allen 
 Beauregard 

Bienville 
 Bossier 

Caddo 
 Calcasieu 

Cameron 
 DeSoto 

Jackson 
 Jefferson Davis 

Lafayette 
 Lincoln 

Natchitoches 
 Rapides 

Red River 
 Sabine 

St. Landry 
 St. Mary 

Vermilion 
 Webster 

  
 -14-

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