Document:

exv10w1

 

	 	 	 
	 	Plains Resources Inc.

700 Milam, Suite 3100

Pennzoil North Tower

Houston, Texas 77002	
Exhibit 10.1

September 8, 2003

Stephen A. Thorington

6623 Westchester

Houston, TX 77005

               Re: Terms of Employment with the Company

Dear Steve:

I am pleased to offer you the position of Executive Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer of Plains Resources Inc. (the “Company”). This offer letter
shall outline the terms of your employment with the Company.

Subject to earlier termination by either you or the Company, you will be
employed by the Company for a term of five years which shall begin effective as
of December 18, 2002 (the “Effective Date”). The term of your employment will
automatically be extended one year and again for successive one-year periods on
each anniversary thereof, if you and the Company have agreed to new
compensation terms at least ninety days prior to the end of the initial
five-year period and any additional one-year extensions (the initial five-year
term and any additional years are hereinafter referred to as the “Term”). Your
annual salary shall be $100,000, and you shall be eligible for an annual target
bonus of 100% of your annual salary, subject to attainment of goals set forth
by the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”).

Since the majority of your professional time will be devoted to your duties at
Plains Exploration & Production Company (“PXP”), you will not be entitled to
any benefits from the Company other than participation in bonus, equity
incentive and similar plans.

You agree to use reasonable best efforts to perform faithfully and sufficiently
your responsibilities and duties hereunder. The Company understands and
acknowledges that you shall be an employee of PXP, and therefore, you will not
be able to devote all of your attention and time during normal business hours
to the Company. Accordingly, the Company agrees that the performance of your
duties on behalf of PXP shall not be a breach of this Agreement.

If the Company terminates your employment during the Term for any reason other
than cause, or if a “change in control” as defined in the Company’s 2001 Stock
Incentive Plan occurs, or if your employment terminates due to your death
during the Term, you will receive a severance payment equal to two times the
sum of your base salary and last earned annual bonus (provided, however, that
if such termination shall take place prior to December 31, 2003, the bonus
amount used for the severance calculation shall be the target bonus), and any
options or grants of restricted

 

 

September 8, 2003

Page 2 of 3

Company common stock shall immediately vest. In addition, you will be
entitled to health benefits for up to two years, subject to mitigation should
you become entitled to health benefits under another plan.

During the Term and for any period thereafter, you shall not, without the
written consent of the Board or a person authorized by the Board, disclose to
any person, other than an employee of the Company or a person to whom
disclosure is reasonably necessary or appropriate in connection with the
performance of your duties as an executive of the Company, any confidential
information obtained by you while in the employ of the Company with respect to
the Company’s business, including but not limited to technology, know-how,
processes, maps, geological and geophysical data, other proprietary information
and any information whatsoever of a confidential nature, the disclosure of
which you know or should know will be damaging to the Company; provided,
however, that confidential information shall not include any information known
generally to the public (other than as a result of unauthorized disclosure by
you) or any information which you may be required to disclose by any applicable
law, order, or judicial or administrative proceeding.

During the Term, you shall not in North America directly or indirectly engage
in or become interested financially in as a principal, employee, partner,
shareholder, agent, manager, owner, advisor, lender or guarantor of any person
engaged in any business substantially identical to the Business (defined
below); provided, however, that you may invest in stock, bonds or other
securities in any such business (without participating in such business) if:
(i)(A) such stock, bonds or other securities are listed on any United States
securities exchange or are publicly traded in an over the counter market and
(B) your investment does not exceed, in the case of any capital stock of any
one issuer, 5% of the issued and outstanding capital stock, or in the case of
bonds or other securities, 5% of the aggregate principal amount thereof issued
and outstanding, or (ii) such investment is completely passive and no control
or influence over the management or policies of such business is exercised.
The term “Business” shall mean (1) marketing, gathering, transporting,
terminalling, and storage of oil and investments in companies conducting such
activities and (2) acquiring, exploiting, developing, exploring for and
producing oil in Florida.

Further, during the Term and for a period of one year thereafter, you shall not
solicit or hire, directly or indirectly, in any manner whatsoever (except in
response to a general solicitation), in the capacity of employee, consultant or
in any other capacity whatsoever, one or more of the employees, directors or
officers or other persons (hereinafter collectively referred to as “Employees”)
who at the time of solicitation or hire, or in the 90-day period prior thereto,
are working full-time or part-time for the Company or any of its subsidiaries
and you shall not endeavor, directly or indirectly, in any manner whatsoever,
to encourage any Employee to leave his or her job with the Company or any of
its subsidiaries and you shall not endeavor, directly or indirectly, and in any
manner whatsoever, to incite or induce any client of the Company or any of its
subsidiaries to terminate, in whole or in part, its business relations with the
Company or any of its subsidiaries.

[The next page is the signature page.]

 

 

September 8, 2003

Page 3 of 3

If you agree with the terms as set forth herein, please sign both copies of
this letter and return one copy to me at the above address.

Sincerely,

/s/ John T. Raymond

John T. Raymond

President and Chief Executive Officer

Agreed to and accepted this 8th day of September 2003.

/s/ Stephen A. Thorington

Stephen A. Thorington<PAGE>
                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.1

                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

         THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT ("Agreement") is made by and between W-H
Energy Services, Inc., a Texas corporation ("Company"), and Kenneth T. White,
Jr. ("Executive").

                                  WITNESSETH:

         WHEREAS, Executive is currently employed by Company; and

         WHEREAS, Company is desirous of continuing to employ Executive in an
executive capacity on the terms and conditions, and for the consideration,
hereinafter set forth and Executive is desirous of continuing to be employed by
Company on such terms and conditions and for such consideration;

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

ARTICLE 1: EMPLOYMENT AND DUTIES

         1.1 EMPLOYMENT; EFFECTIVE DATE. Effective as of October 1, 2003 (the
"Effective Date"), and continuing for the period of time set forth in Article 2
of this Agreement, Executive's employment by Company shall be subject to the
terms and conditions of this Agreement.

         1.2 POSITIONS. From and after the Effective Date, Company shall employ
Executive in the positions of President and Chief Executive Officer of Company,
or in such other positions as the parties mutually may agree. During the term of
this Agreement, Executive shall also serve as Chairman of the Company's Board of
Directors (the "Board of Directors").

         1.3 DUTIES AND SERVICES. Executive agrees to serve in the positions
referred to in paragraph 1.2 and to perform diligently and to the best of his
abilities the duties and services appertaining to such offices, as well as such
additional duties and services appropriate to such offices which the parties
mutually may agree upon from time to time. Executive's employment shall also be
subject to the policies maintained and established by Company that are of
general applicability to Company's executive employees, as such policies may be
amended from time to time.

         1.4 OTHER INTERESTS. Executive agrees, during the period of his
employment by Company, to devote his primary business time, energy and best
efforts to the business and affairs of Company and its affiliates and not to
engage, directly or indirectly, in any other business or businesses, whether or
not similar to that of Company, except with the consent of the Board of
Directors. The foregoing notwithstanding, the parties recognize and agree that
Executive may engage in other business activities that do not conflict with the
business and affairs of Company or interfere with Executive's performance of his
duties hereunder, which shall be at the sole determination of the Board of
Directors.

<PAGE>

         1.5 DUTY OF LOYALTY. Executive acknowledges and agrees that Executive
owes a fiduciary duty of loyalty to act at all times in the best interests of
Company. In keeping with such duty, Executive shall make full disclosure to
Company of all business opportunities pertaining to Company's business and shall
not appropriate for Executive's own benefit business opportunities concerning
Company's business.

ARTICLE 2: TERM AND TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT

         2.1 TERM. Unless sooner terminated pursuant to other provisions hereof,
Company agrees to employ Executive for the period beginning on the Effective
Date and ending on September 30, 2006 (the "Initial Expiration Date"); provided,
however, that beginning on the Initial Expiration Date, and on each anniversary
of the Initial Expiration Date thereafter, if this Agreement has not been
terminated pursuant to paragraph 2.2 or 2.3, then said term of employment shall
automatically be extended for an additional one-year period unless on or before
the date that is 90 days prior to the first day of any such extension period
either party shall give written notice to the other that no such automatic
extension shall occur.

         2.2 COMPANY'S RIGHT TO TERMINATE. Notwithstanding the provisions of
paragraph 2.1, Company shall have the right to terminate Executive's employment
under this Agreement at any time for any of the following reasons:

                  (i) upon Executive's death;

                  (ii) upon Executive's becoming incapacitated by accident,
         sickness or other circumstance which, in the opinion of a physician
         selected by Company, renders him mentally or physically incapable of
         performing the duties and services required of him hereunder;

                  (iii) for cause, which for purposes of this Agreement shall
         mean Executive (A) has willfully breached any of his duties and
         obligations hereunder resulting in materially adverse consequences to
         Company or any of its affiliates, (B) has misappropriated funds or
         property of Company or any of its affiliates, or (C) has engaged in
         conduct that is materially adverse to the interest of Company or any of
         its affiliates; or

                  (iv) for any other reason whatsoever, in the sole discretion
         of the Board of Directors.

         2.3 EXECUTIVE'S RIGHT TO TERMINATE. Notwithstanding the provisions of
paragraph 2.1, Executive shall have the right to terminate his employment under
this Agreement for any of the following reasons:

                  (i) within 60 days of and in connection with or based upon (A)
         a material breach by Company of any material provision of this
         Agreement, (B) a significant reduction in the nature or scope of
         Executive's duties and responsibilities, (C) the assignment to
         Executive of duties and responsibilities that are materially
         inconsistent with the positions referred to in paragraph 1.2, or (D)
         any requirement that Executive relocate to a site more than 25 miles
         from his present business address; provided, however, that, prior to
         Executive's termination of employment under this paragraph

                                       2
<PAGE>
         2.3(i), Executive must give written notice to Company of any such
         breach, reduction, assignment or requirement and such breach,
         reduction, assignment or requirement must remain uncorrected for 10
         days following such written notice;

                  (ii) at any time after there is a Change in Control (as such
         term is defined in paragraph 6.1); or

                  (iii) at any time for any other reason whatsoever, in the sole
         discretion of Executive.

         2.4 NOTICE OF TERMINATION. If Company or Executive desires to terminate
Executive's employment hereunder at any time prior to expiration of the term of
employment as provided in paragraph 2.1, it or he shall do so by giving written
notice to the other party that it or he has elected to terminate Executive's
employment hereunder and stating the effective date and reason for such
termination, provided that no such action shall alter or amend any other
provisions hereof or rights arising hereunder.

ARTICLE 3: COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

         3.1 BASE SALARY. During the period of this Agreement, Executive shall
receive a minimum annual base salary of $400,000.00. Executive's annual base
salary shall be reviewed by the Board of Directors (or a committee thereof) on
an annual basis, and, in the sole discretion of the Board of Directors (or such
committee), such annual base salary may be increased, but not decreased,
effective as of January 1 of each year. Executive's annual base salary shall be
paid in equal installments in accordance with the Company's standard policy
regarding payment of compensation to executives but no less frequently than
monthly.

         3.2 INCENTIVE COMPENSATION. Executive shall be eligible to receive
incentive compensation up to a maximum of 200% of his annual base salary each
calendar year as shall be determined in the sole discretion of the Board of
Directors.

         3.3 OTHER PERQUISITES. During his employment hereunder, Executive shall
be afforded the following benefits as incidences of his employment:

                  (i) BUSINESS AND ENTERTAINMENT EXPENSES - Subject to Company's
         standard policies and procedures with respect to expense reimbursement
         as applied to its executive employees generally, Company shall
         reimburse Executive for, or pay on behalf of Executive, reasonable and
         appropriate expenses incurred by Executive for business related
         purposes, including dues and fees to industry and professional
         organizations and costs of entertainment and business development.

                  (ii) CAR ALLOWANCE - Company shall provide to Executive an
         automobile or automobile allowance as approved by the Board of
         Directors.

                  (iii) LIFE INSURANCE - Company shall pay the premium for a
         life insurance policy on the life of Executive (First Colony Life,
         policy number 5748822), which policy is owned by Marlaine I. White,
         Trustee of the White 2001 Family Trusts dated January 25, 2001.

                                       3
<PAGE>

                  (iv) OTHER COMPANY BENEFITS - Executive and, to the extent
         applicable, Executive's spouse, dependents and beneficiaries, shall be
         allowed to participate in all benefits, plans and programs, including
         improvements or modifications of the same, which are now, or may
         hereafter be, available to other executive employees of Company. Such
         benefits, plans and programs shall include, without limitation, any
         profit sharing plan, thrift plan, health insurance or health care plan,
         life insurance, disability insurance, pension plan, supplemental
         retirement plan, vacation and sick leave plan, and the like which may
         be maintained by Company. Company shall not, however, by reason of this
         paragraph be obligated to institute, maintain, or refrain from
         changing, amending, or discontinuing, any such benefit plan or program,
         so long as such changes are similarly applicable to executive employees
         generally.

ARTICLE 4: PROTECTION OF INFORMATION

         4.1 DISCLOSURE TO EXECUTIVE. Company shall disclose to Executive, or
place Executive in a position to have access to or develop, trade secrets or
confidential information of Company or its affiliates; and/or shall entrust
Executive with business opportunities of Company or its affiliates; and/or shall
place Executive in a position to develop business good will on behalf of Company
or its affiliates.

         4.2 PROPERTY OF COMPANY. All documents, drawings, memoranda, notes,
records, files, correspondence, manuals, models, specifications, computer
programs, e-mail, voice mail, electronic databases, maps, and all other writings
or materials of any type embodying any information relating to Company or its
business are and shall be the sole and exclusive property of Company. Upon
termination of Executive's employment by Company, for any reason, Executive
promptly shall deliver the same, and all copies thereof, to Company.

         4.3 NO UNAUTHORIZED USE OR DISCLOSURE. Executive will not, at any time
during or after Executive's employment by Company, make any unauthorized
disclosure of any confidential business information or trade secrets of Company
or its affiliates, or make any use thereof, except in the carrying out of
Executive's employment responsibilities hereunder. Affiliates of the Company
shall be third party beneficiaries of Executive's obligations under this
paragraph. As a result of Executive's employment by Company, Executive may also
from time to time have access to, or knowledge of, confidential business
information or trade secrets of third parties, such as customers, suppliers,
partners, joint venturers, and the like, of Company and its affiliates.
Executive also agrees to preserve and protect the confidentiality of such third
party confidential information and trade secrets to the same extent, and on the
same basis, as Company's confidential business information and trade secrets.

         4.4 REMEDIES. Executive acknowledges that money damages would not be
sufficient remedy for any breach of this Article by Executive, and Company shall
be entitled 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 this Article, but shall be in addition to all remedies
available at law or in equity to Company, including the recovery of damages from
Executive.

                                       4
<PAGE>

ARTICLE 5: NONCOMPETITION OBLIGATIONS

         5.1 IN GENERAL. As part of the consideration for the compensation and
benefits to be paid to Executive hereunder; to protect the trade secrets and
confidential information of Company and its affiliates that have been and will
in the future be disclosed or entrusted to Executive, the business good will of
Company and its affiliates that has been and will in the future be developed in
Executive, or the business opportunities that have been and will in the future
be disclosed or entrusted to Executive by Company and its affiliates; and as an
additional incentive for Company to enter into this Agreement, Company and
Executive agree to the noncompetition obligations hereunder. Executive shall
not, directly or indirectly for Executive or for others, in the states of Texas
and Louisiana:

                  (i) engage in any business competitive with the business
         conducted by Company during the term of employment of Executive in such
         states; or

                  (ii) render advice or services to, be employed by, acquire an
         ownership interest in, or otherwise assist, any other person,
         association, or entity who is engaged, directly or indirectly, in any
         business competitive with the business conducted by Company during the
         term of employment of Executive in such states with respect to such
         competitive business, except that Executive may hold up to 2% of the
         outstanding shares of any publicly held company engaged in such
         competitive activities.

The noncompetition obligations set forth above shall apply only during the
period that Executive is employed by Company and for two years thereafter;
provided, however, that such noncompetition obligations shall only apply after
Executive's termination of employment hereunder if such termination shall be as
a result of a resignation by Executive other than under circumstances described
in paragraph 2.3(i).

         5.2 ENFORCEMENT AND REMEDIES. Executive acknowledges that money damages
would not be sufficient remedy for any breach of this Article by Executive, and
Company shall be entitled 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 this Article, but shall be in
addition to all remedies available at law or in equity to Company, including
without limitation, the recovery of damages from Executive.

         5.3 REFORMATION. It is expressly understood and agreed that Company and
Executive consider the restrictions contained in this Article to be reasonable
and necessary to protect the proprietary information of Company. Nevertheless,
if any of the aforesaid restrictions are found by a court having jurisdiction to
be unreasonable, or overly broad as to geographic area or time, or otherwise
unenforceable, the parties intend for the restrictions therein set forth to be
modified by such court so as to be reasonable and enforceable and, as so
modified by the court, to be fully enforced.

ARTICLE 6: EFFECT OF TERMINATION ON COMPENSATION; ADDITIONAL PAYMENTS

         6.1 DEFINED TERMS. For purposes of this Article 6, the following terms
shall have the meanings indicated:

                                       5
<PAGE>

                  "Change in Control" means (i) a merger of Company with another
         entity, a consolidation involving Company, or the sale of all or
         substantially all of the assets of Company to another entity if, in any
         such case, (A) the holders of equity securities of Company immediately
         prior to such transaction or event do not beneficially own immediately
         after such transaction or event equity securities of the resulting
         entity entitled to 60% or more of the votes then eligible to be cast in
         the election of directors generally (or comparable governing body) of
         the resulting entity in substantially the same proportions that they
         owned the equity securities of Company immediately prior to such
         transaction or event or (B) the persons who were members of the Board
         of Directors immediately prior to such transaction or event shall not
         constitute at least a majority of the board of directors of the
         resulting entity immediately after such transaction or event, (ii) the
         dissolution or liquidation of Company, (iii) when any person or entity,
         including a "group" as contemplated by Section 13(d)(3) of the
         Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, acquires or gains
         ownership or control (including, without limitation, power to vote) of
         more than 50% of the combined voting power of the outstanding
         securities of, (A) if Company has not engaged in a merger or
         consolidation, Company, or (B) if Company has engaged in a merger or
         consolidation, the resulting entity, or (iv) as a result of or in
         connection with a contested election of directors, the persons who were
         members of the Board of Directors immediately before such election
         shall cease to constitute a majority of the Board of Directors. For
         purposes of the preceding sentence, (1) "resulting entity" in the
         context of a transaction or event that is a merger, consolidation or
         sale of all or substantially all assets shall mean the surviving entity
         (or acquiring entity in the case of an asset sale) unless the surviving
         entity (or acquiring entity in the case of an asset sale) is a
         subsidiary of another entity and the holders of common stock of Company
         receive capital stock of such other entity in such transaction or
         event, in which event the resulting entity shall be such other entity,
         and (2) subsequent to the consummation of a merger or consolidation
         that does not constitute a Change in Control, the term "Company" shall
         refer to the resulting entity and the term "Board of Directors" shall
         refer to the board of directors (or comparable governing body) of the
         resulting entity.

                  "Termination Benefits" means (i) a lump sum cash payment equal
         to 250% of the sum of (A) Executive's annual base salary at the rate in
         effect under paragraph 3.1 on the date of termination of Executive's
         employment and (B) the highest annual incentive compensation payment
         paid to Executive by Company (pursuant to paragraph 3.2 or otherwise)
         during the three years prior to the date of termination of Executive's
         employment, (ii) all of the outstanding stock options, restricted
         awards and other equity based awards granted by Company to Executive
         shall become fully vested and immediately exercisable in full on the
         date of termination of Executive's employment, (iii) a consulting
         arrangement whereby Executive shall continue to perform services as a
         consultant to Company for up to twenty (20) hours per month for a term
         of five (5) years for consideration of $25,000 per annum payable
         monthly, and (iv) continuation of participation in all of Company's
         health, medical and life insurance plans that may be in effect from
         time to time, but only to the extent Executive is eligible under the
         terms of such plans, from the date of termination of Executive's
         employment for a period of five (5) years.

                                       6
<PAGE>

         6.2 BY EXPIRATION. If Executive's employment hereunder shall terminate
upon expiration of the term provided in paragraph 2.1 hereof because Executive
has provided the notice contemplated in such paragraph to Company, then all
compensation and all benefits to Executive hereunder shall continue to be
provided until the expiration of such term and such compensation and benefits
shall terminate contemporaneously with termination of his employment. If
Executive's employment hereunder shall terminate upon expiration of the term
provided in paragraph 2.1 hereof because Company has provided the notice
contemplated in such paragraph to Executive, then (i) all compensation and all
benefits to Executive hereunder shall continue to be provided until the
expiration of such term, (ii) such compensation and benefits shall terminate
contemporaneously with termination of his employment, and (iii) Company shall
provide Executive with the Termination Benefits. Any lump sum cash payment due
to Executive pursuant to clause (iii) of the preceding sentence shall be paid to
Executive within five business days of the date of Executive's termination of
employment with Company.

         6.3 BY COMPANY. If Executive's employment hereunder shall be terminated
by Company prior to expiration of the term provided in paragraph 2.1, then, upon
such termination, regardless of the reason therefor, all compensation and
benefits to Executive hereunder shall terminate contemporaneously with the
termination of such employment; provided, however, that:

                  (i) if such termination shall be for a reason encompassed by
         paragraph 2.2(i), then, for a period of 12 months beginning on the date
         of such termination, Company shall pay to Executive's designated
         beneficiary (or his estate if Executive does not have a beneficiary
         designation on file with Company for this purpose) his base salary at
         the rate in effect under paragraph 3.1 on the date of such termination;

                  (ii) if such termination shall be for a reason encompassed by
         paragraph 2.2(ii), then, for a period of 12 months beginning on the
         date of such termination, Company shall pay to Executive (or, in the
         event of Executive's death, his designated beneficiary (or his estate
         if Executive does not have a beneficiary designation on file with
         Company for this purpose)) his base salary at the rate in effect under
         paragraph 3.1 on the date of such termination; and

                  (iii) if such termination shall be for any reason other than
         those encompassed by paragraphs 2.2(i), (ii), or (iii), then Company
         shall provide Executive with the Termination Benefits. Any lump sum
         cash payment due to Executive pursuant to the preceding sentence shall
         be paid to Executive within five business days of the date of
         Executive's termination of employment with Company.

         6.4 BY EXECUTIVE. If Executive's employment hereunder shall be
terminated by Executive prior to expiration of the term provided in paragraph
2.1, then, upon such termination, regardless of the reason therefor, all
compensation and benefits to Executive hereunder shall terminate
contemporaneously with the termination of such employment; provided, however,
that:

                  (i) if such termination occurs for a reason encompassed by
         paragraph 2.3(i), then Company shall provide Executive with the
         Termination Benefits; and

                                       7
<PAGE>

                  (ii) if such termination shall occur within the 180-day period
         beginning on the date upon which a Change in Control occurs, then
         Company shall provide Executive with the Termination Benefits.

If Executive is entitled to Termination Benefits under either clause (i) or
clause (ii) of the preceding sentence, then Executive shall not also be entitled
to additional Termination Benefits under the other clause. Any lump sum cash
payment due to Executive pursuant to this paragraph shall be paid to Executive
within five business days of the date of Executive's termination of employment
with Company.

         6.5 ADDITIONAL PAYMENTS BY COMPANY. Notwithstanding anything to the
contrary in this Agreement, in the event that any payment or distribution by
Company to or for the benefit of Executive, whether paid or payable or
distributed or distributable pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or
otherwise (a "Payment"), would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section
4999 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or any interest or
penalties with respect to such excise tax (such excise tax, together with any
such interest or penalties, are hereinafter collectively referred to as the
"Excise Tax"), Company shall pay to Executive an additional payment (a "Gross-up
Payment") in an amount such that after payment by Executive of all taxes
(including any interest or penalties imposed with respect to such taxes),
including any Excise Tax imposed on any Gross-up Payment, Executive retains an
amount of the Gross-up Payment equal to the Excise Tax imposed upon the
Payments. Company and Executive shall make an initial determination as to
whether a Gross-up Payment is required and the amount of any such Gross-up
Payment. Executive shall notify Company in writing of any claim by the Internal
Revenue Service which, if successful, would require Company to make a Gross-up
Payment (or a Gross-up Payment in excess of that, if any, initially determined
by Company and Executive) within 10 days of the receipt of such claim. Company
shall notify Executive in writing at least 10 days prior to the due date of any
response required with respect to such claim if it plans to contest the claim.
If Company decides to contest such claim, Executive shall cooperate fully with
Company in such action; provided, however, Company shall bear and pay directly
or indirectly all costs and expenses (including additional interest and
penalties) incurred in connection with such action and shall indemnify and hold
Executive harmless, on an after-tax basis, for any Excise Tax or income tax,
including interest and penalties with respect thereto, imposed as a result of
Company's action. If, as a result of Company's action with respect to a claim,
Executive receives a refund of any amount paid by Company with respect to such
claim, Executive shall promptly pay such refund to Company. If Company fails to
timely notify Executive whether it will contest such claim or Company determines
not to contest such claim, then Company shall immediately pay to Executive the
portion of such claim, if any, which it has not previously paid to Executive.

         6.6 NO DUTY TO MITIGATE LOSSES. Executive shall have no duty to find
new employment following the termination of his employment under circumstances
which require Company to pay any amount to Executive pursuant to this Article 6.
Any salary or remuneration received by Executive from a third party for the
providing of personal services (whether by employment or by functioning as an
independent contractor) following the termination of his employment under
circumstances pursuant to which this Article 6 apply shall not reduce Company's
obligation to make a payment to Executive (or the amount of such payment)
pursuant to the terms of this Article 6.

                                       8
<PAGE>

         6.7 LIQUIDATED DAMAGES. In light of the difficulties in estimating the
damages for an early termination of this Agreement, Company and Executive hereby
agree that the payments, if any, to be received by Executive pursuant to this
Article 6 shall be received by Executive as liquidated damages.

         6.8 OTHER BENEFITS. This Agreement governs the rights and obligations
of Executive and Company with respect to Executive's base salary and certain
perquisites of employment. Except as expressly provided herein, Executive's
rights and obligations both during the term of his employment and thereafter
with respect to stock options, restricted stock, incentive and deferred
compensation, life insurance policies insuring the life of Executive, and other
benefits under the plans and programs maintained by Company shall be governed by
the separate agreements, plans and other documents and instruments governing
such matters. Further, Company acknowledges that Executive owns all of the
furniture and paintings in his office, his secretary's office, Company's
conference room and certain other office equipment including filing cabinets and
a computer which Employee shall be eligible to remove and/or retain possession
of in the event of his termination of employment for any reason whatsoever.

ARTICLE 7: MISCELLANEOUS

         7.1 NOTICES. For purposes of this Agreement, notices and all other
communications provided for herein shall be in writing and shall be deemed to
have been duly given when personally delivered or when mailed by United States
registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid,
addressed as follows:

         IF TO COMPANY TO:          W-H Energy Services, Inc.
                                    10370 Richmond Avenue, Suite 990
                                    Houston, Texas 77042
                                    Attention: Chief Financial Officer

         IF TO EXECUTIVE TO:        Kenneth T. White, Jr.
                                    620 Sugar Creek Blvd.
                                    Sugar Land, Texas 77478

or to such other address as either party may furnish to the other in writing in
accordance herewith, except that notices or changes of address shall be
effective only upon receipt.

         7.2 APPLICABLE LAW. This Agreement is entered into under, and shall be
governed for all purposes by, the laws of the State of Texas.

         7.3 NO WAIVER. No failure by either party hereto at any time to give
notice of any breach by the other party of, or to require compliance with, any
condition or provision of this Agreement shall be deemed a waiver of similar or
dissimilar provisions or conditions at the same or at any prior or subsequent
time.

         7.4 SEVERABILITY. If a court of competent jurisdiction determines that
any provision of this Agreement is invalid or unenforceable, then the invalidity
or unenforceability of that provision shall not affect the validity or
enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement, and all other
provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

                                       9
<PAGE>

         7.5 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.

         7.6 WITHHOLDING OF TAXES AND OTHER EMPLOYEE DEDUCTIONS. Company may
withhold from any benefits and payments made pursuant to this Agreement all
federal, state, city and other taxes as may be required pursuant to any law or
governmental regulation or ruling and all other normal employee deductions made
with respect to Company's employees generally.

         7.7 HEADINGS. The paragraph headings have been inserted for purposes of
convenience and shall not be used for interpretive purposes.

         7.8 GENDER AND PLURALS. Wherever the context so requires, the masculine
gender includes the feminine or neuter, and the singular number includes the
plural and conversely.

         7.9 AFFILIATE. As used in this Agreement, the term "affiliate" shall
mean any entity which owns or controls, is owned or controlled by, or is under
common ownership or control with, Company.

         7.10 ASSIGNMENT. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the
benefit of Company and any successor of Company, by merger or otherwise. Except
as provided in the preceding sentence, this Agreement, and the rights and
obligations of the parties hereunder, are personal and neither this Agreement,
nor any right, benefit, or obligation of either party hereto, shall be subject
to voluntary or involuntary assignment, alienation or transfer, whether by
operation of law or otherwise, without the prior written consent of the other
party.

         7.11 TERM. This Agreement has a term co-extensive with the term of
employment provided in paragraph 2.1. Termination shall not affect any right or
obligation of any party which is accrued or vested prior to such termination.

         7.12 ENTIRE AGREEMENT. Except as provided in (i) the written benefit
plans and programs referenced in paragraph 3.3(iv) (and any agreements between
Company and Executive that have been executed under such plans and programs) and
(ii) any signed written agreement contemporaneously or hereafter executed by
Company and Executive, this Agreement constitutes the entire agreement of the
parties with regard to the subject matter hereof, and contains all the
covenants, promises, representations, warranties and agreements between the
parties with respect to employment of Executive by Company. Without limiting the
scope of the preceding sentence, all understandings and agreements preceding the
date of execution of this Agreement and relating to the subject matter hereof
(other than the agreements described in clause (i) of the preceding sentence)
are hereby null and void and of no further force and effect, including, without
limitation, that certain Amended and Restated Employment Agreement by and
between Company and Executive dated March 27, 1999. Any modification of this
Agreement will be effective only if it is in writing and signed by the party to
be charged.

                                       10
<PAGE>

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement on
the 16th day of October, 2003, to be effective as of the Effective Date.

                                    W-H ENERGY SERVICES, INC.

                                    By:         /s/ Jeffrey L. Tepera
                                             -----------------------------------
                                             Name:  Jeffrey L. Tepera
                                                    ----------------------------
                                             Title: V.P. & C.F.O.
                                                    ----------------------------
                                                      "COMPANY"

                                             /s/ Kenneth T. White, Jr.
                                             -----------------------------------
                                             KENNETH T. WHITE, JR.
                                                      "EXECUTIVE"

                                       11

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