Document:

Subordination Agreement.

 Exhibit 10.3 
 Execution Version 
 SUBORDINATION AGREEMENT 

SUBORDINATION AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), dated as of February 21, 2012, among MSDC ZEC Investments, LLC, a
Delaware limited liability company (“MSDC”), Senator Sidecar Master Fund LP, a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership (“Senator”) O-CAP Offshore Master Fund, L.P., a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership
(“O-Cap Offshore”), O-CAP Partners, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (“O-Cap Partners”), Capital Ventures International, a Cayman Islands corporation (“Capital”), Talara Master Fund, LTD., a
Cayman Islands partnership (“Talara”), Blackwell Partners, LLC, a Georgia limited liability company (“Blackwell”), Permal Talara LTD., a British Virgin Islands corporation (“Permal”), Winmill
Investments LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Winmill” and, together with MSDC, Senator, O-Cap Offshore, O-Cap Partners, Capital, Talara, Blackwell and Permal and their respective successors and assigns, including, any
future holder of Senior Debt (as defined below), collectively, the “Senior Creditors”), U.S. Bank National Association, in its capacity as collateral agent (together with its successors and assigns, the “Collateral
Agent”) for itself and the Senior Creditors, Omega Energy Corp., a Texas corporation (“Omega”), Blackstone Oil & Gas, LLC, a Texas limited liability company (“Blackstone”), Lara Energy, Inc., a
Texas corporation (“Lara Energy”), Todd Alan Brooks, Gaston L. Kearby, John E. Hearn, Jr. (together with Omega, Blackstone, Lara Energy, Todd Alan Brooks and Gaston L. Kearby, collectively, the “Subordinated
Creditors” and each, individually, a “Subordinated Creditor”), and ZaZa Energy Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”). 
 WHEREAS, pursuant to a Securities Purchase Agreement, dated as of February 21, 2012 (as amended and in effect from time to time, including any replacement agreement therefor, the “Securities
Purchase Agreement”), among the Company and the Senior Creditors, the Senior Creditors have extended credit to the Company as evidenced by certain 8.00% Senior Secured Notes due February 21, 2017 in the aggregate principal amount of
$100,000,000 issued by the Company to the Senior Creditors (together with any notes issued in exchange therefor or replacement thereof and as the same may be amended, supplemented, restated or otherwise modified from time to time, the
“Senior Notes”); and 
 WHEREAS, each Subordinated Creditor has extended or agreed to extend credit to the
Company pursuant to certain promissory notes, dated on or about the date hereof, issued by the Company in favor of such Subordinated Creditor (as amended with the consent of the Senior Creditors as provided herein and in effect from time to time,
collectively, the “Subordinated Agreements” and each, individually, a “Subordinated Agreement”); and 
 WHEREAS, in order to induce the Senior Creditors to purchase Senior Notes and otherwise extend credit to the Company pursuant to the Securities Purchase Agreement, the Company and the Subordinated
Creditors have agreed to enter into this Agreement with the Collateral Agent and the Senior Creditors. 

 NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing, the mutual agreements herein contained
and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, hereby agree as follows: 

1. Definitions. Terms not otherwise defined herein have the same respective meanings given to them in the Securities Purchase
Agreement. In addition, the following terms shall have the following meanings: 
 “Senior Debt” shall mean all
principal, interest, fees, costs, enforcement expenses (including legal fees and disbursements), collateral protection expenses and other reimbursement or indemnity obligations created or evidenced by the Securities Purchase Agreement, the Senior
Notes or any of the other Transaction Documents or any prior, concurrent, or subsequent notes, instruments or agreements of indebtedness, liabilities or obligations of any type or form whatsoever relating thereto in favor of the Collateral Agent or
any of the Senior Creditors (including without limitation, the Collateral Agent’s and the Senior Creditors’ respective successors, assigns and participants). Without limiting any term contained in the immediately preceding sentence, Senior
Debt shall expressly include any and all interest accruing or out of pocket costs or expenses incurred after the date of any filing by or against any Credit Party of any petition under any Bankruptcy Law regardless of whether the Collateral
Agent’s or any Senior Creditor’s claim therefor is allowed or allowable in the case or proceeding relating thereto. 

“Subordinated Debt” shall mean all principal, interest, fees, costs, enforcement expenses (including legal fees and
disbursements), collateral protection expenses and other reimbursement and indemnity obligations of the Company to each Subordinated Creditor created or evidenced by the applicable Subordinated Agreement or any prior, concurrent or subsequent
guaranty, notes, instruments or agreements of indebtedness, liabilities or obligations of any type or form whatsoever relating thereto executed and delivered by the Company in favor of such Subordinated Creditor. 

“Subordinated Documents” shall mean collectively, the Subordinated Agreements and any and all other guaranties and
security interests, mortgages and other liens directly or indirectly guarantying or securing any of the Subordinated Debt, and any and all other documents or instruments evidencing or further guarantying or securing directly or indirectly any of the
Subordinated Debt, whether now existing or hereafter created, copies of which Subordinated Documents are attached hereto as Exhibit A. 
 2. General. The Subordinated Debt and any and all Subordinated Documents shall be and hereby are subordinated and the Company is not permitted to pay, and no Subordinated Creditor is permitted to
receive, any payment on its Subordinated Debt until the full and final payment in cash of the Senior Debt, whether now or hereafter incurred or owed by the Company. Notwithstanding the immediately preceding sentence, the Company shall be permitted
to pay, and each Subordinated Creditor shall be permitted to receive, (a) regularly scheduled monthly payments of interest on its Subordinated Debt, (b) at any time after the third anniversary of the Closing, prepayments of its
Subordinated Debt made solely with the net proceeds from the sale of Equity Interests in the Company substantially contemporaneously with the receipt of such proceeds (but in any event not later than thirty (30) days after receipt of such
proceeds) in an amount, when taken together with all other payments made on Seller Subordinated Debt (as defined in the Securities Purchase Agreement) from such net proceeds, not to exceed 20% of such net proceeds, and (c) payment in full of
its Subordinated Debt solely with the proceeds of other Subordinated Debt (under and as defined in the Securities Purchase Agreement) contemporaneously incurred by the Company, in each case, under clauses (a), (b) or (c) so long as at the
time of any such payment, or after giving effect thereto, no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing. 

  
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 3. Enforcement. No Subordinated Creditor will take or omit to take any action or
assert any claim with respect to its Subordinated Debt or otherwise which is inconsistent with the provisions of this Agreement. Without limiting the foregoing, no Subordinated Creditor will assert, collect or enforce its Subordinated Debt or any
part thereof or take any action to foreclose or realize upon its Subordinated Debt or any part thereof or enforce any of its Subordinated Documents except to the extent (but only to such extent) that the commencement of a legal action may be
required to toll the running of any applicable statute of limitation. Until the Senior Debt has been finally paid in full in cash, no Subordinated Creditor shall have any right of subrogation, reimbursement, restitution, contribution or indemnity
whatsoever from any assets of the Company or any guarantor of or provider of collateral security for the Senior Debt. Each Subordinated Creditor further waives any and all rights with respect to marshalling. 

4. Payments Held in Trust. No Subordinated Creditor will hold in trust and immediately pay over to the Collateral Agent for the
account of the Senior Creditors and the Collateral Agent in the same form of payment received, with appropriate endorsements, for application to the Senior Debt any cash amount that the Company pays to such Subordinated Creditor with respect to its
Subordinated Debt, or as collateral for the Senior Debt any other assets of the Company that such Subordinated Creditor may receive with respect to its Subordinated Debt, except with respect to payments expressly permitted pursuant to
Section 2. The Senior Creditors are irrevocably authorized to supply any required endorsement or assignment which may have been omitted. 
 5. Evidence of Subordination. The Company and each Subordinated Creditor shall make appropriate notations in their books to show the subordinate character of all applicable Subordinated Debt which
may now or hereafter be carried on open account. Until the Senior Debt has been indefeasibly paid in full, the Company shall not issue any instrument, security or other writing evidencing any part of its Subordinated Debt except as described in this
Section 5 or at the request of and in the manner requested by the Collateral Agent or any Senior Creditor; and no Subordinated Creditor shall subordinate any part of its Subordinated Debt except to or in favor of the Senior Creditors.

 6. Defense to Enforcement. If any Subordinated Creditor, in contravention of the terms of this Agreement, shall
commence, prosecute or participate in any suit, action or proceeding against the Company, then the Company may interpose as a defense or plea the making of this Agreement, and the Collateral Agent or any Senior Creditor may intervene and interpose
such defense or plea in its name or in the name of the Company. If any Subordinated Creditor, in contravention of the terms of this Agreement, shall attempt to collect any of its Subordinated Debt or enforce any of its Subordinated Documents, then
the Collateral Agent or any Senior Creditor or the Company may, by virtue of this Agreement, restrain the enforcement thereof in the name of the Collateral Agent or such Senior Creditor or in the name of the Company. If any Subordinated Creditor, in
contravention of the terms of this Agreement, obtains any cash or other assets of the Company as a result of any administrative, legal or equitable actions, or otherwise, such Subordinated Creditor agrees forthwith to pay, deliver and assign to the
Collateral Agent, for the account of the Senior Creditors and the Collateral Agent with appropriate endorsements, any such cash for application to the Senior Debt and any such other assets as collateral for the Senior Debt. 

  
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 7. Bankruptcy, Etc. 

(a) Until all Senior Debt shall have been indefeasibly paid in full in cash, no Subordinated Creditor will commence or join with any
other creditor or creditors of the Company in commencing any bankruptcy, reorganization or insolvency proceedings against the Company. 
 (b) At any meeting of creditors of the Company or in the event of any case or proceeding, voluntary or involuntary, for the distribution, division or application of all or part of the assets of the
Company or the proceeds thereof, whether such case or proceeding be for the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company or its businesses, a receivership, insolvency or bankruptcy case or proceeding, an assignment for the benefit of
creditors or a proceeding by or against the Company for relief under any Bankruptcy Law or any other law relating to the relief of debtors, readjustment of indebtedness, reorganization, arrangement, composition or extension or marshalling of assets
or otherwise, the Collateral Agent is hereby irrevocably authorized on behalf of each Subordinated Creditor at any such meeting or in any such proceeding: 
 (i) to enforce claims comprising the Subordinated Debt either in its own name or in the name of such Subordinated Creditor, by proof of debt, proof of claim, suit or otherwise; 

(ii) to receive or collect any cash or other assets of the Company distributed, divided or applied by way of dividend or payment, or any
securities issued on account of any Subordinated Debt, and apply such cash to or to hold such other assets or securities as collateral for the Senior Debt, and to apply to the Senior Debt any cash proceeds of any realization upon such other assets
or securities that the Collateral Agent elects to effect, until all of the Senior Debt shall have been paid in full in cash, rendering to such Subordinated Creditor any surplus to which such Subordinated Creditor is then entitled; 

(iii) to vote claims comprising the Subordinated Debt, to accept or reject any plan of partial or complete liquidation, reorganization,
arrangement, composition or extension; and 
 (iv) to take generally any action in connection with any such meeting or
proceeding which such Subordinated Creditor might otherwise take. 
 8. Lien Subordination. 

(a) The Subordinated Debt shall be unsecured and the Company shall not grant any Liens to secure any of the Subordinated Debt. To the
extent any Lien is ever granted, the Senior Debt, the Securities Purchase Agreement and the other Transaction Documents and any and all other documents and instruments evidencing or creating the Senior Debt and all guaranties, mortgages, security
agreements, pledges and other collateral guarantying or securing the Senior Debt or any part thereof shall be senior to the Subordinated Debt and the Subordinated Documents irrespective of the time of the execution, delivery or issuance of any
thereof or the 

  
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filing or recording for perfection of any thereof or the filing of any financing statement or continuation statement relating to any thereof. Each Subordinated Creditor hereby agrees, upon
request of the Collateral Agent or any Senior Creditor at any time and from time to time, to execute such other documents or instruments as may be requested by the Collateral Agent or such Senior Creditor further to evidence of public record or
otherwise the senior priority of the Senior Debt as contemplated hereby. Each Subordinated Creditor further agrees to maintain on its books and records such notations as the Senior Creditors may reasonably request to reflect the subordination
contemplated hereby and to perfect or preserve the rights of the Collateral Agent and the Senior Creditors hereunder. 
 (b)
Without limiting any of the rights of the Collateral Agent or any Senior Creditor under the Securities Purchase Agreement, the other Transaction Documents, as applicable, or applicable law, in the event that the Senior Creditors or the Collateral
Agent release or discharge any guaranties of the Senior Debt given by guarantors which have also guarantied any of the Subordinated Debt or any security interests in, or mortgages or liens upon, any collateral securing the Senior Debt and also
securing any of the Subordinated Debt, such guarantors or (as the case may be) such collateral shall thereupon be deemed to have been released from all such guaranties or security interests, mortgages or liens in favor of the applicable Subordinated
Creditor. Each Subordinated Creditor agrees that, within ten (10) days following the Collateral Agent’s written request therefor, such Subordinated Creditor will execute, deliver and file any and all such termination statements, mortgage
discharges, lien releases and other agreements and instruments as the Collateral Agent reasonably deems necessary or appropriate in order to give effect to the preceding sentence. Each Subordinated Creditor hereby irrevocably appoints the Collateral
Agent, and its successors and assigns, and their respective officers, with full power of substitution, the true and lawful attorney(s) of such Subordinated Creditor for the purpose of effecting any such executions, deliveries and filings if and to
the extent that such Subordinated Creditor shall have failed to perform such obligations pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section 8(b) within such ten (10) day period. 

9. Collateral Agent’s and Senior Creditors’ Freedom of Dealing. Each Subordinated Creditor agrees, with respect to the
Senior Debt and any and all collateral therefor or guaranties thereof, that the Company, the Collateral Agent and the Senior Creditors, as applicable, may agree to increase the amount of the Senior Debt or otherwise modify, in any respect
whatsoever, the terms of any of the Senior Debt, and the Senior Creditors may grant extensions of the time of payment or performance to and make compromises, including releases of collateral or guaranties, and settlements with the Company and all
other Persons, in each case without the consent of such Subordinated Creditor or the Company and without affecting the agreements of such Subordinated Creditor or the Company contained in this Agreement; provided, however, that nothing contained in
this Section 9 shall constitute a waiver of the right of the Company itself to agree or consent to a settlement or compromise of a claim which the Collateral Agent or any Senior Creditor may have against the Company. To the extent any Senior
Creditor sells or assigns any of its Senior Debt, each Subordinated Creditor agrees to execute and deliver any and all documents and/or agreements reasonably requested by such Senior Creditor to reflect the continued subordination by such
Subordinated Creditor of its Subordinated Debt in favor of such purchaser or assignee of such Senior Debt. 

  
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 10. Modification or Sale of the Subordinated Debt. No Subordinated Creditor will, at
any time while this Agreement is in effect, modify any of the terms of any of its Subordinated Debt or any of its Subordinated Documents; nor will such Subordinated Creditor sell, transfer, pledge, assign, hypothecate or otherwise dispose of any or
all of its Subordinated Debt unless such Subordinated Creditor provides prior written notice of such event to the Senior Creditors and the person or entity acquiring such interest in such Subordinated Debt enters into a subordination agreement with
the Collateral Agent and the Senior Creditors in the form of this Agreement along with any other documents and/or agreements reasonably requested by the Senior Creditors. Any transfer in violation of this Agreement shall be void ab initio.

 11. Company’s Obligations Absolute. Nothing contained in this Agreement shall impair, as between the Company and
any Subordinated Creditor, the obligation of the Company to pay to such Subordinated Creditor all amounts payable in respect of its Subordinated Debt as and when the same shall become due and payable in accordance with the terms thereof, or prevent
such Subordinated Creditor (except as expressly otherwise provided in Section 3 or Section 6) from exercising all rights, powers and remedies otherwise permitted by its Subordinated Documents and by applicable law upon a default in the
payment of its Subordinated Debt or under its Subordinated Documents, all, however, subject to the rights of the Collateral Agent and the Senior Creditors as set forth in this Agreement. 

12. Termination of Subordination. This Agreement shall continue in full force and effect, and the obligations and agreements of
each Subordinated Creditor and the Company hereunder shall continue to be fully operative, until all of the Senior Debt shall have been paid and satisfied in full in cash and such full payment and satisfaction shall be final and not avoidable. To
the extent that the Company or any guarantor of or provider of collateral for the Senior Debt makes any payment on the Senior Debt that is subsequently invalidated, declared to be fraudulent or preferential or set aside or is required to be repaid
to a trustee, receiver or any other party under any bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization act, state or federal law, common law or equitable cause (such payment being hereinafter referred to as a “Voided Payment”), then to the
extent of such Voided Payment, that portion of the Senior Debt that had been previously satisfied by such Voided Payment shall be revived and continue in full force and effect as if such Voided Payment had never been made. In the event that a Voided
Payment is recovered from the Collateral Agent or any Senior Creditor, an Event of Default shall be deemed to have existed and to be continuing under the Securities Purchase Agreement from the date of the Collateral Agent’s or such Senior
Creditor’s initial receipt of such Voided Payment until the full amount of such Voided Payment is restored to the Collateral Agent or such Senior Creditor. During any continuance of any such Event of Default, this Agreement shall be in full
force and effect with respect to all of the Subordinated Debt. To the extent that any Subordinated Creditor has received any payments with respect to its Subordinated Debt subsequent to the date of the Collateral Agent’s or any Senior
Creditor’s initial receipt of such Voided Payment and such payments have not been invalidated, declared to be fraudulent or preferential or set aside or are required to be repaid to a trustee, receiver, or any other party under any bankruptcy
act, state or federal law, common law or equitable cause, such Subordinated Creditor shall be obligated and hereby agrees that any such payment so made or received shall be deemed to have been received in trust for the benefit of the Collateral
Agent or such Senior Creditor, and such Subordinated Creditor hereby agrees to pay to the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Collateral Agent or (as the case may be) such Senior Creditor, upon demand, the full amount so received by such

  
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Subordinated Creditor during such period of time to the extent necessary fully to restore to the Collateral Agent or such Senior Creditor the amount of such Voided Payment. Upon the payment and
satisfaction in full in cash of all of the Senior Debt, which payment shall be final and not avoidable, this Agreement will automatically terminate without any additional action by any party hereto. 

13. Specific Performance. The Collateral Agent and the Senior Creditors are hereby authorized to demand specific performance of
this Agreement, whether or not the Company shall have complied with the provisions hereof applicable to it, at any time when any Subordinated Creditor shall have failed to comply with any provision hereof. Each Subordinated Creditor hereby
irrevocably waives any defense based on the adequacy of a remedy at law which might be asserted as a bar to the remedy of specific performance hereof in any action brought therefor by the Collateral Agent or any Senior Creditor. Except as required
hereunder or under any of the other Transaction Documents, each Subordinated Creditor further waives presentment, notice and protest in connection with all negotiable instruments evidencing Senior Debt to which it may be a party, notice of the
acceptance of this Agreement by the Collateral Agent and the Senior Creditors, notice of any loan made, extension granted or other action taken in reliance hereon and all demands and notices of every kind in connection with this Agreement or the
Senior Debt. 
 14. Representations and Warranties. Each Subordinated Creditor represents and warrants as follows:

 (a) Such Subordinated Creditor which is not an individual is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the
laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation or formation and has all requisite corporate or limited liability company, as applicable, power and authority to enter into and perform this Agreement. 

(b) The execution, delivery and performance by such Subordinated Creditor of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby
(i) have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate or limited liability company, as applicable, action (except in the case of individual Subordinated Creditors), and (ii) do not (A) contravene such Subordinated Creditor’s
constituent documents, if applicable, (B) violate any requirement of law to which such Subordinated Creditor is subject, or (C) conflict with or result in the breach of, or constitute a default under, any contractual obligation binding on
such Subordinated Creditor. 
 (c) No authorization or approval or other action by, and no notice to or filing with, any
governmental authority or regulatory body or any other third party is required for the due execution, delivery, recordation, filing or performance by such Subordinated Creditor of this Agreement. 

(d) This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by such Subordinated Creditor. This Agreement is the legal, valid and binding
obligation of such Subordinated Creditor, enforceable against such Subordinated Creditor in accordance with its terms. 
 15.
Accuracy of Representations and Warranties. If any representation or warranty contained herein shall prove to have been materially false when made or in the event of any breach by the Company or any Subordinated Creditor in the performance of
any of the terms hereof, the Senior Creditors may, at their option, declare all Senior Debt to be due and payable, without presentment, demand, protest, or notice of any kind, notwithstanding any time or credit otherwise allowed. 

  
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 16. Additional Documents. The Company and each Subordinated Creditor shall execute
and deliver to the Collateral Agent and the Senior Creditors such further instruments and shall take such further action as the Collateral Agent or the Senior Creditors may at any time or times request in order to carry out the provisions and intent
of this Agreement. 
 17. Legends. Any instrument or agreement evidencing the Subordinated Debt shall specifically
provide by an appropriate legend conspicuously placed thereon that payment of any and all amounts thereunder has been subordinated to prior payment of Senior Debt in the manner and to the extent set forth in this Subordination Agreement. 

18. Notices. All notices and other communications which are required and may be given pursuant to the terms of this Agreement
shall be in writing and shall be sufficient and effective in all respects if given in writing or telecopied, delivered or mailed by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, as follows: 

 

	 	(a)	if to a Senior Creditor, at the address set forth below such Senior Creditor’s name on Schedule 1; and 

 

	 	(b)	If to the Collateral Agent, at: 

5555 San Felipe Street, Suite 1150 
 Houston, TX 77056 
 Attn: Mauri Cowen, Vice President 

Tel: 713-235-9206 

Fax: 713-235-9213 
  

	 	(c)	If to the Subordinated Creditors, at: 

 c/o ZaZa Energy Corporation 
 1301 McKinney Street, Suite 2850 

Houston, TX 77010 

Attn: Charles Campise 
 Tel: 713-595-1900 
 Fax: 713-595-1919 

 

	 	(d)	If to the Company, at: 

 1301
McKinney Street, Suite 2850 
 Houston, TX 77010 
 Attn: Charles Campise 
 Tel: 713-595-1900 

Fax: 713-595-1919 
 or such
other address or addresses as any party hereto shall have designated by written notice to the other parties hereto. Notices shall be deemed given and effective upon the earlier to occur of (x) the third day following deposit thereof in the U.S.
mail or (y) receipt by the party to whom such notice is directed. 

  
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 19. Governing Law. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE CONSTRUED AND ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH,
AND THE RIGHTS OF THE PARTIES SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, THE INTERNAL LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, EXCLUDING CHOICE-OF-LAW PRINCIPLES OF THE LAW OF SUCH STATE THAT WOULD PERMIT THE APPLICATION OF THE LAWS OF A JURISDICTION OTHER THAN SUCH STATE.

 20. Waiver of Jury Trial. EACH OF THE SUBORDINATED CREDITORS AND THE COMPANY IRREVOCABLY WAIVE ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY
JURY IN ANY ACTION, PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE) ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT, OR ANY OTHER AGREEMENT, DOCUMENT OR INSTRUMENT DELIVERED IN CONNECTION HEREWITH OR THEREWITH OR THE ACTIONS
OF THE SENIOR CREDITORS OR THE COLLATERAL AGENT IN THE NEGOTIATION, ADMINISTRATION, PERFORMANCE OR ENFORCEMENT HEREOF OR THEREOF. 
 21. Personal Jurisdiction. 
 (a) Each of the Subordinated Creditors and the
Company irrevocably submits to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of any New York state or federal court sitting in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, over any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or any
of the agreements, documents or instruments delivered in connection herewith or therewith. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, each of the Subordinated Creditors and the Collateral Agent irrevocably waives and agrees not to assert, by
way of motion, as a defense or otherwise, any claim that it is not subject to the jurisdiction of any such court, any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the laying of the venue of any such suit, action or proceeding brought in any such
court and any claim that any such suit, action or proceeding brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum. 
 (b) Nothing in this Section 21 shall affect the right of the Collateral Agent or any Senior Creditor to serve process in any manner permitted by law, or limit any right that the Collateral Agent or
any Senior Creditor may have to bring proceedings against any Subordinated Creditor or the Company in the courts of any appropriate jurisdiction or to enforce in any lawful manner a judgment obtained in one jurisdiction in any other jurisdiction.

 22. Expenses. Each of the Subordinated Creditors and the Company jointly and severally agree to pay upon demand to any
of the Senior Creditors or the Collateral Agent the amount of any and all out-of-pocket expenses, including the reasonable fees and expenses of their counsel and of any experts or agents, which any Senior Creditor or the Collateral Agent may incur
in connection with the exercise or enforcement of any of the rights of any Senior Creditor or the Collateral Agent hereunder. 

  
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 23. Miscellaneous. This Agreement may be executed in several counterparts and by each
party on a separate counterpart, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be an original, and all of which together shall constitute one instrument. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page to this Agreement by telecopier or
pdf shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement. In proving this Agreement, it shall not be necessary to produce or account for more than one such counterpart signed by the party against which enforcement is
sought. The Collateral Agent and the Senior Creditors may, in their sole and absolute discretion, waive any provisions of this Agreement benefiting the Collateral Agent or the Senior Creditors; provided, however, that such waiver shall be effective
only if in writing and signed by the Collateral Agent and the Senior Creditors and shall be limited to the specific provision or provisions expressly so waived. This Agreement shall be binding upon the successors, assigns and participants of each
Subordinated Creditor and the Company and shall inure to the benefit of the Collateral Agent and the Senior Creditors and their respective successors, assigns and participants, any purchaser or purchasers refunding or refinancing any of the Senior
Debt and their respective successors, assigns and participants, but shall not otherwise create any rights or benefits for any third party. 
 [Remainder of page intentionally left blank; Next page is signature page.] 

  
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 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed or caused this Agreement to be executed
as of the date first above written. 
  

			
	 BLACKSTONE OIL & GAS, LLC, as a
 Subordinated Creditor

		
	By:	 	/s/ Todd Alan Brooks
	Name:	 	Todd Alan Brooks
	Title:	 	President
	
	/s/ Todd Alan Brooks
	Todd Alan Brooks, as a Subordinated Creditor

  
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	 OMEGA ENERGY CORP., as a Subordinated
 Creditor

		
	By:	 	/s/ Gaston L. Kearby
	Name:	 	Gaston L. Kearby
	Title:	 	President
	
	/s/ Gaston L. Kearby
	Gaston L. Kearby, as a Subordinated Creditor

  

			
	 LARA ENERGY, INC., as a Subordinated
 Creditor

		
	By:	 	/s/ John E. Hearn, Jr.
	Name:	 	John E. Hearn, Jr.
	Title:	 	President
	
	/s/ John E. Hearn Jr.
	John E. Hearn Jr., as a Subordinated Creditor

  

			
	 MSDC ZEC INVESTMENTS, LLC, as a Senior
 Creditor

		
	By:	 	/s/ Marcello Liguori
	Name:	 	Marcello Liguori
	Title:	 	Vice President

  

			
	 SENATOR SIDECAR MASTER FUND LP, as a
 Senior Creditor

	
	By: Senator Investment Group LP, its
	investment manager
		
	        By:	 	/s/ Evan Gartenlaub
	        Name:	 	Evan Gartenlaub
	        Title:	 	General Counsel

  

			
	O-CAP OFFSHORE MASTER FUND, L.P.
		
	By:	 	/s/ Jared Sturdivant
	Name:	 	Jared Sturdivant
	Title:	 	Managing Partner
	
	O-CAP PARTNERS, L.P.
		
	By:	 	/s/ Jared Sturdivant
	Name:	 	Jared Sturdivant
	Title:	 	Managing Partner
	
	CAPITAL VENTURES INTERNATIONAL
		
	By:	 	/s/ Martin Kobinger
	Name:	 	Martin Kobinger
	Title:	 	Investment Manager

  

			
	TALARA MASTER FUND, LTD.
		
	By:	 	/s/ David Zusman
	Name:	 	David Zusman
	Title:	 	Director
	
	BLACKWELL PARTNERS, LLC
		
	By:	 	/s/ Bart J. Brunk
	Name:	 	Bart J. Brunk
	Title:	 	Controller
	
	PERMAL TALARA LTD.
		
	By:	 	/s/ Deborah Watson
	Name:	 	Deborah Watson
	Title:	 	Director
	
	WINMILL INVESTMENTS LLC
		
	By:	 	/s/ Lawrence V. Palermo
	Name:	 	Lawrence V. Palermo
	Title:	 	Authorized Person

  

					
	 U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as
 Collateral Agent

		
	By:	 	/s/ Mauri J. Cowen
		 	Name:	 	Mauri J. Cowen
		 	Title:	 	Vice PresidentLock-Up Agreement.

 Exhibit 10.4 
 Execution Version 
 LOCK-UP AGREEMENT 

LOCK-UP AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), dated as of February 21, 2012, among MSDC ZEC INVESTMENTS, LLC, a Delaware
limited liability company, SENATOR SIDECAR MASTER FUND LP, a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership, O-CAP OFFSHORE MASTER FUND, L.P., a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership, O-CAP PARTNERS, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, CAPITAL
VENTURES INTERNATIONAL, a Cayman Islands corporation, TALARA MASTER FUND, LTD., a Cayman Islands partnership, BLACKWELL PARTNERS, LLC, a Georgia limited liability company, PERMAL TALARA LTD., a British Virgin Islands corporation, WINMILL INVESTMENTS
LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (together with their respective successors and assigns, including any future holder of the Warrants (collectively, the “Warrant Holders”)), BLACKSTONE OIL & GAS, LLC, a Texas
limited liability company, OMEGA ENERGY CORP., a Texas corporation, LARA ENERGY, INC., a Texas corporation, TODD ALAN BROOKS, GASTON L. KEARBY, JOHN E. HEARN, JR. (each, a “Restricted Stockholder” and together, the
“Restricted Stockholders”) and ZAZA ENERGY CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”). 
 WHEREAS, concurrently herewith, the Company is entering into that certain Securities Purchase Agreement, dated as of the date hereof (as the same from time to time hereafter may be amended, restated,
supplemented or otherwise modified, the “Securities Purchase Agreement”), by and among the Company and the Purchasers (as defined in the Securities Purchase Agreement) named therein, pursuant to which, subject to the terms and
conditions set forth therein, the Company has agreed to issue and sell to such Purchasers, and the Purchasers have agreed to buy from the Company, the Securities; and 
 WHEREAS, the Restricted Stockholders will obtain a substantial benefit if the Purchasers enter into the Securities Purchase Agreement and purchase the Securities; and 

WHEREAS, in order to induce the Purchasers to purchase the Securities and as a condition precedent to their performance of their
respective obligations under the Securities Purchase Agreement, the Restricted Stockholders have agreed to enter into this Agreement. 
 NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing, the mutual agreements herein contained and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties
hereto, intending to be legally bound, hereby agree as follows: 
 1. Definitions. Terms not otherwise defined herein
have the same respective meanings given to them in the Securities Purchase Agreement. In addition, the following terms shall have the following meanings: 
 “Transfer” means to (a) sell, offer to sell, contract or agree to sell, hypothecate, pledge, grant any option to purchase or otherwise dispose of or agree to dispose of, directly or
indirectly, (including, without limitation, by Transferring any equity interests in an entity that beneficially owns Common Stock) in respect of, or establish or increase a put equivalent position or liquidate or decrease a call equivalent position
within the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act with respect to, any Common Stock of the Company or any securities convertible into or exercisable 

 
or exchangeable for Common Stock, or warrants or other rights to purchase Common Stock or any such securities, or any securities substantially similar to the Common Stock, (b) enter into any
swap or other arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of Common Stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock or any such securities, or
warrants or other rights to purchase Common Stock, whether any such transaction is to be settled by delivery of Common Stock or such other securities, in cash or otherwise, or (c) publicly announce an intention to effect any transaction
specified in clause (a) or (b). 
 “Resale Percentage” shall mean (i) 5% of the then outstanding
shares of the Common Stock if the VWAP of the Common Stock is less than $6.30 per share, (ii) 10% of the then outstanding shares of the Common Stock if the VWAP is equal to or greater than $6.30 but less than $9.45 per share, (iii) 15% of
the then outstanding shares of the Common Stock if the VWAP is equal to or greater than $9.45 but less than $12.60 per share, and (iv) 40% of the then outstanding shares of the Common Stock if the VWAP is equal to or greater than $12.60 per
share, in each case, as appropriately adjusted for stock splits, combinations, reorganizations, reclassifications and the like. 

“VWAP” means the daily volume weighted average price of the Common Stock for the 10 trading days prior to any
determination as quoted on the Nasdaq Capital Market or any other U.S. exchange on which the Common Stock is listed, whichever is applicable, as posted by Bloomberg L.P. 
 2. Lock-Up Period. Each Restricted Stockholder hereby agrees that for a period of one hundred and eighty (180) days beginning on the date hereof (the “Lock-Up Period”), it
will not, and will cause its Affiliates not to, Transfer any shares of Common Stock.  
 3. Continuing Sale
Restrictions. Each Restricted Stockholder hereby further agrees that for the period commencing upon the expiration of the Lock-Up Period and continuing until the date that is the fifth anniversary of the Closing, it shall not, and will cause its
Affiliates not to, Transfer any Common Stock, if such Transfer, when aggregated with all Transfers executed by each other Restricted Party in the 12-consecutive month period commencing on the date of the expiration of the Lock-Up Period, or the
nearest preceding anniversary thereof, would exceed the Resale Percentage in effect at the time of such proposed Transfer. 

4. Void Transfers. Any purported transfer by a Restricted Stockholder of any shares of Common Stock in violation of the provisions
of this Agreement shall be null and void. 
 5. Permitted Transfers. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the
Restricted Stockholders shall, collectively, be entitled to Transfer (i) for up to 60 calendar days from the date hereof, up to 6,000,000 shares of Common Stock, in the aggregate, to existing employees of the Company, so long as such employees
have agreed to be bound by an 180-day restriction on Transfers substantially on the terms provided in Section 2 hereof, it being understood that executing a joinder agreement to the Existing Stockholders’ Agreement (as defined in the
Securities Purchase Agreement) as an “Other Stockholder” will constitute satisfaction of such requirement, and (ii) at any time within 10 business days of the date hereof, up to 9,000,000 shares of Common Stock, in the aggregate, to
third-party investors. In addition, 

  
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after the expiration of the Lock-Up Period, the Restricted Stockholders shall, collectively, be entitled to (i) pledge, in connection with any bona fide lending transaction or series of
transactions, up to 40% of the shares of Common Stock held by the Restricted Stockholders in order to secure the payment obligations of the Company pursuant to such lending transaction, and (ii) make bona fide gifts of up to 2,000,000 shares of
Common Stock annually to any charity or other non-profit organization with 501(c)(3) status. Each Restricted Stockholder hereby agrees not to waive the provisions of Article V of the Existing Stockholders’ Agreement in order to permit any
“Other Stockholder” thereunder to Transfer shares of Common Stock during the Lock-Up Period. None of the limitations contained in this Section 5 shall limit the ability of a pledgee to foreclose upon any shares of Common Stock that
have been pledged in compliance herewith. 
 Notwithstanding the foregoing, and subject to the conditions below, the Restricted
Stockholders may Transfer any of the shares of Common Stock (i) to any trust only for the direct or indirect benefit of such Restricted Stockholder or the immediate family of the Restricted Stockholder (for purposes of this lock-up agreement,
“immediate family” means any (1) relative, by consanguinity or marriage, of a Restricted Stockholder living in the Restricted Stockholder’s household and (2) any natural, foster or adopted children); (ii) to any
corporation or other organization (including a limited liability company or a partnership), whether incorporated or unincorporated that is wholly-owned and controlled by such Restricted Stockholder and/or other persons satisfying the requirements of
a Permitted Transferee hereunder; or (iii) as a distribution to limited partners, stockholders or members of the Restricted Stockholder, so long as such limited partner, stockholder or member is also a Restricted Stockholder (a
“Permitted Transferee”); provided in each case that (i) the Warrant Holders receive a signed lock-up agreement in the form of this Agreement from each trustee, distributee, or transferee, as the case may be, and in which such
trustee, distributee, or transferee agrees to be subject to all of the provisions set forth in this Agreement, including both the Lock-Up Period contained in Section 2 and the Continuing Sale Restrictions contained in Section 3;
(ii) any such Transfer shall not involve a disposition for value; (iii) such transfers are not required to be reported with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Form 4 in accordance with Section 16 of the Exchange Act; and
(iv) the Restricted Stockholder does not otherwise voluntarily effect any public filing or report regarding such Transfers. 

  
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 6. Company Covenants. 

(a) The Company shall not record on its books any Transfers of Common Stock which are subject to this Agreement unless
such Transfer is permitted hereunder. 
 (b) The Company shall cause appropriate legends to be conspicuously
placed on the Common Stock certificates, and, in the case of uncertificated shares, shall cause to be properly sent to the Company’s stockholders any notices required by law, in each case as may be necessary to ensure that the Company’s
stockholders have due notice of the existence of this Agreement and the restrictions contained herein. 
 (c) The
Company shall, at its own expense, take such action as may be necessary to enforce this Agreement upon the Restricted Stockholders for the benefit of the Warrant Holders. 

(d) The Company shall pay to any Warrant Holder, upon written demand, the amount of any and all expenses, including the
fees and expenses of its counsel and of any experts or agents, which such Warrant Holder incurs in connection with the exercise or enforcement of any of the rights hereunder, if the Company, after receipt of notice from such Warrant Holder,
indicating that such Warrant Holder has a reasonable basis for believing a breach of this Agreement is occurring or has occurred, fails or declines to take prompt action to enforce this Agreement on behalf of the Warrant Holders. 

7. Future Warrant Holders as Third-Party Beneficiaries. The Company and each Restricted Stockholder acknowledge that the foregoing
agreement is for the express benefit of and enforceable by, any and all Warrant Holders, including, for the avoidance of doubt, any Person who acquires a Warrant after the date hereof. As such, any Warrant Holder shall be entitled to take any action
or assert any claim with respect to the enforcement of this Agreement and the Company and each Restricted Stockholder irrevocably waives the right to oppose an action brought hereunder on the basis of lack of privity of contract with such Warrant
Holder. 
 8. Specific Performance. The Company and each Restricted Stockholder acknowledge that it would be impossible
to measure in money the damage to the Warrant Holders if a party hereto were to fail to comply with any of the obligations imposed by this Agreement, that every such obligation is material and that, in the event of any such failure, the Warrant
Holders will not have an adequate remedy at law or damages. Accordingly, each Restricted Stockholder agrees that injunctive relief or other equitable remedy, in addition to remedies at law or damages, is the appropriate remedy for any such failure
and will not oppose the seeking of such relief on the basis that a Warrant Holder has an adequate remedy at law. Each Restricted Stockholder agrees that it will not seek, and agrees to waive any requirement for, the securing or posting of a bond in
connection with a Warrant Holder seeking or obtaining such equitable relief. 

  
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 9. Representations and Warranties. 

(a) The Company hereby represents and warrants that this Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered and
constitutes a valid and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable in accordance with its terms. 
 (b) Each
Restricted Stockholder hereby represents and warrants as follows that (i) this Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by such Restricted Stockholder and constitutes the valid and binding obligation of such Restricted
Stockholder, enforceable in accordance with its terms, (ii) such Restricted Stockholder owns, beneficially and of record, the number of shares of Common Stock set forth opposite its name on Schedule 2, and (iii) such Restricted Stockholder
has not granted any right and is not a party to any agreement which is inconsistent with or conflicts with the provisions of this Agreement. 
 10. Warrant Legend. The Warrant shall contain an appropriate legend conspicuously placed thereon indicating that the Warrant Holders are entitled to the benefit of this Agreement. 

11. Notices. All notices and other communications which are required and may be given pursuant to the terms of this Agreement
shall be in writing and shall be sufficient and effective in all respects if given in writing and emailed, telecopied, delivered or mailed by certified mail, postage prepaid, as follows: 

(a) if to a Warrant Holder, at the address set forth below such Warrant Holder’s name on Schedule 1; and 

(b) if to a Restricted Stockholder, at the address set forth below such Restricted Stockholder’s name on Schedule 2; and 

(c) if to the Company, at: 
 1301 McKinney Street, Suite 2850 
 Houston, TX 77010 

Tel: 713-595-1900 

Fax: 713-595-1919 

Email: charles.campise@zazaenergy.com 
 or such other address or addresses as any party hereto shall have designated by written notice to the other parties hereto. Notices shall be deemed given and effective upon the earlier to occur of
(x) the third day following deposit thereof in the U.S. mail or (y) receipt by the party to whom such notice is directed. 
 12. Governing Law. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE CONSTRUED AND ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, AND THE RIGHTS OF THE PARTIES SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, THE INTERNAL LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, EXCLUDING
CHOICE-OF-LAW PRINCIPLES OF THE LAW OF SUCH STATE THAT WOULD PERMIT THE APPLICATION OF THE LAWS OF A JURISDICTION OTHER THAN SUCH STATE. 

  
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 13. Waiver of Jury Trial. EACH OF THE RESTRICTED STOCKHOLDERS IRREVOCABLY WAIVE ALL
RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE) ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT, OR ANY OTHER AGREEMENT, DOCUMENT OR INSTRUMENT DELIVERED IN CONNECTION HEREWITH OR
THEREWITH. 
 14. Personal Jurisdiction. Each of the parties irrevocably submits to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of any
New York State or federal court sitting in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, over any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or any of the agreements, documents or instruments delivered in connection
herewith or therewith. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, each of the parties irrevocably waives and agrees not to assert, by way of motion, as a defense or otherwise, any claim that it is not subject to the jurisdiction of any such
court, any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the laying of the venue of any such suit, action or proceeding brought in any such court and any claim that any such suit, action or proceeding brought in any such court has been brought in
an inconvenient forum. 
 15. Miscellaneous. This Agreement may be executed in several counterparts and by each party on
a separate counterpart, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be an original, and all of which together shall constitute one instrument. A signature page forwarded as a facsimile or electronic image for attachment to an assembled
document shall be deemed delivery of an original signature page. In proving this Agreement, it shall not be necessary to produce or account for more than one such counterpart signed by the party against which enforcement is sought. Any waiver of any
provision of this Agreement shall be effective only if in writing and signed by Warrant Holders who collectively hold Warrants that represent more than 50% of the Warrant Shares issuable upon conversion of the then outstanding Warrants. This
Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of each party and their respective heirs, executors, legal representatives, successors and permitted transferees. 
 [Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank] 

  
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	MSDC ZEC INVESTMENTS, LLC
		
	By:	 	/s/ Marcello Liguori
	Name:	 	Marcello Liguori
	Title:	 	Vice President

  

					
	SENATOR SIDECAR MASTER FUND LP
	By: Senator Investment Group LP, its investment manager
			
		 	By:	 	/s/ Evan Gartenlaub
		 	Name:	 	Evan Gartenlaub
		 	Title:	 	General Counsel

  

			
	BLACKSTONE OIL & GAS, LLC
		
	By:	 	/s/ Todd Alan Brooks
	Name:	 	Todd Alan Brooks
	Title:	 	President

  

	
	/s/ Todd Alan Brooks
	Todd Alan Brooks

  

			
	OMEGA ENERGY CORP.
		
	By:	 	/s/ Gaston L. Kearby
	Name:	 	Gaston L. Kearby
	Title:	 	President

  

	
	/s/ Gaston L. Kearby
	Gaston L. Kearby

  

			
	LARA ENERGY, INC.
		
	By:	 	/s/ John E. Hearn, Jr.
	Name:	 	John E. Hearn, Jr.
	Title:	 	President

  

	
	/s/ John E. Hearn Jr.
	John E. Hearn Jr.

  

			
	O-CAP OFFSHORE MASTER FUND, L.P.
		
	By:	 	/s/ Jared Sturdivant
	Name:	 	Jared Sturdivant
	Title:	 	Managing Partner

  

			
	O-CAP PARTNERS, L.P.
		
	By:	 	/s/ Jared Sturdivant
	Name:	 	Jared Sturdivant
	Title:	 	Managing Partner

  

			
	CAPITAL VENTURES INTERNATIONAL
		
	By:	 	/s/ Martin Kobinger
	Name:	 	Martin Kobinger
	Title:	 	Investment Manager

  

			
	TALARA MASTER FUND, LTD.
		
	By:	 	/s/ David Zusman
	Name:	 	David Zusman
	Title:	 	Director

  

			
	BLACKWELL PARTNERS, LLC
		
	By:	 	/s/ Bart J. Brunk
	Name:	 	Bart J. Brunk
	Title:	 	Controller

  

			
	PERMAL TALARA LTD.
		
	By:	 	/s/ Deborah Watson
	Name:	 	Deborah Watson
	Title:	 	Director

  

			
	WINMILL INVESTMENTS LLC
		
	By:	 	/s/ Lawrence V. Palermo
	Name:	 	Lawrence V. Palermo
	Title:	 	Authorized Person

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