Document:

Exhibit 4.20

Exhibit 4.20

Execution Version

$300,000,000

Brigham Exploration Company

8.750% Senior Notes due 2018

REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

September 27, 2010

Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC

Banc of America Securities LLC

c/o Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC

Eleven Madison Avenue

New York, New York 10010-3629

Dear Sirs:

Brigham Exploration Company, a Delaware corporation (the “Issuer”), proposes to issue and sell
upon the terms set forth in the purchase agreement dated September 16, 2010 (the “Purchase
Agreement”) to Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC and Banc of America Securities LLC, as
representatives for the several initial purchasers named on Schedule A to the Purchase Agreement
(collectively, the “Initial Purchasers”), $300,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its 8.750%
Senior Notes due 2018 (the “Initial Securities”) to be unconditionally guaranteed (the
“Guarantees”) by Brigham, Inc., a Nevada corporation, and Brigham Oil and Gas, L.P., a Delaware
limited partnership (the “Guarantors” and together with the Issuer, the “Company”). The Initial
Securities will be issued pursuant to an indenture, dated as of September 27, 2010 (the
“Indenture”) among the Issuer, the Guarantors and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. (the “Trustee”). As an
inducement to the Initial Purchasers, the Company agrees with the Initial Purchasers, for the
benefit of the holders of the Initial Securities (including, without limitation, the Initial
Purchasers), the Exchange Securities (as defined below) and the Private Exchange Securities (as
defined below) (collectively the “Holders”), as follows:

1.  Registered Exchange Offer.  The Company shall, at its own cost, prepare and, not later
than 210 days after (or if the 210th day is not a business day, the first business day thereafter)
September 27, 2010, the date of original issue of the Initial Securities (the “Issue Date”), file
with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) a registration statement (the
“Exchange Offer Registration Statement”) on an appropriate form under the Securities Act of 1933,
as amended (the “Securities Act”), with respect to a proposed offer (the “Registered Exchange
Offer”) to the Holders of Transfer Restricted Securities (as defined in Section 6 hereof), who are
not prohibited by any law or policy of the Commission from participating in the Registered Exchange
Offer, to issue and deliver to such Holders, in exchange for the Initial Securities, a like
aggregate principal amount of debt securities (the “Exchange Securities”) of the Company issued
under the Indenture and identical in all material respects to the Initial Securities (except for
the transfer restrictions relating to the Initial Securities and the provisions relating to the
matters described in Section 6 hereof) that would be registered under the Securities Act. The
Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause such Exchange Offer Registration Statement
to become effective under the Securities Act within 360 days (or if the 360th day is not a business
day, the first business day thereafter) after the Issue Date of the Initial Securities and shall
keep the Exchange Offer Registration Statement effective for not less than 20 business days (or
longer, if required by applicable law) after the date notice of the Registered Exchange Offer is
mailed to the Holders (such period being called the “Exchange Offer Registration Period”).

 

 

 

If the Company effects the Registered Exchange Offer, the Company will be entitled to close
the Registered Exchange Offer within 30 days after the commencement thereof provided that the
Company has accepted all the Initial Securities theretofore validly tendered in accordance with the
terms of the Registered Exchange Offer.

Following the declaration of the effectiveness of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement,
the Company shall commence the Registered Exchange Offer within such time as will reasonably be
necessary to assure consummation of the Registered Exchange Offer within the time contemplated in
Section 6(a)(ii) hereof, it being the objective of such Registered Exchange Offer to enable each
Holder of Transfer Restricted Securities (as defined in Section 6 hereof) electing to exchange the
Initial Securities for Exchange Securities (assuming that such Holder is not an affiliate of the
Company within the meaning of the Securities Act, acquires the Exchange Securities in the ordinary
course of such Holder’s business and has no arrangements with any person to participate in the
distribution of the Exchange Securities and is not prohibited by any law or policy of the
Commission from participating in the Registered Exchange Offer) to trade such Exchange Securities
from and after their receipt without any limitations or restrictions under the Securities Act and
without material restrictions under the securities laws of the several states of the United States.

The Company acknowledges that, pursuant to current interpretations by the Commission’s staff
of Section 5 of the Securities Act, in the absence of an applicable exemption therefrom, (i) each
Holder that is a broker-dealer electing to exchange Securities, acquired for its own account as a
result of market making activities or other trading activities, for Exchange Securities (an
“Exchanging Dealer”), is required to deliver a prospectus containing the information set forth in
(a) Annex A hereto on the cover, (b) Annex B hereto in the “Exchange Offer Procedures” section and
the “Purpose of the Exchange Offer” section, and (c) Annex C hereto in the “Plan of Distribution”
section of such prospectus in connection with a sale of any such Exchange Securities received by
such Exchanging Dealer pursuant to the Registered Exchange Offer and (ii) an Initial Purchaser that
elects to sell Exchange Securities acquired in exchange for Securities constituting any portion of
an unsold allotment is required to deliver a prospectus containing the information required by
Items 507 or 508 of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act, as applicable, in connection with such
sale.

The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to keep the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement effective and to amend and supplement the prospectus contained therein, in order to
permit such prospectus to be lawfully delivered by all persons subject to the prospectus delivery
requirements of the Securities Act for such period of time as such persons must comply with such
requirements in order to resell the Exchange Securities; provided, however, that (i) in the case
where such prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto must be delivered by an Exchanging
Dealer or an Initial Purchaser, such period shall be the lesser of 180 days (or such shorter period
during which Exchanging Dealer or Initial Purchaser is required by law to deliver such prospectus)
and the date on which all Exchanging Dealers and the Initial Purchasers have sold all Exchange
Securities held by them (unless such period is extended pursuant to Section 3(j) below) and (ii)
the Company shall make such prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto, available to any
broker-dealer for use in connection with any resale of any Exchange Securities for a period of not
less than 90 days after the consummation of the Registered Exchange Offer.

If, upon consummation of the Registered Exchange Offer, any Initial Purchaser holds Initial
Securities acquired by it as part of its initial distribution, the Company, simultaneously with the
delivery of the Exchange Securities pursuant to the Registered Exchange Offer, shall issue and
deliver to such Initial Purchaser upon the written request of such Initial Purchaser, in exchange
(the “Private Exchange”) for the Initial Securities held by such Initial Purchaser, a like
principal amount of debt securities of the Company issued under the Indenture and identical in all
material respects (including the existence of restrictions on
transfer under the Securities Act and the securities laws of the several states of the United
States, but excluding provisions relating to the matters described in Section 6 hereof) to the
Initial Securities (the “Private Exchange Securities”). The Initial Securities, the Exchange
Securities and the Private Exchange Securities are herein collectively called the “Securities”.

 

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In connection with the Registered Exchange Offer, the Company shall:

(a)  mail to each Holder a copy of the prospectus forming part of the Exchange Offer
Registration Statement, together with an appropriate letter of transmittal and related
documents;

(b)  keep the Registered Exchange Offer open for not less than 20 business days (or
longer, if required by applicable law) after the date notice thereof is mailed to the
Holders;

(c)  permit Holders to withdraw tendered Securities at any time prior to the close of
business, New York time, on the last business day on which the Registered Exchange Offer
shall remain open; and

(d)  otherwise comply with all applicable laws.

As soon as practicable after the close of the Registered Exchange Offer or the Private
Exchange, as the case may be, the Company shall:

(x)  accept for exchange all the Securities validly tendered and not withdrawn
pursuant to the Registered Exchange Offer and the Private Exchange;

(y)  deliver to the Trustee for cancellation all the Initial Securities so accepted
for exchange; and

(z)  cause the Trustee to authenticate and deliver promptly to each Holder of the
Initial Securities, Exchange Securities or Private Exchange Securities, as the case may be,
equal in principal amount to the Initial Securities of such Holder so accepted for
exchange.

The Indenture will provide that the Exchange Securities will not be subject to the transfer
restrictions set forth in the Indenture and that all the Securities will vote and consent together
on all matters as one class and that none of the Securities will have the right to vote or consent
as a class separate from one another on any matter.

Interest on each Exchange Security and Private Exchange Security issued pursuant to the
Registered Exchange Offer and in the Private Exchange will accrue from the last interest payment
date on which interest was paid on the Initial Securities surrendered in exchange therefor or, if
no interest has been paid on the Initial Securities, from the date of original issue of the Initial
Securities.

Each Holder participating in the Registered Exchange Offer shall be required to represent to
the Company that at the time of the consummation of the Registered Exchange Offer (i) any Exchange
Securities received by such Holder will be acquired in the ordinary course of business, (ii) such
Holder will have no arrangements or understanding with any person to participate in the
distribution of the Securities or the Exchange Securities within the meaning of the Securities Act,
(iii) such Holder is not an “affiliate,” as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act, of the
Company or if it is an affiliate, such Holder will comply with the registration and prospectus
delivery requirements of the Securities Act to the extent applicable, (iv) if such Holder is not a
broker-dealer, that it is not engaged in, and does not intend to engage in, the
distribution of the Exchange Securities and (v) if such Holder is a broker-dealer, that it will
receive Exchange Securities for its own account in exchange for Initial Securities that were
acquired as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities and that it will be
required to acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of such
Exchange Securities.

 

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Notwithstanding any other provisions hereof, the Company will ensure that (i) any Exchange
Offer Registration Statement and any amendment thereto and any prospectus forming part thereof and
any supplement thereto complies in all material respects with the Securities Act and the rules and
regulations thereunder, (ii) any Exchange Offer Registration Statement and any amendment thereto
does not, when it becomes effective, contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to
state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not
misleading and (iii) any prospectus forming part of any Exchange Offer Registration Statement, and
any supplement to such prospectus, does not include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit
to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements
therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

2.  Shelf Registration. If, (i) because of any change in law or in applicable interpretations
thereof by the staff of the Commission, the Company is not permitted to effect a Registered
Exchange Offer, as contemplated by Section 1 hereof, (ii) the Registered Exchange Offer is not
consummated within 400 days following the Issue Date, (iii) any Initial Purchaser so requests with
respect to the Initial Securities (or the Private Exchange Securities) not eligible to be exchanged
for Exchange Securities in the Registered Exchange Offer and held by it following consummation of
the Registered Exchange Offer or (iv) any Holder (other than an Exchanging Dealer) is not eligible
to participate in the Registered Exchange Offer or, in the case of any Holder (other than an
Exchanging Dealer) that participates in the Registered Exchange Offer, such Holder does not receive
freely tradeable Exchange Securities on the date of the exchange, the Company shall take the
following actions:

(a)  The Company shall, at its cost, as promptly as practicable (but in no event more
than 30 days after so required or requested pursuant to this Section 2) file with the
Commission and thereafter shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause to be declared
effective (unless it becomes effective automatically upon filing), (1) in the case of a
registration required as a result of clause (i) above, on or before the 360th
calendar day following the Issue Date (or if the 360th day is not a business day, the next
business day) or (2) in the case of a registration required as a result of clauses (ii),
(iii) or (iv) above, on or before the 120th calendar day following the date on
which the Shelf Registration Statement is required to be filed (or if the 120th day is not
a business day, the next business day), a registration statement (the “Shelf Registration
Statement” and, together with the Exchange Offer Registration Statement, a “Registration
Statement”) on an appropriate form under the Securities Act relating to the offer and sale
of the Transfer Restricted Securities (as defined in Section 6 hereof) by the Holders
thereof from time to time in accordance with the methods of distribution set forth in the
Shelf Registration Statement and Rule 415 under the Securities Act (hereinafter, the “Shelf
Registration”); provided, however, that no Holder (other than an Initial Purchaser) shall
be entitled to have the Securities held by it covered by such Shelf Registration Statement
unless such Holder agrees in writing to be bound by all the provisions of this Agreement
applicable to such Holder.

(b)  The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to keep the Shelf Registration
Statement continuously effective in order to permit the prospectus included therein to be
lawfully delivered by the Holders of the relevant Securities, for a period that will
terminate when all the Securities covered by the Shelf Registration Statement (i) have been
sold pursuant thereto or (ii) can be distributed to the public pursuant to Rule 144 under
the Securities Act. The Company shall
be deemed not to have used its reasonable best efforts to keep the Shelf Registration
Statement effective during the requisite period if it voluntarily takes any action that
would result in Holders of Securities covered thereby not being able to offer and sell such
Securities during that period, unless such action is required by applicable law.

 

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(c)  Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Agreement to the contrary, the
Company shall cause the Shelf Registration Statement and the related prospectus and any
amendment or supplement thereto, as of the effective date of the Shelf Registration
Statement, amendment or supplement, (i) to comply in all material respects with the
applicable requirements of the Securities Act and the rules and regulations of the
Commission and (ii) not to contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state
a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements
therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

3.  Registration Procedures. In connection with any Shelf Registration contemplated by
Section 2 hereof and, to the extent applicable, any Registered Exchange Offer contemplated by
Section 1 hereof, the following provisions shall apply:

(a)  The Company shall (i) furnish to each Initial Purchaser, prior to the filing
thereof with the Commission, a copy of the Registration Statement and each amendment
thereof and each supplement, if any, to the prospectus included therein and, in the event
that an Initial Purchaser (with respect to any portion of an unsold allotment from the
original offering) is participating in the Registered Exchange Offer or the Shelf
Registration Statement, the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to reflect in
each such document, when so filed with the Commission, such comments as such Initial
Purchaser reasonably may propose; (ii) include the information set forth in Annex A hereto
on the cover, in Annex B hereto in the “Exchange Offer Procedures” section and the “Purpose
of the Exchange Offer” section and in Annex C hereto in the “Plan of Distribution” section
of the prospectus forming a part of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement and include
the information set forth in Annex D hereto in the Letter of Transmittal delivered pursuant
to the Registered Exchange Offer; (iii) if requested by an Initial Purchaser, include the
information required by Items 507 or 508 of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act, as
applicable, in the prospectus forming a part of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement;
(iv) include within the prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement a
section entitled “Plan of Distribution,” reasonably acceptable to the Initial Purchasers,
which shall contain a summary statement of the positions taken or policies made by the
staff of the Commission with respect to the potential “underwriter” status of any
broker-dealer that is the beneficial owner (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) of Exchange Securities received by
such broker-dealer in the Registered Exchange Offer (a “Participating Broker-Dealer”),
whether such positions or policies have been publicly disseminated by the staff of the
Commission or such positions or policies, in the reasonable judgment of the Initial
Purchasers based upon advice of counsel (which may be in-house counsel), represent the
prevailing views of the staff of the Commission; and (v) in the case of a Shelf
Registration Statement, include in the prospectus included in the Shelf Registration
Statement (or, if permitted by Commission Rule 430B(b), in a prospectus supplement that
becomes a part thereof pursuant to Commission Rule 430B(f)) that is delivered to any Holder
pursuant to Section 3(d) and (f), the names of the Holders, who propose to sell Securities
pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement, as selling securityholders.

 

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(b)  The Company shall give written notice to the Initial Purchasers and any
Participating Broker-Dealer from whom the Company has received prior written notice that it
will be a
Participating Broker-Dealer in the Registered Exchange Offer (which notice pursuant to
clauses (i)-(iii) hereof shall be accompanied by an instruction to suspend the use of the
prospectus until the requisite changes have been made):

(i)  of the issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the
effectiveness of the Registration Statement or the initiation of any proceedings
for that purpose, of the issuance by the Commission of a notification of objection
to the use of the form on which the Registration Statement has been filed, and of
the happening of any event that causes the Company to become an “ineligible
issuer,” as defined in Commission Rule 405.

(ii)  of the receipt by the Company or its legal counsel of any notification
with respect to the suspension of the qualification of the Securities for sale in
any jurisdiction or the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for such
purpose; and

(iii)  of the happening of any event that requires the Company to make changes
in the Registration Statement or the prospectus in order that the Registration
Statement or the prospectus do not contain an untrue statement of a material fact
nor omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to
make the statements therein (in the case of the prospectus, in light of the
circumstances under which they were made) not misleading.

(c)  The Company shall make every reasonable effort to obtain the withdrawal at the
earliest possible time, of any order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration
Statement.

(d)  The Company shall furnish to each Holder of Securities included within the
coverage of the Shelf Registration, without charge, at least one copy of the Shelf
Registration Statement and any post-effective amendment or supplement thereto, including
financial statements and schedules, and, if the Holder so requests in writing, all exhibits
thereto (including those, if any, incorporated by reference). The Company shall not,
without the prior consent of the Initial Purchasers, make any offer relating to the
Securities that would constitute a “free writing prospectus,” as defined in Commission
Rule 405

(e)  The Company shall deliver to each Exchanging Dealer and each Initial Purchaser,
and to any other Holder who so requests, without charge, at least one copy of the Exchange
Offer Registration Statement and any post-effective amendment thereto, including financial
statements and schedules, and, if any Initial Purchaser or any such Holder requests, all
exhibits thereto (including those incorporated by reference

(f)  The Company shall, during the Shelf Registration Period, deliver to each Holder
of Securities included within the coverage of the Shelf Registration, without charge, as
many copies of the prospectus (including each preliminary prospectus) included in the Shelf
Registration Statement and any amendment or supplement thereto as such person may
reasonably request. The Company consents, subject to the provisions of this Agreement, to
the use of the prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto by each of the selling
Holders of the Securities in connection with the offering and sale of the Securities
covered by the prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto, included in the Shelf
Registration Statement.

 

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(g)  The Company shall deliver to each Initial Purchaser, any Exchanging Dealer, any
Participating Broker-Dealer and such other persons required to deliver a prospectus
following the
Registered Exchange Offer, without charge, as many copies of the final prospectus included
in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement and any amendment or supplement thereto as
such persons may reasonably request. The Company consents, subject to the provisions of
this Agreement, to the use of the prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto by any
Initial Purchaser, if necessary, any Participating Broker-Dealer and such other persons
required to deliver a prospectus following the Registered Exchange Offer in connection with
the offering and sale of the Exchange Securities covered by the prospectus, or any
amendment or supplement thereto, included in such Exchange Offer Registration Statement.

(h)  Prior to any public offering of the Securities, pursuant to any Registration
Statement, the Company shall register or qualify or cooperate with the Holders of the
Securities included therein and their respective counsel in connection with the
registration or qualification of the Securities for offer and sale under the securities or
“blue sky” laws of such states of the United States as any Holder of the Securities
reasonably requests in writing and do any and all other acts or things necessary or
advisable to enable the offer and sale in such jurisdictions of the Securities covered by
such Registration Statement; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to
(i) qualify generally to do business in any jurisdiction where it is not then so qualified
or (ii) take any action which would subject it to general service of process or to taxation
in any jurisdiction where it is not then so subject.

(i)  The Company shall cooperate with the Holders of the Securities to facilitate the
timely preparation and delivery of certificates representing the Securities to be sold
pursuant to any Registration Statement free of any restrictive legends and in such
denominations and registered in such names as the Holders may request a reasonable period
of time prior to sales of the Securities pursuant to such Registration Statement.

(j)  Upon the occurrence of any event contemplated by paragraphs (i) through (iii) of
Section 3(b) above during the period for which the Company is required to maintain an
effective Registration Statement, the Company shall promptly prepare and file a
post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement or a supplement to the related
prospectus and any other required document so that, as thereafter delivered to Holders of
the Securities or purchasers of Securities, the prospectus will not contain an untrue
statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated
therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under
which they were made, not misleading. If the Company notifies the Initial Purchasers, the
Holders of the Securities and any known Participating Broker-Dealer in accordance with
paragraphs (i) through (iii) of Section 3(b) above to suspend the use of the prospectus
until the requisite changes to the prospectus have been made, then the Initial Purchasers,
the Holders of the Securities and any such Participating Broker-Dealers shall suspend use
of such prospectus, and the period of effectiveness of the Shelf Registration Statement
provided for in Section 2(b) above and the Exchange Offer Registration Statement provided
for in Section 1 above shall each be extended by the number of days from and including the
date of the giving of such notice to and including the date when the Initial Purchasers,
the Holders of the Securities and any known Participating Broker-Dealer shall have received
such amended or supplemented prospectus pursuant to this Section 3(j). During the period
during which the Company is required to maintain an effective Shelf Registration Statement
pursuant to this Agreement, the Company will prior to the three-year expiration of that
Shelf Registration Statement file, and use its reasonable best efforts to cause to be
declared effective (unless it becomes effective automatically upon filing) within a period
that avoids any interruption in the ability of Holders of Securities covered by the
expiring Shelf Registration Statement to make registered dispositions, a new registration
statement relating to the Securities, which shall be deemed the “Shelf Registration
Statement” for purposes of this Agreement.

 

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(k)  Not later than the effective date of the applicable Registration Statement, the
Company will provide a CUSIP number for the Exchange Securities or the Private Exchange
Securities, as the case may be, and provide the applicable trustee with printed
certificates for the Initial Securities, the Exchange Securities or the Private Exchange
Securities, as the case may be, in a form eligible for deposit with The Depository Trust
Company.

(l)  The Company will comply with all rules and regulations of the Commission to the
extent and so long as they are applicable to the Registered Exchange Offer or the Shelf
Registration and will make generally available to its security holders (or otherwise
provide in accordance with Section 11(a) of the Securities Act) an earnings statement
satisfying the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act, no later than 45 days
after the end of a 12-month period (or 90 days, if such period is a fiscal year) beginning
with the first month of the Company’s first fiscal quarter commencing after the effective
date of the Registration Statement, which statement shall cover such 12-month period.

(m)  The Company shall cause the Indenture to be qualified under the Trust Indenture
Act of 1939, as amended, in a timely manner and containing such changes, if any, as shall
be necessary for such qualification. In the event that such qualification would require
the appointment of a new trustee under the Indenture, the Company shall appoint a new
trustee thereunder pursuant to the applicable provisions of the Indenture.

(n)  The Company may require each Holder of Securities to be sold pursuant to the
Shelf Registration Statement to furnish to the Company such information regarding the
Holder and the distribution of the Securities as the Company may from time to time
reasonably require for inclusion in the Shelf Registration Statement, and the Company may
exclude from such registration the Securities of any Holder that unreasonably fails to
furnish such information within a reasonable time after receiving such request.

(o)  The Company shall enter into such customary agreements (including, if requested,
an underwriting agreement in customary form) and take all such other action, if any, as any
Holder of the Securities shall reasonably request in order to facilitate the disposition of
the Securities pursuant to any Shelf Registration.

(p)  In the case of any Shelf Registration, the Company shall (i) make reasonably
available for inspection by the Holders of the Securities, any underwriter participating in
any disposition pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement and any attorney, accountant
or other agent retained by the Holders of the Securities or any such underwriter all
relevant financial and other records, pertinent corporate documents and properties of the
Company and (ii) cause the Company’s officers, directors, employees, accountants and
auditors to supply all relevant information reasonably requested by the Holders of the
Securities or any such underwriter, attorney, accountant or agent in connection with the
Shelf Registration Statement, in each case, as shall be reasonably necessary to enable such
persons, to conduct a reasonable investigation within the meaning of Section 11 of the
Securities Act; provided, however, that the foregoing inspection and information gathering
shall be coordinated on behalf of the Initial Purchasers by you and on behalf of the other
parties, by one counsel designated by and on behalf of such other parties as described in
Section 4 hereof.

 

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(q)  In the case of any Shelf Registration, the Company, if requested by any Holder of
Securities covered thereby, shall cause (i) its counsel to deliver an opinion and updates
thereof
relating to the Securities in customary form addressed to such Holders and the managing
underwriters, if any, thereof and dated, in the case of the initial opinion, the effective
date of such Shelf Registration Statement (it being agreed that the matters to be covered
by such opinion shall include, without limitation, the due incorporation and good standing
of the Company and its subsidiaries; the qualification of the Company and its subsidiaries
to transact business as foreign corporations; the due authorization, execution and delivery
of the relevant agreement of the type referred to in Section 3(o) hereof; the due
authorization, execution, authentication and issuance, and the validity and enforceability,
of the applicable Securities; the absence of material legal or governmental proceedings
involving the Company and its subsidiaries; the absence of governmental approvals required
to be obtained in connection with the Shelf Registration Statement, the offering and sale
of the applicable Securities, or any agreement of the type referred to in Section 3(o)
hereof; the compliance as to form of such Shelf Registration Statement and any documents
incorporated by reference therein and of the Indenture with the requirements of the
Securities Act and the Trust Indenture Act, respectively; and (A) as of the date of the
opinion and as of the effective date of the Shelf Registration Statement or most recent
post-effective amendment thereto, as the case may be, the absence from such Shelf
Registration Statement and the prospectus included therein, as then amended or
supplemented, and from any documents incorporated by reference therein and (B) as of an
applicable time identified by such Holders or managing underwriters, the absence from such
prospectus taken together with any other documents identified by such Holders or managing
underwriters, in the case of (A) and (B), of an untrue statement of a material fact or the
omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to
make the statements therein not misleading (in the case of any such incorporated documents,
in the light of the circumstances existing at the time that such documents were filed with
the Commission under the Exchange Act); (ii) its officers to execute and deliver all
customary documents and certificates and updates thereof requested by any underwriters of
the applicable Securities and (iii) its independent public accountants to provide to the
selling Holders of the applicable Securities and any underwriter therefor a comfort letter
in customary form and covering matters of the type customarily covered in comfort letters
in connection with primary underwritten offerings, subject to receipt of appropriate
documentation as contemplated, and only if permitted, by Statement of Auditing Standards
No. 72.

(r)  In the case of the Registered Exchange Offer, if requested by any Initial
Purchaser or any known Participating Broker-Dealer, the Company shall cause (i) its counsel
to deliver to such Initial Purchaser or such Participating Broker-Dealer a signed opinion
in the form set forth in Section 7(c) of the Purchase Agreement with such changes as are
customary in connection with the preparation of a Registration Statement and (ii) its
independent public accountants to deliver to such Initial Purchaser or such Participating
Broker-Dealer a comfort letter, in customary form, meeting the requirements as to the
substance thereof as set forth in Section 7(a) of the Purchase Agreement, with appropriate
date changes.

(s)  If a Registered Exchange Offer or a Private Exchange is to be consummated, upon
delivery of the Initial Securities by Holders to the Company (or to such other Person as
directed by the Company) in exchange for the Exchange Securities or the Private Exchange
Securities, as the case may be, the Company shall mark, or caused to be marked, on the
Initial Securities so exchanged that such Initial Securities are being canceled in exchange
for the Exchange Securities or the Private Exchange Securities, as the case may be; in no
event shall the Initial Securities be marked as paid or otherwise satisfied.

 

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(r)  The Company will use its reasonable best efforts to (a) if the Initial Securities
have been rated prior to the initial sale of such Initial Securities, confirm such ratings
will apply to the
Securities covered by a Registration Statement, or (b) if the Initial Securities were not
previously rated, cause the Securities covered by a Registration Statement to be rated with
the appropriate rating agencies, if so requested by Holders of a majority in aggregate
principal amount of Securities covered by such Registration Statement, or by the managing
underwriters, if any.

(u)  In the event that any broker-dealer registered under the Exchange Act shall
underwrite any Securities or participate as a member of an underwriting syndicate or
selling group or “assist in the distribution” (within the meaning of the Conduct Rules (the
“Rules”) of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”)) thereof, whether
as a Holder of such Securities or as an underwriter, a placement or sales agent or a broker
or dealer in respect thereof, or otherwise, the Company will assist such broker-dealer in
complying with the requirements of such Rules, including, without limitation, by (i) if
such Rules, including Rule 2720, shall so require, engaging a “qualified independent
underwriter” (as defined in Rule 2720) to participate in the preparation of the
Registration Statement relating to such Securities, to exercise usual standards of due
diligence in respect thereto and, if any portion of the offering contemplated by such
Registration Statement is an underwritten offering or is made through a placement or sales
agent, to recommend the yield of such Securities, (ii) indemnifying any such qualified
independent underwriter to the extent of the indemnification of underwriters provided in
Section 5 hereof and (iii) providing such information to such broker-dealer as may be
required in order for such broker-dealer to comply with the requirements of the Rules.

(v)  The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to take all other steps
necessary to effect the registration of the Securities covered by a Registration Statement
contemplated hereby.

4.  Registration Expenses. The Company shall bear all fees and expenses incurred in
connection with the performance of its obligations under Sections 1 through 3 hereof (including the
reasonable fees and expenses, if any, of Vinson & Elkins LLP, counsel for the Initial Purchasers,
incurred in connection with the Registered Exchange Offer), whether or not the Registered Exchange
Offer or a Shelf Registration is filed or becomes effective, and, in the event of a Shelf
Registration, shall bear or reimburse the Holders of the Securities covered thereby for the
reasonable fees and disbursements of one firm of counsel designated by the Holders of a majority in
principal amount of the Initial Securities covered thereby to act as counsel for the Holders of the
Initial Securities in connection therewith.

5.  Indemnification. (a) The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each Holder of
the Securities, any Participating Broker-Dealer and each person, if any, who controls such Holder
or such Participating Broker-Dealer within the meaning of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act
(each Holder, any Participating Broker-Dealer and such controlling persons are referred to
collectively as the “Indemnified Parties”) from and against any losses, claims, damages or
liabilities, joint or several, or any actions in respect thereof (including, but not limited to,
any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or actions relating to purchases and sales of the
Securities) to which each Indemnified Party may become subject under the Securities Act, the
Exchange Act or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or actions arise
out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact
contained in a Registration Statement or prospectus or in any amendment or supplement thereto or in
any preliminary prospectus or “issuer free writing prospectus,” as defined in Commission Rule 433
(“Issuer FWP”), relating to a Shelf Registration, or arise out of, or are based upon, the omission
or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to
make the statements therein not misleading, and shall reimburse, as incurred, the Indemnified
Parties for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by them in connection with
investigating or defending any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action in respect thereof;
provided, however, that (i) the Company shall not be liable in any such case to the extent that
such loss,

 

10

 

claim, damage or liability arises out of or is based upon any untrue statement or
alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made in a Registration Statement or prospectus or
in any amendment or supplement thereto or in any preliminary prospectus or Issuer FWP relating to a
Shelf Registration in reliance upon and in conformity with written information pertaining to such
Holder and furnished to the Company by or on behalf of such Holder specifically for inclusion
therein and (ii) with respect to any untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or
omission made in any preliminary prospectus relating to a Shelf Registration Statement, the
indemnity agreement contained in this subsection (a) shall not inure to the benefit of any Holder
or Participating Broker-Dealer from whom the person asserting any such losses, claims, damages or
liabilities purchased the Securities concerned, to the extent that a prospectus relating to such
Securities was required to be delivered (including through satisfaction of the conditions of
Commission Rule 172) by such Holder or Participating Broker-Dealer under the Securities Act in
connection with such purchase and any such loss, claim, damage or liability of such Holder or
Participating Broker-Dealer results from the fact that there was not conveyed to such person, at or
prior to the time of the sale of such Securities to such person, an amended or supplemented
prospectus or, if permitted by Section 3(d), an Issuer FWP correcting such untrue statement or
omission or alleged untrue statement or omission if the Company had previously furnished copies
thereof to such Holder or Participating Broker-Dealer; provided further, however, that this
indemnity agreement will be in addition to any liability which the Company may otherwise have to
such Indemnified Party. The Company shall also indemnify underwriters, their officers and
directors and each person who controls such underwriters within the meaning of the Securities Act
or the Exchange Act to the same extent as provided above with respect to the indemnification of the
Holders of the Securities if requested by such Holders.

(b)  Each Holder of the Securities, severally and not jointly, will indemnify and hold
harmless the Company and each person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of the
Securities Act or the Exchange Act from and against any losses, claims, damages or liabilities or
any actions in respect thereof, to which the Company or any such controlling person may become
subject under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims,
damages, liabilities or actions arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged
untrue statement of a material fact contained in a Registration Statement or prospectus or in any
amendment or supplement thereto or in any preliminary prospectus or Issuer FWP relating to a Shelf
Registration, or arise out of or are based upon the omission or alleged omission to state therein a
material fact necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, but in each case only to the
extent that the untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission was made in
reliance upon and in conformity with written information pertaining to such Holder and furnished to
the Company by or on behalf of such Holder specifically for inclusion therein; and, subject to the
limitation set forth immediately preceding this clause, shall reimburse, as incurred, the Company
for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by the Company or any such controlling person
in connection with investigating or defending any loss, claim, damage, liability or action in
respect thereof. This indemnity agreement will be in addition to any liability which such Holder
may otherwise have to the Company or any of its controlling persons.

(c)  Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under this Section 5 of notice of the
commencement of any action or proceeding (including a governmental investigation), such indemnified
party will, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against the indemnifying party under this
Section 5, notify the indemnifying party of the commencement thereof; but the failure to notify the
indemnifying party shall not relieve the indemnifying party from any liability that it may have
under subsection (a) or (b) above except to the extent that it has been materially prejudiced
(through the forfeiture of substantive rights or defenses) by such failure; and provided further
that the failure to notify the indemnifying party shall not relieve it from any liability that it
may have to an indemnified party otherwise than under subsection (a) or (b) above. In case any
such action is brought against any indemnified party, and it notifies the indemnifying party of the
commencement thereof, the indemnifying party will be entitled to participate therein and,

 

11

 

to the
extent that it may wish, jointly with any other indemnifying party similarly notified, to assume
the defense thereof, with counsel reasonably satisfactory to such indemnified party (who shall not, except with
the consent of the indemnified party, be counsel to the indemnifying party), and after notice from
the indemnifying party to such indemnified party of its election so to assume the defense thereof
the indemnifying party will not be liable to such indemnified party under this Section 5 for any
legal or other expenses, other than reasonable costs of investigation, subsequently incurred by
such indemnified party in connection with the defense thereof. No indemnifying party shall,
without the prior written consent of the indemnified party, effect any settlement of any pending or
threatened action in respect of which any indemnified party is or could have been a party and
indemnity could have been sought hereunder by such indemnified party unless such settlement (i)
includes an unconditional release of such indemnified party from all liability on any claims that
are the subject matter of such action, and (ii) does not include a statement as to or an admission
of fault, culpability or a failure to act by or on behalf of any indemnified party.

(d)  If the indemnification provided for in this Section 5 is unavailable or insufficient to
hold harmless an indemnified party under subsections (a) or (b) above, then each indemnifying party
shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified party as a result of the losses,
claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) referred to in subsection (a) or (b)
above (i) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the
indemnifying party or parties on the one hand and the indemnified party on the other from the
exchange of the Securities, pursuant to the Registered Exchange Offer, or (ii) if the allocation
provided by the foregoing clause (i) is not permitted by applicable law, in such proportion as is
appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits referred to in clause (i) above but also the
relative fault of the indemnifying party or parties on the one hand and the indemnified party on
the other in connection with the statements or omissions that resulted in such losses, claims,
damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) as well as any other relevant equitable
considerations. The relative fault of the parties shall be determined by reference to, among other
things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or
alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Company on the one
hand or such Holder or such other indemnified party, as the case may be, on the other, and the
parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent
such statement or omission. The amount paid by an indemnified party as a result of the losses,
claims, damages or liabilities referred to in the first sentence of this subsection (d) shall be
deemed to include any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in
connection with investigating or defending any action or claim which is the subject of this
subsection (d). Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 5(d), the Holders of the
Securities shall not be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the net
proceeds received by such Holders from the sale of the Securities pursuant to a Registration
Statement exceeds the amount of damages which such Holders have otherwise been required to pay by
reason of such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission. No person
guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act)
shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent
misrepresentation. For purposes of this paragraph (d), each person, if any, who controls such
indemnified party within the meaning of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act shall have the same
rights to contribution as such indemnified party and each person, if any, who controls the Company
within the meaning of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act shall have the same rights to
contribution as the Company.

(e)  The agreements contained in this Section 5 shall survive the sale of the Securities
pursuant to a Registration Statement and shall remain in full force and effect, regardless of any
termination or cancellation of this Agreement or any investigation made by or on behalf of any
indemnified party.

 

12

 

6.  Additional Interest Under Certain Circumstances. (a) Additional interest (the
“Additional Interest”) with respect to the Initial Securities shall be assessed as follows if any
of the following events occur (each such event in clauses (i) through (iii) below a “Registration
Default”:

(i)  If by April 25, 2011, the Exchange Offer Registration Statement has not been
filed with the Commission;

(ii)  If by September 22, 2011, the Exchange Offer Registration Statement is not
declared effective by the Commission;

(iii) if the Company fails to file the Shelf Registration Statement with the
Commission on or prior to the 30th day (the “Shelf Filing Date”) after the date on which
any obligation to file a Shelf Registration Statement under this Agreement arises;

(iv) if obligated to file a Shelf Registration Statement, the Shelf Registration
Statement is not declared effective on or prior to the later of the 90th day after the
Shelf Filing Date and September 22, 2011; or

(v)  If after either the Exchange Offer Registration Statement or the Shelf
Registration Statement is declared (or becomes automatically) effective (A) such
Registration Statement thereafter ceases to be effective; or (B) such Registration
Statement or the related prospectus ceases to be usable (except as permitted in
paragraph (b)) in connection with resales of Transfer Restricted Securities during the
periods specified herein because either (1) any event occurs as a result of which the
related prospectus forming part of such Registration Statement would include any untrue
statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary to make the
statements therein in the light of the circumstances under which they were made not
misleading, (2) it shall be necessary to amend such Registration Statement or supplement
the related prospectus, to comply with the Securities Act or the Exchange Act or the
respective rules thereunder, or (3) such Registration Statement is a Shelf Registration
Statement that has expired before a replacement Shelf Registration Statement has become
effective.

Additional Interest shall accrue on the Initial Securities over and above the interest set forth in
the title of the Securities from and including the date on which any such Registration Default
shall occur to but excluding the earlier of the date on which all such Registration Defaults have
been cured and the date such Initial Securities cease to be Transfer Restricted Securities, at a
rate of 0.25% per annum during the 90-day period immediately following the occurrence of any
Registration Default and shall increase by 0.25% per annum at the end of each subsequent 90-day
period, but in no event shall such increase exceed 1.00% per annum. Following the cure of all
Registration Defaults relating to the particular Initial Securities or such time as the particular
Initial Securities cease to be Transfer Restricted Securities the interest rate borne by the
relevant Initial Securities will be reduced to the original interest rate borne by such Securities;
provided, however, that, if after any such reduction in interest rate, a different Registration
Default occurs, the interest rate borne by the relevant Initial Securities shall again be increased
pursuant to the foregoing provisions.

(b)  A Registration Default referred to in Section 6(a)(v)(B) hereof shall be deemed not to
have occurred and be continuing in relation to a Shelf Registration Statement or the related
prospectus if (i) such Registration Default has occurred solely as a result of (x) the filing of a
post-effective amendment to such Shelf Registration Statement to incorporate annual audited
financial information with respect to the Company where such post-effective amendment is not yet
effective and needs to be declared effective to permit Holders to use the related prospectus or (y)
other material events, with respect to the Company that would need to be described in such Shelf
Registration Statement or the related prospectus and (ii) in the
case of clause (y), the Company is proceeding promptly and in good faith to amend or supplement
such Shelf Registration Statement and related prospectus to describe such events; provided,
however, that in any case if such Registration Default occurs for a continuous period in excess of
30 days, Additional Interest shall be payable in accordance with the above paragraph from the day
such Registration Default occurs until such Registration Default is cured.

 

13

 

(c)  Any amounts of Additional Interest due pursuant to Section 6(a) above will be payable in
cash on the regular interest payment dates with respect to the Initial Securities. The amount of
Additional Interest will be determined by multiplying the applicable Additional Interest rate by
the principal amount of the Initial Securities, multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is
the number of days such Additional Interest rate was applicable during such period (determined on
the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months), and the denominator of which is
360.

(d)  “Transfer Restricted Securities” means each Security until (i) the date on which such
Transfer Restricted Security has been exchanged by a person other than a broker-dealer for a freely
transferable Exchange Security in the Registered Exchange Offer, (ii) following the exchange by a
broker-dealer in the Registered Exchange Offer of a Initial Security for an Exchange Note, the date
on which such Exchange Note is sold to a purchaser who receives from such broker-dealer on or prior
to the date of such sale a copy of the prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement, or (iii) the date on which such Securities cease to be outstanding.

7.  Rules 144 and 144A.  The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to file the reports
required to be filed by it under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act in a timely manner and, if
at any time the Company is not required to file such reports, it will, upon the request of any
Holder of Initial Securities, make publicly available other information so long as necessary to
permit sales of their securities pursuant to Rules 144 and 144A. The Company covenants that it
will take such further action as any Holder of Initial Securities may reasonably request, all to
the extent required from time to time to enable such Holder to sell Initial Securities without
registration under the Securities Act within the limitation of the exemptions provided by Rules 144
and 144A (including the requirements of Rule 144A(d)(4)). The Company will provide a copy of this
Agreement to prospective purchasers of Initial Securities identified to the Company by the Initial
Purchasers upon request. Upon the request of any Holder of Initial Securities, the Company shall
deliver to such Holder a written statement as to whether it has complied with such requirements.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this Section 7 shall be deemed to require the Company to
register any of its securities pursuant to the Exchange Act.

8.  Underwritten Registrations.  If any of the Transfer Restricted Securities covered by any
Shelf Registration are to be sold in an underwritten offering, the investment banker or investment
bankers and manager or managers that will administer the offering (“Managing Underwriters”) will be
selected by the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of such Transfer Restricted
Securities to be included in such offering.

No person may participate in any underwritten registration hereunder unless such person (i)
agrees to sell such person’s Transfer Restricted Securities on the basis reasonably provided in any
underwriting arrangements approved by the persons entitled hereunder to approve such arrangements
and (ii) completes and executes all questionnaires, powers of attorney, indemnities, underwriting
agreements and other documents reasonably required under the terms of such underwriting
arrangements.

 

14

 

9.  Miscellaneous.

(a)  Amendments and Waivers.  The provisions of this Agreement may not be amended, modified or
supplemented, and waivers or consents to departures from the provisions hereof may not be given,
except by the Company and the written consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of
the Securities affected by such amendment, modification, supplement, waiver or consents.

(b)  Notices.  All notices and other communications provided for or permitted hereunder shall
be made in writing by hand delivery, first-class mail, facsimile transmission, or air courier which
guarantees overnight delivery:

(1) if to a Holder of the Securities, at the most current address given by such Holder to the
Company.

(2) if to the Initial Purchasers;

Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC

Eleven Madison Avenue

New York, NY 10010-3629

Fax No.: (212) 325-4296

Attention: Transactions Advisory Group

with a copy to:

Vinson & Elkins LLP

First City Tower, 1001 Fannin Street, Suite 2500

Houston, TX 77002-6760

Fax No.: (713) 615-5962

Attention: James M. Prince

(3) if to the Company, at its address as follows:

Brigham Exploration Company

6300 Bridge Point Parkway

Building Two, Suite 500

Austin, Texas 78730

Fax No.: (512) 427-3400

Attention: General Counsel

with a copy to:

Thompson & Knight LLP

1722 Routh Street, Suite 1500

Dallas, Texas 75201

Fax No: (214) 969-1780

Attention: Joe Dannenmaier

All such notices and communications shall be deemed to have been duly given: at the time
delivered by hand, if personally delivered; three business days after being deposited in the mail,
postage prepaid, if mailed; when receipt is acknowledged by recipient’s facsimile machine operator,
if sent by facsimile transmission; and on the day delivered, if sent by overnight air courier
guaranteeing next day delivery.

 

15

 

(c)  No Inconsistent Agreements.  The Company has not, as of the date hereof, entered into,
nor shall it, on or after the date hereof, enter into, any agreement with respect to its securities
that is inconsistent with the rights granted to the Holders herein or otherwise conflicts with the
provisions hereof.

(d)  Successors and Assigns.  This Agreement shall be binding upon the Company and its
successors and assigns.

(e)  Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and by the
parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an
original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement.

(f)  Headings.  The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall
not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof.

(g)  Governing Law.  THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH,
THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT REGARD TO PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAWS.

(h)  Severability.  If any one or more of the provisions contained herein, or the application
thereof in any circumstance, is held invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and
enforceability of any such provision in every other respect and of the remaining provisions
contained herein shall not be affected or impaired thereby.

(i)  Securities Held by the Company.  Whenever the consent or approval of Holders of a
specified percentage of principal amount of Securities is required hereunder, Securities held by
the Company or its affiliates (other than subsequent Holders of Securities if such subsequent
Holders are deemed to be affiliates solely by reason of their holdings of such Securities) shall
not be counted in determining whether such consent or approval was given by the Holders of such
required percentage.

 

16

 

If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding of our agreement, please sign and
return to the Issuer a counterpart hereof, whereupon this instrument, along with all counterparts,
will become a binding agreement among the several Initial Purchasers, the Issuer and the Guarantors
in accordance with its terms.

	 	 	 	 	 
	 	Very truly yours,

Brigham Exploration Company

 	 
	 	By:  	
/s/ Eugene B. Shepherd, Jr.
 	 
	 	 	Name:  	Eugene B. Shepherd, Jr. 	 
	 	 	Title:  	Executive Vice President and

Chief Financial Officer 	 
	 
	 	Brigham, Inc.

 	 
	 	By:  	/s/ Eugene B. Shepherd, Jr.
 	 
	 	 	Name:  	Eugene B. Shepherd, Jr. 	 
	 	 	Title:  	Executive Vice President and

Chief Financial Officer 	 
	 
	 	Brigham Oil and Gas, L.P.

 	 
	 	By:  	Brigham, Inc.
 	 
	 	 	its managing general partner 	 
	 	 	 
	 	By:  	             /s/ Eugene B. Shepherd, Jr.
 	 
	 	 	Name:  	Eugene B. Shepherd, Jr. 	 
	 	 	Title:  	Executive Vice President and

Chief Financial Officer 	 

[Signature page to Registration Rights Agreement]

 

17

 

The foregoing Registration

Rights Agreement is hereby confirmed

and accepted as of the date first

above written.

Acting on behalf of themselves

and as the Representatives of

the several Initial Purchasers

By Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC

	 	 	 
	By:

	 	/s/ David Alterman
	 

	 	 
	 

	 	Name: David Alterman

Title: Managing Director

By Banc of America Securities LLC

	 	 	 
	By:

	 	/s/ J. Lex Maultsby
	 

	 	 
	 

	 	Name: J. Lex Maultsby 

Title: Managing Director

[Signature page to Registration Rights Agreement]

 

 

ANNEX A

Each broker-dealer that receives Exchange Securities for its own account pursuant to the
Exchange Offer must acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of
such Exchange Securities. The Letter of Transmittal states that by so acknowledging and by
delivering a prospectus, a broker-dealer will not be deemed to admit that it is an “underwriter”
within the meaning of the Securities Act. This Prospectus, as it may be amended or supplemented
from time to time, may be used by a broker-dealer in connection with resales of Exchange Securities
received in exchange for Initial Securities where such Initial Securities were acquired by such
broker-dealer as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities. The Company has
agreed that, for a period of 180 days after the Expiration Date (as defined herein), it will make
this Prospectus available to any broker-dealer for use in connection with any such resale. See
“Plan of Distribution.”

 

 

ANNEX B

Each broker-dealer that receives Exchange Securities for its own account in exchange for
Securities, where such Initial Securities were acquired by such broker-dealer as a result of
market-making activities or other trading activities, must acknowledge that it will deliver a
prospectus in connection with any resale of such Exchange Securities. See “Plan of Distribution.”

 

 

ANNEX C

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

Each broker-dealer that receives Exchange Securities for its own account pursuant to the
Exchange Offer must acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of
such Exchange Securities. This Prospectus, as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time,
may be used by a broker-dealer in connection with resales of Exchange Securities received in
exchange for Initial Securities where such Initial Securities were acquired as a result of
market-making activities or other trading activities. The Company has agreed that, for a period of
180 days after the Expiration Date (or such shorter period during which exchanging broker-dealer or
initial purchaser is required by law to deliver a prospectus), it will make this prospectus, as
amended or supplemented, available to any broker-dealer for use in connection with any such resale.
In addition, until _____, 20 _____, all dealers effecting transactions in the Exchange
Securities may be required to deliver a prospectus.(1)

The Company will not receive any proceeds from any sale of Exchange Securities by
broker-dealers. Exchange Securities received by broker-dealers for their own account pursuant to
the Exchange Offer may be sold from time to time in one or more transactions in the
over-the-counter market, in negotiated transactions, through the writing of options on the Exchange
Securities or a combination of such methods of resale, at market prices prevailing at the time of
resale, at prices related to such prevailing market prices or negotiated prices. Any such resale
may be made directly to purchasers or to or through brokers or dealers who may receive compensation
in the form of commissions or concessions from any such broker-dealer or the purchasers of any such
Exchange Securities. Any broker-dealer that resells Exchange Securities that were received by it
for its own account pursuant to the Exchange Offer and any broker or dealer that participates in a
distribution of such Exchange Securities may be deemed to be an “underwriter” within the meaning of
the Securities Act and any profit on any such resale of Exchange Securities and any commission or
concessions received by any such persons may be deemed to be underwriting compensation under the
Securities Act. The Letter of Transmittal states that, by acknowledging that it will deliver and
by delivering a prospectus, a broker-dealer will not be deemed to admit that it is an “underwriter”
within the meaning of the Securities Act.

For a period of 180 days after the Expiration Date (or such shorter period during which
exchanging broker-dealer or initial purchaser is required by law to deliver a prospectus), the
Company will promptly send additional copies of this Prospectus and any amendment or supplement to
this Prospectus to any broker-dealer that requests such documents in the Letter of Transmittal.
The Company has agreed to pay all expenses incident to the Exchange Offer (including the expenses
of one counsel for the Holders of the Securities) other than commissions or concessions of any
brokers or dealers and will indemnify the Holders of the Securities (including any broker-dealers)
against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.

 

	 	 	 
	 	 	(1)  In addition, the legend required by Item 502(e) of
Regulation S-K will appear on the back cover page of the Exchange Offer
prospectus.

 

 

ANNEX D

o CHECK HERE IF YOU ARE A BROKER-DEALER AND WISH TO RECEIVE 10 ADDITIONAL COPIES OF THE PROSPECTUS
AND 10 COPIES OF ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS THERETO.

	 	 	 	 	 
	Name:
	 	 	 	 
	Address:

	 	 

	 	 
	 

	 	 

	 	 
	 

	 	 

	 	 

If the undersigned is not a broker-dealer, the undersigned represents that it is not engaged in,
and does not intend to engage in, a distribution of Exchange Securities. If the undersigned is a
broker-dealer that will receive Exchange Securities for its own account in exchange for Initial
Securities that were acquired as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities,
it acknowledges that it will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of such Exchange
Securities; however, by so acknowledging and by delivering a prospectus, the undersigned will not
be deemed to admit that it is an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act.Exhibit 10.1

Exhibit 10.1

DEFERRED PAYMENT AGREEMENT

This Deferred Payment Agreement (the “Agreement”) is made this 22nd day of September, 2010, by and
among The Huntington National Bank, a national banking association, in its capacity as Administrative Agent under the
Legacy Credit Agreement (as defined below) (“Huntington”), Franklin Credit Management Corporation, a Delaware
corporation, or any successor-in-interest thereto (“FCMC”) and Thomas J. Axon (“Axon”).

Recitals

A. This Agreement is entered into pursuant to Paragraph 6 of Annex A to that certain Restructure
Agreement, dated September 22nd, 2010, by and among, inter alia, Huntington, Franklin Mortgage Asset Trust
2009-A, Franklin Credit Holding Corporation, FCMC and Thomas J. Axon (the “Restructure Agreement”).

B. Pursuant to Paragraph 3 of Annex A  to the Restructure Agreement, the obligations of FCMC and Axon
under this Agreement are additional consideration for the release of the pledge and security interests of Huntington in
the 70% of the capital stock in FCMC and all distributions made thereunder under the applicable loan documents executed
in connection with the Legacy Credit Agreement.

Agreement

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises set forth herein, it is hereby agreed as follows:

1. Definitions.

“Aggregate Value” means the value of FCMC based on the aggregate consideration directly or indirectly
paid or payable to FCMC and the Equity Holders (as defined below) in connection with or as a result of a
Transaction (as defined below) determined as follows:

(a) In the case of a Transaction involving the acquisition of equity securities, the Aggregate Value
shall include the total consideration paid or payable to Equity Holders (or FCMC in the case of a new
issuance), plus, in the case of a Transaction involving the acquisition of 50% or more of the fully diluted
outstanding equity securities of FCMC, (i) the amount of all indebtedness for borrowed money (including
capitalized leases and repayment obligations under letters of credit) of FCMC outstanding immediately prior to
the Transaction, plus (ii) the amount by which any defined benefit pension liabilities exceed the value of the
corresponding assets of the applicable plan (determined, for a single-employer plan, on a plan termination
basis and, for a multiemployer plan, based on withdrawal liability that would be incurred assuming a
withdrawal at the time of the sale), plus (iii) the amount of any liabilities under deferred compensation
plans in existence immediately prior to the Transaction. If 50% or more of FCMC’s fully diluted outstanding
equity securities are acquired pursuant to the Transaction, then the Aggregate Value shall be calculated as if 100% of FCMC’s outstanding equity securities
were acquired for the same per share price as those equity securities actually acquired.

 

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(b) In the case of a Transaction involving the acquisition of assets, the Aggregate Value shall include
the total consideration paid or payable for the assets acquired. In the case of a Transaction involving the
acquisition of a material portion of the assets or business of FCMC, the Aggregate Value shall include the
total consideration paid or payable for the assets acquired, plus (w) the amount of all assumed
indebtedness for borrowed money (including capitalized leases and repayment obligations under letters of
credit), plus (x) the amount by which any assumed defined benefit pension liabilities exceed the value
of the corresponding transferred assets of the applicable plan (determined, for a single-employer plan, on a
plan termination basis and, for a multiemployer plan, based on withdrawal liability that would be incurred
assuming a withdrawal at the time of the sale), plus (y) the sum of (i) the net book value of any
current assets less trade payables (determined in accordance with accounting practices consistent with FCMC’s
historical practice) retained by FCMC and (ii) the fair market value of any assets other than working capital
assets retained FCMC plus (z) the amount of any assumed liabilities under deferred compensation plans.

(c) In any Transaction, the Aggregate Value will include consideration paid or payable to FCMC and its
Equity Holders under covenants not to compete and management or consulting arrangements (excluding reasonable
salaries or wages payable under bona fide agreements for actual services).

(d) In any Transaction, the Aggregate Value will include the aggregate amount of (i) any dividends or
distributions declared after the date hereof, and (ii) payments by FCMC to repurchase any outstanding equity
securities after the date hereof.

(e) In any Transaction, the Aggregate Value will include amounts payable pursuant to any earnout, royalty
or similar arrangement. To the extent payment of any consideration is contingent, the Deferred Payment shall
be paid proportionally such that the Deferred Payment received at closing shall be the same proportion of
Aggregate Value paid at close with any fee related to contingent payments being paid at the time the
contingency is realized. Amounts payable pursuant to notes or an escrow arrangement however will not be
deemed contingent for purposes of calculating the Aggregate Value realized at close.

(f) The Aggregate Value will be deemed to include all forms of consideration, including without
limitation, cash and cash equivalents, notes and other evidence of indebtedness, securities and other
property. Consideration other than cash and cash equivalents will be valued as follows:

(i) notes and other evidence of indebtedness will be valued at face value;

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(ii) common stock and securities convertible into common stock will be valued at fair market value (as
determined in good faith by agreement of FCMC and Huntington without regard to minority or liquidity
discounts);

(iii) preferred stock will be valued at the greater of liquidation value or redemption price (unless fair
market value is otherwise determined in good faith by agreement of FCMC and Huntington); and

(iv) securities and property not referenced above will be valued at fair market value (as determined in
good faith by agreement of FCMC and Huntington).

“Deferred Payment” means, with respect to a Transaction (as defined below), an

amount equal to (i) ten percent (10%) of (ii) (A) the Aggregate Value of such Transaction, minus (B) $4
million.

“Equity Holder” means any shareholder, as well as any holder of options, warrants, convertible
securities, phantom equity and similar rights in FCMC.

“Legacy Credit Agreement” means that certain Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated March 31, 2009,
among Huntington, as Administrative Agent, Huntington, Huntington Finance LLC, M&I Marshall & Ilsley Bank and
BOS (USA) Inc., as lenders, and Franklin Credit Asset Corporation, Franklin Asset, LLC and multiple subsidiary
borrowers, as Borrowers.

“Restructuring” means the sale, restructuring or spin off, which shall be subject to Huntington’s prior
approval, by Franklin Credit Holding Corporation of its ownership interests in FCMC.

“Transaction” means, other than the Restructuring, any transaction or series or combination of related
transactions whereby, directly or indirectly, any of the following are undertaken or contemplated: (i) any
sale of all or a portion of the assets or the capital stock of FCMC, whether any such sale is effected by
FCMC, Axon, its then-current owners if such owners sell 30% or more of the fully diluted outstanding equity
securities of FCMC, a third party or any combination of any of the foregoing; (ii) any exchange or tender
offer, merger, consolidation or other business combination involving FCMC; (iii) any recapitalization,
reorganization, restructuring or any other similar transaction including, without limitation, negotiated
repurchases of FCMC’s securities, an issuer tender offer, a dividend or distribution, or a spin-off or
split-off involving FCMC; or (iv) any liquidation or winding-down of FCMC, whether by FCMC, its then-current
owners, a third party or any combination of any of the foregoing. For purposes of clarification, the term
“Transaction” does not include the issuance of shares under FCMC’s equity compensation plans to the extent
that those issuances do not exceed 7% of the fully diluted outstanding securities of FCMC, cumulatively,
during the term of this Agreement.

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2. Deferred Payment Obligation. FCMC will make a Deferred Payment to Huntington if a Transaction is
consummated at any time prior to the termination of this Agreement under Section 4. Such Deferred Payment is payable
in cash at the time of the closing of the Transaction.

3. Guaranty.

(a) Axon hereby guarantees prompt and full payment of each Deferred Payment to Huntington when due. Axon hereby
promises that, if a Deferred Payment is not paid promptly by FCMC when due, Axon will, upon request of Huntington, pay
to Huntington the Deferred Payment then due, irrespective of any action or lack of action on Huntington’s part in
connection with the enforcement of this Agreement or otherwise. Axon agrees that Huntington will not be required to
pursue or exhaust any of his rights or remedies against FCMC or Axon with respect to payment of such Deferred Payment
or to take any action of any sort, prior to demanding payment from or pursuing its remedies against Axon.

(b) The obligations of Axon hereunder are unconditional and absolute and not subject to any reduction, limitation,
impairment, or termination for any reason (other than the expiration of any obligation to make Deferred Payments or the
indefeasible payment in full in cash of the Deferred Payments), including: (i) any claim of waiver, release, extension,
renewal, settlement, surrender, alteration, or compromise of any obligations under any Deferred Payment, by operation
of law or otherwise; (ii) any change in the corporate existence, structure, or ownership of any FCMC; (iii) any
insolvency, bankruptcy, reorganization, or other similar proceeding affecting FCMC or its assets, or any resulting
release or discharge of any obligation of FCMC; (iv) the existence of any claim defense, setoff, counterclaim,
recoupment, or termination whatsoever, or any provision of applicable law or regulation purporting to prohibit payment
by FCMC, of any Deferred Payment or any portion thereof, or (v) any default, failure, or delay, willful or otherwise,
in the payment or performance of any Deferred Payment, or any other circumstance, act, omission, or delay that might in
any manner or to any extent vary the risk of Axon or that would otherwise operate as a discharge of Axon as a matter of
law or equity (other than the expiration pursuant to the terms of this Agreement of any obligation to make Deferred
Payments or the indefeasible payment in full in cash of the Deferred Payments).

(c) Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Axon irrevocably waives acceptance hereof, presentment,
demand, protest and, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any notice not provided for herein, as well as any
requirement that at any time any action be taken by Huntington against FCMC, or any other person obligated.
Huntington, at its election, may foreclose on any collateral held by it by one or more judicial or nonjudicial sales,
accept an assignment of any collateral in lieu of foreclosure or otherwise act or fail to act with respect to any
collateral securing all or a part of the Deferred Payments, compromise or adjust any part of the Deferred Payments,
make any other accommodation with FCMC or exercise any other right or remedy available to it against FCMC, without
affecting or impairing in any way the liability of Axon under this Agreement, except to the extent all obligations to
make Deferred Payments hereunder have expired by the terms hereof or all Deferred Payments have been paid in full in
cash. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, Axon waives any defense arising out of any such election even
though that election may operate, pursuant to applicable law, to impair or extinguish any right of reimbursement or subrogation or other right or remedy of Axon against FCMC or any security.

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(d) Any agreement, instrument, certificate or other document evidencing the rights or interests of Axon in FCMC
will bear a legend substantially as follows:

THE EQUITY INTERESTS REPRESENTED HEREBY ARE SUBJECT TO THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF A
DEFERRED PAYMENT AGREEMENT BY AND AMONG FCMC, THE HUNTINGTON NATIONAL BANK, AS
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND THE OTHER PARTIES NAMED THEREIN, DATED AS OF SEPTEMBER 22, 2010,
AS AMENDED FROM TIME TO TIME, A COPY OF WHICH AGREEMENT IS ON FILE AT THE PRINCIPAL OFFICE
OF FCMC. THE SALE, TRANSFER, ASSIGNMENT OR OTHER DISPOSITION OF THE EQUITY INTERESTS IS
SUBJECT TO THE TERMS OF SUCH AGREEMENT AND THE EQUITY INTERESTS ARE TRANSFERABLE OR
OTHERWISE DISPOSABLE ONLY UPON PROOF OF COMPLIANCE THEREWITH.

4. Termination. This Agreement will expire, and any obligation of FCMC and Axon to make Deferred Payments
will cease, on March 20, 2019.

5. Waiver of Right to Trial by Jury. EACH PARTY TO THIS AGREEMENT HEREBY EXPRESSLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO
TRIAL BY JURY OF ANY CLAIM, DEMAND, ACTION OR CAUSE OF ACTION (1) ARISING UNDER THIS AGREEMENT, OR (2) IN ANY WAY
CONNECTED WITH OR RELATED OR INCIDENTAL TO THE DEALINGS OF THE PARTIES HERETO OR ANY OF THEM WITH RESPECT TO THIS
AGREEMENT, OR THE TRANSACTIONS RELATED HERETO OR THERETO, IN EACH CASE WHETHER NOW EXISTING OR HEREAFTER ARISING, AND
WHETHER SOUNDING IN CONTRACT OR TORT OR OTHERWISE, AND EACH PARTY HEREBY AGREES AND CONSENTS THAT ANY SUCH CLAIM,
DEMAND, ACTION OR CAUSE OF ACTION SHALL BE DECIDED BY COURT TRIAL WITHOUT A JURY, AND THAT ANY PARTY TO THIS AGREEMENT
MAY FILE AN ORIGINAL COUNTERPART OR A COPY OF THIS SECTION WITH ANY COURT AS WRITTEN EVIDENCE OF THE CONSENT OF THE
PARTIES HERETO TO THE WAIVER OF THEIR RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY.

6. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be
deemed an original but all of which together will constitute one and the same instrument. The parties intend that
faxed signatures and electronically imaged signatures such as .pdf files shall constitute original signatures and are
binding on all parties. An executed counterpart signature page delivered by facsimile shall have the same binding
effect as an original signature page.

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7. Governing Law and Legal Actions. This Agreement and the rights and obligations of the parties hereto
shall be governed by, and construed and interpreted in accordance with, the laws of the State of Ohio, as applied to
agreements entered into and to be performed entirely within the State of Ohio, without regard to choice of laws
principles. The sole jurisdiction and venue for actions related to the subject matter hereof shall be the state and
federal courts located in Columbus, Franklin County, Ohio. Each party consents to the personal jurisdiction of such
courts and agrees that process may be served in the manner provided in the Restructure Agreement for giving of notices
or otherwise as allowed by law.

[Signature Page Follows]

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

	 	 	 	 
	THE HUNTINGTON NATIONAL BANK
	 
	By:	 	/s/ David L. Abshier	 
	 	 	 	 
	Name:	 	David L. Abshier	 
	Title:	 	Authorized Signer	 
	 
	FRANKLIN CREDIT MANAGEMENT CORPORATION
	 
	By:	 	/s/ Thomas J. Axon	 
	 	 	 	 
	 	 	     Thomas J. Axon, President	 
	 
	/s/ Thomas J. Axon	 
	 	 
	     Thomas J. Axon	 

Signature Page to Deferred Payment Agreement

 

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