Document:

EX-10.8

 Exhibit 10.8 

VITESSE ENERGY, INC. EMPLOYEE SEVERANCE PLAN 

Adopted [            ] 

 ARTICLE I - INTRODUCTION 

Vitesse Energy, Inc. (the “Company”) hereby establishes the Vitesse Energy, Inc. Employee Severance Plan (this
“Plan”), effective as of [            ] to provide temporary and short-term unemployment type benefits to certain employees of the Company and its participating
subsidiaries and affiliates who suffer a loss of employment in the circumstances described under the terms and conditions set forth in this Plan. This Plan replaces and supersedes any and all severance plans, policies and/or practices of the Company
and its participating subsidiaries and affiliates in effect for their employees prior to [SPIN DATE]. This Plan is intended to fall within the definition of an “employee welfare benefit plan” under Section 3(1) of the Employee
Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended. 
 ARTICLE II - DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATIONS 

The following definitions and interpretations of important terms apply to this Plan. 

1.    “Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company. 

2.    “Cause” means a determination by the Plan Administrator, in its sole and absolute discretion, that
a Participant (a) has engaged in gross negligence, gross incompetence or willful misconduct in the performance of such Participant’s duties with respect to any Company Entity, (b) has refused without proper legal reason to perform
such Participant’s duties and responsibilities to any Company Entity, (c) has materially breached any corporate policy or code of conduct that may be established (and as may be amended from time to time) by any Company Entity, (d) has
engaged in conduct that is materially injurious to any Company Entity, (e) has disclosed without specific authorization from the Company confidential information of any Company Entity that is materially injurious to any such Company Entity,
(f) has committed an act of theft, fraud, embezzlement, misappropriation or breach of a fiduciary duty to any Company Entity, or (g) has been convicted of (or pleaded no contest to) a crime involving fraud, dishonesty or moral turpitude or
any felony (or a crime of similar import in a foreign jurisdiction). Any determination made by the Plan Administrator of whether the termination by the Employer of an Employee’s employment relationship with the Employer is for Cause shall be
conclusive and binding on the affected Employee. 
 3.    “Committee” means the committee appointed
from time to time by the Board to administer the Plan. 
 4.    “Company” means Vitesse Energy, Inc.

 5.    “Company Entity” means any of the Company or its subsidiaries. 

6.    “Effective Date” means [            ].

 7.    “Employee” means any active, non-temporary, hourly
(minimum of thirty (30) hours per week) or salaried employee of the Employer who does not have an individual agreement providing for any type of severance, separation or notice pay. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an

  
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Employee shall not include any individual (a) designated by the Company as an independent contractor and not as an employee at the time of any determination, (b) being paid by or
through an employee leasing company or other third party agency, (c) designated by the Company as a freelance worker and not as an employee at the time of any determination, (d) classified by the Company as a seasonal, occasional, limited
duration, or temporary employee, during the period the individual is so paid or designated, or (e) designated by the Company as a leased employee, during the period the individual is so paid or designated; any such individual shall not be an
Employee even if such Employee is later retroactively reclassified as a common-law employee of the Company during all or any part of such period pursuant to applicable law or otherwise. 

8.    “Employer” means Vitesse Management Company LLC or any successor thereto. 

9.    “Participant” means an Employee who meets the requirements for eligibility under this Plan, as set
forth in the Article III of this Plan. An individual shall cease being a Participant once all severance payable to such individual under this Plan has been completed (or if earlier upon the death of the Participant) and no person shall have any
further rights under this Plan with respect to such former Participant. 
 10.    “Plan Administrator”
means the Committee or such senior executive appointed from time to time by the Board to administer this Plan. Unless and until any such appointment is so made by the Board, the Board shall be the Plan Administrator and the Board. 

11.    “Termination of Employment” means the termination by the Employer of an Employee’s employment
relationship with the Employer as the result of a job elimination, job discontinuation, office closing, reduction in force, business restructuring, or such other circumstances as the Company deems appropriate for the payment of severance. An
indefinite or temporary layoff or reduction in force does not constitute a Termination of Employment unless the layoff or reduction in force becomes permanent. The determination as to whether a layoff or reduction in force is permanent shall be made
by the Plan Administrator, in its sole and absolute discretion, and such determination shall be final and binding on all affected Employees. An Employee’s Termination of Employment shall occur on the last day of his or her employment
with the Employer. A Termination of Employment shall not include any discharge or other separation of employment under any of the following circumstances: (a) for Cause; (b) an Employee’s voluntary resignation or job abandonment;
(c) an Employee’s retirement; (d) the death or disability of an Employee; (e) an Employee is offered, but refuses, employment with any Company Entity or successor thereto (or a joint venture owned by such Company Entity or
successor thereto) in a position that provides the Employee with substantially equivalent base pay and similar job responsibilities; or (f) the Employee fails to return to active employment after a cessation of disability or following a
termination of a leave of absence. 
 12.    “Month of Base Pay” means an Employee’s gross
monthly base salary at the time of such Employee’s Termination of Employment, as reflected on the Employer’s payroll records, and does not include bonuses, overtime pay, commissions, incentive, equity or deferred compensation or other
additional compensation. For purposes hereof, an Employee’s salary shall include any salary reduction contributions made on his or her behalf to any plan of the Employer under Section 125 or 401(k) of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986, as amended. For hourly paid employees, Month of Base Pay shall mean the monthly base compensation paid to the employee based on regular scheduled hours (less the types of non-base pay
described above). 

  
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 13.    “Years of Service” means the number of
consecutive full twelve (12) month periods since the Employee’s last date of hire by the Employer in which the Employee is paid by the Employer for the performance of services in a capacity that qualifies such person as an Employee. Years
of Service shall be measured in full and partial years and credit shall be provided for fractions of a Year of Service. 
 ARTICLE III -
ELIGIBILITY FOR SEVERANCE 
 An Employee becomes eligible for severance under the Plan (i.e., becomes a “Participant”)
if such Employee experiences a Termination of Employment and satisfies the conditions of Article IV. 
 ARTICLE IV - CONDITIONS ON
RECEIVING SEVERANCE BENEFITS 
 Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, severance shall be paid under this Plan in
consideration of an Employee executing and returning an agreement and general release in such form acceptable to the Company, in its sole discretion, under which, among other things, the Employee releases and discharges the Employer from all claims
and liabilities relating to the Employee’s employment with an Employer and/or the termination of the Employee’s employment, including without limitation, claims under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act and the Older Workers Benefit
Protection Act, where applicable (a “Release Agreement”). An Employee shall become a Participant and payment of severance under the Plan will be paid only after a Release Agreement has been signed and the time for the Employee to
revoke such Release Agreement, if any, has expired, and it has been returned (the “Release Agreement Effective Date”). 

ARTICLE V - THE AMOUNT OF SEVERANCE AND OTHER BENEFITS 

1.    A Participant will be paid severance under this Plan equal to one Month of Base Pay for each Year of Service. The
maximum amount a Participant can be paid severance will be capped at six (6) Months of Base Pay if age plus years of service is less than sixty (60), and twelve (12) Months of Base Pay if age plus years of service is greater than or equal
to sixty (60). Notwithstanding the foregoing, Participants will be paid a minimum severance of two (2) Months of Base Pay. 

2.    The Plan Administrator, in its sole and absolute discretion and based on such criteria as the Plan Administrator
deems relevant, may, in unusual and extraordinary circumstances, provide severance to a Participant in addition to the severance provided pursuant to the foregoing schedule. 

  
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 3.    If a Participant receives severance under this Plan, such
Participant shall not be entitled to receive any other severance, separation, notice or termination payments on account of such Participant’s employment with the Employer under any other plan, policy, program or agreement. If, for any reason, a
Participant becomes entitled to or receives any other severance, separation, notice or termination payments on account of such Participant’s employment or Termination of Employment with the Employer, including, for example, any payment required
to be paid to the Participant under any federal (including pay in lieu of notice under WARN), state or local law or pursuant to any agreement (except unemployment benefits payable in accordance with state law and payment for accrued but unused
vacation), such Participant’s severance under this Plan will be reduced by the amount of such other payments paid or payable. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this minimum benefit payable to a Participant under this Plan shall be one (1) pay
period of Base Pay. A Participant must notify the Plan Administrator if such Participant receives or is claiming to be entitled to receive any such payment(s). 

4.    In connection with a Participant’s Termination of Employment, such Participant may be eligible to continue to
receive group health, vision and dental benefits under the Company’s health plan pursuant to the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, as amended (“COBRA”). If a Participant elects COBRA coverage (under the
same plan and with the same coverages in effect immediately prior to the Termination of Employment), the Company will fully subsidize that coverage for a period of two (2) months following such Participant’s Termination of Employment (six
(6) months if the Participant has age plus Years of Service of at least sixty (60) at the Termination of Employment). The Plan Administrator, in its sole and absolute discretion and based on such criteria as the Plan Administrator deems
relevant, may, in unusual and extraordinary circumstances, provide additional health, vision and dental benefits to a Participant in addition to the benefits provided pursuant to the foregoing. 

5.    At the expiration of the subsidized benefits period described in subsection (4) above, Participants and their
eligible dependents will be given the opportunity to continue their COBRA coverage on a self-pay basis for the remaining period required under COBRA, in accordance with and to the extent mandated by COBRA.
Accordingly, coverage may be terminated during this period as provided for by COBRA, and Participants and their eligible dependents will be subject to any amendments made to the applicable plans. Participants will receive additional information
regarding COBRA continuation coverage upon their Termination of Employment. 
 6.    A Participant will receive payment
for accrued, unused vacation policy through the date of the Participant’s Termination of Employment in accordance with the terms of the Company’s vacation policy in effect at the time of the Participant’s Termination of Employment.

 7.    All severance payments under the Plan shall be subject to the application of withholding taxes. 

ARTICLE VI - HOW AND WHEN SEVERANCE WILL BE PAID 

Severance under the Plan may be paid to a Participant in a lump sum payment no later than the next regularly scheduled payroll date following
the Release Agreement Effective Date and consistent with the terms of the Release Agreement. Where there is a conflict in the terms under the Plan and under the terms of the Release Agreement, the Release Agreement shall control.

  
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Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, no Participant will be entitled to any benefits under this Plan if such Participant is rehired by an Employer or any subsidiaries or affiliates of
the Company prior to the Participant’s termination date in a position that provides such Participant with substantially equivalent base pay and similar job responsibilities. 

ARTICLE VII - MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS 

1.    Amendment and Termination. The Company reserves the right, in its sole and absolute discretion, to terminate,
amend or modify this Plan, in whole or in part, at any time and for any reason, by action of the Board. If this Plan is terminated, amended or modified, a Participant’s right to participate in, or to receive benefits under, this Plan may be
changed; provided, however, that severance payable (or which becomes payable) to a Participant who has incurred a Termination of Employment prior to such termination, amendment or modification of this Plan, shall not be reduced by the termination,
amendment or modification. 
 2.    No Additional Rights Created. Neither the establishment of this Plan, nor any
modification thereof, nor the payment of any benefits hereunder, shall be construed as giving to any Participant, Employee (or any beneficiary of either), or other person any legal or equitable right against the Employer or any officer, director or
employee thereof; and in no event shall the terms and conditions of employment by the Employer of any Employee be modified or in any way affected by this Plan. 

3.    Records. The records of the Employer with respect to Years of Service, employment history, base pay,
absences, and all other relevant matters shall be conclusive for all purposes of this Plan. 

4.    Construction. The respective terms and provisions of this Plan shall be construed, whenever possible, to be
in conformity with the requirements of ERISA, or any subsequent laws or amendments thereto. To the extent not in conflict with the preceding sentence or another provision in this Plan, the construction and administration of this Plan shall be in
accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware applicable to contracts made and to be performed within the State of Delaware (without reference to its conflicts of law provisions). 

5.    Severability. Should any provisions of this Plan be deemed or held to be unlawful or invalid for any reason,
such fact shall not adversely affect the other provisions of this Plan unless such determination shall render impossible or impracticable the functioning of this Plan, and in such case, an appropriate provision or provisions shall be adopted so that
this Plan may continue to function properly. 
 6.    Incompetency. In the event that the Plan Administrator
finds that a Participant (or designated beneficiary) is unable to care for such Participant’s affairs because of illness or accident, then benefits payable hereunder, unless claim has been made therefor by a duly appointed guardian, committee,
or other legal representative, may be paid in such manner as the Plan Administrator shall determine, and the application thereof shall be a complete discharge of all liability for any payments or benefits to which such Participant (or designated
beneficiary) was or would have been otherwise entitled under this Plan. 

  
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 7.    Plan Not a Contract of Employment. Nothing contained in
this Plan shall be held or construed to create any liability upon the Employer to retain any Employee. All Employees shall remain subject to discharge or discipline to the same extent as if this Plan had not been put into effect. An individual who
is receiving severance under this Plan shall not be considered an Employee immediately following such individual’s Termination of Employment. 

8.    Financing. The benefits payable under this Plan shall be paid out of the general assets of the Employer. No
Participant or any other person shall have any interest whatsoever in any specific asset of any Employer. To the extent that any person acquires a right to receive payments under this Plan, such right shall not be secured by any assets of any
Employer. 
 9.    Nontransferability. In no event shall the Company (or any other Employer) make any payment
under this Plan to any assignee or creditor of a Participant, except as otherwise required by law. Prior to the time of a payment hereunder, a Participant shall have no rights by way of anticipation or otherwise to assign or otherwise dispose of any
interest under this Plan, nor shall rights be assigned or transferred by operation of law. 
 10.    Section
409A. 
 (a)    To the fullest extent practicable, amounts and other benefits payable under this Plan are intended
to be comply with or be exempt from Code Section 409A, and this Plan and any associated documents shall be interpreted and construed in any manner that establishes an exemption from (or compliance with) the requirements of Code
Section 409A. Any terms of this Plan that are undefined or ambiguous shall be interpreted in a manner that complies with Code Section 409A to the extent necessary to comply with Code Section 409A. If for any reason, such as
imprecision in drafting, any provision of this Plan does not accurately reflect its intended establishment of an exemption from (or compliance with) Code Section 409A, as demonstrated by consistent interpretations or other evidence of intent,
such provision shall be considered ambiguous as to its exemption from (or compliance with) Code Section 409A and shall be interpreted in a manner consistent with such intent. If, notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this paragraph, any
provision of this Plan would cause a Participant to incur any additional tax or interest under Code Section 409A, the Company shall interpret or reform such provision in a manner intended to avoid the incurrence by such Participant of any such
additional tax or interest; provided that the Company shall maintain, to the maximum extent practicable, the original intent and economic benefit to such Participant of the applicable provision without violating the provisions of Code
Section 409A. 
 (b)    A termination of employment shall not be deemed to have occurred for purposes of any
provision of this Plan providing for the payment of any amounts or benefits that may be considered nonqualified deferred compensation under Code Section 409A upon or following a termination of employment unless such termination is also a
“separation from service” within the meaning of Code Section 409A, and, for purposes of any such provision of this Plan, references to a “Termination of Employment,” “termination” or like terms shall mean such a
separation from service. The determination of whether and when a separation from service has occurred for purposes of this Plan shall be made in accordance with the presumptions set forth in
Section 1.409A-1(h) of the Treasury Regulations. 

  
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 (c)    Any provision of this Plan to the contrary notwithstanding, if at
the time of a Participant’s separation from service, the Company determines that such Participant is a “specified employee,” within the meaning of Code Section 409A, based on an identification date of December 31, then to
the extent any payment or benefit that such Participant becomes entitled to under this Plan on account of such separation from service would be considered nonqualified deferred compensation under Code Section 409A, such payment or benefit shall
be paid or provided at the date which is the earlier of (i) six (6) months and one day after such separation from service, and (ii) the date of the Participant’s death (the “Delay Period”). Upon the expiration of the
Delay Period, all payments and benefits delayed pursuant to this paragraph shall be paid or provided to a Participant in an immediate lump-sum and any remaining payments and benefits due under this Plan shall
be paid or provided in accordance with the normal payment dates specified for them herein. 
 (d)    Any reimbursements
and in-kind benefits provided under this Plan that constitute deferred compensation within the meaning of Code Section 409A shall be made or provided in accordance with the requirements of Code
Section 409A, including, without limitation, that (i) in no event shall any fees, expenses or other amounts eligible to be reimbursed by the Company under this Plan be paid later than the last day of the calendar year next following the
calendar year in which the applicable fees, expenses or other amounts were incurred; (ii) the amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement, or in-kind benefits that the Company is obligated to pay or
provide, in any given calendar year shall not affect the expenses that the Company is obligated to reimburse, or the in-kind benefits that the Company is obligated to pay or provide, in any other calendar
year, provided that the foregoing clause (ii) shall not be violated with regard to expenses reimbursed under any arrangement covered by Code Section 105(b) solely because such expenses are subject to a limit related to the period the
arrangement is in effect; (iii) a Participant’s right to have the Company pay or provide such reimbursements and in-kind benefits may not be liquidated or exchanged for any other benefit; and
(iv) in no event shall the Company’s obligations to make such reimbursements or to provide such in-kind benefits apply later than a Participant’s remaining lifetime (or if longer, through the
sixth (6th) anniversary of the commencement date of such obligations). 

(e)    For purposes of Code Section 409A, a Participant’s right to receive any payments under this Plan shall be
treated as a right to receive a series of separate and distinct payments. Whenever a payment under this Plan specifies a payment period with reference to a number of days (for example, “payment shall be made within 30 days following the date of
termination”), the actual date of payment within the specified period shall be within the sole discretion of the Company. In no event may a Participant, directly or indirectly, designate the calendar year of any payment to be made under this
Plan, to the extent such payment is subject to Code Section 409A. 
 (f)    The Company makes no representation or
warranty and shall have no liability to any Participant or any other person if any provisions of this Plan are determined to constitute deferred compensation subject to Code Section 409A but do not satisfy an exemption from, or the conditions
of, Code Section 409A. 

  
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 ARTICLE VIII - WHAT ELSE A PARTICIPANT NEEDS TO KNOW ABOUT THIS PLAN 

1.    Claim Procedure. An Employee or such Employee’s beneficiary (if applicable) may file a written claim
with the Plan Administrator with respect to such Employee’s rights to receive a benefit from this Plan. All such claims must be filed with the Plan Administrator no later than 180 days following the first event giving rise to such claim. Such
Employee will be informed of the decision of the Plan Administrator with respect to the claim within 90 days after it is filed. Under special circumstances, the Plan Administrator may require an additional period of not more than 90 days to review a
claim. If this occurs, such Employee will be notified in writing as to the length of the extension, the reason for the extension, and any other information needed in order to process the claim. If such Employee is not notified within the 90-day (or 180-day, if so extended) period, such Employee may consider the claim to be denied. 

(a)    If a claim is denied, in whole or in part, such Employee will be notified in writing of the specific reason(s) for
the denial, the exact plan provision(s) on which the decision was based, what additional material or information is relevant to such Employee’s case, and what procedure such Employee should follow to get the claim reviewed again. Such Employee
then has sixty (60) days to appeal the decision to the Plan Administrator. 
 (b)    The appeal must be submitted
in writing to the Plan Administrator. An Employee may request to review pertinent documents, and may submit a written statement of issues and comments. 

(c)    A decision as to an Employee’s appeal will be made within sixty (60) days after the appeal is received.
Under special circumstances, the Plan Administrator may require an additional period of not more than 60 days to review an appeal. If this occurs, such Employee will be notified in writing as to the length of the extension, not to exceed 120 days
from the day on which the appeal was received. 
 (d)    If an Employee’s appeal is denied, in whole or in part,
such Employee will be notified in writing of the specific reason(s) for the denial and the exact plan provision(s) on which the decision was based. The decision on an appeal of the Plan Administrator will be final and binding on all parties and
persons affected thereby. If such Employee is not notified within the 60-day (or 120-day, if so extended) period, such Employee may consider the appeal as denied.
Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, no individual may file a lawsuit until these procedures have been exhausted and such lawsuit has been properly filed no later than 180 days following Employee’s notification of denial of appeal.

 2.    Plan Interpretation and Benefit Determination. This Plan is administered and operated by the Plan
Administrator, who has complete authority in its sole and absolute discretion, to construe the terms of this Plan (and any related or underlying documents or policies), and to determine the eligibility for, and amount of, benefits due under this
Plan to Participants and their beneficiaries. All such interpretations and determinations of the Plan Administrator shall be final and binding upon all parties and persons affected thereby. The Plan Administrator may appoint one or more individuals
and delegate such of its powers and duties as it deems desirable to any such individual(s), in which case every reference herein made to the Plan Administrator shall be deemed to mean or include the appointed individual(s) as to matters within their
jurisdiction. 

  
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 3.    Participants’ Rights Under ERISA. Participants in this
Plan, are entitled to certain rights and protections under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”). ERISA provides that all plan Participants shall be entitled to: 

(a)    Receive Information about this Plan and Benefits. Participants may obtain, upon written request to the Plan
Administrator, copies of documents governing the operation of this Plan. 
 (b)    Prudent Actions by Plan
Fiduciaries. In addition to creating rights for Plan Participants, ERISA imposes duties upon the people who are responsible for the operation of the employee benefit plan. The people who operate this Plan, called “fiduciaries” of this
Plan, have a duty to do so prudently and in the interest of Plan Participants and beneficiaries. No one, including the Company or any other person, may fire any Employee or otherwise discriminate against an Employee in any way to prevent such
Employee from obtaining a benefit or exercising such Employee’s rights under ERISA. 
 (c)    Enforcement of
Participant’s Rights. If a Participant’s claim for a welfare benefit is denied or ignored, in whole or in part, such Participant has a right to know why this was done, to obtain copies of documents relating to the decision without
charge, and to appeal any denial, all within certain time schedules. Under ERISA, there are steps a Participant can take to enforce the above rights. For instance, if a Participant requests a copy of Plan documents or the latest annual report from
this Plan and does not receive them within 30 days, such Participant may file suit in a federal court. In such a case, the court may require the Plan Administrator to provide the materials and pay such Participant up to $110 a day until such
Participant receives the materials, unless the materials were not sent because of reasons beyond the control of the Plan Administrator. If a Participant has a claim for benefits that is denied or ignored, in whole or in part, such Participant may
file suit in a state or federal Court. If it should happen that Plan fiduciaries misuse this Plan’s money, or if a Participant is discriminated against for asserting such Participant’s rights, such Participant may seek assistance from the
U.S. Department of Labor or file suit in a federal court. Such court will decide who should pay court costs and legal fees. If a Participant is successful the court may order the defendants to pay these cost and fees. If a Participant loses, the
court may order you to pay these costs and fees, for example, if it finds such Participant’s claim is frivolous. 

(d)    Assistance with Questions. Any questions about this Plan should be directed to the Plan Administrator.
Questions about a Participant’s rights under ERISA, or assistance in obtaining documents from the Plan Administrator, should be directed to the nearest office of the Employee Benefits Security Administration, U.S. Department of Labor or the
Division of Technical Assistance and Inquiries, Employee Benefits Security Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Avenue N.W., Washington, D.C. 20210. Participants may also obtain certain publications about rights and
responsibilities under ERISA by calling the publications hotline of the Employee Benefits Security Administration. 

  
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 4.    Plan Document. This document shall constitute both the plan
document and summary plan description and shall be distributed to all Employees in this form. 
 5.    Other
Important Facts. 
  

			
	OFFICIAL NAME OF THE PLAN:	  	Vitesse Energy, Inc. Employee Severance Plan
		
	SPONSOR:	  	Vitesse Energy, Inc. 
9200 E. Mineral Avenue, Suite 200 
Centennial, CO 80112
		
	EMPLOYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER (EIN):	  	88-3617511
		
	TYPE OF PLAN:	  	Employee Welfare Severance Benefit Plan
		
	END OF PLAN YEAR:	  	December 31
		
	TYPE OF ADMINISTRATION:	  	Employer Administered
		
	PLAN ADMINISTRATOR:	  	 Board of Directors of Vitesse Energy, Inc.

Attention: General Counsel 
Vitesse Energy, Inc. 
9200 E. Mineral Avenue, Suite 200 
Centennial, CO 80112

		
	AGENT FOR SERVICE OF LEGAL PROCESS:	  	General Counsel 
Vitesse Energy, Inc. 
9200 E. Mineral Avenue, Suite 200 
Centennial, CO 80112
		
	EFFECTIVE DATE:	  	[            ]

  
 10EX-10.9

 Exhibit 10.9 

VITESSE ENERGY, INC. 

2022 LONG TERM INCENTIVE PLAN 

RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT GRANT NOTICE 

Pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Vitesse Energy, Inc. 2022 Long Term Incentive Plan (the “Plan”), Vitesse
Energy, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), hereby grants to the individual listed below (“you” or the “Participant”) the number of Restricted Stock Units (the
“RSUs”) set forth below. This award of RSUs (this “Award”) is subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein and in the Restricted Stock Unit Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit A
(the “Agreement”) and the Plan, each of which is incorporated herein by reference. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings set forth in the Plan. 

 

					
	Participant:	  	                                    
	  	
			
	Date of Grant:	  	                                    
	  	
			
	 Total Number
 of
Restricted
 Stock Units:
	  	                                    
	  	
			
	 Vesting
 Commencement

Date:
	  	                                    	  	
		
	 Vesting
 Schedule:
	  	Subject to Section 3(b) of the Agreement, the Plan and the other terms and conditions set forth herein, the restrictions on a number of the RSUs granted pursuant to this Agreement will expire and the RSUs shall
vest according to the following schedule:
		  	Vesting Date	  	RSUs Vesting
		  	First Anniversary of the Vesting Commencement Date	  	1/3 of the total RSUs
			
		  	Second Anniversary of the Vesting Commencement Date	  	1/3 of the total RSUs
			
		  	Third Anniversary of the Vesting Commencement Date	  	1/3 of the total RSUs
		
		  	provided, that you remain continuously employed by the Company or an Affiliate, as applicable, from the Date of Grant through each such vesting date, except as otherwise provided in Section 3(b) of the Agreement.
Shares of Stock will be issued with respect to the RSUs as set forth in Section 5 of the Agreement, which shares of Stock when issued will be transferable and nonforfeitable (subject to Section 19 of the Agreement).

 By your signature below, you agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of the Plan, the
Agreement and this Restricted Stock Unit Grant Notice (this “Grant Notice”). You acknowledge that you have reviewed the Agreement, the Plan and this Grant Notice in their entirety and fully understand all provisions of the
Agreement, the Plan and this Grant Notice. You hereby agree to accept as binding, conclusive and final all decisions or interpretations of the Committee regarding any questions or determinations that arise under the Agreement, the Plan or this Grant
Notice. This Grant Notice may be executed in one or more counterparts (including portable document format (.pdf) and facsimile counterparts), each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the
same agreement. 
 [Signature Page Follows] 

  
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 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Grant Notice to be executed by an
officer thereunto duly authorized, and the Participant has executed this Grant Notice, effective for all purposes as provided above. 
  

			
	VITESSE ENERGY, INC.
		
	By:	 	  

	Name:  [Name]
	Title:    [Title]

  
 SIGNATURE
PAGE TO RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT 
 GRANT NOTICE AND
AWARD AGREEMENT 

 
			
	PARTICIPANT
	
	  

	Name: [FULL NAME]
		
	Date Accepted:	 	  

  
 SIGNATURE
PAGE TO RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT 
 GRANT NOTICE AND
AWARD AGREEMENT 

 EXHIBIT A 

RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AGREEMENT 

This Restricted Stock Unit Agreement (together with the Grant Notice to which this Agreement is attached,
this “Agreement”) is made as of the Date of Grant set forth in the Grant Notice to which this Agreement is attached by and between Vitesse Energy, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and
[FULL NAME] (the “Participant”). Capitalized terms used but not specifically defined herein shall have the meanings specified in the Plan or the Grant Notice. 

1.    Definitions. For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings specified below. 

(a)    “Cause” means a reasonable determination by the Board that Participant (a) has engaged in gross
negligence, gross incompetence or willful misconduct in the performance of Participant’s duties with respect to any Company Entity, (b) has refused without proper legal reason to perform Participant’s duties and responsibilities to
any Company Entity, (c) has materially breached any provision of this Agreement or any future written agreement or corporate policy or code of conduct that may be established (and as may be amended from time to time) by any Company Entity,
(d) has engaged in conduct that is materially injurious to any Company Entity, (e) has disclosed without specific authorization from the Company confidential information of any Company Entity that is materially injurious to any such
Company Entity, (f) has committed an act of theft, fraud, embezzlement, misappropriation or breach of a fiduciary duty to any Company Entity, (g) has been convicted of (or pleaded no contest to) a crime involving fraud, dishonesty or moral
turpitude or any felony (or a crime of similar import in a foreign jurisdiction), or (h) has, directly or indirectly (through a failure to put in place and enforce appropriate compliance controls and procedures), violated, or there appears to
be, after due inquiry, a reasonable basis to conclude that Participant has violated, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended. Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent that any of the events, actions or breaches set forth in
subclause (a), (b) or (c) of this definition are determined by the Committee to be able to be remedied or cured by the Participant, Cause shall not be deemed to exist unless the Participant fails to remedy or cure such event, action or breach
within fifteen (15) days after the Participant receives Written Notice by the Company of such event, action or breach. “Written Notice” for the purposes of this paragraph shall mean delivery of a certified or registered letter to the
Participant’s last known address or confirmed facsimile or e-mail transmission to the Participant. 

(b)    “Company Entity” means the Company and its majority-owned subsidiaries. 

(c)    “Disability” means a disability resulting in the payment of long term disability benefits under the
Company’s long term disability plan. 
 (d)    “Good Reason” means that the Participant resigns from
employment with the Company Entity after complying with the Good Reason Process because, without the Participant’s prior written consent, the Company Entity: (a) reduces the Participant’s base salary in any material respect, except
for across-the-board salary reductions not to exceed 10% based on the Company 

  
 A-1 

 
Entity’s financial performance similarly affecting all or substantially all senior management employees of the Company Entity; (b) fails to pay any material incentive compensation to
which the Participant is actually entitled under a written agreement with the Company Entity; or (c) relocates the Participant’s principal place of work to a location more than 25 miles from the Participant’s principal place of
employment, without the Participant’s prior written approval. 
 (e)    “Good Reason Process” means that
(a) the Participant reasonably determines in good faith that a Good Reason condition has occurred; (b) the Participant notifies the Company in writing of the occurrence of the Good Reason condition within 90 days of the first occurrence of
such condition; (c) the Participant cooperates in good faith with the Company’s efforts, for a period not less than 30 days following such notice to remedy the condition; (d) notwithstanding such efforts, the Good Reason condition
continues to exist; and (e) the Participant terminates the Participant’s employment within 60 days after the end of the cure period contemplated by clause (c) above. If the Company cures the Good Reason condition during such cure
period, Good Reason shall be deemed not to have occurred. 
 (f)     “Qualifying Termination” means a
termination of the Participant’s employment with the Company or an Affiliate (A) by the Company or an Affiliate without Cause, (B) by Participant for Good Reason, (C) due to the Participant’s death or Disability, or
(D) for any reason other than by the Company for Cause at a time that the sum of Participant’s age and his years of service equals or exceeds 60. 

2.    Award. In consideration of the Participant’s past or continued employment with the Company or its Affiliates
and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, effective as of the Date of Grant set forth in the Grant Notice (the “Date of Grant”), the Company hereby grants to
the Participant the number of RSUs set forth in the Grant Notice on the terms and conditions set forth in the Grant Notice, this Agreement and the Plan, which is incorporated herein by reference as a part of this Agreement. In the event of any
inconsistency between the Plan and this Agreement, the terms of the Plan shall control. To the extent vested, each RSU represents the right to receive one share of Stock, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Grant Notice, this
Agreement and the Plan. Unless and until the RSUs have become vested in the manner set forth in the Grant Notice, the Participant will have no right to receive any Stock or cash in respect of the RSUs. Prior to settlement of this Award, the RSUs and
this Award represent an unsecured obligation of the Company, payable only from the general assets of the Company. 
 3.    Vesting
of RSUs.
 (a)    Subject to Section 3(b), the RSUs shall vest in accordance with the vesting schedule
set forth in the Grant Notice. Upon a termination of the Participant’s employment with the Company or an Affiliate prior to the vesting of all of the RSUs (but after giving effect to Section 3(b) below), any
unvested RSUs (and all rights arising from such RSUs and from being a holder thereof) will terminate automatically without any further action by the Company and will be forfeited without further notice and at no cost to the Company. For the
avoidance of doubt, upon a termination of the Participant’s employment with the Company or an Affiliate by the Company for Cause, all unvested RSUs will terminate automatically without any further action by the Company and will be forfeited
without further notice and at no cost to the Company. 

  
 A-2 

 (b)    Notwithstanding anything in the Grant Notice, this Agreement or the Plan to the
contrary, upon the occurrence of a Qualifying Termination: 
 (i)    that occurs either prior to a Change in Control or after the two-year anniversary of the Change in Control, subject to the Participant’s (or the Participant’s legal representative’s, heir’s, legatee’s or distributee’s, as applicable) timely
execution of a general release of claims in a form satisfactory to the Company and, if applicable, failure to revoke such execution or signature in accordance with the terms of such release, in each case, during the period the Company provides to
execute and revoke such release of claims (which period shall not exceed 60 days following the Qualifying Termination) (such time period, the “Consideration Period”), the RSUs shall remain outstanding and, subject to
Participant’s compliance with Section 19, become vested on the original vesting schedule set forth in the Grant Notice; or 

(ii)    that occurs during the two-year period beginning on a Change in Control and ending on the two-year anniversary of the Change in Control, the RSUs shall remain outstanding and, subject to Participant’s compliance with Section 19, become vested on the original vesting
schedule set forth in the Grant Notice. 
 4.    Dividend Equivalents. Each RSU subject to this Award is hereby granted in
tandem with a corresponding Dividend Equivalent, which Dividend Equivalent shall remain outstanding from the Date of Grant until the earlier of the settlement or forfeiture of the RSU to which it corresponds. Each earned and vested Dividend
Equivalent shall entitle the Participant to receive payments, subject to and in accordance with this Agreement, in an amount equal to any dividends paid by the Company in respect of the shares of Stock underlying the RSUs to which such Dividend
Equivalent relates. The Company shall establish, with respect to each RSU, a separate Dividend Equivalent bookkeeping account for such RSU (a “Dividend Equivalent Account”), which shall be credited (without interest) on the
applicable dividend payment dates with an amount equal to any dividends for which the record date occurs during the period that such RSU remains outstanding with respect to the shares of Stock underlying the RSU to which such Dividend Equivalent
relates. Once an RSU becomes earned and vested, the Dividend Equivalent (and the Dividend Equivalent Account) with respect to such earned RSU shall also become earned and vested. An earned and vested Dividend Equivalent (and the Dividend Equivalent
Account) shall be settled in cash, less applicable withholding, at the same time and subject to the same terms and conditions as the earned and vested RSU to which it relates is settled. Similarly, upon the forfeiture or rescindment of an RSU, the
Dividend Equivalent (and the Dividend Equivalent Account) with respect to such forfeited RSU shall also be forfeited or rescinded, as applicable. Dividend Equivalents shall not entitle the Participant to any payments relating to dividends for which
the record date occurs after the earlier to occur of the applicable RSU settlement date or the forfeiture or rescindment, as applicable, of the RSU underlying such Dividend Equivalent. 

5.    Settlement of RSUs. 

  
 A-3 

 (a)    Subject to Section 5(b), as soon as administratively
practicable following the vesting of RSUs pursuant to Section 3, the Company shall deliver to the Participant a number of shares of Stock equal to the number of RSUs subject to this Award that so vested, net of any
applicable withholding amounts. All shares of Stock issued hereunder shall be delivered either by delivering one or more certificates for such shares to the Participant or by entering such shares in book-entry form, as determined by the Committee in
its sole discretion. Neither this Section 5 nor any action taken pursuant to or in accordance with this Agreement shall be construed to create a trust or a funded or secured obligation of any kind. 

(b)    If the settlement of the RSUs is subject to any Company “blackout” policy or other trading restriction imposed by the
Company on the date a distribution would otherwise be made pursuant to Section 5(a), such distribution shall be instead made on the date that the Participant is not subject to any such policy or restriction. 

6.    Tax Withholding. 

(a)    Any income taxes, Federal Insurance Contributions Act, state disability insurance, or other similar payroll and withholding taxes
(“Withholding Obligation”) arising with respect to the RSUs or the Dividend Equivalent Rights are your sole responsibility and shall be settled pursuant to Section 6(b) or 6(c), below. 

(b)    By accepting this Agreement, you hereby elect, effective on the Date of Grant, to sell shares of Stock held by you in an amount and
at such time as is determined in accordance with this Section 6(b), and to allow the Agent, as defined below, to remit the cash proceeds of such sales to the Company or its Affiliate that employs you as more specifically
set forth below (a “Sell to Cover”) to permit you to satisfy the Withholding Obligation to the extent the Withholding Obligation is not otherwise satisfied pursuant to the provisions of Section 6(c)
below, and you further acknowledge and agree to the following provisions: 
 (i)    You hereby irrevocably appoint the Company’s
designated broker E-Trade Financial Corporation, or such other broker as the Company may select, as your agent (the “Agent”), and you authorize and direct the Agent to: 

(1)    Sell on the open market at the then prevailing market price(s), on your behalf, as soon as practicable on or after the settlement
of the vested RSUs, the number (rounded up to the next whole number) of shares of Stock sufficient to generate proceeds to cover (A) the satisfaction of the Withholding Obligation (based on the maximum statutory withholding rates for federal
and state tax purposes, including payroll taxes, that are applicable to such taxable income) that is not otherwise satisfied pursuant to Section 6(c) and (B) all applicable fees and commissions due to, or required to
be collected by, the Agent with respect thereto; 
 (2)    Remit directly to the Company or its Affiliate that employs you the proceeds
necessary to satisfy the Withholding Obligation; 
 (3)    Retain the amount required to cover all applicable fees and commissions due
to, or required to be collected by, the Agent, relating directly to the sale; and 

  
 A-4 

 (4)    Deposit any remaining funds in your account.

(ii)    You acknowledge that your election to Sell to Cover and the corresponding authorization and instruction to the Agent set forth in
Section 6(b) is intended to comply with the requirements of Rule 10b5-1(c)(1) under the Exchange Act, and to be interpreted to comply with the requirements of Rule 10b5-1(c) under the Exchange Act (your election to Sell to Cover and the provisions of Section 6(b), collectively, the “10b5-1
Plan”). You acknowledge that by accepting this Award, you are adopting the 10b5-1 Plan to permit you to satisfy the Withholding Obligation. You hereby authorize the Company and the Agent to
cooperate and communicate with one another (and with your employer) to determine the number of shares of Stock that must be sold pursuant to Section 6(b) to satisfy the Withholding Obligation. 

(iii)    You acknowledge that the Agent is under no obligation to arrange for the sale of Stock at any particular price under this 10b5-1 Plan and that the Agent may effect sales as provided in this 10b5-1 Plan in one or more sales and that the average price for executions resulting from bunched orders
may be assigned to your account. In addition, you acknowledge that it may not be possible to sell shares of Stock as provided for in this 10b5-1 Plan, and in the event of the Agent’s inability to sell
shares of Stock, you will continue to be responsible for the Withholding Obligation. 
 (iv)    You hereby agree to execute and deliver
to the Agent any other agreements or documents as the Agent reasonably deems necessary or appropriate to carry out the purposes and intent of this 10b5-1 Plan. The Agent is a third-party beneficiary of
Section 6(b) and the terms of this 10b5-1 Plan.
 (v)    Your
election to Sell to Cover and to enter into this 10b5-1 Plan is irrevocable. This 10b5-1 Plan shall terminate not later than the date on which the Withholding Obligation
arising from the vesting and settlement of the RSUs is satisfied. 
 (c)    Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event the Company
determines that its Withholding Obligation has not been satisfied pursuant to Section 6(b) or otherwise determines that the Withholding Obligation should be satisfied pursuant to this Section 6(c),
you authorize the Company, at its discretion, to satisfy the Withholding Obligation through your surrendering shares of Stock to which you are otherwise entitled to as a result of the settlement of vested RSUs (based on maximum statutory withholding
rates for federal and state tax purposes, including payroll taxes, that are applicable to such taxable income) or such other arrangements offered by the Participant that are satisfactory to the Company for the satisfaction of obligations for the
payment of withholding taxes and other tax obligations relating to this Award. 
 (d)    Stock you receive upon settlement will be
taxable to you in an amount equal to the closing price of the shares on the date of settlement (or, if such date is not a business day, the last day preceding such day).

(e)    The Company may determine to withhold cash otherwise distributable from the Dividend Equivalent Account and apply such withholding
to the Withholding Obligation arising with respect to the entire award of RSUs and Dividend Equivalents. In the event the Company determines that the amount withheld as payment of any tax withholding obligation is insufficient to discharge that tax
withholding obligation, then you must pay to the Company, in cash, the amount of that deficiency immediately upon the Company’s request. 

  
 A-5 

 The Participant acknowledges that there may be adverse tax consequences upon the receipt, vesting or
settlement of this Award or disposition of the underlying shares and that the Participant has been advised, and hereby is advised, to consult a tax advisor. The Participant represents that the Participant is in no manner relying on the Board, the
Committee, the Company or an Affiliate or any of their respective managers, directors, officers, employees or authorized representatives (including, without limitation, attorneys, accountants, consultants, bankers, lenders, prospective lenders and
financial representatives) for tax advice or an assessment of such tax consequences. 
 7.    Employment Relationship. For
purposes of this Agreement, the Participant shall be considered to be employed by the Company or an Affiliate as long as the Participant remains an employee of any of the Company, an Affiliate or a corporation or other entity (or a parent or
subsidiary of such corporation or other entity) assuming or substituting a new award for this Award. Without limiting the scope of the preceding sentence, it is expressly provided that the Participant shall be considered to have terminated
employment with the Company (a) when the Participant ceases to be an employee of any of the Company, an Affiliate, or a corporation or other entity (or a parent or subsidiary of such corporation or other entity) assuming or substituting a new
award for this Award or (b) at the time of the termination of the “Affiliate” status under the Plan of the corporation or other entity that employs the Participant. 

8.    Leave of Absence. With respect to the Award, the Company may, in its sole discretion, determine that if the
Participant is on a leave of absence for any reason the Participant will be considered to still be in the employ of, or providing services for, the Company, provided that rights to the RSUs during a leave of absence will be limited to the extent to
which those rights were earned or vested when the leave of absence began. 

9.    Non-Transferability. The RSUs may not be sold, pledged, assigned or
transferred in any manner other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution (or to a designated beneficiary in the event of the Participant’s death), unless and until the shares of Stock underlying the RSUs have been issued, and all
restrictions applicable to such shares have lapsed. Neither the RSUs nor any interest or right therein shall be liable for the debts, contracts or engagements of the Participant or his or her successors in interest or shall be subject to disposition
by transfer, alienation, anticipation, pledge, encumbrance, assignment or any other means, whether such disposition be voluntary or involuntary or by operation of law by judgment, levy, attachment, garnishment or any other legal or equitable
proceedings (including bankruptcy), and any attempted disposition thereof shall be null and void and of no effect, except to the extent that such disposition is permitted by the preceding sentence. 

10.    Compliance with Applicable Law. Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, the issuance of
shares of Stock hereunder will be subject to compliance with all applicable requirements of applicable law with respect to such securities and with the requirements of any stock exchange or market system upon which the Stock may then be listed. No
shares of Stock will be issued hereunder if such issuance would constitute a violation of any 

  
 A-6 

 
applicable law or regulation or the requirements of any stock exchange or market system upon which the Stock may then be listed. In addition, shares of Stock will not be issued hereunder unless
(a) a registration statement under the Securities Act is in effect at the time of such issuance with respect to the shares to be issued or (b) in the opinion of legal counsel to the Company, the shares to be issued are permitted to be
issued in accordance with the terms of an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act. The inability of the Company to obtain from any regulatory body having jurisdiction the authority, if any, deemed by the
Company’s legal counsel to be necessary for the lawful issuance and sale of any shares of Stock hereunder will relieve the Company of any liability in respect of the failure to issue such shares as to which such requisite authority has not been
obtained. As a condition to any issuance of Stock hereunder, the Company may require the Participant to satisfy any requirements that may be necessary or appropriate to evidence compliance with any applicable law or regulation and to make any
representation or warranty with respect to such compliance as may be requested by the Company. 
 11.    Legends. If a
stock certificate is issued with respect to shares of Stock issued hereunder, such certificate shall bear such legend or legends as the Committee deems appropriate in order to reflect the restrictions set forth in this Agreement and to ensure
compliance with the terms and provisions of this Agreement, the rules, regulations and other requirements of the SEC, any applicable laws or the requirements of any stock exchange on which the Stock is then listed. If the shares of Stock issued
hereunder are held in book-entry form, then such entry will reflect that the shares are subject to the restrictions set forth in this Agreement. 

12.    Rights as a Stockholder. The Participant shall have no rights as a stockholder of the Company with respect to any
shares of Stock that may become deliverable hereunder unless and until the Participant has become the holder of record of such shares of Stock, and no adjustments shall be made for dividends in cash or other property, distributions or other rights
in respect of any such shares of Stock, except as otherwise specifically provided for in the Plan or this Agreement. 
 13.    No
Right to Continued Employment or Awards. Nothing in the adoption of the Plan, nor the award of the RSUs thereunder pursuant to the Grant Notice and this Agreement, shall confer upon the Participant the right to continued employment by the
Company or any Affiliate, or any other entity, or affect in any way the right of the Company or any such Affiliate, or any other entity to terminate such employment at any time. The grant of the RSUs is a
one-time benefit and does not create any contractual or other right to receive a grant of Awards or benefits in lieu of Awards in the future. Any future Awards will be granted at the sole discretion of the
Company. 
 14.    Notices. All notices and other communications under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be
delivered to the parties at the following addresses (or at such other address for a party as shall be specified by like notice): 

If to the Company, unless otherwise designated by the Company in a written notice to the Participant (or other holder): 

  
 A-7 

 Vitesse Energy, Inc. 

Attn: [    ] 

9200 E Mineral Avenue, Suite 200 

Centennial, CO 80112 

Telephone: [    ] 

If to the Participant, at the Participant’s last known address on file with the Company. 

Any notice that is delivered personally or by overnight courier or telecopier in the manner provided herein shall be deemed to have been duly given to the
Participant when it is mailed by the Company or, if such notice is not mailed to the Participant, upon receipt by the Participant. Any notice that is addressed and mailed in the manner herein provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been
given to the party to whom it is addressed at the close of business, local time of the recipient, on the fourth day after the day it is so placed in the mail. 

15.    Consent to Electronic Delivery; Electronic Signature. In lieu of receiving documents in
paper format, the Participant agrees, to the fullest extent permitted by law, to accept electronic delivery of any documents that the Company may be required to deliver (including prospectuses, prospectus supplements, grant or award notifications
and agreements, account statements, annual and quarterly reports and all other forms of communications) in connection with this and any other Award made or offered by the Company. Electronic delivery may be via a Company electronic mail system or by
reference to a location on a Company intranet to which the Participant has access. The Participant hereby consents to any and all procedures the Company has established or may establish for an electronic signature system for delivery and acceptance
of any such documents that the Company may be required to deliver, and agrees that his or her electronic signature is the same as, and shall have the same force and effect as, his or her manual signature. 

16.    Agreement to Furnish Information. The Participant agrees to furnish to the Company all information requested by the
Company to enable it to comply with any reporting or other requirement imposed upon the Company by or under any applicable statute or regulation. 

17.    Entire Agreement; Amendment. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement of the parties with regard to the
subject matter hereof, and contains all the covenants, promises, representations, warranties and agreements between the parties with respect to the RSUs granted hereby; provided ̧ however, that the terms of this Agreement shall not modify and
shall be subject to the terms and conditions of any employment, consulting or severance agreement between the Company (or an Affiliate or other entity) and the Participant in effect as of the date a determination is to be made under this Agreement.
Without limiting the scope of the preceding sentence, except as provided therein, all prior understandings and agreements, if any, among the parties hereto relating to the subject matter hereof are hereby null and void and of no further force and
effect. The Committee may, in its sole discretion, amend this Agreement from time to time in any manner that is not inconsistent with the Plan; provided, however, that except as otherwise provided in the Plan or this Agreement, any such amendment
that materially reduces the rights of the Participant shall be effective only if it is in writing and signed by both the Participant and an authorized officer of the Company. 

  
 A-8 

 18.    Severability and Waiver. If a court of competent jurisdiction
determines that any provision of this Agreement is invalid or unenforceable, then the invalidity or unenforceability of such provision shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement, and all other provisions
shall remain in full force and effect. Waiver by any party of any breach of this Agreement or failure to exercise any right hereunder shall not be deemed to be a waiver of any other breach or right. The failure of any party to take action by reason
of such breach or to exercise any such right shall not deprive the party of the right to take action at any time while or after such breach or condition giving rise to such rights continues. 

19.    Forfeiture and Clawback. Notwithstanding any provision in the Grant Notice, this Agreement or the Plan to the
contrary, to the extent required by (x) applicable law, including the requirements of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010, any SEC rule or any applicable securities exchange listing standards or (y) any
policy that may be adopted or amended by the Board from time to time, all shares of Stock issued hereunder shall be subject to forfeiture, repurchase, recoupment or cancellation to the extent necessary to comply with such law(s) or policy. In
addition, the Committee may cancel any RSUs that remain unsettled or unpaid at any time, and, unless otherwise determined by the Committee, the Company shall have additional rights set forth in Section 19(d) and
Section 19(f) below, in each case if the Participant is not in compliance with all applicable material provisions of this Agreement and the Plan, including the following conditions: 

(a)    The Participant shall not, during the Prohibited Period, render services for any organization or engage directly or indirectly in
any business that, in the judgment of the Committee, is or becomes competitive with the Company. If the Participant’s employment with the Company has terminated, the judgment of the Committee shall be based on the Participant’s
post-employment responsibilities and position with the other organization or business, the extent of past, current and potential competition or conflict between the Company and the other organization or business, the effect on the Company’s
shareholders, customers, suppliers and competitors of the Participant assuming the post-employment responsibilities and such other considerations as are deemed relevant given the applicable facts and circumstances. If the Participant has terminated
employment, the Participant shall be free, however, to purchase as an investment or otherwise, stock or other securities of such organization or business so long as they are listed upon a recognized securities exchange or traded over-the-counter and such investment does not represent a greater than five percent equity interest in the organization or business. Without limiting the generality of the
foregoing, Participant expressly covenants and agrees that during the Prohibited Period (i) Participant will refrain from carrying on or engaging in, directly or indirectly, any Competing Business in the Restricted Area and
(ii) Participant will not, and Participant will cause Participant’s Affiliates not to, directly or indirectly, own, manage, operate, join, become an employee, partner, owner or member of (or an independent contractor to), control or
participate in or loan money to, sell or lease equipment to or sell or lease real property to any business, individual, partnership, firm, corporation or other entity which engages in a Competing Business in the Restricted Area. Participant further
expressly covenants and agrees that during the Prohibited Period, Participant will not, and Participant will cause Participant’s 

  
 A-9 

 
Affiliates not to (1) engage or employ, or solicit or contact with a view to the engagement or employment of, any person who is an officer or employee of any Company Entity or
(2) canvass, solicit, approach or entice away or cause to be canvassed, solicited, approached or enticed away from any Company Entity any person who or which is a customer of any of such entities during the period during which Participant is
employed by the Company. Participant further expressly covenants and agrees that during the Prohibited Period, Participant will not and Participant will cause Participant’s Affiliates not to appropriate any Business Opportunity of, or relating
to, any Company Entity, or engage in any activity that is detrimental to such Company Entity or that limits such Company Entity’s ability to fully exploit such Business Opportunities or prevents the benefits of such Business Opportunities from
accruing to such Company Entity. Participant expressly recognizes that Participant is a high-level, executive employee who will be provided with access to trade secrets as part of Participant’s employment and that the restrictive covenants set
forth in this Section 19(a) are reasonable and necessary in light of Participant’s executive position and access to the Company Entities’ trade secrets. Notwithstanding the foregoing, maintenance of the existing
investments in the oil and gas activities set forth on Exhibit B to this Agreement, or the passive ownership of not more than 5% of the outstanding shares of any publicly traded security, shall not constitute a violation of this
Section 19. 
 (b)    The Participant shall not, without prior written authorization from the Company,
disclose to anyone outside the Company or use in other than the Company’s business any confidential information or material relating to the business of the Company which is acquired by the Participant either during or after employment with the
Company or any Affiliate. 
 (c)    The Participant shall disclose promptly and assign to the Company all right, title and interest in
any invention or idea, patentable or not, made or conceived by the Participant during employment by the Company or any Affiliate, relating in any manner to the actual or anticipated business, research or development work of the Company and shall do
anything reasonably necessary to enable the Company to secure a patent or other intellectual rights where appropriate in the United States and in foreign countries. 

(d)    Upon settlement, payment or delivery of the RSUs, the Participant shall certify on a form acceptable to the Committee that he or
she is in compliance with the terms and conditions of this Section 19, if requested by the Company. Failure to comply with the provisions of this Section 19 during the Prohibited Period shall, in
addition to the remedies described in Section 19(f), cause such settlement, payment or delivery to be rescinded. The Company shall notify the Participant in writing of any such rescission promptly upon receiving notice of
facts entitling the Company to such rescission. Within ten days after receiving such a notice from the Company, the Participant shall pay to the Company the amount of any gain realized or payment received (including any amounts not technically
received but used to satisfy the Withholding Obligation) in connection with the settlement of the RSUs as a result of the rescinded settlement, payment or delivery pursuant to the Agreement. Such payment shall be made either in cash or by returning
to the Company the number of shares of Stock that the Participant received (including any amounts not technically received but used to satisfy the Withholding Obligation) in connection with the rescinded settlement, payment or delivery. 

  
 A-10 

 (e)    Participant and the Company agree to the
non-competition and non-solicitation provisions of this Section 19; (i) in consideration for the confidential information provided by the
Company to Participant; (ii) as part of the consideration for the compensation to be paid to Participant hereunder; (iii) to protect the trade secrets and confidential information of the Company Entities disclosed or entrusted to
Participant by the Company Entities or created or developed by Participant for the Company Entities, the business goodwill of the Company Entities developed through the efforts of Participant and/or the business opportunities disclosed or entrusted
to Participant by the Company Entities; and (iv) as an additional incentive for the Company to agree to the Pre-Distribution Transactions as described and defined in the Separation and Distribution
Agreement by and between Jefferies Financial Group Inc., Vitesse Energy Finance LLC, the Company and certain other parties thereto (the “Pre-Distribution Transactions”), and this
Agreement. 
 (f)    Participant and the Company agree and acknowledge that the limitations as to time, geographical area and scope of
activity to be restrained as set forth in this Section 19 are reasonable and do not impose any greater restraint than is necessary to protect the legitimate business interests of the Company Entities. Participant and the
Company also acknowledge that money damages would not be sufficient remedy for any breach of this Section 19 by Participant, and the Company Entities shall be entitled to enforce the provisions of this
Section 19 by terminating payments then owing to Participant under this Agreement or otherwise and to specific performance and injunctive relief as remedies for such breach or any threatened breach. Such remedies shall not
be deemed the exclusive remedies for a breach of this Section 19 but shall be in addition to all remedies available at law or in equity, including the recovery of damages from Participant and Participant’s agents and
the remedies described in Section 19(d). 
 (g)    Participant hereby represents to the Company that
Participant has read and understands, and agrees to be bound by, the terms of this Section 19. Participant acknowledges that the geographic scope and duration of the covenants contained in this
Section 19 are the result of arm’s-length bargaining and are fair and reasonable in light of (i) the nature and geographic scope of the operations of the Company Entities,
(ii) Participant’s level of control over and contact in all jurisdictions in which it is conducted, and (iii) the amount of compensation, trade secrets and confidential information that Participant is receiving in connection with the Pre-Distribution Transactions and this Agreement. It is the desire and intent of the Parties that the provisions of this Section 19 be enforced to the fullest extent permitted under
applicable law, Participant and the Company hereby waive any provision of applicable law that would render any provision of this Section 19 invalid or unenforceable. It is specifically agreed that the period specified in
Section 19 shall be computed by excluding from that computation any time during which Participant is in violation of any provision of Section 19.  

(h)    The Company and Participant agree that the foregoing restrictions are reasonable under the circumstances and that any breach of the
covenants contained in this Section 19 would cause irreparable injury to the applicable Company Entity. Participant expressly represents that enforcement of the restrictive covenants set forth in this
Section 19 will not impose an undue hardship upon Participant or any person or entity Affiliated with Participant. Participant understands that the foregoing restrictions may limit Participant’s ability to engage in
certain businesses, but acknowledges that Participant is receiving sufficiently high remuneration and other 

  
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benefits from the Company to justify such restriction. Further, Participant acknowledges that Participant’s skills are such that Participant can be gainfully employed in non-competitive employment, and that the agreement not to compete will not prevent Participant from earning a living. Nevertheless, if any of the aforesaid restrictions are found by a court of competent jurisdiction
to be unreasonable, or overly broad as to geographic area or time, or otherwise unenforceable, the Parties intend for the restrictions herein set forth to be modified by the court making such determination so as to be reasonable and enforceable and,
as so modified, to be fully enforced. By agreeing to this contractual modification prospectively at this time, the Company and Participant intend to make this provision enforceable under the law or laws of all applicable jurisdictions so that the
entire agreement not to compete and this Agreement as prospectively modified shall remain in full force and effect and shall not be rendered void or illegal. 

(i)    Definitions. As used in this Section 19, the following terms shall have the following
meanings: 
 (i)    “Business” means any endeavor in which any Company Entity is engaged or actively pursuing
engagement during the Prohibited Period, and the provision of products or services that are substantially similar to the products or services provided by any business, partnership, firm, corporation or other entity which any Company Entity has made
substantial progress toward acquiring on or before the date of termination of the Participant’s employment with the Company or an Affiliate. For the purposes of this definition, the execution by any Company Entity of a binding or non-binding letter of intent, term sheet, or similar agreement or a confidentiality agreement or similar agreement with respect to the acquisition of a business, partnership, firm, corporation or other entity on or
before the date of termination of the Participant’s employment with the Company or an Affiliate shall constitute sufficient evidence of the Company Entity having made substantial progress towards acquiring such business, partnership, firm,
corporation or other entity. 
 (ii)    “Business Opportunity” means any commercial, investment or other
business opportunity relating to any Business. 
 (iii)    “Company Entity” or “Company
Entities” shall mean (1) the Company and its Affiliates and (2) any other entity for which the Company provides services, for so long as the Company provides services for such entity. 

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

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

(vi)    “Prohibited Period” means the period during which Participant is employed by the Company or an Affiliate
and extending from the termination of employment through the remainder of the vesting period ending on the third anniversary of the Vesting Commencement Date and through the six-month period after the last
RSUs are settled, paid or delivered pursuant to the Agreement. 

  
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 (vii)    “Restricted Area” means the United States of America
and any other country in which any Company Entity engages in any Business. 
 20.    Insider Trading Policy. The terms of
the Company’s insider trading policy, if any, with respect to shares of Stock are incorporated herein by reference. 

21.    Governing Law. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE
APPLICABLE TO CONTRACTS MADE AND TO BE PERFORMED THEREIN, EXCLUSIVE OF THE CONFLICT OF LAWS PROVISIONS OF DELAWARE LAW. With respect to any claim or dispute related to or arising under this Agreement, Participant hereby consents to the exclusive
jurisdiction, forum and venue of the state and federal courts (as applicable) located in New Castle County, Delaware. The parties hereto waive, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any defenses to venue and jurisdiction in New Castle County,
Delaware. 
 22.    Successors and Assigns. The Company may assign any of its rights under this Agreement without the
Participant’s consent. This Agreement will be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of the Company. Subject to the restrictions on transfer set forth herein and in the Plan, this Agreement will be binding upon the
Participant and the Participant’s beneficiaries, executors, administrators and the Person(s) to whom the RSUs may be transferred by will or the laws of descent or distribution. 

23.    Headings; References; Interpretation. Headings are for convenience only and are not deemed to be part of this
Agreement. The words “hereof,” “herein” and “hereunder” and words of similar import, when used in this Agreement, shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement. All
references herein to Sections shall, unless the context requires a different construction, be deemed to be references to the Sections of this Agreement. The word “or” as used herein is not exclusive and is deemed to have the meaning
“and/or.” All references to “including” shall be construed as meaning “including without limitation.” Unless the context requires otherwise, all references herein to a law, agreement, instrument or other document shall
be deemed to refer to such law, agreement, instrument or other document as amended, supplemented, modified and restated from time to time to the extent permitted by the provisions thereof. All references to “dollars” or “$” in
this Agreement refer to United States dollars. Whenever the context may require, any pronouns used herein shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine or neuter forms, and the singular form of nouns and pronouns shall include the plural and
vice versa. Neither this Agreement nor any uncertainty or ambiguity herein shall be construed or resolved against any party hereto, whether under any rule of construction or otherwise. On the contrary, this Agreement has been reviewed by each of the
parties hereto and shall be construed and interpreted according to the ordinary meaning of the words used so as to fairly accomplish the purposes and intentions of the parties hereto. 

24.    Counterparts. The Grant Notice may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an
original and all of which together shall constitute one instrument. 

  
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Delivery of an executed counterpart of the Grant Notice by facsimile or portable document format (.pdf) attachment to electronic mail shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed
counterpart of the Grant Notice. 
 25.    Section 409A. This Agreement is intended to comply with the Nonqualified
Deferred Compensation Rules and shall be construed and interpreted in a manner that is consistent with this intention. To the extent that the Committee determines that the RSUs may not be exempt from the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Rules,
then, if the Participant is deemed to be a “specified employee” within the meaning of the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Rules, as determined by the Committee, at a time when the Participant becomes eligible for settlement of the RSUs
upon his “separation from service” within the meaning of the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Rules, then to the extent necessary or prudent to prevent any accelerated or additional tax under the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Rules,
such settlement will be delayed until the earlier of: (a) the date that is six months following the Participant’s separation from service and (b) the Participant’s death. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company makes no
representations that the payments and benefits provided under this Agreement comply with the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Rules and in no event shall the Company be liable for all or any portion of any taxes, penalties, interest or other
expenses that may be incurred by the Participant on account of non-compliance with the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Rules. 

  
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