Document:

Forms of Notice of Grant of Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Agreement

 Exhibit 10.19 
 FORMS OF NOTICE OF GRANT OF RESTRICTED STOCK AND 
 RESTRICTED STOCK AGREEMENT 
  

  

  

  

                                 ,
             
  

			
	  	  	
	  	  	
	  	  	

 NOTICE OF GRANT OF RESTRICTED STOCK 
 Pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Ascent Energy Inc. 2006 Long Term Incentive Plan, attached as Appendix A (the
“Plan”), and the associated Restricted Stock Agreement, attached as Appendix B (the “Agreement”), you are hereby issued shares of Stock subject to certain restrictions thereon and under the
conditions set forth below, in the Agreement, and in the Plan (the “Restricted Shares”). Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings set forth in the Plan. 
  

	 Grantee: 
	     
                                        
             

  

	 Date of Grant: 
	                     
        , 200    (“Date of Grant”) 

  

	 Number of Shares: 
	     
                                    

 Fair Market Value of 

	 Shares on Date of Grant: 
	         
                                 

  

	 Vesting Schedule: 
	 The restrictions on all of the Restricted Shares granted pursuant to the Agreement will expire and the Restricted Shares will become transferable,
except to the extent provided in Section 12 of the Agreement, and nonforfeitable as follows: (a) the restrictions on 40% of the Restricted Shares shall expire on the one year anniversary of the Date of Grant, (b) the restrictions on
35% of the Restricted Shares shall expire on the two year anniversary of the Date of Grant, and (c) the restrictions on the remaining 25% of the Restricted Shares shall expire on the three year anniversary of the Date of Grant; provided,
however, that, except as provided below, such restrictions will expire on such dates only if you remain in the employ of or a service provider to the Company or its Subsidiaries continuously from the Date of Grant through the applicable vesting
date. 

  

	 	 In the event (a) of a Change in Control of the Company, or (b) your employment or service relationship with the Company is terminated
(i) without Cause, (ii) on account of your death, or (iii) on account of your Disability, the restrictions on 100% of the Restricted Shares granted pursuant to the Agreement will expire 

  

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	 	 and the Restricted Shares will become transferable, except to the extent provided in Section 12 of the Agreement, and nonforfeitable.

  

	 	 “Cause” means “cause” as defined in your employment agreement with the Company, if any, or, in the absence of
such an agreement or such a definition, “Cause” will mean a determination by the Committee that you (a) have engaged in personal dishonesty, willful violation of any law, rule, or regulation (other than minor traffic violations or
similar offenses), or breach of fiduciary duty involving personal profit, (b) have failed to satisfactorily perform your duties and responsibilities for the Company or any Subsidiary, (c) have been convicted of, or plead nolo contendere
to, any felony or a crime involving moral turpitude, (d) have engaged in negligence or willful misconduct in the performance of your duties, including but not limited to willfully refusing without proper legal reason to perform your duties and
responsibilities, (e) have materially breached any corporate policy or code of conduct established by the Company or any Subsidiary as such policies or codes may be adopted from time to time, (f) have violated the terms of any
confidentiality, nondisclosure, intellectual property, nonsolicitation, noncompetition, proprietary information or inventions agreement, or any other agreement between you and the Company or any Subsidiary related to your service with the Company or
any Subsidiary, or (g) have engaged in conduct that is likely to have a deleterious affect on the Company or any Subsidiary or their legitimate business interests, including but not limited to their goodwill and public image.

  

	 	 “Disability” means either (a) total and permanent disability within the meaning of a long-term disability plan
sponsored by the Company in which you are a member, or (b) if the Company does not sponsor a long-term disability plan in which you are a member, as determined by the Committee, the inability to engage in any substantial gainful activity by
reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or which has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months. 

 By your signature and the signature of the Company’s representative below, you and the Company hereby acknowledge receipt of the Restricted Shares
issued on the Date of Grant indicated above, which have been issued under the terms and conditions of the Plan and the Agreement, including the forfeiture provisions thereunder. You also acknowledge and agree that the grant of the Restricted Shares
is contingent on your properly completing and timely submitting to the Internal Revenue Service and the Company an election under section 83(b) of the Code (and “83(b) Election”) within 30 days of the Date of Grant. If you do
not properly complete and timely submit an 83(b) Election, then the Restricted Shares will become null and void and be forfeited to the Company effective as of the 31st day following the Date of Grant. 
 You further acknowledge receipt of a copy of the Plan and Agreement and agree to all of the terms and conditions of the Plan and the Agreement, which are
incorporated herein by reference. You acknowledge and agree that (a) you are not relying upon any determination by the Company, its affiliates, or any of their respective employees, directors, officers, attorneys or agents (collectively, the
“Company Parties”) of the Fair Market Value of the Stock on the Date of Grant, (b) you are not relying upon any written or oral statement or representation of the Company Parties regarding the tax effects associated with
your execution of this Agreement and your receipt, holding and vesting of the Restricted Shares, and (c) in deciding to enter into this Agreement, you are relying on your own judgment and the judgment of the professionals of your choice with
whom you have consulted. The Company will report the compensation received by you in connection with your 83(b) Election based on the per share price to the public of the Stock in the initial public offering described in the Company’s
Registration Statement on Form S-1, first filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 30, 2006, as amended. You hereby release, acquit and forever discharge the Company Parties from all actions, causes of actions, suits, 

  

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 debts, obligations, liabilities, claims, damages, losses, costs and expenses of any nature whatsoever, known or
unknown, on account of, arising out of, or in any way related to the tax effects associated with your execution of the Agreement and your receipt, holding and exercise of the Restricted Shares. 
 Finally, you acknowledge (a) that you have been advised to consult with a tax advisor regarding the tax consequences of the award of the Restricted
Shares and (b) that timely filing of a 83(b) Election is your sole responsibility, even if you request the Company or its representative to file such election on your behalf. 
 Note: To accept the Restricted Shares, execute this form and return an executed copy to
                         (the “Designated Recipient”) by
                             , 200    . Failure to return the
executed copy to the Designated Recipient by such date will render this issuance invalid. 
 [Signatures on Following Page]

  

			
		
	 By:
	 	  
	 Name:
	 	  
	 Title:
	 	  

 Accepted by: 
 [GRANTEE] 
  

			
		
	 By:
	 	  
	 Date:
	 	  

 [DESIGNATED RECIPIENT] 
  

			
		
	 By:
	 	  

			
	 Date Received:
	 	  

  

	Attachments:	Appendix A – Ascent Energy Inc. 2006 Long Term Incentive Plan 

 Appendix B –Restricted Stock Agreement 
  

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 SECTION 83(b) ELECTION 
 This statement is made under Section 83(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, pursuant to Treasury Regulations Section 1.83-2. 
  

	(1)	The taxpayer who performed the services is: 

  

					
			
		 	 Name:
	 	  

					
			
		 	 Address:
	 	  
			
		 		 	  

 Social Security No.:
             
  

	(2)	The property with respect to which the election is made is              shares of the common stock (the
“Shares”) of Ascent Energy Inc. (the “Company”). 

  

	(3)	The property was transferred on
                        ,              (the
“Date of Grant”). 

  

	(4)	The taxable year for which the election is made is the calendar year             . 

  

	(5)	Pursuant to the terms of a Restricted Stock Agreement (the “Agreement”) between the Company and the taxpayer, the Shares will not be transferable and will be
subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture as set forth in the Agreement. The restrictions on all of the Shares will expire and the Shares will become transferable, except to the extent provided in Section 12 of the Agreement, and
nonforfeitable as follows: (a) the restrictions on 40% of the Shares shall expire on the one year anniversary of the Date of Grant, (b) the restrictions on 35% of Shares shall expire on the two year anniversary of the Date of Grant, and
(c) the restrictions on the remaining 25% of the Shares shall expire on the three year anniversary of the Date of Grant; provided, however, that, except as provided below, such restrictions will expire on such dates only if the taxpayer remains
in the employ of or a service provider to the Company or its Subsidiaries continuously from the Date of Grant through the applicable vesting date. In the event (a) of a “Change in Control” (as defined in the Company’s 2006 Long
Term Incentive Plan) or (b) the taxpayer’s employment or service relationship with the Company is terminated (i) without “Cause” (as defined in the Notice of Grant of Restricted Stock), (ii) on account of the
taxpayer’s death, or (iii) on account of the taxpayer’s “Disability” (as defined in the Notice of Grant of Restricted Stock), the restrictions on 100% of the Shares granted pursuant to the Agreement will expire and the
Shares will become transferable, except to the extent provided in Section 12 of the Agreement, and nonforfeitable. All Shares for which the restrictions have not terminated shall be forfeited following the termination of the taxpayer’s
employment or service relationship with the Company or its subsidiaries. 

  

	(6)	The fair market value of such property at the time of transfer (determined without regard to any restriction other than a restriction which by its terms will never lapse) is
$             per share. 

  

	(7)	The amount paid for such property is $0.00 per share. 

  

	(8)	A copy of this statement was furnished to the Company, for whom the taxpayer rendered the services underlying the transfer of such property. 

  

	(9)	This statement is executed on                     
        ,             . 

  

					
			
	   	 		 	   
	 Signature of Spouse (if any)
                                
	 		 	 Signature of Taxpayer

 This election must be filed with the Internal Revenue Service Center with which the taxpayer files his or her
federal income tax returns and must be filed within 30 days after the Date of Grant. This filing should be made by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested. The taxpayer must also furnish to the Company a copy of this statement. The
taxpayer must retain two copies of the completed form for filing with his or her federal and state tax returns for the current tax year and an additional copy for his or her records. 
  

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 ASCENT ENERGY INC. 
 2006 LONG TERM INCENTIVE PLAN 
 RESTRICTED STOCK AGREEMENT 
 This Agreement is made and entered into as of the Date of Grant set forth in the Notice of Grant of Restricted Stock (“Notice of
Grant”) by and between Ascent Energy Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and you; 
 WHEREAS, the Company, in order to induce you to enter into and to continue and dedicate service to the Company and to materially contribute to the success of the Company and its Subsidiaries, agrees to grant you this restricted stock
award; 
 WHEREAS, the Company adopted the Ascent Energy Inc. 2006 Long Term Incentive Plan as it may be amended from time to time
(the “Plan”) under which the Company is authorized to grant restricted stock awards to certain employees and service providers of the Company; 
 WHEREAS, a copy of the Plan has been furnished to you and shall be deemed a part of this restricted stock award agreement (“Agreement”) as if fully set forth herein and the terms
capitalized but not defined herein shall have the meanings set forth in the Plan; and 
 WHEREAS, you desire to accept the restricted
stock award made pursuant to this Agreement. 
 NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants set forth herein and for
other valuable consideration hereinafter set forth, the parties agree as follows: 
 1. The Grant. Subject to the conditions set forth
below, the Company hereby grants you effective as of the Date of Grant set forth in the Notice of Grant, as a matter of separate inducement but not in lieu of any salary or other compensation for your services for the Company and its Subsidiaries,
an award (the “Award”) consisting of the aggregate number of shares of Stock set forth in the Notice of Grant in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth herein and in the Plan. 
 2. Escrow of Restricted Shares. The Company shall evidence the Restricted Shares in the manner that it deems appropriate. The Company may issue in
your name a certificate or certificates representing the Restricted Shares and retain that certificate or those certificates until the restrictions on such Restricted Shares expire as contemplated in Section 5 of this Agreement and described in
the Notice of Grant or the Restricted Shares are forfeited as described in Sections 4, 6 and 7 of this Agreement. If the Company certificates the Restricted Shares, you shall execute one or more stock powers in blank for those certificates and
deliver those stock powers to the Company. The Company shall hold the Restricted Shares and the related stock powers pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, if applicable, until such time as (a) a certificate or certificates for the Restricted
Shares are delivered to you, (b) the Restricted Shares are otherwise transferred to you free of restrictions, or (c) the Restricted Shares are canceled and forfeited pursuant to this Agreement. 
 3. Ownership of Restricted Shares. From and after the time the Restricted Shares are issued in your name, you will be entitled to all the rights of
absolute ownership of the Restricted Shares, including the right to vote those shares and to receive dividends thereon if, as, and when declared by the Board, subject, however, to the terms, conditions and restrictions set forth in this Agreement.
Dividend payments, if any, will be made to you no later than the end of the calendar year in which the dividends are paid to the holders of Stock or, if later, the 15th day of the third month following the date the dividends are paid to the holders
of Stock. 
 4. Restrictions; Forfeiture. The Restricted Shares are restricted in that they may not be sold, transferred or otherwise
alienated or hypothecated until these restrictions are removed or expire as contemplated in Section 5 of this Agreement and as described in the Notice of Grant. The Restricted Shares are also restricted in the sense that they may be forfeited
to the Company. You hereby agree that if the Restricted Shares are forfeited, as provided in Section 6 or 7, the Company shall have the right to deliver the Restricted Shares to the Company’s transfer agent for, at the Company’s
election, cancellation or transfer to the Company. 
  

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 5. Expiration of Restrictions and Risk of Forfeiture. The restrictions on the Restricted Shares
granted pursuant to this Agreement of this Agreement will expire and the Restricted Shares will become transferable, except to the extent provided in Section 12 of this Agreement, and nonforfeitable as set forth in the Notice of Grant, provided
that you remain in the employ of or a service provider to the Company or its Subsidiaries until the applicable dates or events set forth therein. 
 6. Termination of Services. Except as provided in the Notice of Grant, if your employment or service relationship with the Company and its Subsidiaries is terminated for any reason, then those Restricted Shares for which the
restrictions have not lapsed as of the date of termination shall become null and void and those Restricted Shares shall be forfeited to the Company. The Restricted Shares for which the restrictions have lapsed as of the date of such termination,
including restrictions that lapse in connection with the termination of your employment or service relationship as set forth in the Notice of Grant, shall not be forfeited to the Company. 
 7. Election Under Section 83(b) of the Code. You understand that it is a condition of the grant of the Restricted Shares that you file with
the Internal Revenue Service an election under section 83(b) of the Code with respect to the Restricted Shares. This election must be filed no later than 30 days after Date of Grant set forth in the Notice of Grant. This time period cannot be
extended. You acknowledge (a) that you have been advised to consult with a tax advisor regarding the tax consequences of the award of the Restricted Shares and (b) that timely filing of a section 83(b) election is your sole responsibility,
even if you request the Company or its representative to file such election on your behalf. If you have not filed with the Internal Revenue Service an election under section 83(b) of the Code with respect to the Restricted Shares by the 30th day
after the Date of Grant, the Restricted Shares shall become null and void and shall be forfeited to the Company effective as of the 31st day after the Date of Grant. 
 8. Leave of Absence. With respect to the Award, the Company may, in its sole discretion, determine that if you are on leave of absence for any reason you will be considered to still be in the employ of or
providing services for the Company and its Subsidiaries, provided that rights to the Restricted Shares 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. Delivery of Stock. Promptly following the expiration of the restrictions on the Restricted Shares as contemplated in Section 5 of this
Agreement, the Company shall cause to be issued and delivered to you or your designee a certificate or other evidence of the number of Restricted Shares as to which restrictions have lapsed, free of any restrictive legend relating to the lapsed
restrictions, upon receipt by the Company of any tax withholding as may be requested pursuant to Section 10. The value of such Restricted Shares shall not bear any interest owing to the passage of time. 
 10. Payment of Taxes. The Company shall withhold the entire amount of the cash bonus portion of the “incentive issuance” award described
in the Offer to Exchange, dated October             , 2006, to satisfy its or its Subsidiary’s current or future obligation to withhold federal, state or local income or other taxes
that you incur as a result of the Award. In the event the Company determines that the amount withheld as payment of any tax withholding obligation is insufficient to discharge the tax withholding obligation, then you must pay to the Company, in
cash, the amount of that deficiency immediately upon the Company’s request. 
 11. Compliance with Securities Law. Notwithstanding
any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, the issuance of Stock (including Restricted Shares) will be subject to compliance with all applicable requirements of federal, state, or foreign 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 Stock will be issued hereunder if such issuance would constitute a violation of any applicable federal, state, or foreign securities laws or other law or
regulations or the requirements of any stock exchange or market system upon which the Stock may then be listed. In addition, Stock will not be issued hereunder unless (a) a registration statement under the Securities Act, is at the time of
issuance in effect with respect to the shares issued or (b) in the opinion of legal counsel to the Company, the shares issued may 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 to the lawful issuance and sale of any shares subject to the Award
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 hereunder, the Company may require you to satisfy any qualifications
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. From time to time, the Board and
appropriate officers of the 

  

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Company are authorized to take the actions necessary and appropriate to file required documents with governmental authorities, stock exchanges, and other
appropriate Persons to make shares of Stock available for issuance. 
 12. Lock-Up Period. You hereby agree that, if so requested by
the Company or any representative of the underwriters (the “Managing Underwriter”) in connection with any registration of the offering of any securities of the Company under the Securities Act, you will not sell or otherwise
transfer any Stock acquired hereunder or other securities of the Company during the 180-day period (or such other period as may be requested in writing by the Managing Underwriter and agreed to in writing by the Company) (the “Market
Standoff Period”) following the effective date of a registration statement of the Company filed under the Securities Act. Such restriction will apply only to the first registration statement of the Company to become effective under the
Securities Act that includes securities to be sold on behalf of the Company to the public in an underwritten public offering under the Securities Act. The Company may impose stop-transfer instructions with respect to securities subject to the
foregoing restrictions until the end of such Market Standoff Period. 
 13. Legends. The Company may at any time place legends
referencing any restrictions imposed on the shares pursuant to Sections 4, 11, and 12 of this Agreement on all certificates representing shares issued with respect to this Award. 
 14. Right of the Company and Subsidiaries to Terminate Services. Nothing in this Agreement confers upon you the right to continue in the employ of
or performing services for the Company or any Subsidiary, or interfere in any way with the rights of the Company or any Subsidiary to terminate your employment or service relationship at any time. 
 15. Furnish Information. You agree to furnish to the Company all information requested by the Company to enable it to comply with any reporting or
other requirements imposed upon the Company by or under any applicable statute or regulation. 
 16. Remedies. The parties to this
Agreement shall be entitled to recover from each other reasonable attorneys’ fees incurred in connection with the successful enforcement of the terms and provisions of this Agreement whether by an action to enforce specific performance or for
damages for its breach or otherwise. 
 17. No Liability for Good Faith Determinations. The Company and the members of the Board shall
not be liable for any act, omission or determination taken or made in good faith with respect to this Agreement or the Restricted Shares granted hereunder. 
 18. Execution of Receipts and Releases. Any payment of cash or any issuance or transfer of shares of Stock or other property to you, or to your legal representative, heir, legatee or distributee, in accordance
with the provisions hereof, shall, to the extent thereof, be in full satisfaction of all claims of such Persons hereunder. The Company may require you or your legal representative, heir, legatee or distributee, as a condition precedent to such
payment or issuance, to execute a release and receipt therefor in such form as it shall determine. 
 19. No Guarantee of Interests.
The Board and the Company do not guarantee the Stock of the Company from loss or depreciation. 
 20. Company Records. Records of the
Company or its Subsidiaries regarding your period of service, termination of service and the reason(s) therefor, leaves of absence, re-employment, and other matters shall be conclusive for all purposes hereunder, unless determined by the Company to
be incorrect. 
 21. Notice. All notices required or permitted under this Agreement must be in writing and personally delivered or sent
by mail and shall be deemed to be delivered on the date on which it is actually received by the person to whom it is properly addressed or, if earlier, the date it is sent via certified United States mail. 
 22. Waiver of Notice. Any person entitled to notice hereunder may waive such notice in writing. 
 23. Information Confidential. As partial consideration for the granting of the Award hereunder, you hereby agree to keep confidential all
information and knowledge, except that which has been disclosed in any public filings required by law, that you have relating to the terms and conditions of this Agreement; provided, however, that such information may be disclosed as required by law
and may be given in confidence to your spouse and tax 

  

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and financial advisors. In the event any breach of this promise comes to the attention of the Company, it shall take into consideration that breach in
determining whether to recommend the grant of any future similar award to you, as a factor weighing against the advisability of granting any such future award to you. 
 24. Successors. This Agreement shall be binding upon you, your legal representatives, heirs, legatees, distributees, and Permitted Transferees, and upon the Company, its successors and assigns. 
 25. Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is held to be illegal or invalid for any reason, the illegality or invalidity shall not affect
the remaining provisions hereof, but such provision shall be fully severable and this Agreement shall be construed and enforced as if the illegal or invalid provision had never been included herein. 
 26. Company Action. Any action required of the Company shall be by resolution of the Board or by a person or entity authorized to act by resolution
of the Board. 
 27. Headings. The titles and headings of Sections are included for convenience of reference only and are not to be
considered in construction of the provisions hereof. 
 28. Governing Law. All questions arising with respect to the provisions of this
Agreement shall be determined by application of the laws of Delaware, without giving any effect to any conflict of law provisions thereof, except to the extent Delaware law is preempted by federal law. The obligation of the Company to sell and
deliver Stock hereunder is subject to applicable laws and to the approval of any governmental authority required in connection with the authorization, issuance, sale, or delivery of such Stock. 
 29. Amendment. This Agreement may be amended the Board or by the Committee at any time (a) if the Board or the Committee determines, in its
sole discretion, that amendment is necessary or advisable in light of any addition to or change in any federal or state, tax or securities law or other law or regulation, which change occurs after the Date of Grant and by its terms applies to the
Award; or (b) other than in the circumstances described in clause (a) or provided in the Plan, with your consent. 
 30. The
Plan. This Agreement is subject to all the terms, conditions, limitations and restrictions contained in the Plan. 
  

 8Ascent Shareholders Agreement

 Exhibit 10.20 
 Execution Copy 
 SHAREHOLDERS AGREEMENT 
 SHAREHOLDERS AGREEMENT, dated as of August 22, 2002 (this “Agreement”), by and among Ascent Energy Inc., a Delaware corporation
(the “Company”), Forman Petroleum Corporation, a Louisiana corporation (the “Principal Shareholder”), and the shareholders of the Company listed on the signature pages hereto (collectively the
“Purchasers”). 
 WHEREAS, the Company has issued and sold, or has agreed to issue and sell, to the Purchasers units
consisting of shares of the Company’s Preferred Stock and warrants (the “Warrants”) to purchase shares of the Company’s Common Stock pursuant to that certain Warrant Agreement dated as of July 27, 2001 by and between
the Company and Mellon Investor Services LLC, as warrant agent (the “Warrant Agent”), as amended and restated pursuant to that certain Amended and Restated Warrant Agreement dated as of August 22, 2002 by and between the
Company and the Warrant Agent; 
 WHEREAS, upon exercise of the Warrants, the Purchasers are entitled to acquire shares of Common Stock of
the Company; and 
 WHEREAS, the parties hereto wish to provide for, among other things, corporate governance rights and certain other rights
and obligations with respect to the Company and the other parties hereto. 
 NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises and
agreements set forth herein, the adequacy of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows: 
 1. Definitions. As
used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below: 
 “Affiliate” shall have the meaning
ascribed to such term in Rule 12b-2 of the General Rules and Regulations under the Exchange Act, provided that no security holder of the Company shall be deemed to be an Affiliate of any other security holder of the Company solely by reason of any
investment in the Company. 
 “Board” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1. 
 “Business Day” means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other legal holiday on which commercial banks in the City of New York, New
York are authorized or required by law or executive order to close. 
 “Company” has the meaning set forth in the recitals
to this Agreement. 
 “Common Stock” means the common stock, par value $.001 per share, of the Company or any other capital
stock of the Company into which such common stock is reclassified or reconstituted. 

 “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and
regulations promulgated thereunder. 
 “ING Nominator” means FS Private Investments III LLC. 
 “ING Purchasers” means ING Furman Selz Investors III L.P., ING Barings U.S. Leveraged Equity Plan LLC and ING Barings Global Leveraged
Equity Plan Ltd. 
 “Jefferies Nominator” means Jefferies & Company, Inc. 
 “Jefferies Purchasers” means Jefferies & Company, Inc., Jefferies Partners Opportunity Fund, L.L.C., Jefferies Partners
Opportunity Fund, II, L.L.C., Jefferies Employees Opportunity Fund, L.L.C. and Jefferies Investors XVI, L.L.C. 
 “Nominator” means each of the Jefferies Nominator, the ING Nominator and the TCW Nominator. 
 “Person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, firm, joint venture, association, joint stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, governmental authority or other entity.

 “Preferred Stock” means the 8% Series A Redeemable Preferred Stock, par value $.001 per share, of the Company.

 “Principal Shareholder” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement. 
 “Purchaser Directors” means each of the Jefferies Directors, the ING Directors and the TCW Director. 
 “Purchasers” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement. 
 “Redemption Date” means the date on which the Company redeems all of the outstanding shares of the Series A Preferred Stock
pursuant to the Certificate of Designations of the Series A Preferred Stock, as the same may be amended from time to time hereafter. 
 “Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. 
 “Shareholders” means the Principal Shareholder and any Purchaser that holds shares of Common Stock and any transferee thereof who has agreed to be bound by the terms and conditions of this Agreement, so long as such
Principal Shareholder, Purchaser or transferee shall own any shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock or any Warrants. 
 “Shareholders Meeting” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1. 
 “TCW Nominator” means TCW
Asset Management Company. 
 “TCW Purchasers” means TCW/Crescent Mezzanine Partners, L.P., TCW/Crescent Mezzanine Trust,
TCW/Crescent Mezzanine Investment Partners, L.P., Shared Opportunity Fund 

  

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IIB, L.L.C., TCW Shared Opportunity Fund III, L.P., TCW Leveraged Income Trust IV, L.P. and TCW (LINC IV), L.L.C. 
 “Written Consent” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1. 
 2. Corporate Governance of the Company. 
 2.1. Election of Directors; Number and Composition. Each Shareholder shall vote its or his shares of Common Stock entitled to vote thereon at any regular or special meeting of the Company (a
“Shareholders Meeting”), or in any written consent executed in lieu of such a meeting of shareholders of the Company (a “Written Consent”), and shall take all other reasonable actions necessary, to ensure that the
number of directors constituting the entire Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) shall be not greater than 8. 
 (a) So long as the Jefferies Purchasers and their Affiliates hold, in the aggregate, at least 10% of the outstanding shares of the Preferred Stock, each Shareholder shall vote its shares of Common Stock entitled to
vote thereon at any Shareholders Meeting called for the purpose of filling positions on the Board or in any Written Consent for such purpose, and with respect to such shares take all other reasonable actions necessary, to ensure the election to the
Board of two (2) individuals designated by the Jefferies Nominator (each a “Jefferies Director” and together, the “Jefferies Directors”). 
 (b) So long as the ING Purchasers and their Affiliates hold, in the aggregate, at least 25% of the outstanding shares of Preferred Stock,
each Shareholder shall vote its shares of Common Stock entitled to vote thereon at any Shareholders Meeting called for the purpose of filling positions on the Board or in any Written Consent executed for such purpose, and shall take all other action
reasonably necessary, to ensure the election to the Board of two (2) individuals designated by the ING Nominator (each an “ING Director” and together the “ING Directors”). 
 (c) So long as the TCW Purchasers and their Affiliates hold, in the aggregate, at least 10% of the outstanding Preferred Stock, each
Shareholder shall vote its shares of Common Stock entitled to vote thereon at any Shareholders Meeting called for the purpose of filling positions on the Board or in any Written Consent executed for such purpose, and shall take all other action
reasonably necessary, to ensure the election to the Board of one (1) individual designated by the TCW Nominator (the “TCW Director”). 
 2.2. Removal of Purchaser Directors. If, at any time, any Nominator notifies the other Shareholders of its wish to remove for any
reason (or no reason) any Purchaser Director that such Nominator designated for election to the Board, then each Shareholder shall vote all of its or his shares of Common Stock, and take all other reasonable actions necessary, to ensure the removal
of such Purchaser Director. 
 2.3. Replacement of Purchaser Directors. If, at any time, a vacancy is created on the
Board by reason of the incapacity, death, removal or resignation of any Purchaser Director, then the Nominator that designated such Purchaser Director to the Board shall designate an individual who shall be elected to fill such vacancy until the
next Shareholders Meeting, and the Company shall take all action necessary to cause the election of such individual 
  

 3 

 to fill such vacancy. Upon receipt of notice of the designation of a nominee, each Shareholder shall, as
soon as practicable after the date of such notice, take action, including the voting of its or his shares of Common Stock, to elect the director designated by such Nominator to fill such vacancy. 
 2.4. Company Actions. The Company shall cause all Purchaser Directors to be included in the slate of nominees recommended by the
Board to the Company’s shareholders for election as directors, and the Company shall use its best efforts to cause the election of such nominee, including voting all shares for which the Company holds proxies (unless otherwise directed by the
shareholder submitting such proxy) or is otherwise entitled to vote, in favor of the election of such person. 
 2.5.
Requested Resignation or Removal of Purchaser Directors. In the event that at any time the number of Jefferies Directors, ING Directors or TCW Director exceeds the number of individuals that the Jefferies Nominator, the ING Nominator and the
TCW Nominator, respectively, are entitled to designate for election pursuant to Section 2.1, the Principal Shareholder and the Purchasers shall cause one or more of the Purchaser Directors to resign or, if such Purchaser Director(s) shall
refuse to resign, each Shareholder shall vote all of his or its shares of Common Stock, and take all other reasonable actions necessary, to ensure the removal of all such Purchaser Directors such that the number of Purchaser Directors serving on the
Board after such resignations or removals shall equal and be designated in accordance with the number of Purchaser Directors that the Jefferies Nominator, the ING Nominator and the TCW Nominator, respectively, are entitled to designate for election
pursuant to Section 2.1. 
 2.6. Percentages. For purposes of determining the ownership percentages described in
Section 2.1, shares of Preferred Stock held by a Person that is an Affiliate of a Jefferies Purchaser and an ING Purchaser shall be counted among the holdings of either the Jefferies Purchasers and their Affiliates, on the one hand, or the ING
Purchasers and their Affiliates, on the other hand, but not both of them. 
 2.7. Classes. The Class I Directors of
the Company shall include one of the Jefferies Directors, the Class II Directors of the Company shall include one of the ING Directors and the Class III Directors of the Company shall include the other Jefferies Director, the other ING Director and
the TCW Director. The classes of directors referred to in this Section 2.7 shall mean the classes of directors described in Section 3 of Article VI of the Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, as the same may be amended from
time to time after the date hereof. 
 3. Miscellaneous. 
 3.1. Notices. All notices, demands and other communications provided for or permitted hereunder shall be made in writing and shall
be by registered or certified first-class mail, return receipt requested, telecopier, courier services or personal delivery to the following addresses, or to such other addresses as shall be designated from time to time by a party in accordance with
this Section 3.1: 
  

 4 

 (a) if to the Company: 
 Ascent Energy Inc. 
 1700 Redbud Avenue, Suite 450 
 McKinney, Texas 75069 
 Attention: President 
 Telecopier No.: (972) 547-7151 
 (b) If to the Principal Shareholder or any Purchaser,
at the address of each such Person on the books and records of the Company. 
 All such notices and communications shall be deemed to have
been duly given: (i) when delivered by hand, if personally delivered; (ii) the next Business Day, if delivered by commercial overnight courier service; (iii) five Business Days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if
mailed; and (iv) when receipt is acknowledged (or if not a Business Day, then the next Business Day), if telecopied. 
 3.2. Amendment and Waiver. 
 (a) No failure or delay on the part of any party hereto, in exercising any
right, power or remedy hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right, power or remedy preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or remedy.

 (b) Any amendment, supplement or modification of or to any provision of this Agreement, any waiver of any provision of
this Agreement and any consent to any departure by the Company or any Purchaser or Shareholder from the terms of any provision of this Agreement, shall be effective (i) only if it is made or given in writing and signed by the party requesting
such amendment or waiver, the Company, the Principal Shareholder and holders of at least a majority of the shares of Preferred Stock, and (ii) only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which made or given. 
 3.3. Successors and Assigns. This Agreement can not be assigned but shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties
and their respective successors, heirs, legatees and legal representatives. 
 3.4. Counterparts. This Agreement may
be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument. 
 3.5. Specific Performance. The parties hereto intend that each of the parties have the right to seek damages or specific
performance in the event that any other party hereto fails to perform such party’s obligations hereunder. Therefore, if any party shall institute any action or proceeding to enforce the provisions hereof, any party against whom such action or
proceeding is brought hereby waives any claim or defense therein that the plaintiff party has an adequate remedy at law. 
  

 5 

 3.6. Headings. The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of reference
only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof. 
 3.7. 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 law. 
 3.8. Severability. In the event that any one or more of the provisions contained herein, or the application thereof in any circumstance, is held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect for any reason, the validity, legality
and enforceability of any such provision in every other respect and of the remaining provisions hereof shall not be in any way impaired, unless the provisions held invalid, illegal or unenforceable shall substantially impair the benefits of the
remaining provisions hereof. 
 3.9. Rules of Construction. Unless the context otherwise requires, “or” is
not exclusive, and references to Articles, Sections or Subsections refer to Articles, Sections or Subsections of this Agreement. 
 3.10. Entire Agreement. This Agreement is intended by the parties as a final expression of their agreement and intended to be a complete and exclusive statement of the agreement and understanding of the parties hereto in respect of
the subject matter contained herein and therein. There are no restrictions, promises, warranties or undertakings, other than those set forth or referred to herein or therein. This Agreement supersedes all prior agreements and understandings between
the parties with respect to such subject matter. 
 3.11. Further Assurances. Each of the parties shall, and shall
cause their respective Affiliates to, execute such instruments and take such action as may be reasonably required or desirable to carry out the provisions hereof and the transactions contemplated hereby. 
 3.12. Termination. This Agreement shall terminate and shall have no further force or effect as of the earlier of (i) the date
on which none of the Nominators is entitled to appoint any Purchaser Directors pursuant to Section 2.1 or (ii) the Redemption Date. 
  

 6 

 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Shareholders Agreement to be executed and
delivered by their respective officers or partners hereunto duly authorized as of the date first above written. 
  

			
	ASCENT ENERGY INC.
		
	By:	 	 /s/ Kevin McMillan

	Name:	 	Kevin McMillan
	Title:	 	SVP & CFO

  

			
	 FORMAN PETROLEUM
 CORPORATION

		
	By:	 	 /s/ Kevin McMillan

	Name:	 	Kevin McMillan
	Title:	 	SVP & CFO

  

 7 

 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Shareholders Agreement to be executed and
delivered by their respective officers or partners hereunto duly authorized as of the date first above written. 
  

			
	Shared Opportunity Fund IIB LLC
		
	By:	 	 TCW Asset Management Company
     as its Investment Advisor

		
	By:	 	/s/ Nicholas W. Tell, Jr.
	Name:	 	Nicholas W. Tell, Jr.
	Title:	 	Managing Director
		
	By:	 	/s/ Michael K. Parks
	Name:	 	Michael K. Parks
	Title:	 	Managing Director
	
	680 shares of Series A Preferred Stock
	
	TCW Shared Opportunity Fund III, L.P.
		
	By:	 	 TCW Asset Management Company
     Its Investment Advisor

		
	By:	 	/s/ Nicholas W. Tell, Jr.
	Name:	 	Nicholas W. Tell, Jr.
	Title:	 	Managing Director
		
	By:	 	/s/ Michael K. Parks
	Name:	 	Michael K. Parks
	Title:	 	Managing Director
	
	3,857 shares of Series A Preferred Stock

  

 8 

 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Shareholders Agreement to be executed and
delivered by their respective officers or partners hereunto duly authorized as of the date first above written. 
  

			
	 TCW Leveraged Income Trust IV, L.P.

		
	 By:
	 	 TCW Asset Management Company
     As its Investment Advisor

		
	 By:
	 	/s/ Nicholas W. Tell, Jr.
	 Name:
	 	Nicholas W. Tell, Jr.
	 Title:
	 	Managing Director
	
	 AND

		
	 By:
	 	 TCW Asset Management Company
     As its Managing Member of
     TCW (LINC IV) L.L.C., the General
         Partner

		
	 By:
	 	/s/ Michael K. Parks
	 Name:
	 	Michael K. Parks
	 Title:
	 	Managing Director
	
	 1,134 shares of Series A Preferred Stock

	
	 TCW/Crescent Mezzanine Partners, L.P. and
 TCW/Crescent Mezzanine Trust
 TCW/Crescent Mezzanine Investment Partners,
     L.P.

		
	 By:
	 	 TCW/Crescent Mezzanine, L.L.C.
     Its Investment Manager

		
	 By:
	 	/s/ Nicholas W. Tell, Jr.
	 Name:
	 	Nicholas W. Tell, Jr.
	 Title:
	 	Managing Director
		
	 By:
	 	/s/ Michael K. Parks
	 Name:
	 	Michael K. Parks
	 Title:
	 	Managing Director
	
	 511 shares of Series A Preferred Stock
 (TCW/Crescent Mezzanine Partners, L.P.)
 155 shares of Series A Preferred Stock
 (TCW/Crescent Mezzanine Trust)
 14 shares of Series A Preferred Stock
 (TCW/Crescent Mezzanine Investment Partners,
     L.P.)

  

 9 

 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Shareholders Agreement to be executed and
delivered by their respective officers or partners hereunto duly authorized as of the date first above written. 
  

			
	 JEFFERIES & COMPANY, INC.

		
	 By:
	 	/s/ Robert J. Welch
	 Name:
	 	Robert J. Welch
	 Title:
	 	Vice President
	
	 9,105 shares of Series A Preferred Stock

	
	 JEFFERIES PARTNERS
 OPPORTUNITY FUND, L.L.C.

		
	 By:
	 	 Jefferies & Company, Inc.,
 As Manager

		
	 By:
	 	/s/ Robert J. Welch
	 Name:
	 	Robert J. Welch
	 Title:
	 	Chief Financial Officer
	
	 6,417 shares of Series A Preferred Stock

	
	 JEFFERIES PARTNERS
 OPPORTUNITY FUND, II, L.L.C.

		
	 By:
	 	 Jefferies & Company, Inc.,
 As Manager

		
	 By:
	 	/s/ Robert J. Welch
	 Name:
	 	Robert J. Welch
	 Title:
	 	Chief Financial Officer
	
	 5,383 shares of Series A Preferred Stock

  

 10 

 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Shareholders Agreement to be executed and
delivered by their respective officers or partners hereunto duly authorized as of the date first above written. 
  

			
	 JEFFERIES EMPLOYEES
 OPPORTUNITY FUND, L.L.C.

		
	 By:
	 	 Jefferies & Company, Inc.,
 As Manager

		
	 By:
	 	/s/ Robert J. Welch
	 Name:
	 	Robert J. Welch
	 Title:
	 	Chief Financial Officer
	
	 1,449 shares of Series A Preferred Stock

  

 11 

 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Shareholders Agreement to be executed and
delivered by their respective officers or partners hereunto duly authorized as of the date first above written. 
  

			
	 ING FURMAN SELZ INVESTORS III L.P.

	 ING BARINGS U.S. LEVERAGED EQUITY
     PLAN LLC

	 ING BARINGS GLOBAL LEVERAGED
     EQUITY PLAN LTD.

		
	 By:
	 	 FS PRIVATE INVESTMENTS III LLC
 Manager

		
	 By:
	 	 /s/ Brian P. Friedman

	 Name:
	 	 Brian P. Friedman

	 Title:
	 	Managing Member
	
	 11,532 shares of Series A Preferred Stock

  

 12

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