Document:

ex10_1.htm

Exhibit 10.1

ANTE5, INC.

 

INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT

 

This Indemnification Agreement (“Agreement”) is made as of_________________,  by and between Ante5, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and ______________, an individual (“Indemnitee”).

 

RECITALS

 

A.           The Company and Indemnitee recognize the significant cost of directors’ and officers’ liability insurance and the general limitations in the coverage of such insurance.

 

B.           The Company and Indemnitee further recognize the risk of corporate litigation in general, potentially subjecting officers and directors to litigation at the same time as the coverage of liability insurance is limited.

 

C.           The Company desires to attract and retain the services of highly qualified individuals, such as Indemnitee, to serve as officers and directors of the Company and to indemnify its officers and directors so as to provide them with the maximum protection permitted by law.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration for Indemnitee’s services as an officer or director of the Company, the Company and Indemnitee hereby agree as follows:

 

1.             Indemnification.

(a) Third Party Proceedings.  The Company shall indemnify Indemnitee if Indemnitee is or was a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit, proceeding or any alternative dispute resolution mechanism, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the Company) by reason of the fact that Indemnitee is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company, or any subsidiary of the Company, or by reason of the fact that Indemnitee is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement (if such settlement is approved in advance by the Company, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld) actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe Indemnitee’s conduct was unlawful.  The termination of any action, suit or proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that Indemnitee did not act in good faith and in a manner which Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe that Indemnitee’s conduct was unlawful.

 

  

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(b) Proceedings By or in the Right of the Company.  The Company shall indemnify Indemnitee if Indemnitee was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of the Company or any subsidiary of the Company to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that Indemnitee is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company, or any subsidiary of the Company, or by reason of the fact that Indemnitee is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) and, to the fullest extent permitted by law, amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit if Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company, except that no indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which Indemnitee shall have been adjudged to be liable to the Company unless and only to the extent that any court in which such action or suit was brought or another court of competent jurisdiction shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, Indemnitee is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses as such court shall deem proper.

(c) Mandatory Payment of Expenses.  To the extent that Indemnitee has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any action, suit or proceeding referred to in Subsections (a) and (b) of this Section 1, or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, Indemnitee shall be indemnified against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee in connection therewith.

2.             Advancement of Expenses.  All reasonable Expenses (as hereinafter defined) incurred by or on behalf of Indemnitee (including costs of enforcement of this Agreement) shall be advanced from time to time by the Company to Indemnitee within thirty (30) days after the receipt by the Company of a written request for an advance of Expenses, whether prior to or after final disposition of a Proceeding (as hereinafter defined) (except to the extent that there has been a final adverse determination that Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified for such Expenses), including without limitation any Proceeding brought by or in the right of the Company.  The written request for an advancement of any and all Expenses under this paragraph shall contain reasonable detail of the Expenses incurred by Indemnitee.  By execution of this Agreement, Indemnitee shall be deemed to have made whatever undertaking as may be required by law at the time of any advancement of Expenses with respect to repayment to the Company of such Expenses.  In the event that the Company shall breach its obligation to advance Expenses under this Section 2, the parties hereto agree that Indemnitee’s remedies available at law would not be adequate and that Indemnitee would be entitled to specific performance.

 

  

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3.             Presumptions and Effect of Certain Proceedings.  Upon making a request for indemnification, Indemnitee shall be presumed to be entitled to indemnification under this Agreement and the Company shall have the burden of proof to overcome that presumption in reaching any contrary determination.  The termination of any Proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, arbitration award or conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent shall not affect this presumption or, except as determined by a judgment or other final adjudication adverse to Indemnitee, establish a presumption with regard to any factual matter relevant to determining Indemnitee’s rights to indemnification hereunder.  If the person or persons so empowered to make a determination pursuant to Section 4 hereof shall have failed to make the requested determination within sixty (60) days after any judgment, order, settlement, dismissal, arbitration award, conviction, acceptance of a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, or other disposition or partial disposition of any Proceeding or any other event that could enable the Company to determine Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification, the requisite determination that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification shall be deemed to have been made.

4.             Procedure for Determination of Entitlement to Indemnification.

(a)  Notice/Cooperation by Indemnitee.  Indemnitee shall, as a condition precedent to his right to be indemnified under this Agreement, give the Company notice in writing as soon as practicable of any claim made against Indemnitee for which indemnification will or could be sought under this Agreement.  Notice to the Company shall be directed to the Chief Executive Officer of the Company at the address shown on the signature page of this Agreement (or such other address as the Company shall designate in writing to Indemnitee).  Notice shall be deemed received as provided in Section 15 of this Agreement.  In addition, Indemnitee shall give the Company such information, documentation and cooperation as it may reasonably require and as shall reasonably be accessible to Indemnitee.

(b)  Procedure.  Any indemnification and advances provided for in Section 1 and Section 2 shall be made no later than thirty (30) days after receipt of the written request of Indemnitee; provided, in the case of any request for indemnification, the Company has determined that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification under this Agreement.  If a claim under this Agreement, under any statute, or under any provision of the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws providing for indemnification, is not paid in full by the Company within thirty (30) days after a written request for payment thereof has first been received by the Company, Indemnitee may, but need not, at any time thereafter bring an action against the Company to recover the unpaid amount of the claim and, subject to Section 14 of this Agreement, Indemnitee shall also be entitled to be paid for the expenses (including attorneys’ fees) of bringing such action.  It shall be a defense to any such action (other than an action brought to enforce a claim for expenses incurred in connection with any action, suit or proceeding in advance of its final disposition) that Indemnitee has not met the standards of conduct which make it permissible under applicable law for the Company to indemnify Indemnitee for the amount claimed.  Nevertheless, the Indemnitee shall be entitled to receive interim payments of expenses pursuant to Section 2 of this Agreement unless and until such defense may be finally adjudicated by court order or judgment from which no further right of appeal exists.  It is the parties’ intention that if the Company contests Indemnitee’s right to indemnification, the question of Indemnitee’s right to indemnification shall be for the court to decide, and neither the failure of the Company (including its Board of Directors, any committee or subgroup of the Board of Directors, independent legal counsel, or its stockholders) to have made a determination that indemnification of Indemnitee is proper in the circumstances because Indemnitee has met the applicable standard of conduct required by applicable law, nor an actual determination by the Company (including its Board of Directors, any committee or subgroup of the Board of Directors, independent legal counsel, or its stockholders) that Indemnitee has not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall create a presumption that Indemnitee has or has not met the applicable standard of conduct.

 

  

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(c)  Notice to Insurers.  If, at the time of the receipt of a notice of a claim pursuant to Section 4(a) hereof, the Company has director and officer liability insurance in effect, the Company shall give prompt notice of the commencement of such proceeding to the insurers in accordance with the procedures set forth in the respective policies.  The Company shall thereafter take all necessary or desirable action to cause such insurers to pay, on behalf of the Indemnitee, all amounts payable as a result of such proceeding in accordance with the terms of such policies.

(d)  Selection of Counsel.  In the event the Company shall be obligated under Section 2 hereof to pay the expenses of any proceeding against Indemnitee, the Company, if appropriate, shall be entitled to assume the defense of such proceeding, with counsel approved by Indemnitee, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld, upon the delivery to Indemnitee of written notice of its election to do so.  After delivery of such notice, approval of such counsel by Indemnitee and the retention of such counsel by the Company, the Company will not be liable to Indemnitee under this Agreement for any fees of counsel subsequently incurred by Indemnitee with respect to the same proceeding, provided that Indemnitee shall have the right to employ his counsel in any such proceeding at Indemnitee’s expense.  Notwithstanding anything else herein to the contrary, if Indemnitee reasonably concludes that there may be a conflict of interest between the Company and Indemnitee in the conduct of any such defense, and the Company approves Indemnitee’s counsel which approval will not be unreasonably withheld, then the reasonable fees and expenses of Indemnitee’s counsel shall be at the expense of the Company.

5.             Additional Indemnification Rights; Nonexclusivity.

(a)  Scope.  Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Company hereby agrees to indemnify the Indemnitee to the fullest extent permitted by law, notwithstanding that such indemnification is not specifically authorized by the other provisions of this Agreement, the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation, the Company’s Bylaws or by statute.  In the event of any change, after the date of this Agreement, in any applicable law, statute, or rule which expands the right of a Delaware corporation to indemnify a member of its board of directors or an officer, such changes shall be, ipso facto, within the purview of Indemnitee’s rights and Company’s obligations, under this Agreement.  In the event of any change in any applicable law, statute or rule which narrows the right of a Delaware corporation to indemnify a member of its board of directors or an officer, such changes, to the extent not otherwise required by such law, statute or rule to be applied to this Agreement shall have no effect on this Agreement or the parties’ rights and obligations hereunder.

 

(b)  Nonexclusivity.  The indemnification provided by this Agreement shall not be deemed exclusive of any rights to which Indemnitee may be entitled under the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation, its Bylaws, any agreement, any vote of stockholders or disinterested Directors, the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, or otherwise, both as to action in Indemnitee’s official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office.  The indemnification provided under this Agreement shall continue as to Indemnitee for any action taken or not taken while serving in an indemnified capacity even though he may have ceased to serve in such capacity at the time of any action, suit or other covered proceeding (the “Indemnification Period”).  To the extent that during the Indemnification Period the rights of the then existing directors and officers are more favorable to such directors or officers than the rights currently provided to Indemnitee thereunder or under this Agreement, Indemnitee shall be entitled to the full benefits of such more favorable rights.

  

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6.             Partial Indemnification.  If Indemnitee is entitled under any provision of this Agreement to indemnification by the Company for some or a portion of the expenses, judgments, fines or penalties actually and reasonably incurred by him in the investigation, defense, appeal or settlement of any civil or criminal action, suit or proceeding, but not, however, for the total amount thereof, the Company shall nevertheless indemnify Indemnitee for the portion of such expenses, judgments, fines or penalties to which Indemnitee is entitled, which shall be reasonably determined in good faith by the Company’s Board of Directors.

7.             Mutual Acknowledgement.  Both the Company and Indemnitee acknowledge that in certain instances, Federal law or applicable public policy may prohibit the Company from indemnifying its directors and officers under this Agreement or otherwise.  Indemnitee understands and acknowledges that the Company has undertaken or may be required in the future to undertake with the Securities and Exchange Commission to submit the question of indemnification to a court in certain circumstances for a determination of the Company’s right under public policy to indemnify Indemnitee.

8.             Officer and Director Liability Insurance.  The Company shall, from time to time, make the good faith determination whether or not it is practicable for the Company to obtain and maintain policies of insurance with reputable insurance companies providing the officers and directors of the Company with coverage for losses from wrongful acts, or to ensure the Company’s performance of its indemnification obligations under this Agreement.  Among other considerations, the Company will weigh the costs of obtaining such insurance coverage against the protection afforded by such coverage.  In all policies of director and officer liability insurance, Indemnitee shall be named as an insured in such a manner as to provide Indemnitee the same rights and benefits as are accorded to the most favorably insured of the Company’s directors, if Indemnitee is a director; or of the Company’s officers, if Indemnitee is not a director of the Company but is an officer.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall have no obligation to obtain or maintain such insurance if the Company determines in good faith that (a) such insurance is not reasonably available, (b) the premium costs for such insurance are too expensive for the Company to afford or are disproportionate to the amount of coverage provided, (c) the coverage provided by such insurance is limited by exclusions so as to provide an insufficient benefit, or (d) the Indemnitee is covered by similar insurance maintained by a subsidiary or parent of the Company.

9.             Severability.  Nothing in this Agreement is intended to require or shall be construed as requiring the Company to do or fail to do any act in violation of applicable law.  The Company’s inability, pursuant to court order, to perform its obligations under this Agreement shall not constitute a breach of this Agreement.  The provisions of this Agreement shall be severable as provided in this Section 9.  If this Agreement or any portion hereof shall be invalidated on any ground by any court of competent jurisdiction, then the Company shall nevertheless indemnify Indemnitee to the full extent permitted by any applicable portion of this Agreement that shall not have been invalidated, and the balance of this Agreement not so invalidated shall be enforceable in accordance with its terms.

 

  

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10.           Exceptions.  Any other provision herein to the contrary notwithstanding, the Company shall not be obligated pursuant to the terms of this Agreement:

(a)  Claims Initiated by Indemnitee.  To indemnify or advance expenses to Indemnitee with respect to proceedings or claims initiated or brought voluntarily by Indemnitee and not by way of defense, except with respect to proceedings brought to establish or enforce a right to indemnification under this Agreement or any other statute or law or otherwise as required under the Delaware General Corporation Law, but such indemnification or  advancement of expenses may be provided by the Company in specific cases if the Board of Directors has approved the initiation or bringing of such suit; or

(b)  Lack of Good Faith.  To indemnify Indemnitee for any expenses incurred by the Indemnitee with respect to any proceeding instituted by Indemnitee to enforce or interpret this Agreement, if a court of competent jurisdiction determines that each of the material assertions made by the Indemnitee in such proceeding was not made in good faith or was frivolous; or

(c)  Insured Claims.  To indemnify Indemnitee for expenses or liabilities of any type whatsoever (including, but not limited to, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes or penalties, and amounts paid in settlement) which have been paid directly to or on behalf of Indemnitee by an insurance carrier under a policy of officers’ and directors’ liability insurance maintained by the Company; or

(d)  Claims Under Section 16(b).  To indemnify Indemnitee for expenses and the payment of profits arising from the purchase and sale by Indemnitee of securities in violation of Section 16(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or any similar successor statute or

(e)  Certain Matters.  To indemnify Indemnitee on account of any proceeding with respect to (i) remuneration paid to Indemnitee if it is determined by final judgment or other final adjudication that such remuneration was in violation of law, (ii) which it is determined by final judgment or other final adjudication that the Imdemnitee’s conduct was knowingly fraudulent or dishonest or constituted willful misconduct, or (iii) which it is determined by final judgment or other final adjudication by a court having jurisdiction in the matter that such indemnification is not lawful.

 

  

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11.           Construction of Certain Phrases.

(a)  For purposes of this Agreement, references to the “Company” shall include, in addition to the resulting corporation, any constituent corporation (including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or merger which, if its separate existence had continued, would have had power and authority to indemnify its directors, officers, and employees or agents, so that if Indemnitee is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of such constituent corporation, or is or was serving at the request of such constituent corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, Indemnitee shall stand in the same position under the provisions of this Agreement with respect to the resulting or surviving corporation as Indemnitee would have with respect to such constituent corporation if its separate existence had continued.

(b)  For purposes of this Agreement, the term “Expenses” shall include all reasonable attorneys’ fees, retainers, court costs, transcript costs, fees of experts, witness fees, travel expenses, duplicating costs, printing and binding costs, telephone charges, postage, delivery service fees and all other disbursements or expenses of the types customarily incurred in connection with prosecuting, defending, preparing to prosecute or defend, investigating, participating, or being or preparing to be a witness in a Proceeding.  Expenses also shall include Expenses incurred in connection with any appeal resulting from any Proceeding, including without limitation the premium, security for, and other costs relating to any cost bond, supersede as bond, or other appeal bond or its equivalent.  Expenses, however, shall not include amounts paid in settlement by Indemnitee or the amount of judgments or fines against Indemnitee.

(c)  For purposes of this Agreement, the term “Proceeding” shall include any threatened, pending or completed action, suit, arbitration, alternate dispute resolution mechanism, investigation, inquiry, administrative hearing or any other actual, threatened or completed proceeding, whether brought by or in the right of the Company or otherwise and whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, in which Indemnitee was, is or will be involved as a party or otherwise, by reason of the fact that Indemnitee is or was an officer or director of the Company, by reason of any action taken by him or of any inaction on his part while acting as an officer or director of the Company, or by reason of the fact that he is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee, agent or fiduciary of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise; in each case whether or not he is acting or serving in any such capacity at the time any liability or expense is incurred for which indemnification can be provided under this Agreement, including one pending on or before the date of this Agreement, but excluding one initiated by Indemnitee to enforce his rights under this Agreement.

(d)  For purposes of this Agreement, references to “other enterprise” shall include employee benefit plans; references to “fines” shall include any excise taxes assessed on Indemnitee with respect to an employee benefit plan; and  references to “serving at the request of the Company” shall include any service as a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company which imposes duties on, or involves services by, such director, officer, employee or agent with respect to an employee benefit plan, its participants, or beneficiaries; and if Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in the interest of the participants and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan, Indemnitee shall be deemed to have acted in a manner “not opposed to the best interests of the Company” as referred to in this Agreement.

 

12.           Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original.

 

  

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13.           Successors and Assigns.  This Agreement shall be binding upon the Company and its successors and assigns, and shall inure to the benefit of Indemnitee and Indemnitee’s estate, heirs, legal representatives and permitted assigns.

14.           Attorneys’ Fees.  In the event that any action is instituted by Indemnitee under this Agreement to enforce or interpret any of the terms hereof, Indemnitee shall be entitled to be paid all court costs and expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, incurred by Indemnitee with respect to such action, unless as a part of such action, the court of competent jurisdiction determines that each of the material assertions made by Indemnitee as a basis for such action were not made in good faith or were frivolous.  In the event of an action instituted by or in the name of the Company under this Agreement or to enforce or interpret any of the terms of this Agreement, Indemnitee shall be entitled to be paid all court costs and expenses, including attorneys’ fees, incurred by Indemnitee in defense of such action (including with respect to Indemnitee’s counterclaims and cross-claims made in such action), unless as a part of such action the court determines that each of Indemnitee’s material defenses to such action were made in bad faith or were frivolous.

15.           Notice.  All notices, requests, demands and other communications under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed duly given (i) if delivered by hand and receipted for by the party addressee, or by email or by facsimile, on the date of such receipt, or (ii) if mailed by domestic certified or registered mail with postage prepaid, on the third business day after the date postmarked.  Addresses for notice to either party are as shown on the signature page of this Agreement, or as subsequently modified by written notice.

16.           Consent to Jurisdiction.  The Company and Indemnitee each hereby irrevocably consent to the jurisdiction of the courts of the State of Delaware for all purposes in connection with any action or proceeding which arises out of or relates to this Agreement and agree that any action instituted under this Agreement shall be brought only in the state courts of the State of Delaware.

17.           Choice of Law.  This Agreement shall be governed by and its provisions construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to the conflict of law principles thereof.

18.           Period of Limitations.  No legal action shall be brought and no cause of action shall be asserted by or in the right of the Company against Indemnitee, Indemnitee’s estate, spouse, heirs, executors or personal or legal representatives after the expiration of one year from the date of accrual of such cause of action, and any claim or cause of action of the Company shall be extinguished and deemed released unless asserted by the timely filing of a legal action within such one-year period; provided, however, that if any shorter period of limitations is otherwise applicable to any such cause of action, such shorter period shall govern.

19.           Subrogation.  In the event of payment under this Agreement, the Company shall be subrogated to the extent of such payment to all of the rights of recovery of Indemnitee, who shall execute all documents required and shall do all acts that may be necessary to secure such rights and to enable the Company effectively to bring suit to enforce such rights.

  

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20.           Amendment and Termination.  No amendment, modification, termination or cancellation of this Agreement shall be effective unless it is in writing signed by both the parties hereto.  No waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed or shall constitute a waiver of any other provisions hereof (whether or not similar) nor shall such waiver constitute a continuing waiver.

21.           Integration and Entire Agreement.  This Agreement sets forth the entire understanding between the parties hereto and supersedes and merges all previous written and oral negotiations, commitments, understandings and agreements relating to the subject matter hereof between the parties hereto.

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

 

	
COMPANY:

	 	
INDEMNITEE:

	  	  	 	  
	
Ante5, Inc., a Delaware corporation

	 	 
	  	  	 	  
	  	  	 	  
	  	  	 	  
	
By

	 	 	
 

	  	  	 	
 

	  	  	 	  
	  	  	 	  
	
Address:

	 	
Address:

	  	
10275 Wayzata Blvd. Suite 310

	 	
 

	  	
Minnetonka, MN 55305

	 	
 

 -9-ex10_1.htm

Exhibit 10.1

 

TRANSLATED FROM THE ORIGINAL MANDARIN

Oil Resource Exploration and Development Contract

Jianyuan Contract [2010] No.01

Party A: Sunite Right Banner Jianyuan Mining Co. Ltd

Party B: Sunite Right Banner Shengyuan Oil and Gas Technology Development Co., Ltd

(Original Name: Sunite Right Banner Shengyuan Trading Co., ltd)

(No.7 Exploration and Construction Team)

Place:Sunite Right Banner Oil Development Management Team

Date:Jan 28, 2010

 

 

 

  

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This Contract arises from the Joint Exploration and Development of Oil Resources Contract (Jianyuan contract [2009] [**]) between Sunite Right Banner Jianyuan Mining Co. Ltd. and Sunite Right Banner Shengyuan Trading Co. Ltd. dated July 18, 2009. Sunite Right Banner Shengyuan Trading Company changed its name to Sunite Right Banner Shengyuan Oil and Gas Technology Development Co., Ltd., to undertake the rights and obligations under the original contract. Other than the change in the name of Party B, the name of the Contact person and the date of the Agreement, all of the terms of the original agreement remain the same and the original agreement is hereby terminated.

 

Pursuant to the Oil and Gas Exploration Development Contract between Party A and the Yanchang Oilfield Administration, Party A has the right to explore and develop oil resources in Sunite Right Banner domestic oilfields under exploration permit number: [**]. Pursuant to the approval of the government of Sunite Right Banner, (Sunite You Zheng [2009] No. [**]), Party A has the right to jointly explore and develop the oilfield through joint ventures with a third party. Party B volunteered to invest in the oil and gas venture exploration and development after investigating the resources in the Durimu Area. In order to clarify the rights and obligations of both parties, Party A and Party B have reached the following terms upon mutual consent,

 

I.             The Content of Cooperation

 

	
(1)

	
Project content:  Party A and Party B agree to cooperate to conduct risk exploration and development within the exploration area designated by Party A. Party B shall provide the capital for the foregoing.

 

	
(2)

	
Exploration Area: 174.64 square kilometers

 

	
(3)

	
Regional coordinates: [**]

 

II.            Cooperation Pattern

 

Party A and Party B shall cooperate in the oil exploration in the oilfield designated by Party A with capital provided by Party B. Party B shall be responsible for all of the costs and bear all of the exploration risk. Party A and Party B shall distribute the income according to the terms of this contract.

 

 

 

[**] Certain information on this page has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

  

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III.           Contract Term

 

	
(1)

	
The Term of this Agreement is from January 28th 2010 through January 28th 2035, a total of 25 years. Upon the expiration of this Agreement, Party A agrees that Party B has the right of first refusal to request a further extension of the Agreement under identical terms.

 

	
(2)

	
Upon execution of the Agreement, Party B must start the exploration work in the oilfield before August 1st 2010, or Party A has the right to unconditionally withdraw the oilfield without compensation to Party B.

 

IV.           Agreement for Revenues and Distribution of Fees

 

	
(1)

	
The Parties shall distribute income from crude oil production as follows: Party A is entitled to 25% of the production, while Party B is entitled to 75% of the production (Party B’s exploration, production and administration costs will be included and will not be calculated separately).

 

	
(2)

	
Party B shall pay 1) RMB [**] per square kilometer as the oil resource developing surcharge, and 2) and a one-time payment of RMB [**] per year per square kilometer for a 2-year Exploration Royalty and Administration fee. (Total of RMB[**])

 

	
(3)

	
Party B shall provide the results of comprehensive geological information to Party A free of charge.

 

	
(4)

	
Party B shall pay tax and surcharge fees to the Sunite Right Banner Tax Administration Authority pursuant to applicable state laws and regulations. (Note: the parties shall be separately responsible for their own tax obligation in connection with their respective oil revenue distribution)

 

	
(5)

	
The local government shall determine the sales channel of the crude oil in accordance with state channels.

 

V.           Agreement of the Crude Oil Sale.

 

Party B shall be entitled to 75% of the production revenues, and Party A shall be entitled to 25%. 75% of the taxes shall be paid by Party B, and 25% by Party A.

 

VI.          Party A's Rights and Obligations

 

	
(1)

	
Party A has the right to monitor the process of exploration and development at all stages, and make site inspections to confirm the production reported by Party B.  Party B shall bear responsibility for any issues and compensate Party A accordingly.

 

	
(2)

	
Party A and Yanchang Oilfield Holding Ltd. are responsible for the technical support to the oilfield.

 

	
(3)

	
Party A shall assist Party B to coordinate with local herders, and related government departments to maintain good relationships.

 

[**] Certain information on this page has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

  

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VII.         Party B’s Rights and Obligations

 

	
(1)

	
Party B shall develop the resources with scientific planning, protecting the environment and ecology, and consistent with sustainable development principles.

 

	
(2)

	
Party B may do risk exploration in the oilfield and enjoy the oil exploration benefits.

 

	
(3)

	
Party B shall provide an annual exploration plan, oil development onsite emergency plan and single well geological engineering design reports to Party A. All the reports shall be subject to Party A’s approval before implementation. Party B has the right to determine the number of wells to be drilled in accordance with the oilfield exploration and development plan and report.  Party B’s annual investment contribution shall be no less than 10 million RMB each year.

 

	
(4)

	
Party B shall respect the local customs, manage relationships with local herders, and compensate the herders in accordance with applicable law.

 

	
(5)

	
All the geophysical prospecting and drilling exploration are subject to the approval of Party A and shall be implemented in accordance with procedures established by Party A. Party B shall provide timely and accurate reports for various statements (statements attached). Especially for a new well, Party B shall provide two copies of well completion reports within seven days of completion of drilling the well or Party A shall have the right to refuse to approve the drilling of new well.

 

	
(6)

	
Party B shall pay attention to safety management in the construction process, issue sound safety contingency plans and enhance security supervision. In addition, Party B shall be fully responsible for all economic compensation and legal obligations if accidents occur in the construction.

 

	
(7)

	
Party B is responsible for fire prevention work, and shall strictly adhere to all necessary fire prevention measures in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. If accidents, such as fire, happen, Party B shall take full responsibility and compensate Party A for all losses incurred.

 

	
(8)

	
Party B must comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the Sunite Banner local committee, the government and oil development Sunite Right Banner management team.

 

VIII.       Responsibility for Breach of Contract

 

	
(1)

	
Party B shall bear all economic losses and legal proceedings caused by exploration outside the area designated in this Agreement.

 

	
(2)

	
If Party B breaches Article VII(3) of this Agreement which requires an annual exploration investment of not less than RMB10 million, Party A has the right to withdraw the oilfield unconditionally and without compensation to Party B.

 

Both Parties must distribute revenues in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.  If any Party takes advantage and harms the other Party by using misleading information or advanced technologies, the breaching party shall compensate for all losses, plus a penalty of 30% of the loss to the other Party..

 

	
(3)

	
Party B shall not change its legal corporate name or transfer all or part of its shares to any third party without the consent of Party A. If Party B withdraws from the exploration area without the consent of Party A, Party B shall pay Party A a penalty of RMB100,000, and be responsible for all lost profits of Party A.

 

  

4

  

 

	
(4)

	
Other than as a result of force majeure events (e.g., earthquake, typhoon, fire, flood and war) or changes in government policies or as agreed by both Parties, neither Party shall unilaterally terminate this Agreement, otherwise, the breaching Party shall compensate the other party for all losses.

 

	
(5)

	
Party B must comply with relevant government rules and regulations, otherwise, party B shall bear all the consequences, and Party A has the right to take back the oilfield.

 

IX.          Confidentiality

 

	
(1)

	
All the information obtained in the construction process shall be treated as confidential information and may only be shared between the Parties. Party B shall not disclose any information to a third party, and should not publish public pictures and books. All the technological achievements in the exploration process belong to Party B, and Party A has the duty of confidentiality.

 

	
(2)

	
Contacts and Statement Reports

 

In the terms of the contract, Xiaoqiang Zhang is assigned as the contact person for Party A, and Zhiyong Chen is assigned as the contact person for Party B. The duties of Contact persons:

 

	
  

	
·

	
Strengthen the contact and communications between the two Parties;

 

	
  

	
·

	
Communicate with the other party with respect to problems and difficulties;

 

	
  

	
·

	
Discuss resolutions for technical problems;

 

Notice of a unilateral change in contact person must be provided to the other party in writing. The responsible party shall bear the corresponding liability caused by the failure to so notify.

 

X.            Effectiveness of the Terms of the Agreement

 

The Agreement comes into effect after the Agreement is signed by the two Parties’ representatives (seal), the full amount set forth in the Fourth Clause of the Agreement has been paid by Party B, and a joint management account has been established.

 

  

5

  

 

XI.          Others

 

	
(1)

	
All disputes in connection with this Agreement or the execution thereof shall be firstly settled through negotiation. If both sides fail to reach a settlement after negotiations, such dispute shall be submitted to arbitration or to the oilfield court for legal action.

 

	
(2)

	
The two Parties shall sign a supplemental agreement for any issues not contained in this Agreement, and such supplemental agreement shall have the same effect as this Agreement.

 

This Agreement is in six copies, both parties herein holding three copies.

 

Party A(seal):Representative:

 

Party B(seal):Representative:

 

Signing location:  Sunite Right Banner Oil Exploration Management Community

 

Signing date: 1/28/2010

 

 

 

 

 

 6

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