Document:

Form of Performance Unit Award Agreement

 Exhibit 10.44 
 PERFORMANCE UNIT AWARD AGREEMENT 
 This instrument is issued as of the 19th day of January, 2006, by
ONEOK, Inc., an Oklahoma corporation, (hereinafter referred to as “Corporation”), to «Officer_Name» (hereinafter referred to as “Grantee”), an employee of the Corporation or a division or subsidiary
thereof, pursuant to the terms of the ONEOK, Inc. Equity Compensation Plan, effective February 17, 2005, (hereinafter referred to as the “Plan”). 
 1. Performance Unit Award. This instrument and that certain Notice of Performance Unit Award and Agreement, dated January 19, 2006, a copy of which is attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference
(the “Notice of Performance Unit Award and Agreement”), constitute evidence of the issuance and grant of a Performance Unit Award (hereinafter referred to as “Award”) of «No_of_Perf_Units» Performance
Units to the Grantee by the Corporation that shall entitle the Grantee to receive shares of the Corporation’s Common Stock (hereinafter also referred to as “Common Stock”) or cash, all pursuant and subject to the terms, provisions,
and conditions of this instrument (including, without limitation, the conditions, restrictions and limitations stated in paragraph 5, below) and the terms and provisions of the Plan, which are incorporated herein by reference. This instrument, when
executed by the Grantee, together with the Notice of Performance Unit Award and Agreement constitute an agreement between the Corporation and the Grantee. Notwithstanding the foregoing, should there be any inconsistency between the provisions of
this instrument and the terms and provisions of the Award stated in the resolutions and records of the Board of Directors of the Corporation providing for the Award or provisions of the Plan, the provisions of such resolutions and records and of the
Plan shall control. The grant of such Performance Units to the Grantee shall be effective in the manner and to the extent provided in this instrument and the Plan as to all or any part of the shares of Common Stock subject to the grant from time to
time during the period stated herein. 
 2. Plan. The Award is made to the Grantee pursuant to the terms and provisions of the Plan,
as approved by the Shareholders of the Corporation, which Plan provides that a specific aggregate number of shares of Common Stock of the Corporation may be issued or transferred pursuant to Stock Incentives under the Plan. The Plan specifies the
authority of the Corporation, its Board of Directors, and a committee of the Board of Directors to select employees to be granted Stock Incentives under the Plan. The Executive Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors (hereinafter referred
to as the “Committee”) is authorized to administer the Plan with respect to this instrument and the grant of the Award made to the Grantee pursuant to the Plan. Except where expressly stated or clearly indicated otherwise by the terms of
this instrument, all terms, words and phrases used herein shall have the same meaning and effect as stated in the Plan. The Grantee has been provided a complete copy of the Plan with this instrument. 
 3. Grantee’s Agreement Concerning Award and Employment. In consideration of the Corporation’s granting of the Award of Performance Units
and entitlement to shares of Common Stock, as incentive compensation to Grantee pursuant to this instrument, the Grantee, by acceptance thereof, and signing this instrument evidencing its terms, agrees to such terms and to continue to contribute and
perform service in the employ of the Corporation or a division or subsidiary thereof at the direction, will and pleasure of the Corporation and the Board of 
  

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 Directors. Provided, however, neither the foregoing agreement of the Grantee in this paragraph 3, nor any other provision
in this instrument shall confer on the Grantee any right to continue in the employ of the Corporation (or a division or Subsidiary thereof), or interfere in any way with the right of the Corporation (or such division or Subsidiary) to terminate the
Grantee’s employment at any time. 
 4. Registration of Stock; Grantee’s Representation With Respect To Acquiring for
Investment. It is intended by the Corporation that the Plan and the shares of Common Stock covered by the Award issued and granted to the Grantee referred to in paragraph 1, above, are to be registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, prior to the date of the grant; provided, that in the event such registration is for any reason not made effective for such shares, the Grantee agrees, for the Grantee, and for the Grantee’s permissible assignees, heirs and legal
representatives by inheritance or bequest, that all shares acquired pursuant to the grant will be acquired for investment and not with a view to, or for sale or tender in connection with the distribution of any part thereof, including any transfer
or distribution of such shares by the Grantee pursuant to the grant and this instrument or as otherwise allowed by the Plan. 
 5. Terms
and Conditions of Award; Transfer of Stock to Grantee. The issue and grant of the Award of Performance Units to the Grantee stated in paragraph 1, above, shall be subject to the following terms and conditions: 
 (a) The right to ownership and transfer of the Performance Units granted to the Grantee shall be subject to the Award during the period beginning
January 19, 2006, the date of the grant thereof (hereinafter referred to as “Grant Date”) and ending on January 19, 2009, (which period is hereinafter referred to as “Performance Period”), as herein provided.

 (b) The Grantee shall earn and become entitled to receive a percentage of the number of Performance Units granted under paragraph 1,
above, at the expiration of the Performance Period as provided for in Table A and Table B, attached hereto, based upon the Corporation’s ranking for Total Stockholder Return in the ONEOK Peer Group listed in Table C attached hereto, all as
determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion. 
 (c) Upon expiration of the Performance Period, the Grantee shall be entitled to
receive one (1) share of Common Stock for each Performance Unit that becomes earned by and vested in the Grantee pursuant to the Award; provided, no fractional shares shall be issued and any fractional shall be paid to the Grantee in cash.

 (d) The Grantee shall not be entitled to vote any shares of Common Stock of the Corporation, or otherwise have any right or interest as a
Common Stock shareholder by reason of the Performance Unit Award granted under the Award during the Performance Period, and prior to the actual transfer of Common Stock to the Grantee pursuant to the Award. 
 (e) No dividends or any similar amounts shall be payable or paid with respect to Performance Units, Common Stock earned under the Award, or the Award
during or for the Performance Period. 
  

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 (f) The Grantee shall have no right to receive cash or acquire shares of Common Stock of the Corporation
under the Award other than the cash and Common Stock attributable to the Performance Units earned by the Grantee to the extent provided for herein. 
 (g) The Common Stock or cash to which the Grantee becomes entitled shall be paid and transferred to the Grantee only upon the determination of the Performance Units earned by the Grantee at the expiration of the Performance Period. The
payment and transfer of such Common Stock or cash to the Grantee shall be made as soon as reasonably practicable after the expiration of the Performance Period, as determined and directed by the Committee, in its sole discretion. 
 (h) The Performance Units or any Common Stock or cash to be paid or transferred to Grantee pursuant to the Award may not be sold, assigned, transferred,
pledged, encumbered or otherwise disposed of by Grantee or any other person except as provided in the Award and the Plan until the expiration of the Performance Period and payment and transfer of Common Stock or cash pursuant to the Agreement and
Plan. 
 (i) The Grantee shall become entitled to receive Performance Units earned, and shall become owner of the shares of Common Stock or
cash paid and transferred to the Grantee pursuant to the Award free and clear of all terms, conditions and restrictions imposed by the Award if the Grantee’s employment by the Corporation does not terminate during the Performance Period;
provided, that the Grantee shall become entitled to a prorated amount of Performance Units and the terms and conditions imposed by the Award shall partially cease to apply in certain events to the extent described in paragraph 6(d), below.

 (j) If the Grantee’s employment with the Corporation (or a division or Subsidiary thereof) terminates prior to the end of the
Performance Period other than by reason of retirement, Total Disability or death, the Grantee shall forfeit all of the Grantee’s right, title or interest in the Performance Units; and the Grantee shall forfeit such right, title and interest in
the Performance Units regardless of the reason for such termination of employment. Any such termination of employment of the Grantee described in the preceding sentence shall not be deemed to occur by reason of transfer of employment of the Grantee
by or between the Corporation and any division or Subsidiary of the Corporation. Upon a forfeiture the Performance Units forfeited shall be cancelled for all purposes. 
 6. Transferability of Performance Units; Termination of Employment. 
 (a) Except as provided in
subparagraph (b) of this paragraph 6, below, the Award, the Grantee’s rights and obligations hereunder and the Performance Units granted hereunder shall not be transferable by the Grantee otherwise than by will or the laws of descent and
distribution which apply to the Grantee’s estate. 
 (b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Grantee may transfer any part or all of the
Grantee’s rights in and to the Performance Units to members of the Grantee’s immediate family, or to one or more trusts for the benefit of such immediate family members, or partnerships in which such immediate family members are the only
partners if the Grantee does 
  

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 not receive any consideration for the transfer. In the event of any such transfer, Performance Units shall continue to be
subject to the same terms and conditions otherwise applicable hereunder and under the Plan immediately prior to its transfer, except that this stock shall not be further transferable by the transferee inter vivos, except for transfer back to
the original Grantee. For any such transfer to be effective, the Grantee must provide prior written notice thereof to the Committee, unless otherwise authorized and approved by the Committee, in its sole discretion; and the Grantee shall furnish to
the Committee such information as it may request with respect to the transferee and the terms and conditions of any such transfer. For purposes of transfer of this grant under this subparagraph (b), “immediate family” shall mean the
Grantee’s spouse, children and grandchildren. 
 (c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary expressed or implied herein (including
without limitation, the restrictions stated in paragraph 5, above, applicable to the Performance Units), all rights and interest of the Grantee in the Performance Units shall become invalid and wholly terminated and forfeited upon the termination of
the Grantee’s employment with the Corporation (or a division or Subsidiary), during the Performance Period other than a termination by reason of retirement, Total Disability or death of the Grantee. 
 (d) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions, in the event of termination of the Grantee’s employment with the Corporation (or a division or
Subsidiary) during the Performance Period by reason of (i) the retirement of the Grantee, (ii) the Total Disability of the Grantee, or (iii) the Grantee’s death while still employed by the Corporation (or a division or
Subsidiary), then an adjusted and prorated entitlement to Performance Units shall be allowed as provided in this paragraph 6(d). The Grantee shall become vested in and entitled receive, in the event of any such retirement or Total Disability, and
the legatees, or personal representatives or heirs of the Grantee shall be vested in and entitled to receive, in the event of the Grantee’s death, a prorated award of Performance Units earned in the Performance Period following such retirement,
Total Disability or death. The award shall be a prorated amount of Performance Units equal to the total of Performance Units earned under the Award at the end of the Performance Period for the Grantee, multiplied by a fraction of which the numerator
shall be the number of full months which have elapsed under the Performance Period at the time of such termination of employment by reason of retirement, Total Disability or death, and the denominator of which shall be the total number of months in
the Performance Period. The Grantee, or personal representatives or heirs of the Grantee, as the case may be, shall become entitled to receive such prorated award at the expiration of the Performance Period and following application of the
performance criteria as provided in the Award and determined by the Committee. 
 (e) The Grantee may designate a Beneficiary to receive any
rights of the Grantee which may become vested in the event of the death of the Grantee under procedures and in the form established by the Committee; and in the absence of such designation of a Beneficiary, any such rights shall be deemed to be
transferred to the estate of the Grantee. 
  

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 (f) For purposes of the Award and this instrument, “Total Disability” shall mean that the
Grantee is permanently and totally disabled and unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of a 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 twelve (12) months, and has established such disability to the extent and in the manner and form as may be required under the provisions of Section 22(e) of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended (or corresponding section of any future federal tax code), and regulations thereunder. 
 7. Administration of
Performance Unit Award. The grant of the Award shall be subject to such other rules and requirements as the Committee, in its sole discretion, may determine to be appropriate with respect to administration thereof and the terms and conditions
made applicable to the Grantee and the Performance Units during the Performance Period. The Award, this instrument, and the rights and obligations of the parties thereto shall be subject to interpretation and construction by the Committee to the
same extent and with the same effect as the Committee actions under pertinent provisions of the Plan. The Grantee shall take all actions and execute and deliver all documents as may from time to time be requested by the Committee in connection with
such restrictions and in furtherance hereof. The Grantee agrees to pay to the Corporation any applicable federal, state, or local income, employment, social security, medicare, or other withholding tax obligation arising in connection with the grant
of the Award to the Grantee; and the Corporation shall have the right, without the Grantee’s prior approval or direction, to satisfy such withholding tax by withholding all or any part of the shares of Common Stock or cash that would otherwise
be paid and transferred to the Grantee, with any shares of Common Stock so withheld to be valued at the Fair Market Value (as defined in the Plan) on the date of such withholding. The Grantee, with the consent of the Corporation, may satisfy such
withholding tax by delivery and transfer to the Corporation of shares of Common Stock previously owned by the Grantee, with any shares so delivered and transferred to be valued at the Fair Market Value on the date of such delivery. 
 8. Adjustment Provisions. It is understood that, prior to the expiration of the Performance Period certain changes in capitalization of the
Corporation may occur. It is, therefore, understood and agreed with respect to changes in capitalization that: 
 (a) If a stock dividend is
declared on the Common Stock of the Corporation, there shall be added to the number of Performance Units provided for under the Award and stated in paragraph 1 of this instrument, the number of Performance Units equal to the number of Performance
Units which would have been granted to the Grantee had the Grantee been the fully vested and unrestricted owner of the number of Performance Units then provided for under the Award granted, but not theretofore received without restriction; provided,
however, that the additional Performance Units shall be subject to all terms and provisions of this instrument (including, without limitation, the terms and conditions stated in paragraph 5, above), and in making such adjustments, no fractional
units, shares, or scrip certificates in lieu thereof, shall be granted or issuable by the Corporation, and the Grantee shall be entitled to only the number of full Performance Units to which the Grantee may be entitled by reason of such adjustment
at the adjusted grant. 
  

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 (b) In the event of an increase in the outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Corporation, effectuated
for the purpose of acquiring properties or securities of another corporation or business enterprise, there shall be no increase in the number of Performance Units which are the subject matter of the Award under this instrument as a result of such
acquisition. 
 (c) In the event of an increase or decrease in the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Corporation through
recapitalization, reclassification, stock split-ups, consolidation of shares, changes in par value and the like, an appropriate adjustment shall be made in the number of Performance Units provided for under the Award and stated in Section 1 of
this instrument, by increasing or decreasing the number of Performance Units, as may be required to enable the Grantee to acquire the same proportionate stockholdings as the grant of the Award would originally have provided. Provided, however, that
any additional Performance Units shall be subject to all terms and provisions of this instrument (including, without limitation, the restrictions stated in paragraph 5, above), and that in making such adjustments, no fractional Performance Units
shall be awarded, and the Grantee shall be entitled to receive only the number of full Performance Units to which the Grantee may be entitled by reason of such adjustment. 
 (d) Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary stated herein, to the extent Performance Units are still not vested in Grantee at the time of a Change
in Control with respect to the Corporation, then pursuant to the provisions of the Plan, they shall become fully vested and completely free and clear of any conditions or restrictions stated herein at that time; provided, that if such Change in
Control occurs less than six (6) months after the date of the grant of the Award hereunder to the Grantee, then Performance Units shall become fully vested and completely free and clear of any conditions or restrictions stated herein at the
time of such Change in Control only if the Grantee agrees in writing, if requested by the Corporation in writing, to remain in the employ of the Corporation or a division or subsidiary of the Corporation at least through the date which is six
(6) months after the date the grant was made with substantially the same title, duties, authority, reporting relationships, and compensation as on the day immediately preceding the Change in Control. The provisions of this subparagraph
(d) shall be applied in addition to, and shall not reduce, modify, or change any other obligation or right of the Grantee otherwise provided for in paragraph 3, above, concerning the Grantee’s continued employment with the Corporation or
the termination thereof. If the Performance Units become subject to this subparagraph (d), they shall become fully vested in the Grantee and nonforfeitable. The Performance Units are subject to the provisions of the Plan authorizing the Corporation,
or a committee of its Board of Directors, to provide in advance or at the time of a Change in Control for cash to be paid in actual settlement of the shares of Common Stock for earned Performance Units, all subject to such terms and conditions as
the Corporation or the Committee, in its sole discretion, may determine and impose. For purposes of this subparagraph (d), the term “Change in Control” shall have the same meaning as provided in the definition of that term stated in the
Plan, including any amendments thereof which may be made from time to time in the future pursuant to the provisions of the Plan, with any amended definition of such term to apply to all events thereafter coming within the amended meaning.

  

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 9. Stock Reserved. The Corporation shall at all times during the term of the Award reserve and
keep available such number of shares of its Common Stock as will be sufficient to satisfy the Award issued and granted to Grantee and the requirements thereof as evidenced by this instrument, and shall pay all original issue taxes, if any, on the
transfer of Common Stock to the Grantee, and all other fees and expenses necessarily incurred by the Corporation in connection therewith. 
 10. Rights of Shareholder. Except as otherwise provided in the Award and this instrument, the Grantee shall have no rights as a shareholder of the Corporation in respect of the Performance Units or Common Stock for which the Award is
granted; and the Grantee shall not be considered or treated as a record owner of shares with respect to the Common Stock until the Performance Units are fully vested and no longer subject to any of the conditions, performance requirements, or
restrictions imposed under the Award, and Common Stock is actually issued and transferred to the Grantee. 
 11. Entire Agreement.
This instrument contains the entire terms of the Award, and may not be changed orally or other than by a written instrument issued and approved by the Corporation pursuant to the Plan. This instrument supersedes any agreements or understandings that
may previously have existed, and there are no other agreements or understandings, relating to its subject matter. 
 12. Successors and
Assigns. The Award shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the heirs, legatees, legal representatives, successors, and assigns of the parties thereto. 
 The Grantee hereby acknowledges receipt of this instrument, the Notice of Performance Unit Award and a copy of the Plan, and accepts the Award under the terms and conditions stated in this instrument, subject to all
terms and provisions of the Plan, by signing this instrument in duplicate originals, as of the date first above written. 
  

					
	  
	 		  	  

	 Date
	 		  	«Officer_Name»
		 		  	Grantee

  

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 Table A 
 Performance Units Criteria 
 2006-2009 Performance Period 
 Total Stockholder Return (TSR):vs. ONEOK Peer Group 
  

			
	 ONEOK TSR Ranking vs.
 ONEOK Peer Group
	  	Percentage of
Performance Units Earned
	 90th percentile and above
	  	200%
	 75th
– 89th percentile
	  	150%
	 50th
– 74th percentile
	  	100%
	 30th
– 49th percentile
	  	50%
	 29th
percentile and below
	  	0%

 Table B 
 Illustration of Hypothetical 2006-2009 Performance Period 
 Performance Unit Award Calculation 
 Illustration assumes 1,000 Performance Units Granted in January 2006 
 Total Stockholder Return (TSR) vs. ONEOK Peer Group 
 Hypothetical 2006-2009 ONEOK TSR Ranking =
40th percentile 
 A 40th percentile TSR ranking earns 50% (from Table A) 
 of PUs granted (i.e., 1,000 units) – 500 units earned 
 Total Performance Units Earned     
 TR             500 Performance Units 
 500 performance units earned out of 1,000 units
granted = 50.0% “earn-out” [50% (500 shares) paid and distributed in the form of Common Stock as provided in section 5.c.] 

 Table C 
 ONEOK PEER GROUP – 2006 
  

			
	 Company Name
	  	Sym
	 AGL Resources Inc.
	  	ATG
		
	 ATMOS Energy
	  	ATO
		
	 CenterPoint Energy
	  	CNP
		
	 Enbridge
	  	ENB
		
	 KeySpan Energy Inc (Brooklyn Union)
	  	KSE
		
	 Kinder Morgan
	  	KMI
		
	 MDU Resources
	  	MDU
		
	 National Fuel Gas Company
	  	NFG
		
	 New Jersey Resources
	  	NJR
		
	 NICOR Inc.
	  	GAS
		
	 NiSource
	  	NI
		
	 ONEOK, Inc.
	  	OKE
		
	 Peoples Energy Corporation
	  	PGL
		
	 Piedmont Natural Gas Company
	  	PNY
		
	 SEMPRA (Pacific Enterprises & ENOVA)
	  	SRE
		
	 Southern Union
	  	SUG
		
	 Southwest Gas Corporation
	  	SWX
		
	 UGI Corporation
	  	UGI
		
	 Vectren
	  	VVC
		
	 Washington Gas Light Company
	  	WGL
		
	 Wisconsin Energy Corp
	  	WECSummary of Director's Compensation Benefits

 EXHIBIT 10.08 
  
 SUMMARY OF DIRECTOR COMPENSATION BENEFITS 
  
 EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 1, 2005 
  
 CASH COMPENSATION 
  

	 	1.	Each director shall receive an annual retainer of $37,500. 

  

	 	2.	Directors who serve on the Compensation or Audit Committees will receive and additional annual retainer of $20,000. Directors who serve on committees other than the Compensation or
Audit Committees will receive an additional annual retainer of $10,000. 

  

	 	3.	Compensation and Audit Committee Chairpersons will receive an additional annual retainer of $10,000. The additional annual retainer for Chairperson positions on committees other
than the Compensation or Audit Committees will be $5,000. 

  

	 	4.	The Director who serves as the Lead Independent Director will receive an additional retainer of $10,000 per quarter. 

  

	 	5.	There will be no meeting fees for director attendance of the five scheduled Board meetings per year. For each Special Meeting of the Board called pursuant to proper notice, in
person or by telephone, beyond the five scheduled Board meetings per year, each director in attendance will receive a meeting fee of $2,000. There will be no meeting fees for any special committee meetings. 

  
 STOCK OPTIONS 
  

	 	1.	Upon election as a director, the director shall receive a stock option grant of 25,000 shares (an “Initial Grant”) in accordance to the Company’s 1998
Directors Stock Option Plan (the “Directors Plan”). 

  

	 	2.	Each director will receive an annual refresh option grant of 12,500 shares in accordance to the Directors Plan (a “Succeeding Grant”) on the anniversary of
the Initial grant (or most recent grant if such director did not receive an Initial Grant), so long as such director has served continuously as a member of the Board of Directors since the date of the Initial Grant (or most recent grant if such
director did not receive an Initial Grant). 

  

	 	3.	The exercise price of any option granted under the Directors Plan shall be 100% of the fair market value of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant.

  

	 	4.	All options granted under the Directors Plan will vest as to 6.25% of the shares each quarter after the date of grant, provided the optionee continues as a director or, if the
Company so specifies in the grant, as a consultant of the Company.

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