Document:

Exhibit 10.23

Exhibit 10.23

REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

Registration Rights Agreement (the “Agreement”), dated as of June 28, 2005, by and between EGPI Firecreek, Inc., a corporation organized under the laws of State of Nevada, with its principal executive office at, 6564 Smoke Tree Lane, Scottsdale, AZ 85253 (the “Company”), and Dutchess Private Equities Fund, II, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership with its principal office at 312 Stuart Street, Boston, MA 02116 (the “Holder”).

Whereas, in connection with the Investment Agreement by and between the Company and the Investor of even date herewith (the “Investment Agreement”), the Company has agreed to issue and sell to the Investor an indeterminate number of shares of the Company’s Common Stock, $0.001 par value per share (the “Common Stock”), to be purchased pursuant to the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Investment Agreement; and 

Whereas, to induce the Investor to execute and deliver the Investment Agreement, the Company has agreed to provide certain registration rights under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder, or any similar successor statute (collectively, the “1933 Act”), and applicable state securities laws, with respect to the shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to the Investment Agreement.

Now therefore, in consideration of the foregoing premises and the mutual covenants contained hereinafter and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Company and the Investor hereby agree as follows: 

Section 1.  DEFINITIONS.

As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

“Execution Date” means the date first written above.

“Investor” means Dutchess Private Equities Fund, II, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership.

“Person” means a corporation, a limited liability company, an association, a partnership, an organization, a business, an individual, a governmental or political subdivision thereof or a governmental agency. 

“Potential Material Event” means any of the following: (i) the possession by the Company of material information not ripe for disclosure in a Registration Statement, which shall be evidenced by determinations in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company that disclosure of such information in the Registration Statement would be detrimental to the business and affairs of the Company, or (ii) any material engagement or activity by the Company which would, in the good faith determination of the Board of Directors of the Company, be adversely affected by disclosure in a Registration Statement at such time, which determination shall be accompanied by a good faith determination by the Board of Directors of the Company that the Registration Statement would be materially misleading absent the inclusion of such information.

“Principal Market” shall mean The American Stock Exchange, National Association of Securities Dealer’s, Inc. Over-the-Counter electronic bulletin board, the Nasdaq National Market or The Nasdaq SmallCap Market whichever is the principal market on which the Common Stock is listed. 

 

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“Register,” “Registered,” and “Registration” refer to a registration effected by preparing and filing one (1) or more Registration Statements in compliance with the 1933 Act and pursuant to Rule 415 under the 1933 Act or any successor rule providing for offering securities on a continuous basis (“Rule 415”), and the declaration or ordering of effectiveness of such Registration Statement(s) by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).

“Registrable Securities” means (i) the shares of Common Stock issued or issuable pursuant to the Investment Agreement, and (ii) any shares of capital stock issued or issuable with respect to such shares of Common Stock, if any, as a result of any stock split, stock dividend, recapitalization, exchange or similar event or otherwise, which have not been (x) included in a Registration Statement that has been declared effective by the SEC or (y) sold under circumstances meeting all of the applicable conditions of Rule 144 (or any similar provision then in force) under the 1933 Act.

“Registration Statement” means a registration statement of the Company filed under the 1933 Act covering the Registrable Securities.

All capitalized terms used in this Agreement and not otherwise defined herein shall have the same meaning ascribed to them as in the Investment Agreement. 

Section 2.  REGISTRATION.

(a)  On or before the execution of this Agreement, the Company shall have provided a draft of the Registration Statement covering the Registrable Securities to the Investor. The Company shall, as soon as practicable, but not later than thirty (30) calendar days following the Execution of this agreement, file with the SEC a Registration Statement or Registration Statements (as is necessary) on Form SB-2 (or, if such form is unavailable for such a registration, on such other form as is available for such a registration), covering the resale of all of the Registrable Securities, which Registration Statement(s) shall state that, in accordance with Rule 416 promulgated under the 1933 Act, such Registration Statement also covers such indeterminate number of additional shares of Common Stock as may become issuable upon stock splits, stock dividends or similar transactions.  The Company shall initially register for resale 526,315,789 shares of Common Stock which would be issuable on the date preceding the filing of the Registration Statement based on the closing bid price of the Company’s Common Stock on such date and the amount reasonably calculated that represents Common Stock issuable to other parties as set forth in the Investment Agreement except to the extent that the SEC requires the share amount to be reduced as a condition of effectiveness..

(b)  The Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to have the Registration Statement(s) declared effective by the SEC within ninety (90) calendar days after the Execution Date. 

(c)  The Company agrees not to include any other securities in the Registration Statement covering the Registrable Securities without Investor’s prior written consent which Investor may withhold in its sole discretion. Furthermore, the Company agrees that it will not file any other Registration Statement for other securities, until thirty calendar days after the Registration Statement for the Registrable Securities is declared effective by the SEC.

Section 3.  RELATED OBLIGATIONS.

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At such time as the Company is obligated to prepare and file a Registration Statement with the SEC pursuant to Section 2(a), the Company will effect the registration of the Registrable Securities in accordance with the intended method of disposition thereof and, with respect thereto, the Company shall have the following obligations:

(a)  The Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause such Registration Statement relating to the Registrable Securities to become effective within ninety (90) days after the Execution Date and shall keep such Registration Statement effective until the earlier to occur of (i) the date on which (A) the Investor shall have sold all the Registrable Securities; and (B) the Investor has no right to acquire any additional shares of Common Stock under the Investment Agreement (the “Registration Period”).  The Registration Statement (including any amendments or supplements thereto and prospectuses contained therein) shall not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein, or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances in which they were made, not misleading. The Company shall use its best efforts to respond to all SEC comments within seven (7) business days from receipt of such comments by the Company. The Company shall use its best efforts to cause the Registration Statement relating to the Registrable Securities to become effective no later than three (3) business days after notice from the SEC that the Registration Statement may be declared effective.  The Investor agrees to provide all information which it is required by law to provide to the Company, including the intended method of disposition of the Registrable Securities, and the Company’s obligations set forth above shall be conditioned on the receipt of such information.

(b)  The Company shall prepare and file with the SEC such amendments (including post-effective amendments) and supplements to a Registration Statement and the prospectus used in connection with such Registration Statement, which prospectus is to be filed pursuant to Rule 424 promulgated under the 1933 Act, as may be necessary to keep such Registration Statement effective during the Registration Period, and, during such period, comply with the provisions of the 1933 Act with respect to the disposition of all Registrable Securities of the Company covered by such Registration Statement until such time as all of such Registrable Securities shall have been disposed of in accordance with the intended methods of disposition by the Investor thereof as set forth in such Registration Statement.  In the event the number of shares of Common Stock covered by a Registration Statement filed pursuant to this Agreement is at any time insufficient to cover all of the Registrable Securities, the Company shall amend such Registration Statement, or file a new Registration Statement (on the short form available therefor, if applicable), or both, so as to cover all of the Registrable Securities, in each case, as soon as practicable, but in any event within thirty (30) calendar days after the necessity therefor arises (based on the then Purchase Price of the Common Stock and other relevant factors on which the Company reasonably elects to rely), assuming the Company has sufficient authorized shares at that time, and if it does not, within thirty (30) calendar days after such shares are authorized.  The Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause such amendment and/or new Registration Statement to become effective as soon as practicable following the filing thereof. 

(c)  The Company shall make available to the Investor whose Registrable Securities are included in any Registration Statement and its legal counsel without charge (i) promptly after the same is prepared and filed with the SEC at least one (1) copy of such Registration Statement and any amendment(s) thereto, including financial statements and schedules, all documents incorporated therein by reference and all exhibits, the prospectus included in such Registration Statement (including each preliminary prospectus) and, with regards to such Registration Statement(s), any correspondence by or on behalf of the Company to the SEC or the staff of the SEC and any correspondence from the SEC or the staff of the SEC to the Company or its representatives; (ii) upon the effectiveness of any Registration Statement, the Company shall make available copies of the prospectus, via EDGAR, included in such Registration Statement and 

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all amendments and supplements thereto; and (iii) such other documents, including copies of any preliminary or final prospectus, as the Investor may reasonably request from time to time in order to facilitate the disposition of the Registrable Securities.

 

(d)  The Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to (i) register and qualify the Registrable Securities covered by a Registration Statement under such other securities or “blue sky” laws of such states in the United States as any Investor reasonably requests; (ii) prepare and file in those jurisdictions, such amendments (including post-effective amendments) and supplements to such registrations and qualifications as may be necessary to maintain the effectiveness thereof during the Registration Period; (iii) take such other actions as may be necessary to maintain such registrations and qualifications in effect at all times during the Registration Period, and (iv) take all other actions reasonably necessary or advisable to qualify the Registrable Securities for sale in such jurisdictions; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required in connection therewith or as a condition thereto to (x) qualify to do business in any jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be required to qualify but for this Section 3(d), or (y) subject itself to general taxation in any such jurisdiction.  The Company shall promptly notify each Investor who holds Registrable Securities of the receipt by the Company of any notification with respect to the suspension of the registration or qualification of any of the Registrable Securities for sale under the securities or “blue sky” laws of any jurisdiction in the United States or its receipt of actual notice of the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for such purpose.

(e)  As promptly as practicable after becoming aware of such event, the Company shall notify Investor in writing of the happening of any event as a result of which the prospectus included in a Registration Statement, as then in effect, includes an untrue statement of a material fact or omission to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading (“Registration Default”) and use all diligent efforts to promptly prepare a supplement or amendment to such Registration Statement and take any other necessary steps to cure the Registration Default, (which, if such Registration Statement is on Form S-3, may consist of a document to be filed by the Company with the SEC pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the 1934 Act (as defined below) and to be incorporated by reference in the prospectus) to correct such untrue statement or omission, and make available copies of such supplement or amendment to each Investor. The Company shall also promptly notify Investor (i) when a prospectus or any prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment has been filed, and when a Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment has become effective (the Company will prepare notification of such effectiveness which shall be delivered to the Investor on the same day of such effectiveness and by overnight mail), additionally, the Company will promptly provide to the Investor, a copy of the effectiveness order prepared by the SEC once it is received by the Company; (ii) of any request by the SEC for amendments or supplements to a Registration Statement or related prospectus or related information, (iii) of the Company’s reasonable determination that a post-effective amendment to a Registration Statement would be appropriate, (iv) in the event the Registration Statement is no longer effective, or (v) if Registration Statement is stale as a result of the Company’s failure to timely file its financials or otherwise. The Company acknowledges that its failure to cure the Registration Default within ten (10) business days will cause the Investor to suffer damages in an amount that will be difficult to ascertain.  Accordingly, the parties agree that it is appropriate to include a provision for liquidated damages.  The parties acknowledge and agree that the liquidated damages provision set forth in this section represents the parties’ good faith effort to quantify such damages and, as such, agree that the form and amount of such liquidated damages are reasonable and will not constitute a penalty.  It is the intention of the parties that interest payable under any of the terms of this Agreement shall not exceed the maximum amount permitted under any applicable law. If a law, which applies to this Agreement which sets the maximum interest amount, is finally interpreted so that the interest in connection with this Agreement exceeds the permitted limits, then: (1) any such interest shall be reduced by the amount 

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necessary to reduce the interest to the permitted limit; and (2) any sums already collected (if any) from the Company which exceed the permitted limits will be refunded to the Company.  The Investor may choose to make this refund by reducing the amount that the Company owes under this Agreement or by making a direct payment to the Company.  If a refund reduces the amount that the Company owes the Investor, the reduction will be treated as a partial payment.  In case any provision of this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be excessive in scope or otherwise invalid or unenforceable, such provision shall be adjusted rather than voided, if possible, so that it is enforceable to the maximum extent possible, and the validity and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement will not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

(f)  The Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to prevent the issuance of any stop order or other  suspension of effectiveness of a Registration Statement, or the suspension of the qualification of any of the Registrable Securities for sale in any jurisdiction and, if such an order or suspension is issued,  to obtain the withdrawal of such order or suspension at the earliest possible moment and to notify the Investor who holds Registrable Securities being sold of the issuance of such order and the  resolution thereof or its receipt of actual notice of the initiation or threat of any proceeding for such  purpose.

(g)  The Company shall permit the Investor and one (1) legal counsel, designated by the Investor, to review and comment upon a Registration Statement and all amendments and supplements thereto at least seven (7) business days prior to their filing with the SEC, and not file any document in a form to which such counsel reasonably objects.  The Company may request to shorten the Investor’s review period and the Investor will, if possible, attempt to comply with the accelerated review period.  The Company shall not submit to the SEC a request for acceleration of the effectiveness of a Registration Statement or file with the SEC a Registration Statement or any amendment or supplement thereto without the prior approval of such counsel or the Investor, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld.   

(h)  At the request of the Investor, the Company shall cause to be furnished to Investor, on the date of the effectiveness of a Registration Statement, a legal opinion, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to Investor’s counsel, dated as of such date, of counsel representing the Company for purposes of such Registration Statement.   

(i)  The Company shall hold in confidence and not make any disclosure of information concerning a Investor provided to the Company unless (i) disclosure of such information is necessary to comply with federal or state securities laws, (ii) the disclosure of such information is necessary to avoid or correct a misstatement or omission in any Registration Statement, (iii) the release of such information is ordered pursuant to a subpoena or other final, non-appealable order from a court or governmental body of competent jurisdiction, or (iv) such information has been made generally available to the public other than by disclosure in violation of this Agreement or any other agreement.  The Company agrees that it shall, upon learning that disclosure of such information concerning a Investor is sought in or by a court or governmental body of competent jurisdiction or through other means, give prompt written notice to such Investor and allow such Investor, at the Investor’s expense, to undertake appropriate action to prevent disclosure of, or to obtain a protective order for, such information.

(j)  The Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to maintain designation and quotation of all the Registrable Securities covered by any Registration Statement on the Principal Market.  If, despite the Company’s best efforts, the Company is unsuccessful in satisfying the preceding sentence, it shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause all the Registrable Securities covered by any Registration Statement to be listed on each other national securities exchange and automated quotation system, if any, on which securities of the same class or series issued by the Company are then listed, if any, if the listing of such Registrable Securities is then permitted under the rules of such exchange or system.  The 

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Company shall pay all fees and expenses in connection with satisfying its obligation under this Section 3(j).

(k)  The Company shall cooperate with the Investor to facilitate the prompt preparation and delivery of certificates (not bearing any restrictive legend) representing the Registrable Securities to be offered pursuant to a Registration Statement and enable such certificates to be in such denominations or amounts, as the case may be, as the Investor may reasonably request.

(l)  The Company shall provide a transfer agent for all the Registrable Securities not later than the effective date of the first Registration Statement filed pursuant hereto.

(m)  If requested by the Investor, the Company shall (i) as soon as reasonably practical incorporate in a prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment such information as such Investor reasonably determines should be included therein relating to the sale and distribution of Registrable Securities, including, without limitation, information with respect to the offering of the Registrable Securities to be sold in such offering; (ii) make all required filings of such prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment as soon as reasonably possible after being notified of the matters to be incorporated in such prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment; and (iii) supplement or make amendments to any Registration Statement if reasonably requested by such Investor.

(n)  The Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Registrable Securities covered by the applicable Registration Statement to be registered with or approved by such other governmental agencies or authorities as may be necessary to consummate the disposition of such Registrable Securities.

(o)  The Company shall otherwise use commercially reasonable efforts to comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the SEC in connection with any registration hereunder.

(p)  Within one (1) business day after the Registration Statement which includes Registrable Securities is declared effective by the SEC, the Company shall deliver to the transfer agent for such Registrable Securities, with copies to the Investor, confirmation that such Registration Statement has been declared effective by the SEC.

(q)  The Company shall take all other reasonable actions necessary to expedite and facilitate disposition by the Investor of Registrable Securities pursuant to a Registration Statement.

Section 4.  OBLIGATIONS OF THE INVESTOR.

(a)  At least five (5) calendar days prior to the first anticipated filing date of a Registration Statement  the Company shall notify the Investor in writing of the information the Company requires from Investor if  Investor elects to have any of the Registrable Securities included in such Registration Statement.  It shall be a condition precedent to the obligations of the Company to complete the registration pursuant to this Agreement with respect to the Registrable Securities of the Investor and Investor shall furnish in writing to the Company such information regarding itself, the Registrable Securities held by it and the intended method of disposition of the Registrable Securities held by it as shall reasonably be required to effect the registration of such Registrable Securities and shall execute such documents in connection with such registration as the Company may reasonably request.  Investor covenants and agrees that, in connection with any sale of Registrable Securities by it pursuant to a Registration Statement, it shall comply with the “Plan of Distribution” section of the current prospectus relating to such Registration Statement.

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(b)  The Investor, by Investor’s acceptance of the Registrable Securities, agrees to cooperate with the Company as reasonably requested by the Company in connection with the preparation and filing of any Registration Statement hereunder, unless Investor has notified the Company in writing of an election to exclude all Investor’s Registrable Securities from such Registration Statement. 

(c)  The Investor agrees that, upon receipt of written notice from the Company of the happening of any event of the kind described in Section 3(f) or the first sentence of 3(e), such Investor will immediately discontinue disposition of Registrable Securities pursuant to any Registration Statement(s) covering such Registrable Securities until Investor’s receipt of the copies of the supplemented or amended prospectus contemplated by Section 3(f) or the first sentence of 3(e)

Section 5.  EXPENSES OF REGISTRATION.

All expenses, other than underwriting discounts and commissions and other than as set forth in the Investment Agreement, incurred in connection with registrations including comments, filings or qualifications pursuant to Sections 2 and 3, including, without limitation, all registration, listing and qualifications fees, printing and accounting fees, and fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company or for the Investor shall be paid by the Company.

Section 6.  INDEMNIFICATION.

In the event any Registrable Securities are included in a Registration Statement under this Agreement:

(a)  To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Company will, and hereby does, indemnify, hold harmless and defend Investor who holds Registrable Securities, the directors, officers, partners, employees, counsel, agents, representatives of, and each Person, if any, who controls, any Investor within the meaning of the 1933 Act or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “1934 Act”) (each, an “Indemnified Person”), against any losses, claims, damages, liabilities, judgments, fines, penalties, charges, costs, attorneys’ fees, amounts paid in settlement or expenses, joint or several (collectively, “Claims”), incurred in investigating, preparing or defending any action, claim, suit, inquiry, proceeding, investigation or appeal taken from the foregoing by or before any court or governmental, administrative or other regulatory agency, body or the SEC, whether pending or threatened, whether or not an indemnified party is or may be a party thereto (“Indemnified Damages”), to which any of them may become subject insofar as such Claims (or actions or proceedings, whether commenced or threatened, in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon: (i) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact in a Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto or in any filing made in connection with the qualification of the offering under the securities or other “blue sky” laws of any jurisdiction in which the Investor has requested in writing that the Company register or qualify the Shares (“Blue Sky Filing”), or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which the statements therein were made, not misleading, (ii) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the final prospectus (as amended or supplemented, if the Company files any amendment thereof or supplement thereto with the SEC) or the omission or alleged omission to state therein any material fact necessary to make the statements made therein, in light of the circumstances under which the statements therein were made, not misleading, or (iii) any violation or alleged violation by the Company of the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act, any other law, including, without limitation, any state securities law, or any rule or 

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regulation thereunder relating to the offer or sale of the Registrable Securities pursuant to a Registration Statement (the matters in the foregoing clauses (i) through (iii) being, collectively, “Violations”).  Subject to the restrictions set forth in Section 6(c) the Company shall reimburse the Investor and each such controlling person, promptly as such expenses are incurred and are due and payable, for any reasonable legal fees or other reasonable expenses incurred by them in connection with investigating or defending any such Claim. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the indemnification agreement contained in this Section 6(a): (i) shall not apply to a Claim arising out of or based upon a Violation which is due to the inclusion in the Registration Statement of the information furnished to the Company by any Indemnified Person expressly for use in connection with the preparation of the Registration Statement or any such amendment thereof or supplement thereto; (ii) shall not be available to the extent such Claim is based on (a) a failure of the Investor to deliver or to cause to be delivered the prospectus made available by the Company or (b) the Indemnified Person’s use of an incorrect prospectus despite being promptly advised in advance by the Company in writing not to use such incorrect prospectus;  (iii) any claims based on the manner of sale of the Registrable Securities by the Investor or of the Investor’s failure to register as a dealer under applicable securities laws; (iv) any omission of the Investor to notify the Company of any material fact that should be stated in the Registration Statement or prospectus relating to the Investor or the manner of sale; and (v) any amounts paid in settlement of any Claim if such settlement is effected without the prior written consent of the Company, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.  Such indemnity shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of the Indemnified Person and  shall survive the resale of the Registrable Securities by the Investor pursuant to the Registration Statement.

(b)  In connection with any Registration Statement in which Investor is participating, Investor agrees to severally and jointly indemnify, hold harmless and defend, to the  same extent and in the same manner as is set forth in Section 6(a), the Company, each of its  directors, each of its officers who signs the Registration Statement, each Person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of the 1933 Act or the 1934 Act and the Company’s agents (collectively and together with an Indemnified Person, an “Indemnified Party”), against any Claim or Indemnified Damages to which any of them may become subject, under the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act or otherwise, insofar as such Claim or Indemnified Damages arise out of or are based upon any Violation, in each case to the extent, and only to the extent, that such Violation is due to the inclusion in the Registration Statement of the written information furnished to the Company by such Investor expressly for use in connection with such Registration Statement; and, subject to Section 6(c), such Investor will reimburse any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by them in connection with investigating or defending any such Claim; provided, however, that the indemnity agreement contained in this Section 6(b) and the agreement with respect to contribution contained in Section 7 shall not apply to amounts paid in settlement of any Claim if such settlement is effected without the prior written consent of such Investor, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld; provided, further, however, that the Investor shall be liable under this Section 6(b) for only that amount of a Claim or Indemnified Damages as does not exceed the net proceeds to such Investor as a result of the sale of Registrable Securities pursuant to such Registration Statement.  Such indemnity shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of such Indemnified Party and shall survive the resale of the Registrable Securities by the Investor pursuant to the Registration Statement. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the indemnification agreement contained in this Section 6(b) with respect to any preliminary prospectus shall not inure to the benefit of any Indemnified Party if the untrue statement or omission of material fact contained in the preliminary prospectus were corrected on a timely basis in the prospectus, as then amended or supplemented.  This indemnification provision shall apply separately to each Investor and liability hereunder shall not be joint and several.

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(c)  Promptly after receipt by an Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party under this Section 6 of notice of the commencement of any action or proceeding (including any governmental action or proceeding) involving a Claim, such Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party shall, if a Claim in respect thereof is to be made against any indemnifying party under this Section 6, deliver to the indemnifying party a written notice of the commencement thereof, and the indemnifying party shall have the right to participate in, and, to the extent the indemnifying party so desires, jointly with any other indemnifying party similarly noticed, to assume control of the defense thereof with counsel mutually satisfactory to the indemnifying party and the Indemnified Person or the Indemnified Party, as the case may be; provided, however, that an Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party shall have the right to retain its own counsel with the fees and expenses to be paid by the indemnifying party, if, in the reasonable opinion of counsel retained by the Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party, the representation by counsel of the Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party and the indemnifying party would be inappropriate due to actual or potential differing interests between such Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party and any other party represented by such counsel in such proceeding.  The indemnifying party shall pay for only one (1) separate legal counsel for the Indemnified Persons or the Indemnified Parties, as applicable, and such counsel shall be selected by the Investor, if the Investor are entitled to indemnification hereunder, or the Company, if the Company is entitled to indemnification hereunder, as applicable.  The Indemnified Party or Indemnified Person shall cooperate fully with the indemnifying party in connection with any negotiation or defense of any such action or Claim by the indemnifying party and shall furnish to the indemnifying party all information reasonably available to the Indemnified Party or Indemnified Person which relates to such action or Claim.  The indemnifying party shall keep the Indemnified Party or Indemnified Person fully appraised at all times as to the status of the defense or any settlement negotiations with respect thereto.  No indemnifying party shall be liable for any settlement of any action, claim or proceeding effected without its written consent, provided, however, that the indemnifying party shall not unreasonably withhold, delay or condition its consent. No indemnifying party shall, without the consent of the Indemnified Party or Indemnified Person, consent to entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement or other compromise which does not include as an unconditional term thereof the giving by the claimant or plaintiff to such Indemnified Party or Indemnified Person of a release from all liability in respect to such Claim.  Following indemnification as provided for hereunder, the indemnifying party shall be surrogated to all rights of the Indemnified Party or Indemnified Person with respect to all third parties, firms or corporations relating to the matter for which indemnification has been made.  The failure to deliver written notice to the indemnifying party within a reasonable time of the commencement of any such action shall not relieve such indemnifying party of any liability to the Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party under this Section 6, except to the extent that the indemnifying party is prejudiced in its ability to defend such action.

(d)  The indemnity agreements contained herein shall be in addition to (i) any cause of action or similar right of the Indemnified Party or Indemnified Person against the indemnifying party or others, and (ii) any liabilities the indemnifying party may be subject to pursuant to the law.

Section 7.  CONTRIBUTION.

To the extent any indemnification by an indemnifying party is prohibited or limited by law, the indemnifying party agrees to make the maximum contribution with respect to any amounts for which it would otherwise be liable under Section 6 to the fullest extent permitted by law; provided, however, that: (i) no contribution shall be made under circumstances where the maker would not have been liable for indemnification under the fault standards set forth in Section 6; (ii) no seller of Registrable Securities guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the 1933 Act) shall be 

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entitled to contribution from any seller of Registrable Securities who was not guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation; and (iii) contribution by any seller of Registrable Securities shall be limited in amount to the net amount of proceeds received by such seller from the sale of such Registrable Securities.

Section 8.

REPORTS UNDER THE 1934 ACT.

With a view to making available to the Investor the benefits of Rule 144 promulgated under the 1933 Act or any other similar rule or regulation of the SEC that may at any time permit the Investor to sell securities of the Company to the public without registration (“Rule 144”), the Company agrees to:

(a)

make and keep public information available, as those terms are understood and  defined in Rule 144;

(b)

file with the SEC in a timely manner all reports and other documents required of the Company under the 1933 Act and the 1934 Act so long as the Company remains subject to such requirements (it being understood that nothing herein shall limit the Company’s obligations under Section 5(c) of the Investment Agreement) and the filing of such reports and other documents is required for the applicable provisions of Rule 144; and

(c)

furnish to the Investor, promptly upon request, (i) a written statement by the Company that it has complied with the reporting requirements of Rule 144, the 1933 Act and the 1934 Act, (ii) a copy of the most recent annual or quarterly report of the Company and such other reports and documents so filed by the Company, and (iii) such other information as may be reasonably requested to permit the Investor to sell such securities pursuant to Rule 144 without registration.

Section 9.  NO ASSIGNMENT OF REGISTRATION RIGHTS.

The rights under this Agreement shall not be assignable.

Section 10.  AMENDMENT OF REGISTRATION RIGHTS.

Provisions of this Agreement may be amended only with the written consent of the Company and Investor.  

Section 11.  MISCELLANEOUS.

(a)  Any notices or other communications required or permitted to be given under the terms of this Agreement that must be in writing will be deemed to have been delivered (i) upon receipt, when delivered personally; (ii) upon receipt, when sent by facsimile (provided a confirmation of transmission is mechanically or electronically generated and kept on file by the sending party); or (iii) one (1) day after deposit with a nationally recognized overnight delivery service, in each case properly addressed to the party to receive the same.  The addresses and facsimile numbers for such communications shall be:

If to the Company:

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EGPI Firecreek, Inc.

6564 Smoke Tree Lane

Scottsdale, AZ 85253

Telephone:

480-948-6581

Facsimile:

480-443-1403

If to the Investor:

Dutchess Private Equities Fund, LP

312 Stuart St, Third Floor

Boston, MA 02116

Telephone: 

617-960-3570

Facsimile:  

617-960-3772

Each party shall provide five (5) business days prior notice to the other party of any change in address, phone number or facsimile number.

(b)  Failure of any party to exercise any right or remedy under this Agreement or otherwise, or delay by a party in exercising such right or remedy, shall not operate as a waiver thereof.

(c)    The laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts shall govern all issues arising from or related to this Agreement without regard to the principles of conflict of laws. Each party hereby irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts sitting in the City of Boston, County of Suffolk, for the adjudication of any dispute hereunder or in connection herewith or with any transaction contemplated hereby or discussed herein, and hereby irrevocably waives, and agrees not to assert in any suit, action or proceeding, any claim that it is not personally subject to the jurisdiction of any such court, that such suit, action or proceeding is brought in an inconvenient forum or that the venue of such suit, action or proceeding is improper. Each party hereby irrevocably waives personal service of process and consents to process being served in any such suit, action or proceeding by mailing a copy thereof to such party at the address for such notices to it under this Agreement and agrees that such service shall constitute good and sufficient service of process and notice thereof. Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to limit in any way any right to serve process in any manner permitted by law.  If any provision of this Agreement shall be invalid or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, such invalidity or unenforceability shall not affect the validity or enforceability of the remainder of this Agreement in that jurisdiction or the validity or enforceability of any provision of this Agreement in any other jurisdiction.

(d) This Agreement and the Transaction Documents constitute the entire agreement among the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof.  There are no restrictions, promises, warranties or undertakings, other than those set forth or referred to herein and therein.

(e)  This Agreement and the Transaction Documents supersede all prior agreements and understandings among the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof.

(f)  The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof.  Whenever required by the context of this Agreement, the singular shall include the plural and masculine shall include the feminine.  This Agreement shall not be construed as if it had been prepared by one of the parties, but rather as if all the parties had prepared the same.

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(g)  This Agreement may be executed in two or more identical counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original but all of which shall constitute one and the same agreement.  This Agreement, once executed by a party, may be delivered to the other party hereto by facsimile transmission of a copy of this Agreement bearing the signature of the party so delivering this Agreement.

(h)  Each party shall do and perform, or cause to be done and performed, all such further acts and things, and shall execute and deliver all such other agreements, certificates, instruments and documents, as the other party may reasonably request in order to carry out the intent and accomplish the purposes of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.

* * *

12

SIGNATURE PAGE OF REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

Your signature on this Signature Page evidences your agreement to be bound by the terms and conditions of the Investment Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement as of the date first written above. 

The undersigned signatory hereby certifies that he has read and understands the Registration Rights Agreement, and the representations made by the undersigned in this Registration Rights Agreement are true and accurate, and agrees to be bound by its terms. 

DUTCHESS PRIVATE EQUITIES FUND, II, L.P.,

BY ITS GENERAL PARTNER,

DUTCHESS CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, LLC

By:____________________________

Douglas H. Leighton, Managing Member

EGPI Firecreek, Inc.

By__________________________________ 

   Dennis Alexander, Chairman and CFO

13EXHIBIT 10.24

EXHIBIT 10.24

EGPI Firecreek, Inc.

PLACEMENT AGENT AGREEMENT

Dated as of: June 28, 2005.

The undersigned, EGPI Firecreek Inc., a Nevada corporation (the "COMPANY"), hereby agrees with U.S. Euro Securities (the "PLACEMENTAGENT") and Dutchess Private Equities Fund II, L.P., a Delaware Limited Partnership (the "INVESTOR") as follows:

1.

OFFERING. The Company hereby engages the Placement Agent to act as its exclusive placement agent in connection with the Investment Agreement dated June 17, 2005  (the "INVESTMENT AGREEMENT") pursuant to which the Company shall issue and sell to the Investor, from time to time, and the Investor shall purchase from the Company (the "OFFERING") up to Twenty-Five Million Dollars ($25,000,000) of the Company's Class A Voting Common Stock (the "COMMITMENT AMOUNT"), par value $0.001 per share (the "COMMON STOCK"), at price per share equal to the Purchase Price, as that term is defined in the Investment Agreement. Pursuant to the terms hereof, the Placement Agent shall render consulting services to the Company with respect to the Investment Agreement and shall be available for consultation in connection with the advances to be requested by the Company pursuant to the Investment Agreement.  All capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the same meaning ascribed to them as in the Investment Agreement. The Investor will be granted certain registration rights with respect to the Common Stock as more fully set forth in a Registration Rights Agreement between the Company and the Investor dated June 17, 2005 (the "REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT"). The documents to be executed and delivered in connection with the Offering, including, but not limited, to this Agreement, the Investment Agreement, and the Registration Rights Agreement, and any Prospectus or other disclosure document ( including all amendments and supplements ) utilized in connection with the Offering are referred to sometimes hereinafter collectively as the "OFFERING MATERIALS." The Company's Common Stock is sometimes referred to hereinafter as the "SECURITIES." The Placement Agent shall not be obligated to sell any Securities and this Offering by the Placement Agent shall be solely on a "best efforts basis." 

2.

REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS OF THE PLACEMENT AGENT. 

A. The Placement Agent represents, warrants and covenants as follows:

(i)

The Placement Agent has the necessary power to enter into this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby.

(ii)

The execution and delivery by the Placement Agent of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated herein will not result in any violation of, or be in conflict with, or constitute a default under, any agreement or instrument to which the Placement Agent is a party or by which the Placement Agent or its properties are bound, or any judgment, decree, order or, to the Placement Agent's knowledge, any statute, rule or regulation applicable to the Placement Agent. This Agreement when executed and delivered by the Placement Agent, will constitute the legal, valid and binding obligations of the Placement Agent, enforceable in accordance with their respective terms, except to the

2

extent that (a) the enforceability hereof or thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws from time to time in effect and affecting the rights of creditors generally, (b) the enforceability hereof or thereof is subject to general principles of equity, or (c) the indemnification provisions hereof or thereof may be held to be in violation of public policy.

(iii)

Upon receipt and execution of this Agreement the Placement Agent will promptly forward copies of this Agreement to the Company or its counsel and the Investor or its counsel.

(iv)

The Placement Agent will not take any action that it reasonably believes would cause the Offering to violate the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 ACT"), the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "1934 ACT"), the respective rules and regulations promulgated there under (the "RULES AND REGULATIONS") or applicable "Blue Sky" laws of any state or jurisdiction.

(v)

The Placement Agent will use all reasonable efforts to determine (a) whether the Investor is an Accredited Investor and (b) that any information furnished by the Investor is true and accurate.  The Placement Agent shall have no obligation to insure that (x) any check, note, draft or other means of payment for the Common Stock will be honored, paid or enforceable against the Investor in accordance with its terms, or (y) subject to the performance of the Placement Agent's obligations and the accuracy of the Placement Agent's representations and warranties hereunder, (1) the Offering is exempt from the registration requirements of the 1933 Act or any applicable state "Blue Sky" law or (2) the Investor is an Accredited Investor.

(vi)

The Placement Agent is a member of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., and is a broker-dealer registered as such under the 1934 Act and under the securities laws of the states in which the Securities will be offered or sold by the Placement Agent unless an exemption for such state registration is available to the Placement Agent. The Placement Agent is in compliance with all material rules and regulations applicable to the Placement Agent generally and applicable to the Placement Agent's participation in the Offering.

3.

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY.

A. The Company makes to the Placement Agent all the representations and warranties it makes to the Investor in the Investment Agreement and, in addition, represents and warrants as follows: 

(i)

The execution, delivery and performance of each of this Agreement, the Investment Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement has been or will be duly and validly authorized by the Company and is, and with respect to this Agreement, the Investment Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement will each be, a valid and binding agreement of the Company, enforceable in accordance with its respective terms, except to the extent that (a) the enforceability hereof or thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws from time to time in effect and affecting the rights of creditors generally, (b) the enforceability hereof or thereof is subject to general principles of equity or (c) the indemnification provisions hereof or thereof may be held to be in violation of public policy. The Securities to be issued pursuant to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Investment Agreement have been

3

duly authorized and, when issued and paid for in accordance with (x) this Agreement, the Investment Agreement and the certificates/instruments representing such Securities, (y) will be valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable in accordance with their respective terms, except to the extent that (1) the enforceability thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws from time to time in effect and affecting the rights of creditors generally, and (2) the enforceability thereof is subject to general principles of equity. All corporate action required to be taken for the authorization, issuance and sale of the Securities has been duly and validly taken by the Company.

(ii)

The Company has a duly authorized, issued and outstanding capitalization as set forth herein and in the Investment Agreement. Other than Publicly available filings and Periodic Filings and Reports, the Company is not a party to or bound by any instrument, agreement or other arrangement providing for it to issue any capital stock, rights, warrants, options or other securities, except for this Agreement, the agreements described herein and as described in the Investment Agreement, dated the date hereof and the agreements described therein. All issued and outstanding securities of the Company, have been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and non-assessable; the holders thereof have no rights of rescission or preemptive rights with respect thereto and are not subject to personal liability solely by reason of being security holders; and none of such securities were issued in violation of the preemptive rights of any holders of any security of the Company. As of June 28, 2005, the authorized capital stock of the Company consists of (i) 900,000,000 shares of Common Stock, par value $.001 per share, of which approximately 110,549,030 shares are issued and outstanding, 133,333,000 shares are initially reserved for issuance in behalf of Tirion Group, Inc.; and (ii) 20,000,000 shares of non voting Common Stock, par value .001 per share, of which no shares are issued and outstanding, (iii) 60,000,000 shares of Preferred stock, par value $.001 per share, of which 2,566,831 Preferred A, 9,500,000 Preferred B, and 900,000 Preferred C are issued and outstanding. There are options granted totaling approximately 20,800,000, of which 17,000,000 are available for exercise at $.70 and 3,800,000 at $.95 per share, respectively. There are 2,000,000 shares designated/reserved for issuance pursuant to warrants held by Tirion Group, Inc.; 6,700,000 shares designated/reserved for issuance pursuant to warrants held by DLM Asset Management; 2,500,000 to Sapphire Consultants; 250,000 shares designated /reserved for issuance pursuant to warrants held by John Brigandi. Other than that disclosed in the Company’s historical or ongoing publicly available filings with Periodic Filings and Reports there are no shares reserved for issuance pursuant to options, warrants, and other convertible securities.

(iii)

The Common Stock to be issued in accordance with this Agreement and the Investment Agreement has been duly authorized and when issued and paid for in accordance with this Agreement, the Investment Agreement and the certificates/instruments representing such Common Stock, will be validly issued, fully-paid and non-assessable; the holders thereof will not be subject to personal liability solely by reason of being such holders; such Securities are not and will not be subject to the preemptive rights of any holder of any security of the Company.

4.       REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS OF THE INVESTOR.

A.

The Investor makes to the Placement Agent all the representations and warranties it makes to the Company in the Investment Agreement and, in addition represents, warrants and covenants as follows:

4

(i)

The Investor has the necessary power to enter into this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby.

(ii)

The execution and delivery by the Investor of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated herein will not result in any violation of, or be in conflictwith, or constitute a default under, any agreement or instrument to which the Investor is a party or by which the Investor or its properties are bound, or any judgment, decree, order or, to the Investor's knowledge, any statute, rule or regulation applicable to the Investor. This Agreement when executed and delivered by the Investor, will constitute the legal, valid and binding obligations of the Investor, enforceable in accordance with their respective terms, except to the extent that (a) the enforceability hereof or thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws from time to time in effect and affecting the rights of creditors generally, (b) the enforceability hereof or thereof is subject to general principles of equity, or (c) the indemnification provisions hereof or thereof may be held to be in violation of public policy.

(iii) the Investor is not,  and will not be, as a result of the transactions contemplated by the Offering Materials a “dealer” within the meaning of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and applicable federal and state securities laws and regulations. The Investor covenants that in this respect it is and will remain in compliance with the requirements of applicable “no action” rulings of the U.S. Securities Exchange Commission.

(iv)

The Investor will promptly forward copies of any and all due diligence questionnaires compiled by the Investor to the Placement Agent. 

5.

CERTAIN COVENANTS AND AGREEMENTS OF THE COMPANY. 

The Company covenants and agrees at its expense and without any expense to the Placement Agent as follows: 

A.

To advise the Placement Agent of any material adverse change in the Company's financial condition, prospects or business or of any development materially affecting the Company or rendering untrue or misleading any material statement in the Offering Materials occurring at any time as soon as the Company is either informed or becomes aware thereof.

B.

To use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Common Stock issuable in connection with the Equity Line of Credit to be qualified or registered for sale on terms consistent with those stated in the Registration Rights Agreement and under the securities laws of such jurisdictions as the Placement Agent and the Investor shall reasonably request. Qualification, registration and exemption charges and fees shall be at the sole cost and expense of the Company.

C.

Upon written request, to provide and continue to provide the Placement Agent and the Investor copies of all quarterly financial statements and audited annual financial statements prepared by or on behalf of the Company, other reports prepared by or on behalf of the Company for public disclosure and all documents delivered to the Company's stockholders.

D.

To deliver, during the registration period of the Investment Agreement, to the Placement Agent upon the Placement Agent's request,

(i)

within forty five (45) days, a statement of its income for each such quarterly period, and its balance sheet and a statement of changes in stockholders' equity as of the end of 

5

such quarterly period, all in reasonable detail, certified by its principal financial or accounting officer;

(ii)

within ninety (90) days after the close of each fiscal year, its balance sheet as of the close of such fiscal year, together with a statement of income, a statement of changes in stockholders' equity and a statement of cash flow for such fiscal year, such balance sheet, statement of income, statement of changes in stockholders' equity and statement of cash flow to be in reasonable detail and accompanied by a copy of the certificate or report thereon of independent auditors if audited financial statements are prepared; and

(iii)

a copy of all documents, reports and information furnished to its stockholders at the time that such documents, reports and information are furnished to its stockholders. 

(iv)

a copy of all documents, reports and information furnished to the Investor at the time that such documents, reports and information are furnished to the Investor.

E.

To comply with the terms of the Offering Materials.

F.

To ensure that any transactions between or among the Company, or any of its officers, directors and affiliates be on terms and conditions that are no less favorable to the Company, than the terms and conditions that would be available in an "arm's length" transaction with an independent third party.

6.

INDEMNIFICATION.

A.

The Company hereby agrees that it will indemnify and hold the Placement Agent and each officer, director, shareholder, employee or representative of the Placement Agent and each person controlling, controlled by or under common control with the Placement Agent within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act or the SEC's Rules and Regulations promulgated there under (the "Rules and Regulations"), harmless from and against any and all loss, claim, damage, liability, cost or expense whatsoever (including, but not limited to, any and all reasonable legal fees and other expenses and disbursements incurred in connection with investigating, preparing to defend or defending any action, suit or proceeding, including any inquiry or investigation, commenced or threatened, or any claim whatsoever or in appearing or preparing for appearance as a witness in any action, suit or proceeding, including any inquiry, investigation or pretrial proceeding such as a deposition) to which the Placement Agent or such indemnified person of the Placement Agent may become subject under the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act, the Rules and Regulations, or any other federal or state law or regulation, common law or otherwise, arising out of or based upon (i) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in (a) Section 4 of this Agreement, (b) the Offering Materials (except those written statements relating to the Placement Agent given by an indemnified person for inclusion therein), (c) any application or other document or written communication executed by the Company or based upon written information furnished by the Company filed in any jurisdiction in order to qualify the Common Stock under the securities laws thereof, or any state securities commission or agency; (ii) the omission or alleged omission from documents described in clauses (a), (b) or (c) above of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading; or (iii) the breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement made by the Company in this Agreement. The Company further agrees that upon demand by an indemnified person, at any time or from time to time, it will promptly reimburse such indemnified person for any loss, claim, damage, liability, cost or expense actually and

reasonably paid by the indemnified person as to which the Company has indemnified such person pursuant hereto. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Paragraph 6(A), 

6

any such payment or reimbursement by the Company of fees, expenses or disbursements incurred by an indemnified person in any proceeding in which a final judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction (after all appeals or the expiration of time to appeal) is entered against the Placement Agent or such indemnified person based upon specific finding of fact as to  the Placement Agent or such indemnified person's gross negligence or willful misfeasance will be promptly repaid to the Company.

B.

The Placement Agent hereby agrees that it will indemnify and hold the Company and each officer, director, shareholder, employee or representative of the Company, and each person controlling, controlled by or under common control with the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act or the Rules and Regulations, harmless from and against any and all loss, claim, damage, liability, cost or expense whatsoever (including, but not limited to, any and all reasonable legal fees and other expenses and disbursements incurred in connection with investigating, preparing to defend or defending any action, suit or proceeding, including any inquiry or investigation, commenced or threatened, or any claim whatsoever or in appearing or preparing for appearance as a witness in any action, suit or proceeding, including any inquiry, investigation or pretrial proceeding such as a deposition) to which the Company or such indemnified person of the Company may become subject under the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act, the Rules and Regulations, or any other federal or state law or regulation, common law or otherwise, arising out of or based upon (i) the conduct of the Placement Agent or its officers, employees or representatives in willful violation of any of such laws and regulations while acting as Placement Agent for the Offering or (ii) the material breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement made by the Placement Agent in this Agreement (iii) any false or misleading information provided to the Company by one of the Placement Agent's indemnified persons.

C.

The Investor hereby agrees that it will indemnify and hold the Placement Agent and each officer, director, shareholder, employee or representative of the Placement Agent, and each person controlling, controlled by or under common control with the Placement Agent within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act or the Rules and Regulations, harmless from and against any and all loss, claim, damage, liability, cost or expense whatsoever (including, but not limited to, any and all reasonable legal fees and other expenses and disbursements incurred in connection with investigating, preparing to defend or defending any action, suit or proceeding, including any inquiry or investigation, commenced or threatened, or any claim whatsoever or in appearing or preparing for appearance as a witness in any action, suit or proceeding, including any inquiry, investigation or pretrial proceeding such as a deposition) to which the Placement Agent or such indemnified person of the Placement Agent may become subject under the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act, the Rules and Regulations, or any other federal or state law or regulation, common law or otherwise, arising out of or based upon (i) the conduct of the Investor or its officers, employees or representatives in its acting as the Investor for the Offering or (ii) the material breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement made by the Investor in the Offering Materials (iii) any false or misleading information provided to the Placement Agent by the Investor or one of the Investor's indemnified persons.

D.

The Placement Agent hereby agrees that it will indemnify and hold the Investor and each officer, director, shareholder, employee or representative of the Investor, and each person

controlling, controlled by or under common control with the Investor within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act or the Rules and Regulations, harmless from and against any and all loss, claim, damage, liability, cost or expense whatsoever (including, but not limited to, any and all reasonable legal fees and other expenses and disbursements incurred in connection with investigating, preparing to defend 

7

or defending any action, suit or proceeding, including any inquiry or investigation, commenced or threatened, or any claim whatsoever or in appearing or preparing for appearance as a witness in any action, suit or proceeding, including any inquiry, investigation or pretrial proceeding such as a deposition) to which the Investor or such indemnified person of the Investor may become subject under the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act, the Rules and Regulations, or any other federal or state law or regulation, common law or otherwise, arising out of or based upon (i) the conduct of the Placement Agent or its officers, employees or representatives in willful violation of any of such laws and regulations while  acting as the Placement Agent for the Offering or (ii) the material breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement made by the Placement Agent in this Agreement (iii) any false or misleading information provided to the Investor by one of the Placement Agent's indemnified persons.

E.

Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party of notice of commencement of any action covered by Section 6(A), (B), (C) or (D), the party to be indemnified shall, within five (5) business days, notify the indemnifying party of the commencement thereof; the omission by one (1) indemnified party to so notify the indemnifying party shall not relieve the indemnifying party of its obligation to indemnify any other indemnified party that has given such notice and shall not relieve the indemnifying party of any liability outside of this indemnification if not materially prejudiced thereby. In the event that any action is brought against the indemnified party, the indemnifying party will be entitled to participate therein and, to the extent it may desire, to assume and control the defense thereof with counsel chosen by it which is reasonably acceptable to the indemnified party. After notice from the indemnifying party to such indemnified party of its election to so assume the defense thereof, the indemnifying party will not be liable to such indemnified party under such Section 6(A), (B), (C), or (D) for any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by such indemnified party in connection with the defense thereof, but the indemnified party may, at its own expense, participate in such defense by counsel chosen by it, without, however, impairing the indemnifying party's control of the defense. Subject to the proviso of this sentence and notwithstanding any other statement to the contrary contained herein, the indemnified party or parties shall have the right to choose its or their own counsel and control the defense of any action, all at the expense of the indemnifying party if, (i) the employment of such counsel shall have been authorized in writing by the indemnifying party in connection with the defense of such action at the expense of the indemnifying party, or (ii) the indemnifying party shall not have employed counsel reasonably satisfactory to such indemnified party to have charge of the defense of such action within a reasonable time after notice of commencement of the action, or (iii) such indemnified party or parties shall have reasonably concluded that there may be defenses available to it or them which are different from or additional to those available to one or all of the indemnifying parties (in which case the indemnifying parties shall not have the right to direct the defense of such action on behalf of the indemnified party or parties), in any of which events such fees and expenses of one additional counsel shall be borne by the indemnifying party; provided, however, that the indemnifying party shall not, in connection with any one action or separate but substantially similar or related actions in the same jurisdiction arising out of the same general allegations or circumstance, be liable for the reasonable fees and expenses of more than one separate firm of attorneys at any time for all

such indemnified parties. No settlement of any action or proceeding against an indemnified party shall be made without the consent of the indemnifying party.

F.

In order to provide for just and equitable contribution in circumstances in which the indemnification provided for in Section 6 is due in accordance with its terms but is for any reason held by a court to be unavailable on grounds of policy or otherwise, the Company and the Placement Agent and the Investor shall contribute to the aggregate losses, claims, damages and liabilities (including legal or other expenses reasonably incurred in connection 

8

with the investigation or defense of same) which the other may incur in such proportion so that the Company, the Placement Agent and the Investor shall be responsible for such percent of the aggregate of such losses, claims, damages and liabilities as shall equal the percentage of the gross proceeds paid to each of them.; provided, however, that no person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the 1933 Act shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. For purposes of this Section 6(F), any person controlling, controlled by or under common control with the Placement Agent, or any partner, director, officer, employee, representative or any agent of any thereof, shall have the same rights to contribution as the Placement Agent and each person controlling, controlled by or under common control with the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act and each officer of the Company and each director of the Company shall have the same rights to contribution as the Company and each person controlling, controlled by or under common control with the Investor within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act and each member of the general partner of the Investor  shall have the same rights to contribution as the Company. Any party entitled to contribution will, promptly after receipt of notice of commencement of any action, suit or proceeding against such party in respect of which a claim for contribution may be made against the other party under this Section 6(F), notify such party from whom contribution may be sought, but the omission to so notify such party shall not relieve the party from whom contribution may be sought from any obligation they may have hereunder or otherwise if the party from whom contribution may be sought is not materially prejudiced thereby. The indemnity and contribution agreements contained in this Section 6 shall remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of any indemnified person or any termination of this Agreement.

7. 

FEES. The Company hereby agrees to pay the Placement Agent 2% for the gross proceeds from each Put with a maximum of Ten Thousand dollars ($10,000). The Company agrees to allow Dutchess to wire the Placement Agent said proceeds at the time of disbursement from each Put.

8.

PAYMENT OF EXPENSES. The Company agrees to bear all the reasonable expenses, if any, of the Placement Agent in performing its services under this Agreement including but not limited to the fees and expenses of counsel, which shall be submitted to the Company as estimate first for its approval, and such approval shall not unreasonably be withheld.

9.

CONDITIONS OF CLOSING. The Closing shall be held at the offices of the Investor or its counsel. The obligations of the Placement Agent hereunder shall be subject to the continuing accuracy of the representations and warranties of the Company herein as of the date hereof and as of the Date of Closing (the "Closing Date") with respect to the Company as if it had been made on and as of such Closing Date; the accuracy on and as of the

Closing Date of the statements of the officers of the Company made pursuant to the provisions hereof; and the performance by the Company on and as of the Closing Date of its covenants and obligations hereunder and to the following further conditions:

A.

Upon the effectiveness of a registration statement  in accordance with the Investment Agreement, the Placement Agent shall receive the opinions of Counsel to the Company and of the Investor, dated as of the date thereof, which opinion shall be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Investor, the Company, their counsel and the Placement Agent.

B.

At or prior to the Closing, the Placement Agent shall have been furnished such documents, certificates and opinions as it may reasonably require for the purpose of enabling them to review or pass upon the matters referred to in this Agreement and the Offering Materials, or in order to evidence the accuracy, completeness or satisfaction of any of the representations, warranties or conditions herein contained.

9

C.

At and prior to the Closing, (i) there shall have been no material adverse change nor development involving a prospective change in the condition or prospects or the business activities, financial or otherwise, of the Company from the latest dates as of which such condition is set forth in the Offering Materials; (ii) there shall have been no transaction, not in the ordinary course of business except the transactions pursuant to the Investment Agreement entered into by the Company which has not been disclosed in the Offering Materials or to the Placement Agent in writing; (iii) except as set forth in the Offering Materials, the Company shall not be in default under any provision of any instrument relating to any outstanding indebtedness for which a waiver or extension has not been otherwise received; (iv) except as set forth in the Offering Materials, the Company shall not have issued any securities (other than those to be issued as provided in the Offering Materials) or declared or paid any dividend or made any distribution of its capital stock of any class and there shall not have been any change in the indebtedness (long or short term) or liabilities or obligations of the Company (contingent or otherwise) and trade payable debt; (v) no material amount of the assets of the Company shall have been pledged or mortgaged, except as indicated in the Offering Materials; and (v) no action, suit or proceeding, at law or in equity, against the Company or affecting any of its properties or businesses shall be pending or threatened before or by any court or federal or state commission, board or other administrative agency, domestic or foreign, wherein an unfavorable decision, ruling or finding could materially adversely affect the businesses, prospects or financial condition or income of the Company, except as set forth in the Offering Materials. 

D.

At Closing, the Placement Agent shall receive a certificate of the Company signed by an executive officer and chief financial officer, dated as of the applicable Closing, to the effect that the conditions set forth in subparagraph (C) above have been satisfied and that, as of the applicable closing, the representations and warranties of the Company set forth herein are true and correct.

10.

TERMINATION. This Agreement shall be co-terminus with, and terminate upon the same terms and conditions as those set forth in, the Investment Agreement. The rights of the Investor and the obligations of the Company under the Registration Rights Agreement, and the rights of the Placement Agent and the obligations of the Company shall survive the termination of this Agreement unabridged for a period of twenty-four (24) months after the Closing Date.

11.

MISCELLANEOUS. A. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all which shall be deemed to be one and the same instrument. B. Any notice required or permitted to be given hereunder shall be given in writing and shall be deemed effective when deposited in the United States mail, postage prepaid, or when received if personally delivered or faxed (upon confirmation of receipt received by the sending party), addressed as follows:

If to Placement Agent, to:

US EURO Securities, Inc

Michael Roy Fugler

Corporate Finance Department

275 Madison Ave

6th Floor

New York, NY 10016

With a copy to:

10

US EURO Securities, Inc.

Anthony Dudzinski, CEO

48 Wall Street, 29th FL

New York, NY 10005

If to the Company, to:

EGPI Firecreek, Inc.

6564 Smoke Tree Lane

Scottsdale, Arizona 85253

Telephone:

480-948-6581

Facsimile:

480-443-1403

If to the Investor: 

Dutchess Private Equities Fund, II LP

312 Stuart St.

Boston, MA  02116

Tel:

(617) 960-3582

Fax:

(617) 960-3772

or to such other address of which written notice is given to the others. 

C.

This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in all respects under the laws of the State of Delaware, without reference to its conflict of laws rules or principles. Any suit, action, proceeding or litigation arising out of or relating to this Agreement shall be brought and prosecuted in such federal or state court or courts located within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as provided by law. The parties hereby irrevocably and unconditionally consent to the jurisdiction of each such court or courts located within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and to service of process by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, or by any other manner provided by applicable law, and hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waive any right to claim that any suit, action, proceeding or litigation so commenced has been commenced in an inconvenient forum.

D.

This Agreement and the other agreements referenced herein contain the entire understanding between the parties hereto and may not be modified or amended except by a writing duly signed by the party against whom enforcement of the modification or amendment is sought.

E.

If any provision of this Agreement shall be held to be invalid or unenforceable, such invalidity or unenforceability shall not affect any other provision of this Agreement. 

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11

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

COMPANY:

EGPI Firecreek, Inc.

By: 

Name: Dennis Alexander

Title: Chairman and CFO 

US EURO Securities, Inc

PLACEMENT AGENT:                                   PLACEMENT AGENT: 

 

By: ____________________                          By: ________________________

Name: Anthony Dudzinski                                  Michael Roy Fugler                               

Title: CEO/Compliance Department                    Corporate Finance Department

INVESTOR:

DUTCHESS PRIVATE EQUITIES FUND II, L.P.

BY ITS GENERAL PARTNER DUTCHESS 

CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, LLC

By:__________________________________

Name: Douglas H. Leighton

Title: A Managing Member

Source: [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00087-of-00352.parquet"}, [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00087-of-00352.parquet"}]]