Document:

Filed by Bowne Pure Compliance

Exhibit 10.22

CONOCOPHILLIPS

KEY EMPLOYEE CHANGE IN CONTROL SEVERANCE PLAN

(Amended and Restated Effective December 31, 2008)

Effective October 1, 2004, the Company adopted the ConocoPhillips Key Employee Change in
Control Severance Plan (the “Plan”) for the benefit of certain employees of the Company and its
subsidiaries. This amendment and restatement of the Plan shall be effective December 31, 2008.

All capitalized terms used herein are defined in Section 1 hereof. This Plan is intended to
be a plan maintained primarily for the purpose of providing deferred compensation for a select
group of management or highly compensated employees, within the meaning of Title I of the Employee
Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended and shall be interpreted in a manner consistent
with such intention.

SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS. As hereinafter used:

1.1 “Affiliate” has the meaning ascribed to such term in Rule 12b-2 of the General Rules and
Regulations under the Exchange Act, as in effect on the Effective Date.

1.2 “Associate” means, with reference to any Person, (a) any corporation, firm, partnership,
association, unincorporated organization, or other entity (other than the Company or a subsidiary
of the Company) of which such Person is an officer or general partner (or officer or general
partner of a general partner) or is, directly or indirectly, the Beneficial Owner of 10% or more of
any class of equity securities, (b) any trust or other estate in which such Person has a
substantial beneficial interest or as to which such Person serves as trustee or in a similar
fiduciary capacity, and (c) any relative or spouse of such Person, or any relative of such spouse,
who has the same home as such Person.

1.3 “Beneficial Owner” means, with reference to any securities, any Person if:

(a) such Person or any of such Person’s Affiliates and Associates, directly or
indirectly, is the “beneficial owner” of (as determined pursuant to Rule 13d-3 of the
General Rules and Regulations under the Exchange Act, as in effect on the Effective Date)
such securities or otherwise has the right to vote or dispose of such securities, including
pursuant to any agreement, arrangement, or understanding (whether or not in writing);
provided, however, that a Person shall not be deemed the “Beneficial Owner” of, or to
“beneficially own,” any security under this subsection (a) as a result of an agreement,
arrangement, or understanding to vote such security if such agreement, arrangement, or
understanding: (i) arises solely from a revocable proxy or consent given in response to a
public (i.e., not including a solicitation exempted by Rule 14a-2(b)(2) of the General Rules
and Regulations

 

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under the Exchange Act) proxy or consent solicitation made pursuant to, and in accordance
with, the applicable provisions of the General Rules and Regulations
under the Exchange Act,
and (ii) is not then reportable by such Person on Schedule 13D under the Exchange Act (or
any comparable or successor report);

(b) such Person or any of such Person’s Affiliates and Associates, directly or
indirectly, has the right or obligation to acquire such securities (whether such right or
obligation is exercisable or effective immediately or only after the passage of time or the
occurrence of an event) pursuant to any agreement, arrangement, or understanding (whether or
not in writing) or upon the exercise of conversion rights, exchange rights, other rights,
warrants, or options, or otherwise; provided, however, that a Person shall not be deemed the
Beneficial Owner of, or to “beneficially own,” (i) securities tendered pursuant to a tender
or exchange offer made by such Person or any of such Person’s Affiliates or Associates until
such tendered securities are accepted for purchase or exchange or (ii) securities issuable
upon exercise of Exempt Rights; or

(c) such Person or any of such Person’s Affiliates or Associates (i) has any
agreement, arrangement, or understanding (whether or not in writing) with any other Person
(or any Affiliate or Associate thereof) that beneficially owns such securities for the
purpose of acquiring, holding, voting (except as set forth in the proviso to subsection (a)
of this definition), or disposing of such securities or (ii) is a member of a group (as that
term is used in Rule 13d-5(b) of the General Rules and Regulations under the Exchange Act)
that includes any other Person that beneficially owns such securities;

provided, however, that nothing in this definition shall cause a Person engaged in business as an
underwriter of securities to be the Beneficial Owner of, or to “beneficially own,” any securities
acquired through such Person’s participation in good faith in a firm commitment underwriting until
the expiration of 40 days after the date of such acquisition. For purposes hereof, “voting” a
security shall include voting, granting a proxy, consenting or making a request or demand relating
to corporate action (including, without limitation, a demand for a stockholder list, to call a
stockholder meeting or to inspect corporate books and records), or otherwise giving an
authorization (within the meaning of Section 14(a) of the Exchange Act) in respect of such
security.

The terms “beneficially own” and “beneficially owning” have meanings that are correlative to
this definition of the term “Beneficial Owner.”

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

1.5 “Cause” means (i) the willful and continued failure by the Eligible Employee to substantially
perform the Eligible Employee’s duties with the Employer (other than any such failure resulting
from the Eligible Employee’s incapacity due to physical or mental illness), or (ii) the willful
engaging, not in good faith, by the Eligible Employee in conduct which is demonstrably injurious to
the Company or any of its subsidiaries, monetarily or otherwise.

 

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1.6 “Change in Control” means any of the following occurring on or after the Effective Date:

(a) any Person (other than an Exempt Person) shall become the Beneficial Owner of 20%
or more of the shares of Common Stock then outstanding or 20% or more of the combined voting
power of the Voting Stock of the Company then outstanding; provided, however, that no Change
of Control shall be deemed to occur for purposes of this subsection (a) if such Person shall
become a Beneficial Owner of 20% or more of the shares of Common Stock or 20% or more of the
combined voting power of the Voting Stock of the Company solely as a result of (i) an Exempt
Transaction or (ii) an acquisition by a Person pursuant to a reorganization, merger or
consolidation, if, following such reorganization, merger or consolidation, the conditions
described in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) of subsection (c) of this definition are satisfied;

(b) individuals who, as of the Effective Date, constitute the Board (the “Incumbent
Board”) cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board; provided,
however, that any individual becoming a director subsequent to the Effective Date, whose
election, or nomination for election by the Company’s shareholders, was approved by a vote
of at least a majority of the directors then comprising the Incumbent Board shall be
considered as though such individual were a member of the Incumbent Board; provided,
further, that there shall be excluded, for this purpose, any such individual whose initial
assumption of office occurs as a result of any actual or threatened Election Contest that is
subject to the provisions of Rule 14a-11 of the General Rules and Regulations under the
Exchange Act;

(c) the Company shall consummate a reorganization, merger, or consolidation, in each
case, unless, following such reorganization, merger, or consolidation, (i) 50% or more of
the then outstanding shares of common stock of the corporation resulting from such
reorganization, merger, or consolidation and the combined voting power of the then
outstanding Voting Stock of such corporation are beneficially owned, directly or indirectly,
by all or substantially all of the Persons who were the Beneficial Owners of the outstanding
Common Stock immediately prior to such reorganization, merger, or consolidation in
substantially the same proportions as their ownership, immediately prior to such
reorganization, merger, or consolidation, of the outstanding Common Stock, (ii) no Person
(excluding any Exempt Person or any Person beneficially owning, immediately prior to such
reorganization, merger, or consolidation, directly or indirectly, 20% or more of the Common
Stock then outstanding or 20% or more of the combined voting power of the Voting Stock of
the Company then outstanding) beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, 20% or more of the
then outstanding shares of common stock of the corporation resulting from such
reorganization, merger, or consolidation or the combined voting power of the then
outstanding Voting Stock of such corporation, and (iii) at least a majority of the members
of the board of directors of the corporation resulting from such reorganization, merger, or
consolidation were members of the Incumbent Board at the time of the initial agreement or
initial action by the Board providing for such reorganization, merger, or consolidation; or

 

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(d) (i) the shareholders of the Company shall approve a complete liquidation or
dissolution of the Company unless such liquidation or dissolution is approved as part of a
plan of liquidation and dissolution involving a sale or disposition of all or substantially
all of the assets of the Company to a corporation with respect to which, following such sale
or other disposition, all of the requirements of clauses (ii)(A), (B), and (C) of this
subsection (d) are satisfied, or (ii) the Company shall consummate the sale or other
disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, other than to a
corporation, with respect to which, following such sale or other disposition, (A) 50% or
more of the then outstanding shares of common stock of such corporation and the combined
voting power of the Voting Stock of such corporation is then beneficially owned, directly or
indirectly, by all or substantially all of the Persons who were the Beneficial Owners of the
outstanding Common Stock immediately prior to such sale or other disposition in
substantially the same proportion as their ownership, immediately prior to such sale or
other disposition, of the outstanding Common Stock, (B) no Person (excluding any Exempt
Person and any Person beneficially owning, immediately prior to such sale or other
disposition, directly or indirectly, 20% or more of the Common Stock then outstanding or 20%
or more of the combined voting power of the Voting Stock of the Company then outstanding)
beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, 20% or more of the then outstanding shares of
common stock of such corporation and the combined voting power of the then outstanding
Voting Stock of such corporation, and (C) at least a majority of the members of the board of
directors of such corporation were members of the Incumbent Board at the time of the initial
agreement or initial action of the Board providing for such sale or other disposition of
assets of the Company.

1.7 “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as it may be amended from time to time.

1.8 “Common Stock” means the common stock, par value $.01 per share, of the Company.

1.9 “Company” means ConocoPhillips or any successors thereto.

1.10 Controlled Group” shall mean ConocoPhillips and its Subsidiaries.

1.11 “Credited Compensation” of a Severed Employee means the aggregate of the Severed Employee’s
annual base salary plus his or her annual incentive compensation, each as further described below.
For purposes of this definition, (a) annual base salary shall be determined immediately prior to
the Severance Date (without regard to any reductions therein which constitute Good Reason) and
(b) annual incentive compensation shall be deemed to equal the higher of (i) the Severed Employee’s
most recently established target (determined at one hundred percent of target) for annual incentive
compensation for such employee prior to such employee’s Severance Date or (ii) the average of the
most recent two annual incentive compensation payments to by such Severed Employee pursuant to the
Variable Cash Incentive Program or its successor program maintained by the Employer made before his
or her Severance Date; provided, however, that for purposes of this clause (ii), (I) if such
Severed Employee has been eligible to receive only one such annual incentive compensation payment
for a period ending before his or her Severance Date, the amount of annual incentive compensation
for purposes of determining Credited Compensation shall be equal to the

 

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amount
of such single annual incentive compensation payment (if any), and (II) if such Severed Employee has not been eligible for any such annual incentive compensation payment, the amount of
annual incentive compensation for purposes of determining Credited Compensation shall be equal to
his or her most recently established target (determined at one hundred percent of target) for
annual incentive compensation for such employee prior to such
employee’s Severance Date.

1.12 “Effective Date” means the date first stated above as the effective date of this Plan.

1.13 “Eligible Employee” means any employee that is a Tier 1 Employee or a Tier 2 Employee.

1.14 “Employer” means the Company or any of its subsidiaries.

1.15 “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

1.16 “Excise Tax” shall mean the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code, together with any
interest or penalties imposed with respect to such excise tax.

1.17 “Exempt Person” means any of the Employers, any employee benefit plan of any of the Employers,
and any Person organized, appointed, or established by any Employer for or pursuant to the terms of
any such plan.

1.18 “Exempt Rights” means any rights to purchase shares of Common Stock or other Voting Stock of
the Company if at the time of the issuance thereof such rights are not separable from such Common
Stock or other Voting Stock (i.e., are not transferable otherwise than in connection with a
transfer of the underlying Common Stock or other Voting Stock), except upon the occurrence of a
contingency, whether such rights exist as of the Effective Date, or are thereafter issued by the
Company as a dividend on shares of Common Stock or other Voting Securities or otherwise.

1.19 “Exempt Transaction” means an increase in the percentage of the outstanding shares of Common
Stock or the percentage of the combined voting power of the outstanding Voting Stock of the Company
beneficially owned by any Person solely as a result of a reduction in the number of shares of
Common Stock then outstanding due to the repurchase of Common Stock or Voting Stock by the Company,
unless and until such time as (a) such Person or any Affiliate or Associate of such Person shall
purchase or otherwise become the Beneficial Owner of additional shares of Common Stock constituting
1% or more of the then outstanding shares of Common Stock or additional Voting Stock representing
1% or more of the combined voting power of the then outstanding Voting Stock, or (b) any other
Person (or Persons) who is (or collectively are) the Beneficial Owner of shares of Common Stock
constituting 1% or more of the then outstanding shares of Common Stock or Voting Stock representing
1% or more of the combined voting power of the then outstanding Voting Stock shall become an
Affiliate or Associate of such Person.

1.20 “Good Reason” means the occurrence, on or after the date of a Change in Control, and without
the Eligible Employee’s written consent, of (i) the assignment to the Eligible Employee of duties
in the aggregate that are inconsistent with the Eligible Employee’s level of responsibility

 

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immediately prior to the date of the Change in Control or any diminution in the nature of the
Eligible Employee’s responsibilities from those in effect immediately prior to the date of the
Change in
Control; (ii) a reduction by the Employer in the Eligible Employee’s annual base salary
or any adverse change in the Eligible Employee’s aggregate annual and long term incentive
compensation opportunity from that in effect immediately prior to the Change in Control which
change is not pursuant to a program applicable to all comparably situated executives of the
Employer; or (iii) the relocation of the Eligible Employee’s principal place of employment to a
location more than 50 miles from the Eligible Employee’s principal place of employment immediately
prior to the date of the Change in
Control; provided, however, that this clause (iii) shall not be
considered to be Good Reason if the Employer undertakes to pay all reasonable relocation expenses
of the Eligible Employee in connection with such relocation, whether through a relocation plan,
program, or policy of the Employer or otherwise.

1.21 “Gross-Up Payment” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.5 hereof.

1.22 “Parachute Value” of a Payment shall mean the present value as of the date of the change of
control for purposes of Section 280G of the Code of the portion of such Payment that constitutes a
“parachute payment” under Section 280G(b)(2), as determined by the Accounting Firm for purposes of
determining whether and to what extent the Excise Tax will apply to such Payment.

1.23 “Payment” shall mean any payment or distribution in the nature of compensation (within the
meaning of Section 280G(b)(2) of the Code) to or for the benefit of an Eligible Employee, whether
paid or payable pursuant to this Plan or otherwise, by any Employer or by a Person that is a party
to the Change in Control.

1.24 “Person” means any individual, firm, corporation, partnership, association, trust,
unincorporated organization, or other entity.

1.25 “Plan” means the ConocoPhillips Key Employee Change in Control Severance Plan, as set forth
herein, as it may be amended from time to time.

1.26 “Plan Administrator” means the person or persons appointed from time to time by the Board,
which appointment may be revoked at any time by the Board.

1.27 “Public Offering” means the initial sale of common equity securities of the Company pursuant
to an effective registration statement (other than a registration on Form S-4 or S-8 or any
successor or similar forms) filed under the Securities Act of 1933.

1.28 “Retirement Plans” means the ConocoPhillips Retirement Plan and the ConocoPhillips Key
Employee Supplemental Retirement Plan.

1.29 “Safe Harbor Amount” means, with respect to an Eligible Employee, 2.99 times the Eligible
Employee’s “base amount,” within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(3) of the Code.

 

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1.30 “Separation from Service” means the date on which the Participant separates from service with
the Controlled Group within the meaning of Code section 409A, whether by reason of death,
disability, retirement, or otherwise. In determining Separation from Service, with regard to a
bona fide leave of absence that is due to any medically determinable physical or mental impairment
that can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not
less than six months, where such impairment causes the Employee to be unable to perform the duties
of his or her position of employment or any substantially similar position of employment, a
29-month period of absence shall be substituted for the six-month period set forth in section
1.409A-1(h)(1)(i) of the regulations issued under section 409A of the
Code, as allowed thereunder.

1.31 “Severance” means the termination of an Eligible Employee’s employment with the Employer on or
within two years following the date of a Change in Control, (i) by the Employer other than for
Cause, or (ii) by the Eligible Employee for Good Reason. An Eligible Employee will not be
considered to have incurred a Severance if his employment is discontinued by reason of the Eligible
Employee’s death or a physical or mental condition causing such Eligible Employee’s inability to
substantially perform his duties with the Employer and entitling him or her to benefits under any
long-term sick pay or disability income policy or program of the Employer. Furthermore, an
Eligible Employee will not be considered to have incurred a Severance if employment with the
Employer is discontinued after the Eligible Employee has been offered employment with another
employer that has purchased a subsidiary or division of the Company or all or substantially all of
the assets of an a subsidiary or division of the Company and the offer of employment from the other
employer is at the same or greater salary and the same or greater target bonus as the Eligible
Employee has at that time from the Employer. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, Good
Reason shall not be deemed to have occurred unless the Company shall have been given (1) written
notice of the Eligible Employee’s assertion that an event constituting Good Reason has occurred,
which notice shall be given not less than 30 days prior to the Severance Date to which such notice
relates, and (2) a reasonable opportunity to cure such occurrence during such 30-day period.
Furthermore, in order to be considered a Severance, the termination must also meet the requirements
of a Separation from Service.

1.32 “Severance Date” means the date on which an Eligible Employee incurs a Severance.

1.33 “Severance Pay” means the payment determined pursuant to Section 2.1 hereof.

1.34 “Severed Employee” means an Eligible Employee who has incurred a Severance.

1.35
“Subsidiary” means any corporation or other entity that is treated as a single employer with
ConocoPhillips, under section 414(b) or (c) of the Code; provided, that in making this
determination, in applying section 1563(a)(1), (2), and (3) of the Code for purposes of determining
a controlled group of corporations under section 414(b) of the Code and for purposes of determining
trades or businesses (whether or not incorporated) under common control under regulation section
1.414(c)-2 for purposes of section 414(c) of the Code, the language “at least 80%” shall be used
without substitution as allowed under regulations pursuant to section 409A of the Code.

 

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1.36 “Tier 1 Employee” means any employee of the Employer who is in salary grade 26 or above (under
the salary grade schedule of the Company on the Effective Date, with appropriate adjustment for any
subsequent change in such salary grade schedule), at or subsequent to the time of the Change in
Control.

1.37 “Tier 2 Employee” means any employee of the Employer, other than a Tier 1 Employee, who is in
salary grade 23 or above (under the salary grade schedule of the Company on the Effective Date,
with appropriate adjustment for any subsequent change in such salary grade schedule) at or
subsequent to the time of the Change in Control.

1.38 “Value” of a Payment shall mean the economic present value of a Payment as of the date of the
change of control for purposes of Section 280G of the Code, as determined by the Accounting Firm
using the discount rate required by Section 280G(d)(4) of the Code.

1.39 “Voting Stock” means, with respect to a corporation, all securities of such corporation of any
class or series that are entitled to vote generally in the election of directors of such
corporation (excluding any class or series that would be entitled so to vote by reason of the
occurrence of any contingency, so long as such contingency has not occurred).

SECTION 2. BENEFITS.

2.1 Subject to Section 2.9, each Severed Employee shall be entitled to receive Severance Pay equal
to the sum of the amounts determined under Sections 2.1(a), (b), and (c). Furthermore, for
purposes of Employer compensation plans, programs, and arrangements, each Severed Employee shall be
considered to have been laid off by the Employer.

	 	(a)	 	The amount that is the Severed Employee’s Credited Compensation, multiplied by
(i) 3, in the case of a Tier 1 Employee or (ii) 2 in the case of a Tier 2 Employee.

	 	(b)	 	The amount that is the present value, determined as of the Severed Employee’s
Severance Date, of the increase in benefits under the Retirement Plans that would
result if the Severed Employee was credited with the following number of additional
years of age and service under the Retirement Plans: (i) 3, in the case of a Tier 1
Employee or (ii) 2, in the case of a Tier 2 Employee; provided, however, that in
calculating (b), if the Severed Employee is entitled under the Retirement Plans to any
additional credited service due to the circumstances of the Severed Employee’s
termination, then the amount of the present value of the increased benefits called for
in the determination of (b) shall be reduced by the amount of the present value of the
increased benefits under the Retirement Plans calculated after taking into account the
circumstances of the Severed Employee’s termination, but not below zero. Present value
shall be determined based on the assumptions utilized under the ConocoPhillips
Retirement Plan for purposes of determining contributions under Code Section 412 for
the most recently completed plan year.

	 	(c)	 	The amount that is equal to either (i) or (ii), as applicable, plus either
(iii) or (iv), as applicable, plus (v), if applicable, plus (vi), if applicable:

 

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	 	(i)	 	If the Severed Employee was enrolled in company-sponsored
medical coverage on the Severance Date, an amount equal to 6 times the
difference between the COBRA participant contribution rate and the active
employee contribution rate, each as of the Severance Date, for the type of
coverage in which the Tier 2 Employee was enrolled.

	 	(ii)	 	If the Severed Employee was not enrolled in company-sponsored
medical coverage on the Severance Date, an amount equal to 18 times the
difference between the COBRA participant contribution rate and the active
employee contribution rate, each as of the Severance Date, for PPO medical
coverage.

	 	(iii)	 	If the Severed Employee was enrolled in company-sponsored
dental coverage on the Severance Date, an amount equal to 6 times the
difference between the COBRA participant contribution rate and the active
employee contribution rate, each as of the Severance Date, for the type of
coverage in which the Tier 2 Employee was enrolled.

	 	(iv)	 	If the Severed Employee was not enrolled in company-sponsored
dental coverage on the Severance Date, an amount equal to 18 times the
difference between the COBRA participant contribution rate and the active
employee contribution rate, each as of the Severance Date, for dental coverage
(using the CP dental option coverage).

	 	(v)	 	In the case of a Tier 1 Employee, an amount equal to the sum of
6 times the COBRA participant contribution rate, as of the Severance Date, for
PPO medical coverage plus 6 times the COBRA participant contribution rate, as
of the Severance Date, for dental coverage (using the CP dental option
coverage).

	 	(vi)	 	If any persons qualified as eligible dependents of the Severed
Employee under the applicable company-sponsored medical or dental coverage in
which the Severed Employee was enrolled on the Severance Date, an amount equal
to the sum of the differences, for each such eligible dependent, between the
COBRA eligible dependent contribution rate and the eligible dependent
contribution rate for eligible dependents of active employees, each as of the
Severance Date, for the medical and/or dental coverage in which the Severed
Employee was enrolled on the Severance Date, as applicable, times the factor
set forth in the applicable Section 2.1(c)(i) or (ii), (c)(iii) or (iv), and
(c)(v); provided, that if the Severed Employee was not enrolled for medical or
dental coverage, then the eligibility and amount for each dependent shall be
determined as if the Severed Employee had been enrolled in the PPO medical
coverage or dental coverage (using the CP dental option coverage), as
applicable, on the Severance Date.

2.2 Severance Pay (as well as any amount payable pursuant to Section 2.6 hereof) shall be paid to
an eligible Severed Employee in a cash lump sum on the first business day immediately following

 

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10 days after the end of the period for executing and delivering the Severed Employee’s release, as
set forth in Section 2.9.

2.3 Subject to Section 2.9, for a period of (a) 36 months, in the case of a Tier 1 Employee or (b)
24 months, in the case of a Tier 2 Employee, beginning the first of the month following the
termination of active employee benefits, the Company shall arrange to provide the Severed Employee
and his dependents
benefits similar to those the Severed Employee and his dependents had immediately prior to the Severed Employee’s Severance Date. Only those dependents who were
eligible for coverage on the Severed Employee’s Severance Date may be covered thereafter, but no
amendment to any plan or program providing these benefits made after the Severed Employee’s
Severance Date shall prevent eligibility for dependents who would otherwise have been eligible for
coverage on the Severed Employee’s Severance Date. These benefits will be provided at no greater
cost to the Severed Employee than active employee rates for the plan year of coverage provided the
benefits continue to be offered by the Company to active employees and the Severed Employee and his
dependents meet the same eligibility criteria for the benefits as an active employee and dependents
of an active employee. Depending on coverages prior to the Severed Employee’s Severance Date, these
benefits could include the following, but do not include any other benefits offered by the Company:
Life Insurance, which includes Basic, Executive Basic, Supplemental, and Dependent Life; Personal
Accident Insurance; Medical (Primary PPO and Traditional Options); and Dental (CP Dental Option).
Severed employees may also continue Long Term Care and Executive Life directly through the vendor
to be paid for by the Severed Employee. If a Severed Employee is covered by any other Medical
Option prior to the Severed Employee’s Severance Date, the Severed Employee will be covered under
the Primary PPO Option or the Traditional Option for medical benefits, at the Severed Employee’s
choice, as soon as possible after the Severed Employee’s Severance Date. If a Severed Employee is
covered by any other Dental Option prior to the Severed Employee’s Severance Date, the Severed
Employee will be covered under the CP Dental Option for dental benefits as soon as possible after
the Severed Employee’s Severance Date. While as an active employee the Severed Employee may have
been able to make employee contributions or pay premiums for certain coverage through a pre-tax
salary reduction arrangement, that will not continue after the Severed Employee’s Severance Date.
The cost of these benefits will not be adjusted to reflect that the Severed Employee’s cost will no
longer be pre-tax. All other active employee benefits, not specifically mentioned above, are
excluded, although if any of the benefits specifically mentioned above are replaced with a similar
benefit after the Severed Employee’s Severance Date, such replacement benefits are to be considered
as mentioned specifically above even though their names, terms, and conditions may have been
changed. Such benefits shall not be provided (except to the extent as may be required by law)
during any period when the Severed Employee is eligible to receive such benefits from another
employer or from an Employer or if the Severed Employee has resumed working for an Employer. The
Severed Employee is obligated to inform the Company when or if they become eligible to receive such
benefits from another employer.

2.4 Upon Change in Control, each Eligible Employee shall immediately become fully vested in all
outstanding equity awards and shall not thereafter be forfeitable for any reason (except that
options shall expire and be cancelled ten years from the date of their grant). Any options granted
to

 

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the Eligible Employee shall be exercisable at the times set forth in the applicable award
documents. Each such option shall remain outstanding until ten years from the date of grant,
notwithstanding any provision of the option grant or any plan under which the option may have been
granted to the contrary. The date of distribution of any stock or other value from such awards
shall be as set forth in the applicable terms and conditions of the award.

	2.5	 	(a) Anything in this Plan to the contrary notwithstanding and except as set forth below, in
the event it shall be determined that any Payment to an Eligible Employee would be subject to
the Excise Tax, then the Eligible Employee shall be entitled to receive an additional payment
(the “Gross-Up Payment”) in an amount such that, after payment by the Eligible Employee of all
taxes (and any interest or penalties imposed with respect to such taxes), including, without
limitation, any income taxes (and any interest and penalties imposed with respect thereto) and
Excise Tax imposed upon the Gross-Up Payment, the Eligible Employee retains an amount of the
Gross-Up Payment equal to the Excise Tax imposed upon the Payments. Notwithstanding the
foregoing provisions of this Section 2.5(a), if it shall be determined that an Eligible
Employee is entitled to the Gross-Up Payment, but that the Parachute Value of all Payments
does not exceed 110% of the Safe Harbor Amount, then no Gross-Up Payment shall be made to the
Eligible Employee and the amounts payable under this Plan shall be reduced so that the
Parachute Value of all Payments, in the aggregate, equals the Safe Harbor Amount. The
reduction of the amounts payable hereunder, if applicable, shall be made by first reducing the
payments under Section 2.1, unless an alternative method of reduction is elected by the
Eligible Employee, and in any event shall be made in such a manner as to maximize the Value of
all Payments actually made to the Eligible Employee. For purposes of reducing the Payments to
the Safe Harbor Amount, only amounts payable under this Plan (and no other Payments) shall be
reduced. If the reduction of the amount payable under this Plan to an Eligible Employee would
not result in a reduction of the Parachute Value of all Payments to the Safe Harbor Amount, no
amounts payable to the Eligible Employee under the Plan shall be reduced pursuant to this
Section 2.5(a). The Company’s obligation to make Gross-Up Payments to an Eligible Employee
under this Section 2.5 shall not be conditioned upon the Eligible Employee’s termination of
employment.

(b) Subject to the provisions of Section 2.5(c), all determinations required to be made
under this Section 2.5, including whether and when a Gross-Up Payment is required, the
amount of such Gross-Up Payment and the assumptions to be utilized in arriving at such
determination, shall be made by a nationally recognized certified public accounting firm
designated by the Plan Administrator (the “Accounting Firm”). The Accounting Firm shall
provide detailed supporting calculations both to the Company and each Eligible Employee
Eligible Employee within 15 business days of the receipt of notice from the Eligible
Employee that there has been a Payment or such earlier time as is requested by the Company.
All fees and expenses of the Accounting Firm shall be borne solely by the Company. Any
Gross-Up Payment, as determined pursuant to this Section 2.5, shall be paid by the Company
to the Eligible Employee within 5 days of the receipt of the Accounting Firm’s
determination. Any determination by the Accounting Firm shall be binding upon the Company
and the

 

11

 

Eligible Employee. As a result of the uncertainty in the application of Section 4999 of the
Code at the time of the initial determination by the Accounting Firm hereunder, it is
possible that Gross-Up Payments that will not have been made by the Company should have been
made (the “Underpayment”), consistent with the calculations required to be made hereunder.
In the event the Company exhausts its remedies pursuant to Section 2.5(c) and the Eligible
Employee thereafter is required to make a payment of any Excise Tax, the Accounting Firm
shall determine the amount of the Underpayment that has
occurred and any such Underpayment
shall be promptly paid by the Company to or for the benefit of the
Eligible Employee.

(c) As a condition to being entitled to Gross-Up Payment hereunder, each Eligible Employee
shall be required to notify the Company in writing of any claim by the Internal Revenue
Service that, if successful, would require the payment by the Company of the Gross-Up
Payment. Such notification shall be given as soon as practicable, but no later than 10
business days after the Eligible Employee is informed in writing of such claim. The
Eligible Employee shall apprise the Company of the nature of such claim and the date on
which such claim is requested to be paid. The Eligible Employee shall not pay such claim
prior to the expiration of the 30-day period following the date on which the Eligible
Employee gives such notice to the Company (or such shorter period ending on the date that
any payment of taxes with respect to such claim is due). If the Company notifies the
Eligible Employee in writing prior to the expiration of such period that the Company desires
to contest such claim, the Eligible Employee shall:

(i) give the Company any information reasonably requested by the Company relating to
such claim,

(ii) take such action in connection with contesting such claim as the Company shall
reasonably request in writing from time to time, including, without limitation,
accepting legal representation with respect to such claim by an attorney reasonably
selected by the Company,

(iii) cooperate with the Company in good faith in order effectively to contest such
claim, and

(iv) permit the Company to participate in any proceedings relating to such claim;

provided, however, that the Company shall bear and pay directly all costs and expenses
(including additional interest and penalties) incurred in connection with such contest, and
shall indemnify and hold the Eligible Employee harmless, on an after-tax basis, for any
Excise Tax or income tax (including interest and penalties) imposed as a result of such
representation and payment of costs and expenses. Without limitation on the foregoing
provisions of this Section 2.5(c), the Company shall control all proceedings taken in
connection with such contest, and, at its sole discretion, may pursue or forgo any and all
administrative appeals, proceedings, hearings and conferences with the applicable taxing
authority in respect of such claim and may, at its sole discretion, either direct the
Eligible

 

12

 

Employee to pay the tax claimed and sue for a refund or contest the claim in any permissible
manner, and the Eligible Employee agrees to prosecute such contest to a determination before
any administrative tribunal, in a court of initial jurisdiction and in one or more appellate
courts, as the Company shall determine; provided, however, that, if the Company directs the
Eligible Employee to pay such claim and sue for a refund, the Company shall make such
payment and shall indemnify and hold the Eligible Employee harmless, on an after-tax basis,
from any Excise Tax or income tax (including interest or penalties) imposed
with respect to
such payment or with respect to any imputed income in connection with such payment; and
provided, further, that any extension of the statute of limitations relating to payment of
taxes for the taxable year of the Eligible Employee with respect to which such contested
amount is claimed to be due is limited solely to such contested amount. Furthermore, the
Company’s control of the contest shall be limited to issues with respect to which the
Gross-Up Payment would be payable hereunder, and the Eligible Employee shall be entitled to
settle or contest, as the case may be, any other issue raised by the Internal Revenue
Service or any other taxing authority.

(d) If, after the Company has made a Gross-Up Payment or a payment pursuant to
Section 2.5(c), an Eligible Employee becomes entitled to receive any refund with respect to
the Excise Tax to which such Gross-Up Payment relates or with respect to the claim to which
such payment relates, the Eligible Employee shall (subject to the Company’s complying with
the requirements of Section 2.5(c), if applicable) promptly pay to the Company the amount of
such refund (together with any interest paid or credited thereon after taxes applicable
thereto). If, after the Company has paid any amount pursuant to Section 2.5(c), a
determination is made that the Eligible Employee shall not be entitled to any refund with
respect to such claim and the Company does not notify the Eligible Employee in writing of
its intent to contest such denial of refund prior to the expiration of 30 days after such
determination, then the amount of such payment shall offset, to the extent thereof, the
amount of Gross-Up Payment required to be paid.

(e) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 2.5, the Company may, in its sole
discretion, withhold and pay over to the Internal Revenue Service or any other applicable
taxing authority, for the benefit of any Eligible Employee, all or any portion of any
Gross-Up Payment, and each Eligible Employee shall be required to consent to such
withholding as a condition to being entitled to any Gross-Up Payment.

2.6 Each Severed Employee shall be entitled to receive the employee’s full salary through the
Severance Date and, subject to Section 2.9 but notwithstanding any provision of the Company’s
Variable Cash Incentive Program or similar annual bonus incentive plan to the contrary, shall be
eligible for consideration for an award under such program or plan when awards are made with regard
to the fiscal year under such program or plan in which the Severance Date occurred.

2.7 The Company will pay to each Eligible Employee all reasonable legal fees and expenses incurred
by such Eligible Employee in pursuing any claim under the Plan, unless the applicable finder of
fact determines that the Eligible Employee’s claim was frivolous or not maintained in good faith.

 

13

 

2.8 The Company shall be entitled to withhold and/or to cause to be withheld from amounts to be
paid to the Severed Employee hereunder any federal, state, or local withholding or other taxes or
charges which it is from time to time required to withhold.

2.9 No Severed Employee shall be eligible to receive Severance Pay or other benefits under the Plan
unless he or she first executes a written release substantially in
the form attached as Exhibit A
hereto (or, if the Severed Employee was not a United States employee, a similar release which is in
accordance with the applicable laws in the relevant jurisdiction) and, to the extent such release
is revocable by its terms, only if the Severed Employee does not revoke it. Such release must be
executed and delivered to the Company within 30 days of the
Employee’s Severance Date.

SECTION 3. PLAN ADMINISTRATION.

3.1 The Plan Administrator shall administer the Plan and may interpret the Plan, prescribe, amend,
and rescind rules and regulations under the Plan and make all other determinations necessary or
advisable for the administration of the Plan, subject to all of the provisions of the Plan.

3.2 In the event of a claim by an Eligible Employee as to the amount or timing of any payment or
benefit, such Eligible Employee shall present the reason for his or her claim in writing to the
Plan Administrator. The Plan Administrator shall, within 14 days after receipt of such written
claim, send a written notification to the Eligible Employee as to its disposition. Except as
provided in the preceding portion of this Section 3.2, all disputes under this Plan shall be
settled exclusively by binding arbitration in Houston, Texas, in accordance with the rules of the
American Arbitration Association then in effect. Judgment may be entered on the arbitrator’s award
in any court having jurisdiction.

3.3 The Plan Administrator may delegate any of its duties hereunder to such person or persons from
time to time as it may designate.

3.4 The Plan Administrator is empowered, on behalf of the Plan, to engage accountants, legal
counsel, and such other personnel as it deems necessary or advisable to assist it in the
performance of its duties under the Plan. The functions of any such persons engaged by the Plan
Administrator shall be limited to the specified services and duties for which they are engaged, and
such persons shall have no other duties, obligations or responsibilities under the Plan. Such
persons shall exercise no discretionary authority or discretionary control respecting the
management of the Plan. All reasonable expenses thereof shall be borne by the Employer.

SECTION 4. DURATION; AMENDMENT; AND TERMINATION.

4.1 This Plan shall be effective on the Effective Date. If a Change in Control has not occurred,
this Plan shall continue in effect unless and until it is terminated as provided in Section 4.2.
If a Change in Control occurs, this Plan shall continue in full force and effect and shall not
terminate or expire until after all Eligible Employees who become or may become entitled to any
payments

 

14

 

		 	hereunder shall have received such payments in full and all adjustments required to be made
pursuant to Section 2 have been made.

	 
	4.2	 	(a) If a Change in Control has not occurred, this Plan may be amended from time to time
during its term by the Company acting through its Board of Directors or, to the extent
authorized by the Board of Directors, its officers, provided that any such amendment which
shall in any manner reduce, diminish, or otherwise adversely affect any benefit which is or
may at any time in the future become payable hereunder, or any such
amendment which shall alter the definition of Change in Control shall be made effective not less than two years
after the action of the Company authorizing such amendment, and in no event shall any such
amendment take effect prior to October 1, 2006, unless, and then only to the extent that such
amendment is or becomes necessary in order to assure continued compliance by this Plan with
any applicable state or federal law or regulation.

(b) This Plan shall not terminate prior to October 1, 2006. On or after October 1, 2004, the
Company may, by action of its Board of Directors, terminate this Plan, provided, however, that
the effective date of such termination shall be not less than two years from the date of such
Board action. Provided further that in the event a Change in Control shall occur prior to the
effective date of termination, the provisions of Section 4.2(c) shall apply.

(c) If a Change in Control shall occur while this Plan is in effect, no then-pending amendment or
termination shall take effect, this Plan shall remain in full force and effect as at the
Change in Control, and this Plan shall terminate automatically without further action on
behalf of the Company immediately following the making of all payments to Eligible Employees
under this Plan.

SECTION 5. GENERAL PROVISIONS.

5.1 Except as otherwise provided herein or by law, no right or interest of any Eligible Employee
under the Plan shall be assignable or transferable, in whole or in part, either directly or by
operation of law or otherwise, including without limitation by execution, levy, garnishment,
attachment, pledge, or in any manner; no attempted assignment or transfer thereof shall be
effective; and no right or interest of any Eligible Employee under the Plan shall be liable for, or
subject to, any obligation or liability of such Eligible Employee. When a payment is due under
this Plan to a Severed Employee who is unable to care for his or her affairs, payment may be made
directly to his or her legal guardian or personal representative.

5.2 If any Employer is obligated by law or by contract to pay severance pay, a termination
indemnity, notice pay, or the like, to a Severed Employee, or if any Employer is obligated by law
to provide advance notice of separation (“Notice Period”) to a Severed Employee, then any Severance
Pay hereunder to such Severed Employee shall be reduced by the amount of any such severance pay,
termination indemnity, notice pay, or the like, as applicable, and by the amount of any
compensation received during any Notice Period. This provision specifically includes any payments
or obligations under the Conoco Inc. Key Employee Severance Plan, as amended and restated effective
October 1,

 

15

 

2001, and as subsequently amended, or under the ConocoPhillips Severance Pay Plan, as effective
March 13, 2004, and as subsequently amended, or under the ConocoPhillips Executive Severance Plan,
as effective October 1, 2004, and as subsequently amended. Furthermore, if an Eligible Employee
has willful and bad faith conduct demonstrably injurious to Company or its subsidiaries, monetarily
or otherwise, after receiving Severance Pay, the Company may offset an amount equal to such
Severance Pay against any other amounts due from other plans or programs, unless otherwise required
by law.

5.3 Neither the establishment of the Plan, nor any modification thereof, nor the creation of any
fund, trust, or account, nor the payment of any benefits shall be construed as giving any Eligible
Employee, or any person whomsoever, the right to be retained in the service of the Employer, and
all Eligible Employees shall remain subject to discharge to the same extent as if the Plan had
never been adopted.

5.4 If any provision of this Plan shall be held invalid or unenforceable, such invalidity or
unenforceability shall not affect any other provisions hereof, and this Plan shall be construed and
enforced as if such provisions had not been included.

5.5 This Plan shall be binding upon the heirs, executors, administrators, successors, and assigns
of the parties, including each Eligible Employee, present and future, and any successor to the
Employer.

5.6 The headings and captions herein are provided for reference and convenience only, shall not be
considered part of the Plan, and shall not be employed in the construction of the Plan.

5.7 The Plan shall not be funded. No Eligible Employee shall have any right to, or interest in,
any assets of any Employer that may be applied by the Employer to the payment of benefits or other
rights under this Plan.

5.8 Any notice or other communication required or permitted pursuant to the terms hereof shall have
been duly given when delivered or mailed by United States Mail, first-class, postage prepaid,
addressed to the intended recipient at his, her or its last known address.

5.9 This Plan shall be construed and enforced according to the laws of the State of Delaware.

	 	 	 	 	 
	CONOCOPHILLIPS	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 
	By:

	 	/s/ Carin S. Knickel
	 	Dated: 12/19/2008
	 

	 	 

Carin S. Knickel
	 	 
	 

	 	Vice President, Human Resources	 	 

 

16

 

Exhibit A

WAIVER AND RELEASE OF CLAIMS

In consideration of, and subject to, the payments to be made to me by ConocoPhillips, a
Delaware corporation (the “Company”) or any of its subsidiaries, pursuant to the ConocoPhillips Key
Employee Change in Control Severance Plan (the “Plan”), which I acknowledge that I would not
otherwise be entitled to receive, I hereby waive any claims I may have for employment or
re-employment by the Company or any subsidiary or parent of the Company after the date hereof, and
I further agree to and do release and forever discharge the Company or any subsidiary or parent of
the Company, and their respective past and present officers, directors, shareholders, employees,
and agents from any and all claims and causes of action, known or unknown, arising out of or
relating to my employment with the Company or any subsidiary or parent of the Company, or the
termination thereof, including, but not limited to, wrongful discharge, breach of contract, tort,
fraud, the Civil Rights Acts, Age Discrimination in Employment Act, Employee Retirement Income
Security Act, Americans with Disabilities Act, or any other federal, state, or local legislation or
common law relating to employment or discrimination in employment or otherwise.

Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other provision hereof, nothing in this Waiver and
Release of Claims shall adversely affect (i) my rights under the Plan; (ii) my rights to benefits
other than severance benefits under plans, programs, and arrangements of the Company or any
subsidiary or parent of the Company which are accrued but unpaid as of the date of my termination;
or (iii) my rights to indemnification under any indemnification agreement, applicable law and the
certificates of incorporation and bylaws of the Company and any subsidiary or parent of the
Company, and my rights under any director’s and officers’ liability insurance policy covering me.

I acknowledge that I have signed this Waiver and Release of Claims voluntarily, knowingly, of
my own free will and without reservation or duress and that no promises or representations have
been made to me by any person to induce me to do so other than the promise of payment set forth in
the first paragraph above and the Company’s acknowledgement of my rights reserved under the second
paragraph above.

	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	Signature:

	 	 	 	Dated:	 	 
	 

	 	 
	 	 	 	 

 

17Filed by Bowne Pure Compliance

Exhibit 10.23

CONOCOPHILLIPS

EXECUTIVE SEVERANCE PLAN

(Amended and Restated Effective as of December 31, 2008)

Effective October 1, 2004, the Company adopted this the ConocoPhillips Executive Severance
Plan (the “Plan”) for the benefit of certain employees of the Company and its subsidiaries. It was
amended and restated effective January 1, 2005. This amendment and restatement of the Plan shall
be effective December 31, 2008. Any Eligible Employee (as defined below) having a Severance Date
(as defined below) prior to December 31, 2008, shall have benefits under this Plan determined in
accordance with the provisions of this Plan as they existed prior to this amendment and
restatement. Any Eligible Employee (as defined below) having a Severance Date (as defined below)
on or after December 31, 2008, shall have benefits under this Plan determined in accordance with
the provisions of this Plan pursuant to this amendment and restatement. All capitalized terms used
herein are defined in Section 1 hereof. This Plan is intended to be a plan maintained primarily
for the purpose of providing deferred compensation for a select group of management or highly
compensated employees, within the meaning of Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act
of 1974, as amended and shall be interpreted in a manner consistent with such intention.

SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS. As hereinafter used:

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

1.2 “Cause” means (i) the willful and continued failure by the Eligible Employee to substantially
perform the Eligible Employee’s duties with the Employer (other than any such failure resulting
from the Eligible Employee’s incapacity due to physical or mental illness), or (ii) the willful
engaging, not in good faith, by the Eligible Employee in conduct which is demonstrably injurious to
the Company or any of its subsidiaries, monetarily or otherwise.

1.3 “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as it may be amended from time to time.

1.4 “Company” means ConocoPhillips or any successors thereto.

1.5 Controlled Group” shall mean ConocoPhillips and its Subsidiaries.

1.6 “Credited Compensation” of a Severed Employee means the aggregate of the Severed Employee’s
annual base salary plus his or her annual incentive compensation, each as further described below.
For purposes of this definition, (a) annual base salary shall be determined

 

1

 

immediately prior to the Severance Date and (b) annual incentive compensation shall be deemed to
equal the Severed Employee’s most recently established target (determined at one hundred percent of
target) for annual incentive compensation for such employee prior to such employee’s Severance Date
pursuant to the Variable Cash Incentive Program or its successor program maintained by the
Employer.

1.7 “Effective Date” means, as applicable, the date first stated above as the original effective
date of this Plan or the effective date of this Plan as amended and restated.

1.8 “Eligible Employee” means any employee that is a Tier 1 Employee or a Tier 2 Employee, other
than those employees who are listed on Exhibit B.

1.9 “Employer” means the Company or any of its subsidiaries.

1.10 “Person” means any individual, firm, corporation, partnership, association, trust,
unincorporated organization, or other entity.

1.11 “Plan” means the ConocoPhillips Executive Severance Plan, as set forth herein, as it may be
amended from time to time.

1.12 “Plan Administrator” means the person or persons appointed from time to time by the Board,
which appointment may be revoked at any time by the Board.

1.13 “Retirement Plans” means the ConocoPhillips Retirement Plan and the ConocoPhillips Key
Employee Supplemental Retirement Plan.

1.14 “Separation from Service” means the date on which the Participant separates from service with
the Controlled Group within the meaning of Code section 409A, whether by reason of death,
disability, retirement, or otherwise. In determining Separation from Service, with regard to a
bona fide leave of absence that is due to any medically determinable physical or mental impairment
that can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not
less than six months, where such impairment causes the Employee to be unable to perform the duties
of his or her position of employment or any substantially similar position of employment, a
29-month period of absence shall be substituted for the six-month period set forth in section
1.409A-1(h)(1)(i) of the regulations issued under section 409A of the Code, as allowed thereunder.

1.15 “Severance” means the termination of an Eligible Employee’s employment with the Employer by
the Employer other than for Cause. An Eligible Employee will not be considered to have incurred a
Severance if his employment is discontinued by reason of the Eligible Employee’s death or a
physical or mental condition causing such Eligible Employee’s inability to substantially perform
his duties with the Employer and entitling him or her to benefits under any long-term sick pay or
disability income policy or program of the Employer. Furthermore, an Eligible Employee will not be
considered to have incurred a Severance if employment with the Employer is discontinued after the
Eligible Employee has been offered employment with another employer that has purchased

 

2

 

a subsidiary or division of the Company or all or substantially all of the assets of an a
subsidiary or division of the Company and the offer of employment
from the other employer is at the same or greater salary and the same or greater target bonus as the Eligible Employee has at that
time from the Employer. Still further, an Eligible Employee will not be considered to have
incurred a Severance if employment with the Employer is discontinued and the Eligible Employee is
also eligible for payments under the ConocoPhillips Key Employee Change in Control Severance Plan,
effective October 1, 2004, or as subsequently amended, or under the Conoco Inc. Key Employee
Severance Plan, as amended and restated effective October 1, 2001, and as subsequently amended.
Furthermore, in order to be considered a Severance, the termination must also meet the requirements
of a Separation from Service.

1.16 “Severance Date” means the date on which an Eligible Employee incurs a Severance.

1.17 “Severance Pay” means the payment determined pursuant to Section 2.1 hereof.

1.18 “Severed Employee” means an Eligible Employee who has incurred a Severance.

1.19
“Subsidiary” means any corporation or other entity that is treated as a single employer with
ConocoPhillips, under section 414(b) or (c) of the Code; provided, that in making this
determination, in applying section 1563(a)(1), (2), and (3) of the Code for purposes of determining
a controlled group of corporations under section 414(b) of the Code and for purposes of determining
trades or businesses (whether or not incorporated) under common control under regulation section
1.414(c)-2 for purposes of section 414(c) of the Code, the language “at least 80%” shall be used
without substitution as allowed under regulations pursuant to section 409A of the Code.

1.20 “Tier 1 Employee” means any employee of the Employer who is in salary grade 26 or above (under
the salary grade schedule of the Company on the Effective Date, with appropriate adjustment for any
subsequent change in such salary grade schedule) on the Severance Date.

1.21 “Tier 2 Employee” means any employee of the Employer, other than a Tier 1 Employee, who is in
salary grade 23 or above (under the salary grade schedule of the Company on the Effective Date,
with appropriate adjustment for any subsequent change in such salary grade schedule) on the
Severance Date.

SECTION 2. BENEFITS.

2.1 Subject to Section 2.7, each Severed Employee shall be entitled to receive Severance Pay equal
to the sum of the amounts determined under Sections 2.1(a), (b), and (c). Furthermore, for
purposes of Employer compensation plans, programs, and arrangements, each Severed Employee shall be
considered to have been laid off by the Employer.

	 	(a)	 	The amount that is the Severed Employee’s Credited Compensation, multiplied by
(i) 2, in the case of a Tier 1 Employee or (ii) 1.5 in the case of a Tier 2 Employee.

 

3

 

	 	(b)	 	The amount that is the present value, determined as of the Severed Employee’s
Severance Date, of the increase in benefits under the Retirement Plans that would
result if the Severed Employee was credited with the following number of additional
years of age and service under the Retirement Plans: (i) 2, in the case of a Tier 1
Employee or (ii) 1.5, in the case of a Tier 2 Employee; provided, however, that in
calculating (b), if the Severed Employee is entitled under the Retirement Plans to any
additional credited service due to the circumstances of the Severed Employee’s
termination, then the amount of the present value of the increased benefits called for
in the determination of (b) shall be reduced by the amount of the present value of the
increased benefits under the Retirement Plans calculated after taking into account the
circumstances of the Severed Employee’s termination, but not below zero. Present value
shall be determined based on the assumptions utilized under the ConocoPhillips
Retirement Plan for purposes of determining contributions under Code Section 412 for
the most recently completed plan year.

	 	(c)	 	The amount that is equal to either (i) or (ii), as applicable, plus either
(iii) or (iv), as applicable, plus (v), if applicable, plus (vi), if applicable:

	 	(i)	 	If the Severed Employee was enrolled in company-sponsored
medical coverage on the Severance Date, an amount equal to 6 times the
difference between the COBRA participant contribution rate and the active
employee contribution rate, each as of the Severance Date, for the type of
coverage in which the Tier 2 Employee was enrolled.

	 	(ii)	 	If the Severed Employee was not enrolled in company-sponsored
medical coverage on the Severance Date, an amount equal to 18 times the
difference between the COBRA participant contribution rate and the active
employee contribution rate, each as of the Severance Date, for PPO medical
coverage.

	 	(iii)	 	If the Severed Employee was enrolled in company-sponsored
dental coverage on the Severance Date, an amount equal to 6 times the
difference between the COBRA participant contribution rate and the active
employee contribution rate, each as of the Severance Date, for the type of
coverage in which the Tier 2 Employee was enrolled.

	 	(iv)	 	If the Severed Employee was not enrolled in company-sponsored
dental coverage on the Severance Date, an amount equal to 18 times the
difference between the COBRA participant contribution rate and the active
employee contribution rate, each as of the Severance Date, for dental coverage
(using the CP dental option coverage).

	 	(v)	 	In the case of a Tier 1 Employee, an amount equal to the sum of
6 times the COBRA participant contribution rate, as of the Severance Date, for
PPO medical coverage plus 6 times the COBRA participant contribution rate, as
of the Severance Date, for dental coverage (using the CP dental option
coverage).

	 	(vi)	 	If any persons qualified as eligible dependents of the Severed
Employee under the applicable company-sponsored medical or dental coverage in
which the Severed Employee was enrolled on the Severance Date, an

 

4

 

	 	 	 	amount equal to the sum of
the differences, for each such eligible dependent, between the COBRA eligible dependent contribution rate and the
eligible dependent contribution rate for eligible dependents of active
employees, each as of the Severance Date, for the medical and/or dental
coverage in which the Severed Employee was enrolled on the Severance Date,
as applicable, times the factor set forth in the applicable Section
2.1(c)(i) or (ii), (c)(iii) or (iv), and (c)(v); provided, that if the
Severed Employee was not enrolled for medical or dental coverage, then the
eligibility and amount for each dependent shall be determined as if the
Severed Employee had been enrolled in the PPO medical coverage or dental
coverage (using the CP dental option coverage), as applicable, on the
Severance Date.

2.2 Subject to Section 2.7, Severance Pay (as well as any amount payable pursuant to Section 2.4
hereof) shall be paid to an eligible Severed Employee in a cash lump sum on the first business day
immediately following 10 days after the end of the period for executing and delivering the Severed
Employee’s release, as set forth in Section 2.7.

2.3 Subject to Section 2.7, for a period of (a) 24 months, in the case of a Tier 1 Employee or (b)
18 months, in the case of a Tier 2 Employee, beginning the first of the month following the
termination of active employee benefits, the Company shall arrange to provide the Severed Employee
and his eligible dependents certain benefits, as enumerated below, similar to those the Severed
Employee and his eligible dependents had immediately prior to the Severed Employee’s Severance
Date. These benefits will be provided at no greater cost to the Severed Employee than active
employee rates for the plan year of coverage provided the benefits continue to be offered by the
Company to active employees and the Severed Employee and his eligible dependents meet the same
eligibility criteria for the benefits as an active employee and dependents of an active employee.
Depending on coverages prior to the Severed Employee’s Severance Date, these benefits could include
the following, but do not include any other benefits offered by the Company: Life Insurance, which
includes Basic, Executive Basic, Supplemental, and Dependent Life; and Personal Accident Insurance.
Severed employees may also continue Long Term Care and Executive Life directly through the vendor
to be paid for by the Severed Employee. Nothing herein shall prevent a Severed Employee or
eligible dependents of a Severed Employee from electing to receive COBRA continuation coverage of
health benefits subject to COBRA, in accordance with the applicable provisions of the law and the
applicable plans. While as an active employee the Severed Employee may have been able to make
employee contributions or pay premiums for certain coverage through a pre-tax salary reduction
arrangement, that will not continue after the Severed Employee’s Severance Date. The cost of these
benefits will not be adjusted to reflect that the Severed Employee’s cost will no longer be
pre-tax. All other active employee benefits, not specifically mentioned above, are excluded,
although if any of the benefits specifically mentioned above are replaced with a similar benefit
after the Severed Employee’s Severance Date, such replacement benefits are to be considered as
mentioned specifically above even though their names, terms, and conditions may have been changed.
Such benefits shall not be provided (except to the extent as may be required by law) during any
period when the Severed

 

5

 

Employee is eligible to receive such benefits from another employer or from an Employer or if the
Severed Employee has resumed working for an Employer. The Severed Employee is obligated to inform
the Company when or if they become eligible to receive such benefits
from another employer.

2.4 Each Severed Employee shall be entitled to receive the employee’s full salary through the
Severance Date and, subject to Section 2.7 but notwithstanding any provision of the Company’s
Variable Cash Incentive Program or similar annual bonus incentive plan to the contrary, shall be
eligible for consideration for an award under such program or plan when awards are made with regard
to the fiscal year under such program or plan in which the Severance Date occurred.

2.5 Each party to any dispute concerning this Plan shall be responsible for that party’s own legal
fees and expenses; provided, however, that the arbitrator appointed pursuant to Section 3.2 of this
Plan may award reasonable legal fees and expenses to an Eligible Employee if the arbitrator
determines that the Company’s denial of the claim of the Eligible Employee was not reasonable.

2.6 The Company shall be entitled to withhold and/or to cause to be withheld from amounts to be
paid to the Severed Employee hereunder any federal, state, or local withholding or other taxes or
charges which it is from time to time required to withhold.

2.7 No Severed Employee shall be eligible to receive Severance Pay or other benefits under the Plan
unless he or she first executes a written release substantially in the form attached as Exhibit A
hereto (or, if the Severed Employee was not a United States employee, a similar release which is in
accordance with the applicable laws in the relevant jurisdiction) and, to the extent such release
is revocable by its terms, only if the Severed Employee does not revoke it, and unless he or she
also, at the request of the Company, executes a written agreement not to compete with the Company,
with such terms and conditions as may be proposed by the Company at the time. Such release and, if
requrested, such agreement not to compete must be executed and delivered to the Company within 30
days of the Employee’s Severance Date.

SECTION 3. PLAN ADMINISTRATION.

3.1 The Plan Administrator shall administer the Plan and may interpret the Plan, prescribe, amend,
and rescind rules and regulations under the Plan and make all other determinations necessary or
advisable for the administration of the Plan, subject to the provisions of the Plan. The Plan
Administrator shall have absolute discretion and authority in carrying out its responsibilities,
and all interpretations of the Plan, determinations of eligibility under the Plan, determinations
to grant or deny benefits under the Plan, or findings of fact or resolutions related to the Plan
and its administration that are made by the Plan Administrator shall be binding, final, and
conclusive on all parties.

3.2 In the event of a claim by an Eligible Employee as to the amount or timing of any payment or
benefit, such Eligible Employee shall present the reason for his or her claim in writing to the
Plan Administrator. The Plan Administrator shall, within 14 days after receipt of such written
claim, send

 

6

 

a written notification to the Eligible Employee as to its disposition. Except as provided in the
preceding portion of this Section 3.2, all disputes under this Plan shall be settled exclusively by
binding arbitration in Houston, Texas, in accordance with the rules
of the American Arbitration Association then in effect. Judgment may be entered on the arbitrator’s award in any court having
jurisdiction.

3.3 The Plan Administrator may delegate any of its duties hereunder to such person or persons from
time to time as it may designate.

3.4 The Plan Administrator is empowered, on behalf of the Plan, to engage accountants, legal
counsel, and such other personnel as it deems necessary or advisable to assist it in the
performance of its duties under the Plan. The functions of any such persons engaged by the Plan
Administrator shall be limited to the specified services and duties for which they are engaged, and
such persons shall have no other duties, obligations or responsibilities under the Plan. Such
persons shall exercise no discretionary authority or discretionary control respecting the
management of the Plan. All reasonable expenses thereof shall be borne by the Employer.

SECTION 4. DURATION; AMENDMENT; AND TERMINATION.

4.1 This Plan shall be effective on the Effective Date. This Plan shall continue in effect unless
and until it is terminated as provided in Section 4.2.

4.2 This Plan may be amended from time to time during its term by the Company acting through its
Board of Directors or, to the extent authorized by the Board of Directors, its officers. The
Company may, by action of its Board of Directors, terminate this Plan at any time.

SECTION 5. GENERAL PROVISIONS.

5.1 Except as otherwise provided herein or by law, no right or interest of any Eligible Employee
under the Plan shall be assignable or transferable, in whole or in part, either directly or by
operation of law or otherwise, including without limitation by execution, levy, garnishment,
attachment, pledge, or in any manner; no attempted assignment or transfer thereof shall be
effective; and no right or interest of any Eligible Employee under the Plan shall be liable for, or
subject to, any obligation or liability of such Eligible Employee. When a payment is due under
this Plan to a Severed Employee who is unable to care for his or her affairs, payment may be made
directly to his or her legal guardian or personal representative.

5.2 If any Employer is obligated by law or by contract to pay severance pay, a termination
indemnity, notice pay, or the like, to a Severed Employee, or if any Employer is obligated by law
to provide advance notice of separation (“Notice Period”) to a Severed Employee, then any Severance
Pay hereunder to such Severed Employee shall be reduced by the amount of any such severance pay,
termination indemnity, notice pay, or the like, as applicable, and by the amount of any
compensation received during any Notice Period. This provision specifically includes any payments
or obligations under the ConocoPhillips Severance Pay Plan, as effective March 13, 2004, and as
subsequently

 

7

 

amended. Furthermore, if an Eligible Employee has willful and bad faith conduct demonstrably
injurious to Company or its subsidiaries, monetarily or otherwise, after receiving Severance Pay,
the Company may offset an amount equal to such Severance Pay against any other amounts due from
other plans or programs, unless otherwise required by law.

5.3 Neither the establishment of the Plan, nor any modification thereof, nor the creation of any
fund, trust, or account, nor the payment of any benefits shall be construed as giving any Eligible
Employee, or any person whomsoever, the right to be retained in the service of the Employer, and
all Eligible Employees shall remain subject to discharge to the same extent as if the Plan had
never been adopted.

5.4 If any provision of this Plan shall be held invalid or unenforceable, such invalidity or
unenforceability shall not affect any other provisions hereof, and this Plan shall be construed and
enforced as if such provisions had not been included.

5.5 This Plan shall be binding upon the heirs, executors, administrators, successors, and assigns
of the parties, including each Eligible Employee, present and future, and any successor to the
Employer.

5.6 The headings and captions herein are provided for reference and convenience only, shall not be
considered part of the Plan, and shall not be employed in the construction of the Plan.

5.7 The Plan shall not be funded. No Eligible Employee shall have any right to, or interest in,
any assets of any Employer that may be applied by the Employer to the payment of benefits or other
rights under this Plan.

5.8 Any notice or other communication required or permitted pursuant to the terms hereof shall have
been duly given when delivered or mailed by United States Mail, first-class, postage prepaid,
addressed to the intended recipient at his, her or its last known address.

5.9 This Plan shall be construed and enforced according to the laws of the State of Delaware.

	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	CONOCOPHILLIPS	 	 	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 
	By:

	 	/s/ Carin S. Knickel
	 	 	 	Dated: 12/19/2008
	 

	 	 
	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	Carin S. Knickel	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	Vice President, Human Resources	 	 	 	 

 

8

 

Exhibit A

WAIVER AND RELEASE OF CLAIMS

In consideration of, and subject to, the payments to be made to me by ConocoPhillips, a
Delaware corporation (the “Company”) or any of its subsidiaries, pursuant to the ConocoPhillips
Executive Severance Plan (the “Plan”), which I acknowledge that I would not otherwise be entitled
to receive, I hereby waive any claims I may have for employment or re-employment by the Company or
any subsidiary or parent of the Company after the date hereof, and I further agree to and do
release and forever discharge the Company or any subsidiary or parent of the Company, and their
respective past and present officers, directors, shareholders, employees, and agents from any and
all claims and causes of action, known or unknown, arising out of or relating to my employment with
the Company or any subsidiary or parent of the Company, or the termination thereof, including, but
not limited to, wrongful discharge, breach of contract, tort, fraud, the Civil Rights Acts, Age
Discrimination in Employment Act, Employee Retirement Income Security Act, Americans with
Disabilities Act, or any other federal, state, or local legislation or common law relating to
employment or discrimination in employment or otherwise.

Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other provision hereof, nothing in this Waiver and
Release of Claims shall adversely affect (i) my rights under the Plan; (ii) my rights to benefits
other than severance benefits under plans, programs, and arrangements of the Company or any
subsidiary or parent of the Company which are accrued but unpaid as of the date of my termination;
or (iii) my rights to indemnification under any indemnification agreement, applicable law and the
certificates of incorporation and bylaws of the Company and any subsidiary or parent of the
Company, and my rights under any director’s and officers’ liability insurance policy covering me.

I acknowledge that I have signed this Waiver and Release of Claims voluntarily, knowingly, of
my own free will and without reservation or duress and that no promises or representations have
been made to me by any person to induce me to do so other than the promise of payment set forth in
the first paragraph above and the Company’s acknowledgement of my rights reserved under the second
paragraph above.

	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	Signature:

	 	 	 	 	 	Dated:	 	 
	 

	 	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 

 

9

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