Document:

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                                                                   Exhibit 10.15

                 EMPLOYEES' AND DIRECTORS' EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

PART 1 - INTRODUCTION

1.1  PURPOSE

The purpose of the Plan is to secure for the Company and its shareholders the
benefits of incentive inherent in share ownership by the directors and key
employees of the Company and its Affiliates who, in the judgement of the Board,
will be largely responsible for its future growth and success. It is generally
recognized that share plans of the nature provided for herein aid in retaining
and encouraging employees and directors of exceptional ability because of the
opportunity offered to them to acquire a proprietary interest in the Company.

1.2  DEFINITIONS

(a)  "Affiliate" has the meaning set forth in Section 1(2) of the Ontario
     Securities Act, as amended.

(b)  "Associate" has the meaning assigned to it in the Ontario Securities Act,
     as amended.

(c)  "Board" means the board of directors of the Company.

(d)  "Code" means the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

(e)  "Company" means Ivanhoe Energy Inc., a company incorporated under the laws
     of the Yukon Territory.

(f)  "Eligible Directors" means the directors of the Company or any Affiliate
     thereof who are, as such, eligible for participation in the Plan.

(g)  "Eligible Employees" means full time and part time employees (including
     employees who are officers and directors) of the Company or any Affiliate
     thereof, whether or not they have a written employment contract with the
     Company, determined by the Board to be employees, eligible for
     participation in the Plan. "Eligible Employees" shall include Service
     Providers eligible for participation in the Plan as determined by the
     Board.

(h)  "Exchange Act" means the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
     amended.

(i)  "Fair Market Value" means, with respect to a Share subject to Option, the
     weighted average price of the Shares on the Stock Exchange for the five
     days on which Shares were traded immediately preceding the date in respect
     of which Fair Market Value is to be determined. If the Shares are not
     listed and posted for

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     trading on a Stock Exchange on such day, the Fair Market Value shall be
     such price per Share as the Board, acting in good faith, may determine.

(j)  "Foreign Private Issuer" has the meaning assigned to it in the rules
     promulgated under the Exchange Act.

(k)  "Insider" has the meaning assigned to it in the Ontario Securities Act, as
     amended.

(l)  "Option" means an option granted under the terms of the Share Option Plan.

(m)  "Option Period" means the period during which an Option may be exercised.

(n)  "Optionee" means an Eligible Employee or Eligible Director to whom an
     Option has been granted under the terms of the Share Option Plan.

(o)  "Participant" means, in respect of any Plan, an Eligible Employee or
     Eligible Director who participates in such Plan.

(p)  "Plan" means, collectively the Share Option Plan, the Share Bonus Plan and
     the Share Purchase Plan and "Plan" means any such plan as the context
     requires.

(q)  "Service Provider" means a person or company engaged to provide ongoing
     management or consulting services for the Company or for any entity
     controlled by the Company.

(r)  "Share Bonus Plan" means the plan established and operated pursuant to Part
     3 and Part 5 hereof.

(s)  "Share Option Plan" means the plan established and operated pursuant to
     Part 2 and Part 5 hereof.

(t)  "Share Purchase Plan" means the plan established and operated pursuant to
     Part 4 and Part 5 hereof.

(u)  "Shares" means the common shares of the Company.

(v)  "Stock Exchange" means the principal stock exchange upon which the Shares
     are listed or upon which the Shares have been approved for listing.

(w)  "U.S. Optionee" has the meaning assigned to it in Section 2.14 of this
     Plan.

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PART 2 - SHARE OPTION PLAN

2.1  PARTICIPATION

Options shall be granted only to Eligible Employees and Eligible Directors.

2.2  ADMINISTRATION OF SHARE OPTION PLAN

(a)  The Share Option Plan shall be administered by the Board and the Board
     shall determine and designate, from time to time, the individuals to whom
     awards shall be made, the amount of the awards and the other terms and
     conditions of the awards. In determining the number or value of Options to
     be granted, the Board shall consider the Optionee's present and potential
     contribution to the success of the Company and the prevailing policies of
     the Stock Exchange.

(b)  Subject to the provisions of the Share Option Plan, the Board may, from
     time to time, adopt and amend rules and regulations relating to
     administration of the Share Option Plan, advance the lapse of any vesting
     or waiting period, accelerate any exercise date, waive or modify any
     restriction applicable to Shares (except those restrictions imposed by law
     or the rules and policies of the Stock Exchange) and make all other
     determinations, in the judgment of the Board, necessary or desirable for
     the administration of the Share Option Plan. The interpretation and
     construction of the provisions of the Plan and related agreements by the
     Board shall be final and conclusive. The Board may correct any defect or
     supply any omission or reconcile any inconsistency in the Share Option Plan
     or in any related agreement in the manner and to the extent it shall deem
     expedient to carry the Share Option Plan into effect, and it shall be the
     sole and final judge of such expediency.

2.3  PRICE

The exercise price per Share of any Option shall be not less than one hundred
per cent (100%) of the Fair Market Value on the date of grant.

2.4  GRANT OF OPTION

The Board may at any time authorize the granting of Options to such Eligible
Employees and Eligible Directors as it may select for the number of Shares that
it shall designate, subject to the provisions of the Share Option Plan. When the
grant is authorized, the Board shall specify the date of grant.

Each Option granted to an Eligible Employee or to an Eligible Director shall be
evidenced by a stock option agreement with terms and conditions consistent with
the Share Option Plan and as approved by the Board (which terms and conditions
need not
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be the same in each case and may be changed from time to time, subject to the
approval of any material changes by the Stock Exchange).

2.5  TERMS OF OPTIONS

The Option Period shall be ten years from the date such Option is granted or
such lesser duration as the Board may determine at the date of grant, and may
thereafter be reduced with respect to any such Option as provided in Section 2.8
hereof covering termination of employment or death of the Optionee.

Unless otherwise determined from time to time by the Board, Options may be
exercised (in each case to the nearest full Share) during the Option Period as
follows:

(a)  at any time during the first year of the Option Period, the Optionee may
     purchase up to 33 1/3% of the total number of Shares reserved for issuance
     pursuant to his or her Option; and

(b)  at any time during each additional year of the Option Period the Optionee
     may purchase an additional 33 1/3% of the total number of Shares reserved
     for issuance pursuant to his or her Option plus any Shares not purchased in
     accordance with the preceding subsection (a) until, in the third year of
     the Option Period, 100% of the Option will be exercisable.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, Options shall become exercisable at the rate of
at least 20% per year over five years from the date the Option is granted,
subject to reasonable conditions such as continued employment. However, in the
case of an Option granted to officers, directors or consultants of the Company
or any of its Affiliates, the Option may become fully exercisable, subject to
reasonable conditions such as continued employment, at any time or during any
period established by the Company or any of its Affiliates.

Except as set forth in Section 2.8, no Option may be exercised unless the
Optionee is at the time of such exercise:

(a)  in the case of an Eligible Employee, in the employ of the Company or an
     Affiliate and shall have been continuously so employed since the grant of
     his Option, but absence on leave, having the approval of the Company or
     such Affiliate, shall not be considered an interruption of employment for
     any purpose of the Share Option Plan; or

(b)  in the case of an Eligible Director, a director of the Company or an
     Affiliate and shall have been such a director continuously since the grant
     of his Option.

The exercise of any Option will be contingent upon receipt by the Company of
cash payment of the full purchase price of the Shares being purchased. No
Optionee or his
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legal representatives or legatees will be, or will be deemed to be, a holder of
any Shares subject to an Option, unless and until certificates for such Shares
are issued to him or them under the terms of the Share Option Plan.

2.6  SHARE APPRECIATION RIGHT

A Participant may, if at any time determined by the Board, have the right (the
"Right"), when entitled to exercise an Option, to terminate such Option in whole
or in part (the "Terminated Option") by notice in writing to the Company and, in
lieu of receiving the Shares (the "Option Shares") to which the Terminated
Option relates, to receive the number of Shares, disregarding fractions, which
is equal to the quotient obtained by:

(a)  subtracting the Option exercise price per Share from the Fair Market Value
     per Share on the day immediately prior to the exercise of the Right and
     multiplying the remainder by the number of Option Shares; and

(b)  dividing the product obtained under Section 2.6(a) by the Fair Market Value
     per Share on the day immediately prior to the exercise of the Right.

If a Right is granted in connection with an Option, it is exercisable only to
the extent and on the same conditions that the related Option is exercisable.

2.7  LAPSED OPTIONS

If Options are surrendered, terminated or expire without being exercised in
whole or in part, new Options may be granted covering the Shares not purchased
under such lapsed Options, subject, in the case of the cancellation of an Option
in connection with the grant of a new Option to the same person on different
terms, to the consent of the Stock Exchange.

2.8  EFFECT OF TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT OR DEATH

If an Optionee:

(a)  dies while employed by or while a director of the Company or its Affiliate,
     any Option held by him at the date of death shall become exercisable in
     whole or in part, but only by the person or persons to whom the Optionee's
     rights under the Option shall pass by the Optionee's will or applicable
     laws of descent and distribution. All such Options shall be exercisable
     only to the extent that the Optionee was entitled to exercise the Option at
     the date of his death and only for six months after the date of death or
     prior to the expiration of the Option Period in respect thereof, whichever
     is sooner;

(b)  ceases to be employed by or act as a director of the Company or its
     Affiliate for cause, no Option held by such Optionee will, unless otherwise
     determined by the
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     Board, be exercisable following the date on which such Optionee ceases to
     be so employed or ceases to be a director, as the case may be; or

(c)  ceases to be employed by or act as a director of the Company or its
     Affiliate for any reason other than cause then, at the discretion of the
     Board, any Option held by such Optionee at the effective date thereof shall
     become exercisable in whole or in part for a period of up to six months
     thereafter, but in no event less than 30 days, subject to the earlier
     expiration of the Option Period.

2.9  EFFECT OF TAKEOVER BID

If a bona fide offer (the "Offer") for Shares is made to the Optionee or to
shareholders generally or to a class of shareholders which includes the
Optionee, which Offer, if accepted in whole or in part, would result in the
offeror exercising control over the Company within the meaning of subsection
1(3) of the Ontario Securities Act (as amended from time to time), then the
Company shall, immediately upon receipt of notice of the Offer, notify each
Optionee currently holding an Option of the Offer, with full particulars
thereof, whereupon, notwithstanding Section 2.5 hereof, such Option may be
exercised in whole or in part by the Optionee so as to permit the Optionee to
tender the Shares received upon such exercise (the "Optioned Shares") pursuant
to the Offer.

2.10 EFFECT OF THE AMALGAMATION OR MERGER

If the Company amalgamates or merges with or into another corporation, any
Shares receivable on the exercise of an Option shall be converted into the
securities, property or cash which the Participant would have received upon such
amalgamation or merger if the Participant had exercised his Option immediately
prior to the record date applicable to such amalgamation or merger, and the
option price shall be adjusted appropriately by the Board and such adjustment
shall be binding for all purposes of the Share Option Plan. Any such adjustment
shall be in accordance with regulatory policies.

2.11 ADJUSTMENT IN SHARES SUBJECT TO THE PLAN

If there is any change in the Shares through the declaration of stock dividends
of Shares or consolidations, subdivisions or reclassification of Shares, or
otherwise, the number of Shares available under the Share Option Plan, the
Shares subject to any Option, and the Option price thereof shall be adjusted
appropriately by the Board and such adjustment shall be effective and binding
for all purposes of the Share Option Plan.
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2.12 LOANS TO EMPLOYEES

Subject to applicable law, the Board may at any time authorize the Company to
loan money to an Eligible Employee, on such terms and conditions as the Board
may reasonably determine, to assist such Eligible Employee to exercise an Option
held by him or her. Such terms and conditions shall include, in any event,
interest at prevailing market rates, a term not in excess of one year, and
security in favour of the Company represented by that number of Shares issued
pursuant to the exercise of an Option in respect of which such loan was made or
equivalent security which equals the loaned amount divided by the Fair Market
Value of the Shares on the date of exercise of the Option, which security may be
granted on a non-recourse basis.

2.13 TRANSFER OF OPTIONS

Options are non-transferable except by will or by the laws of descent and
distribution. Notwithstanding the foregoing, and to the extent permitted by
Section 422 of the Code, the Board, in its discretion, may permit distribution
of an Option to an inter vivos or testamentary trust in which the Option is to
be passed to beneficiaries upon the death of the trustor (settlor).

2.14 UNITED STATES RESIDENTS

Subject to Sections 2.14(b), (c) and (d) of this Plan, any Option granted under
this Plan to an Optionee who is a citizen or resident of the United States
(including its territories, possessions and all areas subject to its
jurisdiction) (a "U.S. Optionee") shall be an "incentive stock option" within
the meaning of Section 422 of the Code (provided, for purposes of this Section
2.14 only, a U.S. Optionee who is a director is then also an officer or employee
of the Company or one of its Affiliates). In addition, no provision of this
Plan, as it may be applied to a U.S. Optionee, shall be construed so as to be
inconsistent with any provision of Section 422 of the Code.

Notwithstanding anything in this Plan to the contrary, the following provisions
shall apply to each U.S. Optionee:

(a)  any director of the Company or one of its Affiliates who is a U.S. Optionee
     shall be ineligible to vote upon the granting of such Option to themselves;

(b)  subject to Section 2.14(d), any Option granted under this Plan to a U.S.
     Optionee shall be an incentive stock option within the meaning of Section
     422 of the Code provided that the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined
     as of the time the Option is granted) of the Shares with respect to which
     incentive stock options are exercisable for the first time by such U.S.
     Optionee during any calendar year under this Share Option Plan and all
     other stock option plans of the Company or its Affiliates does not exceed
     US$100,000;
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(c)  to the extent the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined as of the time
     the Option is granted) of the Shares with respect to which incentive stock
     options are exercisable for the first time by such U.S. Optionee during any
     calendar year under this Share Option Plan and all other stock option plans
     of the Company or its Affiliates exceeds US$100,000, such Options shall be
     treated as nonqualified stock options (i.e. Options which fail to qualify
     as incentive stock options within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code)
     in accordance with Section 422(d) of the Code;

(d)  any U.S. Optionee who is a Service Provider or director (and who is not
     also an officer or employee) of the Company or one of its Affiliates will
     be ineligible to receive incentive stock options but will be permitted to
     receive nonqualified stock options pursuant to this Plan;

(e)  the purchase price for Shares under each Option granted to a U.S. Optionee
     pursuant to this Plan shall be not less than the Fair Market Value of such
     Shares at the time the Option is granted;

(f)  if any U.S. Optionee to whom an Option is to be granted under this Plan is
     at the time of the grant of such Option the owner of Shares possessing more
     than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of shares of the
     Company or any of its Affiliates, then the following special provisions
     shall be applicable to the Option granted to such individual:

     (i)    the purchase price per Share subject to such Option shall not be
            less than 110% of the Fair Market Value of one Share at the time of
            grant, provided however that this requirement will not apply with
            respect to any Option granted under the Plan that is subject to
            Section 2.14(c),

     (ii)   for the purpose of this Section 2.14 only, the exercise period shall
            not exceed five years from the date of grant, provided however that
            this requirement will not apply with respect to any Option granted
            under the Plan that is subject to Section 2.14(c), and

     (iii)  notwithstanding Section 2.14(f)(i), in respect of California
            citizens or residents, the purchase price per Share subject to such
            Option shall in no event be less than 110% of the Fair Market Value
            of one Share at the time of grant;

(g)  no Option may be granted hereunder to a U.S. Optionee following the expiry
     of 10 years after the date on which this Plan is adopted by the Board or
     the date this Plan is approved by the shareholders of the Company,
     whichever is earlier; and
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(h)  no Option granted to a U.S. Optionee under this Plan shall become
     exercisable unless and until this Plan shall have been approved by the
     shareholders of the Company.

PART 3 - SHARE BONUS PLAN

3.1  PARTICIPANTS

The Board shall have the right, subject to Section 3.2, to issue or reserve for
issuance, for no cash consideration, to any Eligible Employee or Eligible
Director any number of Shares as a discretionary bonus subject to such provisos
and restrictions as the Board may determine.

3.2  NUMBER OF SHARES

The aggregate maximum number of shares that may be issued pursuant to Section
3.1 will be limited to 2,000,000 Shares. Shares reserved for issuance and issued
under the Share Bonus Plan shall be subject to the limitations set out in
Section 5.1.

The Board, in its absolute discretion, shall have the right to reallocate any of
the Shares reserved for issuance under the Share Bonus Plan for future issuance
under the Share Option Plan or the Share Purchase Plan and, in the event that
any Shares specifically reserved under the Share Bonus Plan are reallocated to
the Share Option Plan or the Share Purchase Plan, as the case may be, the
aggregate maximum number of Shares reserved under the Share Bonus Plan will be
reduced to that extent. In no event will the number of Shares allocated for
issuance under the Share Bonus Plan exceed 2,000,000 Shares.

3.3  NECESSARY APPROVALS

The obligation of the Company to issue and deliver any Shares pursuant to an
award made under the Share Bonus Plan will be subject to all necessary approvals
of any securities regulatory authority having jurisdiction over the Shares.

PART 4 - SHARE PURCHASE PLAN

4.1  PARTICIPANTS

Participants in the Share Purchase Plan will be Eligible Employees who have been
continuously employed by the Company or any of its Affiliates on a full-time
basis for at least 12 consecutive months and who have been designated by the
Board as participants in the Share Purchase Plan ("Share Purchase Plan
Participants"). The Board shall have the right, in its absolute discretion, to
waive such 12-month period or to refuse any Eligible Employee or group of
Eligible Employees the right of participation or continued participation in the
Share Purchase Plan.
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4.2  ELECTION TO PARTICIPATE IN THE SHARE PURCHASE PLAN AND PARTICIPANT'S
     CONTRIBUTION

Any Share Purchase Plan Participant may elect to contribute money (the
"Participant's Contribution") to the Share Purchase Plan in any calendar year if
the Share Purchase Plan Participant delivers to the Company a written direction
in form and substance satisfactory to the Company authorizing the Company to
deduct from the Share Purchase Plan Participant's salary, in equal instalments,
the Participant's Contribution. Such direction will remain effective until
revoked in writing by the Share Purchase Plan Participant or until the Board
terminates or suspends the Share Purchase Plan, whichever is earlier.

The Share Purchase Plan Participant's Contribution shall not exceed 10% of the
Share Purchase Plan Participant's basic annual salary from the Company and its
Affiliates at the time of delivery of the direction, before deductions,
exclusive of any overtime pay, bonuses or allowances of any kind whatsoever (the
"Basic Annual Salary"). In the case of a Share Purchase Plan Participant for
whom the Board has waived the 12-month employment requirement, the Share
Purchase Plan Participant's Contribution shall not exceed 10% of his Basic
Annual Salary from the Company and its Affiliates at the time of delivery of the
direction, prorated over the remainder of the calendar year, before deductions
and exclusive of any overtime pay, bonuses or allowances of any kind whatsoever.

4.3  COMPANY'S CONTRIBUTION

Immediately prior to the date any Shares are issued to a Share Purchase Plan
Participant in accordance with Section 4.4, the Company will credit the Share
Purchase Plan Participant with, and thereafter hold in trust for the Share
Purchase Plan Participant, an amount (the "Company's Contribution") equal to the
Participant's Contribution then held in trust by the Company.

4.4  ISSUE OF SHARES

On March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31 in each calendar year the
Company will issue to each Share Purchase Plan Participant fully paid and
non-assessable Shares, disregarding fractions, which is equal to the aggregate
amount of the Participant's Contribution and the Company's Contribution divided
by the Issue Price. For the purposes of this Section 4.4, "Issue Price" means
the weighted average price of the Shares on the Stock Exchange, for the 90-day
period immediately preceding the date of issuance. If the Shares are not traded
on a Stock Exchange on the date of issuance, the Issue Price shall be such price
per Share as the Board, acting in good faith, may determine.
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The Company shall hold any unused balance of the Participant's Contribution for
a Share Purchase Plan Participant until used in accordance with the Share
Purchase Plan.

4.5  DELIVERY OF SHARES

As soon as reasonably practicable following each issuance of Shares to a Share
Purchase Plan Participant pursuant to Section 4.4, the Company will cause to be
delivered to the Share Purchase Plan Participant a certificate in respect of
such Shares provided that, if required by applicable law or the rules and
policies of the Stock Exchange, a restrictive legend shall be inscribed on the
certificate, which legend shall state that the Shares shall not be transferable
for such period as may be prescribed by law or by any regulatory authority or
Stock Exchange.

4.6  EFFECT OF TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT OR DEATH

If a Participant ceases to be employed by the Company or any of its Affiliates
for any reason or receives notice from the Company of the termination of his or
her employment, the Share Purchase Plan Participant's participation in the Share
Purchase Plan will be deemed to be terminated and any portion of the
Participant's Contribution then held in trust shall be paid to the Share
Purchase Plan Participant or his estate or successor as the case may be.

4.7  EFFECT OF AMALGAMATION OR MERGER

If the Company amalgamates or merges with or into another corporation, each
Share Purchase Plan Participant to whom Shares are to be issued will receive, on
the date on which any Shares would otherwise have been delivered to the Share
Purchase Plan Participant in accordance with Section 4.5, the securities,
property or cash to which the Share Purchase Plan Participant would have been
entitled on such amalgamation, consolidation or merger had the Shares been
issued immediately prior to the record date of such amalgamation or merger.

PART 5 - GENERAL

5.1  NUMBER OF SHARES

The aggregate number of Shares that may be reserved for issuance under the Plan
shall not exceed 20,000,000 Shares inclusive of those Shares reserved under the
Share Bonus Plan pursuant to Section 3.2. In addition, the aggregate number of
Shares:

(a)  that may be reserved for issuance to Insiders for options granted under the
     Plan shall not exceed 10% of the Company's outstanding issue from time to
     time;
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(b)  that may be issued to Insiders for options granted under the Plan within
     any one-year period shall not exceed 10% of the Company's outstanding issue
     from time to time; and

(c)  that may be issued to any one Insider and his or her Associates for options
     granted under the Plan within any one-year period shall not exceed 5% of
     the Company's outstanding issue from time to time.

In no event will the number of Shares at any time reserved for issuance to any
Participant exceed 5% of the Company's outstanding issue from time to time.

For the purposes of this Section 5.1, "outstanding issue" means the total number
of Shares, on a non-diluted basis, that are issued and outstanding as of the
date that any Shares are issued or reserved for issuance pursuant to an award
under the Plan to an Insider or such Insider's Associates, excluding any Shares
issued under the Plan during the immediately preceding 12 month period.

5.2  TRANSFERABILITY

Any benefits, rights and options accruing to any Participant in accordance with
the terms and conditions of the Plan shall not be transferable unless
specifically provided herein. Except as otherwise provided in Section 2.13,
during the lifetime of a Participant, all benefits, rights and options may only
be exercised by the Participant.

5.3  EMPLOYMENT

Nothing contained in any Plan shall confer upon any Participant any right with
respect to employment or continuance of employment with the Company or any
Affiliate, or interfere in any way with the right of the Company or any
Affiliate to terminate the Participant's employment at any time. Participation
in any Plan by a Participant is voluntary.

5.4  RECORD KEEPING

The Company shall maintain a register in which shall be recorded:

(a)  the name and address of each Participant;

(b)  the Plan or Plans in which the Participant participates;

(c)  any Participant's Contributions;

(d)  the number of unissued Shares reserved for issuance pursuant to an Option
     or pursuant to an award made under the Share Bonus Plan in favour of a
     Participant; and
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(e)  such other information as the Board may determine.

5.5  NECESSARY APPROVALS

The Plan shall be effective only upon formal adoption by the Board following the
approval of the shareholders of the Company. Any Option exercised before
shareholder approval is obtained shall be rescinded if shareholder approval is
not obtained within 12 months before or after the Plan is adopted. Such shares
shall not be counted in determining whether such approval is obtained.

The obligation of the Company to sell and deliver Shares in accordance with the
Plan is subject to the approval of any Stock Exchange or governmental authority
having jurisdiction in respect of the Shares which may be required in connection
with the authorization, issuance or sale of such Shares by the Company. If any
Shares cannot be issued to any Participant for any reason including, without
limitation, the failure to obtain such approval, the obligation of the Company
to issue such Share shall terminate and any Participant's Contribution or option
price paid to the Company shall be returned to the Participant.

5.6  INCOME TAXES

As a condition of, and prior to participation in, the Plan, a Participant shall,
at the Company's request, authorize the Company in writing to withhold from any
remuneration or consideration whatsoever payable to such Participant hereunder,
any amounts required by any taxing authority to be withheld for taxes of any
kind as a consequence of such participation in the Plan.

5.7  AMENDMENTS TO PLAN

The Board may amend, modify or terminate the Plan at any time if and when it is
advisable in the absolute discretion of the Board, subject to the approval of
any material changes by the Stock Exchange. However, any amendment of such Plan
which would:

(a)  materially increase the benefits under the Plan;

(b)  materially increase the number of Shares which would be issued under the
     Plan; or

(c)  materially modify the requirements as to eligibility for participation in
     the Plan;

shall be effective only upon the approval of the shareholders of the Company
and, if required, the approval of any regulatory body having jurisdiction over
the Shares and any Stock Exchange. Except as expressly otherwise provided
herein, however, no change in an award already granted under the Plan shall be
made without the written consent of the recipient of such award.
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5.8  FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER STATUS

If, and for so long as, the Company is not a Foreign Private Issuer or if the
directors and officers of the Company otherwise become subject to Section 16 of
the Exchange Act, then notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the
contrary:

(a)  the Plan shall be administered by a committee consisting of two or more
     persons (the "Committee") appointed by the Board, each of whom is a
     director qualifying as a "disinterested" person, as such term is defined,
     from time to time, in Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act;

(b)  the Committee shall determine and designate, from time to time, the
     individuals to whom awards shall be made hereunder, the amount of the
     awards and the other terms and conditions of such awards;

(c)  each member of the Committee shall, upon his appointment or election to the
     Committee for the first time, automatically be granted an immediately
     exercisable Option to purchase 10,000 Shares at a price per share equal to
     the Fair Market Value at the date of grant for an Option Period of ten
     years but shall not otherwise be eligible to participate in the Plan;

(d)  no Option granted to a director or officer under the Plan may be exercised
     during the first six months following the date of grant;

(e)  directors and officers of the Company will be required to hold Shares
     acquired under the Share Purchase Plan for a period of six months, provided
     that no such hold period will be required in respect of any such director
     or officer who makes an irrevocable election to waive his right to withdraw
     from the Share Purchase Plan or to change his Participant's Contribution at
     least six months prior to his acquisition of such Shares;

(f)  Subsections 5.8(c), (d) and (e) may only be amended or modified by the
     Board or the shareholders of the Company once in any six month period; and

(g)  the Board may, subject to Subsection 5.8(f) and Section 5.7, amend or
     modify the Plan to the extent that the Board, based upon the advice of
     legal counsel, considers necessary or desirable to bring the Plan into
     compliance with Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act.

5.9  NO REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY

The Company makes no representation or warranty as to the future market value of
any Shares issued in accordance with the provisions of the Plan.
<PAGE>
                                     - 15 -

5.10 AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The Company shall provide annual financial statements of the Company to each
Participant holding an outstanding award under the Plan. Such financial
statements need not be audited and need not be issued to key employees whose
duties at the Company assure them access to equivalent information.

5.11 COMPLIANCE WITH APPLICABLE LAW, ETC

If any provision of the Plan or any agreement entered into pursuant to the Plan
contravenes any law or any order, policy, by-law or regulation of any regulatory
body or Stock Exchange having authority over the Company or the Plan then such
provision shall be deemed to be amended to the extent required to bring such
provision into compliance therewith.<PAGE>
                                                                   Exhibit 10.16

               AGREEMENT IN PRINCIPLE FOR GTL PROJECT DEVELOPMENT

THIS AGREEMENT entered into this 18th day of June 2003, between Ivanhoe Energy
Inc., a Yukon corporation with its principal office in Vancouver, B.C., Canada
("Ivanhoe") and Syntroleum Corporation, a Delaware corporation, with its
principal office in Tulsa, Oklahoma ("Syntroleum"). Each of Ivanhoe and
Syntroleum are sometimes herein called individually a "Party" and collectively
the "Parties".

         WHEREAS, Syntroleum is engaged in researching, developing, testing,
commercializing and licensing its proprietary gas-to-liquids processes and
catalysts (the "GTL Technology") for use by the energy industry throughout the
United States of America and the world; and

         WHEREAS, Syntroleum is engaged in developing GTL projects world-wide,
either for its sole ownership or in partnership with others; and

         WHEREAS, Ivanhoe is engaged in developing GTL projects world-wide,
either for its sole ownership or in partnership with others, under the terms of
the Master License Agreement, dated April 26, 2000, Amended October 11, 2000 and
June 1, 2002 ("License") with Syntroleum; and

         WHEREAS, Ivanhoe and Syntroleum desire to jointly develop certain GTL
projects ("GTL Projects") from time to time whereby the Parties would share
cumulative commercial and technical knowledge, business and government
relationships, engineering designs and development activities to form the basis
for an equity share in the Projects;

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and of the covenants,
promises and agreements contained in this Agreement, Syntroleum and Ivanhoe
agree as follows.

         1. PROJECTS UNDER CONSIDERATION. The Parties have discussed possible
joint participation in GTL Projects in Bolivia, Egypt and Qatar. Ivanhoe also
has been advised by China International Trade and Investment Corporation
("CITIC"), that it is prepared to allocate a gas field in western China for a
potential GTL development, and offer investment funding for global GTL projects
with Ivanhoe, provided that License terms are amended to permit Ivanhoe to
practice in China the conversion process under the License. Additional GTL
Projects may be added from time to time under a nomination procedure that will
be developed jointly. Nothing in this Agreement shall prevent Ivanhoe or
Syntroleum from pursuing GTL projects on their own. If Ivanhoe pursues GTL
projects on its own, the normal terms of the License shall be applicable, except
as amended pursuant to Paragraphs 2(a) and 2(b) below.

                                       1
<PAGE>

In recognition of the consideration to be given and received by the Parties
under this Agreement, and in order to promote and facilitate GTL Projects, the
Parties have agreed to the following:

         2. ADDENDA TO THE LICENSE:

         (a) The License will be amended to include in the Licensed Territory
the United States of America, Canada, Mexico, the People's Republic of China,
India, and their respective territorial waters and any country in its
territorial waters. With respect to China and India, the Parties will develop
additional procedures to protect intellectual property and Syntroleum shall have
final approval in respect of intellectual property protection procedures and
project participants and contractors in these countries, and approval shall not
be unreasonably withheld. Such participants shall not exclude CITIC and national
energy companies.

         (b) The rights of Ivanhoe to receive future license fee credits under
the License for the US$10 million paid under Article 5 of the License and the
related indemnifications under Article 6 are hereby terminated pursuant to
Paragraph 4 below.

         (c) For GTL Projects in which the Parties participate, the License Fees
and royalties, technology fees and catalyst markup will not be payable to
Syntroleum by Ivanhoe and such waiver by Syntroleum will be taken into
consideration in determining respective ownership interest in the project.
Nothing in this Agreement shall prevent Syntroleum from receiving compensation
for technology and catalyst mark-ups from third party participants, as may be
negotiated as part of the Participation Agreement between the Parties.

The terms of the License shall otherwise continue in effect, except as they are
changed by the foregoing agreed Addenda to the License. Nothing in this
Agreement shall imply a waiver of License Fees, royalties, technology fees and
catalyst mark-up for projects independently pursued by Ivanhoe under the
License.

         3. SWEETWATER PROJECT CREDIT. The US$2 million previously paid by
Ivanhoe as equity participation in the Sweetwater project is hereby forfeited to
Syntroleum and shall not be applicable for any credit in any other project where
license fees are otherwise due and payable to Syntroleum. Ivanhoe is released
from any further obligations on the Sweetwater Project and the DOE Catoosa
Project under previous agreements.

         4. SYNTROLEUM RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT. Syntroleum has made significant
expenditures in research and development over the last four years including
pilot plant facilities for the multi-stage advanced reactor unit, product
upgrading Synfining unit and the Catoosa DOE project that have supported the
design basis for and critical to the success of large plants being developed by
Ivanhoe. It is agreed that the previous payments in the amount of US$10 million

                                       2
<PAGE>

and its US$2 million equity contribution to the Sweetwater Project are partial
reimbursement to Syntroleum for its expenses to conduct the research and
development program through the first quarter of 2003.

         5. SYNTROLEUM SPECIALTY PRODUCTS. For joint venture projects being
pursued together by the Parties, in order to enhance the project economics,
Syntroleum will contribute the ability to produce specialty products and
lubricants subject to economic enhancement opportunities and product market
limitations. Nothing in this Agreement shall imply that Ivanhoe has the right to
produce specialty products and Lubricants except as provided in this Paragraph
5.

         6. INDIVIDUAL GTL PROJECT AGREEMENTS. Joint participation by the
Parties in each GTL Project will be pursuant to a mutually an agreed definitive
participation agreement ("Participation Agreement") entered into by the Parties
or jointly with third parties. The Parties shall have no obligations in respect
of any GTL Project until they have entered into the Participation Agreement. The
Participation Agreements will contain terms and conditions generally found in
similar agreements in the international petroleum industry. The Parties shall
both have the right to participate in the negotiations of contracts with a host
country or other private entities for a GTL Project, but they shall appoint one
representative to be the principal negotiator on behalf of the Parties. The
negotiator shall keep the Parties fully informed and consult with the Parties
regarding principal issues and developments.

If the Parties are successful in obtaining a GTL Project, the Parties shall also
enter into a mutually agreeable Joint Operating Agreement ("JOA") to govern
their relationships in respect of fulfilling the obligations and operations
under the GTL Project. The JOA will also contain provisions normally found in
such agreements in the international petroleum industry, including the
appointment of an operator, budgeting and cash call provisions and an
appropriate accounting procedure.

         7. CONTRIBUTIONS AND PARTICIPATION IN GTL PROJECTS BY THE PARTIES;
COSTS AND EXPENSES. The Parties agree that their participation in each GTL
Project shall be based on and in proportion to what they contribute and/or bring
into the GTL Project, either by way of commercial and technical knowledge and
data and/or financial assistance. The contributions and participations shall be
detailed in the Participation Agreement for each individual GTL Project
separately.

If other qualified companies join the GTL Project with the agreement of the
Parties, in order to share costs and minimize individual risks, expenses and
investments, the Parties agree to reduce their participations proportionately to
the participating interest to be obtained by other companies included in the GTL
Project.

Unless expressly agreed otherwise in writing, each Party shall bear its own
costs and expenses of performing this Agreement and obtaining any individual GTL
Project and/or entering into separate Participation Agreements.

                                       3
<PAGE>

         8. TERM OF AGREEMENT. The term of this Agreement shall be for two (2)
years from the date of this Agreement and may be renewed for additional,
successive one (1) year periods by mutual agreement.

         9. ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement sets forth the entire agreement and
understanding between Syntroleum and Ivanhoe regarding its subject matter,
except that for each individual GTL Project the Parties are to enter into
Participation Agreements. This Agreement supersedes all prior agreements and
understandings regarding the same subject matter. This Agreement may be modified
or amended only by a written document duly signed by both Syntroleum and
Ivanhoe.

         10. GENERAL PROVISIONS.

         10.1 CONFIDENTIALITY. The confidentiality agreements previously signed
         between Ivanhoe and Syntroleum with respect to the License and
         operations thereunder, shall apply mutatis mutandis, to activities
         under this Agreement unless and until more specific agreements are
         entered into.

         10.2 GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed
         in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, United States of
         America, without regard to conflict of laws provisions thereof.

         10.3 ASSIGNMENT. This Agreement shall not be assigned by either Party
         without the prior written consent of the other Party.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Syntroleum and Ivanhoe have duly executed this
Agreement as of the date and year first above written.

                                       SYNTROLEUM CORPORATION

                                       By: /s/ K.R. Roberts
                                           -------------------------------------
                                           Kenneth R. Roberts
                                           Sr. Vice President

                                       IVANHOE ENERGY INC.

                                       By: /s/ E. L. Daniel
                                           -------------------------------------
                                           E. Leon Daniel
                                           President and CEO

                                       4

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