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Exhibit 10.2  

 
 

FORM OF
  CONTRIBUTION, CONVEYANCE, ASSUMPTION
  AND INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT  
    
    EXCO PARTNERS, LP  
  

 
 
 

TABLE OF CONTENTS    
    

	 
	 
	 	 
	 	Page

	ARTICLE I	DEFINITIONS, SCHEDULES; RECORDATION	 	3
	

 	

1.1	
 	

Definitions	
 	

3
	 	1.2	 	Schedules	 	10
	 	1.3	 	Recordation of Evidence of Ownership of Assets	 	10
	

ARTICLE II	

CONTRIBUTIONS, DISTRIBUTIONS, CONVERSIONS, REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES	
 	

10
	

 	

2.1	
 	

Conveyance by Winchester to Winchester MLP LLC of the Winchester MLP Assets	
 	

10
	 	2.2	 	Conveyance by EPOP to EPOP MLP LLC of the EPOP MLP Assets	 	10
	 	2.3	 	Distribution by Winchester to EPOP of Interest in Winchester MLP LLC	 	10
	 	2.4	 	Distribution by EPOP to EXCO of interest in EPOP Subs	 	11
	 	2.5	 	Conveyance by EXCO to EXCO Midcon MLP LLC of the EXCO MLP Assets	 	11
	 	2.6	 	Conveyance by Eastern to EXCO Appalachia of the Eastern EXCO Assets	 	11
	 	2.7	 	Conveyance by North Coast to EXCO of the North Coast Marketing Contracts	 	11
	 	2.8	 	Formation of USA GP	 	11
	 	2.9	 	Formation of USA	 	11
	 	2.10	 	Contribution and Conveyance by EXCO to OLP of the EPOP Subs, North Coast and EXCO Midcon MLP LLC	 	11
	 	2.11	 	Merger of Winchester MLP LLC, EPOP MLP LLC and EXCO Midcon MLP LLC into USA	 	11
	 	2.12	 	Contribution by EXCO to the General Partner of the Interest in OLP	 	11
	 	2.13	 	Contribution by the General Partner to MLP of the Interest in OLP	 	12
	 	2.14	 	Contribution by EXCO to MLP of the EXCO Aggregate Interests	 	12
	 	2.15	 	Distribution by MLP of Cash Payment to EXCO to Satisfy the CapEx Reimbursement	 	12
	 	2.16	 	Specific Conveyances	 	12
	

ARTICLE III	

ASSUMPTION OF CERTAIN LIABILITIES	
 	

12
	

 	

3.1	
 	

Assumption of Eastern EXCO Liabilities by EXCO Appalachia	
 	

12
	 	3.2	 	Assumption of North Coast Marketing Liabilities by EXCO	 	12
	 	3.3	 	Assumption of Winchester MLP Liabilities by OLP	 	12
	 	3.4	 	Assumption of EPOP MLP Liabilities by OLP	 	12
	 	3.5	 	Assumption of EXCO MLP Liabilities by OLP	 	13
	 	3.6	 	Assumption of Suspense Liabilities by EXCO	 	13
	 	3.7	 	General Provisions Relating to Assumption of Liabilities	 	13
	

ARTICLE IV	

INDEMNIFICATION	
 	

13
	

 	

4.1	
 	

Environmental Indemnification by EXCO	
 	

13
	 	4.2	 	Limitations Regarding Environmental Indemnification	 	14
	 	4.3	 	Additional Indemnification by EXCO	 	14
	 	4.4	 	Limitations Regarding Additional Indemnification by EXCO	 	15
	 	4.5	 	Indemnification by MLP	 	15
	 	 	 	 	 	 

i

 

	 	4.6	 	Indemnification Procedures.	 	15
	

ARTICLE V	

RIGHT OF FIRST OFFER	
 	

16
	

 	

5.1	
 	

EXCO Right of First Offer	
 	

16
	

ARTICLE VI	

TITLE MATTERS	
 	

17
	

 	

6.1	
 	

Encumbrances.	
 	

17
	 	6.2	 	Disclaimer of Warranties; Subrogation; Waiver of Bulk Sales Laws	 	17
	

ARTICLE VII	

FURTHER ASSURANCES; GOVERNMENTAL CONSENTS; AUTHORIZATION	
 	

19
	

 	

7.1	
 	

Further Assurances	
 	

19
	 	7.2	 	Other Assurances	 	19
	 	7.3	 	Governmental Consents	 	19
	 	7.4	 	Authorization, Execution and Delivery of this Agreement	 	19
	

ARTICLE VIII	

POWERS OF ATTORNEY	
 	

19
	

 	

8.1	
 	

Contributing Parties	
 	

19
	

ARTICLE IX	

MISCELLANEOUS	
 	

20
	

 	

9.1	
 	

Order of Completion of Transactions	
 	

20
	 	9.2	 	Consents; Restriction on Assignment	 	20
	 	9.3	 	Costs	 	21
	 	9.4	 	Notices	 	21
	 	9.5	 	Headings; References; Interpretation	 	21
	 	9.6	 	Assignment; Successors and Assigns	 	22
	 	9.7	 	No Third Party Rights	 	22
	 	9.8	 	Counterparts	 	22
	 	9.9	 	Governing Law; Submission to Jurisdiction	 	22
	 	9.10	 	Severability	 	22
	 	9.11	 	Deed; Bill of Sale; Assignment	 	22
	 	9.12	 	Amendment or Modification	 	22
	 	9.13	 	Integration	 	22
	 	9.14	 	Waiver	 	23
	 	9.15	 	Laws and Regulations	 	23

ii

  

 
 

CONTRIBUTION, CONVEYANCE, ASSUMPTION AND
  INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT    
    

        THIS CONTRIBUTION, CONVEYANCE, ASSUMPTION AND INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT, dated as
of                        , 2008, is entered into by and among EXCO
Resources, Inc., a Texas corporation ("EXCO"), EXCO Appalachia, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("EXCO
Appalachia"), EXCO Partners GP LP, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company ("GP LP LLC"), EXCO GP Partners, LP, a Delaware
limited partnership (the "General Partner"), EXCO Partners, LP, a Delaware limited partnership (the
"MLP"), EXCO Partners MLP LP, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company ("MLP LP LLC"), EXCO Partners
OLP GP, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company ("OLP GP"), EXCO Partners Operating, LP, a Delaware limited partnership
("OLP"), EXCO USA GP, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, EXCO Operating USA, LP, a Delaware limited partnership, North Coast Energy, LLC, a
Delaware limited liability company ("North Coast"), North Coast Energy Eastern, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company
("Eastern"), and Power Gas Marketing & Transmission, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company. The foregoing parties hereto are referred to in
this Agreement individually as a "Party" and collectively as the "Parties." Each capitalized term used
herein that is defined in Section 1.1 shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 1.1. Other terms defined herein have the meanings so given them. 

 
 

RECITALS    
    

        A.    EXCO
has caused the General Partner and MLP LP LLC to form MLP pursuant to the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act (the "Delaware
Limited Partnership Act"), for the purpose of engaging in any business activity that is approved by the General Partner and that lawfully may be conducted by a limited
partnership organized pursuant to the Delaware Limited Partnership Act. 

        B.    In
order to accomplish the objectives and purposes in Recital A, the following actions have been taken prior to the date hereof: 

	1.
	EXCO
formed GP LP LLC under the terms of the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act (the "Delaware LLC Act") and contributed $1,000 in
exchange for all of the member interests in GP LP LLC.

	2.
	EXCO
formed MLP LP LLC under the terms of the Delaware LLC Act and contributed $1,000 in exchange for all of the member interests in MLP LP LLC.

	3.
	GP
LP LLC and MLP LP LLC formed the General Partner under the terms of the Delaware Limited Partnership Act to which GP LP LLC contributed $0.01 and MLP LP LLC contributed $999.99 in
exchange for a 0.001% general partner interest and a 99.999% limited partner interest in the General Partner, respectively.

	4.
	The
General Partner and MLP LP LLC formed MLP under the terms of the Delaware Limited Partnership Act to which the General Partner contributed $20 and MLP LP LLC contributed $980 in
exchange for a 2% general partner interest and a 98% limited partner interest in MLP, respectively.

	5.
	EXCO
formed OLP GP under the terms of the Delaware LLC Act and contributed $1,000 in exchange for all of the member interests in OLP GP.

	6.
	OLP
GP and EXCO formed OLP under the terms of the Delaware Limited Partnership Act to which OLP GP contributed $0.01 and EXCO contributed $999.99 in exchange for a 0.001% general
partner interest and a 99.999% limited partner interest in OLP, respectively. 

1

 

	7.
	Winchester
Production Company, LP ("Winchester") conveyed all of the assets described on  Schedule 2.1 (the "Winchester MLP
Assets") to EXCO Winchester MLP, LLC
("Winchester MLP LLC") pursuant to Wellbore Assignments.

	8.
	EXCO
Partners Operating Partnership, LP ("EPOP") conveyed all of the assets described on  Schedule 2.2 (the "EPOP MLP
Assets") to EPOP MLP, LLC ("EPOP MLP
LLC") pursuant to Wellbore Assignments.

	9.
	Winchester
distributed its member interests in Winchester MLP LLC (0.001% on behalf of Vaughan DE, LLC) to EPOP.

	10.
	EPOP
distributed its member interests in Winchester MLP LLC and EPOP MLP LLC (collectively, the "EPOP Subs") (0.001% on behalf of the
general partner of EPOP) to EXCO.

	11.
	EXCO
conveyed all of the assets described on Schedule 2.5 (the "EXCO MLP
Assets") to EXCO Midcon MLP LLC pursuant to Wellbore Assignments.

	12.
	Eastern
conveyed its Tennessee and Virginia assets described on Schedule 2.6 (the "Eastern EXCO
Assets") to EXCO Appalachia on behalf of North Coast pursuant to the Eastern Assignment Agreement.

	13.
	North
Coast conveyed its end user marketing contracts and end user marketing activities (the "North Coast Marketing Contracts") to EXCO
pursuant to the Gas Marketing Assignment.

	14.
	OLP
assumed a revolving credit facility from EXCO by entering into the OLP Credit Agreement as the borrower thereunder.

	15.
	The
Administrative Services Agreement and the Master Operating Agreement have been executed and delivered by the parties thereto concurrently with the execution and delivery of this
Agreement and are an integral part of the transactions contemplated hereby. 

        Steps
[7, 8, 11, 12 and 13] above are referred to collectively as the "Pre-Closing Assignments." 

        C.    Concurrently
with the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, each of the following shall occur: 

	1.
	EXCO
will convey its interests in the EPOP Subs, North Coast and EXCO Midcon MLP LLC to OLP as a capital contribution (0.001% on behalf of OLP GP and 99.999% on behalf of EXCO).

	2.
	OLP
will form EXCO USA GP, LLC ("USA GP") under the terms of the Delaware LLC Act to which OLP will contribute $1,000 in exchange for
all of the member interests in USA GP.

	3.
	USA
GP and OLP will form EXCO Operating USA, LP ("USA") under the terms of the Delaware Limited Partnership Act to which USA GP will
contribute $0.01 and OLP will contribute $999.99 in exchange for a 0.001% general partner interest and a 99.999% limited partner interest in USA, respectively.

	4.
	OLP
will cause Winchester MLP LLC, EPOP MLP LLC and EXCO Midcon MLP LLC to merge into USA with USA surviving.

	5.
	EXCO
will convey an interest in OLP (the "Interest") to the General Partner (0.001% on behalf of GP LP LLC and 99.999% on behalf of MLP
LP LLC) with a value equal to 2% of the equity value of MLP after the closing of the initial public offering of the MLP.

	6.
	The
General Partner will convey the Interest to MLP in exchange for (a) a continuation of its 2% general partner interest and (b) the Incentive Distribution Rights. 

2

 

	7.
	EXCO
will convey its limited partner interest in OLP and its member interests in OLP GP to MLP (such interests referred to collectively herein as the "EXCO
Aggregate Interests") in exchange for (a) 72,000,000 common units representing limited partner interests ("Units") with a
48% limited partner interest in MLP, (b) the assumption of the EXCO Revolving Credit Facility Debt and (c) the right to receive the Cash Payment to reimburse EXCO for certain capital
expenditures incurred by EXCO in connection with the Assets (the "CapEx Reimbursement").

	8.
	The
agreements of limited partnership, the limited liability company agreements, the bylaws and any other governing or organizational documents of the aforementioned entities will be
amended and restated to the extent necessary to reflect the applicable matters set forth above and as contained in this Agreement. 

NOW,
THEREFORE, in consideration of their mutual undertakings and agreements hereunder, the Parties undertake and agree as follows: 

 
 

ARTICLE I
  DEFINITIONS, SCHEDULES; RECORDATION    
    

        1.1    Definitions.    The following capitalized terms have the meanings given below. 

        "Acts" means, collectively, the Delaware Limited Partnership Act and the Delaware LLC Act. 

        "Administrative Services Agreement" means that certain Administrative Services Agreement dated of even date herewith, by and among EXCO,
the General Partner, MLP and the other parties thereto. 

        "Affiliate" means, with respect to any Person, any other Person that directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries controls,
is controlled by or is under common control with, the Person in question. As used herein, the term "control" means the possession, direct or indirect, of the power to direct or cause the direction of
the management and policies of a Person, whether through ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise. 

        "Agreement" means this Contribution, Conveyance, Assumption and Indemnification Agreement, as it may be amended, supplemented or modified
from time to time. 

        "Anadarko Mid-Con Royalty Litigation Losses" means any claims, damages, losses and expenses (including court costs and
reasonable attorney's and expert's fees) of any and every kind or character, known or unknown, fixed or contingent, suffered or incurred by the Partnership Group at or before the Effective Time
(provided that EXCO shall continue to be liable for, and continue to pay, fees and costs incurred after the Effective Time in respect of the defense of such litigation) by reason of or arising out of
events or conditions that gave rise to the claims asserted in any of the following cases: (i) the royalty Qui Tam suit styled United States ex rel. Little and Morris v.
ENI Petroleum, et al; (ii) the royalty class action suit styled Greghol Limited Partnership v. Oryx Energy Co., et al;
(iii) the royalty class action suit styled Ivan Simmons, et al v. Anadarko Petroleum Corporation; and (iv) the royalty Qui Tam suit styled  United States ex rel. Harold
(Gene) Wright v. Agip Petroleum Co., et al. 

        "Assets" has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.1(a). 

        "Beneficial Owner" has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.2. 

        "CapEx Reimbursement" has the meaning assigned to such term in Item 7 of Recital C to this Agreement. 

        "Cash Payment" means an amount in cash equal to the positive difference, if any, between $1.0 billion and the EXCO Revolving Credit
Facility Debt. 

3

 

        "Closing Assignments and Assumptions" means the documents or instruments necessary to effect the actions described in Items  [1, 4, 5, 6 and 7]
 of Recital C to this Agreement and the assumptions in
Article III to this Agreement. 

        "Conflicts Committee" is defined in the Partnership Agreement. 

        "Consents" means all authorizations, consents, concessions, orders or approvals of, or registrations, declarations, grants, exemptions,
waivers, licenses, permits or filings with, or expiration of waiting periods imposed by, any governmental agency. 

        "Contributing Party" has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 8.1. 

        "Covered Environmental Losses" is defined in Section 4.1. 

        "Covered Transfer Losses" is defined in Section 4.3(a). 

        "Defensible Title" means such ownership by the Partnership Group in each well included in the Assets that, subject to and except for the
Permitted Encumbrances: 

        (a)   entitles
the Partnership Group to receive not less than the percentage set forth in the EXCO Well Schedule as the Net Revenue Interest or NRI of all hydrocarbons
produced, saved and marketed from such well, all without reduction, suspension or termination of such interest throughout the productive life of such well, except as specifically set forth in the EXCO
Well Schedule; 

        (b)   obligates
the Partnership Group to bear not greater than the percentage set forth in the EXCO Well Schedule as the Working Interest or WI of the costs and expenses
relating to the maintenance, development and operation of such well, all without increase throughout the productive life of such well, except as specifically set forth in the EXCO Well Schedule and
without a proportionate increase in corresponding Net Revenue Interest or NRI for such well; and 

        (c)   is
free and clear of all liens and encumbrances. 

        "Delaware LLC Act" has the meaning assigned to such term in Item 1 of Recital B to this Agreement. 

        "Delaware Limited Partnership Act" has the meaning assigned to such term in Recital A to this Agreement. 

        "Eastern" has the meaning assigned to such term in the first paragraph of this Agreement. 

        "Eastern Assignment Agreement" means that certain [Assignment Agreement] between Eastern and EXCO Appalachia dated
                        , 2007. 

        "Eastern EXCO Assets" has the meaning assigned to such term in Item 12 of Recital B of this Agreement. 

        "Eastern EXCO Liabilities" means all obligations and liabilities associated with or arising from the ownership or operation of the Eastern
EXCO Assets after the Effective Time. 

        "Effective Date" means the closing date of the initial public offering of the MLP. 

        "Effective Time" means 7:00 a.m. (local Dallas, Texas time) on the Effective Date. 

        "Environmental Laws" means all federal, state, and local laws, statutes, rules, regulations, orders and ordinances, legally enforceable
requirements and rules of common law, each as in effect on the Effective Date, relating to protection of the environment including the federal Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and
Liability Act, the Superfund Amendments Reauthorization Act, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, the Clean Air Act, the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, the Toxic Substances Control Act,
the Oil Pollution Act, the Safe 

4

 

Drinking
Water Act, the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act and other environmental conservation and protection laws. 

        "EPOP" has the meaning assigned to such term in Item 8 of Recital B to this Agreement. 

        "EPOP MLP Assets" has the meaning assigned to such term in Item 8 of Recital B to this Agreement. 

        "EPOP MLP Liabilities" means all obligations and liabilities associated with or arising from the ownership or operation of the EPOP MLP
Assets after the Effective Time. 

        "EPOP MLP LLC" has the meaning assigned to such term in Item 8 of Recital B to this Agreement. 

        "EPOP Subs" has the meaning assigned to such term in Item 10 of Recital B to this Agreement. 

        "EXCO" has the meaning assigned to such term in the first paragraph of this Agreement. 

        "EXCO Aggregate Interests" has the meaning assigned to such term in Item 7 of Recital C to this Agreement. 

        "EXCO Appalachia" has the meaning assigned to such term in the first paragraph of this Agreement. 

        "EXCO Group" means EXCO and all of its direct and indirect Subsidiaries (other than any Partnership Group Member). 

        "EXCO Midcon MLP LLC" means EXCO Midcontinent MLP, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company. 

        "EXCO MLP Assets" has the meaning assigned to such term in Item 11 of Recital B to this Agreement. 

        "EXCO MLP Liabilities" means all obligations and liabilities associated with or arising from the ownership or operation of the EXCO MLP
Assets after the Effective Time. 

        "EXCO Negotiation Period" has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.1(b). 

        "EXCO Revolving Credit Facility Debt" means the aggregate indebtedness outstanding under the OLP Credit Agreement immediately before the
Effective Time. 

        "EXCO Subject Assets" means any and all oil and gas leasehold interests, mineral fee interests, royalty interests, overriding royalty
interests and any similar interests now owned or hereafter acquired or developed by any Partnership Group Member and any interests in related oil or natural gas gathering or pipeline or similar
midstream assets and related easements and rights-of-way now owned or hereafter acquired or constructed by or on behalf of any Partnership Group Member and any other property
or assets operationally related to the foregoing assets. 

        "EXCO Well Schedule" means the schedule of oil and natural gas wells and related working interests and net revenue interests attached to
this Agreement as Schedule 3. 

        "Gas Marketing Assignment" means that certain instrument of assignment, dated as
of                        , 2007, between North Coast and EXCO
Appalachia. 

        "General Partner" has the meaning assigned to such term in the first paragraph of this Agreement. 

        "GP LP LLC" has the meaning assigned to such term in the first paragraph of this Agreement. 

        "Hazardous Substance" means (a) any substance that is designated, defined or classified as a hazardous waste, hazardous material,
pollutant, contaminant or toxic or hazardous substance, or that is otherwise regulated under any Environmental Law, including any hazardous substance as such term is 

5

 

defined
under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, as amended, and (b) petroleum, petroleum products, crude oil, gasoline, natural gas, fuel oil, motor
oil, waste oil, diesel fuel, jet fuel and other petroleum hydrocarbons whether refined or unrefined and (c) asbestos, whether in a friable or a non-friable condition, and
polychlorinated biphenyls. 

        "Incentive Distribution Rights" is defined in the Partnership Agreement. 

        "Indemnified Party" means either the Partnership Group or the EXCO Group, as the case may be, each in its capacity as a party entitled to
indemnification in accordance with Article IV. 

        "Indemnifying Party" means either MLP or EXCO, as the case may be, each in its capacity as a party from whom indemnification may be
required in accordance with Article IV. 

        "Interest" has the meaning assigned to such term in Item 5 of the Recital C to this Agreement. 

        "Limited Partners" is defined in the Partnership Agreement. 

        "Master Operating Agreement" means that certain Master Operating Agreement of even date herewith, among EXCO, MLP and the other parties
thereto. 

        "Merger Agreement" means that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as
of                        , 2007, among Winchester MLP LLC, EPOP MLP
LLC, EXCO Midcon MLP LLC and USA. 

        "MLP" has the meaning assigned to such term in the first paragraph of this Agreement. 

        "MLP LP LLC" has the meaning assigned to such term in the first paragraph of this Agreement. 

        "North Coast" has the meaning assigned to such term in the first paragraph of this Agreement. 

        "North Coast Marketing Contracts" has the meaning assigned to such term in Item 13 of Recital B of this Agreement. 

        "North Coast Marketing Liabilities" means all obligations and liabilities associated with or arising from the ownership or operation of
the North Coast Marketing Contracts. 

        "North Coast Royalty Owner Litigation Losses" means any claims, damages, losses and expenses (including court costs and reasonable
attorney's and expert's fees) of any and every kind or character, known or unknown, fixed or contingent, suffered or incurred by the Partnership Group at or before the Effective Time (provided that
EXCO shall continue to be liable for, and continue to pay, fees and costs incurred after the Effective Time in respect of the defense of such litigation) by reason of or arising out of events or
conditions that gave rise to the claims asserted in the putative royalty owner class action styled PRC Holdings, LLC, et al. v. North Coast
Energy, Inc. filed on October 11, 2006 and any related litigation. 

        "OLP" has the meaning assigned to such term in the first paragraph of this Agreement. 

        "OLP Credit Agreement" means that certain Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement amended as of
[                        ,
200    ] among OLP, as borrower, certain subsidiaries of OLP, as guarantors, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, and the other lenders and parties thereto, as the
same may be amended from time to time. 

        "OLP GP" has the meaning assigned to such term in the first paragraph of this Agreement. 

        "Other Losses" is defined in 4.3(a). 

        "Partnership Agreement" means the Agreement of Limited Partnership of MLP, dated as
of                        , 2008, as the same may be amended
or restated from time to time. 

        "Partnership Disposing Party" has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.1. 

        "Partnership Disposing Party Offer" has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.1(a). 

6

 

        "Partnership Group" has the meaning given to such term in the Partnership Agreement, giving effect to the transactions contemplated by
Article II of this Agreement. 

        "Partnership Group Member" means a member of the Partnership Group. 

        "Partnership Offer" has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.1(d). 

        "Partnership Offer Date" has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.1(d). 

        "Partnership Third Party Transferee" has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.1(d). 

        "Party" and "Parties" have the meanings assigned to such terms in the first paragraph of
this Agreement. 

        "Permitted Encumbrances" shall mean any of the following matters to the extent the same are valid and subsisting and affect the Assets: 

        (a)   any
(i) undetermined or inchoate liens or charges constituting or securing the payment of expenses not yet delinquent that were incurred incidental to the
maintenance, development, production or operation of the Assets or for the purpose of developing, producing or processing hydrocarbons therefrom or therein, and (ii) materialman's, mechanics',
repairman's, employees', contractors', operators' liens or other similar liens or charges for liquidated amounts not yet delinquent arising in the ordinary course of business; 

        (b)   any
liens for taxes and assessments not yet delinquent or, if delinquent, that are being contested in good faith in the ordinary course of business and for which EXCO
has agreed to indemnify the Partnership Group in this Agreement; 

        (c)   the
terms, conditions, restrictions, exceptions, reservations, limitations and other matters contained in (including any liens or security interests created by law or
reserved in oil and gas leases for royalty, bonus or rental, or created to secure compliance with the terms of) the contracts, agreements, instruments, documents and other matters described or
referred to in any Exhibit or Schedule to this Agreement or that create or reserve to the EXCO Group its interest in the Assets; provided, that, such matters (i) do not operate to
(A) reduce the Net Revenue Interest or NRI in any well below the Net Revenue Interest or NRI reflected in the EXCO Well Schedule, (B) increase the share of costs and expenses of the
maintenance, development or operation of any well above the Working Interest or WI reflected in the EXCO Well Schedule, unless there is a proportionate increase in the corresponding Net Revenue
Interest or NRI for such well or (C) materially adversely affect or impair the ownership, use or operation of such Assets as they are currently owned, used or operated; 

        (d)   any
obligations or duties affecting the Assets to any governmental authority with respect to any franchise, grant, license or permit, and all applicable laws, rules,
regulations and orders of any governmental authority; 

        (e)   any
(i) easements, rights-of-way, servitudes, permits, surface leases and other rights in respect of surface operations, pipelines,
grazing, hunting, lodging, canals, ditches, reservoirs or the like, and (ii) easements for streets, alleys, highways, pipelines, telephone lines, power lines, railways and other similar
rights-of-way that do not materially adversely affect or impair the ownership, use or operation of such Assets as they are currently owned, used or operated; 

        (f)    all
royalties, overriding royalties, net profits interests, carried interests, production payments, reversionary interests and other burdens on or deductions from the
proceeds of production of hydrocarbons created or in existence as of the Effective Date, whether recorded or unrecorded, that do not operate to reduce the Net Revenue Interest or NRI for any well
below the Net Revenue Interest or NRI set forth in the EXCO Well Schedule, or increase the Working Interest or WI for any well above the Working Interest or WI set forth in the EXCO Well 

7

 

Schedule
without a proportionate increase in the corresponding Net Revenue Interest for such well; 

        (g)   all
payments held in suspense as of the Effective Date that relate to royalties, overriding royalties, net profits interests, carried interests, production payments,
reversionary interests and other burdens on or deductions from the proceeds of production of hydrocarbons; 

        (h)   all
rights to consent by, required notices to, filings with, or other actions by governmental authorities in connection with the direct or indirect sale, transfer or
conveyance of the Assets that are customarily obtained subsequent to such sale or conveyance; 

        (i)    production
sales contracts; division orders; contracts for sale, purchase, exchange, refining or processing of hydrocarbons; unitization and pooling designations,
declarations, orders and agreements; operating agreements; agreements of development; area of mutual interest agreements; gas balancing or deferred production agreements; processing agreements; plant
agreements; pipeline, gathering and transportation agreements; injection, repressuring and recycling agreements; water or other disposal agreements; seismic or geophysical permits or agreements; and
any and all other agreements that are ordinary and customary to the oil, gas and other mineral exploration, development, processing or extraction business or in the business of processing of gas and
gas condensate production for the extraction of products therefrom; provided, that, such matters (i) do not operate to (A) reduce the Net Revenue Interest or NRI in any well below the
Net Revenue Interest or NRI reflected in the EXCO Well Schedule, (B) increase the share of costs and expenses of the maintenance, development or operation of any well above the Working Interest
or WI reflected in the EXCO Well Schedule, unless there is a proportionate increase in the corresponding Net Revenue Interest or NRI for such well or (C) materially adversely affect or impair
the ownership, use or operation of such Assets as they are currently owned, used or operated; 

        (j)    all
defects and irregularities affecting the Assets which individually or in the aggregate (i) do not operate to (A) reduce the Net Revenue Interest or NRI
in any well below the Net Revenue Interest or NRI reflected in the EXCO Well Schedule, (B) increase the share of costs and expenses of the maintenance, development or operation of any well
above the Working Interest or WI reflected in the EXCO Well Schedule, unless there is a proportionate increase in the corresponding Net Revenue Interest or NRI for such well or (C) materially
adversely affect or impair the ownership, use or operation of such Assets as they are currently owned, used or operated; 

        (k)   rights
reserved to or vested in any governmental authority to control or regulate any of the leases or units included in the Assets and the applicable laws, rules, and
regulations of any such governmental authority; 

        (l)    conventional
rights of reassignment arising upon decision to surrender or abandon an interest; 

        (m)  liens
related to the OLP Credit Agreement; and 

        (n)   transfer
restrictions, preferential purchase rights, consent requirements, area of mutual interest provisions, "maintenance of uniform interest" provisions and similar
contractual provisions affecting such Assets. 

        "Person" means an individual or a corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, unincorporated organization,
association, government agency or political subdivision thereof or other entity. 

        "Pre-Closing Assignments" has the meaning assigned to such term in Recital B to this Agreement. 

8

 

        "Receiving Party" has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 8.1. 

        "Restriction" has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.2. 

        "Restricted Asset" has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.2. 

        "Retained Assets" means the assets and investments owned by the EXCO Group that were not Transferred to the Partnership Group pursuant to
this Agreement and the replacements and natural extensions thereof. 

        "Specific Conveyances" has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.16. 

        "Subsidiary" means, with respect to any Person, (a) a corporation of which more than 50% of the voting power of shares entitled
(without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors or other governing body of such corporation is owned, directly or indirectly, at the date of determination,
by such Person, by one or more Subsidiaries of such Person or a combination thereof, (b) a partnership (whether general or limited) in which such Person or a Subsidiary of such Person is, at
the date of determination, a general or limited partner of such partnership, but only if more than 50% of the partnership interests of such partnership (considering all of the partnership interests of
the partnership as a single class) is owned, directly or indirectly, at the date of determination, by such Person, by one or more Subsidiaries of such Person, or a combination thereof, or
(c) any other Person (other than a corporation or a partnership) in which such Person, one or more Subsidiaries of such Person, or a combination thereof, directly or indirectly, at the date of
determination, has (i) at least a majority ownership interest or (ii) the power to elect or direct the election of a majority of the directors or other governing body of such Person. 

        "Suspense Liabilities" means all obligations and liabilities associated with or arising from the retention of the Suspense Payments. 

        "Suspense Payments" means all payments held in suspense as of the Effective Date that relate to royalties, overriding royalties, net
profits interests, carried interests, production payments, reversionary interests or other burdens on or deductions from the proceeds of production of hydrocarbons from the Assets. 

        "Transfer" including the correlative terms "Transferring" or
"Transferred" means any direct or indirect transfer, assignment, sale, gift, pledge, hypothecation or other encumbrance, or any other disposition
(whether voluntary, involuntary or by operation of law) of the Assets, any assets, property or rights; provided, however, that the term "Transfer" shall
not apply to any transfer, assignment, sale or other disposition in connection with the exercise of any right or remedy contemplated by the OLP Credit Agreement. 

        "Units" has the meaning assigned to such term in Item 7 of Recital C to this Agreement. 

        "USA" has the meaning assigned to such term in Item 3 of Recital C to this Agreement. 

        "USA GP" has the meaning assigned to such term in Item 2 of Recital C to this Agreement. 

        "Voluntary Cleanup Program" means a program of the United States of America or a state of the United States of America enacted pursuant to
Environmental Laws that provides for a mechanism for the written approval of, or authorization to conduct, voluntary remedial action for the clean-up, removal or remediation of
contamination that exceeds actionable levels established pursuant to Environmental Laws. 

        "Wellbore Assignment" means instruments substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A that convey working interests in
identified producing wells. 

        "Winchester" has the meaning assigned to such term in Item 7 of Recital B to this Agreement. 

9

 

        "Winchester MLP Assets" has the meaning assigned to such term in Item 7 of Recital B to this Agreement. 

        "Winchester MLP Liabilities" means all obligations and liabilities associated with or arising from the ownership or operation of the
Winchester MLP Assets after the Effective Time. 

        "Winchester MLP LLC" has the meaning assigned to such term in Item 7 of Recital B to this Agreement. 

        1.2    Schedules.    The following Schedules are attached hereto: 

Schedule 2.1—List
of Winchester MLP Assets

Schedule 2.2—List of EPOP MLP Assets

Schedule 2.5—List of EXCO MLP Assets

Schedule 2.6—List of Eastern EXCO Assets

Schedule 3—EXCO Well Schedule 

        1.3    Recordation of Evidence of Ownership of Assets.    In connection with the conversions and mergers under the
applicable Acts that are referred to in the Recitals, the Parties acknowledge that certain jurisdictions in which the Assets of the applicable Parties to such conversions and mergers are located may
require that documents be recorded by the entities resulting from such conversions and mergers in order to evidence title to Assets in such entities. All such documents shall evidence such new
ownership
and are not intended to modify, and shall not modify, any of the terms, covenants and conditions herein set forth. 

 
 

ARTICLE II
  CONTRIBUTIONS, DISTRIBUTIONS, CONVERSIONS,
  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES    
    

        2.1    Conveyance by Winchester to Winchester MLP LLC of the Winchester MLP Assets.    EXCO hereby represents and
warrants to the other Parties hereto that Winchester has granted, contributed, transferred, assigned and conveyed to Winchester MLP LLC, its successors and assigns, for its and their own use forever,
all right, title and interest of Winchester in and to all of the Winchester MLP Assets, and Winchester MLP LLC has accepted the Winchester MLP Assets pursuant to Wellbore Assignments. 

        2.2    Conveyance by EPOP to EPOP MLP LLC of the EPOP MLP Assets.    EXCO hereby represents and warrants to the other
Parties hereto that EPOP has granted, contributed, transferred, assigned and conveyed to EPOP MLP LLC, its successors and assigns, for its and their own use forever, all right, title and interest of
EPOP in and to the EPOP MLP Assets, and EPOP MLP LLC has accepted the EPOP MLP Assets pursuant to Wellbore Assignments. 

        2.3    Distribution by Winchester to EPOP of Interest in Winchester MLP LLC.    EXCO hereby represents and warrants to
the other Parties hereto that Winchester has distributed, granted, contributed, transferred, assigned and conveyed to EPOP, its successors and assigns, for its and their own use forever, all of
Winchester's right, title and interest in and to its member interests in Winchester MLP LLC, and EPOP has accepted such member interests as a distribution, 0.001% of such distribution, grant,
contribution, transfer, assignment and conveyance having been made on behalf of Vaughan DE, LLC and 99.999% of such distribution, grant, contribution, transfer, assignment and conveyance having been
made on behalf of Winchester. 

        2.4    Distribution by EPOP to EXCO of interest in EPOP Subs.    EXCO hereby represents and warrants to the other
Parties hereto that EPOP has distributed, granted, contributed, transferred, assigned and conveyed to EXCO, its successors and assigns, for its and their own use forever, all of EPOP's right, title
and interest in and to its member interests in the EPOP Subs, and EXCO has accepted such member interests as a distribution, 0.001% of such distribution, grant, contribution, 

10

 

transfer,
assignment and conveyance having been made on behalf of the general partner of EPOP and 99.999% of such distribution, grant, contribution, transfer, assignment and conveyance having been
made on behalf of EPOP. 

        2.5    Conveyance by EXCO to EXCO Midcon MLP LLC of the EXCO MLP Assets.    EXCO hereby represents and warrants to the
other Parties hereto that EXCO has granted, contributed, transferred, assigned and conveyed to EXCO Midcon MLP LLC, its successors and assigns, for its and their own use forever, all right, title and
interest of EXCO in and to all of the EXCO MLP Assets, and EXCO Midcon MLP LLC has accepted the EXCO MLP Assets pursuant to Wellbore Assignments. 

        2.6    Conveyance by Eastern to EXCO Appalachia of the Eastern EXCO Assets.    Eastern, EXCO and EXCO Appalachia
hereby represent and warrant to the other Parties hereto that Eastern has granted, contributed, transferred, assigned and conveyed to EXCO Appalachia, its successors and assigns, for its and their own
use forever, all right, title and interest of Eastern in and to all of the Eastern EXCO Assets, and EXCO Appalachia has accepted the Eastern EXCO Assets pursuant to the Eastern Assignment Agreement. 

        2.7    Conveyance by North Coast to EXCO of the North Coast Marketing Contracts.    North Coast and EXCO hereby
represent and warrant to the other Parties hereto that North Coast has granted, contributed, transferred, assigned and conveyed to EXCO, its successors and assigns, for its and their own use forever,
all right, title and interest of North Coast in and to all of the North Coast Marketing Contracts, and EXCO has accepted the North Coast Marketing Contracts pursuant to the Gas Marketing Assignment. 

        2.8    Formation of USA GP.    EXCO represents and warrants to the other Partners hereto that OLP has formed USA GP
under the terms of the Delaware Limited Partnership Act, and has contributed $1,000 in exchange for all of the member interests in USA GP. 

        2.9    Formation of USA.    EXCO represents and warrants to the other Partners hereto that USA GP and OLP have formed
USA under the terms of the Delaware Limited Partnership Act, and USA GP has contributed $0.01 and OLP has contributed $999.99 in exchange for a 0.001% general partner interest and a 99.999% limited
partner interest in USA, respectively. 

        2.10    Contribution and Conveyance by EXCO to OLP of the EPOP Subs, North Coast and EXCO Midcon MLP LLC.    EXCO
hereby grants, contributes, transfers, assigns and conveys to OLP, its successors and assigns, for its and their own use forever, all of EXCO's right, title and interest in and to its member interests
in the EPOP Subs, North Coast and EXCO Midcon MLP LLC, and OLP hereby accepts such member interests as an additional contribution to the capital of OLP, 0.001% of such grant, contribution, transfer,
assignment and conveyance being made on behalf of OLP GP and 99.999% of such grant, contribution, transfer, assignment and conveyance being made on behalf of EXCO. 

        2.11    Merger of Winchester MLP LLC, EPOP MLP LLC and EXCO Midcon MLP LLC into USA.    The Parties acknowledge that
on the date hereof, each of Winchester MLP LLC, EPOP MLP LLC and EXCO Midcon MLP LLC has merged with and into USA pursuant to the Merger Agreement, with USA being the surviving entity in the merger. 

        2.12    Contribution by EXCO to the General Partner of the Interest in OLP.    EXCO hereby grants, contributes,
transfers, assigns and conveys to the General Partner, its successors and assigns, for its and their own use forever, all of EXCO's right, title and interest in and to the Interest, and the General
Partner hereby accepts the Interest as an additional contribution to the capital of the General Partner, 0.001% of such grant, contribution, transfer, assignment and conveyance being made on behalf of
GP LP LLC and 99.999% of such grant, contribution, transfer, assignment and conveyance being made on behalf of MLP LP LLC. 

11

 

        2.13    Contribution by the General Partner to MLP of the Interest in OLP.    The General Partner hereby grants,
contributes, transfers, assigns and conveys to MLP, its successors and assigns, for its and their own use forever, all of the General Partner's right, title and interest in and to the Interest, and
MLP hereby accepts the Interest in exchange for (a) a continuation of its 2% general partner interest and (b) the Incentive Distribution Rights. 

        2.14    Contribution by EXCO to MLP of the EXCO Aggregate Interests.    EXCO hereby grants, contributes, transfers,
assigns and conveys to MLP, its successors and assigns, for its and their own use forever, all of EXCO's right, title and interest in and to the EXCO Aggregate Interests in exchange for
(a) 72,000,000 Units representing a 48% limited partner interest in MLP, (b) the assumption by the MLP of the EXCO Revolving Credit Facility Debt, (c) the Cash Payment and
(d) other good and valuable consideration, the sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, and MLP hereby accepts such EXCO Aggregate Interests as a contribution to the capital of MLP. 

        2.15    Distribution by MLP of Cash Payment to EXCO to Satisfy the CapEx Reimbursement.    The Parties acknowledge
that MLP has distributed the Cash Payment to EXCO to satisfy the CapEx
Reimbursement. EXCO hereby acknowledges receipt of the Cash Payment from MLP in full satisfaction of the CapEx Reimbursement. 

        2.16    Specific Conveyances.    To evidence the Pre-Closing Assignments, each assignor making such
assignment may have executed and delivered to the assignee certain conveyance, assignment and bill of sale instruments (the "Specific Conveyances"). The
Specific Conveyances shall evidence and perfect such assignment and this Agreement shall not constitute a second assignment or conveyance of any such assets or interests therein. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, if any provision in the Specific Conveyances conflicts with any of the provisions of this Agreement, the provisions of this Agreement shall control. 

 
 

ARTICLE III
  ASSUMPTION OF CERTAIN LIABILITIES    
    

        3.1    Assumption of Eastern EXCO Liabilities by EXCO Appalachia.    In connection with the conveyance by Eastern of
Eastern EXCO Assets to EXCO Appalachia as described in Section 2.6, EXCO Appalachia hereby assumes and agrees to duly and timely pay, perform and discharge all of the Eastern EXCO Liabilities. 

        3.2    Assumption of North Coast Marketing Liabilities by EXCO.    In connection with the conveyance by North Coast of
the North Coast Marketing Contracts to EXCO as described in Section 2.7, EXCO hereby assumes and agrees to duly and timely pay, perform and discharge all of the North Coast Marketing
Liabilities. 

        3.3    Assumption of Winchester MLP Liabilities by OLP.    In connection with the contribution by EXCO of the EPOP
Subs to OLP as described in Section 2.10, OLP hereby assumes and agrees to duly and timely pay, perform and discharge all of the Winchester MLP Liabilities. 

        3.4    Assumption of EPOP MLP Liabilities by OLP.    In connection with the contribution by EXCO of the EPOP Subs to
OLP as described in Section 2.10, OLP hereby assumes and agrees to duly and timely pay, perform and discharge all of the EPOP MLP Liabilities. 

        3.5    Assumption of EXCO MLP Liabilities by OLP.    In connection with the contribution by EXCO of EXCO Midcon MLP
LLC to OLP, as described in Section 2.10, OLP hereby assumes and agrees to duly and timely pay, perform and discharge all of the EXCO MLP Liabilities. 

        3.6    Assumption of Suspense Liabilities by EXCO.    In connection with the retention of the Suspense Payments by
certain members of the EXCO Group, EXCO hereby assumes all of the Suspense Liabilities and agrees to discharge them as appropriate in the normal course of business. 

12

 

        3.7    General Provisions Relating to Assumption of Liabilities.    Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained
in this Agreement including, without limitation, the terms and provisions of this Article III, none of the Parties shall be deemed to have assumed, and none of the Assets have been or are being
contributed subject to, any liens or security interests securing consensual indebtedness covering any of the Assets, except to the extent set forth on a Schedule to this Agreement or pursuant to the
OLP Credit Agreement, and all such liens and security interests shall be deemed to be excluded from the assumptions of liabilities made under this Article III, and all such liabilities and
obligations shall be deemed to be excluded from the assumptions of liabilities made under this Article III. 

 
 

ARTICLE IV
  INDEMNIFICATION    
    

	4.1
	Environmental
Indemnification by EXCO. 

        (a)   Subject
to Section 4.2, EXCO shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Partnership Group from and against any claims, losses and expenses (including court
costs and reasonable attorney's and expert's fees) of any and every kind or character, known or unknown, fixed or contingent, suffered or incurred by the Partnership Group by reason of or arising out
of: 

          (i)  any
violation of applicable Environmental Laws associated with the ownership or operation of the Assets; or 

         (ii)  any
adverse environmental event or condition associated with ownership or operation of the Assets (including the presence of Hazardous Substances on, under, about or
migrating from the Assets or the disposal or release of Hazardous Substances generated by operation of the Assets at non Asset locations) including (A) the cost and expense of any
investigation, assessment, evaluation, monitoring, containment, cleanup, repair, restoration, remediation, or other corrective action required or necessary
under Environmental Laws or to satisfy any applicable Voluntary Cleanup Program, (B) the cost or expense of the preparation and implementation of any closure, remedial, corrective action or
other plans required or necessary under Environmental Laws or to satisfy any applicable Voluntary Cleanup Program and (C) the cost and expense for any environmental or toxic tort pre trial,
trial, or appellate legal or litigation support work; 

but
only to the extent that such violation complained of under Section 4.1(a)(i) or such events or conditions included under Section 4.1(a)(ii) occurred at or before the
Effective Time (collectively, "Covered Environmental Losses"). Covered Environmental Losses shall not include any claim, loss or expense arising from or
related to the plugging and abandonment of wells associated with the Assets upon the determination that such well or wells have reached its or their useful economic life or are otherwise required by
applicable law to be plugged and abandoned. The term "plugging and abandonment" as used herein shall mean all plugging, replugging, and abandonment associated with the Assets, or any portion thereof,
and including all plugging and abandonment, associated removal, disposal or restoration of the surface, site clearance and disposal of the wells, structures and personal property located on or
associated with the Assets, the removal or capping, purging and burying of all associated flowlines, the recontouring of the surface in accordance with applicable laws or the terms and conditions of
applicable leases, licenses, franchises or contracts, site clearance and any disposal of related waste materials or Hazardous Substances of the type ordinarily encountered in oil and gas operations. 

        (b)   Except
for EXCO's obligation with respect to claims for Covered Environmental Losses made before the third anniversary of the Effective Date, which obligation shall not
terminate, all indemnification obligations in this Section 4.1 shall terminate on the third anniversary of the Effective Date. 

13

 

        4.2    Limitations Regarding Environmental Indemnification.    The aggregate liability of EXCO in respect of all
Covered Environmental Losses under Section 4.1 shall not exceed $20,000,000 and EXCO shall not have any obligation under Section 4.1 until such Covered Environmental Losses exceed
$1,000,000 in the aggregate, in which case such obligation shall extend to the first dollar of such Covered Environmental Losses. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, in no event shall
EXCO have any indemnification obligations under Section 4.1 for claims made as a result of additions to or modifications of Environmental Laws promulgated after the Effective Time. 

        4.3    Additional Indemnification by EXCO.    

        (a)   In
addition to and not in limitation of the indemnification provided under Section 4.1, and subject to Section 4.4, EXCO shall indemnify, defend and hold
harmless the Partnership Group from and against any claims, losses and expenses (including court costs and reasonable attorney's and expert's fees) of any and every kind or character, known or
unknown, fixed or contingent, suffered or incurred by the
Partnership Group ("Other Losses") by reason of or arising out of (i) the failure of the applicable Partnership Group Member to have Defensible
Title to any wells included in the Assets, (ii) the breach of any transfer restriction, preferential purchase right, consent right, area of mutual interest provision, "maintenance of uniform
interest" provision and similar contractual provision in any operating agreement burdening the Assets, which breach results from the Transfer of the Assets by the EXCO Group to the Partnership Group
(the "Covered Transfer Losses"), (iii) the failure of the applicable Partnership Group Member to have defensible title to the Assets, other than
any wells included in the Assets, free and clear of all liens and encumbrances except for Permitted Encumbrances and other encumbrances that do not materially adversely affect the value of the Assets
or the ability of the Partnership Group to operate the Assets in substantially the same manner as they were operated immediately prior to the Effective Time, (iv) events and conditions
associated with the ownership or operation of the Assets and occurring at or before the Effective Time, including any North Coast Royalty Owner Litigation Losses and any Anadarko Mid-Con
Royalty Litigation Losses, (other than Covered Environmental Losses, which are provided for under Section 4.1), (v) events and conditions associated with the Retained Assets whether
occurring before or after the Effective Time, (vi) the breach of this Agreement or of any Specific Conveyance and (vii) all federal, state and local income tax liabilities attributable
to the operation of the Assets at or prior to the Effective Time, including any such income tax liabilities of the EXCO Group that may result from the consummation of the formation and contribution
transactions involving the Partnership Group Members. 

Except
for EXCO's indemnification obligation with respect to claims for Other Losses under clauses (i), (iii) or (iv) (other than North Coast Royalty Owner Litigation Losses and Anadarko
Mid-Con Royalty Litigation Losses) of Section 4.3(a) made before the third anniversary of the Effective Date and claims for Other Losses under clause (vii) of
Section 4.3(a) made prior to the 60th day following the expiration of the applicable statute of limitations, which obligation, in each case, shall not terminate, all
indemnification obligations of EXCO with respect to Other Losses under clauses (i), (iii) or (iv) (other than North Coast Royalty Owner Litigation Losses or Anadarko Mid-Con
Royalty Litigation Losses) of Section 4.3(a) shall terminate on the third anniversary of the Effective Date and all indemnification obligations with respect to Other Losses under
clause (vii) of Section 4.3(a) shall terminate on the 60th day following the expiration of the applicable statute of limitations. All indemnification obligations of EXCO
with respect to Other Losses under clauses (ii), (iv) (but only with respect to North Coast Royalty Owner Litigation Losses and Anadarko Mid-Con Royalty Litigation Losses),
(v) and (vi) shall survive without limitation. 

        4.4    Limitations Regarding Additional Indemnification by EXCO.    The aggregate liability of EXCO in respect of all
Other Losses under clauses (i) and (iii) of Section 4.3(a) shall not exceed $250,000,000 

14

 

and
EXCO shall not have any obligation under clauses (i) and (iii) of Section 4.3(a) until such Other Losses exceed $1,000,000 in the aggregate, in which case such obligation
shall extend to the first dollar of such Other Losses. 

        4.5    Indemnification by MLP.    In addition to and not in limitation of the indemnification provided under the
Partnership Agreement, MLP shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless the EXCO Group from
and against any claims, losses and expenses (including court costs and reasonable attorney's and expert's fees) of any and every kind or character, known or unknown, fixed or contingent, suffered or
incurred by the EXCO Group by reason of or arising out of events and conditions associated with the ownership or operation of the Assets and occurring after the Effective Time (other than Covered
Environmental Losses and Covered Transfer Losses) unless such indemnification would not be permitted under any applicable provisions of the Partnership Agreement. 

        4.6    Indemnification Procedures.    

        (a)   The
Indemnified Party agrees that promptly after it becomes aware of facts giving rise to a claim for indemnification under this Article IV, it will provide
notice thereof in writing to the Indemnifying Party, specifying the nature of and specific basis for such claim. 

        (b)   The
Indemnifying Party shall have the right to control all aspects of the defense of (and any counterclaims with respect to) any claims brought against the Indemnified
Party that are covered by the indemnification under this Article IV, including the selection of counsel, determination of whether to appeal any decision of any court and the settling of any
such matter or any issues relating thereto; provided, however, that no such settlement shall be entered into without the consent of the Indemnified Party (with the concurrence of the Conflicts
Committee in the case of the Partnership Group) unless it includes a full release of the Indemnified Party from such matter or issues, as the case may be, and does not include the admission of fault,
culpability or a failure to act, by or on behalf of such Indemnified Party. 

        (c)   The
Indemnified Party agrees to cooperate fully with the Indemnifying Party, with respect to all aspects of the defense of any claims covered by the indemnification
under this Article IV, including the prompt furnishing to the Indemnifying Party of any correspondence or other notice relating thereto that the Indemnified Party may receive, permitting the
name of the Indemnified Party to be utilized in connection with such defense, the making available to the Indemnifying Party of any files, records or other information of the Indemnified Party that
the Indemnifying Party considers relevant to such defense and the making available to the Indemnifying Party, at no cost to the Indemnifying Party, of any employees of the Indemnified Party; provided,
however, that in connection therewith the Indemnifying Party agrees to use reasonable efforts to minimize the impact thereof on the operations of the Indemnified Party and further agrees to endeavor
to maintain the confidentiality of all files, records and other information furnished by the Indemnified Party pursuant to this Section 4.6. In no event shall the obligation of the Indemnified
Party to cooperate with the Indemnifying Party as set forth in the immediately preceding sentence be construed as imposing upon the Indemnified Party an obligation to hire and pay for counsel in
connection with the defense of any claims covered by the indemnification set forth in this Article IV; provided, however, that the Indemnified Party may, at its own option, cost and expense,
hire and pay for counsel in connection with any such defense. The Indemnifying Party agrees to keep any such counsel hired by the Indemnified Party informed as to the status of any such defense, but
the Indemnifying Party shall have the right to retain sole control over such defense. 

        (d)   In
determining the amount of any loss, cost, damage or expense for which the Indemnified Party is entitled to indemnification under this Agreement, the gross amount of
the indemnification will be reduced by (i) any insurance proceeds realized by the Indemnified Party and (ii) all amounts recovered by the Indemnified Party under contractual indemnities
from third Persons. 

15

 

        (e)   The
date on which the Indemnifying Party receives notification of a claim for indemnification shall determine whether such claim is timely made. 

 
 

ARTICLE V
  RIGHT OF FIRST OFFER    
    

        5.1    EXCO Right of First Offer.    For as long as the MLP remains an Affiliate of EXCO, and subject to the
applicable provisions of the OLP Credit Agreement, if any Partnership Group Member (the "Partnership Disposing Party") desires to Transfer any EXCO
Subject Assets, the Partnership Disposing Party shall provide the EXCO Group a right of first offer to acquire such EXCO Subject Assets pursuant to the procedures set forth below. 

        (a)   The
Partnership Disposing Party, with the approval of the Conflicts Committee, shall deliver a written offer (the "Partnership Disposing Party
Offer") to EXCO, on behalf of the EXCO Group, which Partnership Disposing Party Offer shall describe the EXCO Subject Assets, the purchase price (payable in cash) at which it
wishes to sell the EXCO Subject Assets and the proposed terms of sale. The Partnership Disposing Party Offer shall constitute a binding offer to sell the EXCO Subject Assets to the EXCO Group on the
terms set forth therein. 

        (b)   EXCO,
on behalf of the EXCO Group, shall have a period of 30 days (the "EXCO Negotiation Period") from the date of
the Partnership Disposing Party Offer to accept the Partnership Disposing Party Offer or negotiate alternative terms of sale acceptable to EXCO, on behalf of the EXCO Group, and the Partnership
Disposing Party, with the approval of the Conflicts Committee. 

        (c)   If
the Partnership Disposing Party, with the approval of the Conflicts Committee, and EXCO, on behalf of the EXCO Group, agree upon the terms of sale for the EXCO
Subject Assets prior to the expiration of the EXCO Negotiation Period, such Parties shall enter into definitive documentation to effect such transfer, which shall be closed within 30 days after
the end of the EXCO Negotiation Period
or such longer period as may be reasonably necessary to complete a stockholder vote by EXCO (if required) or a financing (if required) or to obtain any required consents. 

        (d)   If,
at the end of the EXCO Negotiation Period, the Partnership Disposing Party, with the approval of the Conflicts Committee, and EXCO, on behalf of the EXCO Group, each
acting in good faith, have not agreed upon the terms of sale for the EXCO Subject Assets, or if the Transfer is not timely completed pursuant to Section 5.1(c), the Partnership Disposing Party
may thereafter (i) Transfer the EXCO Subject Assets (subject to any changes in form or condition, financial or otherwise, which in the opinion of the Partnership Disposing Party, acting in good
faith, are not material taken as a whole) to a bona fide third party dealing at arm's length with the Partnership Disposing Party (a
"Partnership Third Party Transferee") at a price and on terms and conditions that, taken as a whole, in the reasonable opinion of the Partnership
Disposing Party are not more favorable to the Partnership Third Party Transferee than those contained in the Partnership Disposing Party Offer taking into account any alternative terms proposed by
EXCO or (ii) conduct a bona fide auction for the EXCO Subject Assets, seeking offers to be submitted to the Partnership Disposing Party by a
specified date (the "Partnership Offer Date") from two or more Partnership Third Party Transferees and, if EXCO so desires, from EXCO, on behalf of the
EXCO Group (each, a "Partnership Offer"), for consideration by the Partnership Disposing Party. 

        (e)   If
the Partnership Disposing Party conducts an auction pursuant to Section 5.1(d), the Partnership Disposing Party may accept the Partnership Offer that the
Partnership Disposing Party, acting in good faith, determines is the best Partnership Offer. If EXCO does not submit a Partnership Offer on behalf of the EXCO Group or its Partnership Offer is not
accepted by the Partnership Disposing Party, the EXCO Group thereafter waives all rights to the purchase of the 

16

 

EXCO
Subject Assets, provided that the Partnership Disposing Party and the Partnership Third Party Transferee consummate the Transfer of the EXCO Subject Assets within 90 days from the
expiration of the EXCO Negotiation Period. 

        (f)    If
the Partnership Disposing Party and the Partnership Third Party Transferee fail to consummate the Transfer of the EXCO Subject Assets within 90 days from the
expiration of the EXCO Negotiation Period, the EXCO Group's rights under this Article V with respect to the EXCO Subject Assets shall again become effective, and the Partnership Disposing Party
shall not thereafter Transfer any of the EXCO Subject Assets without first offering such assets to the EXCO Group in the manner provided in this Section 5.1. 

        (g)   Upon
any Transfer to a Third-Party Transferee, subject to paragraph (d) above, the Partnership Disposing Party shall deliver to EXCO, on behalf of the EXCO Group,
a copy of the documents evidencing such Transfer. 

 
 

ARTICLE VI
  TITLE MATTERS    
    

        6.1    Encumbrances.    

        (a)   Except
to the extent otherwise provided in Article III or any document executed in connection with this Agreement including, without limitation, the
Administrative Services Agreement and the Master Operating Agreement, the contribution and conveyance (by operation of law or otherwise) of the various assets as reflected in this Agreement
(collectively, the "Assets") are made expressly subject to the Permitted Encumbrances. 

        (b)   To
the extent that certain jurisdictions in which the Assets are located may require that documents be recorded in order to evidence the transfers of title reflected in
this Agreement, then the provisions set forth in Section 6.1(a) immediately above shall also be applicable to the conveyances under such documents. 

        6.2    Disclaimer of Warranties; Subrogation; Waiver of Bulk Sales Laws.    

        (a)   EXCEPT
TO THE EXTENT EXPRESSLY PROVIDED IN THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER DOCUMENT EXECUTED OR DELIVERED IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION,
THE ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AGREEMENT AND THE MASTER OPERATING AGREEMENT, THE PARTIES ACKNOWLEDGE AND AGREE THAT NONE OF THE PARTIES HAS MADE, DOES NOT MAKE, AND EACH SUCH PARTY SPECIFICALLY NEGATES
AND DISCLAIMS, ANY REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES, PROMISES, COVENANTS, AGREEMENTS OR GUARANTIES OF ANY KIND OR CHARACTER WHATSOEVER, WHETHER EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, ORAL OR WRITTEN, PAST OR
PRESENT. EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT PROVIDED IN ANY OTHER DOCUMENT EXECUTED OR DELIVERED IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, THE ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AGREEMENT AND THE MASTER
OPERATING AGREEMENT, THE PARTIES ACKNOWLEDGE AND AGREE THAT EACH HAS HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO INSPECT THE RESPECTIVE ASSETS, AND EACH IS RELYING SOLELY ON ITS OWN INVESTIGATION OF THE RESPECTIVE ASSETS
AND NOT ON ANY INFORMATION PROVIDED OR TO BE PROVIDED BY ANY OF THE PARTIES. EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT PROVIDED IN ANY OTHER DOCUMENT EXECUTED OR DELIVERED IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT INCLUDING,
WITHOUT LIMITATION, THE ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AGREEMENT AND THE MASTER OPERATING AGREEMENT, NONE OF THE PARTIES IS LIABLE OR BOUND IN ANY MANNER BY ANY VERBAL OR WRITTEN STATEMENTS, REPRESENTATIONS
OR INFORMATION PERTAINING TO THE ASSETS FURNISHED BY ANY AGENT, 

17

 

EMPLOYEE,
SERVANT OR THIRD PARTY. EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT PROVIDED IN ANY OTHER DOCUMENT EXECUTED OR DELIVERED IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, THE ADMINISTRATIVE
SERVICES AGREEMENT AND THE MASTER OPERATING AGREEMENT, EACH OF THE PARTIES ACKNOWLEDGES THAT TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, THE CONTRIBUTION OF THE ASSETS IS MADE IN AN "AS IS," "WHERE IS"
CONDITION WITH ALL FAULTS, AND THE ASSETS ARE CONTRIBUTED AND CONVEYED SUBJECT TO ALL OF THE MATTERS CONTAINED IN THIS SECTION. THIS SECTION SHALL SURVIVE SUCH CONTRIBUTION AND CONVEYANCE OR THE
TERMINATION OF THIS AGREEMENT. THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION HAVE BEEN NEGOTIATED BY THE PARTIES AFTER DUE CONSIDERATION AND ARE INTENDED TO BE A COMPLETE EXCLUSION AND NEGATION OF ANY
REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES, WHETHER EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, WITH RESPECT TO THE ASSETS THAT MAY ARISE PURSUANT TO ANY LAW NOW OR HEREAFTER IN EFFECT, OR OTHERWISE, EXCEPT AS SET FORTH IN
THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER DOCUMENT EXECUTED OR DELIVERED IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, THE ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AGREEMENT AND THE MASTER OPERATING AGREEMENT. 

        (b)   To
the extent that certain jurisdictions in which the Assets are located may require that documents be recorded in order to evidence the transfers of title reflected in
this Agreement, then the disclaimers set forth in Section 6.2(a) immediately above shall also be applicable to the conveyances under such documents. 

        (c)   The
contributions of the Assets are made with full rights of substitution and subrogation of the respective Parties receiving such contributions, and all persons
claiming by, through and under such Parties, to the extent assignable, in and to all covenants and warranties by the predecessors-in-title of the Parties contributing the
Assets, and with full subrogation of all rights accruing under applicable statutes of limitation and all rights of action of warranty against all former owners of the Assets. 

        (d)   Each
of the Parties agrees that the disclaimers contained in this Section 6.2 are "conspicuous" disclaimers. Any covenants implied by statute or law by the use of
the words "grant," "convey," "bargain," "sell," "assign," "transfer," "deliver," or "set over" or any of them or any other words used in this Agreement or any exhibits hereto are hereby expressly
disclaimed, waived or negated. 

        (e)   Each
of the Parties hereby waives compliance with any applicable bulk sales law or any similar law in any applicable jurisdiction in respect of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement. 

 
 

ARTICLE VII
  FURTHER ASSURANCES; GOVERNMENTAL CONSENTS; AUTHORIZATION    
    

        7.1    Further Assurances.    From time to time after the date hereof, and without any further consideration, the
Parties agree to execute, acknowledge and deliver all such additional deeds, assignments, bills of sale, conveyances, instruments, notices, releases, acquittances and other documents, and will do all
such other acts and things, all in accordance with applicable law, as may be necessary or appropriate (a) more fully to assure that the applicable Parties own or have the right to use all of
the properties, rights, titles, interests, estates, remedies, powers and privileges granted by this Agreement, or which are intended to be so granted, or (b) more fully and effectively to vest
in the applicable Parties and their respective successors and assigns beneficial and record title to the interests 

18

 

contributed
and assigned by this Agreement or intended so to be and to more fully and effectively carry out the purposes and intent of this Agreement. 

        7.2    Other Assurances.    From time to time after the date hereof, and without any further consideration, each of
the Parties shall execute, acknowledge and deliver all such additional instruments, notices and other documents, and will do all such other acts and things, all in accordance with applicable law, as
may be necessary or appropriate to more fully and effectively carry out the purposes and intent of this Agreement. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Parties acknowledge that the
Parties have used their good faith efforts to attempt to identify all of the assets being contributed to MLP or
its subsidiaries as required in connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. To the extent assets that were intended to be transferred but that were not
transferred are identified at a later date, the Parties shall take the appropriate actions required in order to convey all such assets to the appropriate members of the Partnership Group. Likewise, to
the extent that Assets are identified at a later date that were not intended by the parties to be conveyed to certain Parties, the Parties shall take the appropriate actions required in order to
convey all such Assets to the appropriate Party. 

        7.3    Governmental Consents.    Without further consideration, the Parties agree to prepare and file with the
appropriate governmental agencies such applications for Consents as may be required to carry out the purposes and intent of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby and shall diligently
and expeditiously prosecute, and shall cooperate fully with each other in the prosecution of, such matters. 

        7.4    Authorization, Execution and Delivery of this Agreement.    EXCO represents, warrants and agrees that this
Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by EXCO and is a valid and legally binding agreement of EXCO, enforceable against EXCO in accordance with its terms, provided that, the
enforceability thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization, moratorium and similar laws relating to or affecting creditors' rights generally and by general
principles of equity (regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law). 

 
 

ARTICLE VIII
  POWERS OF ATTORNEY    
    

        8.1    Contributing Parties.    Each of the Parties that is a transferor with respect to any Pre-Closing
Assignment or any of the Closing Assignments and Assumptions (each, a "Contributing Party") hereby constitutes and appoints the Party that is the
transferee in the relevant Pre-Closing Assignment or Closing Assignment and Assumption and its successors and assigns (the "Receiving
Party"), its true and lawful attorney-in-fact with full power of substitution for it and in its name, place and stead or otherwise on behalf of the
applicable Contributing Party and its successors and assigns, and for the benefit of the applicable Receiving Party and its successors and assigns, to demand and receive from time to time the
applicable Assets contributed and to execute in the name of the applicable Contributing Party and its successors and assigns instruments of conveyance, instruments of further assurance and to give
receipts and releases in respect of the same, and from time to time to institute and prosecute in the name of the applicable Contributing Party for the benefit of the applicable Receiving Party as may
be appropriate, any and all proceedings at law, in equity or otherwise which the applicable Receiving Party and its successors and assigns, may deem proper in order to (A) collect, assert or
enforce any claims, rights or titles of any kind in and to the applicable Assets, (B) defend and compromise any and all actions, suits or proceedings in respect of any of the applicable Assets
and (C) do any and all such acts and things in furtherance of this Agreement as the applicable Receiving Party or its successors or assigns shall deem advisable. Each Contributing Party hereby
declares that the appointments hereby made and the powers hereby granted are coupled with an interest and are and 

19

 

shall
be irrevocable and perpetual and shall not be terminated by any act of any Contributing Party or its successors or assigns or by operation of law. 

 
 

ARTICLE IX
  MISCELLANEOUS    
    

        9.1    Order of Completion of Transactions.    The transactions provided for in Article II (except as otherwise
noted) of this Agreement shall be completed or be deemed to have been completed, as the case may be, at the Effective Time in the following order (the completion of each such transaction being
conditioned on the concurrent completion of the other transactions). 

        (a)   First, the transactions provided for in Article II shall be completed in the order set forth therein; 

        (b)   Second, the transactions provided for in Section 3.1 shall be completed contemporaneously with the transactions
provided for in Section 2.6; 

        (c)   Third, the transactions provided for in Section 3.2 shall be completed contemporaneously with the transactions
provided for in Section 2.7; and 

        (d)   Fourth, the transactions provided for in Section 3.3, Section 3.4, Section 3.5 and
Section 3.6 shall be completed contemporaneously with the transactions provided for in Section 2.10. 

        9.2    Consents; Restriction on Assignment.    If there are prohibitions against or conditions to the contribution and
conveyance of one or more of the Assets without the prior written consent of third parties, including, without limitation, governmental agencies (other than consents of a ministerial nature which are
normally granted in the ordinary course of business), which if not satisfied would result in a breach of such prohibitions or conditions or would give an outside party the right to terminate rights of
the Party to whom the applicable Assets were intended to be conveyed (the "Beneficial Owner") with respect to such portion of the Assets (herein called
a "Restriction"), then any provision contained in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, the transfer of title to or interest in each such
portion of the Assets (herein called the "Restricted Asset") shall not become effective unless and until such Restriction is satisfied, waived or no
longer applies. When and if such a Restriction is so satisfied, waived or no longer applies, to the extent permitted by applicable law and any applicable contractual provisions, the assignment of the
Restricted Asset subject thereto shall become effective automatically as of the Effective Time, without further action on the part of any Party. Each of the applicable Parties that were involved with
the conveyance of a Restricted Asset agrees to use its commercially reasonable efforts to obtain on a timely basis satisfaction of any Restriction applicable to any Restricted Asset conveyed by or
acquired by any of them. The description of any portion of the Assets as a "Restricted Asset" shall not be construed as an admission that any Restriction exists with respect to the transfer of such
portion of the Assets. In the event that any Restricted Asset exists, the applicable Party agrees to continue to hold such Restricted Asset in trust for the exclusive benefit of the applicable Party
to whom such Restricted Asset was intended to be conveyed and to otherwise use its commercially reasonable efforts to provide such other Party with the benefits thereof, and the party holding such
Restricted Asset will enter into other agreements, or take such other action as it may deem necessary, in order to ensure that the applicable Party to whom such Restricted Asset was intended to be
conveyed has the assets and concomitant rights necessary to enable the applicable Party to operate such Restricted Asset in all material respects as it was operated prior to the Effective Time. 

        9.3    Costs.    OLP shall pay all sales, use and similar taxes arising out of the contributions, conveyances and
deliveries to be made under the Specific Conveyances and hereunder, and shall pay all documentary, filing, recording, transfer, deed, and conveyance taxes and fees required in connection 

20

 

therewith.
In addition, OLP shall be responsible for all costs, liabilities and expenses (including court costs and reasonable attorneys' fees) incurred in connection with the satisfaction or waiver
of any Restriction pursuant to Section 9.2 to the extent that such Restriction was disclosed to OLP at or before the Effective Time. 

        9.4    Notices.    All notices or other communications required or permitted under, or otherwise in connection with,
this Agreement must be in writing and must be given by depositing same in the U.S. mail, addressed to the Person to be notified, postpaid and registered or certified with return receipt requested or
by transmitting by national overnight courier or by delivering such notice in person or by facsimile to such Party. Notice given by mail, national overnight courier or personal delivery shall be
effective upon actual receipt. Notice given by facsimile shall be effective upon confirmation of receipt when transmitted by facsimile if transmitted during the recipient's normal business hours or at
the beginning of the recipient's next business day after receipt if not transmitted during the recipient's normal business hours. All notices to be sent to a Party pursuant to this Agreement shall be
sent to or made at the address, in each case as follows: 

If
to any member of the EXCO Group: 

EXCO
Resources, Inc. 

12377
Merit Drive, Suite 1700

Attention: General Counsel

Fax: (214) 706-3409 

If
to any Partnership Group Member: 

EXCO
GP Partners, LP 

12377
Merit Drive, Suite 1700

Attention: General Counsel

Fax: (214) 706-3409 

        9.5    Headings; References; Interpretation.    All Article and Section headings in this Agreement are for convenience
only and shall not be deemed to control or affect the meaning or construction of any of the provisions hereof. The words "hereof," "herein" and "hereunder" and words of similar import, when used in
this Agreement, shall refer to this Agreement as a whole, including without limitation, all Schedules attached hereto, and not to any particular provision of this Agreement. All references herein to
Articles, Sections and Schedules shall, unless the context requires a different construction, be deemed to be references to the Articles, Sections and Schedules of this Agreement, respectively, and
all such Schedules attached hereto are hereby incorporated herein and made a part hereof for all purposes. All personal pronouns used in this Agreement, whether used in the masculine, feminine or
neuter gender, shall include all other genders, and the singular shall include the plural and vice versa. The use herein of the word "including" following any general statement, term or matter shall
not be construed to limit such statement, term or matter to the specific items or matters set forth immediately following such word or to similar items or matters, whether or not
non-limiting language (such as "without limitation," "but not limited to," or words of similar import) is used with reference thereto, but rather shall be deemed to refer to all other
items or matters that could reasonably fall within the broadest possible scope of such general statement, term or matter. 

        9.6    Assignment; Successors and Assigns.    No Party hereto may sell, assign, transfer or convey any of its rights,
or delegate any of its obligations, under this Agreement to any person without the prior written consent of the other Parties hereto provided, that any Partnership Group Member may assign all of its
right, title and interests under this Agreement to secure debt for borrowed money and other obligations, including guarantees of such debt. The Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit
of the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns. 

21

 

        9.7    No Third Party Rights.    The provisions of this Agreement are intended to bind the Parties as to each other
and are not intended to and do not create rights in any other person or confer upon any other person any benefits, rights or remedies and no person is or is intended to be a third party beneficiary of
any of the provisions of this Agreement. 

        9.8    Counterparts.    This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, all of which together shall
constitute one agreement binding on the Parties. 

        9.9    Governing Law; Submission to Jurisdiction.    This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance
with, the laws of the State of Texas applicable to contracts made and to be performed wholly within such state without giving effect to conflict of law principles thereof, except to the extent that it
is mandatory that the law of some other jurisdiction, wherein the Assets are located, shall apply. The Parties hereby submit to the jurisdiction of the state and federal courts of the State of Texas
sitting in Dallas County, Texas. 

        9.10    Severability.    If any of the provisions of this Agreement are held by any court of competent jurisdiction to
contravene, or to be invalid under, the laws of any political body having jurisdiction over the subject matter hereof, such contravention or invalidity shall not invalidate the entire Agreement.
Instead, this Agreement shall be construed as if it did not contain the particular provision or provisions held to be invalid and an equitable adjustment shall be made and necessary provision added so
as to give effect to the intention of the Parties as expressed in this Agreement at the time of execution of this Agreement. 

        9.11    Deed; Bill of Sale; Assignment.    To the extent required and permitted by applicable law, this Agreement
shall also constitute a "deed," "bill of sale" or "assignment" in respect of the Closing Assignments. 

        9.12    Amendment or Modification.    This Agreement may be amended or modified from time to time only by the written
agreement of all the Parties hereto; provided, however, that, if at the time of such amendment or modification the limited partner interests of MLP are listed or traded on an "exchange," as defined in
Section 4(a)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, such amendment or modification must be approved by the Conflicts Committee unless the General Partner determines in good
faith that such amendment or modification will not adversely affect the Limited Partners in any material respect. 

        9.13    Integration.    This Agreement, the instruments referenced herein, the Administrative Services Agreement and
the Master Operating Agreement, supersede all previous understandings or agreements among the Parties, whether oral or written, with respect to the subject matter hereof. This Agreement, such
instruments, the Administrative Services Agreement and the Master Operating Agreement, contain the entire understanding of the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof. No
understanding, representation, promise or agreement, whether oral or written, is intended to be or shall be included in or form part of this Agreement unless it is contained in a written amendment
hereto executed by the Parties after the date of this Agreement. 

        9.14    Waiver.    No failure by any Party to insist upon the strict performance of any covenant, duty, agreement or
condition of this Agreement or to exercise any right or remedy consequent upon a breach thereof shall constitute waiver of any such breach of any other covenant, duty, agreement or condition. 

        9.15    Laws and Regulations.    Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, no Party hereto
shall be required to take any act, or fail to take any act, under this Agreement if the effect thereof would be to cause such Party to be in violation of any applicable law, statute, rule or
regulation. 

[Remainder
of Page Intentionally Left Blank] 

22

  

        IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been duly executed by the parties hereto as of the date first above written. 

	 
	 	 
	 	 
	 	 

	 	 	EXCO RESOURCES, INC., a Texas corporation
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	By:	 	    

	 	 	Name:	 	    

	 	 	Title:	 	    

	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	EXCO APPALACHIA, Inc., a Delaware corporation
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	By:	 	    

	 	 	Name:	 	    

	 	 	Title:	 	    

	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	EXCO PARTNERS GP LP, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	By:	 	    

	 	 	Name:	 	    

	 	 	Title:	 	    

	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	EXCO GP PARTNERS, LP, a Delaware limited partnership
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	By:	 	EXCO Partners GP LP, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, its sole general partner
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	 	 	By:	 	    

	 	 	 	 	Name:	 	    

	 	 	 	 	Title:	 	    

	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	EXCO PARTNERS, LP, a Delaware limited partnership
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	By:	 	EXCO GP Partners, LP, a Delaware limited partnership, its sole general partner
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	By:	 	EXCO Partners GP LP, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, its sole general partner
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	 	 	By:	 	    

	 	 	 	 	Name:	 	    

	 	 	 	 	Title:	 	    

	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 

1

 

	 	 	EXCO PARTNERS MLP LP, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	By:	 	    

	 	 	Name:	 	    

	 	 	Title:	 	    

	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	EXCO PARTNERS OLP GP, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	By:	 	    

	 	 	Name:	 	    

	 	 	Title:	 	    

	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	EXCO PARTNERS OPERATING, LP, a Delaware limited partnership
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	By:	 	EXCO Partners OLP GP, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, its sole general partner
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	 	 	By:	 	    

	 	 	 	 	Name:	 	    

	 	 	 	 	Title:	 	    

	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	EXCO USA GP, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	By:	 	    

	 	 	Name:	 	    

	 	 	Title:	 	    

	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	EXCO OPERATING USA, LP, a Delaware limited partnership
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	By:	 	EXCO USA GP, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, its sole general partner
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	 	 	By:	 	    

	 	 	 	 	Name:	 	    

	 	 	 	 	Title:	 	    

	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 

2

 

	 	 	NORTH COAST ENERGY, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	By:	 	    

	 	 	Name:	 	    

	 	 	Title:	 	    

	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	NORTH COAST ENERGY EASTERN, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	By:	 	    

	 	 	Name:	 	    

	 	 	Title:	 	    

	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	POWER GAS MARKETING & TRANSMISSION, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	By:	 	    

	 	 	Name:	 	    

	 	 	Title:	 	    

	 	 	 	 	 	 	 

3

 
 
 

EXHIBIT A    
    
    FORM OF WELLBORE ASSIGNMENT    
    

4

 
 

Schedule 2.1
  
    List of Winchester MLP Assets    
    

 
 

Schedule 2.2
  
    List of EPOP MLP Assets    
    

 
 

Schedule 2.5
  
    List of EXCO MLP Assets    
    

 
 

Schedule 2.6
  
    List of Eastern EXCO Assets    
    

 
 

Schedule 3
  
    EXCO Well Schedule    
    

QuickLinks

FORM OF CONTRIBUTION, CONVEYANCE, ASSUMPTION AND INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT EXCO PARTNERS, LP

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CONTRIBUTION, CONVEYANCE, ASSUMPTION AND INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT

RECITALS

ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS, SCHEDULES; RECORDATION

ARTICLE II CONTRIBUTIONS, DISTRIBUTIONS, CONVERSIONS, REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

ARTICLE III ASSUMPTION OF CERTAIN LIABILITIES

ARTICLE IV INDEMNIFICATION

ARTICLE V RIGHT OF FIRST OFFER

ARTICLE VI TITLE MATTERS

ARTICLE VII FURTHER ASSURANCES; GOVERNMENTAL CONSENTS; AUTHORIZATION

ARTICLE VIII POWERS OF ATTORNEY

ARTICLE IX MISCELLANEOUS

EXHIBIT A FORM OF WELLBORE ASSIGNMENT

Schedule 2.1 List of Winchester MLP Assets

Schedule 2.2 List of EPOP MLP Assets

Schedule 2.5 List of EXCO MLP Assets

Schedule 2.6 List of Eastern EXCO Assets

Schedule 3 EXCO Well ScheduleQuickLinks
 -- Click here to rapidly navigate through this document

Exhibit 10.3  

 
 

FORM OF    
    

 
  MASTER OPERATING AGREEMENT    
    

        This Master Operating Agreement (this "Agreement") is made and entered into this            day
of                        , 2008 (the "Effective Date"), by and among
EXCO Resources, Inc., a Texas corporation ("EXCO"), EXCO Partners, LP, a Delaware limited partnership (the "Partnership"), EXCO GP Partners, LP (the "General Partner"), EXCO Partners GP LP, LLC
(the "Managing General Partner"), EXCO Partners Operating, LP, a Delaware limited partnership ("OLP"), EXCO Partners Operating Partnership, LP, a Delaware limited partnership ("EPOP"), Winchester
Production Company, LP, a Delaware limited partnership ("Winchester"), North Coast Energy, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company ("North Coast"), EXCO Operating USA, LP, a Delaware limited
partnership ("EXCO USA"), North Coast Energy Eastern LLC, a Delaware limited liability company ("North Coast Eastern") and Power Gas Marketing & Transmission, a
[                        ] ("PGMT"). EXCO, the Partnership, the General Partner, the Managing General Partner, OLP, EPOP,
Winchester, North Coast, EXCO USA, North Coast Eastern and PGMT
are sometimes hereinafter referred to individually as a "Party" and collectively as the "Parties." 

 
 

RECITALS    
    

        A.    The
Partnership and its subsidiaries have no employees and are entirely dependent on the Applicable EXCO Operators (as herein defined) to operate the Partnership's and
its subsidiaries' oil and natural gas properties and such Parties have entered into this Agreement to set forth the terms and conditions pursuant to which the Applicable EXCO Operators, on behalf of
the General Partner, will operate the Partnership's and its subsidiaries' oil and natural gas properties; provided,  however, that nothing in this Agreement
is intended to modify the General Partner's duties under the Partnership Agreement to manage the Partnership's
business. 

        B.    Pursuant
to the closing on this date of the transactions contemplated by the Contribution Agreement (as herein defined), certain of the Applicable Partnership Parties (as
herein defined) are acquiring an interest in certain Wellbores (as herein defined) and 100% of the membership interests in North Coast. 

        C.    With
respect to certain Wellbores, joint operating agreements among the Applicable EXCO Operators, third party working interest owners and the Applicable Partnership
Parties, as successors in interest to such Applicable EXCO Operators or their respective Affiliates (as herein defined) to their respective interests in such Wellbores, are already in place. 

        D.    With
respect to the Contract Wellbores (as herein defined), the Applicable Partnership Parties and the Applicable EXCO Operators desire to enter into this Agreement to
set forth their understanding and agreement with respect to certain modifications, restrictions and limitations on the rights of the Applicable Partnership Parties under the Third Party Operating
Agreements (as herein defined) with respect to such Contract Wellbores and to set forth further rights of the Applicable Partnership Parties and the Applicable EXCO Operators with respect to the
Contract Wellbores under this Agreement. 

        E.    The
provisions herein with respect to the Contract Wellbores are intended, in part, to avoid placing any additional costs or other burdens on other third party working
interest owners in connection with any Applicable Partnership Party's ownership of an interest in the Contract Wellbores, and the Applicable EXCO Operators will perform their duties under this
Agreement with respect to the Contract Wellbores in accordance with that intention. 

        F.     With
respect to each of the Non-Contract Wellbores (as herein defined), the Applicable Partnership Parties and the Applicable EXCO Operators desire to enter
into this Agreement to designate the Applicable EXCO Operator as operator of each Non-Contract Wellbore and set forth 

 

their
understanding and agreement with respect to such Applicable EXCO Operator's duties as operator of such Non-Contract Wellbore. 

        G.    With
respect to certain oil and natural gas properties (the "North Coast Properties") owned by the North Coast Parties (as herein defined), joint operating agreements
among one or more North Coast Parties and third party working interest owners are already in place. 

        H.    With
respect to any Contract Properties (as herein defined), the Applicable Partnership Parties and EXCO desire to enter into this Agreement to designate EXCO to act as
contract operator as to such Contract Properties. 

        I.     With
respect to any Non-Contract Properties (as herein defined), the Applicable Partnership Party and EXCO desire to enter into this Agreement to designate
EXCO as contract operator of the Non-Contract Properties and set forth their understanding and agreement with respect to EXCO's duties as contract operator of the Non-Contract
Properties. 

        In
consideration of the premises, the covenants set forth herein, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties
hereby agree as follows: 

 
 

ARTICLE I
  DEFINITIONS    
    

        As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the respective meanings set forth below: 

        "Action"
has the meaning set forth in Section 11.02 of this Agreement. 

        "Administrative
Services Agreement" means that certain Administrative Services Agreement dated            , 2008, by and among the Managing General Partner, the General Partner, the
Partnership, EXCO Partners OLP GP, LLC, OLP and EXCO. 

        "Administrative
Services Fee" has the meaning set forth in Section 4.1 of the Administrative Services Agreement. 

        "Affiliate"
means, with respect to any Person, any other Person that directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries controls, is controlled by or is under common control with
the Person in question. As used herein, the term "control" means the possession, direct or indirect, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether
through ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise. For the purposes of this Agreement, except with respect to Section 2.02(a)(iii) and Section 2.03, the Partnership
and its direct and indirect subsidiaries shall not be considered Affiliates of EXCO or its direct or indirect subsidiaries (other than the Partnership and its direct and indirect subsidiaries), and
EXCO and its direct and indirect subsidiaries shall not be considered Affiliates of the Partnership or its direct or indirect subsidiaries. 

        "Applicable
EXCO Operator" means, with respect to any Wellbore, EXCO, EPOP, Winchester or any other Affiliate of EXCO that (in each case) is the operator of the leasehold to which such
Wellbore relates or owns a working interest in such leasehold, and, with respect to any Contract Property or Non-Contract Property, EXCO or any Affiliate designated by EXCO to act as
contract operator with respect to such Contract Property or Non-Contract Property. 

        "Applicable
Partnership Party" means the Partnership or any subsidiary of the Partnership that directly owns an interest in such Wellbore, leasehold or other property that is the subject
of the particular provision of this Agreement in question. 

        "Applicable
Wellbore" means with respect to a Replacement Well, the Wellbore in replacement of which such Replacement Well was drilled, as described below in the definition of
"Replacement Well." 

2

 

        "Bankrupt"
with respect to any Person means such Person shall generally be unable to pay its debts as such debts become due, or shall so admit in writing or shall make a general
assignment for the benefit of creditors; or any proceeding shall be instituted by or against such Person seeking to adjudicate it a bankrupt or insolvent, or seeking liquidation, winding up,
reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, protection, relief, or composition of it or its debts under any law relating to bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization or relief of debtors, or seeking the
entry of an order for relief or the appointment of a receiver, trustee, or other similar official for it or for any substantial part of its property and, in the case of any such proceeding instituted
against it (but not instituted by it), shall remain undismissed or unstayed for a period of 30 days; or such Person shall take any action to authorize any of the actions set forth above. 

        "Conflicts
Committee" has the meaning set forth in the Partnership Agreement. 

        "Contract
Wellbore" means any Wellbore that is presently subject to a Third Party Operating Agreement. 

        "Contract
Property" means any North Coast Property or other leasehold interest owned by any Applicable Partnership Party that is subject to a Third Party Operating Agreement. 

        "Contribution
Agreement" means that certain Contribution, Conveyance, Assumption and Indemnification Agreement dated            , 2008, by and among EXCO, the Partnership and the
other parties named therein. 

        "COPAS"
has the meaning set forth in Section 3.01 of this Agreement. 

        "Damages"
has the meaning set forth in Section 11.02 of this Agreement. 

        "Defaulting
EXCO Operator" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.02(b) of this Agreement. 

        "Effective
Date" has the meaning set forth in the introduction to this Agreement. 

        "EPOP"
has the meaning set forth in the introduction to this Agreement. 

        "EXCO"
has the meaning set forth in the introduction to this Agreement. 

        "EXCO
Indemnified Party" has the meaning set forth in Section 11.02 of this Agreement. 

        "EXCO
USA" has the meaning set forth in the introduction to this Agreement. 

        "General
Partner" has the meaning set forth in the introduction to this Agreement. 

        "JOA
Form" has the meaning set forth in Section 3.01 of this Agreement. 

        "Limited
Partners" has the meaning set forth in the Partnership Agreement. 

        "Managing
General Partner" has the meaning set forth in the introduction to this Agreement. 

        "Non-Contract
Wellbore" means any Wellbore that is not presently subject to a Third Party Operating Agreement. 

        "Non-Contract
Property" means any North Coast Property or other leasehold interest owned by any Applicable Partnership Party that is that is not presently subject to a Third
Party Operating Agreement. 

        "Non-Operating
Working Interest" means a working interest in any oil and natural gas lease held by a party who is a non-operator with respect to such oil and
natural gas lease. 

        "North
Coast" has the meaning assigned thereto in the introduction to this Agreement. 

        "North
Coast Eastern" has the meaning set forth in the introduction to this Agreement. 

        "North
Coast Parties" means North Coast, EXCO USA, North Coast Eastern and PGMT. 

3

 

        "North
Coast Properties" has the meaning set forth in the Recitals to this Agreement. 

        "OLP"
has the meaning set forth in the introduction to this Agreement. 

        "Partnership"
has the meaning set forth in the introduction to this Agreement. 

        "Partnership
Agreement" means the Agreement of Limited Partnership of the Partnership dated as of September 5, 2007, as the same may be amended or restated from time to time. 

        "Person"
means an individual or a corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, unincorporated organization, association, government agency or political
subdivision thereof or any other entity. 

        "Property"
means any Contract Wellbore, Non-Contract Wellbore, Contract Property or Non-Contract Property. 

        "PGMT"
has the meaning set forth in the introduction to this Agreement. 

        "Replacement
Well" means any well drilled at a location within the same Spacing Unit upon which the surface location of a Wellbore is physically located or within one hundred feet (100')
of such surface location in the event such Spacing Unit cannot be reasonably determined, and which is drilled in replacement of that Wellbore as a result of the temporary or permanent plugging and
abandonment of that Wellbore due to mechanical failure and not due to depletion of oil and natural gas reserves in the then producing perforations. Subject to the same limitations, a Replacement Well
may also be drilled in replacement of a previously drilled Replacement Well. 

        "Spacing
Unit" means the surface area and the subsurface beneath the surface area allocated to a well for the purpose of drilling for and producing oil and natural gas as established by
the applicable state governmental authority with respect to oil and natural gas production from such well. 

        "Third
Party Operating Agreement" means any joint operating agreement relating to any Property to which a Person other than any of the Applicable EXCO Operators, the Applicable
Partnership Parties and their respective Affiliates is a party. 

        "Wellbores"
means any wellbore presently owned, or acquired in the future, by the Partnership or any of its subsidiaries, including, without limitation, all of those certain wellbores
described in the Contribution Agreement and any Replacement Wells. 

        "Winchester"
has the meaning set forth in the introduction to this Agreement. 

 
 

ARTICLE II
  TERM AND TERMINATION    
    

        Section 2.01

        (a)   This
Agreement shall be effective as of the Effective Date and shall remain in effect until the earlier to occur of the following: (i) the termination of this
Agreement by the Partnership pursuant to Section 2.02 below; (ii) the termination of this Agreement by EXCO pursuant to Section 2.03 below; or (iii) the termination of this
Agreement by the mutual written consent of the Parties. 

        (b)   Notwithstanding
anything in this Agreement to the contrary, if any of the Applicable Partnership Parties sells or otherwise disposes of any Property, this Agreement
shall terminate, insofar and only insofar as it applies to such Property, when such sale or other disposition becomes effective. 

4

 

        Section 2.02

        (a)   Upon
the occurrence of any of the following events, the Partnership may terminate this Agreement by giving written notice of such termination to EXCO: 

	(i)
	EXCO
becomes Bankrupt;

	(ii)
	EXCO
dissolves and commences liquidation or winding-up; or

	(iii)
	EXCO
ceases to be an Affiliate of the Partnership. 

Any
termination under this Section 2.02(a) will become effective immediately upon delivery of the written notice first described in this Section 2.02(a), or such later time (not to
exceed the first anniversary of the delivery of such written notice) as may be specified by the Partnership. 

        (b)   In
addition, if at any time the General Partner determines that (i) any Applicable EXCO Operator has not performed its obligations under this Agreement in the
manner of a prudent operator (each such Applicable EXCO Operator, a "Defaulting EXCO Operator") and (ii) such failure of the Defaulting EXCO Operator to perform its obligations under this
Agreement has had a materially adverse impact on the Partnership's business, the Partnership may give written notice of termination to EXCO, which notice shall set forth in reasonable detail any
deficiency in such Defaulting EXCO Operator's performance under this Agreement as compared to that of a prudent operator. Such Defaulting EXCO Operator shall have 90 days following the date of
EXCO's receipt of such written notice in which to cure such deficiency to the reasonable satisfaction of the General Partner. If such Defaulting EXCO Operator fails to cure such deficiency in
accordance with the immediately preceding sentence, then termination under this Section 2.02(b) shall become effective on the 90th day after the date of such written notice, or
such later time (not to exceed the first anniversary of the delivery of such written notice) as may be specified in such written notice. 

        Section 2.03    EXCO
may terminate this Agreement by giving written notice of such termination to the Partnership in the event that EXCO ceases to be an Affiliate of the
Partnership. Any termination under this Section 2.03 shall become effective 90 days after delivery of such written notice. 

 
 

ARTICLE III
  APPOINTMENT AS OPERATOR OF NON-CONTRACT WELLBORES; DUTIES AS
  OPERATOR OF NON-CONTRACT WELLBORES    
    

        Section 3.01    Each Applicable Partnership Party hereby appoints each Applicable EXCO Operator, and each Applicable EXCO Operator hereby accepts
the appointment as operator (including, for the purposes of regulatory filings with any regulatory authority having jurisdiction over the applicable Wellbores, acting as operator of record) of the
Non-Contract Wellbores associated with each such Applicable EXCO Operator on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement. Subject to the provisions of Article IV and
Article VI of this Agreement, the Non-Contract Wellbores shall be operated in general accordance with (i) the provisions of this Article III and (ii) the
provisions of AAPL Form 610-1989 Operating Agreement ("JOA Form"), together with the            COPAS Accounting Procedure ("COPAS") wherever the provisions of the JOA Form and
COPAS would be applicable in light of the purpose and intent of this Agreement. The JOA Form is attached hereto as Exhibit A and the COPAS
provisions are attached as Exhibit C to the JOA Form. The JOA Form and the COPAS provisions are to be interpreted in a manner consistent with,
and with a view to giving effect to, the purpose and intent of this Agreement. If a conflict or ambiguity should exist between the terms and conditions of such JOA Form or the COPAS provisions and
this Agreement, then the terms and conditions of this Agreement shall prevail and control. 

5

 

        Section 3.02    Duties of Operator.    Each Applicable EXCO Operator shall perform the following duties with
respect to the Non-Contract Wellbores associated with such Applicable EXCO Operator: 

        (a)   Providing
general operational, engineering, geology, and management services in order to safely and prudently operate such Non-Contract Wellbores including
without limitation, engineering for lease operations and facilities engineering; 

        (b)   Monitoring
and supervision of pumping of each such Non-Contract Wellbore, gauging of tanks, routine maintenance of such Non-Contract Wellbores
and other field facilities, and hiring and supervision of third party contractors for operations on such Non-Contract Wellbores; 

        (c)   Negotiating,
purchasing, providing maintenance, and keeping inventory records of all personal property, equipment and supplies, and procurement of services for use on
such Non-Contract Wellbores; 

        (d)   Keeping
of records and files related to the operation of such Non-Contract Wellbores; 

        (e)   Carrying
of Workmen's Compensation insurance, Employer's Liability insurance, Comprehensive General Liability insurance, Automobile Public Liability insurance, upon such
terms and limits as specified on Exhibit B of this Agreement and such other insurance as may be mutually agreed by the Parties from time to time.
The cost of such insurance applicable to such Non-Contract Wellbores shall be borne by EXCO and accounted for in the calculation of the Administrative Services Fee; 

        (f)    Preparing
and filing monthly reports and forms, and preparing incidental reports as required by regulations of the applicable state or federal governmental authorities
with respect to operation of the Non-Contract Wellbores; 

        (g)   Preparing
all 1099 forms for vendors and joint interest owners as may be required by applicable law with respect to the Non-Contract Wellbores; 

        (h)   Providing
land, geologic and reservoir engineering support; 

        (i)    Providing
marketing services as provided in Article IX of this Agreement; 

        (j)    Making
payments of (1) royalties and other burdens on production from such Non-Contract Wellbores, (2) severance and all other applicable taxes
relating to such Non-Contract Wellbores and (3) any other similar payment obligations arising under the terms of any lease relating to any such Non-Contract Wellbore; 

        (k)   Obtaining
all permits and licenses to conduct the development and operation of the Non-Contract Wellbores, including without limitation, obtaining all
environmental permits as required by applicable law; and 

        (l)    Providing
any other services necessary to continue to physically operate such Non-Contract Wellbores in accordance with the JOA Form and the Standard of Care
set forth in Section 11.01. 

 
 

ARTICLE IV
  SPECIAL PROVISIONS REGARDING THE APPLICABLE EXCO OPERATOR AS
  OPERATOR OF NON-CONTRACT WELLBORES    
    

        Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in Article III above, with respect to each Non-Contract Wellbore, the Applicable Partnership
Parties and the Applicable EXCO Operators agree as follows: 

        Section 4.01    Such
Applicable Partnership Party shall not have the right to remove such Applicable EXCO Operator as the operator of such Non-Contract
Wellbore under this Agreement. If 

6

 

such
Applicable EXCO Operator sells all or any part of its working interest in any oil and natural gas lease relating to such Non-Contract Wellbore associated with such Applicable EXCO
Operator to a third party and a successor operator is approved as operator of such lease, then, effective upon the appointment of such successor operator, such Applicable EXCO Operator shall provide
such services to such Applicable Partnership Party as are necessary for such Applicable Partnership Party to perform its duties and otherwise act in its capacity as a Non-Operating Working
Interest owner with respect to such Non-Contract Wellbore. 

        Section 4.02    If
(i) such Non-Contract Wellbore is temporarily or permanently plugged and abandoned due to mechanical failure and not due to
depletion of oil and natural gas reserves in the then producing perforations and (ii) a prudent operator would find it economically feasible to drill a Replacement Well with respect to such
Non-Contract Wellbore, then such Applicable EXCO Operator shall commence drilling a Replacement Well as soon as reasonably practical following the plugging and abandonment of such
Non-Contract Wellbore. 

        Section 4.03    With
respect to any Replacement Well for a Non-Contract Wellbore: 

        (a)   Such
Applicable Partnership Party will bear all costs and expenses associated with the drilling and completion of such Replacement Well unless the mechanical failure of
such Applicable Well relating thereto resulted from the bad faith or willful misconduct of such Applicable EXCO Operator associated therewith, in which case such Applicable EXCO Operator will bear all
costs and expenses associated with drilling and completing such Replacement Well. 

        (b)   Such
Applicable EXCO Operator will not drill such Replacement Well to a depth below the deepest producing perforation in such Applicable Wellbore (other than pursuant to
the easement for operating purposes extending an additional one hundred feet (100') in depth). 

        (c)   Following
the completion of such Replacement Well, such Applicable EXCO Operator shall prepare, execute and deliver (or cause to be executed and delivered) to such
Applicable Partnership Party a recordable assignment and bill of sale (in substantively the same form as the assignment and bill of sale under which such Applicable Partnership Party acquired such
Applicable Well) conveying to such Applicable Partnership Party the same undivided interest in the wellbore of such Replacement Well as that undivided interest held by such Applicable Partnership
Party in the plugged and abandoned Non-Contract Wellbore. 

 
 

ARTICLE V
  SPECIAL PROVISIONS REGARDING THE CONTRACT WELLBORES    
    

        Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in any Third Party Operating Agreement relating to a Contract Wellbore, the Applicable Partnership Parties and
the Applicable EXCO Operators agree as follows with respect to such Contract Wellbore: 

        Section 5.01    Where
such Applicable EXCO Operator is currently the operator under any Third Party Operating Agreement, such Applicable Partnership Party shall not vote
to remove such Applicable EXCO Operator as operator with respect to such Contract Wellbore. 

        Section 5.02    No
Applicable EXCO Operator may resign as operator under any Third Party Operating Agreement relating to such Contract Wellbore unless (i) such
Applicable EXCO Operator and its Affiliates have sold or otherwise disposed of its entire interest in the underlying oil and natural gas lease(s) covered by the applicable Third Party Operating
Agreement or (ii) it has received the written consent of the Conflicts Committee. 

        Section 5.03    With
respect to such Contract Wellbore if such Applicable EXCO Operator is not the operator under the applicable Third Party Operating Agreement, such
Applicable EXCO Operator shall provide such services to such Applicable Partnership Party as are necessary for such Applicable 

7

 

Partnership
Party to perform its duties under the applicable Third Party Operating Agreement and otherwise act in its capacity as a Non-Operating Working Interest owner with respect to
such Contract Wellbore. 

        Section 5.04    If
such Contract Wellbore is temporarily or permanently plugged and abandoned due to mechanical failure and not due to depletion of oil and natural gas
reserves in the then producing perforations, then such Applicable EXCO Operator, shall, on behalf of such Applicable Partnership Party and acting as a prudent operator, propose, participate, and/or go
non-consent in subsequent operations in such Contract Wellbore and the drilling of a Replacement Well therefor. 

        Section 5.05    If
a subsequent operation proposal by such Applicable EXCO Operator under such Third Party Operating Agreement conflicts with a subsequent operation
proposal by a third party Non-Operating Working Interest owner, such Applicable Partnership Party shall vote in favor of such Applicable EXCO Operator's proposal. 

        Section 5.06    With
respect to any Replacement Well for such Contract Wellbore: 

        (a)   Such
Applicable EXCO Operator shall not propose such Replacement Well to a depth below the deepest producing perforation in such Applicable Wellbore (other than pursuant
to the easement for operating purposes extending an additional one hundred feet (100') in depth). 

        (b)   If
any third party Non-Operating Working Interest owner proposes such Replacement Well be (i) drilled and completed in an objective depth and/or
interval that is deeper than the deepest producing perforation in such Applicable Wellbore, and (ii) duly completed in or commingled with production from a producing perforation in such
Applicable Wellbore, then such Applicable Partnership Party shall have the right to participate in such proposal. 

        (c)   If
such Applicable Partnership Party participates in any proposal to drill such Replacement Well, then, following the completion of such Replacement Well, such
Applicable EXCO Operator shall prepare, execute and deliver (or cause to be executed) a recordable assignment and bill of sale (in substantively the same form as the assignment and bill of sale under
which such Applicable Partnership Party acquired such Applicable Well) conveying to such Applicable Partnership Party the same undivided interest in the Wellbore of such Replacement Well as that
undivided interest held by such Applicable Partnership Party in the plugged and abandoned Applicable Wellbore. Prior to the spudding of such Replacement Well that is proposed to be drilled and
completed in a deeper objective depth and/or interval than the deepest producing perforation in such Applicable Wellbore, and in consideration of the rights to participate in such well and to acquire
such interest, such Applicable Partnership Party shall pay to such Applicable EXCO Operator its working interest share of the fair market value of such objective depth and/or interval that is deeper
than the deepest producing perforation in such Applicable Wellbore, as mutually agreed by such Applicable EXCO Operator and such Applicable Partnership Party. 

        (d)   Following
each transaction described in subsection 5.06(c) above, if designated as operator under the applicable Third Party Operating Agreement, such Applicable EXCO
Operator shall prepare and circulate to the other parties to the applicable Third Party Operating Agreement an amended Exhibit "A-1" (or other applicable exhibit) to such Third Party
Operating Agreement to reflect the respective interests of such Applicable Partnership Parties and the other parties to such Third Party Operating Agreement in such Replacement Well from the surface
to the deepest producing perforation in such Replacement Well. 

8

 

 
 

ARTICLE VI
  SPECIAL PROVISIONS REGARDING BOTH CONTRACT WELLBORES AND
  NON-CONTRACT WELLBORES    
    

        Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in either this Agreement or any Third Party Operating Agreement, the Applicable Partnership Parties and the
Applicable EXCO Operators agree as follows with respect to the Contract Wellbores and the Non-Contract Wellbores: 

        Section 6.01    If
a lease relating to any such Wellbore is lost due to title failure or by operation of its terms, the Applicable Partnership Party shall be allowed to
participate under any renewal provision of such lease but INSOFAR AND ONLY INSOFAR as an ownership interest in such lease is necessary in order to produce hydrocarbons from such Wellbore. Such
Applicable Partnership Party shall pay for such Applicable Partnership Party's pro rata share (being equal to its working interest in such Wellbore affected by the failure, or its weighted working
interest, if more than one Wellbore is affected) of the actual leasing costs incurred. 

        Section 6.02    [Each
Applicable Partnership Party hereby agrees that it will not object to any proposal before any governmental agency by any Applicable
EXCO Operator regarding any Spacing Unit, down-spacing, special field rules, allowables, or similar matter relating to the Wellbores of such Applicable Partnership Party,  provided that such proposal is
supported by data from an independent third party engineer that indicates that such proposal would not materially
adversely impact such Wellbores.] 

        Section 6.03    The
Applicable EXCO Operator shall tender all lease maintenance obligations with respect to the Wellbores operated by such Applicable EXCO Operator, if
any, on behalf of the Applicable Partnership Party, subject to reimbursement from such Applicable Partnership Party. The Applicable EXCO Operator shall retain and maintain all division of interest and
revenue decks, and all well, lease, and contract files with respect to the Wellbores operated by such Applicable EXCO Operator. 

        Section 6.04    The
Applicable EXCO Operator shall have the right to take over the Applicable Partnership Party's interest in all Wellbores to be permanently plugged and
abandoned by the Applicable Partnership Party for the Applicable EXCO Operator's exclusive use. If such Applicable EXCO Operator elects to exercise such right, it shall pay such Applicable Partnership
Party for the value of the salvageable material and equipment, less the estimated cost of salvaging and the estimated cost of plugging and abandoning and restoring the surface. If, however, such
plugging and restoration costs are higher than the salvage value, such Applicable Partnership Party shall tender such excess to such Applicable EXCO Operator. If such Applicable EXCO Operator
exercises this right to take over a Wellbore, such Applicable Partnership Party shall execute and deliver (or cause to be executed and delivered) to such Applicable EXCO Operator a recordable
assignment and bill of sale conveying to such Applicable EXCO Operator all of such Applicable Partnership Party's interest in such Wellbore. The Applicable EXCO Operator shall fully protect, defend,
indemnify, and hold such Applicable Partnership Party harmless from and against all losses, costs, claims, demands, expenses, damages, liabilities, suits, actions, judgments, and decrees arising out
of, attributable to, or resulting from such Applicable EXCO Operator's subsequent operations on and in such Wellbore. 

 
 

ARTICLE VII
  APPOINTMENT AS OPERATOR OF NON-CONTRACT PROPERTIES; DUTIES AS
  OPERATOR OF NON-CONTRACT PROPERTIES    
    

        Section 7.01    The North Coast Parties and any other Applicable Partnership Party hereby owning Non-Contract Properties hereby
appoint EXCO or any Applicable EXCO Operator designated by EXCO to act as contract operator with respect to such Non-Contract Properties and EXCO, in its individual capacity and on behalf
of any Applicable EXCO Operator designated by EXCO, hereby accepts the appointment as contract operator of the Non-Contract Properties (but not operator of 

9

 

record)
on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement. Subject to Article IX of this Agreement, the Non-Contract Properties shall be operated in general accordance with
(i) the provisions of this Article VII and (ii) the provisions of the JOA Form, together with the COPAS provisions wherever the provisions of the JOA Form and COPAS would be
applicable, in light of the purpose and intent of this Agreement. The JOA Form is attached hereto as Exhibit A and the COPAS provisions are
attached as Exhibit C to the JOA Form. The JOA Form and the COPAS provisions are to be interpreted in a manner consistent with, and with a view to giving effect to, the purpose and intent of
this Agreement. If a conflict or ambiguity should exist between the terms and conditions of such JOA Form or the COPAS provisions and this Agreement, then the terms and conditions of this Agreement
shall prevail and control. 

        Section 7.02    Duties of Operator.    Each Applicable EXCO Operator shall perform the following duties with
respect to the Non-Contract Properties associated with such Applicable EXCO Operator: 

        (a)   Providing
general operational, engineering, geology, and management services in order to safely and prudently operate the Non-Contract Properties including
without limitation, engineering for lease operations and facilities engineering; 

        (b)   Monitoring
and supervision of pumping of each well on the Non-Contract Properties, gauging of tanks, routine maintenance of wells and other field facilities
on the Non-Contract Properties, and hiring and supervision of third party contractors for operations on the Non-Contract Properties; 

        (c)   Negotiating,
purchasing, providing maintenance, and keeping inventory records of all personal property, equipment and supplies, and procurement of services for use on
the Non-Contract Properties; 

        (d)   Keeping
of records and files related to the operation of the Non-Contract Properties; 

        (e)   Carrying
of Workmen's Compensation insurance, Employer's Liability insurance, Comprehensive General Liability insurance, Automobile Public Liability insurance, upon such
terms and limits as specified on Exhibit B of this Agreement and such other insurance as may be mutually agreed by the Parties from time to time.
The cost of such insurance applicable to the Non-Contract Properties shall be borne by EXCO and accounted for in the calculation of the Administrative Services Fee; 

        (f)    Preparing
and filing monthly reports and forms, and preparing incidental reports as required by regulations of the applicable state or federal governmental authorities
with respect to operation of the Non-Contract Properties; 

        (g)   Preparing
all 1099 forms for vendors and joint interest owners as may be required by applicable law with respect to the Non-Contract Properties; 

        (h)   Providing
land, geologic and reservoir engineering support; 

        (i)    Providing
marketing services as provided in Article IX of this Agreement; 

        (j)    Making
payments of (1) royalties and other burdens on production from the Non-Contract Properties, (2) severance and all other applicable taxes
relating to such
Non-Contract Properties and (3) any other similar payment obligations arising under the terms of any lease relating to any such Non-Contract Properties; 

        (k)   Conducting
development and operations of the Non-Contract Properties in accordance with the drilling and completion plan approved from time to time by the
board of directors of the Managing General Partner with respect to the Non-Contract Properties; 

        (l)    Obtaining
all permits and licenses to conduct the development and operation of the Non-Contract Properties, including without limitation, obtaining all
environmental permits as required by applicable law; and 

10

 

        (m)  Providing
any other services necessary to continue to physically operate the Non-Contract Properties in accordance with the JOA Form and the Standard of Care
set forth in Section 11.01. 

 
 

ARTICLE VIII
  SPECIAL PROVISIONS REGARDING THE CONTRACT PROPERTIES    
    

        Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in any Third Party Operating Agreement relating to the Contract Properties, the Parties agree as follows: 

        Section 8.01    With
respect to any Contract Properties where an Applicable Partnership Party is currently the operator of record under the applicable Third Party
Operating Agreement, the Applicable Partnership Party shall remain the operator of record and the Applicable EXCO Operator, as contract operator, shall perform in the manner of a prudent operator all
of the Applicable Partnership Party's obligations as operator under such Third Party Operating Agreement. 

        Section 8.02    With
respect to any Contract Properties in which the Applicable Partnership Party owns a Non-Operating Working Interest, the Applicable EXCO
Operator shall provide such services to the Applicable Partnership Party as are necessary for the Applicable Partnership Party to perform its duties under the applicable Third Party Operating
Agreement and otherwise act in its capacity as a Non-Operating Working Interest owner with respect to such Contract Properties. 

        Section 8.03    The
Applicable EXCO Operator, on behalf of the Applicable Partnership Party, is obligated to propose the drilling of new wells in accordance with the
drilling and completion plan approved by the board of directors of the Managing General Partner with respect to the Contract Properties. 

        Section 8.04    The
Applicable EXCO Operator shall, for and on behalf of the Applicable Partnership Party, participate and/or go non-consent in subsequent
operations in the Contract Properties proposed by third parties, in the manner of a prudent operator and otherwise pursuant to the terms of such applicable Third Party Operating Agreement. 

 
 

ARTICLE IX
  MARKETING SERVICES    
    

        Section 9.01    EXCO is hereby obligated to purchase from the Applicable Partnership Party all of the oil and natural gas production from the
Properties that EXCO is able to resell to EXCO's customers. EXCO will not be obligated to purchase any production from the Applicable Partnership Parties with respect to which EXCO has not entered
into corresponding sale contracts with its customers. EXCO will bear all risk of collection under customer sales contracts that it enters into to resell the oil and natural gas of the Applicable
Partnership Parties and will be obligated to pay the Applicable Partnership Parties the full purchase price under those contracts, net of marketing fees, regardless of whether EXCO collects the full
purchase price from its customers. It is the intent of EXCO and the Applicable Partnership Parties that EXCO market and resell the oil and natural gas production from the Properties in the same manner
and with the same diligence that EXCO markets and sells its own oil and natural gas production. Upon receipt of the sales proceeds from its customers, EXCO will remit those proceeds to the Applicable
Partnership Parties within 30 days of the date of receipt of those proceeds, net of the marketing fees set forth in Section 10.01(d) below. All purchases and resales of oil and natural
gas production pursuant to this Article IX shall be conducted in accordance with the terms and conditions of the NAESB [    ] Agreement attached hereto as
Exhibit C. If a conflict or ambiguity should exist between the terms and conditions of such NAESB [            ] Agreement and this Article IX, then the terms
and conditions of this Article IX shall prevail and control. 

11

 

 
 

ARTICLE X
  FEES    
    

        Section 10.01    Fees.    The sole compensation for the services provided hereunder by
the Applicable EXCO Operators shall be as follows: 

        (a)   It
is the intention of the Parties that the Administrative Services Fee paid to EXCO pursuant to the Administrative Services Agreement include the cost associated with
the allocable share of time spent by EXCO's personnel in connection with the performance of, among other things, the obligations of the Applicable EXCO Operators under this Agreement. In addition to
the foregoing and notwithstanding anything in this Agreement, the JOA Form or the COPAS provisions to the contrary, the Partnership, on behalf of the Applicable Partnership Parties, shall not be
obligated to pay any costs, fees or other expenses in connection with this Agreement that are to be paid under the Administrative Services Agreement. For avoidance of doubt, no Applicable Partnership
Party will be required to pay any COPAS overhead charges to any Applicable EXCO Operator with respect to any Contract Wellbores or Contract Properties as such overhead charges that might have been
otherwise payable to the Applicable EXCO Operator under a Third Party Operating Agreement are included in the Administrative Services Fee. 

        (b)   The
Applicable EXCO Operator will pay all expenses that are directly chargeable to the Properties under this Agreement or their respective Third Party Operating
Agreements and invoice the Partnership directly for those charges each month and the Applicable Partnership Party shall pay the Applicable EXCO Operator the balance due within 30 days of the
date of receipt of invoice. 

        (c)   The
Applicable EXCO Operators shall be entitled to retain any COPAS overhead charges associated with drilling and operating wells that would otherwise be paid by third
parties to the operator pursuant to the Third Party Operating Agreements relating to the Contract Wellbores. 

        (d)   The
Applicable Partnership Party shall be entitled to retain any COPAS overhead charges associated with drilling and operating wells that is paid by third parties to the
Applicable Partnership Party pursuant to the Third Party Operating Agreements relating to the Contract Properties. 

        (e)   The
Partnership will pay EXCO a marketing fee of $0.01 per Mcf of natural gas and $0.10 per Bbl of oil that it resells on behalf of the Applicable Partnership Parties
pursuant to Article IX of this Agreement. EXCO shall review the marketing fee on [an annual basis] and propose a new marketing fee to the extent necessary to reflect any
changes in the scope or cost of marketing services provided by EXCO to the Partnership. Once approved by the General Partner [and with the concurrence of the Conflicts
Committee], then the new estimate of the marketing fee shall become part of this Agreement and replace the existing marketing fee until such time as a new marketing fee is approved in
accordance with the provisions of this
Section 10.01(e). For avoidance of doubt, this marketing fee is in addition to and not included in the Administrative Services Fee. 

 
 

ARTICLE XI
  MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS    
    

        Section 11.01    Standard of Care.    Each Applicable EXCO Operator shall conduct all
of its operations with respect to the Properties associated with such Applicable EXCO Operator as a prudent operator would in same or similar circumstances and in compliance with the terms and
conditions of existing Third Party Operating Agreements, if any, and all applicable laws, rules, regulations and ordinances of any governmental authority applicable to such Applicable EXCO Operator or
the Properties. 

12

 

        Section 11.02    Liabilities and Indemnification

        (a)   IN
NO EVENT, OTHER THAN FOR LIABILITY ARISING FROM THE BAD FAITH OR WILLFUL MISCONDUCT OF AN APPLICABLE EXCO OPERATOR, SHALL AN APPLICABLE EXCO OPERATOR BE LIABLE TO THE
PARTNERSHIP, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, FOR ANY CLAIMS, DEMANDS, SUITS, LOSSES, LIABILITIES, OBLIGATIONS, PAYMENTS, COSTS, EXPENSES OR DAMAGES, WHETHER DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, INCIDENTAL OR
PUNITIVE, OR ANY LOST REVENUES OR PROFITS (COLLECTIVELY, "DAMAGES"), RESULTING FROM THE APPLICABLE EXCO OPERATOR'S PERFORMANCE OR FAILURE TO PERFORM UNDER THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY THIRD PARTY OPERATING
AGREEMENT, OR THE FURNISHING, PERFORMANCE OR USE OF SERVICES PROVIDED IN SUCH AGREEMENTS, WHETHER DUE TO BREACH OF CONTRACT, BREACH OF WARRANTY, NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE, REGARDLESS OF WHETHER OR NOT
EXCO WAS ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES IN ADVANCE. WITHOUT LIMITING THE GENERALITY OF THE FOREGOING IN ANY RESPECT AND OTHER THAN FOR LIABILITY ARISING FROM THE BAD FAITH OR WILLFUL
MISCONDUCT OF THE APPLICABLE EXCO OPERATOR, THE APPLCIABLE EXCO OPERATOR SHALL FURTHERMORE NOT BE RESPONSIBLE OR LIABLE TO THE PARTNERSHIP FOR ANY DAMAGES RESULTING OR ARISING FROM ANY ACTUAL OR
ALLEGED INFRINGEMENT OF ANY THIRD PARTY INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY (INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, SERVICES, SOFTWARE, HARDWARE OR EQUIPMENT) USED TO PROVIDE SERVICES. 

        (b)   The
Applicable Partnership Parties shall indemnify and hold harmless the Applicable EXCO Operators, their subsidiaries and affiliates and their employees, officers,
directors and agents (each, an "EXCO Indemnified Party") from and against any all third party claims for Damages, as incurred by any EXCO Indemnified Party, relating to or arising out of the provision
of services by the Applicable
EXCO Operators pursuant to this Agreement or any Third Party Operating Agreement, except to the extent that it is finally judicially determined that such Damages resulted from the bad faith or willful
misconduct of such EXCO Indemnified Party. The Applicable Partnership Parties shall also reimburse each EXCO Indemnified Party promptly upon request for all reasonable expenses (including reasonable
attorneys' fees and expenses) as they are incurred in connection with the investigation of, preparation for, defense of, or providing evidence in, any action, claim, suit, proceeding or investigation
(each and collectively, an "Action"), directly or indirectly, arising out of, or relating to, this Agreement, any Third Party Operating Agreement or the services provided pursuant to such agreements,
whether or not pending or threatened and whether or not any EXCO Indemnified Party is a party to such Action. 

        Section 11.03    Relationship of the Parties.

        (a)   Each
Applicable EXCO Operator is an independent contractor, free of control and supervision by the Applicable Partnership Party as to the means and manner of performing
all services under this Agreement, the Applicable Partnership Party having contracted solely for the results of such services. No Applicable EXCO Operator nor any person used or employed by any
Applicable EXCO Operator shall be deemed for any purpose to be the employee, agent, servant or representative of the Applicable Partnership Party in performance of any work or services, or any part
thereof, under this Agreement. The actual performance and supervision of all work or services performed hereunder shall be by or under the direct supervision of such Applicable EXCO Operator;  provided,
however, the Applicable Partnership Party and its authorized representatives shall have, at
all times, the general right of inspection of such work or services. 

13

 

        (b)   This
Agreement is not intended to create and shall not be construed to create, a relationship of partnership, joint venture, mining partnership, agency, or any type of a
fiduciary relationship, or any association for profit between the Parties hereto. 

        Section 11.04    Notices.    All notices or other communications required or permitted under, or otherwise in
connection with, this Agreement must be in writing and must be given by depositing same in the mail, addressed to the Person to be notified, postpaid and registered or certified with return receipt
requested or by transmitting by national overnight courier or by transmitting by national overnight courier or by delivering such notice in person or by facsimile to such Party. Notice given by mail,
national overnight courier or personal delivery shall be effective upon actual receipt. Notice given by facsimile shall be effective upon confirmation of receipt when transmitted by facsimile if
transmitted during the recipient's normal business hours or at the beginning of the recipient's next business day after receipt if not transmitted during the recipient's normal business hours. All
notices to be sent to a Party pursuant to this Agreement shall be sent to or made at the address, in each case as follows: 

if
to any Applicable Partnership Party: 

c/o
EXCO Partners, LP

12377 Merit Drive, Suite 1700

Dallas, TX 75251

Attention: General Counsel

Fax: (214) 706-3409 

if
to any Applicable EXCO Operator: 

EXCO
Resources, Inc.

12377 Merit Dr., Suite 1700

Dallas, TX 75251

Attention: General Counsel

Fax: (214) 706-3409 

        Section 11.05    Further Action.    The Parties shall execute and deliver all documents, provide all
information and take or refrain from taking action as may be necessary or appropriate to achieve the purposes of this Agreement. 

        Section 11.06    Binding Effect.    This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the
Parties hereto and their heirs, executors, administrators, successors, legal representatives and permitted assigns. 

        Section 11.07    Integration.    This Agreement, the Third Party Operating Agreements and the Administrative
Services Agreement constitute the entire Agreement among the Parties hereto pertaining to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings pertaining thereto. 

        Section 11.08    Creditors.    Except for permitted assignees, none of the provisions of this Agreement shall
be for the benefit of, or shall be enforceable by, any creditor of the Applicable Partnership Parties. 

        Section 11.09    Waiver.    No failure by any party to insist upon the strict performance of any covenant,
duty, agreement or condition of this Agreement or to exercise any right or remedy consequent upon a breach thereof shall constitute waiver of any such breach of any other covenant, duty, agreement or
condition. 

        Section 11.10    Counterparts.    This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, all of which together shall
constitute an agreement binding on all the Parties hereto, notwithstanding that all such Parties are not signatories to the original or the same counterpart. Each Party shall become bound by this
Agreement immediately upon affixing its signature hereto. 

14

 

        Section 11.11    Applicable Law.    This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the
laws of the State of Texas, without regard to the principles of conflicts of law. 

        Section 11.12    Invalidity of Provisions.    If any provision of this Agreement is or becomes invalid, illegal
or unenforceable in any respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained herein shall not be affected thereby. 

        Section 11.13    Additional Properties.    If the Partnership acquires additional properties that it desires to
be subject to this Agreement and that would not otherwise be subject to this Agreement pursuant to its terms, the Parties agree that EXCO (or any Applicable EXCO Operator designated by EXCO) shall be
the operator of such properties (unless the properties are subject to a Third Party Operating Agreement under which a third party will continue as operator), and agree to make such amendments to this
Agreement as are necessary for this Agreement to apply to such additional properties. 

        Section 11.14    Amendment or Modification.    This Agreement may be amended, restated or modified from time to
time only by the written agreement of all the Parties hereto; provided, however, that, if at the time of
such amendment, restatement or modification the limited partner interests of the Partnership are listed or traded on an "exchange" as defined in Section 3(a)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, as amended, such amendment, restatement or modification must be approved by the Conflicts Committee unless the General Partner determines in good faith that such amendment or modification
will not adversely affect the Limited Partners in any material respect. 

        Section 11.15    Assignment.    Neither Party may assign all or any portion of its rights, nor delegate all or
any portion of its duties hereunder, except for an assignment or delegation to such Party's Affiliate, unless it continues to remain liable for the performance of its obligations hereunder, and
obtains the prior written consent of the other Party, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld; provided,  however, a merger shall not be deemed to
be an assignment and a transfer of the rights and an assumption of the obligations under this Agreement;  provided further, however, that the transfer of
all or substantially all of the assets of a Party shall
not be deemed an assignment of such rights or obligations of such Party to this Agreement if the assignee assumes all of the obligations under this Agreement. Nothing contained in this Agreement,
express or implied, shall confer on any person other than the Parties or their respective successors and permitted assigns, any rights, remedies, obligations, or liabilities under or by reason of this
Agreement. 

        Section 11.16    Directly or Indirectly.    Where any provision of this Agreement refers to action to be taken
by any Party, or which such Party is prohibited from taking, such provision shall be applicable whether such action is taken directly or indirectly by such Party, including actions taken by or on
behalf of any Affiliate of such Party. 

        Section 11.17    Rights of Limited Partners.    The provisions of this Agreement are enforceable solely by the
Parties to this Agreement, and no Limited Partner shall have the right, separate and apart from the Partnership, to enforce any provision of this Agreement or to compel any Party to this Agreement to
comply with the terms of this Agreement. 

        Section 11.18    Force Majeure.    If any party is rendered unable, wholly or in part, by force majeure to
carry out its obligations under this Agreement, other than the obligation to indemnify or make money payments or furnish security, that party shall give to all other parties prompt written notice of
the force majeure with reasonably full particulars concerning it; thereupon, the obligations of the party giving notice, so far as they are affected by the force majeure, shall be suspended during,
but no longer than, the continuance of the force majeure. The term "force majeure", as here employed, shall mean an act of God, strike, lockout, or other industrial disturbance, act of the public
enemy, war, blockade, public riot, lightning, fire, storm, flood or other act of nature, explosion, governmental action, governmental delay, restraint or inaction, unavailability of equipment, and any
other cause, whether of the kind specifically enumerated above or otherwise, which is not reasonably within the control of the party claiming suspension. The affected party shall use all reasonable
diligence to remove the force majeure situation as quickly as practicable. The requirement that any force majeure shall be remedied with all reasonable dispatch shall not require the settlement of
strikes, lockouts, or other labor difficulty by the party involved, contrary to its wishes; how all such difficulties shall be handled shall be entirely within the discretion of the party concerned. 

15

  

        EXECUTED
as of the Effective Date. 

	 
	 	 
	 	 
	 	 

	 	 	EXCO RESOURCES, INC.
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	By:	 	    

	 	 	Name:	 	    

	 	 	Title:	 	    

	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	EXCO PARTNERS OPERATING PARTNERSHIP, LP
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	BY:	 	EXCO PARTNERS OLP GP, LLC,
 its general partner
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	By:	 	    

	 	 	Name:	 	    

	 	 	Title:	 	    

	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	WINCHESTER PRODUCTION COMPANY, LTD.
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	BY:	 	VAUGHAN DE, LLC,
 its general partner
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	By:	 	    

	 	 	Name:	 	    

	 	 	Title:	 	    

	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	EXCO PARTNERS, LP
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	BY:	 	EXCO PARTNERS GP, LP,
 its general partner
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	BY:	 	EXCO PARTNERS GP LP, LLC,
 its general partner
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	By:	 	    

	 	 	Name:	 	    

	 	 	Title:	 	    

	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 

16

 

	 	 	EXCO PARTNERS GP, LP
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	BY:	 	EXCO PARTNERS GP LP, LLC,
 its general partner
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	By:	 	    

	 	 	Name:	 	    

	 	 	Title:	 	    

	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	EXCO PARTNERS GP LP, LLC
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	By:	 	    

	 	 	Name:	 	    

	 	 	Title:	 	    

	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	EXCO PARTNERS OPERATING, LP
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	BY:	 	OLP GP, LLC,

its general partner
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	By:	 	    

	 	 	Name:	 	    

	 	 	Title:	 	    

	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	EXCO OPERATING USA, LP
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	BY:	 	EXCO USA GP, LLC,

its general partner
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	By:	 	    

	 	 	Name:	 	    

	 	 	Title:	 	    

	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	NORTH COAST ENERGY, LLC
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	By:	 	    

	 	 	Name:	 	    

	 	 	Title:	 	    

	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	NORTH COAST ENERGY EASTERN LLC
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	By:	 	    

	 	 	Name:	 	    

	 	 	Title:	 	    

	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 

17

 

	 	 	POWER GAS MARKETING & TRANSMISSION, LLC
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	By:	 	    

	 	 	Name:	 	    

	 	 	Title:	 	    

	 	 	 	 	 	 	 

18

QuickLinks

FORM OF

MASTER OPERATING AGREEMENT

RECITALS

ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS

ARTICLE II TERM AND TERMINATION

ARTICLE III APPOINTMENT AS OPERATOR OF NON-CONTRACT WELLBORES; DUTIES AS OPERATOR OF NON-CONTRACT WELLBORES

ARTICLE IV SPECIAL PROVISIONS REGARDING THE APPLICABLE EXCO OPERATOR AS OPERATOR OF NON-CONTRACT WELLBORES

ARTICLE V SPECIAL PROVISIONS REGARDING THE CONTRACT WELLBORES

ARTICLE VI SPECIAL PROVISIONS REGARDING BOTH CONTRACT WELLBORES AND NON-CONTRACT WELLBORES

ARTICLE VII APPOINTMENT AS OPERATOR OF NON-CONTRACT PROPERTIES; DUTIES AS OPERATOR OF NON-CONTRACT PROPERTIES

ARTICLE VIII SPECIAL PROVISIONS REGARDING THE CONTRACT PROPERTIES

ARTICLE IX MARKETING SERVICES

ARTICLE X FEES

ARTICLE XI MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

Source: [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00132-of-00352.parquet"}, [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00132-of-00352.parquet"}]]