Document:

Credit Agreement

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CREDIT AGREEMENT

 

Dated July 30, 2004

 

between

 

U. S. ENERGY CORP. 

 

and

 

GEDDES AND COMPANY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

	 
12

	 	 	 
	

	 

CREDIT AGREEMENT

 

 

This CREDIT AGREEMENT entered into at Riverton, Wyoming on the 30th day of July, 2004, is by and among U.S. Energy Corp., a Wyoming corporation duly formed and existing under the laws of the State of Wyoming (the “Borrower”) and Geddes and Company, an Arizona corporation, duly formed and existing under the laws of the State of Arizona (the “Lender”).

 

R E C I T A L S

 

	A.  	The Borrower has requested that the Lender provide a Loan of up to $3,000,000 to the Borrower.

 

	B.  	The Lender has agreed to make such Loan subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

 

	C.  	In consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements herein contained and of the loans and commitments hereinafter referred to, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

ARTICLE I  

 

Definitions 

 

Section 1.01    Certain Defined Terms. 

 

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

 

	·  	“Agreement” means this Credit Agreement, as the same may from time to time be amended, modified, supplemented or restated.

 

	·  	“Collateral” means the Properties of the Borrower described in Section 4.01 of this Agreement.

 

	·  	“Commitment” means the commitment of the Lender to make the Loan hereunder for an amount up to Three Million Dollars ($3,000,000). 

 

	·  	“Commitment Fee” has the meaning assigned such term in Section 2.03(a).

 

	·  	“Default” means any event or condition which constitutes an Event of Default or that upon notice, lapse of time or both would, unless cured or waived, become an Event of Default.

 

	·  	“Effective Date” means the date first appearing above.

 

	·  	“Event of Default” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 10.01.

 

	·  	“Initial Funding” has the meaning assigned such term in Section 2.02.

 

	 
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	·  	“Loan Documents” means this Credit Agreement, the Note, the Pledge and Security Agreement and the Warrant Agreement.

 

	·  	“Loan” means the loan made by the Lender to the Borrower pursuant to this Agreement.

 

	·  	“Maturity Date” means the date that is two years after the Effective Date.

 

	·  	“Note” means the Secured Convertible Note of the Borrower described in Section 2.04 and being substantially in the form of Exhibit “A”, together with all amendments, modifications, replacements, extensions and rearrangements thereof.

 

	·  	“Pledge and Security Agreement” means an agreement between the Borrower, Rocky Mountain Gas, Inc., a Wyoming corporation (“RMG”) and Lender in the form of Exhibit “B”, as the same may be amended, modified or supplemented from time to time.

 

	·  	“Warrant Agreement” means that certain Warrant Agreement from RMG to the Lender in the form attached hereto as Exhibit “C”, as the same may be amended, modified or supplemented from time to time. 

 

ARTICLE II  

 

Commitment

 

Section 2.01    Loans. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Lender agrees to make Loans to the Borrower in an aggregate principal amount up to Three Million Dollars ($3,000,000), (the “Commitment”). Any amount of the Commitment which has not been borrowed by the Borrower prior to August 1, 2006 (the “Commitment Termination Date”) shall not be available to the Borrower for Loans from and after such Commitment Termination Date. 

 

Section 2.02    Borrowings. 

 

Subject to the satisfaction of all conditions precedent by the date of such funding:

 

	A.  	Initial Funding. On the Effective Date, the Lender shall make a Loan to the Borrower in an amount equal to Borrower’s initial Disbursement Request (the “Initial Funding”). 

 

	B.  	Subsequent Funding. Borrower, if in compliance with the terms of the Loan, shall have the right to receive the remaining balance of the Three Million Dollar ($3,000,000) Loan. Borrower shall submit a Disbursement Request to Lender as provided for in Exhibit “1” with respect to each further borrowing. Principal sums repaid or converted under Article 7 during the loan term may not be reborrowed. 

 

	C.  	Minimum Amounts. All borrowings made pursuant to the notices described in B above shall be in amounts of at least $100,000.

 

	 
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Section 2.03    Commitment Fee. The Borrower shall pay to Lender at closing a fee of $90,000, which is equal to 3.0% for all amounts committed to be loaned to the Borrower hereunder. 

 

Section 2.04    Note. The Loan made by the Lender shall be evidenced by a Secured Convertible Note of the Borrower in substantially the form of Exhibit A as of the date of this Agreement. 

 

ARTICLE III

Payments of Principal and Interest

 

Section 3.01    Repayment of Loan. Interest on the borrowed outstanding principal shall be payable on the first business day following each quarter ending September, December, March and June, commencing October 1, 2004 and continuing until the entire principal amount of the Note is paid in full.

 

Section 3.02    Interest.

 

 

	 	A. 	Interest Rates. The Borrower will pay the Lender interest on the unpaid principal amount actually borrowed and drawn down from the $3,000,000 Loan at Ten Percent (10%) per annum 

 

B. Interest Rate Computations. All interest hereunder shall be computed on the basis of a year of 365 days (or 366 days in a leap year), and in each case shall be payable for the actual number of days elapsed (including the first day but excluding the last day).

 

Section 3.03    Prepayments. The Borrower may prepay all or any portion of the Loan made without premium or penalty.

 

ARTICLE IV

Collateral

Section 4.01    Collateral Pool. Collateral for the Loan as provided for by the Pledge and Security Agreement will consist of the following: 

 

	A.  	The Ticaboo Note and the related mortgage; and 

 

	B.  	A 1981 Citation II 550 jet, S/N #550-0264, FAA # N777WY,; and

 

	C.  	RMG’s working mineral interests in Castle Rock CBM leases; and

 

	D.  	Four million issued and outstanding shares of Rocky Mountain Gas, Inc. (“RMG”) Common Stock .

 

 

	 
 

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ARTICLE V

Mandatory Prepayment

Section 5.01    Mandatory Prepayment. Borrower agrees to immediately prepay the balance of the Loan as specified in the Note.

 

ARTICLE VI

Warrants in RMG, Registration and Cashless Exercise

Section 6.01    Warrants in RMG. Borrower agrees to have issued in Lender’s name or its designee, warrants to purchase RMG Common Stock in accordance with the Warrant Agreement. 

 

Section 6.02    Registration. Lender shall have full registration rights on the shares exercised once RMG goes public.

 

Section 6.03    Cashless Exercise. There shall be no cashless exercise except per Section 7.01 of this Agreement.

 

ARTICLE VII

Optional Conversion and Conversion Price

Section 7.01    Optional Conversion. Lender shall have the option at any time prior to payment of all amounts due under the Note, to convert all or any portion of the unpaid principal amount of the Note into fully paid and non-assessable shares of common stock of RMG Common Stock.

 

Section 7.02    Conversion Price. The number of shares of RMG Common Stock that Lender shall be entitled to receive upon conversion shall be equal to the number attained by dividing the unpaid principal amount of the Note being converted by the Conversion Price. The “Conversion Price” shall be equal to the Exercise Price (as defined in the Warrant Agreement) as of the date of conversion. Lender shall receive full registration rights on any such shares received upon conversion to the same extent as provided in the Warrant Agreement. If the Lender elects to convert any part of the Note into RMG Common Stock, the Lender shall refund back to USEG the three points paid to Geddes & Company at closing on a prorata basis (i.e., if one million dollars out of the three million dollar loan is converted, only one-third of the three points is to refunded back to USEG).

 

ARTICLE VIII

Conditions Precedent

Article 8.01    Initial Funding. The obligations of the Lender to make Loans under the Initial Funding shall not become effective until the date on which each of the following conditions are satisfied.

 

	A.  	The Lender shall have received all fees and other amounts due and payable 

 

	 
 

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on or prior to the Effective Date.

 

B.    The Lender shall have received the duly executed Note payable to the order of the Lender in a principal amount equal to its Commitment dated as of the date hereof.

 

C.     The Lender shall have received from Borrower and RMG duly executed counterparts of the Pledge and Security and Warrant Agreements described on Exhibits B and C, and delivery of any Collateral required by the terms thereof.

 

D. The terms of the Loan Documents have been approved by the Board of Directors of the Borrower and RMG.

 

E.    Lender shall have received an opinion of counsel, in form reasonably acceptable to Lender, confirming the authorization, execution and delivery of the Loan Documents by Borrower and RMG, the enforceability of the Loan Documents, and the validity, priority and perfection of the security interests granted to Lender in the Collateral.

 

ARTICLE IX

Representations and Warranties

The Borrower and Lender represent and warrant that:

Section 9.01    Organization; Powers. 

 

	A.  	Each of the Borrower and RMG is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of Wyoming, has all requisite power and authority, and has all material governmental licenses, authorizations, consents and approvals necessary, to own its assets and to carry on its business as now conducted.

 

	B.  	The Lender is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of Arizona, has all requisite power and authority, and has all material governmental licenses, authorizations, consents and approvals necessary, to own its assets and to carry on its business as now conducted and warrants to the Borrower it has the $3,000,000 to loan to Borrower.

 

ARTICLE X

Events of Default; Remedies

Section 10.01    Event of Default. One or more of the following events shall constitute an “Event of Default”:

 

	 
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	A.  	The Borrower shall fail to pay any interest due on the borrowings under the Loan when and as the same shall become due and payable, whether at the due date thereof or at a date fixed for prepayment thereof or otherwise.

 

	B.  	The Borrower shall fail to pay the principal amount due on the Loan when the same shall become due and payable.

 

	 	C.	The Borrower or RMG shall default in the performance of any other agreement or covenant contained herein or in any other Loan Document (other than as provided in subparagraph A or B above), and such default shall continue uncured for twenty (20) days after notice thereof to Borrower given by Secured Party.

 

Section 10.02    Remedies. In the case of an Event of Default by Borrower, Lender shall have the right to declare the Note and the Loan then outstanding to be due and payable according to the terms of the Note, and shall have all rights as described in the Note or any other Loan Document. 

 

ARTICLE XI

Miscellaneous

Section 11.01    Notices.

 

A.     All notices and other communications provided for herein shall be in writing and shall be delivered by hand or overnight courier service, mailed by certified or registered mail or sent by telecopy, as follows:

 

1. If to the Borrower or RMG: 

 

U. S. Energy Corp. / Rocky Mountain Gas, Inc.

877 North 8th West

Riverton, Wyoming 82501 

Attn: Scott Lorimer

 

(Telecopy No. (307) 857-3050);

	2.  	If to the Lender: 

Geddes and Company

2930 East Camelback Road, Suite 110

Phoenix, Arizona 85016 

(Telecopy No. (602) 468-1793).

 

B.    Notices and other communications to the other parties hereunder may be delivered or furnished by electronic communications pursuant to procedures agreed by the parties. 

 

	 
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Section 11.02    Successors and Assigns. The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby, except that any assignment must be approved in writing by the other party. Such written consent shall not be unreasonably withheld by either party. 

 

Section 11.03    Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness. 

 

A.    This Agreement may be executed in counterparts (and by different parties hereto on different counterparts), each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract.

 

B. This Agreement and the other Loan Documents constitute the entire contract among the parties relating to the subject matter hereof and thereof and supersede any and all previous agreements and understandings, oral or written, relating to the subject matter hereof and thereof. This Agreement and the other Loan Documents represent the final agreement among the parties hereto and thereto and may not be contradicted by evidence of prior, contemporaneous or subsequent oral agreements of the parties. 

 

Section 11.04    Severability. Any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability without affecting the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions hereof or thereof; and the invalidity of a particular provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not invalidate such provision.

 

Section 11.05    Governing Law; Jurisdiction.

 

A.    This Agreement and the Loan Documents (other than the Warrant Agreement) shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Arizona. 

 

B. Any legal action or proceeding with respect to the Loan Documents (other than the Warrant Agreement) shall be brought in the Courts of the State of Arizona, and each party consents to the jurisdiction of such Courts. 

 

Section 11.06    Headings. Article and Section headings and the Table of Contents used herein are for convenience of reference only, are not part of this Agreement and shall not affect the construction of, or be taken into consideration in interpreting, this Agreement.

 

Section 11.07    Condition to Borrower Obligations. The obligations of Borrower and RMG hereunder shall be ineffective until, and are subject to obtaining the approval of the Boards of Directors of Borrower and RMG of the transactions contemplated hereby; this Agreement shall automatically terminate and be of no force and effect unless such approvals are obtained on or before August 6, 2004. 

 

	 
 

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The parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of the day and year first above written.

 

 

BORROWER:                            U. S. ENERGY CORP.

                            By:    /s/ Keith G. Larsen                    

                                Name: Keith G. Larsen

                                      Title: President

LENDER:                          GEDDES AND COMPANY

                            By:   /s/ F. Michael Geddes             

                            Name:   F. Michael Geddes                

                            Title:   President                         

 

	 
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EXHIBIT “A”

 

SECURED CONVERTIBLE NOTE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

	 
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NEITHER THIS NOTE NOR THE SHARES OF ROCKY MOUNTAIN GAS, INC. (“RMG”) COMMON STOCK ISSUABLE UPON CONVERSION OF THIS NOTE HAVE BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE "ACT"), AND IF RMG BECOMES A PUBLIC COMPANY, THE SHARES MAY NEITHER BE OFFERED, SOLD NOR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED OR HYPOTHECATED UNLESS AND UNTIL REGISTERED UNDER THE ACT OR UNLESS THE HOLDER HAS RECEIVED AN OPINION OF COUNSEL OR OTHER EVIDENCE REASONABLY SATISFACTORY TO THE MAKER THAT SUCH REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED.-

$3,000,000     July 30, 2004

SECURED CONVERTIBLE NOTE

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, U.S. Energy Corp. (the “Maker”) a Wyoming corporation, having its principal place of business at 877 North 8th West, Riverton, Wyoming 82501, hereby promises to pay to the order of Geddes and Company ("Payee") an Arizona corporation, having its address at 2930 East Camelback Road, Suite 110, Phoenix, Arizona 85016, the sum of Three Million Dollars ($3,000,000), or such lesser amount which represents the actual principal amount borrowed in accordance with that certain Credit Agreement ( the “Credit Agreement”) between Maker as Borrower and Payee as Lender of even date with this Note. This Secured Convertible Note (this "Note") is issued pursuant to the Credit Agreement. All capitalized terms used herein but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Credit Agreement.

	1.  	Maturity. The amount outstanding under this Note will be due and payable at the address of Payee or such other place as Payee may designate on the earlier of: (a) August 1, 2006, or (b) the date upon which Maker’s subsidiary, Rocky Mountain Gas, Inc., becomes a public company (the "Maturity Date"). No advances shall be made by Lender after the Maturity Date.

	2.  	Payment of Interest. Interest on the borrowed outstanding principal balance under this Note shall be payable on the first business day following each quarter ending September, December, March and June, commencing October 1, 2004 and continuing until the entire principal amount of this Note is paid in full.

	3.  	Interest Rate. The outstanding principal balance of this Note shall bear interest at a rate per annum equal to Ten Percent (10%). 

	 
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	4.  	Optional Prepayment.

A. Subject to paragraph B below, from and after the date hereof, Maker shall have the privilege at any time and from time to time of prepaying this Note in whole or in part (each, a "Prepayment"), provided that Maker shall send a notice (each, a "Prepayment Notice") to Payee at least five (5) days prior to the date of each such prepayment (each, a "Prepayment Date"). There shall be no premium or penalty in connection with any Prepayment. Each Prepayment shall be applied first against accrued interest, if any, and then against principal outstanding. Each Prepayment Notice shall set forth the Prepayment Date and the amount of the Prepayment, specifying the amount thereof being applied against accrued interest and the amount thereof being applied against principal. The amount of principal repaid by any Prepayment may not be re-borrowed. 

B. In the event that Maker sends a Prepayment Notice to Payee, Payee may elect prior to the Prepayment Date to convert into common stock of Rocky Mountain Gas, Inc. (“RMG Common Stock”) pursuant to Section 5 hereof, all or part of the amount of principal to be repaid by the proposed Prepayment instead of receiving such prepayment.

	5.  	Optional Conversion. At any time prior to repayment of all amounts due under the Note, all or any portion of the principal amount of the Note shall be convertible at the option of the Payee into fully paid and non-assessable shares of RMG Common Stock. The number of shares of RMG Common Stock that Payee shall be entitled to receive upon conversion shall be equal to the number attained by dividing the principal amount of the Note being converted by the Conversion Price. The “Conversion Price” shall be equal to the Exercise Price (as defined in the Warrant Agreement) as of the date of conversion. 

A. In order to exercise the conversion privilege, shall give written notice of conversion to Maker stating Payee's election to convert this Note or the portion thereof in a minimum of $100,000 increments specified in said notice. As promptly as practicable after receipt of the notice, Maker shall issue and shall deliver to Payee a certificate or certificates for the number of full shares of RMG Common Stock issuable upon the conversion of this Note or portion thereof registered in the name of Payee in accordance with the provisions of this Section 5. 

B. Each conversion shall be deemed to have been effected on the date the conversion notice shall have been received by Maker, as aforesaid, and Payee shall be deemed to have become on said date the holder of record of the shares of Common Stock issuable upon such conversion. No fractional shares of Common Stock shall be issued upon 

	 
 

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conversion of this Note. Any amounts so converted shall not be reborrowed.

	6.  	Security. As security for the repayment of all liabilities arising under this Note, the Maker hereby grants to Payee a security interest in and a lien on all of the Collateral (as that term is defined in the Pledge and Security Agreement). Payee shall have all rights provided to a secured party under the Pledge and Security Agreement and under the Uniform Commercial Code of the State of Arizona. The Maker shall execute and deliver such documentation as Payee may reasonably request to evidence and perfect Payee's security interest granted in this Section 6. 

 

	7.  	Use of Proceeds. Funds advanced under this Note shall be used for the Maker's and RMG’s acquisition and development of natural gas properties and general corporate purposes consistent with the Maker's business and that of RMG.

 

	8.  	Covenants. Maker covenants and agrees that, so long as any indebtedness is outstanding hereunder, it will comply with each of the following covenants (except in any case where Payee has specifically consented otherwise in writing):

A. Financial Reporting. Maker shall furnish to Payee a copy of each financial report submitted on Form 10-K or 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission within seven (7) days of such filing.

B. Notice of Event of Default. Maker shall furnish to Payee notice of the occurrence of any Event of Default (as defined herein) within five (5) days after it becomes known to an executive officer of Maker.

C. Financial Statements. Maker shall furnish to Payee quarterly financial statements, including balance sheets and statements of income, for each of Maker and RMG, which statements shall be annually audited, as soon as practicable after they are prepared for internal use.

	9.  	Event of Default. For purposes of this Note, the Maker shall be in default hereunder (and an "Event of Default" shall have occurred hereunder) if:

A. Maker shall fail to pay when due any payment of principal, interest, fees, costs, expenses or any other sum payable to Payee hereunder or otherwise;

B. Maker shall default in the performance of any other agreement or covenant contained herein (other than as provided in subparagraph A above), and such default shall continue uncured for twenty (20) days 

	 
 

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after notice thereof to Maker given by Payee, or if an Event of Default shall occur under any other Loan Document;

C. Maker: becomes insolvent, bankrupt or generally fails to pay its debts as such debts become due; is adjudicated insolvent or bankrupt; admits in writing its inability to pay its debts; or shall suffer a custodian, receiver or trustee for it or substantially all of its property to be appointed and if appointed without its consent, not be discharged within thirty (30) days; makes an assignment for the benefit of creditors; or suffers proceedings under any law related to bankruptcy, insolvency, liquidation or the reorganization, readjustment or the release of debtors to be instituted against it and if contested by it not dismissed or stayed within ten (10) days; if proceedings under any law related to bankruptcy, insolvency, liquidation, or the reorganization, readjustment or the release of debtors is instituted or commenced by Maker; if any order for relief is entered relating to any of the foregoing proceedings; if Maker shall call a meeting of its creditors with a view to arranging a composition or adjustment of its debts; or if Maker shall by any act or failure to act indicate its consent to, approval of or acquiescence in any of the foregoing;

	10.  	Consequences of Default. Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default and at any time thereafter, the entire unpaid principal balance of this Note, together with interest accrued thereon and with all other sums due or owed by Maker hereunder, shall become immediately due and payable. In addition, the principal balance and all past-due interest shall thereafter bear interest at the rate of 18% per annum until paid.

	11.  	Remedies not Exclusive. The remedies of Payee provided herein or otherwise available to Payee at law or in equity shall be cumulative and concurrent, and may be pursued singly, successively and together at the sole discretion of Payee, and may be exercised as often as occasion therefore shall occur; and the failure to exercise any such right or remedy shall in no event be a waiver or release of the same.

	12.  	Notice . All notices required to be given to any of the parties hereunder shall be in writing and shall he deemed to have been sufficiently given for all purposes when presented personally to such party or sent by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, to such party at its address set forth below:

	
 

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If to the Maker:  U.S. Energy Corp.                

877 North 8th West             

Riverton, Wyoming 82501         

Attn: Scott Lorimer             

Fax: 307-857-3050            

If to the Payee:          Geddes and Company. 

2930 East Camelback Road, Suite 110 

Phoenix, Arizona 85016 

Attn: F. Michael Geddes

Fax: 602-468-1793

Such notice shall be deemed to be given when received if delivered personally or five (5) business days after the date mailed. Any notice mailed shall be sent by certified or registered mail. Any notice of any change in such address shall also be given in the manner set forth above. Whenever the giving of notice is required, the giving of such notice may be waived in writing by the party entitled to receive such notice.

	13.  	Severability. In the event that any provision of this Note is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect or to any extent, such provision shall nevertheless remain valid, legal and enforceable in all such other respects and to such extent as may be permissible. Any such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect any other provisions of this Note, but this Note shall be construed as if such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision had never been contained herein.

	14.  	Successors and Assigns. This Note inures to the benefit of the Payee and binds the Maker, and its respective successors and assigns, and the words "Payee" and "Maker" whenever occurring herein shall be deemed and construed to include such respective successors and assigns.

	15.  	Entire Agreement. This Note embodies the entire understanding and agreement between the parties hereto and thereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof and supersedes all prior agreements, understandings and inducements, whether express or implied, oral and written.

	16.  	Modification of Agreement. This Note may not be modified, altered or amended, except by an agreement in writing signed by both the Maker and the Payee.

	 
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	17.  	Governing Law. This instrument shall be construed according to and governed by the laws of the State of Arizona. 

	18.  	Consent to Jurisdiction and Service of Process. Maker irrevocably appoints each and every officer of Maker as its attorney upon whom may be served any notice, process or pleading in any action or proceeding against it arising out of or in connection with this Note; and Maker hereby consents that any action or proceeding against it be commenced and maintained in any court within the State of Arizona by service of process on any such, officer; and Maker agrees that the courts of the State of Arizona shall have jurisdiction with respect to the subject matter hereof and the person of Maker and the collateral securing Maker's obligations hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Payee, in its absolute discretion may also initiate proceedings in the courts of any other jurisdiction in which Maker may be found or in which any of its properties or any such collateral may be located.

	19.  	 Mandatory Prepayments. Maker shall apply, as Prepayments to the Loan until paid in full, (a) all amounts received by Maker from settlement or enforcement of any judgment entered upon its claims against Nukem, Inc., and (b) all payments or proceeds received by Maker with respect to the disposition or sale of any of the Collateral (whether or not such sale or disposition is permitted by the terms of the Pledge and Security Agreement). Lender shall be required to make no further advances under this Note following a sale or disposition of any of the Collateral (whether or not such sale or disposition is permitted by the terms of the Pledge and Security Agreement).

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Maker has duly executed this Note as of the date first written above.

                            MAKER

                            U.S. ENERGY CORP. 

                            By:____/s/ Keith G. Larsen_______

                      Keith G. Larsen

                                                    President

 

	 
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EXHIBIT “B”

PLEDGE AND SECURITY AGREEMENT

	 
7

	 	 	 
	

	 

PLEDGE AND SECURITY AGREEMENT

This PLEDGE AND SECURITY AGREEMENT, dated as of July 30, 2004, is between U.S. Energy Corp. (the “Borrower”), and Rocky Mountain Gas, Inc., (“RMG”), both Wyoming corporations, and Geddes and Company, (the “Lender”) an Arizona corporation, and is executed pursuant to the Credit Agreement dated of even date herewith (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the "Credit Agreement"), among Borrower and Lender.

 

RECITALS

 

WHEREAS, the Borrower and RMG have requested that the Lender provide a loan of up to $3,000,000 to the Borrower (the “Loan”); and

WHEREAS, the Lender has agreed to make such Loan subject to the terms of the Credit Agreement; and

 

WHEREAS, the Borrower and RMG, will receive direct and indirect benefits from the Loan under the Credit Agreement; and

 

WHEREAS, it is a condition precedent to the obligations of the Lender to make the Loan under the Credit Agreement that the Borrower and RMG execute and deliver this Agreement;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises herein and to induce the Lenders to enter into the Credit Agreement and to make the Loan thereunder, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

ARTICLE I

 

DEFINITIONS; TERMS GENERALLY

Section 1.01 Definitions. As used herein:

	 	(a)	terms defined above have the meanings given such terms above;

	 	(b)	unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined in the Credit Agreement and used herein have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement;

	 	(c) 	unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined in the Uniform Commercial Code (as defined herein) and used herein have the same meanings herein as specified therein; provided, however, that if a term is defined in Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code differently than in another Article of the Uniform Commercial Code, then such term has the meaning specified in Article 9; and

	
 

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	(d)  	the following terms have the following meanings:

"Agreement" means this Pledge and Security Agreement, as the same may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

"Collateral" has the meaning given such term in Section 2.01.

"Obligations" means the collective reference to the payment and performance when due of all indebtedness, liabilities, obligations and undertakings of the Borrower (including, without limitation, all Indebtedness) of every kind or description arising out of or outstanding under, advanced or issued pursuant to, or evidenced by, the Loan Documents.

 

"Pledged Property" means:

 

	1.  	That certain promissory note dated August 14, 2003, issued by The Cactus Group, LLC to Plateau Resources Limited (and subsequently assigned to the Borrower) (the “Ticaboo Note”) and the related mortgage securing such note, copies of which are attached hereto as Exhibit B-1; and 

	2.  	A 1981 Citation II jet, 550 S/N #550-0264, FAA # N777WY, and

 

	3.  	RMG’s working mineral interests in all Castle Rock CBM leases, consisting of all Acquired Assets (as such term is defined in that certain Agreement for Purchase and Sale of Assets between RMG and Quantum Energy, LLC, dated January 3, 2000, as modified by that certain Purchase and Sale Agreement between RMG and CCBM, Inc. dated June 29, 2001), which leases are more specifically described on Exhibit B-2 attached hereto (the “Mineral Interests”); and

 

	4.  	Four million shares of Rocky Mountain Gas, Inc. (“RMG”) Common Stock (the “RMG Stock”) .

"Secured Party" means the Lender.

"Loan Documents" means the collective reference to the Credit Agreement, the Secured Convertible Note, the Warrant Agreement, this Agreement and any other document made, delivered or given in connection with any of the foregoing.

 

"Uniform Commercial Code" means the Uniform Commercial Code as from time to time in effect in the State of Arizona. 

	
 

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Section 1.02 Terms Generally; Rules of Construction. The definitions of terms herein shall apply equally to the singular and plural forms of the terms defined. Whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms.

 

ARTICLE II

 

GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST

Section 2.01 Grant of Security Interest. As collateral security for the prompt and complete payment and performance when due (whether at the stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise) of the Obligations, the Borrower and RMG hereby pledge to the Secured Party, and hereby grant to the Secured Party, a first priority (second priority as to the Citation aircraft) continuing security interest in, lien on and right of setoff against, all of the Pledged Property and all proceeds thereof (the “Collateral”). 

Section 2.02 Authorization to File Financing Statements. The Borrower and RMG hereby irrevocably authorize the Secured Party at any time and from time to time to file in any filing office in any relevant jurisdiction any initial financing statements and amendments thereto indicating the Collateral in such form as may be required by the Secured Party. The Borrower agrees to furnish any information reasonably requested by the Secured Party for such purposes promptly upon the Secured Party's request. The Borrower and RMG also ratify their authorization for the Secured Party to have filed in any relevant jurisdiction any like initial financing statements or amendments thereto if filed prior to the date hereof. In addition, to perfect security interests by Secured Party’s possession, Borrower or RMG will deliver to Secured Party the original Ticaboo Note, with a separate endorsement signed in blank, and a certificate representing the RMG Stock, together with stock powers endorsed in blank sufficient to effect a transfer of such stock. Upon payment in full of the Obligations, Secured Party shall return possession of all Collateral to Borrower and release all filed and recorded financing statements or other evidence of the security interests arising hereunder.

ARTICLE III

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

The Borrower and RMG hereby represent and warrant to Secured Party, as of the date hereof and at all times during the terms of this Agreement, as follows:

Section 3.01 Organization. The Borrower and RMG are duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of Wyoming, have all requisite power and authority, and have all material governmental licenses, authorizations, consents and approvals necessary, to own their respective assets and to carry on their business as now conducted.

 

	 
 

	 	3	 
	

	 

Section 3.02 Authority; Enforceability. The execution and delivery by the Borrower and RMG of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and the performance of their obligations hereunder and thereunder are within the powers of the Borrower and RMG and have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate Board approval, and do not contravene any law, regulation, or order applicable to the Borrower or RMG or any of its properties or assets or any contractual restriction which may, individually or in the aggregate have a material adverse effect on the business, prospects or condition (financial or otherwise) of the Pledgor. 

 

Section 3.03 Perfected First Priority Liens. The security interests granted pursuant to this Agreement (a) upon the filing of a financing statement describing the Collateral with the Secretary of State of Wyoming and delivery of possession of the Ticaboo Note and the RMG Stock, shall constitute valid perfected security interests of the Collateral in favor of the Secured Party as collateral security for the Obligations, enforceable in accordance with the terms hereof against all creditors of the Borrower and any Persons purporting to purchase any Collateral from the Borrower and (b) except for the Citation II aircraft there are no prior or other Liens on the Collateral in existence on the date hereof.

 

Section 3.04 Solvency. The Borrower is not insolvent as of the date hereof and will not be rendered insolvent as a result of this Agreement.

 

 

 

ARTICLE IV

 

AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

 

The Borrower and RMG hereby unconditionally covenant and agree with the Secured Party, until the entire Obligation shall have been paid in full as follows:

Section 4.01 Maintenance of Perfected Security Interest; Further Documentation.

(a) The Borrower and RMG shall maintain the security interest and lien created by this Agreement as a perfected security interest and lien having at least the priority described in Section 3.03; and

(b) The Borrower shall promptly give notice to the Secured Party of, and shall defend against, any suit, action, proceeding or lien that involves the Collateral or that could adversely affect the security interest and lien granted by it hereunder, and the Borrower shall defend the security interest and lien created by this Agreement 

	 
 

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against the claims and demands of all Persons whomsoever; and

(c) The Borrower and RMG will furnish to the Secured Party from time to time statements and schedules further identifying and describing the Collateral and such other reports in connection with the Collateral as the Secured Party may reasonably request.

(d) The Borrower and RMG shall timely perform and comply with all provisions of the Loan Documents.

ARTICLE V

NEGATIVE COVENANTS

Section 5.01 Restrictions on Sales and other Dispositions. The Borrower shall not sell, assign, convey, pledge, encumber, transfer, redeem, exchange, substitute, replace or otherwise dispose of or abandon all or any part of the Collateral without the prior written consent of the Secured Party, provided however, the Borrower shall have the right to exercise good business judgment in the management of the Mineral Interests including lease cancellation or expiration so long as 75% of the value is not diminished.

Section 5.02 Impairment of Security Interest. The Borrower will not take or fail to take any action which would in any manner impair the enforceability or priority of the Secured Party's security interest in any Collateral, impair the Collateral or the rights, remedies, powers and privileges conferred on the Secured Party pursuant to this Agreement or by operation of law or otherwise. 

ARTICLE VI

EVENT OF DEFAULT

 

Section 6.01 Event of Default. One or more of the following events or circumstances shall constitute an "Event of Default" hereunder:

	A.  	An "Event of Default" under the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document shall occur and be continuing; or

	B.  	The Borrower shall fail to pay any amount hereunder or under any other Loan Document to which it is a party when and as the same shall become due and payable.

ARTICLE VII

RIGHTS AND REMEDIES

Section 7.01 Rights and Remedies.    Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, the Secured Party may exercise, in addition to all other rights and remedies granted to it in the Secured Documents and in any other 

	 
 

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instrument or agreement securing, evidencing or relating to the Obligations, all rights and remedies of a secured party under the Uniform Commercial Code or any other applicable law or otherwise available at law or equity. All proceeds of sale of any Collateral shall be applied to the Obligations, and Borrower shall be entitled to any surplus proceeds or Collateral remaining after the Obligations are paid in full.

ARTICLE VIII

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 8.01 Notices. All notices and other communications provided for herein shall be given in the manner and subject to the terms of Section 13.01 of the Credit Agreement (including provisions regarding a change of address or telecopy number of a party). The address and telecopy number for notices and communications with respect to the parties is as follows:

U.S. Energy Corp.                    Rocky Mountain Gas, Inc.

Attn: Scott Lorimer                               Attn: Scott Lorimer

877 North 8th West                                     877 North 8th West    

Riverton, Wyoming 82501                                           Riverton, Wyoming 82501

(307) 856-9271                                          (307) 856-9271

(307) 857-3050 (facsimile)                                         (307) 857-3050 (facsimile)

Geddes and Company

Attn: F. Michael Geddes

2930 Camelback Road, Suite 110

Phoenix, Arizona 85016

(602) 957-1354

(602) 468-1792 (facsimile)

Section 8.02 Amendments. No amendment, supplement or modification of this Agreement, and no waiver of any provision of this Agreement or consent to any departure by the Borrower there from, shall in any event be effective unless the same has been agreed to in writing by the parties. 

Section 8.03 Successors and Assigns. The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby, except that any assignment must be approved in writing by the other party. Such written consent shall not be unreasonably withheld by either party. 

 

Section 8.04 Governing Law; Consent to Jurisdiction.

 

(a)     This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Arizona. 

	 
 

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(b)    Any legal action or proceeding with respect to this Agreement or any other loan document shall be brought in the Courts of the State of Arizona.

Section 8.05 Entire Agreement. This written Agreement and the other Loan Documents represent the entire agreement among the parties as to the subject matter hereof.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, intending to be legally bound, the Borrower has caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of the date first above written.

                                                            U.S. Energy Corp.

 

 

 

                                                            By:__/s/ Keith G. Larsen_________

                                                                Keith G. Larsen

                            Title: President

                        Rocky Mountain Gas, Inc.

                        By: ___/s/ Mark J. Larsen______

                            Mark J. Larsen

                            President

Accepted:

Geddes and Company

By: /s/ F. Michael Geddes    

    F. Michael Geddes

    President

	 
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EXHIBIT “C”

WARRANT AGREEMENT

	  
	 	 	 
	

	 

NEITHER THIS WARRANT NOR THE SHARES OF COMMON STOCK ISSUABLE UPON ITS EXERCISE HAVE BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE "SECURITIES ACT"), OR ANY APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS, AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED OR HYPOTHECATED UNLESS PURSUANT TO REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR IN COMPLIANCE WITH AN EXEMPTION THEREFROM ESTABLISHED BY AN OPINION OF COUNSEL OR OTHERWISE TO THE REASONABLE SATISFACTION OF THE COMPANY.

Warrant. Number of Shares: AS CALCULATED BELOW

Date of Issuance: July 30, 2004

ROCKY MOUNTAIN GAS, INC.

COMMON STOCK PURCHASE WARRANT

THIS IS TO CERTIFY THAT, for value received, GEDDES AND COMPANY, an Arizona company (the "Registered Holder"), or its permitted assigns, is entitled to purchase from ROCKY MOUNTAIN GAS, INC., a Wyoming corporation (the "Company" or “RMG”), pursuant to a Credit Agreement dated July 30, 2004 between U.S. Energy Corp. and Geddes and Company, at the purchase price per share provided by the following table, the following number(s) of common shares of the Company The “Warrant Shares”):

AMOUNT OF LOAN DRAWN DOWN

$ 0     $1,000,001    $2,000,001                 Terms

to      to          to         Total         and

 $1,000,000 $2,000,000    $3,000,000     Warrants        Exercise Price

150,000     +75,000          +75,000     300,000    5 year warrants @3.00/share*

50,000     +25,000          +25,000     100,000    5 year warrants @3.25/share*

 

50,000     +25,000          +25,000     100,000    5 year warrants @3.50/share*

 

  50,000     +25,000          +25,000     100,000    5 year warrants @3.75/share*

300,000     150,000          150,000     600,000        Total Warrants

* The “Exercise Price” shall mean the lesser of $3.00 per share or the lowest purchase price per share actually paid to and received by RMG from investors after the date hereof in RMG private placements until $20 million (of which at least $15 million must be cash and of which up to $5 million [determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles] may be in the form of producing properties) is cumulatively received (the “Offer Completion Date”). The above listed prices of $ 3.25 to $ 3.75 shall also be adjusted accordingly. For example, if the Exercise Price were $ 2.90 then the $ 3.25 would become $ 3.14 (8% above $ 2.90), $ 3.50 would become $ 3.38 and $ 3.75 would then become $ 3.63. The number of Warrant Shares will be determined by the aggregate 

	  
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amount of advances pursuant to the Loan as described in the table above, and shall consist of duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable shares of Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share, of the Company. The number of shares subject to purchase hereunder and the Exercise Price are subject to adjustment as provided herein. The Warrants shall expire at 5:00 p.m., C.S.T., on the fifth anniversary of the Offer Completion Date, but no later than July 30, 2019 (“Expiration Date”).

ARTICLE I

Exercise of Warrant

1.1    Method of Exercise. This Warrant may be exercised by the Registered Holder as a whole or in part from time to time until the Expiration Date, at which time this Warrant shall expire and be of no further force or effect. The minimum number of Warrant Shares that may be purchased on a single exercise shall be 10,000 or the entire number of shares remaining available for exercise hereunder, whichever is less. To exercise this Warrant, the Registered Holder or permitted assignees of all rights of the Registered Holder shall deliver to the Company, at the Warrant Office designated in Section 2.1(a), a written notice in the form of the Purchase Form attached as Exhibit A hereto, stating therein the election of the Registered Holder or such permitted assignees of the Registered Holder to exercise this Warrant in the manner provided in the Purchase Form, (b) payment in full of the Exercise Price for the Warrant Shares purchased, and (c) this Warrant. Subject to compliance with Section 3.1(a)(vi), this Warrant shall be deemed to be exercised on the date of receipt by the Company of the Purchase Form, accompanied by payment for the Warrant Shares to be purchased and surrender of this Warrant, and such date is referred to as the "Exercise Date." Upon such exercise, the Company shall issue and deliver to the Registered Holder a certificate for the full number of the Warrant Shares purchasable by the Registered Holder hereunder, against the receipt by the Company of the total Exercise Price payable hereunder for all such Warrant Shares in cash or by certified or cashier's check. The Person in whose name the certificate(s) for Common Stock is to be issued shall be deemed to have become a holder of record of the Common Stock on the Exercise Date. In case such exercise is in part only, a new warrant or warrants (dated the date hereof) of like tenor, calling in the aggregate on the face or faces thereof for the number of Warrant Shares equal to the number of such shares called for by this Warrant minus the number of shares of Common Stock purchased by the Registered Holder upon exercise as provided herein.

1.2    Fractional Shares. No fractional shares of Common Stock shall be issued upon exercise of this Warrant. 

ARTICLE II

Warrant Office; Transfer

2.1    Warrant Office. The Company shall maintain an office for certain purposes specified herein (the "Warrant Office"), which office shall initially be the Company's office at 877 North 8th West, Riverton, Wyoming 82501, and may subsequently be such other 

	  
	 	2	 
	

	 

office of the Company or of any transfer agent of the Common Stock of which written notice has previously been given to the Registered Holder. The Company shall maintain, at the Warrant Office, a register for the Warrant in which the Company shall record the name and address of the Registered Holder, as well as the name and address of each permitted assignee of the rights of the Registered Holder.

2.2    Ownership of Warrant. The Company may deem and treat the Registered Holder as the holder and owner hereof (notwithstanding any notations of ownership or writing hereon made by anyone other than the Company) for all purposes and shall not be affected by any notice to the contrary, until presentation of this Warrant for registration of transfer.

2.3    Transfer of Warrants. The Company agrees to maintain at the Warrant Office books for the registration and transfer of this Warrant. This Warrant may be transferred in whole or in part only in compliance with the applicable law. The Company, from time to time, shall register the transfer of this Warrant in such books upon surrender of this Warrant at the Warrant Office, properly endorsed, together with a written assignment of this Warrant, substantially in the form of the Assignment attached as Exhibit B hereto. Upon transfer, a new Warrant shall be issued to the transferee, and the Company shall cancel the surrendered Warrant. The Registered Holder shall pay all taxes and all other expenses and charges payable in connection with the transfer of Warrants pursuant to this Section 2.3.

2.4    No Rights as Shareholder Until Exercise. This Warrant does not entitle the Registered Holder to any voting rights or other rights as a shareholder of the Company prior to exercise. Upon the surrender of this Warrant and the payment of the aggregate Exercise Price, the Warrant Shares so purchased shall be issued to the Registered Holder as the record owner of such shares as of the close of business on the later of the date of such surrender or payment. Warrant Shares shall be issued subject to no restrictions upon transfer or sale, except applicable securities laws.

2.5    Registration Rights. The Company agrees that at the request of the Registered Holder (or Registered Holders, provided request is made by Registered Holders with 60% of the Warrants Shares issuable on exercise of this Warrant), made at any time after the Company has a class of stock registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, public resale of the Warrant Shares shall be covered by a registration statement on an appropriate form to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act. 

Once public, the Company shall use its commercially reasonable best efforts to file the registration statement as soon as possible after receipt of request from the Registered Holder, it being understood that a request for filing received in the first quarter may result in a delay of filing until the Company has filed its annual report with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company will file the registration statement at its sole cost and expense, have it declared effective as soon as practicable, and maintain such registration statement in effect until the first to occur of the following: (a) the third anniversary of effective date, (b) the date when all of the Warrant Shares have been sold; 

	  
	 	3	 
	

	 

or (c) the date the Registered Holder(s) is or are able to immediately sell the Warrant Shares pursuant to Rule 144. The benefits of this section 2.5 shall extend to each Registered Holder.

When, pursuant to this Section, the Company shall take any action to permit a public offering or sale or other distribution of the Warrant Shares, the Company shall:

	 	(a)	furnish, without charge, to each Registered Holder of Warrant Shares

	(i)  	a reasonable number of copies of such registration statement (including any exhibits thereto other than exhibits incorporated by reference), and each amendment and supplement thereto as such Registered Holder may request, 

	(ii)  	such number of copies of the prospectus included in such registration statement (including each preliminary prospectus and any other prospectus filed under Rule 424 under the Securities Act) as such Registered Holder may request, in conformity with the requirements of the Securities Act, and 

(iii) such other documents as such Registered Holder may reasonably request in order to facilitate the disposition of the Warrant Shares.

	 	(b)	bear the complete cost and expense of such registrations or qualifications.

	 	(c)	indemnify and hold harmless each Registered Holder and each underwriter, within the meaning of the Securities Act, who may purchase from or sell for a Registered Holder, any Warrant Shares, from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, and liabilities (including but not limited to, any and all expenses whatsoever reasonably incurred in investigating, preparing, defending or settling any claim) arising from 

	(i)  	any untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any registration statement furnished pursuant to this Section, or any prospectus included herein or 

	(ii)  	any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading. The Company shall not be liable for amounts paid in settlement of any such litigation if such settlement was effected without the consent of the Company. The indemnity agreement of the Company herein shall not inure to the benefit of any such underwriter (or to the benefit of any person who controls such underwriter) on

	  
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account of any losses, claims, damages, liabilities (or actions or proceedings in respect thereof) arising from the sale of any of such Warrant Shares by such underwriter to a person if such underwriter failed to send or give a copy of the prospectus furnished pursuant to this Section, as the same may then be supplemented or amended (if such supplement or amendment shall have been furnished the Registered Holders), to such person with or prior to the written confirmation of the sale involved.

The Registered Holder shall supply such information as the Company may reasonably require from such Registered Holder, or any underwriter for the Registered Holder, for inclusion in such registration statement or post effective amendment.

2.6    Expenses of Delivery of Warrants. Except as provided in Section 2.3, the Company shall pay all reasonable expenses and other charges payable in connection with the preparation, issuance and delivery of Warrants and related Warrant Shares hereunder.

2.7    Compliance with Securities Laws. The Registered Holder (and its transferees and assigns), by acceptance of this Warrant, covenants and agrees that such Registered older is acquiring the Warrants evidenced hereby, and, upon exercise hereof, the Warrant Shares, for its own account as an investment and not with a view to distribution thereof. Neither this Warrant nor the Warrant Shares issuable hereunder have been registered under the Securities Act or any state securities laws and no transfer of this Warrant or any Warrant Shares shall be permitted unless the Company has received notice of such transfer in the form of the assignment attached hereto as Exhibit B, accompanied by an opinion of counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Company that an exemption from registration of such Warrant or Warrant Shares under the Securities Act is available for such transfer. Upon exercise of the Warrants, certificates for the Warrant Shares shall bear a restrictive legend substantially as follows:

"The securities represented by this certificate have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the securities laws of any state (collectively, the "Acts"). Neither the shares nor any interest therein may be offered, sold, transferred, pledged, or otherwise disposed of in the absence of an effective registration statement with respect to the shares under all of the applicable Acts, or an opinion of counsel satisfactory to Rocky Mountain Gas, Inc. to the effect that such registration is not required."

(c)    Any attempted transfer of the Warrant or Warrant Shares not in compliance with the provisions of this section shall be void. 

	  
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ARTICLE III

Anti-Dilution Provisions

3.1    Adjustment of Exercise Price and Number of Warrant Shares. The Exercise Price and number of Warrant Shares shall be subject to adjustment from time to time as hereinafter provided in this Article III. 

(a)    Adjustments. The Exercise Price and number of Warrant Shares shall be subject to adjustment from time to time as follows:

(i)     Adjustment for Stock Splits and Combinations. If the Company shall, at any time or from time to time after the date hereof (the "Original Issue Date") while this Warrant remains outstanding, effect a subdivision of the outstanding Common Stock or a dividend in Common Stock shall be paid in respect of the Common Stock, the Exercise Price in effect immediately before such subdivision shall be proportionately decreased. Conversely, if the Company shall at any time or from time to time after the Original Issue Date combine the outstanding shares of Common Stock into a smaller number of shares, the Exercise Price in effect immediately before such combination shall be proportionately increased. When any adjustment is required to be made in the Exercise Price, the number of Warrants Shares purchasable upon the exercise of this Warrant shall be changed to the number determined by dividing (i) an amount equal to the number of shares issuable upon the exercise of this Warrant immediately prior to such adjustment, multiplied by the Exercise Price in effect immediately prior to such adjustment, by (ii) the Exercise Price in effect immediately after such adjustment. Any adjustment under this Section 3.1(a)(i) shall become effective at the close of business on the date the subdivision or combination becomes effective.

(ii) Adjustment for Reclassification, Exchange, and Substitution. If at any time or from time to time after the Original Issue Date while this Warrant remains outstanding, the Common Stock is changed into the same or a different number of shares of any class or classes of stock, whether by recapitalization, reclassification or otherwise, the Registered Holder shall have the right thereafter to convert such stock into the kind and amount of stock and other securities receivable upon such recapitalization, reclassification or other change by holders of the maximum number of shares of Common Stock into which such shares of Common Stock could have been converted immediately prior to such recapitalization, reclassification or change.

(iii) Other Dilutive Events. In case any material event shall occur as to which the provisions of Section 3.1(a) are not strictly applicable but the failure to make an adjustment would not fairly protect the purchase rights represented by this Warrant in accordance with the essential intent and principles of such section, then, in such case, at the Registered Holder’s request, the Company shall appoint a firm of independent certified public accountants of recognized standing and reasonably acceptable to the Registered Holder (“Firm”). Such Firm shall give their opinion

	  
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upon the adjustment in the Exercise Price and/or Warrants, if any, on a basis necessary to preserve, without dilution, the purchase rights represented by this Warrant. Upon receipt of such opinion, the Company will promptly mail a copy thereof to the Registered Holder and shall make the adjustments described therein; if such adjustments result in a change in exercise price of less than 5%, then the Registered Holder shall pay the cost of the Firm’s review.

(iv) No Dilution or Impairment. The Company will not, by amendment of its charter or through any consolidation, merger, reorganization, transfer of assets, dissolution, issue or sale of securities or any other voluntary action, avoid or seek to avoid the observance or performance of any of the terms of the Warrants, but will at all times in good faith carry out all such terms and take all such action as may be necessary or appropriate in order to protect the rights of the holders of the Warrants against dilution or other impairment. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Company a) will not permit the par value of any shares of stock receivable upon the exercise of the Warrants to exceed the amount payable therefore upon such exercise, b) will take all such action as may be necessary or appropriate in order that the Company may validly and legally issue, free from preemptive rights, fully paid and non-assessable shares of stock upon the exercise of all Warrants from time to time outstanding, and c) will not take any action which results in any adjustment of the Warrant Price if the total number of shares of Common Stock issuable after the action upon the exercise of all of the Warrants would exceed the total number of shares of Common Stock then authorized by the Company’s charter and available for the purpose of issue upon such exercise.

(v) Determinations. All determinations by the Company under the provisions of this Warrant shall be made in good faith with due regard to the interests of the Registered Holder, and in accordance with good financial practice.

(vi) Reorganizations, Reclassifications, Mergers, Consolidations, or Sales of Assets. If at any time or from time to time after the Original Issue Date while this Warrant remains outstanding, there is a capital reorganization or reclassification of the Common Stock or a merger, or consolidation of the Company with or into another corporation or transfer or sales of substantially all of the assets of the Company, provision shall be made so that the Registered Holder shall thereafter be entitled to receive upon exercise hereof the number of shares of stock or other securities or property of the Company to which a holder of the number of shares of Common Stock deliverable upon exercise immediately prior to such event would have been entitled as a result of such Company reorganization, reclassification, merger, consolidation or sale of substantially all of the Company assets.

(vii) Rounding of Calculations; Minimum Adjustment. All calculations under this Section 3.1(a) shall be made to the nearest cent. Any provision of this Section 

	  
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3.1 to the contrary notwithstanding, no adjustment in the Exercise Price shall be made if the amount of such adjustment would be less than one cent.

(viii) Timing of Issuance of Additional Common Stock Upon Certain Adjustments. In any case in which the provisions of this Section 3.1(a) shall require that an adjustment shall become effective immediately after a record date for an event, the Company may defer until the occurrence of such event issuing to the Registered Holder after such record date and before the occurrence of such event the additional shares of Common Stock or other property issuable or deliverable upon exercise by reason of the adjustment required by such event over and above the shares of Common Stock or other property issuable or deliverable upon such exercise before giving effect to such adjustment; provided, however, that the Company upon request shall deliver to such Registered Holder a due bill or other appropriate instrument evidencing such Registered Holder's right to receive such additional shares or other property, and such cash, upon the occurrence of the event requiring such adjustment.

(b)    Statement Regarding Adjustments. Whenever the Exercise Price shall be adjusted as provided in Section 3.1(a), and upon each change in the number of shares of the Common Stock issuable upon exercise of this Warrant, the Company shall thereafter give notice thereof to the Registered Holder, with a statement showing in detail the facts requiring such adjustment and the Exercise Price and new number of shares issuable that shall be in effect after such adjustment.

3.2    Costs. The Registered Holder shall pay all direct documentary, stamp, transfer or other transactional taxes attributable to the issuance or delivery of the Warrant Shares upon exercise of this Warrant, or in respect of any transfer of the Warrant Shares. 

3.3    Reservation of Shares. The Company shall reserve at all times so long as this Warrant remains outstanding, free from preemptive rights, out of its treasury Common Stock or its authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock, or both, solely for the purpose of effecting the exercise of this Warrant, sufficient shares of Common Stock to provide for the exercise hereof.

3.4    Valid Issuance. All shares of Common Stock which may be issued upon exercise of this Warrant will upon issuance by the Company be duly and validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and free from all taxes, liens and charges with respect to the issuance thereof attributable to any act or omission by the Company, and the Company shall take no action which will cause a contrary result (including without limitation, any action which would cause the Exercise Price to be less than the par value, if any, of the Common Stock).

3.5    Reporting. So long as this Warrant remains outstanding, the Company shall furnish to the Registered Holder, the Company’s quarterly financial statements, including balance sheets and statements of income, which statements shall be annually audited, as soon as practicable after they are prepared for internal use.

	  
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ARTICLE IV

Covenant of the Company

The Company covenants and agrees that this Warrant shall be binding upon any corporation succeeding to the Company by merger or consolidation.

ARTICLE V

Miscellaneous

5.1    Governing Law. This Warrant shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of Wyoming, without regard to its conflict of law provisions. Any litigation shall be conducted in the courts of the State of Wyoming, or the United States District Court for Wyoming.

5.2    Waiver and Amendment. Any term or provision of this Warrant may be waived at any time by the party which is entitled to the benefits thereof, and any term or provision of this Warrant may be amended or supplemented at any time by the written consent of the parties (it being agreed that an amendment to or waiver under any of the provisions of Article III of this Warrant shall not be considered an amendment of the number of Warrant Shares or the Exercise Price). No waiver by any party of any default, misrepresentation, or breach of warranty or covenant hereunder, whether intentional or not, shall be deemed to extend to any prior or subsequent default, misrepresentation, or breach of warranty or covenant hereunder or affect in any way any rights arising because of any prior or subsequent such occurrence.

5.4    Illegality. In the event that any one or more of the provisions contained in this Warrant shall be determined to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect for any reason, the validity, legality and enforceability of any such provision in any other respect and the remaining provisions of this Warrant shall not, at the election of the party for whom the benefit of the provision exists, be in any way impaired.

5.5    Notice. Any notice or other document required or permitted to be given or delivered to the Registered Holder shall be delivered at, or sent by certified or registered mail to such Registered Holder at, the last address shown on the books of the Company maintained at the Warrant Office for the registration of this Warrant or at any more recent address of which the Registered Holder shall have notified the Company in writing. Any notice or other document required or permitted to be given or delivered to the Company, other than such notice or documents required to be delivered to the Warrant Office, shall be delivered at, or sent by certified or registered mail to, the office of the Company at 877 North 8th West, Riverton, Wyoming 82501 or any other address as shall have been designated in writing by the Company delivered to the Registered Holder.

5.6    Exchange, Loss, Destruction, etc. of Warrant. Upon receipt of evidence satisfactory to the Company (an affidavit of the Registered Holder shall be satisfactory 

	  
	 	9	 
	

	 

evidence) of the loss, theft, mutilation or destruction of this Warrant, and, in the case of any such loss, theft or destruction, upon delivery of a bond of indemnity in such form and amount as shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Company, or, in the event of such mutilation upon surrender and cancellation of this Warrant, the Company will make and deliver a new Warrant of like tenor, in lieu of such lost, stolen, destroyed or mutilated Warrant; provided, however, that the original Registered Holder of this Warrant shall not be required to provide any such bond of indemnity and may in lieu thereof provide his agreement of indemnity. Any Warrant issued under the provisions of this Section 6.8 in lieu of any Warrant alleged to be lost, destroyed or stolen, or in lieu of any mutilated Warrant, shall constitute an original contractual obligation on the part of the Company. This Warrant shall be promptly canceled by the Company upon the surrender hereof in connection with any exchange or replacement. The Registered Holder of this Warrant shall pay all taxes (including securities transfer taxes) and all other reasonable expenses and charges payable in connection with the preparation, execution and delivery of replacement Warrant(s). 

5.7    Headings. The Article and Section and other headings herein are for convenience only and are not a part of this Warrant and shall not affect the interpretation thereof. 

5.8    Successors and Assigns. Subject to applicable securities laws, this Warrant and the rights and obligations evidenced hereby shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the successors of the Company and the successors and permitted assigns of Registered Holder. The provisions of this Warrant are intended to be for the benefit of all Registered Holders from time to time of this Warrant and shall be enforceable by any such Registered Holder. 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Warrant to be signed in its name.

Dated: July 30, 2004 

                                ROCKY MOUNTAIN GAS, INC. 

                                By: /s/ Mark J. Larsen    

                                Mark J. Larsen

                                President

	 
	 	10PSA - UPC

PURCHASE AND SALES AGREEMENT

BETWEEN

THE PURCHASER:

BELL COAST CAPITAL CORP. (“BCCC”)

AND

THE SELLERS:

U.S. ENERGY CORP. AND USECC, A JOINT VENTURE BETWEEN U.S. ENERGY CORP. AND CRESTED CORP. (“the USE PARTIES”)

DECEMBER 8, 2004

	  
	 	 	 
	

	 

PURCHASE AND SALES AGREEMENT

This Purchase and Sales Agreement ("Agreement") is made and en-tered into on this the 8th day of December, 2004, by and between the purchaser: Bell Coast Capital Corp., a British Columbia corporation ("BCCC"), and the sellers: U.S. Energy Corp., a Wyoming corporation (“USE”) and a joint venture between USE and Crested Corp., a Colorado corporation (“Crested”), such joint venture referred to as (“USECC”), the sellers hereinafter collectively referred to as the “USE Parties”.

1.    Statement of Purpose. The USE Parties own or control through contract, a block of unpatented mining claims (“Claims”) and a Wyoming State Lease (“Lease”) in the Sheep Mountain and Crooks Gap Mining Districts, Fremont County, Wyoming, as generally described in Exhibit A-1, which is incorporated by this reference. Such properties interests are hereinafter collectively referred to as the “Properties”. The Properties contain uranium deposits, shafts for underground mining, head frames, open pits from previous mining operations, tunnels, roads, buildings, equipment and utilities.

2.    Sale of Interests by the USE Parties. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement and for the consideration herein set forth, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the USE Parties hereby agree to sell, transfer and assign to BCCC the right to purchase a 50% undivided interest in and to the Properties described on Exhibit A-1, subject to the royalties and burdens or third party interests described in Exhibit A-2. 

3.    Purchase of Interests by BCC. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement and for the consideration herein set forth, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, BCCC agrees to purchase from the USE Parties a 50% undivided interest in and to the Properties described on Exhibit A-1, subject to the royalties and burdens or third party interests described in Exhibit A-2

4.    Purchase Price. BCCC agrees to purchase a 50% undivided interest in and to the Properties described in Exhibit A-1 by paying the USE Parties the following consideration in U.S. Dollars and issuing shares of BCCC common stock (all stock issues will be subject to the antidilution provisions provided for in Exhibit B) as follows:

(i)    October 29, 2004          $175,000        Paid $100,000 to the USE Parties, which is 

                 non-refundable and $75,000 paid into 

              escrow, which is also non-refundable 

              and was released to the USE Parties

              on December 3, 2004. 

 

      November 29, 2004        $175,000                   To be paid into escrow and to be released 

                            to the USE Parties 5 days after TSX Venture 

                            Exchange (“the Exchange”) approval of the 

                            purchase by BCCC, provided however, 

	  
	 	 	 
	

	 

                                              such approval by the Exhange shall

                            not exceed 6 months from the date of the

                            October 29, 2004 Letter Agreement.

 

        June 29, 2005            $500,000       and 1,000,000 common shares of BCCC

                            stock subject to regulations of the Exchange.

 

        June 29, 2006            $800,000       and 750,000 common shares of BCCC stock

                            subject to regulations of the Exchange.

 

        December 29, 2006        $800,000        and 750,000 common shares of BCCC stock

                            subject to regulation of the Exchange.

 

        June 29, 2007            $800,000       and 750,000 common shares of BCCC stock

                            subject to regulations of the Exchange.

                                                                                 

        Total (Cash)            $4,050,000       (Shares) 4,000,000 common shares of

                            BCCC stock subject to regulations of the

                            Exchange.

(ii)    The payment to the USE Parties by BCCC of $3 million in two $1.5 million installments after the Ux price reported in Ux Weekly for the long term indicator for U3O8 is at $30.00/lb for four (4) consecutive weeks (“Price Benchmark”), then payment shall be as follows: 1) if the Price Benchmark occurs during the first 18 months after the execution of the October 29, 2004 Letter Agreement, then the first installment of $1.5 million payment shall be 6 months from such date, but no sooner than 18 months after execution of the October 29, 2004 Letter Agreement and 2) if the Price Benchmark occurs after the first 18 months from the execution of the October 29, 2004 Letter Agreement, then the first installment of $1.5 million shall be paid 6 months from the date such Price Benchmark occurs. The second installment of $1.5 million shall be paid 6 months after the first installment. The obligation for such payments shall survive closing and shall extend through the term of the Venture. If either payment is not timely made, BCCC will forfeit any and all interest in the Properties or the Venture.

(iii)    Within 3 months of the date of this Agreement, BCCC will make available and commit $500,000 for an exploration and development program for the Properties.

5.    Closing. The closing of the transaction contemplated by this Agreement (the “Closing”) shall take place in Riverton, Wyoming on or before December 29, 2007. In consideration of and after the receipt of the full payments described in paragraph 4: the USE Parties will convey to BCCC a 50% undivided interest in the Properties; and BCCC and the USE Parties will form a joint venture as described in paragraph 6.

	  
	 	 	 
	

	 

6.    Representation and Warranties of the USE Parties. The USE Parties represent to BCCC that as of the date of this Agreement:

	(a)  	Each of the USE Parties that exist as corporate entities has been duly organized, validly existing and is in good standing under the laws of the state of incorporation and has the requisite power to own its respective interest in the Properties.

	(b)  	Each of the USE Parties has all the requisite power, right and authority to enter into this Agreement and to perform its obligations under this Agreement, including the right to convey to BCCC the interest in the Properties at Closing and the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby have been duly and validly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of each of the USE Parties.

	(c)  	This Agreement when executed and delivered will be a valid and binding agreement of each of the USE Parties, enforceable in accordance with its terms.

	(d)  	There are no actions, claims, investigations or proceedings, judicial or otherwise, pending, or to the best of the knowledge of each of the USE Parties threatened, against or relating to any one of the USE Parties which would affect the USE Parties’ ability to convey the purchased interest in the Properties to BCCC or otherwise affect the USE Parties’ ability to perform the terms of this agreement.

	(e)  	The execution and delivery of this Agreement does not and the performance of this Agreement by each of the USE Parties will not (i) conflict with or violate the Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws of anyone of the USE Parties, (ii) conflict with or violate any law, rule, regulation, order, judgment or (iii) result in any breach or constitute a default (or an event which with notice or lapse of time, or both would become a default) under, or give to others any rights of termination, amendment, acceleration, cancellation, or consent, or result in the creation of a lien or encumbrance on any of the Properties, pursuant to any instrument or obligation to which USE Parties is a party or by which USE Parties is bound.

	(f)  	(i) The State of Wyoming Mineral Lease constituting part of the Properties is valid and in good standing; (ii) the USE Parties own or control the Properties, (iii) that with respect to the Claims, (1) all acts of location have been performed in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws and local mining customs and (2) that sufficient annual assessment work has been performed on each of the Claims and evidence of assessment work has been filed as required by state and

	  
	 	 	 
	

	 

   federal law through August 31, 2004 for the last assessment year.

	(g)  	To the best of the USE Parties’ knowledge the unpatented mining claims (the "Claims") and the State Lease constituting part of the Properties are free and clear of all defects, liens or encumbrances except there are certain royalties reserved to owners or former owners of the Claims and the State Lease.

(h)    The USE Parties have the right and ability to convey a 50% undivided interest in an to the Properties as described in Exhibit A-1 as provided for hereunder to BCCC free and clear of all claims, liens, security interests, burdens and encumbrances of any nature and kind created by through or under the USE Parties save and except as title to the Properties may be encumbered by the royalties and burdens more particularly described in Exhibit A-2

(i)    any and all underlying agreements related to any portion of the Properties are in good standing. 

(j)    The USE Parties have not employed any broker for finder and has not incurred any liabilities for any brokerage fees, commissions, or finder’s fees in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement for which BCCC shall have any responsibilities whatsoever.

(k)    The USE Parties make no representations or warranties with respect to title to the Properties and this agreement has been entered into on the understanding that BCCC will commission the preparation of an independent title opinion on the Properties and in this regard the USE Parties will make available to BCCC’s Wyoming Counsel all of its title records. To the best of the USE Parties’ knowledge, information and belief the information contained in Exhibit A-1 with respect to the Properties is complete and correct.

(l)    Prior to executing this Agreement, the USE Parties made available to BCCC and its agents and contractors certain information and data that the USE Parties have in their control or possession relating to the Properties and the liabilities attendant thereto, including but not limited to drilling, exploration, mining and metallurgical test data, assays, title information, and all information relating to possible environmental liabilities and to the best of their respective knowledge, information and belief the data made available is full and complete and the USE Parties are unaware of any material fact or circumstances which have not been made available to BCCC which should be disclosed or made available to BCCC in order to prevent the representations and warranties in this agreement from being materially misleading.

	  
	 	 	 
	

	 

7.    Representation and Warranties of BCCC. BCCC represents to the USE Parties that as of the date of this Agreement:

	 	(a)	BCCC is a corporation duly incorporated and in good standing in the Province of its incorporation and that it will form a wholly owned subsidiary that will be qualified and registered to do business in the State of Wyoming prior to the Closing Date for the purpose of holding its interest in the Properties.

	 	(b)	BCCC has all the requisite power, right and authority to enter into and to perform its obligations under this Agreement and the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby have been duly and validly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of BCCC.

	 	(c)	This Agreement when executed and delivered will be a valid and binding agreement on BCCC, enforceable in accordance with its terms.

	(d)  	There are no actions, claims, investigations or proceedings, judicial or otherwise, pending, or to the best of the knowledge of BCCC threatened, against or relating to BCCC which would affect the BCCC’s ability to purchase on behalf of a proposed Wyoming Subsidiary an interest in the Properties or otherwise affect BCCC’s ability to perform the terms of this agreement.

	(e)  	The execution and delivery of this Agreement does not and the performance of this Agreement by BCCC will not (i) conflict with or violate the Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws of BCCC or (ii) conflict with or violate any law, rule, regulation, order, or judgment.

(f)BCCC has not employed any broker for finder and has not incurred any liabilities for any brokerage fees, commissions, or finder’s fees in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement for which the USE Parties shall have any responsibilities whatsoever.

(g)Prior to executing this Agreement, BCCC and its agents and contractors have conducted its due diligence and have had the opportunity to review certain information and data that the USE Parties have in their control or possession relating to the Properties and the liabilities attendant thereto, including but not limited to drilling, exploration, mining and metallurgical test data, assays, title information, and all information relating to possible environmental liabilities and BCCC acknowledges that it will be required to obtain an independent title report on the claims if additional comfort is required on title which is not warranted by the USE Parties.

	  
	 	 	 
	

	 

 

8.    Standard of Knowledge. For a representation or warranty made to the USE Parties or BCCC’s “knowledge” the term “knowledge” shall mean actual knowledge on the part of the officers, employees and agents (including attorneys) of either the USE Parties or BCCC, after all due inquiry, of the matter referred to or of facts that would reasonably lead to the conclusions referred to.

 

 

9.    Indemnities. The USE Parties shall indemnify BCCC and its officers, directors, agents and employees against any loss, cost, expense, damage or liability (including attorney’s fees and other expenses incurred in defending against litigation, either threatened or pending) arising out of or based upon any material breach by USE Parties of any representation and warranty made by USE Parties in this Agreement. BCCC shall indemnify USE Parties and its officers, directors, agents and employees against any loss, cost, expense, damage or liability (including attorney’s fees and other expenses incurred in defending against litigation, either threatened or pending) arising out of or based upon any material breach by BCCC of any representation and warranty made by BCCC in this Agreement. 

 

 

10.    Claims for Indemnification. If any claim or demand is asserted against any Party (“Indemnified Party”) in respect of which the Indemnification Party may be entitled to indemnification under the provisions of Section 9 written notice of such claim or demand shall promptly be given to the Party (“Indemnifying Party”) from whom indemnification may be sought. The Indemnifying Party shall have the right, by notifying the Indemnified Party within 30 days after its receipt of the notice of the claim or demand, to assume the entire control of (subject to the right of the Indemnified Party to participate, at the Indemnified Party’s choice, in) the defense, compromise, or settlement of the matter, including, at the Indemnifying Party’s expense, employment of counsel or business of the Indemnified Party caused by a failure by the Indemnifying Party to defend, compromise, or settle a claim or demand in a reasonable and expeditious manner, after the Indemnifying Party has given notice that it will assume control of the defense, compromise, or settlement of the matter, shall be included in the damages for which the Indemnifying Party shall be obligated to indemnify the Indemnified Party.

 

11.    Joint Mining Venture. At the Closing, BCCC and the USE Parties will form a joint mining venture (“Venture”) to be named hereafter, for a term of up to thirty years, or such shorter time as the parties may agree upon in the Mining Operating Agreement to be executed on or before June 29, 2005. At Closing when BCCC receives title to the Properties, BCCC shall immediately contribute their undivided 50% interest in the Properties to the Venture. At this same time, the USE Parties will also contribute their remaining 50% undivided interest in the Properties into the Venture. The Mining Operating Agreement will contain dilution provisions substantially on the terms described in Exhibit C.

12.    Reclamation Responsibilities. Upon execution of this Agreement, both parties hereto shall 1) equally assume all current (reclamation liabilities that existed prior 

	  
	 	 	 
	

	 

to the date of this Agreement) and future (reclamation liabilities that are incurred on and after the date of this Agreement) reclamation liabilities accrued on the Properties, except that the USE Parties shall be responsible for the last $1.4 million of current $4 million reclamation liability (i.e. BCCC and the USE Parties are equally responsible for the first $2.6 million of current reclamation responsibilities on a 50% BCCC and 50% the USE Parties basis and the USE Parties are responsible for 100% of the last $1.4 million of the $4 million current reclamation responsibilities) and 2) equally assume all assessment, maintenance and leasehold costs and fees and payments to be made on the Properties. Provided however, if BCCC terminates the Agreement as provided for in paragraph 19 prior to closing on December 29, 2007, BCCC’s current (reclamation liabilities that existed prior to the date of this Agreement) reclamation liabilities shall be extinguished.

13.    Exploration Projects. For each exploration project that is identified by either party in the USE Parties’ library, which is approved by the USE Parties and undertaken by the parties, BCCC will contribute the first $500,000 expenditure on each exploration project undertaken until BCCC has contributed $10,000,000 toward the exploration projects. After BCCC has expended the first $500,000 on each individual project, the balance of monies expended on the project shall be split 50/50 between the parties. As an example, should exploration project #1 entail expenditures of $600,000, BCCC shall be responsible for $500,000 plus $50,000 (i.e. 1⁄2 of $100,000 spent over the $500,000) and the USE Parties shall be responsible for the $50,000 balance. After BCCC has funded up to twenty (20) exploration projects with $500,000 (i.e. $10,000,000 in the aggregate) expended on each project, the USE Parties and BCCC will be obligated to carry their respective 50% interest in such projects or lose their 50% interest in the projects on a property by property basis as provided in the Mining Venture Agreement.

14.    Ownership. The Venture when formed and the interest of both parties when contributed to in the Venture, will be owned 50% by BCCC and 50% by the USE Parties, which percentages shall be the initial Participating Interests of the parties. The Venture will be managed by a Management Committee with equal representation from each of BCCC and the USE Parties. 

15.    Operator. The USE Parties will be the Operator of the Venture, reporting to the Management Committee and may charge a minimum of cost plus 10% for its services and materials excluding capital costs furnished to the Venture as provided in the Mining Venture Agreement.

16.    Contributions and Distributions. Except as provided for in paragraph 13, the parties shall contribute to the costs and expenses of the Venture and share in the production of the Venture in proportion to their respective Participating Interests, as they may from time to time then appear.

17.    Area of Mutual Interest. The area of mutual interest shall be the State of Wyoming and any other properties identified in the Atlas Minerals and Western Nuclear data bases, excluding however, (1) the Sweetwater Mill and USE Parties’ interest in the nearby “Green Mountain uranium properties” owned by Kennecott; (2) a ten mile radius 

	  
	 	 	 
	

	 

around the Shootering Canyon Mill; and (3) any properties brought by a present or future joint venture partner on the Shootering Canyon Mill. 

18.    Monetary Default. In the event BCCC fails to make the payments provided for in paragraph 4 above when due, it shall be deemed to be in default and upon 30 days written notice of default by the USE Parties to BCCC and if such default is not corrected, BCCC shall forfeit any and all its rights in the Properties including any payments previously made to the USE Parties.

19.    Termination of this Agreement. This Agreement may be terminated at any time prior to the Closing by:

(a)    By the mutual written consent of BCCC and the USE Parties; or

	(b)  	By BCCC by providing written notice to the USE Parties in accordance with paragraph 24. 

and upon the occurrence of such event BCCC will forfeit and lose any and all interests it may have in the Properties.

20.    No Partnership. The parties intend that neither this Agreement nor the Mining Operating Agreement contemplated hereunder shall create a partnership or mining partnership between BCCC and the USE Parties. Rather their relationship is one of covenants and the liability of the parties shall be several and not joint or collective.

21.    BCCC's Initial Payment. BCCC has paid to the USE Parties on October 29, 2004, the non-refundable sum of $100,000 for and in consideration of the right to enter into the October 29, 2004 Letter Agreement between BCCC and the USE Parties. The $75,000 paid in the escrow on October 29, 2004, which is also non-refundable after November 29, 2004 and shall be released to the USE Parties on or before December 6, 2004. These payments are solely for the USE Parties agreeing not to seek any other entities’ participation in the said Properties for 30 days as provided for in the October 29, 2004 Letter Agreement. If all payments are made and received on or before December 29, 2007 in accordance with paragraph 4, then the USE Parties agree to credit the $100,000 and $75,000 payments against the $4.05 million obligation contained in paragraph 4 (d)(i). 

22.    BCCC's Due Diligence. In accordance with the October 29, 2004 Letter Agreement, BCCC had until and including November 29, 2004 to conduct a due diligence investigation of the Properties. During this period, the USE Parties made available to BCCC and its agents and contractors information and data that the USE Parties had in their control or possession relating to the Properties and the liabilities attendant thereto, including but not limited to drilling, exploration, mining and metallurgical test data, assays, title information, and all information relating to possible environmental liabilities. To the best of the knowledge of the USE Parties, the information made available is full and complete and no material information was 

	  
	 	 	 
	

	 

withheld from BCCC when the data was made available.

23.    BCCC Board Approval. BCCC represents that it has received approval from its Board of Directors prior to the execution of this Agreement. BCCC shall provide USE Parties with a copy of such resolution.

24.    USE and Crested Board Approvals. The USE Parties represent that they have received approval from their respective Board of Directors prior to the execution of this Agreement. The USE Parties shall provide BCCC with a copy of such resolution(s).

25.    Confidentiality and No Public Announcements. During the term of this Agreement, the parties agree to keep the terms and conditions of this Agreement confidential and shall make no public announcement concerning this Agreement or operations under this Agreement without the written consent of the other party, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, except as may be required by the SEC or the Exchange. BCCC further agrees that its employees, agents and contractors shall maintain the confidentiality of any and all such information provided to BCCC during the due diligence period designated by the USE Parties as being confidential. Provided, however, that either party may disclose any such information to its parent or its subsidiaries or affiliates, and either party may make such disclosure to other entities with whom negotiations are being made in good faith for the mortgage, pledge, financing, sale or assignment of the rights and interests of the disclosing party hereunder. The terms and conditions of this Agreement shall otherwise not be disclosed except as mutually agreed by the parties, the consent of either party not to be unreasonably withheld, or unless the disclosing party is so required by U.S. or Canadian federal or provincial laws, rules, regulations, or orders. Upon such disclosure and, if possible, before disclosure, the disclosing party shall notify the other party of the disclosure.

26.    Notice. Any notice, consent, authorization or other communication to be given hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed duly given and received when delivered personally, when transmitted by fax, three days after being mailed by first class mail, or one day after being sent by a nationally recognized overnight delivery service, charges and postage prepaid, properly addressed to the party to receive such notice, at the following address or fax number for such party (or at such other address or fax number as shall hereafter be specified by such party by like notice):

(a)       If to the USE Parties

Keith G. Larsen,

President and Director

877 North 8th West

Riverton, WY 82501

Phone:  (307) 856-9271

Fax:      (307) 857-3050

E-Mail: keith@usnrg.com

	  
	 	 	 
	

	 

(b)       If to BCCC

Rahoul Sharan,

President

#525 - 999 West Hastings Street

Vancouver, BC

CANADA V6C 2W2

Phone:  (604) 869-1810

Fax:     (604) 869-1817

E-Mail: rahoul@axion.net

27.    Miscellaneous.

(a)    This Agreement shall constitute the whole agreement and understanding between BCCC and the USE Parties as to the subject matter of this Agreement and supersedes any other prior agreements or understandings whether written or oral between BCCC and the USE Parties.

(b)    This Agreement may be modified only by an agreement in writing signed by the party against whom enforcement of any waiver, change, modification, extension or discharge is sought.

(c)    The waiver by either BCCC or the USE Parties of a breach of any provision of this Agreement by the other shall neither operate as nor be construed as a waiver of any subsequent breach.

(d)    In the event that any condition or other provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid or void by any court of competent jurisdiction, the same shall be deemed severable from the remainder of this Agreement and shall in no way affect any other covenant or condition. If such condition, covenant or other provision shall be deemed invalid due to its scope or breadth, such provision shall be deemed valid to the extent of the scope or breadth permitted by law.

(e)    This Agreement may be executed in a number of identical counterparts, each of which for all purposes is to be deemed an original, and all of which constitute, collectively, one agreement. 

(f)    This Agreement shall be interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of Wyoming.

(g)    The terms and provisions hereof shall inure to the benefit of and shall be binding upon the permitted successors and assigns of the parties.

	  
	 	 	 
	

	 

(h)    In the event either party to this Agreement shall be required to institute any suit or legal action to enforce any of the provisions of this Agreement, then the prevailing party shall be allowed, in addition to such relief as awarded by the court, reasonable attorney's fees and court costs in prosecuting that action.

(i)    Except for the non-refundable payment due on October 29th, 2004, which amount has now been paid, this agreement is subject to filing with the TSX Venture Exchange and BCCC receiving confirmation that it has been accepted for filing on or before April 29, 2005.

Executed to be effective on the 8th day of December, 2004.

BELL COAST CAPITAL CORP.

By     /s/ Rahoul Sharan            

Its     President                

U.S. ENERGY CORP.

By     /s/ Keith G. Larsen            

Its     President                

U.S. ENERGY CORP. and CRESTED CORP. dba as USECC, a JOINT VENTURE

U.S. ENERGY CORP.

By     /s/ Keith G. Larsen            

Its     President                

CRESTED CORP.

By     /s/ Harold F. Herron            

Its     President

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