Document:

exv10w3

Exhibit 10.3

WESTERN GAS HOLDINGS, LLC

AMENDED AND RESTATED EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

SECTION 1. Purpose of the Plan and Amendment.

     WHEREAS, the Western Gas Holdings, LLC Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) was adopted by
Western Gas Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Company”) and the general
partner of Western Gas Partners, LP, a Delaware limited partnership (the “Partnership”), effective
as of April 2, 2008;

     WHEREAS, the Plan is intended to promote the interests of the Company and its indirect parent,
Anadarko Petroleum Corporation (“Anadarko”), by providing incentive compensation to key executives
of the Company or one of its Affiliates to encourage superior performance;

     WHEREAS, the Company desires to amend and restate the Plan prior to December 31, 2008 in order
to comply with Internal Revenue Service regulations, notices and guidelines promulgated under
Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended; and

     WHEREAS, the incentive compensation granted to key executives pursuant to the Plan is intended
to provide such executives with the notional equivalent of an ownership interest in the Company.

     NOW THEREFORE, the Plan is amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows:

SECTION 2. Definitions.

     As used in the Plan, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:

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

     “Award” means a Unit Appreciation Right, a Unit Value Right and a DER granted under the Plan.

     “Award Agreement” means the written or electronic agreement by which an Award shall be
evidenced.

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

     “Change in Capitalization” means any increase in the aggregate capital contributions of the
members of the Company, any change (including, without limitation, in the case of a dividend or
other distribution in respect of member interests, a change in value) in the member interests or
any exchange of member interests for a different number or kind of shares of ownership or other
securities of the Company or another entity, by reason of a reclassification,

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recapitalization, merger, consolidation, reorganization, spin-off, split-up, issuance of warrants
or rights, stock dividend, stock split or reverse stock split, property dividend, or combination or
exchange of member interests, repurchase of member interests, change in corporate structure or
otherwise. The following events shall be considered a Change in Capitalization for the purposes of
this Plan, but shall not represent all scenarios for which a Change in Capitalization could be
deemed to have occurred: (a) the issuance by the Company or any of its Affiliates of other
ownership interests in the Company; (b) the sale, transfer or dividend/distribution of assets,
member interests or other securities (including Partnership units) representing more than five
percent (5%) of the value of the Company’s total assets as determined at the end of the most
recently completed month, including but not limited to any sale or transfer by the Company of the
Partnership’s general partner interest, the Partnership’s incentive distribution rights or any
Class B units or common units received from the Partnership as a result of the Company’s election
to exercise the incentive distribution rights reset option under the Partnership Agreement; and (c)
an initial public offering by the Company (or its successor in interest, including in the event the
Company has changed its structure to a corporation or partnership) which may not otherwise
constitute a Change of Control of the Company.

     “Change of Control” shall mean the occurrence of either of the following after the effective
date of the Plan with respect to either Anadarko or the Company:

     Change of Control of Anadarko:

     (a) any individual, entity or group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the
Exchange Act) (a “Person”) acquires beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3
promulgated under the Exchange Act) of 20% or more of either (i) the then outstanding shares of
common stock of Anadarko (the “Outstanding Anadarko Common Stock”) or (ii) the combined voting
power of the then outstanding voting securities of Anadarko entitled to vote generally in the
election of directors (the “Outstanding Anadarko Voting Securities”); provided, however,
that for purposes of this subsection (a), the following acquisitions shall not constitute a Change
of Control of Anadarko: (i) any acquisition directly from Anadarko, (ii) any acquisition by
Anadarko, (iii) any acquisition by any employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or
maintained by Anadarko or any corporation controlled by Anadarko or (iv) any acquisition pursuant
to a transaction which complies with clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) of subsection (c) of this
definition; or

     (b) individuals who, as of the effective date of the Plan, constitute the Anadarko Board of
Directors (the “Incumbent Board”) cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the
Anadarko Board of Directors; provided, however, that any individual becoming a director
subsequent to the effective date of the Plan whose election, or nomination for election by
Anadarko’s stockholders, was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the directors then
comprising the Incumbent Board shall be considered as though such individual were a member of the
Incumbent Board, but excluding, for this purpose, any such individual whose initial assumption of
office occurs as a result of an actual or threatened election contest with respect to the election
or removal of directors or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on
behalf of a Person other than the Anadarko Board of Directors; or

     (c) consummation by Anadarko of a reorganization, merger or consolidation or sale

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or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of Anadarko or the acquisition of
assets of another entity (a “Business Combination”), in each case, unless, following such Business
Combination, (i) all or substantially all of the individuals and entities who were the beneficial
owners, respectively, of the Outstanding Anadarko Common Stock and Outstanding Anadarko Voting
Securities immediately prior to such Business Combination beneficially own, directly or indirectly,
more than 60% of, respectively, the then outstanding shares of common stock and the combined voting
power of the then outstanding voting securities entitled to vote generally in the election of
directors, as the case may be, of the corporation resulting from such Business Combination
(including, without limitation, a corporation which as a result of such transaction owns Anadarko
or all or substantially all of Anadarko’s assets either directly or through one or more
subsidiaries) in substantially the same proportions as their ownership, immediately prior to such
Business Combination of the Outstanding Anadarko Common Stock and Outstanding Anadarko Voting
Securities, as the case may be, (ii) no person (excluding any employee benefit plan (or related
trust) of Anadarko or such corporation resulting from such Business Combination) beneficially own,
directly or indirectly, 20% or more of, respectively, the then outstanding shares of common stock
of the corporation resulting from such Business Combination or the combined voting power of the
then outstanding voting securities of such corporation except to the extent that such ownership
existed prior to the Business Combination, and (iii) at least a majority of the members of the
board of directors of the corporation resulting from such Business Combination were members of the
Incumbent Board at the time of the execution of the initial agreement, or of the action of the
Anadarko Board of Directors, providing for such Business Combination; or

     (d) approval by the stockholders of Anadarko of a complete liquidation or dissolution of
Anadarko.

     While an Award granted under this Plan is not expected or intended to constitute deferred
compensation within the meaning of Section 409A, if an Award does constitute deferred compensation,
the definition of “Change of Control” shall mean a change in the ownership or effective control of
Anadarko, or in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of Anadarko as defined in
Section 409A, but only to the extent inconsistent with the above definition, and only to the
minimum extent necessary to comply with Section 409A, as determined by the Committee.

     Change of Control of the Company:

     (a) any “person” or “group” within the meaning of those terms as used in Sections 13(d) and
14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act, other than an Affiliate of the Company, shall become the beneficial
owner, by way of merger, consolidation, recapitalization, reorganization or otherwise, of 50% or
more of the combined voting power of the equity interests in the Company;

     (b) the members of the Company approve, in one or a series of transactions, a plan of complete
liquidation of the Company; or

     (c) the sale or other disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of its assets in
one or more transactions to any Person other than an Affiliate of the Company.

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     While an Award granted this Plan is not intended or expected to constitute deferred
compensation within the meaning of Section 409A, if an Award does constitute deferred compensation,
the definition of “Change of Control” shall mean a change in the ownership or effective control of
the Company, or in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of the Company as defined
in Section 409A, but only to the extent inconsistent with the above definition, and only to the
minimum extent necessary to comply with Section 409A, as determined by the Committee.

     “Committee” means the Board or a committee of the Board appointed to administer the Plan.

     “DCF Valuation” means the aggregate dollar value derived by applying a discounted cash flow
methodology to all cash flows inuring to the Company’s benefit, including but not limited to the
cash flow related to assets owned by the Company related to the Partnership (including but not
limited to all incentive distribution rights (“IDRs”), general partner units, common units,
subordinated units, and Class B units (if any)), calculated according to the following general
description, but in any case subject to the sole discretion and determination of the Committee:

     (a) Cash available for distribution to all unitholders of the Partnership in the current (or
most recent) quarter will be multiplied by 4.0 to arrive at an annualized distribution amount.
Contractual IDR payments from the Partnership (with splits determined assuming the calculated
annualized distribution above) will be calculated and applied to determine the relative general
partner and limited partner dollar payout amounts from such annualized distribution; and

     (b) Expected annual distributions to all unitholders of the Partnership for each of the next
four years will then be calculated by using the annualized growth rate in the distribution from the
prior year, determined by comparing the annualized distribution calculated in clause (a) above to
the actual distribution paid in the prior year; and

     (c) Expected IDR payments from the Partnership in each of the next four years (with splits
determined by the amount of such future expected distributions) will be calculated and applied to
determine the relative general partner and limited partner dollar payout amounts from such future
expected distributions; and

     (d) A terminal value will be calculated as of the fourth year based on the expected cash
payout to the general partner in year 4, multiplied by a number to be determined by the Committee
at the time of calculation, and a discount rate to be determined by the Committee at the time of
calculation; and

     (e) The present value of all of the cash flows determined in the above paragraphs will be
determined, utilizing a discount rate to be determined by the Committee at the time of calculation.

     Any growth rate or discount rate used to determine the DCF Valuation shall comply with the
reasonableness requirements of Treasury Regulation § 1.409A-1(b)(5).

     “DER” means a distribution equivalent right which, upon the occurrence of a DER Payment Event,
entitles the Participant to receive an amount of cash equal to the Value of a DER

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payable at the time specified in an Award Agreement.

     “DER Payment Event” shall have the meaning specified in an Award Agreement.

     “Determined Value” means, as of any relevant date, the then-current value of the Company as
determined by the Committee; provided that, (a) prior to an initial public offering by the Company,
such value shall equal (i) the DCF Valuation amount, plus (ii) any other value related to any other
assets of the Company, which value has not otherwise been captured by the DCF Valuation
methodology, less (iii) indebtedness of the Company, if any, and (b) on or after the closing of an
initial public offering of the Company such value shall equal the aggregate equity value of the
Company as determined using the market price of the Company’s equity securities.

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

     “Executive” means an executive officer of the Company or an Affiliate thereof.

     “Expiration Date” means the Expiration Date specified in an Award Agreement.

     “Fundamental Change” means: (a) the Company ceases to be the general partner of the
Partnership or transfers all or any portion of its general partner interest or any units reflecting
such interest; or (b) the Company ceases to hold the IDRs (or any Class B units or common units
received from the Partnership in exchange for IDRs).

     “Grant Date” means the Grant Date specified in an Award Agreement.

     “Participant” means an Executive granted an Award under this Plan.

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

     “Payment Event” shall have the meaning specified in an Award Agreement

     “Permanent Value Impairment” shall occur if, in the Committee’s good faith determination,
there has been a material adverse change (i) with respect to the Partnership’s long-term growth
projections, (ii) resulting in a determination that an initial public offering by the Company is no
longer expected to occur, or (iii) with respect to any other events expected to result in a
continuing long-term reduction in the value of the Company. For the avoidance of doubt, adverse
changes resulting from market conditions occurring from time to time, or short-term or temporary
changes in the operating or financial results of the Partnership, will not constitute a Permanent
Value Impairment.

     “Plan” has the meaning set forth in the first paragraph hereof and includes all provisions of
any Award Agreement evidencing an Award issued to a Participant.

     “Rule 16b-3” means Rule 16b-3 promulgated by the SEC under the Exchange Act or any successor
rule or regulation thereto as in effect from time to time.

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     “SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission, or any successor thereto.

     “Section 409A” means Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and
regulations promulgated thereunder and applicable Internal Revenue Service notices and guidelines.

     “Unforeseeable Emergency” has the meaning set forth in Section 409A. The determination of an
event as an Unforeseeable Emergency shall be made by the Committee, at its sole discretion;
provided however, the Committee shall comply with the requirements of Section 409A in coming to
such determination.

     “Unit Appreciation Right” means a notional unit granted under the Plan which, upon exercise by
a Participant, entitles the Participant to receive an amount of cash equal to the Value of a Unit
Appreciation Right, payable at the time specified in an Award Agreement.

     “Unit Appreciation Right Exercise Price” means the dollar value specified in an Award
Agreement but in no event less than the fair value of the notional unit on the Grant Date.

     “Unit Appreciation Right Payment Event” shall have the meaning specified in an Award
Agreement.

     “Unit Appreciation Right Vesting Event” shall have the meaning specified in an Award
Agreement.

     “Unit Value Right” means a notional unit granted under the Plan which, upon the vesting of
such Unit Value Right, entitles the Participant to receive an amount of cash equal to the Value of
a Unit Value Right payable at the time specified in an Award Agreement.

     “Unit Value Right Payment Event” shall have the meaning specified in an Award Agreement.

     “Value of a DER” means a dollar amount equal to the amount derived by dividing (i) the value
of the dividends or other distributions made by the Company to its member(s) from the Grant Date of
such DER through the DER Payment Event (other than the value of any dividends or other
distributions made by the Company that result in a Change of Capitalization or a Fundamental
Change) by (ii) one million (1,000,000).

     “Value of a Unit Appreciation Right” means a dollar amount equal to the excess of (i) an
amount calculated by dividing (a) the then-current Determined Value as of the Unit Appreciation
Right Payment Event by (b) one million (1,000,000), over (ii) the Unit Appreciation Right Exercise
Price.

     “Value of a Unit Value Right” means a dollar amount equal to the lesser of: (i) the dollar
value specified in an Award Agreement; or (ii) if a Permanent Value Impairment has occurred, the
dollar value calculated by dividing (a) the Determined Value as of the Unit Value Right Payment
Event by (b) one million (1,000,000).

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SECTION 3. Administration.

     The Plan shall be administered by the Committee. A majority of the Committee shall constitute
a quorum, and the acts of the members of the Committee who are present at any meeting thereof at
which a quorum is present, or acts unanimously approved by the members of the Committee in writing,
shall be the acts of the Committee. Subject to the terms of the Plan and applicable law, and in
addition to other express powers and authorizations conferred on the Committee by the Plan, the
Committee shall have full power and authority to: (i) designate Participants; (ii) determine the
number of Unit Appreciation Rights, Unit Value Rights and DERs to be covered by Awards; (iii)
determine the terms and conditions of any Award; (iv) interpret and administer the Plan and any
instrument or agreement relating to a grant made under the Plan; (v) establish, amend, suspend, or
waive such rules and regulations and appoint such agents as it shall deem appropriate for the
proper administration of the Plan; and (vi) make any other determination and take any other action
that the Committee deems necessary or desirable for the administration of the Plan. Subject to
Section 7 of the Plan, the Committee may correct any defect or supply any omission or reconcile any
inconsistency in the Plan or an Award Agreement in such manner and to such extent as the Committee
deems necessary or appropriate. Unless otherwise expressly provided in the Plan, all designations,
determinations, interpretations, and other decisions under or with respect to the Plan or any Award
shall be within the sole discretion of the Committee, may be made at any time and shall be final,
conclusive, and binding upon all Persons, including the Company, the Partnership, any Affiliate,
any Participant, and any beneficiary of any Award. The determinations of the Committee will be
made in such a manner that will ensure that no Award granted under this Plan will constitute
deferred compensation within the meaning of Section 409A. In the event an Award does constitute
deferred compensation, the terms of this Plan shall operate or be construed to cause such Award to
comply with Section 409A, but only to the extent necessary to comply with Section 409A, as
determined by the Committee.

          SECTION 4. Unit Appreciation Rights, Unit Value Rights and DERs.

     (a) Limits on Unit Appreciation Rights, Unit Value Rights and DERs Granted. Subject
to adjustment as provided in Section 4(b), the number of Unit Appreciation Rights and Unit Value
Rights and DERs that may be granted under the Plan is one hundred thousand (100,000) Unit
Appreciation Rights, one hundred thousand (100,000) Unit Value Rights and one hundred thousand
(100,000) DERs. However, if any Award is forfeited, cancelled or otherwise terminates or expires
without payment, the Unit Appreciation Rights, the Unit Value Rights and the DERs that are the
subject of such Award shall again be available for grants under other Awards.

     (b) Adjustments.

          (i) In the event of a Change in Capitalization, the Committee shall, in such manner as it may
deem equitable in preventing the valuation dilution or enlargement of the potential benefits
intended to be provided with respect to all Awards granted under this Plan, adjust the number of
Unit Appreciation Rights, Unit Value Rights and DERs (or other securities or property) with respect
to which Awards are then outstanding and Awards that may be granted in the future. No adjustments
may be made under this Section (absent the written consent of the

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Participant) that would, in any respect, reduce the value of any Participant’s Award.

          (ii) In the event of a Fundamental Change, the Committee shall, in such manner as it may deem
equitable to prevent the substantial dilution of benefits intended to be provided with respect to
all Awards granted under this Plan, take all available action to preserve such benefits, including,
to the extent possible, by replacing Awards under this Plan with similar awards at Affiliates of
the Company that have succeeded the Company as a result of the Fundamental Change; provided,
however, that any such action shall comply with Section 409A.

          (iii) Thirty (30) days prior to a Change of Capitalization or a Fundamental Change, the
Company shall provide written notice by certified mail, return receipt requested (or the equivalent
thereof) to each Participant that holds a vested Unit Appreciation Right of such Change of
Capitalization or Fundamental Change.

SECTION 5. Eligibility.

     Any Executive who performs services for the benefit of the Company shall be eligible to be
granted an Award under the Plan by the Committee.

SECTION 6. Awards.

     (a) Grant of Unit Appreciation Rights, Unit Value Rights and DERs. The Committee shall
have the authority to determine the Executives to whom Unit Appreciation Rights, Unit Value Rights
and DERs shall be granted and the number of Unit Appreciation Rights, Unit Value Rights and DERs to
be granted to each such Participant. Awards may, in the discretion of the Committee, be granted
either alone or in addition to or in tandem with any award granted under any other plan of the
Company or any of its Affiliates. Any Award of Unit Appreciation Rights must be matched with a
corresponding amount of Unit Value Rights and DERs.

     (b) Restrictions. The Committee shall have the authority to determine the time period
over which the Unit Appreciation Rights, Unit Value Rights and DERs shall be restricted and/or the
conditions (including but not limited to any performance metrics), if any, under which the Unit
Appreciation Rights, Unit Value Rights and DERs may become unrestricted or forfeited.

     (c) Term of Awards. The term of each Award shall be for such period as may be
determined by the Committee, up to a maximum period of ten years.

     (d) Consideration for Grants. Awards may be granted for such consideration (including
services) as the Committee determines.

     (e) Vesting. A Participant’s rights to Unit Appreciation Rights, Unit Value Rights and
DERs received pursuant to an Award shall vest in accordance with the terms of an Award Agreement.
Unit Appreciation Rights, Unit Value Rights and DERs that have vested pursuant to the terms of an
Award Agreement shall not be subject to forfeiture by the Participant, unless otherwise set forth
in such Award Agreement.

     (f) Payment of Awards. Award payments shall be made in the form of a lump sum cash
payment to a Participant in an amount equal to the Value of a Unit Appreciation Right for

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each Unit Appreciation Right, plus the Value of a Unit Value Right for each Unit Value Right, plus
the Value of a DER for each DER, less applicable withholding taxes as provided in Section 8(c).
Such payment(s) shall be made within the time period described in an Award Agreement.

     (g) Forfeitures. Except as otherwise provided in the terms of an Award Agreement, all
of a Participant’s Unit Appreciation Rights, Unit Value Rights and DERs that have not vested shall
be forfeited upon the termination a Participant’s employment with Anadarko and its Affiliates. The
Committee may, in its discretion, waive in whole or in part such forfeiture with respect to a
Participant’s Award(s).

SECTION 7. Amendment and Termination.

     Except to the extent prohibited by applicable law:

     (a) Amendments to the Plan. Subject to Section 7(b) below, the Board or Committee may
amend, alter, suspend, discontinue, or terminate the Plan in any manner, including increasing the
number of Unit Appreciation Rights, Unit Value Rights and DERs available for Awards under the Plan,
without the consent of any Participant, other holder or beneficiary of an Award, or any other
Person.

     (b) Amendments to Awards. The Committee may waive any conditions or rights under,
amend any terms of, or alter any Award theretofore granted, provided no change in any Award shall
materially reduce the benefit to a Participant without the consent of such Participant.

     (c) Actions Upon the Occurrence of Certain Events. Upon the occurrence of any change
in applicable law or regulation affecting the Plan or Awards thereunder, or any change in
accounting principles materially affecting the financial statements of the Company, the Committee,
in its sole discretion and on such terms and conditions as it deems appropriate, shall take any and
all such action as necessary to prevent dilution or enlargement of the benefits or potential
benefits intended to be conferred under the Plan or an outstanding Award; provided, however, that
such actions shall not reduce the benefits or potential benefits to be realized by a Participant
without the express written consent of such Participant (unless such actions were specifically
required by applicable law).

SECTION 8. General Provisions.

     (a) Limits on Transfer of Awards. No Award and no right under any such Award may be
assigned, alienated, pledged, attached, sold or otherwise transferred or encumbered by a
Participant other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution, other than a sale or
disposition to the Company, Anadarko or any Affiliate.

     (b) No Rights to Award. No Person shall have any claim to be granted any Award under
the Plan, and there is no obligation for uniformity of treatment of Participants. The terms and
conditions of Awards need not be the same with respect to each Participant.

     (c) Tax Withholding. The Company shall withhold from any payments made to an Executive
pursuant to an Award any applicable taxes payable in respect of the grant of the Award, the lapse
of restrictions thereon, or any payment made under the Award and shall take

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such other action as may be necessary in the opinion of the Company to satisfy its withholding
obligations for the payment of such taxes.

     (d) No Right to Employment. The grant of an Award shall not be construed as giving a
Participant the right to be retained in the employ of the Company, Anadarko or any Affiliate.

     (e) Governing Law. The validity, construction, and effect of the Plan and any rules
and regulations relating to the Plan shall be determined in accordance with the laws of the State
of Texas without regard to its conflict of laws principles.

     (f) Severability. If any provision of the Plan or any Award is or becomes or is deemed
to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable in any jurisdiction or as to any Person or Award, or would
disqualify the Plan or any Award under any law deemed applicable by the Committee, such provision
shall be construed or deemed amended to conform to the applicable law, or if it cannot be construed
or deemed amended without, in the determination of the Committee, materially altering the intent of
the Plan or the Award, such provision shall be stricken as to such jurisdiction, Person or Award
and the remainder of the Plan and any such Award shall remain in full force and effect.

     (g) Other Laws. The Committee may refuse to pay any consideration under an Award if,
in its sole discretion, it determines that the payment of such consideration might violate any
applicable law or regulation, the rules of the principal securities exchange on which any
applicable Company securities are then traded, or entitle the Company or an Affiliate to recover
the same under Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act, if applicable.

     (h) No Trust or Fund Created. Neither the Plan nor any Award shall create or be
construed to create a trust or separate fund of any kind or a fiduciary relationship between the
Company and a Participant or any other Person. To the extent that any Person acquires a right to
receive payments from the Company pursuant to an Award, such right shall be no greater than the
right of any general unsecured creditor of the Company or any participating Affiliate.

     (i) Headings. Headings are given to the Sections and subsections of the Plan solely as
a convenience to facilitate reference. Such headings shall not be deemed in any way material or
relevant to the construction or interpretation of the Plan or any provision thereof.

     (j) Facility Payment. Any amounts payable hereunder to any person under legal
disability or who, in the judgment of the Committee, is unable to manage properly his financial
affairs, may be paid to the legal representative of such person, or may be applied for the benefit
of such person in any manner that the Committee may select, and the Company shall be relieved of
any further liability for payment of such amounts.

     (k) Gender and Number. Words in the masculine gender shall include the feminine
gender, the plural shall include the singular and the singular shall include the plural.

     (l) Compliance with Section 409A. Nothing in the Plan or any Award Agreement shall
operate or be construed to cause an Award granted under this Plan to constitute deferred
compensation within the meaning of Section 409A. In the event an Award does constitute deferred
compensation, the applicable provisions of Section 409A are hereby incorporated by

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reference and shall control over any Plan or Award Agreement provision in conflict therewith.

SECTION 9. Term of the Plan.

     The Plan shall be effective on the date of its approval by the Board and shall continue until
the earlier of (a) the date terminated by the Board or Committee or (b) all Unit Appreciation
Rights, Unit Value Rights and DERs available under the Plan have been paid to Participants. Unless
otherwise expressly provided in the Plan or in an applicable Award Agreement, however, any Award
granted prior to such termination, and the authority of the Committee to amend, alter, adjust,
suspend, discontinue, or terminate any such Award or to waive any conditions or rights under such
Award, shall extend beyond such termination date.

[signature page follows]

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     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused the Plan to be executed on December 19, 2008, to be
effective as of April 2, 2008.

	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	WESTERN GAS HOLDINGS, LLC
	 
	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	By:
	 	/s/ Robert G. Gwin
	 

	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	Name:
	 	Robert G. Gwin
	 

	 	Title:
	 	President and Chief Executive Officer

12exv10w4

Exhibit 10.4

Western Gas Holdings, LLC

Equity Incentive Plan

Amended and Restated Award Agreement

Grant of Unit Appreciation Rights, Unit Value Rights and DERs

	 	 	 
	Participant:
	 	 
	 
	Grant Date:

	 	April 2, 2008

     WHEREAS, an Award was granted to you on April 2, 2008 pursuant to the Western Gas Holdings,
LLC Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”), adopted by Western Gas Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited
liability company (the “Company”) and the general partner of Western Gas Partners, LP, a Delaware
limited partnership (the “Partnership”), effective as of April 2, 2008 and as reflected in the
Award Agreement of the same date; and

     WHEREAS, the terms of the Plan are hereby incorporated by reference, noting that in the event
of any conflict between the terms of this Award Agreement and the Plan, the Plan shall control, and
further that capitalized terms used in this Award Agreement but not defined herein are defined in
the Plan, unless the context requires otherwise; and

WHEREAS, the Company has amended and restated the Plan and must make accompanying changes to your
Award Agreement in order to comply with Internal Revenue Service regulations, notices and
guidelines promulgated under Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

     NOW THEREFORE, the Award Agreement is amended and restated, dated December 19, 2008 and
effective as of April 2, 2008, to read as follows:

	1.	 	Award Grant.

	 	(a)	 	Unit Appreciation Rights. The Company hereby grants to you ___Unit Appreciation
Rights in the Company under the Plan on the terms and conditions set forth herein and in the Plan,
which is incorporated herein by reference as a part of this Award Agreement.
	 
	 	(b)	 	Unit Value Rights. The Company hereby grants to you ___Unit Value Rights in the
Company under the Plan on the terms and conditions set forth herein and in the Plan, which is
incorporated herein by reference as a part of this Award Agreement.
	 
	 	(c)	 	DERs. The Company hereby grants to you ___DERs in the Company under the Plan on
the terms and conditions set forth herein and in the Plan, which is incorporated herein by
reference as a part of this Award Agreement.
	 
	 	(d)	 	Unit Appreciation Right Exercise Price. The Unit Appreciation Right Exercise Price
on the Grant Date under this Award Agreement is $50.00.
	 
	 	(e)	 	Valuation of Unit Value Rights. The Value of a Unit Value Right on the Grant Date

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	 	 	 	under this Award Agreement is $50.00.
	 
	 	(f)	 	Expiration Date. The Expiration Date of the Unit Appreciation Rights and the DERs
granted to you is the 10th anniversary of the Grant Date; provided, however, that if you
voluntarily terminate your employment with the Company after the Unit Appreciation Rights have
vested, the Expiration Date of the Unit Appreciation Rights will be the earlier to occur of (i) the
90th day after your voluntary termination and (ii) the 10th anniversary of
the Grant Date.

	2.	 	Vesting, Notice and Forfeiture.

	 	(a)	 	Vesting.

(i) The Unit Appreciation Rights granted to you shall vest: (x) in one-third increments over a
three-year period commencing on the first anniversary of the Grant Date, such that all such Unit
Appreciation Rights shall have vested as of the third anniversary of the Grant Date; or
(y) immediately upon any of the following events, if they occur earlier: (A) a Change of Control,
(B) the closing of an initial public offering of the Company, (C) the involuntary termination of
your employment with the Company and its Affiliates (with or without cause), (D) your death, (E)
your disability, as defined under Section 409A or (F) an Unforeseeable Emergency. You may exercise
the portion of your Unit Appreciation Rights that have vested in accordance with Section 3 hereof.
The vesting of any Unit Appreciation Rights shall constitute a “Unit Appreciation Right Vesting
Event.”

(ii) The Unit Value Rights granted to you shall vest: (x) in one-third increments over a three-year
period commencing on the first anniversary of the Grant Date, such that all such Unit Value Rights
shall have vested as of the third anniversary of the Grant Date; or (y) immediately upon any of the
following events, if they occur earlier: (A) a Change of Control, (B) your termination of
employment with the Company and its Affiliates due to involuntary termination (with or without
cause), (C) your death, (D) your disability, as defined under Section 409A, (E) the closing of an
initial public offering of the Company or (F) an Unforeseeable Emergency. The vesting of Unit Value
Rights shall constitute a “Unit Value Right Payment Event.”

(iii) The DERs granted to you shall vest upon (A) a Change of Control, (B) your termination of
employment with the Company and its Affiliates due to involuntary termination (with or without
cause), (C) your death, (D) your disability, as defined under Section 409A, (E) the closing of an
initial public offering of the Company, (F) the date three days in advance of the Expiration Date,
or (G) an Unforeseeable Emergency. The vesting of DERs shall constitute a “DER Payment Event.”

	 	(b)	 	Notice for Unit Appreciation Rights. Thirty (30) days prior to a Change in
Capitalization or a Fundamental Change, the Company shall provide written notice by certified mail,
return receipt requested (or the equivalent thereof, unless a written waiver

2

 

	 	 	 	is obtained certifying
that such notice delivery requirement has been met) to each Participant that holds a vested Unit
Appreciation Right of such Change in Capitalization or Fundamental Change.
	 
	 	(c)	 	Forfeiture upon Termination of Employment. If your employment with the Company and
its Affiliates terminates for any reason prior to the vesting of a Unit Value Right, Unit
Appreciation Right or DER, such Unit Value Right, Unit Appreciation Right or DER shall be forfeited
automatically upon such termination, without payment, unless otherwise determined by the Committee
pursuant to the Plan.

	3.	 	Payment Events.

	 	(a)	 	Award payments for Unit Appreciation Rights are eligible to be received at any time following
a Unit Appreciation Right Vesting Event and upon the exercise by a Participant of any such
vested Unit Appreciation Rights prior to the Expiration Date. You may exercise a Vested
Appreciation Right by sending a written request for such exercise to the General Counsel and
Corporate Secretary via certified mail or its equivalent (unless a written waiver is obtained
certifying that such notice delivery requirement has been met). Receipt of such written
request by the General Counsel and Corporate Secretary shall constitute a Unit Appreciation
Right Payment Event. Failure to exercise any Unit Appreciation Right prior to the Expiration
Date results in the forfeiture of such Unit Appreciation Right.
	 
	 	(b)	 	Award payments for vested Unit Value Rights as described in paragraph 2 of this Award
Agreement are eligible to be received upon the occurrence of a Unit Value Right Payment Event.
	 
	 	(c)	 	Award payments for vested DERs as described in paragraph 2 of this Award Agreement are
eligible to be received upon the occurrence, prior to the Expiration Date (as defined above),
of a DER Payment Event.

	4.	 	Payment of Awards.

	 	(a)	 	As soon as administratively practicable after a Unit Appreciation Right Payment Event, and in
any event not later than thirty (30) days after such Unit Appreciation Right Payment Event,
you shall receive, in exchange for and in complete satisfaction of your vested Unit
Appreciation Rights, from the Company a lump-sum cash payment equal to the Value of a Unit
Appreciation Right for each Unit Appreciation Right that is exercised.
	 
	 	(b)	 	As soon as administratively practicable after the Unit Value Right Payment Event, and in any
event not later than thirty (30) days after such Unit Value Right Payment Event, you shall
receive, in exchange for and in complete satisfaction of your vested Unit Value Rights, from
the Company a lump-sum cash payment equal to the Value of a Unit Value Right for each Unit
Value Right subject to a Unit Value Right Payment Event.

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	 	(c)	 	As soon as administratively practicable after the DER Payment Event, and in any event not
later than thirty (30) days after such DER Payment Event, you shall receive, in exchange for
and in complete satisfaction of your vested DERs, from the Company a lump-sum cash payment
equal to the Value of a DER for each Unit Value Right subject to a DER Payment Event.

	5.	 	Restatements. If the Company is required to file a material accounting restatement due
to the material noncompliance of the Company, as a result of misconduct, with any financial
reporting requirement under the securities laws, and if a Participant knowingly engaged in the
misconduct, was grossly negligent with respect to such misconduct, or knowingly or grossly
negligently failed to prevent the misconduct (whether or not the Participant is one of the
individuals subject to automatic forfeiture under Section 304 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002),
the Committee may determine that a Participant shall reimburse the Company the amount of any
payment in settlement of an Award earned or accrued during the twelve-month period following the
first public issuance or filing with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission
(whichever first occurred) of the financial document embodying such financial reporting
requirement.
	 
	6.	 	Limitations upon Transfer. All rights under this Award Agreement shall belong to you
alone and may not be transferred, assigned, pledged, or hypothecated by you in any way (whether by
operation of law or otherwise), other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution and
shall not be subject to execution, attachment, or similar process. Upon any attempt by you to
transfer, assign, pledge, hypothecate, or otherwise dispose of such rights contrary to the
provisions in this Award Agreement or the Plan, or upon the levy of any attachment or similar
process upon such rights, such rights shall immediately become null and void.
	 
	7.	 	Withholding of Taxes. To the extent that an Award payment pursuant to a Unit
Appreciation Right, Unit Value Right or DER results in the receipt of compensation by you with
respect to which the Company or an Affiliate has a tax withholding obligation pursuant to
applicable law, the Company or such Affiliate shall withhold such amount of tax from the Award
payment, and take such other action as may be necessary in the opinion of the Company to satisfy
its withholding obligations for the payment of applicable taxes.
	 
	8.	 	Section 409A. As described in the Plan, an Award payable under this Plan is not intended
to constitute deferred compensation within the meaning of Section 409A. In the event an Award does
constitute deferred compensation, the terms of this Award Agreement shall be executed in compliance
with the applicable provisions of Section 409A. In no event shall any payment due under Section 4
hereof be made later than the 15th day of the third month following the year in which a
right to payment with respect to the relevant Award arises under Section 4 hereof. Notwithstanding
the provisions in the previous sentence, the failure to make a payment by the time specified
therefor under Section 4 hereof shall constitute a breach by the Company of such payment
obligation. To the extent any of the terms of this Award Agreement conflict therewith, the Company
has the unilateral right to amend the terms of this Award Agreement as it deems necessary to comply
with the provisions of Section 409A.

4

 

	9.	 	Binding Effect. This Award Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of
any successor or successors of the Company, its member(s), and its Affiliates and upon the
Participant or any beneficiaries of the Participant.
	 
	10.	 	Entire Agreement. This Award Agreement constitutes the entire agreement of the parties
with regard to the subject matter hereof, and contains all the covenants, promises,
representations, warranties and agreements between the parties with respect to the Award
granted hereby. Without limiting the scope of the preceding sentence, all prior understandings and
agreements, if any, among the parties hereto relating to the subject matter hereof are hereby null
and void and of no further force and effect.
	 
	11.	 	Modifications. Except as provided below, any modification of this Award Agreement shall
be effective only if it is in writing and signed by both you and an authorized officer of the
Company.
	 
	12.	 	Governing Law. This Award Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance
with, the laws of the State of Texas, without regard to conflicts of laws principles thereof.

	 	 	 	 	 
	PARTICIPANT	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 
	 	 	 
	Name:
	 	 	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 
	WESTERN GAS HOLDINGS, LLC	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 
	By:
	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	 	 	 
	Name: Robert G. Gwin	 	 
	Title: President and Chief Executive Officer	 	 

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