Document:

Exhibit 10.3

 

EXECUTION VERSION

	
 
    

 

 

WARRANT AGREEMENT

 

between

 

HALCÓN RESOURCES CORPORATION,

 

AS ISSUER

 

and

 

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

 

AS WARRANT AGENT

 

September 9, 2016

 

	
 
    

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

	
 
    	
 
    	
Page
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
SECTION 1.
    	
CERTAIN DEFINED TERMS
    	
1
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
SECTION 2.
    	
APPOINTMENT OF WARRANT   AGENT
    	
3
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
SECTION 3.
    	
ISSUANCE OF WARRANTS;   FORM, EXECUTION AND DELIVERY
    	
3
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
SECTION 4.
    	
TRANSFER OR EXCHANGE
    	
5
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
SECTION 5.
    	
DURATION AND EXERCISE   OF WARRANTS
    	
8
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
SECTION 6.
    	
ADJUSTMENT OF EXERCISE   PRICE AND NUMBER OF SHARES PURCHASABLE OR NUMBER OF WARRANTS
    	
12
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
SECTION 7.
    	
CANCELLATION OF   WARRANTS
    	
14
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
SECTION 8.
    	
MUTILATED OR MISSING   WARRANT CERTIFICATES
    	
15
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
SECTION 9.
    	
MERGER,   CONSOLIDATION, ETC.
    	
15
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
SECTION 10.
    	
RESERVATION OF SHARES;   CERTAIN ACTIONS
    	
15
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
SECTION 11.
    	
NOTIFICATION OF CERTAIN   EVENTS; CORPORATE ACTION
    	
16
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
SECTION 12.
    	
WARRANT AGENT
    	
17
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
SECTION 13.
    	
SEVERABILITY
    	
21
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
SECTION 14.
    	
WARRANTHOLDER NOT   DEEMED A STOCKHOLDER
    	
22
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
SECTION 15.
    	
NOTICES TO COMPANY AND   WARRANT AGENT
    	
22
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
SECTION 16.
    	
SUPPLEMENTS AND   AMENDMENTS
    	
23
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
SECTION 17.
    	
TERMINATION
    	
23
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
SECTION 18.
    	
GOVERNING LAW AND   CONSENT TO FORUM
    	
23
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
SECTION 19.
    	
WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL
    	
23
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
SECTION 20.
    	
BENEFITS OF THIS   AGREEMENT
    	
23
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
SECTION 21.
    	
COUNTERPARTS
    	
24
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
SECTION 22.
    	
HEADINGS
    	
24
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
EXHIBIT A
    	
FORM OF WARRANT   CERTIFICATE
    	
 
    
	
EXHIBIT B
    	
FORM OF ASSIGNMENT
    	
 
    

 

i

 

This WARRANT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is dated as of September 9, 2016, between Halcón Resources Corporation, a Delaware corporation, as issuer (the “Company”), and U.S. Bank National Association, as warrant agent (the “Warrant Agent”).

 

W I T N E S S E T H

 

WHEREAS, in connection with the financial restructuring of the Company and certain of its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Debtors”) pursuant to the Debtors’ Joint Prepackaged Plan of Reorganization (the “Plan”) under chapter 11 of title 11 of the United States Code, 11 U.S.C. §§101 et. seq., the Company has agreed to issue warrants (the “Warrants”) which, in the aggregate, are exercisable to purchase up to 4,736,842 shares (“Shares”) of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, subject to adjustment as provided herein (the “Common Stock”);

 

WHEREAS, the Company desires the Warrant Agent to act on behalf of the Company, and the Warrant Agent is willing to so act, in connection with the issuance, registration, transfer, exchange, replacement, exercise and cancellation of the Warrants;

 

WHEREAS, the Warrant Agent, at the request of the Company, has agreed to act as the agent of the Company in connection with the issuance, registration, transfer, exchange, replacement, exercise, and cancellation of the Warrants as provided herein;

 

WHEREAS, the Company desires to enter into this Agreement to set forth the terms and conditions of the Warrants and the rights of the holders thereof.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual agreements herein set forth, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

SECTION 1.             Certain Defined Terms.  Whenever used in this Agreement, the following words and phrases, unless the context otherwise requires, shall have the meanings specified in this Section.

 

“Agreement” has the meaning specified in the preamble hereof.

 

“Appropriate Officers” has the meaning specified in Section 3(c) hereof.

 

“Business Day” means any date other than a Saturday or a Sunday or a day on which commercial banking institutions in New York City, New York are authorized or required by law to be closed; provided that, in determining the period within which certificates or Warrants are to be issued and delivered at a time when shares of Common Stock (or Other Securities) are listed or admitted to trading on any national securities exchange or in the over-the-counter market and in determining Market Price of any securities listed or admitted to trading on any national securities exchange or in the over-the-counter market, “Business Day” shall mean any day when the principal exchange on which such securities are then listed or admitted to trading is open for trading or, if such securities are traded in the over-the counter market in the United States, such market is open for trading.

 

“Cashless Exercise” has the meaning specified in Section 5(c)(ii) hereof.

 

 

“Common Stock” has the meaning specified in the recitals hereof.

 

“Depository” has the meaning specified in Section 3(b) hereof.

 

“Effective Date” has the meaning specified in the Plan.

 

“Exercise Price” means the initial Exercise Price for the Warrants as set forth in Section 5(b) hereof, as it may be adjusted from time to time as provided herein.

 

“Expiration Date” has the meaning specified in Section 5(a) hereof.

 

“Ex-Date” means, when used with respect to any issuance of or distribution in respect of the Common Stock or any Other Securities, the first date on which the Common Stock or such Other Securities trade without the right to receive such issuance or distribution.

 

“Global Warrant Certificate” has the meaning specified in Section 3(b) hereof.

 

“Holder” means the beneficial holder or beneficial holders of Warrant Certificates.

 

“Individual Warrant Certificate” has the meaning specified in Section 3(b) hereof.

 

“Market Price” means with respect to Common Stock or any Other Security the arithmetic average of the VWAP of a share or single unit of such securities for the last five trading days on which such security traded (or such lesser number of trading days as such security has been listed, quoted or traded) immediately preceding the date of measurement, or, if the security is not listed or quoted on the New York Stock Exchange, NASDAQ Stock Market or a U.S. national or regional securities exchange, the average of the reported closing bid and asked prices of such security on such dates in the over-the-counter market or a comparable system as shown by a system of automated dissemination of quotations of securities prices then in common use comparable to the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. Automated Quotations System; provided, however, that if there is otherwise no established trading market for such security, then “Market Price” means the value of such Common Stock or Other Security as determined reasonably and in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company.

 

“Other Securities” or “Other Security” means any stock (other than Common Stock) and other securities of the Company or any other Person that the Holders of the Warrants at any time shall be entitled to receive or shall have received, upon the exercise of the Warrants, in lieu of or in addition to Common Stock, or that at any time shall be issuable or shall have been issued in exchange for or in replacement of Common Stock or Other Securities.

 

“Person” means any individual, corporation, limited liability company, partnership, firm, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust or other entity.

 

“Plan” has the meaning specified in the recitals hereof.

 

“Settlement Date” means the date that is three Business Days after a Warrant Exercise Notice is delivered.

 

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“Shares” has the meaning specified in the recitals hereof.

 

“VWAP” means for any trading day, the price for securities (including Common Stock) determined by the daily volume weighted average price per unit of securities for such trading day on the New York Stock Exchange or NASDAQ Stock Market, as the case may be, in each case, for the regular trading session (including any extensions thereof, without regard to pre-open or after hours trading outside of such regular trading session), or if such securities are not listed or quoted on the New York Stock Exchange or NASDAQ Stock Market, as reported by the principal U.S. national or regional securities exchange on which such securities are then listed or quoted, whichever is applicable, as published by Bloomberg at 4:15 P.M., New York City time (or 15 minutes following the end of any extension of the regular trading session), on such trading day.

 

“Warrant Agent” has the meaning specified in the preamble hereof and shall include any successor Warrant Agent hereunder.

 

“Warrant Agent Office” has the meaning specified in Section 4(g)(iv) hereof.

 

“Warrant Certificate” has the meaning specified in Section 3(b) hereof.

 

“Warrant Exercise Notice” has the meaning specified Section 5(c)(i) hereof.

 

“Warrant Register” has the meaning specified in Section 3(d) hereof.

 

“Warrants” has the meaning specified in the recitals hereof.

 

“Warrant Shares” has the meaning specified in Section 3(a) hereof.

 

SECTION 2.             Appointment of Warrant Agent.  The Company hereby appoints the Warrant Agent to act as agent for the Company in accordance with the instructions set forth in this Agreement, and the Warrant Agent hereby accepts such appointment, upon the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth.

 

SECTION 3.             Issuance of Warrants; Form, Execution and Delivery.

 

(a)           Issuance of Warrants.  On the Effective Date or a date that is as soon as reasonably practicable after the Effective Date, the Warrants will be issued by the Company in the amounts and to the recipients specified in the Plan.  Such Warrants shall be, upon issuance, duly authorized and validly issued. In accordance with Section 4 hereof and the Plan, the Company will cause to be issued to the Depository, one or more Global Warrant Certificates evidencing the Warrants not evidenced by Individual Warrant Certificates.  In accordance with Section 4 hereof and the Plan, the Company will cause to be issued to the applicable registered Holders, one or more Individual Warrant Certificates evidencing such Warrants.  Each Warrant evidenced by a Global Warrant Certificate or Individual Warrant Certificate entitles the Holder, upon proper exercise and payment of the Exercise Price, to receive from the Company, as adjusted as provided herein, one share of Common Stock at the Exercise Price per share specified therein.  The shares of Common Stock (as provided pursuant to Section 6 hereof) or Other Securities deliverable upon proper exercise of the Warrants are referred to herein as the

 

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“Warrant Shares”.  The maximum number of Warrant Shares shall be 4,736,842 shares, as such amount may be adjusted from time to time pursuant to this Agreement.  The Company shall promptly notify the Warrant Agent in writing upon the occurrence of the Effective Date and, if such notification is given orally, the Company shall confirm the same in writing on or prior to the Business Day next following.  Until such notice is received by the Warrant Agent, the Warrant Agent may presume conclusively for all purposes that the Effective Date has not occurred.

 

(b)           Form of Warrant.  Subject to Section 4 of this Agreement, the Warrants shall be issued (i) in the form of one or more global certificates (the “Global Warrant Certificates”)in substantially the form of Exhibit A-1 attached hereto with the form of assignment to be printed on the reverse thereof, in substantially the form set forth in Exhibit B-1 attached hereto and/or (ii) in certificated form in the form of one or more individual certificates (the “Individual Warrant Certificates”) in substantially the form of Exhibit A-2 attached hereto with the form of assignment to be printed on the reverse thereof, in substantially the form set forth in Exhibit B-2 attached hereto, respectively.  The Global Warrant Certificates and Individual Warrant Certificates (collectively, the “Warrant Certificates”) may bear such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as are required or permitted by this Agreement, and may have such letters, numbers or other marks of identification and such legends or endorsements placed thereon as may be required to comply with the rules and regulations of The Depository Trust Company (the “Depository”) in the case of the Global Warrant Certificates, any law or with any rules made pursuant thereto or with any rules of any securities exchange or as may be determined, consistently herewith, by the Appropriate Officers executing such Warrant Certificates, as evidenced by their execution of the Warrant Certificates, which shall be reasonably acceptable to the Warrant Agent.  The Global Warrant Certificates shall be deposited on or after the date hereof with or on behalf of the Depository and registered in the name of Cede & Co., as the Depository’s nominee and their respective successors.  Each Warrant Certificate shall represent such number of the outstanding Warrants as specified therein, and each shall provide that it shall represent the aggregate amount of outstanding Warrants from time to time endorsed thereon and that the aggregate amount of outstanding Warrants represented thereby may from time to time be reduced or increased, as appropriate, in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

 

(c)           Execution of Warrants.  Warrant Certificates shall be signed on behalf of the Company by its Chairman of the Board, its Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer or any Executive Vice President (each, an “Appropriate Officer”), and by the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary.  Each such signature upon the Warrant Certificates may be in the form of a facsimile or electronic signature of any such Appropriate Officer, Secretary or Assistant Secretary and may be imprinted or otherwise reproduced on the Warrant Certificates and for that purpose the Company may adopt and use the facsimile or electronic signature of any Appropriate Officer, the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary who shall have been an Appropriate Officer, the Secretary, or an Assistant Secretary at the time of entering into this Agreement or issuing such Warrant Certificate.  If any Appropriate Officer, the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary who shall have signed any of the Warrant Certificates shall cease to be such Appropriate Officer, the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary before the Warrant Certificates so signed shall have been countersigned by the Warrant Agent or disposed of by the Company, such Warrant Certificates nevertheless may be countersigned and delivered or disposed of as though

 

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such Appropriate Officer, Secretary or Assistant Secretary had not ceased to be such Appropriate Officer, Secretary or Assistant Secretary of the Company, and any Warrant Certificate may be signed on behalf of the Company by any person who, at the actual date of the execution of such Warrant Certificate, shall be a proper Appropriate Officer, Secretary or Assistant Secretary of the Company, although at the date of the execution of this Agreement any such person was not such Appropriate Officer, Secretary or Assistant Secretary.  Warrant Certificates shall be dated the date of countersignature by the Warrant Agent and shall represent one or more whole Warrants.

 

(d)           Countersignature.  Upon receipt of a written order of the Company and Warrant Certificates duly executed on behalf of the Company, the Warrant Agent, on behalf of the Company, shall countersign one or more Warrant Certificates evidencing the Warrants and shall deliver such Warrant Certificates to or upon the written order of the Company.  Such written order of the Company shall specifically state the number of Warrants that are to be issued as a Warrant Certificate.  Each Warrant shall be, and shall remain, subject to the provisions of this Agreement until such time as all of the Warrants evidenced thereby shall have been duly exercised or shall have expired or been canceled in accordance with the terms hereof.  Each Holder of Warrants shall be bound by all of the terms and provisions of this Agreement (a copy of which is available on request to the Secretary of the Company) and any amendments thereto as fully and effectively as if such Holder had signed the same.  No Warrant Certificate shall be valid for any purpose, and no Warrant evidenced thereby shall be exercisable, until such Warrant Certificate has been countersigned by the manual, facsimile or electronic signature of the Warrant Agent.  Such signature by the Warrant Agent upon any Warrant Certificate executed by the Company shall be conclusive evidence that such Warrant Certificate so countersigned has been duly issued hereunder.  The Warrant Agent shall keep, at an office designated for such purpose, books (the “Warrant Register”) in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe, it shall register any Warrant Certificates and exchanges and transfers of outstanding Warrants in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 4 of this Agreement, all in form satisfactory to the Company and the Warrant Agent.  The Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any stamp or other tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed on the Holder of the Warrant in connection with any such exchange or registration of transfer.  The Warrant Agent shall have no obligation to effect an exchange or register a transfer unless and until any payments required by the immediately preceding sentence have been made. Prior to due presentment for registration of transfer or exchange of any Warrant in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Agreement, the Warrant Agent and the Company may deem and treat the person in whose name any Warrant is registered as the absolute owner of such Warrant (notwithstanding any notation of ownership or other writing made in a Warrant Certificate by anyone), for the purpose of any exercise thereof, any distribution to the Holder of the Warrant thereof and for all other purposes, and neither the Warrant Agent nor the Company shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

 

SECTION 4.             Transfer or Exchange.

 

(a)           Transfer and Exchange of Global Warrant Certificates or Beneficial Interests Therein.  The transfer and exchange of Global Warrant Certificates or beneficial interests therein shall be effected through the Depository, in accordance with this Agreement and the procedures of the Depository therefor.

 

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(b)           Exchange of a Beneficial Interest in a Global Warrant Certificate for an Individual Warrant Certificate.

 

(i)            Any Holder of a beneficial interest in any whole number of Warrants represented by a Global Warrant Certificate may, upon request, exchange such beneficial interest for a Warrant represented by an Individual Warrant Certificate. Upon receipt by the Warrant Agent from the Depositary or its nominee of written instructions or such other form of instructions as is customary for the Depositary on behalf of any Person having a beneficial interest in a Global Warrant Certificate, and all other necessary information, the Warrant Agent shall cause, in accordance with the standing instructions and procedures existing between the Depositary and the Warrant Agent, the number of Warrants represented by the Global Warrant Certificate to be reduced by the number of Warrants to be represented by an Individual Warrant Certificate to be issued in exchange for the beneficial interest of such Person in the Global Warrant Certificate and, following such reduction, (x) the Company shall issue and the Warrant Agent shall either manually or by facsimile countersign an Individual Warrant Certificate representing the appropriate number of Warrants and (y) the Warrant Agent shall deliver such Individual Warrant Certificate to the registered Holder thereof.

 

(ii)           Warrants represented by an Individual Warrant Certificate issued in exchange for a beneficial interest in a Global Warrant Certificate pursuant to this Section 4(b) shall be issued in such names as the Depositary, pursuant to instructions from its direct or indirect participants or otherwise, shall instruct the Warrant Agent; provided, that such name shall not be that of a Person to whom the Holder would not have been permitted to sell or otherwise transfer Warrants pursuant to Section 4(g) if such exchange was a transfer of Warrants. The Warrant Agent shall deliver Individual Warrant Certificates evidencing such issuance to the Persons in whose names such Individual Warrant Certificates are so issued.

 

(c)           Transfer and Exchange of Individual Warrant Certificates.  When the registered Holder of an Individual Warrant Certificate has presented to the Warrant Agent a written request:

 

(i)            to register the transfer of any Individual Warrant Certificate; or

 

(ii)           to exchange any Individual Warrant Certificate for an Individual Warrant Certificate representing an equal number of Warrants of other authorized denominations,

 

the Warrant Agent shall register the transfer or make the exchange as requested if (x) its customary requirements for such transactions are met and (y) such transfer or exchange otherwise satisfies the provisions of this Agreement (including, without limitation, Section 4(g)); provided, however, that the Warrant Agent has received a written instruction of transfer or exchange, as applicable, in form satisfactory to the Warrant Agent, properly completed and duly executed by the Holder thereof or by his attorney, duly authorized in writing. A party requesting transfer of Warrants must provide any evidence of authority that may be required by the Warrant Agent, including but not limited to, a signature guarantee from an eligible guarantor institution participating in a signature guarantee program approved by the Securities Transfer Association.

 

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(d)           Restrictions on Transfer and Exchange of Individual Warrant Certificates for a Beneficial Interest in a Global Warrant Certificate.  An Individual Warrant Certificate may not be exchanged for a beneficial interest in a Global Warrant Certificate except upon satisfaction of the requirements set forth below. Upon receipt by the Warrant Agent of appropriate instruments of transfer with respect to an Individual Warrant Certificate, in form satisfactory to the Warrant Agent, together with written instructions directing the Warrant Agent to make, or to direct the Depositary to make, an endorsement on the Global Warrant Certificate to reflect an increase in the number of Warrants represented by the Global Warrant Certificate equal to the number of Warrants represented by such Individual Warrant Certificate, and all other necessary information, then the Warrant Agent shall cancel such Individual Warrant Certificate on the Warrant Register and cause, or direct the Depositary to cause, in accordance with the standing instructions and procedures existing between the Depositary and the Warrant Agent, the number of Warrants represented by the Global Warrant Certificate to be increased accordingly. If no Global Warrant Certificates are then outstanding, the Company shall issue and the Warrant Agent shall either manually or by facsimile countersign a new Global Warrant Certificate representing the appropriate number of Warrants.

 

(e)           Restrictions on Transfer and Exchange of Global Warrant Certificates.  Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Agreement (other than the provision set forth in Section 4(f)), a Global Warrant Certificate may not be transferred as a whole except by the Depository to a nominee of the Depository or by a nominee of the Depository to the Depository or another nominee of the Depository or by the Depository or any such nominee to a successor Depository or a nominee of such successor Depository.

 

(f)            Cancellation of Warrant Certificate.  At such time as all beneficial interests in Warrant Certificates have been exchanged for Common Stock in accordance herewith, redeemed, repurchased or cancelled, all Warrant Certificates shall be returned to, or cancelled and retained pursuant to applicable law by, the Warrant Agent, upon written instructions from the Company reasonably satisfactory to the Warrant Agent.

 

(g)           Obligations with Respect to Transfers and Exchanges of Warrants.

 

(i)            To permit registrations of transfers and exchanges, the Company shall execute and the Warrant Agent is hereby authorized to countersign, in accordance with the provisions of this Section 4, Warrant Certificates, as required pursuant to the provisions of this Section 4 and for the purpose of any distribution of additional Warrant Certificates contemplated by Section 6 hereof.

 

(ii)           All Warrant Certificates issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange shall be the valid obligations of the Company, entitled to the same benefits under this Agreement as the Warrant Certificates surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange.

 

(iii)          So long as the Depository, or its nominee, is the registered owner of a Global Warrant Certificate, the Depository or such nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the sole owner or Holder of the Warrants represented by such Global Warrant Certificate for all purposes under this Agreement, including, without limitation, for the purposes

 

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of (a) giving notices with respect to such Warrants and (b) registering transfers with respect to such Warrants. Neither the Company nor the Warrant Agent, in its capacity as registrar for such Warrants, will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to beneficial interests in a Global Warrant Certificate or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial interests.

 

(iv)          The Warrant Agent shall, upon receipt of all information required to be delivered hereunder, from time to time register the transfer of any outstanding Warrants in the Warrant Register, upon surrender of Warrant Certificates, representing such Warrants at the Warrant Agent Office referred to in Section 14 hereof (the “Warrant Agent Office”), duly endorsed, and accompanied by a completed form of assignment substantially in the form attached as Exhibit B-1 or B-2, as applicable, hereto duly signed by the Holder thereof or by the duly appointed legal representative thereof or by his attorney, duly authorized in writing, such signature to be guaranteed by a participant in a Medallion Signature Guarantee Program at a guarantee level acceptable to the Warrant Agent.  Upon any such registration of transfer, a new Warrant Certificate shall be issued to the transferee.

 

(v)           The Warrant Agent shall not undertake the duties and obligations of a stock transfer agent under this Agreement, or otherwise, including, without limitation, the duty to receive, issue or transfer Shares of the Company’s Common Stock.

 

SECTION 5.             Duration and Exercise of Warrants.

 

(a)           Expiration Date.  The Warrants shall expire on September 9, 2020, at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, which is the fourth (4th) anniversary of the Effective Date of the Plan (the “Expiration Date”).  After 5:00 p.m. New York City time on the Expiration Date, the Warrants will become void and of no value, and all rights thereunder and all rights in respect thereof under this Agreement shall cease as of such time.

 

(b)           Exercise Price.  On the Effective Date, the Exercise Price for the Warrants shall be $14.04 per Share (subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 6 hereof).

 

(c)           Manner of Exercise.

 

(i)            Cash Payment. Subject to the provisions of this Agreement, including the adjustments contained in Section 6, each Warrant evidenced by the Warrant Certificate shall entitle the Holder thereof to purchase from the Company (and the Company shall issue and sell to such Holder) one fully paid and nonassessable Share at a price equal to the Exercise Price.  All or any of the Warrants represented by a Warrant Certificate may be exercised by the registered Holder thereof during normal business hours on any Business Day, by delivering (A) written notice of such election (“Warrant Exercise Notice”) to exercise the Warrants to the Company and the Warrant Agent at the addresses set forth in Section 14 hereof no later than 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the Expiration Date, which Warrant Exercise Notice shall be substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit A-1 in the case of Warrants represented by a Global Warrant Certificate and Exhibit A-2 in the case of Warrants represented by Individual Warrant Certificates; and (B) by no later than 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the Business Day immediately prior to the Settlement Date, such Warrants to the Warrant Agent (by book-entry

 

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transfer through the facilities of the Depository, if such Warrants are represented by a Global Warrant Certificate). Such Warrant Certificate and the documents referred to in clauses (A) and (B) of the immediately preceding sentence shall be accompanied by payment in full in respect of each Warrant that is exercised, which shall be made by certified or official bank or bank cashier’s check payable to the order of the Company, or by wire transfer to the Warrant Agent of the Exercise Amount in immediately available funds.  Such payment shall be in an amount equal to the product of the number of shares of Common Stock designated in such Warrant Exercise Notice multiplied by the Exercise Price for the Warrants being exercised, in each case as adjusted herein.  Upon such surrender and payment, such Holder shall thereupon be entitled to receive the number of duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable Shares (or Other Securities) determined as provided in Section 3, and as and if adjusted pursuant to Section 6.

 

(ii)           Cashless Exercise.  Provided the Common Stock is then listed or admitted for trading on a national securities exchange or an over-the-counter market or comparable system, and subject to the provisions of this Agreement, the holder shall have the right, in lieu of paying the Exercise Price in cash, to instruct the Company to reduce the number of shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to the exercise of the Warrants (the “Cashless Exercise”) in accordance with the following formula:

 

N =  P  ÷ M

 

where:

 

N   =    the number of shares of Common Stock to be subtracted from the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrants;

 

P   =   the aggregate Exercise Price which would otherwise be payable in cash for all of the shares of Common Stock for which the Warrants are being exercised; and

 

M   =    the Market Price of a share of Common Stock determined as of the Business Day immediately preceding the day the Warrant Exercise Notice is delivered to the Warrant Agent.

 

If the Exercise Price exceeds the Market Price at the time of exercise, then no shares of Common Stock will be issuable via the Cashless Exercise.

 

(d)           The number of shares of Common Stock to be issued on such exercise will be determined by the Company (with written notice thereof to the Warrant Agent) using the formula set forth in Section 5(c).  The Warrant Agent shall have no duty or obligation to investigate or confirm whether the Company’s determination of the number of shares of Common Stock to be issued on such exercise is accurate or correct, nor shall the Warrant Agent have any duty or obligation to take any action with regard to such warrant exercise prior to being notified by the Company of the relevant number of shares of Common Stock to be issued.

 

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(e)           Each Warrant not exercised pursuant to this Agreement on or prior to the Expiration Date shall become void and all rights thereunder and all rights in respect thereof under this Agreement shall cease as of 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the Expiration Date.

 

(f)            Any exercise of a Warrant pursuant to the terms of this Agreement shall be irrevocable and shall constitute a binding agreement between the Holder and the Company, enforceable in accordance with its terms.

 

(g)           The Warrant Agent shall:

 

(i)            examine all Warrant Exercise Notices and all other documents delivered to it by or on behalf of Holders as contemplated hereunder to ascertain whether, on their face, such Warrant Exercise Notices and any such other documents have been executed and completed in accordance with their terms;

 

(ii)           endeavor to inform the Company of and cooperate with and assist the Company in resolving any reconciliation problems between the Warrant Exercise Notices received and delivery of Warrants to the Warrant Agent’s account;

 

(iii)          advise the Company, no later than five Business Days after receipt of a Warrant Exercise Notice, of (x) the receipt of such Warrant Exercise Notice and the number of Warrants exercised in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement, (y) the instructions with respect to delivery of the Shares deliverable upon such exercise, subject to the timely receipt from the Depository of the necessary information, and (z) such other information as the Company shall reasonably require;

 

(iv)          if requested by the Company and provided with the Common Stock and all other necessary information by or on behalf of the Company for delivery to the Depository, liaise with the Depository and effect such delivery to the relevant accounts at the Depository in accordance with its requirements; and

 

(v)           as soon as practicable, pay to the Company all funds received by the Warrant Agent in payment of the aggregate Exercise Price.

 

(h)           All questions as to the validity, form and sufficiency (including time of receipt) of a Warrant exercise shall be determined by the Company in its sole discretion in good faith, which determination shall be final and binding.  The Warrant Agent shall incur no liability for or in respect of and, except to the extent such liability arises from the Warrant Agent’s gross negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith (each as determined by a final, non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction), shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Company for acting or refraining from acting upon, or as a result of such determination by, the Company.  The Company reserves the right to reject any and all Warrant Exercise Notices not in proper form or for which any corresponding agreement by the Company to exchange would, in the opinion of the Company, be unlawful as determined in good faith.  Such determination by the Company shall be final and binding on the Holders absent manifest error.  Moreover, the Company reserves the absolute right to waive any of the conditions to the exercise of Warrants or defects in Warrant Exercise Notices with regard to any particular exercise of Warrants.  Neither the Company nor the Warrant Agent shall be under any duty to give notice to the

 

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Holders of any irregularities in any exercise of Warrants, nor shall they incur any liability for the failure to give such notice.

 

(i)            As soon as reasonably practicable after the exercise of any Warrant (and in any event not later than 10 Business Days thereafter), the Company shall issue, or otherwise deliver, in authorized denominations to or upon the order of the Holder, either: (A) if such Holder holds the Warrants being exercised through the Depository’s book-entry transfer facilities, by same-day or next-day credit to the Depository for the account of such Holder or for the account of a participant in the Depository the number of Shares to which such Holder is entitled, in each case registered in such name and delivered to such account as directed in the Warrant Exercise Notice by such Holder or by the direct participant in the Depository through which such Holder is acting; or (B) if such holder holds the Warrants being exercised in the form of Individual Warrant Certificates, a book-entry interest in the Warrant Shares on the books of the Company’s transfer agent or, at the Company’s option, by delivery to the address designated by such Holder in its Warrant Exercise Notice of a physical certificate or certificates representing the number of Warrant Shares to which such Holder is entitled, in fully registered form, registered in such name or names as may be directed by such holder. Such Warrant Shares shall be deemed to have been issued and any person so designated to be named therein shall be deemed to have become a Holder of record of such Warrant Shares as of the close of business on the date of the delivery thereof.

 

If fewer than all of the Warrants evidenced by a Global Warrant Certificate surrendered upon the exercise of Warrants are exercised at any time prior to the Expiration Date, the Warrant Agent shall cause a notation to be made to the records maintained by the Depository.  The Person in whose name any certificate or certificates for the Warrant Shares are to be issued (or such Warrant Shares are to be registered, in the case of a book-entry transfer) upon exercise of a Warrant shall be deemed to have become the holder of record of such Warrant Shares on the date such Warrant Exercise Notice is delivered.

 

(j)            Notwithstanding any adjustment pursuant to Section 6 in the number of Shares or Other Securities purchasable upon the exercise of a Warrant, the Company shall not be required to issue Warrants to purchase fractions of Shares or Other Securities, or to issue fractions of Shares or Other Securities upon exercise of the Warrants, or to distribute certificates which evidence fractional Shares.  In the event of an adjustment that results in a Warrant becoming exercisable for fractional Shares, the number of Shares or other securities subject to such Warrant shall be adjusted upward or downward to the nearest whole number of Shares or Other Securities (with one half rounded up). All Warrants held by a holder shall be aggregated for purposes of determining any such adjustment.

 

(k)           If all of the Warrants evidenced by a Warrant Certificate have been exercised, such Warrant Certificate shall be cancelled by the Warrant Agent.  Such cancelled Warrant Certificate shall then be disposed of by or at the direction of the Company in accordance with applicable law.  The Warrant Agent shall (x) advise an authorized representative of the Company as directed by the Company by the end of each day or on the next Business Day following each day on which Warrants were exercised, of (i) the number of Shares issued upon exercise of a Warrant, (ii) the notation to the records of the Depository reflecting the balance, if any, of the Shares issuable after such exercise of the Warrant and (iii) such other information as

 

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the Company shall reasonably require and (y) concurrently pay to the Company all funds received by the Warrant Agent in payment of the aggregate Exercise Price.  The Warrant Agent shall confirm such information to the Company in writing as promptly as practicable.

 

(l)            The Company shall pay all expenses in connection with, and all taxes and other governmental charges that may be imposed with respect to, the issuance or delivery of Warrant Shares upon exercise of Warrants; provided, that the Company shall not be required to pay any tax or governmental charge that may be imposed with respect to any applicable withholding or the issuance or delivery of the Warrant Shares to any Person other than the Holder of the Warrants underlying such Warrant Shares, and no such issuance or delivery shall be made unless and until the Person requesting such issuance has paid to the Company the amount of any such tax, or has established to the satisfaction of the Company that such tax has been paid.

 

(m)          The Warrant Agent shall keep copies of this Agreement and any notices given or received hereunder for a period no longer than seven (7) years from the Effective Date.

 

SECTION 6.             Adjustment of Exercise Price and Number of Shares Purchasable or Number of Warrants.

 

(a)           Stock Dividends, Subdivisions and Combinations of Shares.  If after the date hereof the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock is increased by a dividend or share distribution to all holders of Common Stock, in each case payable in shares of Common Stock, or by a subdivision, combination or other reclassification of shares of Common Stock, then, in the case of such events, the amount of Common Stock issuable for each Warrant and the Exercise Price will be adjusted as follows:  on the day following the date fixed for the determination of holders of shares of Common Stock entitled to receive such dividend or share distribution, and in the cases of subdivisions, combinations and other reclassifications, on the day following the effective date thereof:  (a) the Exercise Price in effect immediately prior to such action shall be adjusted to a new Exercise Price that bears the same relationship to the Exercise Price in effect immediately prior to such event as the total number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to such action bears to the total number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after such event, and (b) the number of Shares of Common Stock purchasable upon the exercise of any Warrant after such event shall be the number of Shares of Common Stock obtained by multiplying the number of Shares of Common Stock purchasable immediately prior to such adjustment upon the exercise of such Warrant by the Exercise Price in effect immediately prior to such adjustment and dividing the product so obtained by the Exercise Price in effect after such adjustment. A distribution to holders of the Common Stock of rights expiring less than thirty (30) days after the issuance thereof entitling holders to purchase shares of Common Stock at a price per share less than the Market Price shall be deemed a dividend of a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the product of (i) the number of shares of Common Stock actually issued in such distribution (or actually issued under any issued rights that are convertible into or exercisable for the Common Stock) multiplied by (ii) one (1) minus the quotient of (x) the price per share of Common Stock paid to exercise such rights divided by (y) the Market Price, and the amount of Common Stock issuable for each Warrant and the Exercise Price will be adjusted in accordance with the foregoing sentence.  For purposes of this Section 6(a), if the rights constitute securities convertible into or exercisable for Common Stock, in

 

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determining the price payable for Common Stock, there shall be taken into account any consideration received for such rights, as well as any additional amount payable upon exercise or conversion.

 

(b)           Distributions.  If after the date hereof the Company shall distribute to all holders of its shares of Common Stock evidences of its indebtedness or assets (excluding cash distributions made as a dividend payable out of earnings or out of surplus legally available for dividends under the laws of the jurisdiction of incorporation of the Company) or rights to subscribe for shares of Common Stock expiring at least thirty (30) days after the issuance thereof, then in each such case (i) the Exercise Price in effect on the trading day immediately following the close of business on the record date for such distribution shall be decreased to an amount determined by multiplying such Exercise Price by a fraction, the numerator of which is the Market Price of a share of the Common Stock on the trading day immediately prior to the Ex-Date less the Market Price of the assets or evidences of indebtedness so distributed or of such subscription rights per share of Common Stock outstanding on the trading day immediately prior to the Ex-Date (determined for such purpose on the basis of the aggregate assets, evidences of indebtedness and/or rights distributed with respect to one share of Common Stock as if, for purposes of the definition of “Market Price”, such assets, evidences of indebtedness and/or rights were an “Other Security”) (as determined by the Board of Directors of the Company, whose determination shall be conclusive, and described in a statement filed with the Warrant Agent) and the denominator of which is the Market Price of a share of Common Stock on the trading day immediately prior to the Ex-Date and (ii) the number of Shares of Common Stock purchasable upon the exercise of any Warrant after such event shall be the number of Shares of Common Stock obtained by multiplying the number of Shares of Common Stock purchasable immediately prior to such adjustment upon the exercise of such Warrant by the Exercise Price in effect immediately prior to such adjustment and dividing the product so obtained by the Exercise Price in effect after such adjustment.  Such adjustments shall be made whenever any such distribution is made, and shall become effective retroactively on the date immediately after the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to receive such distribution.

 

(c)           Adjustments for Mergers and Consolidations.  In case the Company, after the date hereof, shall merge, consolidate or otherwise engage in a recapitalization, reclassification, reorganization or business combination with another Person, then, in the case of any such transaction, proper provision shall be made so that, upon the basis and terms and in the manner provided in this Agreement, the Holders of the Warrants, upon the exercise thereof at any time after the consummation of such transaction (subject to the Expiration Date), shall be entitled to receive (at the aggregate Exercise Price in effect at the time of the transaction for all Common Stock or Other Securities issuable upon such exercise immediately prior to such consummation), in lieu of the Common Stock or Other Securities issuable upon such exercise prior to such consummation, the greatest amount of securities, cash or other property to which such Holder would have been entitled as a holder of Common Stock (or Other Securities) upon such consummation if such Holder had exercised the rights represented by the Warrants held by such Holder immediately prior thereto, subject to adjustments (subsequent to such consummation) as nearly equivalent as possible to the adjustments provided for in Sections 6(a) and 6(b) above; provided, however, that each Holder, at the election of the Company, may be required at the consummation of any such transaction to receive solely cash in an amount determined reasonably and in good faith by the board of directors of the Company to equal the

 

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excess of (i) the product of (A) the value of the per share consideration to be received by the holders of the Common Stock (or Other Securities) in such transaction multiplied by (B) the number of Shares subject to the Warrants held by such Holder, over (ii) the aggregate Exercise Price payable by such Holder upon exercise in full of such Warrants, and upon consummation of such transaction the Holders shall surrender all Warrant Certificates to the Warrant Agent for cancellation.

 

(d)           Notice of Adjustment in Exercise Price.  Whenever the Exercise Price and securities issuable shall be adjusted as provided in this Section 6, the Company shall forthwith file with the Warrant Agent a statement, signed by an Appropriate Officer, stating in detail the facts requiring such adjustment, the Exercise Price that will be effective after such adjustment and the impact of such adjustment on the number and kind of securities issuable upon exercise of the Warrants.  The Company shall also cause a notice setting forth any such adjustments to be sent by mail, first class, postage prepaid, to each registered Holder at its address appearing on the Warrant Register.  The Warrant Agent shall have no duty with respect to any statement filed with it except to keep the same on file and available for inspection by registered Holders of Warrants during reasonable business hours.  The Warrant Agent shall not at any time be under any duty or responsibility to any Holder of a Warrant to determine whether any facts exist which may require any adjustment to the Exercise Price or securities issuable, or with respect to the nature or extent of any adjustment of the Exercise Price or securities issuable when made or with respect to the method employed in making such adjustment.

 

(e)           Other Notices.  In case the Company after the date hereof shall propose to take any action of the type described in subsections (a), (b) or (c) of this Section 6, the Company shall give notice to the Warrant Agent and to each registered Holder in the manner set forth in subsection (d) of this Section 6, which notice shall specify, in the case of action of the type specified in subsection (a) or (b), the date on which a record shall be taken with respect to any such action.  Such notice shall be given, in the case of any action of the type specified in subsection (a) or (b), at least ten (10) days prior to the record date with respect thereto.  Failure to give such notice, or any defect therein, shall not affect the legality or validity of any such action.  Where appropriate, such notice may be given in advance and may be included as part of a notice required to be mailed under the provisions of subsection (d) of this Section 6.

 

(f)            No Change in Warrant Terms on Adjustment.  Irrespective of any adjustments in the Exercise Price or the number of Shares (or any inclusion of Other Securities) issuable upon exercise, Warrants theretofore or thereafter issued may continue to express the same prices and number of shares as are stated in the similar Warrants issuable initially, or at some subsequent time, pursuant to this Agreement, and the Exercise Price and such number of shares issuable upon exercise specified thereon shall be deemed to have been so adjusted.

 

(g)           Treasury Shares.  Shares of Common Stock at any time owned by the Company shall not be deemed to be outstanding for the purposes of any computation under this Section 6.

 

SECTION 7.             Cancellation of Warrants.  The Warrant Agent shall cancel all Warrant Certificates surrendered for exchange, substitution, transfer or exercise in whole or in

 

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part.  Such cancelled Warrant Certificates shall thereafter be disposed of by the Warrant Agent upon written instructions from the Company satisfactory to the Warrant Agent.

 

SECTION 8.             Mutilated or Missing Warrant Certificates.  Upon receipt by the Company and the Warrant Agent from any Holder of evidence reasonably satisfactory to them of the ownership of and the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of such Holder’s Warrant Certificate and a surety bond or indemnity reasonably satisfactory to them, and in case of mutilation upon surrender and cancellation thereof, the Company will execute and the Warrant Agent will countersign and deliver in lieu thereof a new Warrant Certificate of like tenor and representing an equal number of Warrants to such Holder; provided in the case of mutilation, no bond or indemnity shall be required if such Warrant Certificate in identifiable form is surrendered to the Company or the Warrant Agent for cancellation.  Upon the issuance of any new Warrant Certificate under this Section 8, the Company may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any stamp tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses (including the reasonable fees and expenses of the Warrant Agent) in connection therewith.  Every new Warrant Certificate executed and delivered pursuant to this Section 8 in lieu of any lost, stolen or destroyed Warrant Certificate shall be entitled to the same benefits of this Agreement equally and proportionately with any and all other Warrant Certificates, whether or not the allegedly lost, stolen or destroyed Warrant Certificate shall be at any time enforceable by anyone.  The provisions of this Section 8 are exclusive and shall preclude (to the extent lawful) all other rights or remedies with respect to the replacement of mutilated, lost, stolen or destroyed Warrant Certificates.

 

SECTION 9.             Merger, Consolidation, Etc.  Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, the Company will not effect a merger or consolidation unless, prior to the consummation of such transaction, each Person (other than the Company) that may be required to deliver any Common Stock, Other Securities, securities, cash or property upon the exercise of any Warrant as provided herein shall assume, by written instrument delivered to the Warrant Agent, the obligations of the Company under this Agreement and under each of the Warrants, including, without limitation, the obligation to deliver such shares of Common Stock, Other Securities, cash or property as may be required pursuant to Section 6 hereof or the certificate or articles of incorporation or other constituent document, and shall provide for adjustments equivalent to the adjustments provided for in Section 6 hereof.

 

SECTION 10.           Reservation of Shares; Certain Actions.

 

(a)           Reservation of Shares.  The Company shall at all times reserve and keep available, free from preemptive rights, out of its authorized but unissued Common Stock (or out of authorized Other Securities), solely for issuance and delivery upon exercise of Warrants, the full number of Shares (and Other Securities) from time to time issuable upon the exercise of all Warrants and any other outstanding warrants, options or similar rights, from time to time outstanding.  All Shares (and Other Securities) shall be duly authorized and, when issued upon such exercise, shall be duly and validly issued, and (in the case of Shares) fully paid and nonassessable, free from all taxes, liens, charges, security interests, encumbrances and other restrictions created by or through the Company and issued without violation (i) of any preemptive or similar rights of any stockholder of the Company and (ii) by the Company of any applicable law or governmental regulation or any requirements of any domestic securities

 

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exchange upon which the shares of Common Stock or Other Securities constituting Warrant Shares may be listed at the time of such exercise.

 

(b)           Certain Actions.  Before taking any action that would cause an adjustment pursuant to Section 6 reducing any Exercise Price below the then par value (if any) of the Shares issuable upon exercise of the Warrants, the Company will take any reasonable corporate action that may, in the opinion of its counsel, be necessary in order that the Company may validly and legally issue fully paid and nonassessable Shares at such Exercise Price as so adjusted.

 

SECTION 11.           Notification of Certain Events; Corporate Action.  In the event of:

 

(a)           any taking by the Company of a record of the holders of any class of securities for the purpose of determining the holders thereof who are entitled to receive any dividend (excluding cash distributions made as a dividend payable out of earnings or out of surplus legally available for dividends under the laws of the jurisdiction of incorporation of the Company) or other distribution of any kind, or any right to subscribe for, purchase or otherwise acquire any shares of stock of any class or any other securities or property, or to receive any other right or interest of any kind; or

 

(b)           (A) any capital reorganization of the Company, (B) any reclassification of the capital shares of the Company (other than a change in par value or from par value to no par value or from no par value to par value or as a result of a subdivision or combination), (C) the consolidation or merger of the Company with or into any other corporation (other than a consolidation or merger in which the Company is the continuing corporation and which does not result in any change in the shares of Common Stock), (D) the sale or transfer of the properties and assets of the Company as, or substantially as, an entirety to another Person, or (E) an exchange offer for Common Stock (or Other Securities); or

 

(c)           the voluntary or involuntary dissolution, liquidation, or winding up of the Company,

 

the Company shall cause to be filed with the Warrant Agent and mailed to each Holder a notice specifying (x) the date or expected date on which any such record is to be taken for the purpose of such dividend, distribution or right, and the amount and character of any such dividend, distribution or right, or if a record is not to be taken, the date as of which the holders of Common Stock of record to be entitled to such dividend, distribution, or right are to be determined, and the amount and character of such dividend, distribution or right, or (y) the date or expected date on which any such reorganization, reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale, transfer, exchange offer, dissolution, liquidation or winding up is expected to become effective, and the time, if any such time is to be fixed, as of which holders of record of Common Stock (or Other Securities) shall be entitled to exchange their shares of Common Stock (or Other Securities) for the securities or other property deliverable upon such reorganization, reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale, transfer, exchange offer, dissolution, liquidation or winding up. Such notice shall be delivered not less than twenty (20) days prior to such date therein specified, in the case of any such date referred to in clause (x) of the preceding sentence, and not less than thirty (30) days prior to such date therein specified, in the case of any such date referred to in clause (y) of the

 

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preceding sentence.  Failure to give such notice within the time provided or any defect therein shall not affect the legality or validity of any such action.

 

SECTION 12.           Warrant Agent.  The Warrant Agent undertakes the duties and obligations imposed by this Agreement upon the terms and conditions set forth in this Section 12.

 

(a)           Limitation on Liability.  The Warrant Agent shall not by countersigning Warrant Certificates or by any other act hereunder be accountable with respect to or be deemed to make any representations as to the validity or authorization of the Warrants or the Warrant Certificates (except as to its countersignature thereon), as to the validity, authorization or value (or kind or amount) of any Common Stock or of any Other Securities or other property delivered or deliverable upon exercise of any Warrant, or as to the purchase price of such Common Stock, securities or other property.  The Warrant Agent shall not (i) be liable for any recital or statement of fact contained herein or in the Warrant Certificates or for any action taken, suffered or omitted by the Warrant Agent in good faith in the belief that any Warrant Certificate or any other document or any signature is genuine or properly authorized, (ii) be responsible for determining whether any facts exist that may require any adjustment of the purchase price and the number of Shares purchasable upon exercise of Warrants, or with respect to the nature or extent of any such adjustments when made, or with respect to the method of adjustment employed, (iii) be responsible for any failure on the part of the Company to issue, transfer or deliver any Common Stock or Other Securities or property upon the surrender of any Warrant for the purpose of exercise or to comply with any other of the Company’s covenants and obligations contained in this Agreement or in the Warrant Certificates or (iv) be liable for any action taken, suffered or omitted to be taken in connection with this Agreement, except for its own bad faith, gross negligence or willful misconduct.  Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, in no event shall the Warrant Agent be liable for special, indirect, punitive, incidental or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including but not limited to lost profits), even if the Warrant Agent has been advised of the likelihood of the loss or damage and regardless of the form of the action.  Any liability of the Warrant Agent under this Agreement shall be limited to the amount of annual fees paid by the Company to the Warrant Agent.

 

(b)           Instructions.  The Warrant Agent is hereby authorized to accept advice or instructions with respect to the performance of its duties hereunder from an Appropriate Officer and to apply to any such officer for advice or instructions.  The Warrant Agent shall be fully protected and authorized in relying upon the most recent advice or instructions received by any such officer.  The Warrant Agent shall not be liable for any action taken, suffered or omitted by it in accordance with the advice or instructions of any such officer, except to the extent that such action or omission resulted directly from the Warrant Agent’s gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct.

 

(c)           Agents.  The Warrant Agent may execute and exercise any of the rights and powers hereby vested in it or perform any duty hereunder either itself or by or through its attorneys, agents or employees, provided reasonable care has been exercised in the selection and in the continued employment of such attorney, agent or employee.  The Warrant Agent shall not be under any obligation or duty to institute, appear in, or defend any action, suit or legal proceeding in respect hereof, but this provision shall not affect the power of the Warrant Agent

 

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to take such action as the Warrant Agent may consider necessary.  The Warrant Agent shall promptly notify the Company in writing of any claim made or action, suit or proceeding instituted against the Warrant Agent arising out of or in connection with this Agreement.

 

(d)           Cooperation.  The Company will perform, execute, acknowledge and deliver or cause to be performed, executed, acknowledged and delivered all such further acts, instruments and assurances as may reasonably be required by the Warrant Agent in order to enable the Warrant Agent to carry out or perform its duties under this Agreement.

 

(e)           Agent Only.  The Warrant Agent shall act solely as agent for the Company in accordance with the terms and conditions hereof and does not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust with any of the owners or holders of the Warrants.  The Warrant Agent shall not be liable except for the performance of such duties as are specifically set forth herein, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Agreement against the Warrant Agent, whose duties and obligations shall be determined solely by the express provisions hereof.

 

(f)            Right to Counsel.  The Warrant Agent may at any time consult with legal counsel satisfactory to it (who may be legal counsel for the Company), and the Warrant Agent shall incur no liability or responsibility to the Company or to any Warrant Holder for any action taken, suffered or omitted by the Warrant Agent in good faith in accordance with the opinion or advice of such counsel.

 

(g)           Compensation.  The Company agrees to pay the Warrant Agent reasonable compensation for all services rendered by it hereunder and to reimburse the Warrant Agent for its reasonable expenses hereunder (including reasonable counsel fees and expenses), and further agrees to indemnify the Warrant Agent and hold it harmless against any and all liabilities, including, but not limited to, any judgments, costs and reasonable counsel fees, for any action taken, suffered or omitted by the Warrant Agent in connection with the acceptance, administration, exercise and performance of its duties under this Agreement and the Warrants, except for any such liabilities that arise as a result of the Warrant Agent’s bad faith, gross negligence or willful misconduct.

 

(h)           Accounting.  The Warrant Agent shall account promptly to the Company with respect to Warrants exercised and concurrently pay to the Company all moneys received by the Warrant Agent on behalf of the Company on the purchase of shares of Common Stock (or Other Securities) through the exercise of Warrants.  The Warrant Agent shall advise the Company by telephone at the end of each day on which a payment for the exercise of Warrants is received of the amount so deposited to such account.  The Warrant Agent shall as soon as practicable confirm such telephone advice to the Company in writing.

 

(i)            No Conflict.  Subject to applicable law, the Warrant Agent and any stockholder, affiliate, director, officer or employee of the Warrant Agent may buy, sell or deal in any of the Warrants or other securities of the Company or become pecuniarily interested in any transaction in which the Company may be interested, or contract with or lend money to the Company or otherwise act as fully and freely as though it were not Warrant Agent under this Agreement.  Subject to applicable law, nothing herein shall preclude the Warrant Agent from

 

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acting in any other capacity for the Company or for any other Person.  Nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed to prevent the Warrant Agent from acting as trustee under an indenture.

 

(j)            Resignation; Termination.  The Warrant Agent may resign its duties and be discharged from all further duties and liabilities hereunder (except liabilities arising as a result of the Warrant Agent’s bad faith, gross negligence or willful misconduct) after giving thirty (30) days’ prior written notice to the Company.  The Company may remove the Warrant Agent upon thirty (30) calendar days’ written notice, and the Warrant Agent shall thereupon in like manner be discharged from all further duties and liabilities hereunder, except as have been caused by the Warrant Agent’s bad faith, gross negligence or willful misconduct.  The Company shall cause to be mailed promptly (by first class mail, postage prepaid) to each registered Holder of a Warrant at such Holder’s last address as shown on the register of the Company, at the Company’s expense, a copy of such notice of resignation or notice of removal, as the case may be.  Upon such resignation or removal the Company shall promptly appoint in writing a new warrant agent.  If the Company shall fail to make such appointment within a period of thirty (30) calendar days after it has been notified in writing of such resignation by the resigning Warrant Agent or after such removal, then the Holder of any Warrant may apply to any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a new warrant agent.  Pending appointment of a successor to the Warrant Agent, either by the Company or by such a court, the duties of the Warrant Agent shall be carried out by the Company.  Any successor warrant agent, whether appointed by the Company or by such a court, shall be (i) a Person, incorporated under the laws of the United States or of any state thereof and authorized under such laws to conduct a shareholder services business, be subject to supervision and examination by Federal or state authority, and have a combined capital and surplus of not less than $100,000,000 as set forth in its most recent published annual report of condition; or (ii) an affiliate of such a Person described above.  After acceptance in writing of such appointment by the new warrant agent it shall be vested with the same powers, rights, duties and responsibilities as if it had been originally named herein as the Warrant Agent, without any further assurance, conveyance, act or deed; but if for any reason it shall be necessary or expedient to execute and deliver any further assurance, conveyance, act or deed, the same shall be done at the expense of the Company and shall be legally and validly executed and delivered by the resigning or removed Warrant Agent.  Not later than the effective date of any such appointment the Company shall file notice thereof with the resigning or removed Warrant Agent and shall forthwith cause a copy of such notice to be mailed (by first class, postage prepaid) to each registered Holder of a Warrant at such Holder’s last address as shown on the register of the Company.  Failure to give any notice provided for in this Section 12(j), or any defect in any such notice, shall not affect the legality or validity of the resignation of the Warrant Agent or the appointment of a new warrant agent, as the case may be.

 

(k)           Merger, Consolidation or Change of Name of Warrant Agent.  Any corporation into which the Warrant Agent may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the Warrant Agent shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to the all or substantially all of the agency business of the Warrant Agent or any new warrant agent shall be the successor to the Warrant Agent hereunder without the execution or filing of any document or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto, provided that such corporation would be eligible for appointment as a successor Warrant Agent under the provisions of Section 12(j).  If at the time such successor to the Warrant Agent shall succeed under this Agreement, any of the Warrant

 

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Certificates shall have been countersigned but not delivered, any such successor to the Warrant Agent may adopt the countersignature of the original Warrant Agent; and if at that time any of the Warrant Certificates shall not have been countersigned, any successor to the Warrant Agent may countersign such Warrant Certificates either in the name of the predecessor Warrant Agent or in the name of the successor Warrant Agent; and in all such cases such Warrant Certificates shall have the full force provided in the Warrant Certificates and in this Agreement.  If at any time the name of the Warrant Agent shall be changed and at such time any of the Warrants shall have been countersigned but not delivered, the Warrant Agent whose name has changed may adopt the countersignature under its prior name; and if at that time any of the Warrants shall not have been countersigned, the Warrant Agent may countersign such Warrants either in its prior name or in its changed name; and in all such cases such Warrants shall have the full force provided in the Warrants and in this Agreement.

 

(l)            Indemnity.  The Warrant Agent shall be liable hereunder only for its own gross negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith (which gross negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith must be determined by a final, non-appealable order, judgment, decree or ruling of a court of competent jurisdiction).  The Company agrees to indemnify the Warrant Agent for, and to hold it harmless against, any loss, liability, suit, action, proceeding, judgment, claim, settlement, cost or expense (including reasonable counsel fees and expenses), incurred without gross negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith on the part of the Warrant Agent (which gross negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith must be determined by a final, non-appealable order, judgment, decree or ruling of a court of competent jurisdiction), for any action taken, suffered or omitted by the Warrant Agent in connection with the preparation, delivery, acceptance, administration, execution and amendment of this Agreement and the exercise and performance of its duties hereunder, including the costs and expenses of defending against any claim of liability arising therefrom, directly or indirectly.  The Warrant Agent shall not be obligated to expend or risk its own funds to take any action which it believes would expose it to expense or liability or to a risk of incurring expense of liability, unless it has been furnished with assurance of repayment or indemnity satisfactory to it.  No provision in this Agreement shall be construed to relieve the Warrant Agent from liability for its own gross negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith (which gross negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith must be determined by a final, non-appealable order, judgment, decree or ruling of a court of competent jurisdiction).

 

(m)          Exclusions.  The Warrant Agent shall have no responsibility with respect to the validity of this Agreement or with respect to the validity or execution of any Warrant (except its countersignature thereof); nor shall it be responsible for any breach by the Company of any covenant or condition contained in this Agreement or in any Warrant; nor shall it be responsible or have any duty to make any calculation or adjustment, or to determine when any calculation or adjustment required under the provisions hereof should be made, how it should be made or what it should be, or have any responsibility or liability for the manner, method or amount of any such calculation or adjustment or the ascertaining of the existence of facts that would require any such calculation or adjustment; nor shall it by any act hereunder be deemed to make any representation or warranty as to the authorization or reservation of any Warrant to be issued pursuant to this Agreement or as to whether any Warrant will, when issued, be valid and fully paid and nonassessable.

 

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(n)           No Liability for Interest.  The Warrant Agent shall not be under any liability for interest on any monies at any time received by it pursuant to any of the provisions of this Agreement.

 

(o)           No Liability for Invalidity.  The Warrant Agent shall not be under any responsibility with respect to the validity or sufficiency of this Agreement or the execution and delivery hereof (except the due execution and delivery hereof by the Warrant Agent) or with respect to the validity or execution of the Warrant Certificates (except its countersignature thereon).

 

(p)           No Responsibilities for Recitals.  The recitals contained herein and in the Warrant Certificates (except as to the Warrant Agent’s countersignature thereon) shall be taken as the statements of the Company, and the Warrant Agent assumes no responsibility hereby for the correctness of the same.

 

(q)           No Implied Obligations.  The Warrant Agent shall be obligated to perform such duties as are explicitly set forth herein and no implied duties or obligations shall be read into this Agreement against the Warrant Agent.  The Warrant Agent shall not be under any obligation to take any action hereunder that may involve it in any expense or liability, the payment of which within a reasonable time is not, in its opinion, assured to it.  The Warrant Agent shall not be accountable or under any duty or responsibility for the use by the Company of any Warrant Certificate authenticated by the Warrant Agent and delivered by it to the Company pursuant to this Agreement or for the application by the Company of the proceeds of the issuance and sale, or exercise, of the Warrants.  The Warrant Agent shall have no duty or responsibility in case of any default by the Company in the performance of its covenants or agreements contained herein or in any Warrant Certificate or in the case of the receipt of any written demand from a Holder with respect to such default, including, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, any duty or responsibility to initiate or attempt to initiate any proceedings at law or otherwise or, to make any demand upon the Company.

 

(r)            Force Majeure.  In no event shall the Warrant Agent be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations under this Agreement arising out of or caused by, directly or indirectly, forces beyond its reasonable control, including, without limitation, strikes, work stoppages, accidents, acts of war or terrorism, civil or military disturbances, nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of God, and interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, communications or computer (software or hardware) services.

 

SECTION 13.           Severability.  In the event that any one or more of the provisions contained herein or in the Warrants, or the application thereof in any circumstances, is held invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of any such provisions in every other respect and of the remaining provisions contained herein and therein shall not be affected or impaired thereby; provided, that if any such excluded term, provision, covenant or restriction shall materially adversely affect the rights, immunities, duties or obligations of the Warrant Agent, the Warrant Agent shall be entitled to resign immediately.  Furthermore, subject to the preceding sentence, in lieu of any such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision, the parties hereto intend that there shall be added as a part of this Agreement a provision as similar

 

21

 

in terms and commercial effect to such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision as may be possible and be valid and enforceable.

 

SECTION 14.           Warrantholder Not Deemed a Stockholder.  Prior to the exercise of the Warrants represented thereby no Holder of a Warrant Certificate, as such, shall be entitled to any rights of a stockholder of the Company, including, but not limited to, the right to vote, to receive dividends or other distributions, to exercise any preemptive right or, except as otherwise provided herein, to receive notice as stockholders in respect of the meetings of stockholders or for the election of directors of the Company or any other matter.

 

SECTION 15.           Notices to Company and Warrant Agent.  All notices, requests or demands authorized by this Agreement to be given or made by the Warrant Agent or by any registered Holder of any Warrant to or on the Company or the Warrant Agent to be effective shall be in writing (including by telecopy), and shall be deemed to have been duly given or made when delivered by hand, or two Business Days after being delivered to a recognized courier (whose stated terms of delivery are two business days or less to the destination such notice), or five days after being deposited in the mail, or, in the case of facsimile or email notice, when received, addressed (until another address is filed in writing by the Company with the Warrant Agent) as follows:

 

Halcón Resources Corporation

1000 Louisiana Street
 Suite 6700

Houston, Texas 77002

Fax:  (713) 589-8019

Attn: David S. Elkouri

Email: delkouri@halconresources.com

 

If the Company shall fail to maintain such office or agency or shall fail to give such notice of any change in the location thereof, presentation may be made and notices and demands may be served at the principal office of the Warrant Agent.

 

Any notice pursuant to this Agreement to be given by the Company or by any registered Holder of any Warrant to the Warrant Agent shall be sufficiently given if sent by first-class mail, postage prepaid, or by facsimile or email notice, addressed (until another address is filed in writing by the Warrant Agent with the Company), as follows:

 

U.S. Bank National Association

5555 San Felipe

Suite 1150

Houston, Texas 77056

Fax:  713.235.9213

Attn:  Steven A. Finklea

Email:  steven.finklea@usbank.com

 

The Warrant Agent maintains the Warrant Agent’s Principal Office at the above address.

 

22

 

SECTION 16.           Supplements and Amendments.  The Company and the Warrant Agent may from time to time supplement or amend this Agreement (a) without the approval of any Holders of Warrants in order to cure any ambiguity, manifest error or other mistake in this Agreement, or to correct or supplement any provision contained herein that may be defective or inconsistent with any other provision herein, or to make any other provisions in regard to matters or questions arising hereunder that the Company and the Warrant Agent may deem necessary or desirable and that shall not adversely affect, alter or change the interests of the Holders of the Warrants in any material respect or (b) with the prior written consent of Holders of the Warrants exercisable for a majority of the Shares then issuable upon exercise of the Warrants then outstanding; provided that each amendment or supplement that decreases the Warrant Agent’s rights or increases its duties and responsibilities hereunder shall also require the prior written consent of the Warrant Agent.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the consent of each Holder of a Warrant affected shall be required for any amendment pursuant to which the Exercise Price would be increased or the number of Shares (or Other Securities) purchasable upon exercise of Warrants would be decreased (other than pursuant to adjustments provided herein) or the Expiration Date would be shortened.  Upon execution and delivery of any amendment pursuant to this Section 16, such amendment shall be considered a part of this Agreement for all purposes and every Holder of a Warrant Certificate theretofore or thereafter countersigned and delivered hereunder shall be bound thereby.

 

SECTION 17.           Termination.  This Agreement shall terminate on the Expiration Date.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Agreement will terminate on any earlier date when all Warrants have been exercised.  The provisions of Section 12 shall survive such termination.

 

SECTION 18.           Governing Law and Consent to Forum.  This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York applicable to contracts made and to be performed within the State of New York. Each of the Company and the Warrant Agent hereby irrevocably submits to the jurisdiction of any New York State court sitting in the City of New York or any Federal Court sitting in the City of New York with respect to any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement, and each irrevocably accepts for itself and in respect of its property, generally and unconditionally, the jurisdiction of the aforesaid courts. Nothing herein shall affect the right of any Person to serve process in any manner permitted by law or to commence legal proceedings or otherwise proceed against the Company in any other jurisdiction.

 

SECTION 19.           Waiver of Jury Trial.  The parties hereto waive all right to trial by jury in any action or proceeding to enforce or defend any rights hereunder.

 

SECTION 20.           Benefits of this Agreement.  Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to give to any Person or corporation other than the Company, the Warrant Agent and the registered Holders of the Warrants (who are express third party beneficiaries of this Agreement) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Agreement, and this Agreement shall be for the sole and exclusive benefit of the Company, the Warrant Agent and the registered Holders of the Warrants.

 

23

 

SECTION 21.           Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and each of such counterparts shall for all purposes be deemed to be an original, and such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.

 

SECTION 22.           Headings.  The headings of sections of this Agreement have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not to be considered a part hereof and in no way modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.

 

[signature page follows]

 

24

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed and delivered as of the day and year first above written.

 

 

	
 
    	
HALCÓN RESOURCES CORPORATION
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By
    	
/s/ David S. Elkouri
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Name:
    	
David S. Elkouri
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Title:
    	
Executive Vice President, Corporate Strategy and   Chief Legal Officer
    

 

[Signature Page to Warrant Agreement]

 

 

	
 
    	
U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By
    	
/s/ Steven A. Finklea
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Name:
    	
Steven A. Finklea, CCTS
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Title:
    	
Vice President
    

 

[Signature Page to Warrant Agreement]

 

 

EXHIBIT A-1

 

FORM OF FACE OF GLOBAL WARRANT CERTIFICATE

 

This Global Warrant Certificate is deposited with or on behalf of The Depository Trust Company (the “Depository”) or its nominee in custody for the benefit of the beneficial owners hereof, and is not transferable to any person under any circumstances except that (i) this Global Warrant Certificate may be delivered to the Warrant Agent for cancellation pursuant to Section 4(f) of the Warrant Agreement and (ii) this Global Warrant Certificate may be transferred pursuant to Section 4(e) of the Warrant Agreement and as set forth below.

 

Unless this Global Warrant Certificate is presented by an authorized representative of the Depository to the Company or the Warrant Agent for registration of transfer, exchange or payment and any certificate issued is registered in the name of Cede & Co. or such other entity as is requested by an authorized representative of the Depository (and any payment hereon is made to Cede & Co. or to such other entity as is requested by an authorized representative of the Depository), any transfer, pledge or other use hereof for value or otherwise by or to any person is wrongful because the registered owner hereof, Cede & Co., has an interest herein.

 

Transfers of this Global Warrant Certificate shall be limited to transfers in whole, but not in part, to nominees of the Depository or to a successor thereof or such successor’s nominee or as otherwise permitted in Section 4(e) of the Warrant Agreement, and transfers of portions of this Global Warrant Certificate shall be limited to transfers made in accordance with the restrictions set forth in Section 4 of the Warrant Agreement.

 

No registration or transfer of the securities issuable pursuant to the exercise of the Warrant will be recorded on the books of the Company until such provisions have been complied with.

 

To the extent that any provision hereof conflicts with any provision of the Warrant Agreement, the provision in the Warrant Agreement shall control.

 

A-1-1

 

CUSIP No.              

 

ISIN No.              

 

WARRANTS TO PURCHASE

 

SHARES OF COMMON STOCK

 

HALCÓN RESOURCES CORPORATION

 

GLOBAL WARRANT TO PURCHASE COMMON STOCK

 

VOID AFTER 5:00 P.M., New York City Time, September 9, 2020

 

This Global Warrant Certificate (“Warrant Certificate”) certifies that Cede & Co., or its registered assigns is the registered holder of Warrants (the “Warrants”) of Halcón Resources Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), to purchase the number of shares (the “Shares”) of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Common Stock”), of the Company set forth above.  The Warrants expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the date that is the four year anniversary of the Effective Date (such date, the “Expiration Date”), and each Warrant entitles the holder to purchase from the Company one fully paid and non-assessable Share at the exercise price (the “Exercise Price”), payable to the Company either by certified or official bank or bank cashier’s check payable to the order of the Company, or by wire transfer in immediately available funds of the aggregate Exercise Price to an account of the Warrant Agent specified in writing by the Warrant Agent for such purpose, no later than 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the business day immediately prior to the settlement date, which settlement date is three Business Days after a Warrant Exercise Notice is delivered (the “Settlement Date”).  The initial Exercise Price shall be $14.04.

 

In lieu of paying the Exercise Price as set forth in the preceding paragraph, subject to the provisions of the Warrant Agreement (as defined on the reverse hereof), the Warrants shall entitle the holder thereof, at the election of such holder, to exercise the Warrants by authorizing the Company to withhold from issuance a number of Shares issuable upon exercise of the Warrants which when multiplied by the Market Price of the Common Stock is equal to the aggregate Exercise Price for the number of Shares for which the Warrants are being exercised (assuming the Exercise Price for all such Shares was being paid in cash), and such withheld Shares shall no longer be issuable under the Warrants.

 

The Exercise Price and the number of Shares purchasable upon exercise of the Warrants are subject to adjustment upon the occurrence of certain events as set forth in the Warrant Agreement.

 

To the extent that any provision hereof conflicts with any provision of the Warrant Agreement, the provision in the Warrant Agreement shall control.

 

No Warrant may be exercised prior to the date of the Warrant Agreement or after the Expiration Date.

 

After 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the Expiration Date, the Warrants will become wholly void and of no value.

 

REFERENCE IS HEREBY MADE TO THE FURTHER PROVISIONS OF THIS WARRANT CERTIFICATE SET FORTH ON THE REVERSE HEREOF.  SUCH FURTHER PROVISIONS SHALL FOR ALL PURPOSES HAVE THE SAME EFFECT AS THOUGH FULLY SET FORTH AT THIS PLACE.

 

A-1-2

 

This Warrant Certificate shall not be valid unless countersigned by the Warrant Agent.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Warrant Certificate to be executed by its duly authorized officer.

 

	
Dated:
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
HALCÓN RESOURCES CORPORATION
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
By:
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Name: 
    	
 
    
	
Title: 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
By:
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Name: 
    	
 
    
	
Title: 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
U.S. Bank National Association
    	
 
    
	
as Warrant Agent
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
By:
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Name:
    	
 
    
	
Title:
    	
 
    
				

 

A-1-3

 

FORM OF REVERSE OF GLOBAL WARRANT CERTIFICATE
 HALCÓN RESOURCES CORPORATION

 

The Warrants evidenced by this Warrant Certificate is a part of a duly authorized issue of Warrants to purchase shares of Common Stock issued pursuant to that certain Warrant Agreement, dated as of the Effective Date of the Plan (the “Warrant Agreement”), duly executed and delivered by the Company and U.S. Bank National Association, as Warrant Agent (the “Warrant Agent”).  The Warrant Agreement hereby is incorporated by reference in and made a part of this instrument and is hereby referred to for a description of the rights, limitation of rights, obligations, duties and immunities thereunder of the Warrant Agent, the Company and the holders (the words “holders” or “holder” meaning the registered holders or registered holder) of the Warrants.  A copy of the Warrant Agreement may be inspected at the Warrant Agent’s office and is available upon written request addressed to the Company.  All capitalized terms used on the face of this Warrant Certificate but not defined herein and are defined in the Warrant Agreement shall have the meanings assigned to them therein.

 

Warrants may be exercised to purchase Warrant Shares from the Company from the date of the Warrant Agreement through 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the Expiration Date, at the Exercise Price set forth on the face hereof, subject to adjustment as described in the Warrant Agreement.  Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein and in the Warrant Agreement, the holder of the Warrants evidenced by this Warrant Certificate may exercise such Warrants by:

 

(i) providing written notice of such election (“Warrant Exercise Notice”) to exercise the Warrants to the Company and the Warrant Agent at the addresses set forth in the Warrant Agreement, by hand or by facsimile, no later than 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the Expiration Date, which Warrant Exercise Notice shall substantially be in the form of an election to purchase shares of Common Stock set forth herein, properly completed and executed by the holder; (ii) delivering no later than 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the Business Day immediately prior to the Settlement Date, the Warrant Certificate evidencing such Warrants to the Warrant Agent; and (iii) paying the Exercise Price, together with any applicable taxes and governmental charges.

 

In lieu of paying the Exercise Price as set forth in the preceding paragraph, subject to the provisions of the Warrant Agreement, the Warrants shall entitle the holder thereof, at the election of such holder, to exercise the Warrants by authorizing the Company to withhold from issuance a number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrants which when multiplied by the Market Price of the Common Stock is equal to the aggregate Exercise Price for the number of Shares for which the Warrants are being exercised (assuming the Exercise Price for all such Shares was being paid in cash), and such withheld shares shall no longer be issuable under the Warrants.

 

In the event that upon any exercise of the Warrants evidenced hereby the number of shares of Common Stock actually purchased shall be less than the total number of shares of Common Stock purchasable upon exercise of the Warrants evidenced hereby, there shall be issued to the holder hereof, or such holder’s assignee, a new Warrant Certificate evidencing Warrants to purchase the shares of Common Stock not so purchased.  No adjustment shall be made for any cash dividends on any shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of Warrants.  After 5:00 p.m., New York City time on the Expiration Date, unexercised Warrants shall become wholly void and of no value.

 

The Company shall not be required to issue fractional shares of Common Stock or any certificates that evidence fractional Shares.

 

Warrant Certificates, when surrendered by book-entry delivery through the facilities of the Depository, may be exchanged, in the manner and subject to the limitations provided in the Warrant Agreement, but

 

A-1-4

 

without payment of any service charge, for another Warrant Certificate or Warrant Certificates of like tenor evidencing Warrants to purchase in the aggregate a like number of shares of Common Stock.

 

No Warrants may be sold, exchanged or otherwise transferred in violation of the Securities Act or state securities laws.

 

The Company and Warrant Agent may deem and treat the registered holder hereof as the absolute owner of this Warrant Certificate (notwithstanding any notation of ownership or other writing hereon made by anyone) for the purpose of any exercise hereof and for all other purposes, and neither the Company nor the Warrant Agent shall be affected by any notice to the contrary.

 

[Balance of page intentionally remains blank]

 

A-1-5

 

[TO BE ATTACHED TO GLOBAL WARRANT CERTIFICATE]

 

SCHEDULE OF INCREASES OR DECREASES IN GLOBAL WARRANT CERTIFICATE

 

The following increases or decreases in this Global Warrant have been made:

 

	
Date
    	
 
    	
Amount of
   decrease in the
   number of shares
   issuable upon
   exercise of the
   Warrants
   represented by this
   Global Warrant
    	
 
    	
Amount of
   increase in number
   of shares issuable
   upon exercise of
   the Warrants
   represented by this
   Global Warrant
    	
 
    	
Number of shares
   issuable upon
   exercise of the
   Warrants
   represented by this
   Global Security
   following such
   decrease or
   increase
    	
 
    	
Signature of
   authorized officer
   of the Depositary
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    

 

A-1-6

 

FORM OF ELECTION TO EXERCISE WARRANT FOR 
 WARRANT HOLDERS HOLDING WARRANTS 
 THROUGH THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY

 

TO BE COMPLETED BY DIRECT PARTICIPANT 
 IN THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY

 

HALCÓN RESOURCES CORPORATION

 

Warrants to Purchase                          Shares of Common Stock

 

(TO BE EXECUTED UPON EXERCISE OF THE WARRANT)

 

The undersigned hereby irrevocably elects to exercise the right, represented by Warrants to purchase shares of Common Stock of Halcón Resources Corporation (the “Company”) held for its benefit through the book-entry facilities of The Depository Trust Company (the “Depository”), to purchase                    newly issued shares of Common Stock of the Company at the Exercise Price of $                     per share.

 

The undersigned represents, warrants and promises that it has the full power and authority to exercise and deliver the Warrants exercised hereby.  The undersigned represents, warrants and promises that it has delivered or will deliver in payment for such shares $                       by certified or official bank or bank cashier’s check payable to the order of the Company, or by wire transfer in immediately available funds of the aggregate Exercise Price to an account of the Warrant Agent specified in writing by the Warrant Agent for such purpose or through a cashless exercise (as described below), no later than 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the Business Day immediately prior to the Settlement Date.

 

Please check if the undersigned, in lieu of paying the Exercise Price as set forth in the preceding paragraph, elects to exercise Warrants by authorizing the Company to withhold from issuance a number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrants which when multiplied by the Market Price of the Common Stock is equal to the aggregate Exercise Price for the number of Shares for which the Warrants are being exercised (assuming the Exercise Price for all such Shares was being paid in cash), and such withheld shares of Common Stock shall no longer be issuable under the Warrants.

 

The undersigned requests that the shares of Common Stock purchased hereby be in registered form in the authorized denominations, registered in such names and delivered, all as specified in accordance with the instructions set forth below, provided that if the shares of Common Stock are evidenced by global securities, the shares of Common Stock shall be registered in the name of the Depository or its nominee.

 

Dated:

 

NOTE: THIS EXERCISE NOTICE MUST BE DELIVERED TO THE WARRANT AGENT, PRIOR TO 5:00 P.M., NEW YORK CITY TIME, ON THE EXPIRATION DATE.  THE WARRANT AGENT SHALL NOTIFY YOU (THROUGH THE CLEARING SYSTEM) OF (1) THE WARRANT AGENT’S ACCOUNT AT THE DEPOSITORY TO WHICH YOU MUST DELIVER YOUR WARRANTS ON THE EXERCISE DATE AND (2) THE ADDRESS, PHONE NUMBER AND FACSIMILE NUMBER WHERE YOU CAN CONTACT THE WARRANT AGENT AND TO WHICH WARRANT EXERCISE NOTICES ARE TO BE SUBMITTED.

 

	
NAME OF DIRECT PARTICIPANT IN THE   DEPOSITORY:
    	
 
    	
 
    

 

(PLEASE PRINT)

 

A-1-7

 

ADDRESS:

 

CONTACT NAME:

 

ADDRESS:

 

TELEPHONE (INCLUDING INTERNATIONAL CODE):

 

FAX (INCLUDING INTERNATIONAL CODE):

 

SOCIAL SECURITY OR OTHER TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER (IF APPLICABLE):

 

ACCOUNT FROM WHICH WARRANTS ARE BEING DELIVERED:

 

DEPOSITORY ACCOUNT NO.”

 

WARRANT EXERCISE NOTICES WILL ONLY BE VALID IF DELIVERED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INSTRUCTIONS SET FORTH IN THIS NOTIFICATION (OR AS OTHERWISE DIRECTED), MARKED TO THE ATTENTION OF “WARRANT EXERCISE”.  WARRANT HOLDER DELIVERING WARRANTS, IF OTHER THAN THE DIRECT DTC PARTICIPANT DELIVERING THIS WARRANT EXERCISE NOTICE:

 

NAME:

 

(PLEASE PRINT)

 

CONTACT NAME:

 

TELEPHONE (INCLUDING INTERNATIONAL CODE):

 

FAX (INCLUDING INTERNATIONAL CODE):

 

SOCIAL SECURITY OR OTHER TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER (IF APPLICABLE):

 

ACCOUNT TO WHICH THE SHARES OF COMMON STOCK ARE TO BE CREDITED:

 

DEPOSITORY ACCOUNT

 

NO.:

 

FILL IN FOR DELIVERY OF THE COMMON STOCK, IF OTHER THAN TO THE PERSON DELIVERING THIS WARRANT EXERCISE NOTICE:

 

NAME:

 

(PLEASE PRINT)

 

ADDRESS:

 

CONTACT

 

A-1-8

 

NAME:

 

TELEPHONE (INCLUDING INTERNATIONAL CODE):

 

FAX (INCLUDING INTERNATIONAL CODE):

 

SOCIAL SECURITY OR OTHER TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER (IF APPLICABLE):

 

 

NUMBER OF SHARES OF COMMON STOCK FOR WHICH WARRANT IS BEING EXERCISED

 

(ONLY ONE EXERCISE PER WARRANT EXERCISE NOTICE):

 

	
Signature:
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
Name:
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
Capacity in which
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
Signing:
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
Signature Guaranteed
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
BY:
    	
 
    	
 
    
						

 

Signatures must be guaranteed by a participant in a Medallion Signature Guarantee Program at a guarantee level acceptable to the Company’s transfer agent.

 

A-1-9

 

EXHIBIT A-2

 

FORM OF FACE OF INDIVIDUAL WARRANT CERTIFICATE

 

VOID AFTER 5:00 P.M., New York City Time, September 9, 2020

 

This Individual Warrant Certificate may not be sold, exchanged or otherwise transferred in violation of the Securities Act or state securities laws, or otherwise in a manner that is prohibited by Section 6 of the Warrant Agreement.

 

To the extent that any provision hereof conflicts with any provision of the Warrant Agreement, the provision in the Warrant Agreement shall control.

 

A-2-1

 

WARRANTS TO PURCHASE

 

SHARES OF COMMON STOCK

 

HALCÓN RESOURCES CORPORATION

 

INDIVIDUAL WARRANT TO PURCHASE COMMON STOCK

 

VOID AFTER 5:00 P.M., New York City Time, September 9, 2020

 

This Individual Warrant Certificate (“Warrant Certificate”) certifies that                         , or its registered assigns is the registered holder of Warrants (the “Warrants”) of Halcón Resources Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), to purchase the number of shares (the “Shares”) of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Common Stock”), of the Company set forth above.  The Warrants expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the date that is the four year anniversary of the Effective Date (such date, the “Expiration Date”), and each Warrant entitles the holder to purchase from the Company one fully paid and non-assessable Share at the exercise price (the “Exercise Price”), payable to the Company either by certified or official bank or bank cashier’s check payable to the order of the Company, or by wire transfer in immediately available funds of the aggregate Exercise Price to an account of the Warrant Agent specified in writing by the Warrant Agent for such purpose, no later than 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the business day immediately prior to the settlement date, which settlement date is three Business Days after a Warrant Exercise Notice is delivered (the “Settlement Date”).  The initial Exercise Price shall be $14.04.

 

In lieu of paying the Exercise Price as set forth in the preceding paragraph, subject to the provisions of the Warrant Agreement (as defined on the reverse hereof), the Warrants shall entitle the holder thereof, at the election of such holder, to exercise the Warrants by authorizing the Company to withhold from issuance a number of Shares issuable upon exercise of the Warrants which when multiplied by the Market Price of the Common Stock is equal to the aggregate Exercise Price for the number of Shares for which the Warrants are being exercised (assuming the Exercise Price for all such Shares was being paid in cash), and such withheld Shares shall no longer be issuable under the Warrants.

 

The Exercise Price and the number of Shares purchasable upon exercise of the Warrants are subject to adjustment upon the occurrence of certain events as set forth in the Warrant Agreement.

 

To the extent that any provision hereof conflicts with any provision of the Warrant Agreement, the provision in the Warrant Agreement shall control.

 

No Warrant may be exercised prior to the date of the Warrant Agreement or after the Expiration Date.

 

After 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the Expiration Date, the Warrants will become wholly void and of no value.

 

REFERENCE IS HEREBY MADE TO THE FURTHER PROVISIONS OF THIS WARRANT CERTIFICATE SET FORTH ON THE REVERSE HEREOF.  SUCH FURTHER PROVISIONS SHALL FOR ALL PURPOSES HAVE THE SAME EFFECT AS THOUGH FULLY SET FORTH AT THIS PLACE.

 

This Warrant Certificate shall not be valid unless countersigned by the Warrant Agent.

 

A-2-2

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Warrant Certificate to be executed by its duly authorized officer.

 

	
Dated:
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
HALCÓN RESOURCES CORPORATION
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
By:
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Name: 
    	
 
    
	
Title: 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
By:
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Name: 
    	
 
    
	
Title: 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
U.S. Bank National Association
    	
 
    
	
as Warrant Agent
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
By:
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Name:
    	
 
    
	
Title:
    	
 
    
				

 

A-2-3

 

FORM OF REVERSE OF INDIVIDUAL WARRANT CERTIFICATE
 HALCÓN RESOURCES CORPORATION

 

The Warrants evidenced by this Warrant Certificate is a part of a duly authorized issue of Warrants to purchase shares of Common Stock issued pursuant to that certain Warrant Agreement, dated as of the Effective Date of the Plan (the “Warrant Agreement”), duly executed and delivered by the Company and U.S. Bank National Association, as Warrant Agent (the “Warrant Agent”).  The Warrant Agreement hereby is incorporated by reference in and made a part of this instrument and is hereby referred to for a description of the rights, limitation of rights, obligations, duties and immunities thereunder of the Warrant Agent, the Company and the holders (the words “holders” or “holder” meaning the registered holders or registered holder) of the Warrants.  A copy of the Warrant Agreement may be inspected at the Warrant Agent’s office and is available upon written request addressed to the Company.  All capitalized terms used on the face of this Warrant Certificate but not defined herein and are defined in the Warrant Agreement shall have the meanings assigned to them therein.

 

Warrants may be exercised to purchase Warrant Shares from the Company from the date of the Warrant Agreement through 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the Expiration Date, at the Exercise Price set forth on the face hereof, subject to adjustment as described in the Warrant Agreement.  Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein and in the Warrant Agreement, the holder of the Warrants evidenced by this Warrant Certificate may exercise such Warrants by:

 

(i) providing written notice of such election (“Warrant Exercise Notice”) to exercise the Warrants to the Company and the Warrant Agent at the addresses set forth in the Warrant Agreement, by hand or by facsimile, no later than 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the Expiration Date, which Warrant Exercise Notice shall substantially be in the form of an election to purchase shares of Common Stock set forth herein, properly completed and executed by the holder; (ii) delivering no later than 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the Business Day immediately prior to the Settlement Date, the Warrant Certificate evidencing such Warrants to the Warrant Agent; and (iii) paying the Exercise Price, together with any applicable taxes and governmental charges.

 

In lieu of paying the Exercise Price as set forth in the preceding paragraph, subject to the provisions of the Warrant Agreement, the Warrants shall entitle the holder thereof, at the election of such holder, to exercise the Warrants by authorizing the Company to withhold from issuance a number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrants which when multiplied by the Market Price of the Common Stock is equal to the aggregate Exercise Price for the number of Shares for which the Warrants are being exercised (assuming the Exercise Price for all such Shares was being paid in cash), and such withheld shares shall no longer be issuable under the Warrants.

 

In the event that upon any exercise of the Warrants evidenced hereby the number of shares of Common Stock actually purchased shall be less than the total number of shares of Common Stock purchasable upon exercise of the Warrants evidenced hereby, there shall be issued to the holder hereof, or such holder’s assignee, a new Warrant Certificate evidencing Warrants to purchase the shares of Common Stock not so purchased.  No adjustment shall be made for any cash dividends on any shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of Warrants.  After 5:00 p.m., New York City time on the Expiration Date, unexercised Warrants shall become wholly void and of no value.

 

The Company shall not be required to issue fractional shares of Common Stock or any certificates that evidence fractional Shares.

 

Warrant Certificates, when surrendered by book-entry delivery through the facilities of the Depository, may be exchanged, in the manner and subject to the limitations provided in the Warrant Agreement, but

 

A-2-4

 

without payment of any service charge, for another Warrant Certificate or Warrant Certificates of like tenor evidencing Warrants to purchase in the aggregate a like number of shares of Common Stock.

 

No Warrants may be sold, exchanged or otherwise transferred in violation of the Securities Act or state securities laws.

 

The Company and Warrant Agent may deem and treat the registered holder hereof as the absolute owner of this Warrant Certificate (notwithstanding any notation of ownership or other writing hereon made by anyone) for the purpose of any exercise hereof and for all other purposes, and neither the Company nor the Warrant Agent shall be affected by any notice to the contrary.

 

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A-2-5

 

FORM OF ELECTION TO EXERCISE WARRANT FOR 
 WARRANT HOLDERS HOLDING INDIVIDUAL WARRANT CERTIFICATES

 

TO BE COMPLETED BY REGISTERD HOLDER

 

HALCÓN RESOURCES CORPORATION

 

Warrants to Purchase                          Shares of Common Stock

 

(TO BE EXECUTED UPON EXERCISE OF THE WARRANT)

 

The undersigned hereby irrevocably elects to exercise the right, represented by Warrants to purchase shares of Common Stock of Halcón Resources Corporation (the “Company”), to purchase                  newly issued shares of Common Stock of the Company at the Exercise Price of $                     per share.

 

The undersigned represents, warrants and promises that it has the full power and authority to exercise and deliver the Warrants exercised hereby.  The undersigned represents, warrants and promises that it has delivered or will deliver in payment for such shares $                         by certified or official bank or bank cashier’s check payable to the order of the Company, or by wire transfer in immediately available funds of the aggregate Exercise Price to an account of the Warrant Agent specified in writing by the Warrant Agent for such purpose or through a cashless exercise (as described below), no later than 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the Business Day immediately prior to the Settlement Date.

 

Please check if the undersigned, in lieu of paying the Exercise Price as set forth in the preceding paragraph, elects to exercise Warrants by authorizing the Company to withhold from issuance a number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrants which when multiplied by the Market Price of the Common Stock is equal to the aggregate Exercise Price for the number of Shares for which the Warrants are being exercised (assuming the Exercise Price for all such Shares was being paid in cash), and such withheld shares of Common Stock shall no longer be issuable under the Warrants.

 

The undersigned requests that the shares of Common Stock purchased hereby be in registered form in the authorized denominations, registered in such names and delivered, all as specified in accordance with the instructions set forth below, provided that if the shares of Common Stock are evidenced by global securities, the shares of Common Stock shall be registered in the name of the Depository or its nominee.

 

Dated:

 

NOTE: THIS EXERCISE NOTICE MUST BE DELIVERED TO THE WARRANT AGENT, PRIOR TO 5:00 P.M., NEW YORK CITY TIME, ON THE EXPIRATION DATE.  THE WARRANT AGENT SHALL NOTIFY YOU OF THE ADDRESS, PHONE NUMBER AND FACSIMILE NUMBER WHERE YOU CAN CONTACT THE WARRANT AGENT AND TO WHICH WARRANT EXERCISE NOTICES ARE TO BE SUBMITTED.

 

NAME OF REGISTERED HOLDER:

 

(PLEASE PRINT)

 

ADDRESS:

 

DELIVERY ADDRESS (IF DIFFERENT):

 

A-2-6

 

TELEPHONE (INCLUDING INTERNATIONAL CODE):

 

FAX (INCLUDING INTERNATIONAL CODE):

 

SOCIAL SECURITY OR OTHER TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER:

 

NUMBER OF SHARES OF COMMON STOCK FOR WHICH WARRANT IS BEING EXERCISED

 

(ONLY ONE EXERCISE PER WARRANT EXERCISE NOTICE):

 

	
Signature:
    	
 
    	
 
    

 

Note: If the Warrant Shares are to be registered in a name other than that in which the Individual Warrants are registered, the signature of the holder hereof must be guaranteed.

 

Signature Guaranteed

 

	
BY:
    	
 
    	
 
    

 

Signatures must be guaranteed by a participant in a Medallion Signature Guarantee Program at a guarantee level acceptable to the Company’s transfer agent.

 

A-2-7

 

EXHIBIT B-1

 

FORM OF ASSIGNMENT

 

(TO BE EXECUTED BY THE REGISTERED HOLDER 
 IF SUCH HOLDER DESIRES TO TRANSFER A WARRANT)

 

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned registered holder hereby sells, assigns and transfers unto

 

 

Name of Assignee

 

                                                                                                                                                                                                     Address of Assignee

 

Warrants to purchase                  shares of Common Stock held by the undersigned, together with all right, title and interest therein, and does irrevocably constitute and appoint attorney, to transfer such Warrants on the books of the Warrant Agent, with full power of substitution.

 

 

Dated Signature

 

	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
Social Security or Other Taxpayer
    	
 
    

 

Identification Number of Assignee

 

SIGNATURE GUARANTEED BY:

 

	
 
    	
 
    

 

Signatures must be guaranteed by a participant in a Medallion Signature Guarantee Program at a guarantee level acceptable to the Company’s transfer agent.

 

B-1-1

 

EXHIBIT B-2

 

FORM OF ASSIGNMENT

 

(TO BE EXECUTED BY THE REGISTERED HOLDER 
 IF SUCH HOLDER DESIRES TO TRANSFER A WARRANT)

 

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned registered holder hereby sells, assigns and transfers unto

 

 

Name of Assignee

 

                                                                                                                                                                                                     Address of Assignee

 

Warrants to purchase                  shares of Common Stock held by the undersigned, together with all right, title and interest therein, and does irrevocably constitute and appoint attorney, to transfer such Warrants on the books of the Warrant Agent, with full power of substitution.

 

 

Dated Signature

 

	
 
    	
 
    

 

Social Security or Other Taxpayer

 

Identification Number of Assignee

 

SIGNATURE GUARANTEED BY:

 

	
 
    	
 
    

 

Signatures must be guaranteed by a participant in a Medallion Signature Guarantee Program at a guarantee level acceptable to the Company’s transfer agent.

 

B-2-1Exhibit 10.4

 

HALCÓN RESOURCES CORPORATION
 2016 LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN

 

ARTICLE I
 PURPOSE

 

SECTION 1.1.                                     Establishment. Halcón Resources Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), has established this Halcón Resources Corporation 2016 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “Plan”), effective as of September 9, 2016 (the “Effective Date”). Unless terminated earlier by the Board pursuant to Section 13.1, the Plan shall terminate as to the granting of new Awards on the day prior to the tenth anniversary of the Effective Date. The Plan shall continue in effect as long as Awards remain outstanding under the Plan and until all matters relating to the administration of the Plan have been settled.

 

SECTION 1.2.                                     Purpose. The purposes of the Plan are to create incentives which are designed to motivate Participants to put forth maximum effort toward the success and growth of the Company and to enable the Company and its Affiliated Entities and Subsidiaries to attract and retain experienced individuals who by their position, ability and diligence are able to make important contributions to the Company’s success, and thereby to enhance shareholder value. Toward these objectives, the Plan provides for the grant of Options, Restricted Stock Awards, Restricted Stock Units, SARs, Performance Units, Performance Bonuses, Stock Awards and Other Incentive Awards to Eligible Employees and the grant of Nonqualified Stock Options, Restricted Stock Awards, Restricted Stock Units, SARs, Performance Units, Stock Awards and Other Incentive Awards to Consultants and Eligible Directors, subject to the conditions set forth in the Plan.

 

SECTION 1.3.                                     Shares Subject to the Plan. Subject to the limitations set forth herein, Awards may be made under this Plan for a total of 10,000,000 shares of the Company’s Common Stock. The limitations of this Section 1.3 shall be subject to the adjustment provisions of Article XII.

 

ARTICLE II
 DEFINITIONS

 

SECTION 2.1.                                     “162(m) Requirements” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term on Exhibit A hereto.

 

SECTION 2.2.                                     “Affiliated Entity” means any corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other form of legal entity in which a majority of the partnership or other similar interest thereof is owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by the Company or one or more of its Subsidiaries or Affiliated Entities or a combination thereof. For purposes hereof, the Company, a Subsidiary or an Affiliated Entity shall be deemed to have a majority ownership interest in a partnership or limited liability company if the Company, such Subsidiary or Affiliated Entity shall be allocated a majority of partnership or limited liability company gains or losses or shall be or control a managing director or a general partner of such partnership or limited liability company.

 

SECTION 2.3.                                     “Award” means, individually or collectively, any Option, Restricted Stock Award, Restricted Stock Unit, SAR, Performance Unit, Performance Bonus, Stock Award or Other Incentive Award granted under the Plan to an Eligible Employee by the Committee or any Nonqualified Stock Option, Performance Unit, SAR, Restricted Stock Award, Restricted Stock Unit, Stock Award or Other Incentive Award granted under the Plan to a Consultant or an Eligible Director by the Committee pursuant to such terms, conditions, restrictions, and/or limitations, if any, as the Committee may establish by the Award Agreement or otherwise.

 

 

SECTION 2.4.                                     “Award Agreement” means any written (including electronic) instrument that establishes the terms, conditions, restrictions, and/or limitations applicable to an Award in addition to those established by this Plan and by the Committee’s exercise of its administrative powers.

 

SECTION 2.5.                                     “Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

 

SECTION 2.6.                                     “Cash Dividend Right” means a contingent right, granted in tandem with a specific Restricted Stock Unit Award, to receive an amount in cash equal to the cash distributions made by the Company with respect to a share of Common Stock during the period such Award is outstanding.

 

SECTION 2.7.                                     “Change of Control Event” means each of the following:

 

(a)                                 Any transaction in which shares of voting securities of the Company representing more than 50% of the total combined voting power of all outstanding voting securities of the Company are issued by the Company, or sold or transferred by the shareholders of the Company as a result of which those persons and entities who beneficially owned voting securities of the Company representing more than 50% of the total combined voting power of all outstanding voting securities of the Company immediately prior to such transaction cease to beneficially own voting securities of the Company representing more than 50% of the total combined voting power of all outstanding voting securities of the Company immediately after such transaction;

 

(b)                                 The merger or consolidation of the Company with or into another entity as a result of which those persons and entities who beneficially owned voting securities of the Company representing more than 50% of the total combined voting power of all outstanding voting securities of the Company immediately prior to such merger or consolidation cease to beneficially own voting securities of the Company representing more than 50% of the total combined voting power of all outstanding voting securities of the surviving corporation or resulting entity immediately after such merger of consolidation; or

 

(c)                                  The sale of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets to an entity of which those persons and entities who beneficially owned voting securities of the Company representing more than 50% of the total combined voting power of all outstanding voting securities of the Company immediately prior to such asset sale do not beneficially own voting securities of the purchasing entity representing more than 50% of the total combined voting power of all outstanding voting securities of the purchasing entity immediately after such asset sale.

 

SECTION 2.8.                                     “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. References in the Plan to any section of the Code shall be deemed to include any amendments or successor provisions to such section and any regulations under such section.

 

SECTION 2.9.                                     “Committee” means (i) a committee, comprised of no fewer than two members of the Board, appointed by the Board by resolution to administer the Plan as provided in Section 3.1, or (ii) if no such committee has been appointed, the Board.

 

SECTION 2.10.                              “Common Stock” means the common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Company, and after substitution, such other stock as shall be substituted therefore as provided in Article XII.

 

SECTION 2.11.                              “Consultant” means any person, other than a member of the Board, who is engaged by the Company, a Subsidiary or an Affiliated Entity to render consulting or advisory services.

 

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SECTION 2.12.                              “Date of Grant” means the date on which the grant of an Award is authorized by the Committee or such later date as may be specified by the Committee.

 

SECTION 2.13.                              “Disability” means the Participant is unable to continue employment by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months. For purposes of this Plan, the determination of Disability shall be made in the sole and absolute discretion of the Committee.

 

SECTION 2.14.                              “Dividend Unit Right” means a contingent right, granted in tandem with a specific Restricted Stock Unit Award, to have an additional number of Restricted Stock Units credited to a Participant in respect of the Award equal to the number of shares of Common Stock that could be purchased at Fair Market Value with the amount of each cash distribution made by the Company with respect to a share of Common Stock during the period such Award is outstanding.

 

SECTION 2.15.                              “Eligible Employee” means any employee of the Company, a Subsidiary, or an Affiliated Entity as approved by the Committee.

 

SECTION 2.16.                              “Eligible Director” means any member of the Board who is not an employee of the Company, a Subsidiary or an Affiliated Entity or a Consultant.

 

SECTION 2.17.                              “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

SECTION 2.18.                              “Fair Market Value” means (a) during such time as the Common Stock is both registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act and listed upon an established stock exchange or automated quotation system, the closing sales price of the Common Stock (or the closing bid, if no sales were reported) as quoted by an established stock exchange or automated quotation system on the day for which such value is to be determined, or, if there was no quoted price for such day, then for the last preceding business day on which there was a quoted price as reported in The Wall Street Journal or such other sources as the Committee deems reliable, or (b) during any such time as the Common Stock cannot be valued pursuant to (a) above, (i) with respect to Incentive Stock Options, the fair market value of the Common Stock as determined in good faith by the Committee within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code or (ii) the fair market value of the Common Stock as determined in good faith by the Committee using a “reasonable application of a reasonable valuation method” within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(5)(iv)(B) or other applicable valuation rules under the Code or other applicable law.

 

SECTION 2.19.                              “Incentive Stock Option” means an Option that is intended to be an “incentive stock option” within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code.

 

SECTION 2.20.                              “Nonqualified Stock Option” means an Option which is not an Incentive Stock Option.

 

SECTION 2.21.                              “Other Incentive Award” means an incentive award granted to an Eligible Employee, Consultant or Eligible Director under Article XI of the Plan.

 

SECTION 2.22.                              “Option” means an Award granted under Article V of the Plan and includes both Nonqualified Stock Options and Incentive Stock Options to purchase shares of Common Stock.

 

SECTION 2.23.                              “Participant” means an Eligible Employee, a Consultant or an Eligible Director to whom an Award has been granted by the Committee under the Plan.

 

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SECTION 2.24.                              “Performance Bonus” means the bonus which may be granted to Eligible Employees under Article X of the Plan.

 

SECTION 2.25.                              “Performance Units” means those monetary units and/or units representing notional shares of Common Stock that may be granted to Eligible Employees, Consultants or Eligible Directors pursuant to Article IX hereof.

 

SECTION 2.26.                              “Plan” means the Halcón Resources Corporation 2016 Long-Term Incentive Plan.

 

SECTION 2.27.                              “Restriction Period” means the period during which an Award remains subject to time- and/or performance-based restrictions.

 

SECTION 2.28.                              “Restricted Stock Award” means an Award granted to an Eligible Employee, Consultant or Eligible Director under Article VI of the Plan.

 

SECTION 2.29.                              “Restricted Stock Unit” means an Award granted to an Eligible Employee, Consultant or Eligible Director under Article VII of the Plan.

 

SECTION 2.30.                              “Retirement” means the termination of an Eligible Employee’s employment with the Company, a Subsidiary or an Affiliated Entity on or after attaining age 62.

 

SECTION 2.31.                              “SAR” means a stock appreciation right granted to an Eligible Employee, Consultant or Eligible Director under Article VIII of the Plan.

 

SECTION 2.32.                              “Stock Award” means an Award granted to an Eligible Employee, Consultant or Eligible Director under Article XI of the Plan.

 

SECTION 2.33.                              “Subsidiary” means a “subsidiary corporation” of the Company, as defined in Section 424(f) of the Code.

 

ARTICLE III
 ADMINISTRATION

 

SECTION 3.1.                                     Administration of the Plan. The Board shall administer the Plan. The Board may, by resolution, appoint a Committee to administer the Plan and delegate its powers described under this Section 3.1 for purposes of Awards granted to Eligible Employees and Consultants. If determined to be necessary by the Board, each Committee member shall satisfy the requirements for (i) an “independent director” under rules adopted by the New York Stock Exchange or other principal exchange on which the Common Stock is then listed, (ii) a “nonemployee director” within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act and (iii) an “outside director” under Section 162(m) of the Code. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the mere fact that a Committee member shall fail to qualify under any of the foregoing requirements shall not invalidate any Award made by the Committee that is otherwise validly made under the Plan. Neither the Company nor any member of the Committee shall be liable for any action or determination made in good faith by the Committee with respect to the Plan or any Award thereunder. The acts of the Committee shall be either (i) acts of a majority of the members of the Committee present at any meeting at which a quorum is present or (ii) acts approved by all of the members of the Committee without a meeting. A majority of the Committee shall constitute a quorum. The Committee’s determinations under the Plan need not be uniform and may be made selectively among Participants, whether or not such Participants are similarly situated. Each member of the Committee is entitled to, in good faith, rely or act upon any report or other information furnished to that member by any Eligible

 

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Employee of the Company, the Company’s independent certified public accountants or any executive compensation consultant or other professional retained by the Company or the Committee to assist in the administration of the Plan. The Company shall effect the granting of Awards under the Plan, in accordance with the determinations made by the Committee, by execution of written agreements and/or other instruments in such form as is approved by the Committee. Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Committee shall have exclusive power to:

 

(a)                                 Select Eligible Employees and Consultants to participate in the Plan.

 

(b)                                 Determine the time or times when Awards will be made to Eligible Employees or Consultants.

 

(c)                                  Determine the form of an Award, whether an Incentive Stock Option, Nonqualified Stock Option, Restricted Stock Award, Restricted Stock Unit, SAR, Performance Unit, Performance Bonus, Stock Award or Other Incentive Award, the number of shares of Common Stock, Performance Units or Restricted Stock Units subject to the Award, the amount and all the terms, conditions (including performance requirements), restrictions and/or limitations, if any, of an Award, including the time and conditions of exercise or vesting, and the terms of any Award Agreement, which may include the waiver or amendment of prior terms and conditions or acceleration or early vesting or payment of an Award.

 

(d)                                 Determine whether Awards will be granted singly or in combination.

 

(e)                                  Adopt rules for the administration, interpretation and application of the Plan as are consistent therewith, and interpret, amend or revoke any such rules.

 

(f)                                   Correct any defect(s) or omission(s) or reconcile any ambiguity(ies) or inconsistency(ies) in the Plan or any Award granted thereunder.

 

(g)                                  Make all other decisions and determinations it deems advisable for the administration of the Plan.

 

(h)                                 Decide all disputes arising in connection with the Plan and otherwise supervise the administration of the Plan.

 

(i)                                     Take any and all other action it deems necessary or advisable for the proper operation or administration of the Plan.

 

SECTION 3.2.                                     Administration of Grants to Eligible Directors. The Board shall have the exclusive power to select Eligible Directors to participate in the Plan and to determine the number of Nonqualified Stock Options, Performance Units, Restricted Stock Units, SARs, Stock Awards, Other Incentive Awards or the number of shares of Common Stock subject to a Restricted Stock Award awarded to Eligible Directors selected for participation. If the Board appoints a separate committee to administer the Plan, it may delegate to such committee administration of all other aspects of the Awards made to Eligible Directors.

 

SECTION 3.3.                                     Committee to Make Rules and Interpret Plan. The Committee in its sole discretion shall have the authority, subject to the provisions of the Plan, to establish, adopt, or revise such rules and regulations and to make all such determinations relating to the Plan, as it may deem necessary or advisable for the administration of the Plan. The Committee’s interpretation of the Plan or any Awards

 

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and all decisions and determinations by the Committee with respect to the Plan shall be final, binding, and conclusive on all parties.

 

SECTION 3.4.                                     Delegation by Committee. Except to the extent prohibited by applicable law or the rules of any stock exchange on which the Common Stock is listed, the Committee may allocate all or any portion of its responsibilities and powers to any one or more of its members and may delegate all or any part of its responsibilities and powers to any person or persons selected by it. Any such allocation or delegation may be revoked by the Committee at any time.

 

SECTION 3.5.                                     Section 162(m) Provisions. In the event that the Committee determines that it is appropriate that an Award granted under the Plan qualify for the exemption from Section 162(m) of the Code for “qualified performance-based compensation”, a committee composed of two or more “outside directors” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code shall make determinations as to the grant of the Award, all performance targets applicable thereto, and all other applicable provisions of the Plan as necessary in order for such Award to satisfy the “qualified performance based compensation” requirements of Section 162(m) of the Code

 

ARTICLE IV
 GRANT OF AWARDS

 

SECTION 4.1.                                     Grant of Awards. Awards granted under this Plan shall be subject to the following conditions:

 

(a)                                 Subject to Article XII, (i) the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock made subject to the grant of Options and/or SARs to any Eligible Employee in any calendar year may not exceed 5,000,000, and (ii) the maximum aggregate number of shares that may be issued under the Plan through Incentive Stock Options is 10,000,000.

 

(b)                                 Subject to Article XII, the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock made subject to the grant of Restricted Stock Awards, Restricted Stock Unit Awards, Performance Unit Awards, Performance Bonus Awards, Stock Awards and Other Incentive Awards to any Eligible Employee in any calendar year which are intended to constitute “performance-based compensation” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code may not exceed 10,000,000.

 

(c)                                  The maximum amount made subject to the grant of Performance Bonus Awards to any Eligible Employee in any calendar year may not exceed $5,000,000.

 

(d)                                 Any shares of Common Stock related to Awards which terminate by expiration, forfeiture, cancellation or otherwise without the issuance of shares of Common Stock or are exchanged in the Committee’s discretion for Awards not involving the issuance of shares of Common Stock, shall be available again for grant under the Plan and shall not be counted against the shares authorized under Section 1.3. Any shares of Common Stock issued as Restricted Stock Awards that subsequently are forfeited without vesting shall again be available for grant under the Plan and shall not be counted against the shares authorized under Section 1.3. Any Awards that, pursuant to the terms of the applicable Award Agreement, are to be settled in cash, whether or not denominated in or determined with reference to shares of Common Stock (for example, SARs, Performance Units or Restricted Stock Units to be settled in cash), shall not be counted against the shares authorized under Section 1.3.

 

(e)                                  Common Stock delivered by the Company in payment of an Award authorized under Articles V and VI of the Plan may be authorized and unissued Common Stock or Common

 

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Stock held in the treasury of the Company, but, for avoidance of doubt, shall not be available again for grant under the Plan.

 

(f)                                   The Committee shall, in its sole discretion, determine the manner in which fractional shares arising under this Plan shall be treated.

 

(g)                                  Separate certificates or a book-entry registration representing Common Stock shall be delivered to a Participant upon the exercise of any Option.

 

(h)                                 Except for adjustments pursuant to Article XII or reductions of the Exercise Price approved by the Company’s stockholders, the Exercise Price for any outstanding Option or SAR may not be decreased after the date of grant nor may an outstanding Option or SAR granted under the Plan be surrendered to the Company as consideration for the grant of a replacement Option or SAR with a lower exercise price or any other award under the Plan. Except as approved by the Company’s shareholders, in no event shall any Option or SAR granted under the Plan be surrendered to the Company in consideration for a cash payment if, at the time of such surrender, the Exercise Price of the Option or SAR is greater than the then current Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock.

 

(i)                                     Eligible Directors and Consultants may only be granted Nonqualified Stock Options, Restricted Stock Awards, Restricted Stock Units, SARs, Performance Units, Stock Awards or Other Incentive Awards under this Plan.

 

(j)                                    The maximum term of any Award shall be ten years.

 

(k)                                 If an Award is denominated in Common Stock but an equivalent amount of cash is delivered in lieu of delivery of shares of Common Stock, any limitations in this Section 4.1 shall be applied based on the methodology used by the Committee to convert the number of shares of Common Stock into cash. If an Award is denominated in cash but an equivalent number of shares of Common Stock are delivered in lieu of delivery of cash, any limitations in this Section 4.1 shall be applied based on the methodology used by the Committee to convert the cash to shares of Common Stock.

 

ARTICLE V
 STOCK OPTIONS

 

SECTION 5.1.                                     Grant of Options. The Committee may, from time to time, subject to the provisions of the Plan and such other terms and conditions as it may determine, grant Options to Eligible Employees. These Options may be Incentive Stock Options or Nonqualified Stock Options, or a combination of both. The Committee may, subject to the provisions of the Plan and such other terms and conditions as it may determine, grant Nonqualified Stock Options to Eligible Directors and Consultants. Each grant of an Option shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement executed by the Company and the Participant, and shall contain such terms and conditions and be in such form as the Committee may from time to time approve, subject to the requirements of Section 5.2. An Option will be deemed to be a Nonqualified Stock Option unless it is specifically designated by the Committee as an Incentive Stock Option. Any Stock Option that is intended to constitute an Incentive Stock Option shall satisfy any other requirements of Code Section 422 and, to the extent such Option does not satisfy such requirements, the Option shall be treated as a Nonqualified Stock Option. The Shares subject to any Option granted to a Participant under the Plan shall qualify as “service recipient stock” with respect to such Participant for purposes of Section 409A of the Code.

 

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SECTION 5.2.                                     Conditions of Options. Each Option so granted shall be subject to the following conditions:

 

(a)                                 Exercise Price. As limited by Section 5.2(e) below, each Option shall state the exercise price, which shall be set by the Committee at the Date of Grant; provided, however, no Option shall be granted at an exercise price which is less than the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock on the Date of Grant unless the Option is granted through the assumption of, or in substitution for, outstanding awards previously granted to individuals who became Eligible Employees (or other service providers) as a result of a merger, consolidation, acquisition or other corporate transaction involving the Company which complies with Treasury Regulation § 1.409A-1(b)(5)(v)(D).

 

(b)                                 Form of Payment. The exercise price of an Option may be paid (i) in cash or by check, bank draft or money order payable to the order of the Company; (ii) subject to prior approval by the Committee in its discretion, by delivering previously acquired shares of Common Stock having an aggregate Fair Market Value on the date of payment equal to the amount of the exercise price, but only to the extent such exercise of an Option would not result in an adverse accounting charge to the Company for financial accounting purposes with respect to the shares used to pay the exercise price unless otherwise determined by the Committee; (iii) subject to prior approval by the Committee in its discretion, by withholding shares of Common Stock which otherwise would be acquired on exercise having an aggregate Fair Market Value on the date of payment equal to the amount of the exercise price; or (iv) subject to prior approval by the Committee in its discretion, by a combination of the foregoing. In addition to the foregoing, the Committee may permit an Option granted under the Plan to be exercised by a broker-dealer acting on behalf of a Participant through procedures approved by the Committee. Such procedures may include a broker either (A) selling all of the shares of Common Stock received when an Option is exercised and paying the Participant the proceeds of the sale (minus the exercise price, withholding taxes and any fees due to the broker) or (B) selling enough of the shares of Common Stock received upon exercise of the Option to cover the exercise price, withholding taxes and any fees due to the broker and delivering to the Participant (either directly or through the Company) a stock certificate for the remaining shares of Common Stock.

 

(c)                                  Exercise of Options.

 

(i)                                     Options granted under the Plan shall be exercisable, in whole or in such installments and at such times, and shall expire at such time, as shall be provided by the Committee in the Award Agreement. Exercise of an Option shall be by written notice to the Senior Vice President, Human Resources of the Company (or such other officer as may be designated by the Committee) in advance of such exercise stating the election to exercise in the form and manner determined by the Committee. Every share of Common Stock acquired through the exercise of an Option shall be deemed to be fully paid at the time of exercise and payment of the exercise price.

 

(ii)                                  Unless otherwise provided in an Award Agreement or determined by the Committee, the following provisions will apply to the exercisability of Options following the termination of a Participant’s employment or service with the Company, a Subsidiary or an Affiliated Entity:

 

(A)                               If an Eligible Employee’s employment with the Company, the Subsidiaries and the Affiliated Entities terminates as a result of death, Disability or Retirement, the Eligible Employee (or personal representative in the case of

 

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death) shall be entitled to purchase all or any part of the shares subject to any (i) vested Incentive Stock Option for a period of up to three months from such date of termination (one year in the case of death or Disability in lieu of the three-month period) and (ii) vested Nonqualified Stock Option during the remaining term of the Option. If an Eligible Employee’s employment terminates for any other reason, except for cause (as determined by the Committee), the Eligible Employee shall be entitled to purchase all or any part of the shares subject to any vested Option for a period of up to three months from such date of termination. In no event shall any Option be exercisable past the term of the Option.

 

(B)                               In the event a Consultant ceases to provide services to the Company, the Subsidiaries and the Affiliated Entities, or an Eligible Director ceases to serve as a director of the Company, the unvested portion of any Option shall be forfeited unless otherwise accelerated pursuant to the terms of the Consultant’s or Eligible Director’s Award Agreement or by the Committee. The Consultant or Eligible Director shall have a period of three years following the date he or she ceases to provide consulting services or ceases to be a director, as applicable, to exercise any Nonqualified Stock Options which are otherwise exercisable on his or her date of termination of service.

 

(d)                                 Other Terms and Conditions. Among other conditions that may be imposed by the Committee, if deemed appropriate, are those relating to (i) the period or periods and the conditions of exercisability of any Option; (ii) the minimum periods during which Participants must be employed by or in service to the Company, its Subsidiaries, or an Affiliated Entity, or must hold Options before they may be exercised; (iii) the minimum periods during which shares acquired upon exercise must be held before sale or transfer shall be permitted; (iv) conditions under which such Options or shares may be subject to forfeiture; (v) the frequency of exercise or the minimum or maximum number of shares that may be acquired at any one time; (vi) the achievement by the Company of specified performance criteria; and (vii) non-compete and protection of business matters.

 

(e)                                  Special Restrictions Relating to Incentive Stock Options.

 

(i)                                     Options issued in the form of Incentive Stock Options shall only be granted to Eligible Employees of the Company or a Subsidiary.

 

(ii)                                  No Incentive Stock Option shall be granted to an Eligible Employee who owns or who would own immediately before the grant of such Incentive Stock Option more than 10% of the combined voting power of the Company or its Subsidiaries or a “parent corporation,” unless (A) at the time such Incentive Stock Option is granted the exercise price is at least 110% of the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the Date of Grant and (B) such Option by its terms is not exercisable after the expiration of five years from the Date of Grant. For purposes of this Section 5.2(e), “parent corporation” means a “parent corporation” of the Company, as defined in Section 424(e) of the Code.

 

(iii)                               To the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined at the time an Incentive Stock Option is granted) of shares of Common Stock with respect to which Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for the first time by an individual during any calendar year under all incentive stock option plans of the Company and its Subsidiaries and parent corporations exceeds $100,000, such excess Incentive Stock

 

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Options shall be treated as Nonqualified Stock Options. The Committee shall determine, in accordance with applicable provisions of the Code, Treasury Regulations and other administrative pronouncements, which of a Participant’s Options will not constitute Incentive Stock Options because of such limitation and shall notify the Participant of such determination as soon as practicable after such determination is made.

 

(iv)                              Each Participant awarded an Incentive Stock Option shall notify the Company in writing immediately after the date he or she makes a disqualifying disposition of any shares of Common Stock acquired pursuant to the exercise of such Incentive Stock Option. A disqualifying disposition is any disposition (including any sale) of such Common Stock before the later of (i) two years after the Date of Grant of the Incentive Stock Option or (ii) one year after the date of exercise of the Incentive Stock Option.

 

(v)                                 Except in the case of death, an Option will not be treated as an Incentive Stock Option unless at all times beginning on the Date of Grant and ending on the day three months (one year in the case of a Participant who is “disabled” within the meaning of Section 22(e)(3) of the Code) before the date of exercise of the Option, the Participant is an employee of the Company or a parent corporation of the Company or a Subsidiary (or a corporation or a parent corporation or subsidiary corporation of such corporation issuing or assuming an Option in a transaction to which Section 424(a) of the Code applies).

 

(f)                                   Application of Funds. The proceeds received by the Company from the sale of Common Stock pursuant to Options will be used for general corporate purposes.

 

(g)                                  Shareholder Rights. No Participant shall have a right as a shareholder with respect to any share of Common Stock subject to an Option prior to purchase of such shares of Common Stock by exercise of the Option.

 

ARTICLE VI
 RESTRICTED STOCK AWARDS

 

SECTION 6.1.                                     Grant of Restricted Stock Awards. The Committee may, from time to time, subject to the provisions of the Plan and such other terms and conditions as it may determine, grant a Restricted Stock Award to Eligible Employees, Consultants or Eligible Directors. Restricted Stock Awards shall be awarded in such number and at such times during the term of the Plan as the Committee shall determine. Each Restricted Stock Award shall be subject to an Award Agreement setting forth the terms of such Restricted Stock Award and may be evidenced in such manner as the Committee deems appropriate, including, without limitation, a book-entry registration or issuance of a stock certificate or certificates.

 

SECTION 6.2.                                     Conditions of Restricted Stock Awards. The grant of a Restricted Stock Award shall be subject to the following:

 

(a)                                 Restriction Period. Restricted Stock Awards shall be subject to such time- and/or performance-based restrictions as the Committee shall determine and set forth in the applicable Award Agreement. Restricted Stock Awards granted to an Eligible Employee may require the holder to remain in the employment of the Company, a Subsidiary, or an Affiliated Entity for a prescribed period. Restricted Stock Awards granted to Consultants or Eligible Directors may require the holder to provide continued services to the Company for a period of time. In addition

 

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to or in lieu of any time vesting conditions determined by the Committee, vesting and/or the grant of Restricted Stock Awards may be subject to the achievement by the Company of specified performance criteria, which may, without limitation, be based upon the Company’s achievement of all or any of the operational, financial or stock performance criteria set forth on Exhibit A annexed hereto, in all events as may from time to time be established by the Committee. The Committee also will determine whether the Award is intended to satisfy the 162(m) Requirements, as described in Exhibit A. Upon the fulfillment of any specified vesting conditions, the Restriction Period shall expire, and the restrictions imposed by the Committee shall lapse with respect to the shares of Common Stock covered by the Restricted Stock Award or portion thereof.

 

(b)                                 Restrictions. The holder of a Restricted Stock Award may not sell, transfer, pledge, exchange, hypothecate, or otherwise dispose of the shares of Common Stock represented by the Restricted Stock Award during the applicable Restriction Period. The Committee shall impose such other restrictions and conditions on any shares of Common Stock covered by a Restricted Stock Award as it may deem advisable including, without limitation, restrictions under applicable federal or state securities laws, and may legend the certificates representing shares of Common Stock covered by a Restricted Stock Award to give appropriate notice of such restrictions.

 

(c)                                  Rights as Shareholders. During any Restriction Period, the Committee may, in its discretion, grant to the holder of a Restricted Stock Award all or any of the rights of a shareholder with respect to the shares, including, but not by way of limitation, the right to vote such shares and to receive dividends. If any dividends or other distributions are paid in shares of Common Stock, all such shares shall be subject to the same restrictions on transferability as the shares of Common Stock covered by the Restricted Stock Award with respect to which they were paid.

 

ARTICLE VII
 RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS

 

SECTION 7.1.                                     Grant of Restricted Stock Units. The Committee may, from time to time, subject to the provisions of the Plan and such other terms and conditions as it may determine, grant Restricted Stock Units to Eligible Employees, Consultants or Eligible Directors. Restricted Stock Units shall be awarded in such number and at such times during the term of the Plan as the Committee shall determine. Each Award of Restricted Stock Units shall be subject to an Award Agreement setting forth the terms of such Award of Restricted Stock Units. A Participant shall not be required to make any payment for Restricted Stock Units.

 

SECTION 7.2.                                     Conditions of Restricted Stock Units. The grant of Restricted Stock Units shall be subject to the following:

 

(a)                                 Restriction Period. Restricted Stock Units shall be subject to such time- and/or performance-based restrictions as the Committee shall determine and set forth in the applicable Award Agreement. Restricted Stock Units granted to an Eligible Employee may require the holder to remain in the employment of the Company, a Subsidiary, or an Affiliated Entity for a prescribed period. Restricted Stock Units granted to Consultants or Eligible Directors may require the holder to provide continued services to the Company for a period of time. In addition to or in lieu of any time vesting conditions determined by the Committee, vesting and/or the grant of Restricted Stock Units may be subject to the achievement by the Company of specified performance criteria, which may, without limitation, be based upon the Company’s achievement of all or any of the operational, financial or stock performance criteria set forth on Exhibit A

 

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annexed hereto, in all events as may from time to time be established by the Committee. The Committee also will determine whether the Award is intended to satisfy the 162(m) Requirements, as described in Exhibit A. Upon the fulfillment of any specified vesting conditions, the Restriction Period shall expire, and the restrictions imposed by the Committee shall lapse with respect to the Restricted Stock Units.

 

(b)                                 Lapse of Restrictions. The Participant shall be entitled to receive one share of Common Stock or an amount of cash equal to the Fair Market Value of one share of Common Stock, as provided in the Award Agreement upon settlement of a Restricted Stock Unit for which the restrictions have lapsed.

 

(c)                                  Cash Dividend Rights and Dividend Unit Rights. The Committee may, in its sole discretion, grant a tandem Cash Dividend Right or Dividend Unit Right grant with respect to Restricted Stock Units. A grant of Cash Dividend Rights may provide that such Cash Dividend Rights shall be paid directly to the Participant at the time of payment of related dividend, be credited to a bookkeeping account subject to the same vesting and payment provisions as the tandem Award (with or without interest in the sole discretion of the Committee), or be subject to such other provisions or restrictions as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion. A grant of Dividend Unit Rights shall be subject to the same vesting and payment provisions as the tandem Award.

 

ARTICLE VIII
 STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS

 

SECTION 8.1.                                     Grant of SARs. The Committee may from time to time, in its sole discretion, subject to the provisions of the Plan and subject to other terms and conditions as the Committee may determine, grant a SAR to any Eligible Employee, Consultant or Eligible Director. Each grant of a SAR shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement executed by the Company and the Participant and shall contain such terms and conditions and be in such form as the Committee may from time to time approve, subject to the requirements of the Plan. The exercise price of the SAR shall not be less than the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the Date of Grant of the SAR.

 

SECTION 8.2.                                     Exercise and Payment. SARs granted under the Plan shall be exercisable in whole or in installments and at such times as shall be provided by the Committee in the Award Agreement. Exercise of a SAR shall be by written notice to the Senior Vice President, Human Resources of the Company at least two business days in advance of such exercise. The amount payable with respect to each SAR shall be equal in value to the excess, if any, of the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the exercise date over the exercise price of the SAR. Payment of amounts attributable to a SAR shall be made in cash or in shares of Common Stock, as provided by the terms of the applicable Award Agreement.

 

ARTICLE IX
 PERFORMANCE UNITS

 

SECTION 9.1.                                     Grant of Awards. The Committee may, from time to time, subject to the provisions of the Plan and such other terms and conditions as it may determine, grant Performance Units to Eligible Employees, Consultants and Eligible Directors. Each Award of Performance Units shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement executed by the Company and the Participant, and shall contain such terms and conditions and be in such form as the Committee may from time to time approve, subject to the requirements of Section 9.2.

 

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SECTION 9.2.                                     Conditions of Awards. Each Award of Performance Units shall be subject to the following conditions:

 

(a)                                 Establishment of Award Terms. Each Award shall state the target, maximum and minimum value of each Performance Unit payable upon the achievement of performance goals.

 

(b)                                 Achievement of Performance Goals. The Committee shall establish performance targets for each Award for a period of no less than a year based upon such operational, financial or performance criteria determined by the Committee, and determine whether the Award is intended to satisfy the 162(m) Requirements, as described in Exhibit A. The Committee shall also establish such other terms and conditions as it deems appropriate to such Award. The Award may be paid out in cash or Common Stock as determined in the sole discretion of the Committee

 

ARTICLE X
 PERFORMANCE BONUS

 

SECTION 10.1.                              Grant of Performance Bonus. The Committee may from time to time, subject to the provisions of the Plan and such other terms and conditions as the Committee may determine, grant a Performance Bonus to certain Eligible Employees selected for participation. The Committee will determine the amount that may be earned as a Performance Bonus in any period of one year or more upon the achievement of one or more performance targets established by the Committee. The Committee shall select the applicable performance target(s) for each period in which a Performance Bonus is awarded. The performance target(s) shall be based upon such operational, financial or performance criteria determined by the Committee. The Committee also will determine whether the Award is intended to satisfy the 162(m) Requirements, as described in Exhibit A.

 

SECTION 10.2.                              Payment of Performance Bonus. In order for any Participant to be entitled to payment of a Performance Bonus, the applicable performance target(s) established by the Committee must first be obtained or exceeded. Payment of a Performance Bonus shall be made within 60 days of the Committee’s certification that the performance target(s) has been achieved and, in any event, within 2.5 months of the year following the year in which the Performance Bonus is earned. Payment of a Performance Bonus may be made in cash or shares of Common Stock, as provided by the terms of the applicable Award Agreement.

 

ARTICLE XI
 STOCK AWARDS AND OTHER INCENTIVE AWARDS

 

SECTION 11.1.                              Grant of Stock Awards. The Committee may, from time to time, subject to the provisions of the Plan and such other terms and conditions as it may determine, grant Stock Awards of shares of Common Stock not subject to vesting or forfeiture restrictions to Eligible Employees, Consultants or Eligible Directors. Stock Awards shall be awarded with respect to such number of shares of Common Stock and at such times during the term of the Plan as the Committee shall determine. Each Stock Award shall be subject to an Award Agreement setting forth the terms of such Stock Award. The Committee may in its sole discretion require a Participant to pay a stipulated purchase price for each share of Common Stock covered by a Stock Award.

 

SECTION 11.2.                              Grant of Other Incentive Awards. The Committee may, from time to time, subject to the provisions of the Plan and such other terms and conditions as it may determine, grant Other Incentive Awards to Eligible Employees, Consultants or Eligible Directors. Other Incentive Awards may be granted based upon, payable in or otherwise related to, in whole or in part, shares of Common Stock if the Committee, in its sole discretion, determines that such Other Incentive Awards are consistent with the

 

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purposes of the Plan. Such Awards may include, but are not limited to, Common Stock awarded as a bonus, dividend equivalents, convertible or exchangeable debt securities, other rights convertible or exchangeable into Common Stock, purchase rights for Common Stock, Awards with value and payment contingent upon the Company’s performance or any other factors designated by the Committee, and Awards valued by reference to the book value of Common Stock or the value of securities of or the performance of specified subsidiaries. Long-term cash Awards also may be made under the Plan. Cash Awards also may be granted as an element of or a supplement to any Awards permitted under the Plan. Awards may also be granted in lieu of obligations to pay cash or deliver other property under the Plan or under other plans or compensation arrangements, subject to any applicable provision under Section 16 of the Exchange Act. Each grant of an Other Incentive Award shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement that shall specify the amount of the Other Incentive Award and the terms, conditions, restrictions and limitations applicable to such Award. Payment of Other Incentive Awards shall be made at such times and in such form, which may be cash, shares of Common Stock or other property (or a combination thereof), as established by the Committee, subject to the terms of the Plan.

 

ARTICLE XII
 STOCK ADJUSTMENTS

 

SECTION 12.1.                              Recapitalizations and Reorganizations. In the event that the shares of Common Stock, as constituted on the Effective Date, shall be changed into or exchanged for a different number or kind of shares of stock or other securities of the Company or of another corporation (whether by reason of merger, consolidation, recapitalization, reclassification, stock split, spin-off, combination of shares or otherwise), or if the number of such shares of Common Stock shall be increased through the payment of a stock dividend, or an extraordinary dividend on the shares of Common Stock, or if rights or warrants to purchase securities of the Company shall be issued to holders of all outstanding Common Stock, then the maximum number and kind of shares of Common Stock available for issuance under the Plan, the maximum number and kind of shares of Common Stock for which any individual may receive Awards in any calendar year under the Plan, the number and kind of shares of Common Stock covered by outstanding Awards, and the price per share or the applicable market value or performance target of such Awards will be appropriately adjusted by the Committee to reflect any increase or decrease in the number of, or change in the kind or value of, issued shares of Common Stock to preclude, to the extent practicable, the enlargement or dilution of rights under such Awards. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section, (i) the number and kind of shares of Common Stock available for issuance as Incentive Stock Options under the Plan shall be adjusted only in accordance with the applicable provisions of Sections 422 and 424 of the Code and the regulations thereunder, and (ii) outstanding Awards and Award Agreements shall be adjusted in accordance with (A) Sections 422 and 424 of the Code and the regulations thereunder with respect to Incentive Stock Options and (B) Section 409A of the Code with respect to Nonqualified Stock Options, SARs and, to the extent applicable, other Awards. In the event there shall be any other change in the number or kind of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, or any stock or other securities into which the Common Stock shall have been changed or for which it shall have been exchanged, then if the Committee shall, in its sole discretion, determine that such change equitably requires an adjustment in the shares available under and subject to the Plan, or in any Award, theretofore granted, such adjustments shall be made in accordance with such determination. No fractional shares of Common Stock or units of other securities shall be issued pursuant to any such adjustment, and any fractions resulting from any such adjustment shall be eliminated in each case by rounding downward to the nearest whole share.

 

SECTION 12.2.                              Adjustments Upon Change of Control Event. Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control Event, the Committee, in its sole discretion, without the consent of any Participant or holder of the Award, and on such terms and conditions as it deems appropriate, may take any one or more of the following actions in connection with such Change of Control Event:

 

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(a)                                 provide for either (i) the termination of any Award in exchange for an amount of cash, if any, equal to the amount that would have been attained upon the realization of the Participant’s rights (and, for the avoidance of doubt, if as of the date of the occurrence of such transaction or event the Committee determines in good faith that no amount would have been attained upon the realization of the Participant’s rights, then such Award may be terminated by the Committee without payment) or (ii) the replacement of such Award with other rights or property selected by the Committee in its sole discretion;

 

(b)                                 provide that such Award be assumed by a successor or survivor entity, or a parent or subsidiary thereof, or be exchanged for similar rights or awards covering the equity of the successor or survivor, or a parent or subsidiary thereof, with appropriate adjustments as to the number and kind of equity interests and prices;

 

(c)                                  make adjustments in the number and type of Common Stock (or other securities or property) subject to outstanding Awards, and in the number and kind of outstanding Awards or in the terms and conditions of, and the vesting criteria included in, outstanding Awards, or both;

 

(d)                                 provide that such Award shall be payable, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Plan or the applicable Award Agreement; and/or

 

(e)                                  provide that the Award cannot become payable after such event, i.e., shall terminate upon such event.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, any such action contemplated under this Section shall be effective only to the extent that such action will not cause any Award that is designed to satisfy Section 409A of the Code to fail to satisfy such section.

 

ARTICLE XIII
 GENERAL

 

SECTION 13.1.                              Amendment or Termination of Plan. The Board, in its sole discretion, may alter, suspend or terminate the Plan, or any part thereof, at any time and for any reason; provided, however, that if an amendment to the Plan (i) would materially increase the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock available under the Plan (except by operation of Article XII), (ii) would materially modify the requirements as to eligibility for participation in the Plan, (iii) would materially increase the benefits to Participants provided by the Plan, (iv) would modify the provisions of Section 4.1(h), or (v) must otherwise be approved by shareholders of the Company in order to comply with applicable law or the rules of the New York Stock Exchange or, if the Common Stock is not traded on the New York Stock Exchange, the principal national securities exchange upon which the Common Stock is traded or quoted, then such amendment will be subject to shareholder approval and will not be effective unless and until such approval has been obtained, subject to any other requirement of shareholder approval required by applicable law, rule or regulation, including, without limitation, Section 422 of the Code and the rules of the applicable securities exchange.

 

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SECTION 13.2.                              Transferability.

 

(a)                                 Except as provided in Section 13.2(b) hereof or as otherwise determined by the Committee, Awards under the Plan shall not be assignable or transferable by the Participant, and shall not be subject in any manner to assignment, alienation, pledge, encumbrance or charge. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event of the death of a Participant, except as otherwise provided by the Committee in an Award Agreement, an outstanding Award may be exercised by or shall become payable to the Participant’s legatee or legatees of such Award designated under the Participant’s last will or by such Participant’s executors, personal representatives or distributees of such Award in accordance with the Participant’s will or the laws of descent and distribution. The Committee may provide in the terms of an Award Agreement or in any other manner prescribed by the Committee that the Participant shall have the right to designate a beneficiary or beneficiaries who shall be entitled to any rights, payments or other benefits specified under an Award following the Participant’s death.

 

(b)                                 The Committee may, in its discretion, authorize all or a portion of the Nonqualified Stock Options granted under this Plan to be on terms which permit transfer by the Participant to (i) the ex-spouse of the Participant pursuant to the terms of a domestic relations order, (ii) the spouse, children or grandchildren of the Participant (“Immediate Family Members”), (iii) a trust or trusts for the exclusive benefit of such Immediate Family Members, or (iv) a partnership or limited liability company in which such Immediate Family Members are the only partners or members. In addition there may be no consideration for any such transfer. The Award Agreement pursuant to which such Nonqualified Stock Options are granted expressly provides for transferability in a manner consistent with this paragraph. Subsequent transfers of transferred Nonqualified Stock Options shall be prohibited except as set forth below in this Section 13.2. Following transfer, any such Nonqualified Stock Options shall continue to be subject to the same terms and conditions as were applicable immediately prior to transfer, provided that for purposes of Section 5.2(c)(ii) or similar provisions of an Award Agreement the term “Participant” shall be deemed to refer to the transferee. The events of termination of employment of Section 5.2(c)(ii) or similar provisions of an Award Agreement shall continue to be applied with respect to the original Participant, following which the Nonqualified Stock Options shall be exercisable by the transferee only to the extent, and for the periods specified in Section 5.2(c)(ii). No transfer pursuant to this Section 13.2 shall be effective to bind the Company unless the Company shall have been furnished with written notice of such transfer together with such other documents regarding the transfer as the Committee shall request. With the exception of a transfer in compliance with the foregoing provisions of this Section 13.2, all other types of Awards authorized under this Plan shall be transferable only by will or the laws of descent and distribution; however, no such transfer shall be effective to bind the Company unless the Committee has been furnished with written notice of such transfer and an authenticated copy of the will and/or such other evidence as the Committee may deem necessary to establish the validity of the transfer and the acceptance by the transferee of the terms and conditions of such Award.

 

SECTION 13.3.                              Withholding Taxes. Unless otherwise paid by the Participant, the Company, its Subsidiaries or any of its Affiliated Entities shall be entitled to deduct from any payment under the Plan, regardless of the form of such payment, the amount of all applicable income and employment taxes required by law to be withheld with respect to such payment, may require the Participant to pay to it such tax prior to and as a condition of the making of such payment, and shall be entitled to deduct from any other compensation payable to the Participant any withholding obligations with respect to Awards. In accordance with any applicable administrative guidelines it establishes, the Committee may allow a Participant to pay the amount of taxes required by law to be withheld from an Award by (i) directing the

 

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Company to withhold from any payment of the Award a number of shares of Common Stock having a Fair Market Value on the date of payment equal to the amount of the required withholding taxes or (ii) delivering to the Company previously owned shares of Common Stock having a Fair Market Value on the date of payment equal to the amount of the required withholding taxes. However, any payment made by the Participant pursuant to either of the foregoing clauses (i) or (ii) shall not be permitted if it would result in an adverse accounting charge with respect to such shares used to pay such taxes unless otherwise approved by the Committee.

 

SECTION 13.4.                              Amendments to Awards. Subject to the limitations of Article IV and the other terms and conditions of the Plan, such as the prohibition on repricing of Options, the Committee may at any time unilaterally amend the terms of any Award Agreement, whether or not currently exercisable or vested, to the extent it deems appropriate. However, amendments which are adverse to the Participant shall require the Participant’s consent.

 

SECTION 13.5.                              Regulatory Approval and Listings. In the sole discretion of the Committee, the Company shall use its best efforts to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission and keep continuously effective, a Registration Statement on Form S-8 with respect to shares of Common Stock subject to Awards hereunder. Notwithstanding anything contained in this Plan to the contrary, the Company shall have no obligation to issue shares of Common Stock under this Plan prior to the obtaining of any approval from, or satisfaction of any waiting period or other condition imposed by, any governmental agency which the Committee shall, in its sole discretion, determine to be necessary or advisable. In addition, and notwithstanding anything contained in this Plan to the contrary, at such time as the Company is subject to the reporting requirements of Section 12 of the Exchange Act, the Company shall have no obligation to issue shares of Common Stock under this Plan prior to:

 

(a)                                 the admission of such shares to listing on the stock exchange on which the Common Stock may be listed; and

 

(b)                                 the completion of any registration or other qualification of such shares under any state or federal law or ruling of any governmental body which the Committee shall, in its sole discretion, determine to be necessary or advisable.

 

SECTION 13.6.                              Right to Continued Employment or Other Service. Participation in the Plan shall not give any Eligible Employee, Consultant or Eligible Director any right to remain in the employ or other service of the Company, any Subsidiary, or any Affiliated Entity. The Company or, in the case of employment or other service with a Subsidiary or an Affiliated Entity, the Subsidiary or Affiliated Entity reserves the right to terminate any Eligible Employee, Consultant or Eligible Director at any time. Further, the adoption of this Plan shall not be deemed to give any Eligible Employee, Consultant, Eligible Director or any other individual any right to be selected as a Participant or to be granted an Award.

 

SECTION 13.7.                              Reliance on Reports. Each member of the Board shall be fully justified in relying or acting in good faith upon any report made by the independent public accountants of the Company and its Subsidiaries and upon any other information furnished in connection with the Plan by any person or persons other than himself or herself. In no event shall any person who is or shall have been a member of the Board be liable for any determination made or other action taken or any omission to act in reliance upon any such report or information or for any action taken, including the furnishing of information, or failure to act, if in good faith.

 

SECTION 13.8.                              Construction. Masculine pronouns and other words of masculine gender shall refer to both men and women. The titles and headings of the sections in the Plan are for the convenience

 

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of reference only, and in the event of any conflict, the text of the Plan, rather than such titles or headings, shall control.

 

SECTION 13.9.                              Governing Law. The Plan shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Texas except as superseded by applicable federal law.

 

SECTION 13.10.                       Other Laws. The Committee may refuse to issue or transfer any shares of Common Stock or other consideration under an Award if, acting in its sole discretion, it determines that the issuance or transfer of such shares or such other consideration might violate any applicable law or regulation or entitle the Company to recover the same under Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act, and any payment tendered to the Company by a Participant, other holder or beneficiary in connection with the exercise of such Award shall be promptly refunded to the relevant Participant, holder or beneficiary. In addition, by accepting or exercising any Award granted under the Plan (or any predecessor plan), the Participant agrees to abide and be bound by any policies adopted by the Company pursuant to Section 954 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and any rules or exchange listing standards promulgated thereunder calling for the repayment and/or forfeiture of any Award or payment resulting from an accounting restatement. Such repayment and/or forfeiture provisions shall apply whether or not the Participant is employed by or affiliated with the Company.

 

SECTION 13.11.                       No Trust or Fund Created. Neither the Plan nor an 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 a Participant acquires the 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.

 

SECTION 13.12.                       Section 409A of the Code.

 

(a)                                 To the extent applicable, it is intended that the Plan and all Awards hereunder comply with, or be exempt from, the requirements of Section 409A of the Code and the Treasury Regulations and other guidance issued thereunder, and that the Plan and all Award Agreements shall be interpreted and applied by the Committee in a manner consistent therewith. In the event that any (i) provision of the Plan or an Award Agreement, (ii) Award, payment, transaction or (iii) other action or arrangement contemplated by the provisions of the Plan is determined by the Committee to not comply with the applicable requirements of Section 409A of the Code and the Treasury Regulations and other guidance issued thereunder, the Committee shall have the authority to take such actions and to make such changes to the Plan or an Award Agreement as the Committee deems necessary to comply with such requirements without the consent of the Participant.

 

(b)                                 No payment that constitutes deferred compensation under Section 409A of the Code that would otherwise be made under the Plan or an Award Agreement upon a termination of employment or other service will be made or provided unless and until such termination is also a “separation from service,” as determined in accordance with Section 409A of the Code.

 

(c)                                  Notwithstanding the foregoing or anything elsewhere in the Plan or an Award Agreement to the contrary, if a Participant is a “specified employee” as defined in Section 409A of the Code at the time of termination of service with respect to an Award, then solely to the extent necessary to avoid the imposition of any additional tax under Section 409A of the Code, the commencement of any payments or benefits under the Award shall be deferred until the date that is six months plus one day following the date of the Participant’s termination or, if earlier, the Participant’s death (or such other period as required to comply with Section 409A).

 

18

 

(d)                                 In no event whatsoever shall the Company be liable for any additional tax, interest or penalties that may be imposed on a Participant by Section 409A of the Code or any damages for failing to comply with Section 409A of the Code.

 

*               *               *

 

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EXHIBIT A

 

2016 Long-Term Incentive Plan
 Performance Criteria

 

The performance criteria to be used for purposes of Awards shall be set in the Committee’s sole discretion and may be described in terms of objectives that are related to the individual Participant or objectives that are Company-wide or related to a subsidiary, division, department, region, function or business unit of the Company in which the Participant is employed or with respect to which the Participant performs services, and may consist of one or more or any combination of the following criteria:

 

Operational Criteria may include:

 

·                       Reserve additions/replacements

·                       Finding & development costs

·                       Production volume

·                       Production costs

·                       Production growth

 

Financial Criteria may include:

 

·                       Earnings (Net income, Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”), Earnings per share)

·                       Cash flow

·                       Operating income

·                       General and Administrative Expenses

·                       Debt to equity ratio

·                       Debt to cash flow

·                       Debt to EBITDA

·                       EBITDA to Interest Expense

·                       Return on Assets

·                       Return on Equity

·                       Return on Invested Capital

·                       Profit returns/margins

·                       Midstream margins

 

Stock Performance Criteria:

 

·                       Stock price appreciation

·                       Total shareholder return

·                       Relative stock price performance

 

Code Section 162(m) Requirements. The Committee will have the discretion to determine whether all or any portion of a Restricted Stock Award, Restricted Stock Unit Award, Performance Unit Award, Performance Bonus Award, Stock Award or Other Incentive Award is intended to satisfy the requirements for “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code (the “162(m) Requirements”). The performance criteria for any such Award that is intended to satisfy the 162(m) Requirements shall be established in writing by the Committee based on one or more performance criteria listed in this Exhibit A not later than 90 days after commencement of the performance period with respect to such Award or any such other date as may be required or permitted for “performance-based compensation” under the 162(m) Requirements, provided that the outcome of the performance in respect of the goals remains substantially uncertain as of such time. At the time of the grant of an Award and to the extent permitted under Code Section 162(m) and regulations thereunder for an Award intended to

 

A-1

 

satisfy the 162(m) Requirements, the Committee may provide for the manner in which the performance goals will be measured in light of specified corporate transactions, extraordinary events, accounting changes and other similar occurrences. All determinations made by the Committee as to the establishment or achievement of performance goals, or the final settlement of an Award intended to satisfy the 162(m) Requirements shall be made in writing.

 

Certification and Negative Discretion. Before payment is made in relation to any Award that is intended to satisfy the 162(m) Requirements, the Committee shall certify the extent to which the performance goals and other material terms of the Award have been satisfied, and the Committee in its sole discretion shall have the authority to reduce, but not to increase, the amount payable and/or the number of shares of Common Stock to be granted, issued, retained or vested pursuant to any such Award.

 

Committee. In the case of an Award intended to meet the 162(m) Requirements, the Committee shall be composed of two or more “outside directors” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code, and the Committee may not delegate its duties with respect to such Awards.

 

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