Document:

Exhibit

Exhibit 10.9
FINAL VERSION

THIS SPECIAL BONUS AWARD AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), dated as of [________], is entered into by and between [Linn Energy, Inc.], a corporation organized in the State of Delaware (the “TopCo”), and [_______] (the “Participant”).  Reference is made to that certain Award Agreement dated as of [_____] between Linn Newco Subsidiary LLC (the “Company”) and the Participant (the “Class B Base Award Agreement”) and that certain Award Agreement dated as of [_____] between the Company and the Participant (the “Class B Appreciation Award Agreement,” and together with the Class B Base Award Agreement, the “Class B Award Agreements”) in which the Participant is granted a total of [_____] Interests (as defined in the Class B Award Agreements) (such Interests, the “Subject Interests”).
1.    Certain Definitions.  Any capitalized term that is used but not otherwise defined in this Agreement shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the Class B Award Agreements (including any capitalized terms used therein which are defined in the Plan or the LLC Agreement).
(a)    “Actual Catch Up Value” means the amount the Participant would receive with respect to the vested portion of the Subject Interests under Section 5.1(a)(ii) of the LLC Agreement in a Hypothetical Sale.
(b)    “Fair Market Value” has the meaning set forth in the LLC Agreement.
(c)    “Hypothetical Sale” means a hypothetical sale of all of the business of the Company and its subsidiaries as a going concern for Fair Market Value, as of any applicable date, and the subsequent distribution of the sale proceeds pursuant to Section 10.3 of the LLC Agreement.
(d)    “Potential Catch Up Value” means the maximum aggregate value that the Participant would receive with respect to the vested portion of the Subject Interests under Section 5.1(a)(ii) of the LLC Agreement, assuming that sufficient value was made via Distributions such that holders of Class B Units received, in the aggregate, an amount equal to the product of (A) (1) the Effective Date Equity Value, divided by (2) the Other Unit Holder Percentage Interest as of such date and (B) the Class B Percentage Interest as of such date.
(e)    “Tax Difference” means the excess, if any, of (i) the Participant’s combined marginal federal, state and local tax rate that will be applied to any payment hereunder over (ii) the combined marginal federal, state and local tax rate that would be applied to long term (if the Participant’s holding period in the Subject Interests as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes is more than one year on the date of the triggering event under Section 3) or short term (if the Participant’s holding period in the Subject Interests as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes is one year or less on the date of the triggering event under Section 3) capital gains payments received by the Participant in the year a payment is made to the Participant hereunder.
2.    Grant of Special Bonus.  TopCo hereby grants to the Participant a special bonus award (the “Bonus”) representing the right to receive an amount equal to the sum of (a) the Potential Catch Up Value less the Actual Catch Up Value and (b) an additional amount such that after payment of all taxes on such amount the Participant is left with an amount equal to 

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the product of (i) the Tax Difference and (ii) the amount determined in clause (a) (such aggregate amount, the “Bonus Payment Value”), in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.  The Bonus Payment Value may be paid, at TopCo’s election, in cash, in shares of Common Stock of TopCo (valued at Fair Market Value), or in a combination of the foregoing, in each case, less any applicable withholding taxes.  For the sake of clarity, the Participant may satisfy any federal, state, local and foreign taxes of any kind (including, but not limited to, the Participant’s FICA and SDI obligations) imposed in respect of any Bonus Payment Value paid in the form of shares of Common Stock of TopCo by requiring the Company to withhold shares of Common Stock of TopCo having a Fair Market Value equal to the amount of all such taxes.
3.    Payment.
(a)    Change in Control.  Within 30 days following the consummation of a Change in Control, TopCo will pay the Participant the Bonus Payment Value, if any, calculated as of the date of the consummation of the Change in Control (provided that an event shall not be considered to be a Change in Control for purposes of this Section 3(a) unless such event is also a “change in ownership,” a “change in effective control” or a “change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets” of TopCo within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code).
(b)    Termination.  Within 30 days following the occurrence of the Participant’s Termination, TopCo will pay the Participant the Bonus Payment Value, if any, calculated as of the date of such Termination; provided that to the extent that any Subject Interests issued pursuant to a Class B Appreciation Award Agreement (the “Appreciation Interests”) are  unvested as of the Participant’s Termination and remain outstanding and eligible to vest following the Participant’s Termination pursuant to the terms of such Class B Appreciation Award Agreement, then the additional Bonus Payment Value with respect to such unvested Appreciation Interests, if any, will be paid within 30 days of the vesting of such Appreciation Interests (as applicable, the “Determination Date”), with the additional Bonus Payment Value, if any, calculated as of the date of such Termination and based on the Appreciation Interests which vest on the Determination Date; provided, further, that if such unvested Appreciation Interests are forfeited, the additional Bonus Payment Value on the Determination Date shall be $0.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the value of the Company in the Hypothetical Sale is less than $_________, then the Bonus Payment Value shall be $0.
(c)    Forfeiture/Adjustment.  The Bonus shall be immediately forfeited upon the Participant’s Termination for Cause.  In the event that the Participant provides a “Conversion Notice” (as set forth in the Conversion Procedures) in which the Participant elects to convert all of the Subject Interests into Class A-2 Units or Common Stock, the Bonus will be forfeited.  In the event that the Participant provides a Conversion Notice in which the Participant elects to convert some but not all of the Subject Interests into Class A-2 Units or Common Stock, then the Bonus Payment Value shall be adjusted to be an amount equal to the Bonus Payment Value (prior to adjustment) multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is (x) the number of the Subject Interests which are being converted and the denominator of which is (y) the total number of Subject Interests.
4.    Certain Tax Events.  If the Company requires the Participant to Convert in a Change of Control Conversion (as set forth in the Conversion Procedures), and 

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if, subsequent to such Change of Control Conversion, the Participant receives notice from the IRS or any other taxing authority asserting that as a result of the Subject Interests or Class A-2 Units undergoing such Change of Control Conversion (the “Converted Interests”), an amount is required to be included in the Participant’s income for the taxable year of the date of grant of the Subject Interests attributable to the grant of the Subject Interests (the "IRS Notice"), the Participant shall (i) give written notice to TopCo within 15 days following receipt of such IRS Notice and (ii) permit TopCo, at TopCo’s expense, to engage counsel to contest and control that aspect of any resulting audit or proceedings to resolve the issue.  If, upon final adjudication and assessment of the matters described in the IRS Notice, the Participant is required to pay any taxes with respect to the taxable year of the date of grant of the Subject Interests as a result of the Change of Control Conversion and such taxes are attributable to the grant of the Subject Interests, TopCo shall pay to the Participant a cash lump sum amount equal to the excess, if any, of (x) any federal, state and local income taxes and any employment taxes payable by the Participant thereon, and any interest, or penalties payable by the Participant thereon, over (y) the excess of (I) the amount of any federal, state or local taxes the Participant would have owed in the taxable year in which such Change of Control Conversion occurs had no taxes been paid as a result of the matter described in this Section 4 over (II) the amount of taxes actually owed by the Participant for the taxable year in which such Change of Control Conversion occurs, and Topco shall fully gross up the Participant for any taxes which result from TopCo’s payment to the Participant under this Section 4.
5.    Rights as Stockholder.  The Participant shall have no rights as a stockholder with respect to the Bonus.
6.    Non-Transferability.  No portion of the Bonus may be sold, assigned, transferred, encumbered, hypothecated or pledged by the Participant.
7.    Restrictive Covenants. As a condition precedent to the Participant’s receipt of the Bonus, the Participant agrees to continue to be bound by the restrictive covenant obligations set forth in the Employment Agreement.
8.    Governing Law.  All questions concerning the construction, validity and interpretation of this Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Texas, without regard to the choice of law principles thereof.
9.    Withholding of Tax.  The Participant agrees and acknowledges that TopCo shall have the power and the right to deduct or withhold, or require the Participant to remit to TopCo, an amount sufficient to satisfy any federal, state, local and foreign taxes of any kind (including, but not limited to, the Participant’s FICA and SDI obligations) which TopCo, in its good faith discretion, deems necessary to be withheld or remitted to comply with the Code and/or any other applicable law, rule or regulation with respect to the Bonus.
10.    409A.    This Agreement is intended to comply with, or be exempt from, the requirements of Section 409A of the Code and shall be administered, construed and interpreted in accordance with such intent; provided, that, neither the Company, TopCo, or any  of their Affiliates nor any other party guarantees that the Participant is not subject to any tax or 

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interest imposed under Section 409A of the Code and none of the foregoing shall have any liability to the Participant for any tax or interest imposed under Section 409A of the Code.
11.    No Waiver.  No waiver or non-action by either party hereto with respect to any breach by the other party of any provision of this Agreement shall be deemed or construed to be a waiver of any succeeding breach of such provision, or as a waiver of the provision itself.
12.    Entire Agreement; Amendment.  This Agreement, together with the Class B Award Agreements, the Plan, and the LLC Agreement and any exhibits thereto, contains the entire agreement between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter contained herein, and supersedes all prior agreements or prior understandings, whether written or oral, between the parties relating to such subject matter.  This Agreement may be modified or amended by a writing signed by both TopCo and the Participant.  TopCo shall give written notice to the Participant of any such modification or amendment of this Agreement as soon as practicable after the adoption thereof.
13.    Notices.  Any notice hereunder by the Participant shall be given to TopCo in writing and such notice shall be deemed duly given only upon receipt thereof by the General Counsel of TopCo.  Any notice hereunder by TopCo shall be given to the Participant in writing and such notice shall be deemed duly given only upon receipt thereof at such address as the Participant may have on file with TopCo.
14.    No Right to Employment or Service.  Any questions as to whether and when there has been a Termination and the cause of such Termination shall be determined in the sole discretion of TopCo.  Nothing in this Agreement shall interfere with or limit in any way the right of TopCo, its Subsidiaries or its Affiliates to terminate the Participant’s employment or service at any time, for any reason and with or without Cause, in accordance with and subject to the terms and conditions of the Employment Agreement.
15.    Binding Agreement; Assignment.  This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of, be binding upon, and be enforceable by TopCo and its successors and assigns.  The Participant shall not assign any part of this Agreement without the prior express written consent of TopCo.
16.    Headings.  The titles and headings of the various sections of this Agreement have been inserted for convenience of reference only and shall not be deemed to be a part of this Agreement.
17.    Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which shall constitute one and the same instrument.
18.    Further Assurances.  Each party hereto shall do and perform (or shall cause to be done and performed) all such further acts and shall execute and deliver all such other agreements, certificates, instruments and documents as either party hereto reasonably may request in order to carry out the intent and accomplish the purposes of this Agreement and the Plan and the consummation of the transactions contemplated thereunder; provided that no such 

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additional documents shall contain terms or conditions inconsistent with the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
19.    Severability.  The invalidity or unenforceability of any provisions of this Agreement in any jurisdiction shall not affect the validity, legality or enforceability of the remainder of this Agreement in such jurisdiction or the validity, legality or enforceability of any provision of this Agreement in any other jurisdiction, it being intended that all rights and obligations of the parties hereunder shall be enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law.
20.    Acquired Rights.  The Participant acknowledges and agrees that: (a) the award of the Bonus made under this Agreement is completely independent of any other award or grant and is made at the sole discretion of TopCo; (b) no past grants or awards (including, without limitation, the Bonus awarded hereunder) give the Participant any right to any grants or awards in the future whatsoever; and (c) any benefits granted under this Agreement are not part of the Participant’s ordinary salary, and shall not be considered as part of such salary in the event of severance, redundancy or resignation.
[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank]

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.

	
			
	 
	[LINN ENERGY, INC.]

	 
	 

	 
	 

	 
	 

	 
	By:
	 

	 
	 

	 
	Name:
	 

	 
	 

	 
	Title:
	 

	 
	 

	 
	 

	 
	 

	 
	PARTICIPANT

	 
	 

	 
	 

	 
	 

	 
	 

	 
	Name:Exhibit

Exhibit 10.21

LINN ENERGY, INC.
SEVERANCE PLAN
Effective February 28, 2017
ARTICLE I
INTRODUCTION AND ESTABLISHMENT OF PLAN
The Board of Directors of Linn Energy, Inc. (together with its subsidiaries, the “Company”)  hereby ratifies and adopts the Linn Energy, Inc. Severance Plan (the “Plan”), as of the Effective Date, for eligible employees of the Company.  The Company, as successor to Linn Energy, LLC, assumed the Linn Energy, LLC Severance Plan (the “Prior Plan”) pursuant to Article VII thereof, and pursuant to Article VIII of the Prior Plan, the Company hereby replaces the Prior Plan in its entirety with the Plan.  The Plan is intended to offer specified severance benefits to eligible employees in the event of certain involuntary terminations of employment from the Company.  The Plan, as a “severance pay arrangement” within the meaning of Section 3(2)(B)(i) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”) is intended to be and shall be administered and maintained as an unfunded welfare benefit plan under Section 3(1) of ERISA.
The Company expressly reserves the right at any time, and from time to time, for any reason in the Company’s sole discretion, to change, modify, alter or amend the Plan in any respect and to terminate the Plan in full.  All provisions of the Plan relating to other employee benefit plans of the Company, or any of the Company’s Affiliates or Subsidiaries, are expressly limited by the provisions of such other employee benefit plans.  The provisions of the Plan may not grant or create any rights other than as expressly provided for under such other employee benefit plans.
ARTICLE II
DEFINITIONS
As used herein, the following words and phrases shall have the following respective meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.
2.1    Affiliate.  Any entity which controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, the Company.
2.2    Base Salary.  The Participant’s annual rate of base salary payable by the Company (exclusive, among other things, of bonuses and special allowances) as in effect immediately prior to the date of such Participant’s Qualifying Termination.
2.3    Board.  The Board of Directors of the Company.
2.4    Business Opportunities.  All business ideas, prospects, proposals or other opportunities pertaining to the lease, acquisition, exploration, production, gathering or marketing of hydrocarbons and related products and the exploration potential of geographical areas on which hydrocarbon exploration prospects are located, which are developed by the Participant during his or her employment with the Employer, or originated by any third party and brought to the attention 

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of the Participant during his or her employment with the Employer, together with information relating thereto (including, without limitation, geological and seismic data and interpretations thereof, whether in the form of maps, charts, logs, seismographs, calculations, summaries, memoranda, opinions or other written or charted means).
2.5    Cause.  For purposes of the Plan, the Company or an Employer will have “Cause” to terminate the Participant’s employment by reason of any of the following; provided, however, that determination of whether one or more of the elements of “Cause” has been met under the Plan shall be in the reasonable discretion of the Board.
(a)    the Participant’s conviction of, or plea of nolo contendere to, any felony or to any crime or offense causing substantial harm to any of the Company or its direct or indirect Subsidiaries (whether or not for personal gain) or involving acts of theft, fraud, embezzlement, moral turpitude or similar conduct;
(b)    the Participant’s repeated intoxication by alcohol or drugs during the performance of his or her duties;
(c)    the Participant’s willful and intentional misuse of any of the funds of the Company or its direct or indirect Subsidiaries;
(d)    the Participant’s embezzlement;
(e)    the Participant’s willful and material misrepresentations or concealments on any written reports submitted to any of the Company or its direct or indirect Subsidiaries; or
(f)    the Participant’s conduct constituting a material breach of the Company’s then current Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, and any other written policy referenced therein; provided that, in each case, the Participant knew or should have known such conduct to be a breach; or 
(g)    the Participant’s continued failure to meet the reasonable performance expectations of the Company, after receiving notice of the performance standards not being met and a reasonable opportunity to correct such performance issues.
2.6    Change of Control Plan.  The Linn Energy, LLC Change of Control Protection Plan, effective April 25, 2009, as amended.
2.7    COBRA.  The term “COBRA” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.2(c).
2.8    Code.  The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.
2.9    Committee.  The Compensation Committee of the Board.
2.10    Company.  Linn Energy, Inc.
2.11    Effective Date.  February 28, 2017.

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2.12    Employee.  Any employee of an Employer, regardless of position, who is normally scheduled to work 30 or more hours per week for such Employer.
2.13    Employee Bonus Plan.  The term “Employee Bonus Plan” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.2(b).
2.14    Employer.  The Company and any Subsidiary that participates in the Plan pursuant to Article VI.
2.15    ERISA.  The term “ERISA” has the meaning set forth in the Introduction.
2.16    Good Reason.  The term “Good Reason” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in any employment agreement between the Participant and the Employer, or in the absence of an employment agreement or such term being defined in an employment agreement, “Good Reason” shall mean any of the following to which the Participant will not consent in writing:
(a)    a reduction in the Participant’s base salary;
(b)    any material reduction in the Participant’s title, authority or responsibilities; or
(c)    relocation of the Participant’s primary place of employment to a location more than 50 miles from the Employer’s location.
If termination is by the Participant with Good Reason, the Participant will give the Participant’s Employer written notice, which will identify with reasonable specificity the grounds for the Participant’s resignation and provide the Participant’s Employer with 30 days from the day such notice is given to cure the alleged grounds for resignation contained in the notice.  A termination will not be for Good Reason if the Participant’s Employer has cured the alleged grounds for resignation contained in the notice within 30 days after receipt of such notice or if such notice is given by the Participant to the Participant’s Employer more than 30 days after the occurrence of the event that the Participant alleges is Good Reason for his or her termination hereunder.  In order for a termination to be for “Good Reason,” the Company must fail to remedy the alleged grounds for resignation within the cure period, and the Participant must actually terminate employment with the Company and its Affiliates within [90 days] after the expiration of the cure period.  
2.17    Participant.  An Employee who is designated as a participant pursuant to Section 3.1.
2.18    Person.  Any individual, entity or group within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
2.19    Plan.  The Linn Energy, Inc. Severance Plan.
2.20    Plan Administrator.  The named fiduciary of the Plan as described in Section 9.1.
2.21    Qualifying Termination.  Any termination of employment of a Participant initiated by the Employer other than for Cause; provided that, a termination initiated by a Participant for 

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Good Reason shall also constitute a Qualifying Termination for Participants in Tier 1 and Tier 2; notwithstanding the foregoing, a Qualifying Termination will not have occurred for purposes of the Plan, if (i) the Participant is terminated as a result of the sale or other disposition of a plant, facility, division, operating assets or Subsidiary or any similar transaction, and (ii) in connection with such transaction, the Participant is offered continued employment with the purchaser or any of its affiliates with a base salary no less than that in effect as of immediately before such transaction and at a location within fifty (50) miles of the primary location at which the Participant worked immediately before such transaction, in each case, as determined in the Company’s sole discretion. 
2.22    Release.  The term “Release” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.1(c).
2.23    Severance Benefits.  The benefits described in Article IV that are provided to qualifying Participants under the Plan.
2.24    Subsidiary.  Any entity of which the Company owns, directly or indirectly, all of such entity’s outstanding units, shares of capital stock or other voting securities.
2.25    Tiers.  The terms “Tier 1”, “Tier 2”, “Tier 3”, “Tier 4” and “Tier 5” have the meaning set forth in Section 3.2.
ARTICLE III
ELIGIBILITY
3.1    Participants.  An Employee of the Employer shall become a Participant in the Plan as of the later to occur of (i) the Effective Date or (ii) the date he or she first becomes an Employee of an Employer in a position covered by Tier 1, Tier 2, Tier 3, Tier 4 or Tier 5.
Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, no individual who is designated, compensated, or otherwise classified or treated by the Employer as a leased employee, consultant, independent contractor or other non-common law employee shall be eligible to receive benefits under the Plan.  It is expressly intended that individuals not treated as common law employees by the Employer are to be excluded from Plan participation even if a court or administrative agency later determines that such individuals are common law employees.  In the event of a Change of Control (as defined in the Change of Control Plan), severance benefits for eligible participants in the Change of Control Plan shall be provided under the terms of the Change of Control Plan and not the Plan; it is the intent of the Company and the Employer that Employees will not be eligible for duplicate severance benefits under multiple plans, including any employment agreements.
3.2    Tiers.  Employees eligible to participate in the Plan shall be assigned to Tier 1, Tier 2, Tier 3, Tier 4 or Tier 5 as set forth below; provided, however, that the Committee may designate, by written notice to such Participant, that a Participant shall be assigned to a different Tier, in which case such designation by the Committee shall be controlling.
(a)     “Tier 1” means the Employee(s) of the Employer with the title of Vice President.
(b)    “Tier 2” means the Employee(s) of the Employer with the title of Director or a Director level equivalent title. 

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(c)    “Tier 3” means the Employee(s) of the Employer with the title of Manager or a Manager level equivalent title.
(d)    “Tier 4” means the Employee(s) of the Employer with the title(s) of Supervisor or Key Technical.
(e)    “Tier 5” means any Employee of the Employer that is not assigned to Tier 1, Tier 2, Tier 3, or Tier 4. 
ARTICLE IV
SEVERANCE BENEFITS
4.1    Eligibility for Severance Pay.  A Participant becomes eligible to receive Severance Benefits under the Plan upon a Qualifying Termination, provided that the Participant:
(a)    performs in all material respects all transition and other matters required of the Participant by the Employer prior to his or her Qualifying Termination;
(b)    complies in all material respects with the restrictive covenants in Article V hereof and returns to the Employer any property of the Employer which has come into the Participant’s possession; and
(c)    returns (and does not thereafter revoke), within 50 days after the date of the Participant’s Qualifying Termination, a signed, dated and notarized original agreement and general release of claims in a form acceptable to the Employer, in its sole and absolute discretion (the “Release”).
4.2    Amount of Severance Benefits.  A Participant entitled to Severance Benefits under Section 4.1 shall be entitled to the following Severance Benefits as set forth in this Section 4.2.
(a)    Annual Base Salary.  
(i)    Tier 1.  A Participant in Tier 1 on the date of his or her Qualifying Termination shall be entitled to a payment equal to one times his or her Base Salary.
(ii)    Tier 2.  A Participant in Tier 2 on the date of his or her Qualifying Termination shall be entitled to a payment equal to nine months of his or her Base Salary.
(iii)    Tier 3.  A Participant in Tier 3 on the date of his or her Qualifying Termination shall be entitled to a payment equal to six months of his or her Base Salary.
(iv)    Tier 4.  A Participant in Tier 4 on the date of his or her Qualifying Termination shall be entitled to a payment equal to four and one-half months of his or her Base Salary.
(v)    Tier 5.  A Participant in Tier 5 on the date of his or her Qualifying Termination shall be entitled to a payment equal to three months of his or her Base Salary.

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Notwithstanding the foregoing, until the first anniversary of the Effective Date, a Participant who incurs a Qualifying Termination, and is in Tier 4 or Tier 5 on the date of such Qualifying Termination, shall be entitled to a payment equal to six months of his or her Base Salary, in lieu of (and not in addition to) the payment amounts specified in Sections 4.2(a)(iv) and 4.2(a)(v), respectively,.
(b)    Incentive Benefits.  Each Participant who, as of his or her Qualifying Termination, participates in any cash incentive compensation or other cash bonus plan or arrangement as may be established by the Board from time to time (collectively, the “Employee Bonus Plan”) shall be entitled to receive the amount as determined under the Employee Bonus Plan for a termination of employment. 
(c)    COBRA Coverage.  If the Participant timely and properly elects continuation health care coverage pursuant to the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (“COBRA”) under the Employer’s health care plan, the Employer will pay the “Company’s portion” (as defined below) of the Participant’s COBRA continuation coverage of medical benefits (the “COBRA Coverage”) for the period set forth in the table below following the date of the Participant’s Qualifying Termination.  The “Company’s portion” of COBRA Coverage shall be the difference between one hundred percent of the cost of the COBRA Coverage and the dollar amount of medical premium expenses paid for the same type or types of Employer medical benefits by a similarly situated Employee on the date of the Participant’s Qualifying Termination.
	
		
	Tier
	Period of Continued 
COBRA Coverage

	1
	12 Months

	2
	9 Months

	3
	6 Months

	4
	5 Months

	5
	3 Months

(d)    Outplacement Assistance.  The Company shall pay fees on behalf of the Participant to a third‐party outplacement services agency to provide outplacement services for up to the period of time set forth in the following table, which services shall be completed no later than six months following the date of the Participant’s Qualifying Termination.
	
		
	Tier
	Period of 
Outplacement Services

	1
	6 Months

	2-5
	3 Months

(e)    Time and Form of Payment.  The Severance Benefits payable pursuant to Section 4.2(a) and Section 4.2(b) shall be paid in a single lump sum payment on the date that is 60 days 

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after the date of the Participant’s Qualifying Termination, but no later than two and one half months following the last day of the calendar year that includes the date of the Participant’s Qualifying Termination.  The Severance Benefits payable pursuant to Section 4.2(c) and Section 4.2(d) shall be paid directly to the service provider or shall be reimbursed to the Participant promptly, but in any event by no later than December 31st of the calendar year following the calendar year in which such expenses were incurred, shall not affect any payments or reimbursements in any other calendar year, and shall not be subject to liquidation or exchange for any other benefit.  The taxable year in which any Severance Benefit under Section 4.2(c) or Section 4.2(d) is paid shall be determined in the sole discretion of the Employer, and the Participant shall not be permitted, directly or indirectly, to designate the taxable year of payment.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Participant has not timely returned the Release, or subsequently revokes the Release, the Participant shall forfeit all Severance Benefits.
(f)    Withholding.  The Company may withhold and deduct from any benefits and payments made or to be made pursuant to the Plan all federal, state, local and other taxes as may be required pursuant to any law or governmental regulation or ruling.
ARTICLE V
RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS
5.1    Non-Compete Obligations.  During employment with the Employer and for a period of (i) nine (9) months after the Participant’s termination of employment for a Tier 1 Participant and (ii) six (6) months after the Participant’s termination of employment for a Tier 2 Participant:
(a)    the Participant will not, other than through the Company, engage or participate in any manner, whether directly or indirectly through any family member or as an employee, employer, consultant, agent, principal, partner, more than one percent (1%) shareholder, officer, director, licensor, lender, lessor or in any other individual or representative capacity, in any business or activity which is engaged in leasing, acquiring, exploring, producing, gathering or marketing hydrocarbons and related products; provided that the foregoing shall not be deemed to restrain the participation by the Participant’s spouse in any capacity set forth above in any business or activity engaged in any such activity; and provided, further, that the Company may, in good faith, take such reasonable action with respect to the Participant’s performance of his or her duties, responsibilities and authorities as it deems necessary and appropriate to protect its legitimate business interests with respect to any actual or apparent conflict of interest reasonably arising from or out of the participation by the Participant’s spouse in any such competitive business or activity; and
(b)    all investments made by the Participant (whether in his or her own name or in the name of any family members or other nominees or made by the Participant’s controlled affiliates), which relate to the leasing, acquisition, exploration, production, gathering or marketing of hydrocarbons and related products will be made solely through the Company; and the Participant will not (directly or indirectly through any family members or other persons), and will not permit any of his or her controlled affiliates to: (A) invest or otherwise participate alongside the Company or its direct or indirect subsidiaries in any Business Opportunities, or (B) invest or otherwise participate in any business or activity relating to 

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a Business Opportunity, regardless of whether any of the Company or its direct or indirect subsidiaries ultimately participates in such business or activity, in either case, except through the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this Section 5.1(b) shall be deemed to prohibit the Participant or any family member from owning, or otherwise having an interest in, less than one percent (1%) of any publicly owned entity or three percent (3%) or less of any private equity fund or similar investment fund that invests in any business or activity engaged in any of the activities set forth above, provided that the Participant has no active role with respect to any investment by such fund in any entity.
5.2    Non-Solicitation.  With respect to any Participant in Tier 1 or Tier 2, during such Participant’s employment with the Employer and for a period of one (1) year after the Participant’s termination of employment, the Participant will not, whether for his or her own account or for the account of any other Person (other than the Company or its direct or indirect Subsidiaries), intentionally solicit, endeavor to entice away from the Company or its direct or indirect Subsidiaries, or otherwise interfere with the relationship of the Company or its direct or indirect Subsidiaries with, (a) any person who is employed by the Company or its direct or indirect Subsidiaries (including any independent sales representatives or organizations), or (b) any client or customer of the Company or its direct or indirect Subsidiaries.
ARTICLE VI
EMPLOYERS
Any Subsidiary of the Company shall be, and any new Subsidiary of the Company shall be, an Employer under the Plan unless the Company makes an affirmative determination that such Subsidiary shall not be an Employer under the Plan.  Pursuant to Section 3.1, the provisions of the Plan shall be fully applicable to the Employees of any such Subsidiary that becomes an Employer.
ARTICLE VII
SUCCESSOR TO COMPANY
The Plan shall bind any successor of the Company, its assets or its businesses (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise), in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be obligated under the Plan if no succession had taken place.
In the case of any transaction in which a successor would not by the foregoing provision or by operation of law be bound by the Plan, the Company shall require such successor expressly and unconditionally to assume and agree to perform the Company’s obligations under the Plan, in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform if no such succession had taken place.  The term “Company,” as used in the Plan, shall mean the Company as hereinbefore defined and any successor or assignee to the business or assets which by reason hereof becomes bound by the Plan.
ARTICLE VIII
AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION
8.1    Amendment or Termination.  While the Company expects and intends to continue the Plan, the Board or the Committee may amend the Plan at any time, and from time to time, for 

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any reason in the Company’s sole discretion, has the right to change, modify, alter or amend the Plan in any respect and to terminate the Plan in full.
8.2    Procedure for Extension, Amendment or Termination.  Any extension, amendment or termination of the Plan by the Board in accordance with the foregoing shall be made by action of the Board in accordance with the Company’s organizational documents in effect at the time, and applicable law.
ARTICLE IX
PLAN ADMINISTRATION
9.1    Named Fiduciary; Administration.  The Company’s Senior Vice President over Human Resources is the named fiduciary of the Plan and shall be the Plan Administrator.  The Plan Administrator shall review and determine all claims for benefits under the Plan.
9.2    Claim Procedure.
(a)    If an Employee or former Employee or his or her authorized representative (referred to in this Article IX as a “claimant”) makes a written request alleging a right to receive benefits under the Plan or alleging a right to receive an adjustment in benefits being paid under the Plan, the Company shall treat it as a claim for benefits.
(b)    All claims and inquiries concerning benefits under the Plan must be submitted to the Plan Administrator in writing and be addressed as follows:
	
	
	Plan Administrator

	 

	Linn Energy, Inc. Severance Plan
Linn Energy, Inc.
JP Morgan Chase Tower
600 Travis
Houston, Texas 77002

The Plan Administrator shall have full and complete discretionary authority to administer, to construe, and to interpret the Plan, to decide all questions of eligibility, to determine the amount, manner and time of payment, and to make all other determinations deemed necessary or advisable for the Plan.  The Plan Administrator shall initially deny or approve all claims for benefits under the Plan.  The claimant may submit written comments, documents, records or any other information relating to the claim.  Furthermore, the claimant shall be provided, upon request and free of charge, reasonable access to, and copies of, all documents, records and other information relevant to the claim for benefits.
(c)    Claims Denial.  If any claim for benefits is denied in whole or in part, the Plan Administrator shall notify the claimant in writing of such denial and shall advise the claimant of his or her right to a review thereof.  Such written notice shall set forth, in a manner calculated to be understood by the claimant, specific reasons for such denial, specific references to the Plan provisions on which such denial is based, a description of any information or material necessary for the claimant to perfect his or her claim, an explanation of why such material is necessary and 

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an explanation of the Plan’s review procedure, and the time limits applicable to such procedures.  Furthermore, the notification shall include a statement of the claimant’s right to bring a civil action under Section 502(a) of ERISA following an adverse benefit determination on review.  Such written notice shall be given to the claimant within a reasonable period of time, which normally shall not exceed 90 days after the claim is received by the Plan Administrator.
(d)    Appeals.  Any claimant whose claim for benefits is denied in whole or in part may appeal, or his or her duly authorized representative may appeal on the claimant’s behalf, such denial by submitting to the Appeals Committee a request for a review of the claim within 60 days after receiving written notice of such denial from the Plan Administrator.  The Appeals Committee shall comprise at least three individuals who serve as officers or managers of the Company.  The Appeals Committee shall give the claimant upon request, and free of charge, reasonable access to, and copies of, all documents, records and other information relevant to the claim of the claimant, in preparing his or her request for review.  The request for review must be in writing and be addressed as follows:
	
	
	Appeals Committee

	Linn Energy, Inc. Severance Plan
Linn Energy, Inc.
JP Morgan Chase Tower
600 Travis
Houston, Texas 77002

The request for review shall set forth all of the grounds upon which it is based, all facts in support thereof, and any other matters which the claimant deems pertinent.  The Appeals Committee may require the claimant to submit such additional facts, documents, or other materials as the Appeals Committee may deem necessary or appropriate in making its review.
(e)    Review of Appeals.  The Appeals Committee shall act upon each request for review within 60 days after receipt thereof.  The review on appeal shall consider all comments, documents, records and other information submitted by the claimant relating to the claim without regard to whether this information was submitted or considered in the initial benefit determination.  The Appeals Committee shall have full and complete discretionary authority, in its review of any claims denied by the Plan Administrator, to administer, to construe, and to interpret the Plan, to decide all questions of eligibility, to determine the amount, manner and time of payment, and to make all other determinations deemed necessary or advisable for the Plan.
(f)    Decision on Appeals.  The Appeals Committee shall give written notice of its decision to the claimant.  If the Appeals Committee confirms the denial of the application for benefits in whole or in part, such notice shall set forth, in a manner calculated to be understood by the claimant, the specific reasons for such denial, and specific references to the Plan provisions on which the decision is based.  The notice shall also contain a statement that the claimant is entitled to receive upon request, and free of charge, reasonable access to, and copies of, all documents, records and other information relevant to the claimant’s claim for benefits.  Information is relevant to a claim if it was relied upon in making the benefit determination or was submitted, considered or generated in the course of making the benefit determination, whether it was relied upon or not.  The notice 

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shall also contain a statement of the claimant’s right to bring an action under ERISA Section 502 (a).  If the Appeals Committee has not rendered a decision on a request for review within 60 days after receipt of the request for review, the claimant’s claim shall be deemed to have been approved.  The Appeals Committee’s decision shall be final and not subject to further review within the Company.  There are no voluntary appeals procedures after review by the Appeals Committee.
(g)    Time of Approved Payment.  In the event that either the Plan Administrator or the Appeals Committee determines that the claimant is entitled to the payment of all or any portion of the benefits claimed, such payment shall be made to the claimant within 30 days of the date of such determination or such later time as may be required to comply with Section 409A of the Code.
(g)    Determination of Time Periods.  If the day on which any of the foregoing time periods is to end is a Saturday, Sunday or holiday recognized by the Company, the period shall extend until the next following business day.
9.3    Arbitration.  In the event that a Participant wishes to pursue any further claim for benefits under the Plan following the completion of the appeal process described in Section 9.2, the Participant must participate in arbitration in Houston, Texas, before a single arbitrator in accordance with the arbitration rules and procedures of the Center for Public Resources Rules for Non-Administered Arbitration of Business Disputes (the “Arbitration Process”); provided, however, that the arbitration will not be binding on the claimant and the claimant may seek legal or equitable remedies in court after the arbitrator has made a determination as to the claimant’s claim, if the claimant does not accept the arbitrator’s determination.  The Arbitration Process shall be commenced by filing a demand for arbitration in accordance with the Arbitration Process within 18 months after the final notice of denial of the Participant’s appeal in accordance with Section 9.2.  The arbitrator shall decide all issues relating to arbitrability and the arbitrator shall also decide all issues with respect to the payment of the costs of such arbitration, including attorneys’ fees and the arbitrator’s fees.  Completion of the claims procedures described in this document will be a condition precedent to the commencement of any arbitration in connection with a claim for benefits under the Plan by a claimant; provided, however, that the Appeals Committee may, in its sole discretion, waive compliance with such claims procedures as a condition precedent to any such action.
9.4    Exhaustion of Administrative Remedies.  Completion of the claims and appeals procedures described in Sections 9.2 and 9.3 of the Plan, including arbitration, will be a condition precedent to the commencement of any legal or equitable action in connection with a claim for benefits under the Plan by a claimant; provided, however, that the Appeals Committee may, in its sole discretion, waive compliance with such claims procedures as a condition precedent to any such action.
ARTICLE X
MISCELLANEOUS
10.1    Employment Status.  The Plan does not constitute a contract of employment nor impose on the Participant or the Participant’s Employer any obligation for the Participant to remain an Employee nor change the status of the Participant’s employment or the policies of such Employer regarding termination of employment.

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10.2    Unfunded Plan Status.  All payments pursuant to the Plan shall be made from the general funds of the Company and no special or separate fund shall be established or other segregation of assets made to assure payment.  No Participant or other person shall have under any circumstances any interest in any particular property or assets of the Company as a result of participating in the Plan.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may (but shall not be obligated to) create one or more grantor trusts, the assets of which are subject to the claims of the Company’s creditors, to assist it in accumulating funds to pay its obligations under the Plan.
10.3    Validity and Severability.  The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of the Plan shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of the Plan, which shall remain in full force and effect, and any prohibition or unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.
10.4    Anti-Alienation of Benefits.  No amount to be paid hereunder shall be subject to anticipation, alienation, sale, transfer, assignment, pledge, encumbrance, attachment, or garnishment by creditors of the Employee or the Employee’s beneficiary.
10.5    Governing Law.  The validity, interpretation, construction and performance of the Plan shall in all respects be governed by the laws of Texas, without reference to principles of conflicts of law, except to the extent pre-empted by Federal law.
[Signature page follows.]

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Linn Energy, Inc. Severance Plan has been adopted the Committee to be effective as of the Effective Date.
	
			
	 
	LINN ENERGY, INC.

	 
	 

	 
	 

	 
	 

	 
	By:
	/s/ Mark E. Ellis

	 
	Mark E. Ellis
President and Chief Executive Officer

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