Back to top

AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER AND REORGANIZATION

Agreement and Plan of Merger

AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER AND REORGANIZATION | Document Parties: KENTUCKY USA ENERGY, INC | KY ACQUISITION CORP | Las Rocas Leaseco, Inc | Las Rocas Mining Corp | Somerset Recycling, Inc You are currently viewing:
This Agreement and Plan of Merger involves

KENTUCKY USA ENERGY, INC | KY ACQUISITION CORP | Las Rocas Leaseco, Inc | Las Rocas Mining Corp | Somerset Recycling, Inc

. RealDealDocs™ contains millions of easily searchable legal documents and clauses from top law firms. Search for free - click here.
Title: AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER AND REORGANIZATION
Governing Law: New York     Date: 5/8/2008

AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER AND REORGANIZATION, Parties: kentucky usa energy  inc , ky acquisition corp , las rocas leaseco  inc , las rocas mining corp , somerset recycling  inc
50 of the Top 250 law firms use our Products every day
Exhibit 2.1
 


 
 

 

 
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER AND REORGANIZATION
 
among
 
KENTUCKY USA ENERGY, INC.
 
(formerly known as Las Rocas Mining Corp.)
 
KY ACQUISITION CORP.
 
and
 
KY USA ENERGY, INC.
 
May 2, 2008
 

 

 




 
 
 

 
 
 
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
 
 
ARTICLE I THE MERGER
1
1.1
The Merger
1
1.2
The Closing
2
1.3
Actions at the Closing
2
1.4
Additional Actions
3
1.5
Conversion of Company Securities
3
1.6
Dissenting Shares
4
1.7
Fractional Shares
4
1.8
Options and Warrants
5
1.9
Escrow
5
1.10
Certificate of Incorporation and ByLaws
6
1.11
No Further Rights
6
1.12
Closing of Transfer Books
6
1.13
Post-Closing Adjustment
6
1.14
Exemption from Registration
7
ARTICLE II REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY
7
2.1
Organization, Qualification and Corporate Power
7
2.2
Capitalization
8
2.3
Authorization of Transaction
8
2.4
Noncontravention
8
2.5
Subsidiaries
9
2.6
Financial Statements
10
2.7
Absence of Certain Changes
10
2.8
Undisclosed Liabilities
10
2.9
Tax Matters
10
2.10
Assets
12
2.11
Owned Real Property
12
2.12
Real Property Leases
12
2.13
Contracts
13
2.14
Accounts Receivable
14
2.15
Powers of Attorney
15
2.16
Insurance
15
2.17
Litigation
15
2.18
Employees
15
2.19
Employee Benefits
16
2.20
Environmental Matters
18
2.21
Legal Compliance
19
2.22
[Intentionally Omitted]
19
 
 

 
 
 
2.23
Permits
19
2.24
Certain Business Relationships with Affiliates
19
2.25
Brokers’ Fees
19
2.26
Books and Records
19
2.27
Intellectual Property
20
2.28
Independent and Internal Engineering Report
21
2.29
Title to Interests
21
2.30
Compliance with Leases and Laws; Operation of Assets
22
2.31
Sale of Production
24
2.32
Status of Wells
25
2.33
Hedging
25
2.34
Drilling Obligations
25
2.35
Royalty Interests
25
2.36
Seismic Information
25
2.37
Tax Partnerships
26
2.38
Disclosure
26
2.39
Duty to Make Inquiry
26
ARTICLE III REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE PARENT AND THE ACQUISITION SUBSIDIARY
26
3.1
Organization, Qualification and Corporate Power
26
3.2
Capitalization
27
3.3
Authorization of Transaction
27
3.4
Noncontravention
28
3.5
Subsidiaries
28
3.6
Exchange Act Reports
29
3.7
Compliance with Laws
29
3.8
Financial Statements
30
3.9
Absence of Certain Changes
30
3.10
Litigation
30
3.11
Undisclosed Liabilities
31
3.12
Tax Matters
31
3.13
Assets
32
3.14
Owned Real Property
32
3.15
Real Property Leases
32
3.16
Contracts
33
3.17
Accounts Receivable
34
3.18
Powers of Attorney
34
3.19
Insurance
34
3.20
Warranties
35
3.21
Employees
35
3.22
Employee Benefits
35
3.23
Environmental Matters
37
3.24
Permits
38
3.25
Certain Business Relationships with Affiliates
38
3.26
Tax-Free Reorganization
38
3.27
Split-Off
39
3.28
Brokers’ Fees
39
3.29
Disclosure
39
3.30
Interested Party Transactions
40
3.31
Duty to Make Inquiry
40
3.32
Accountants
40
3.33
Minute Books
40
3.34
Board Action
41
 
 
 

 
 
ARTICLE IV COVENANTS
41
4.1
Closing Efforts
41
4.2
Governmental and Thirty Party Notices and Consents
41
4.3
Current Report
41
4.4
Operation of Company Business
41
4.5
Access to Company Information
43
4.6
Operation of Parent Business
43
4.7
Access to Parent Information
45
4.8
Expenses
45
4.9
Indemnification
45
4.10
Listing of Merger Shares
46
4.11
[Intentionally Omitted]
46
4.12
Name Change
46
4.13
Split-Off
46
4.14
Stock Option Plan
46
4.15
Parent Board; Amendment of Charter Documents
46
4.16
Information Provided to Company Stockholders
46
4.17
No Registration
47
4.18
No Shorting
47
4.19
No Organic Changes
47
ARTICLE V CONDITIONS TO CONSUMMATION OF MERGER
47
5.1
Conditions to Each Party’s Obligations
47
5.2
Conditions to Obligations of the Parent and the Acquisition Subsidiary
48
5.3
Conditions to Obligations of the Company
49
ARTICLE VI INDEMNIFICATION
50
6.1
Indemnification by the Company Stockholders
50
6.2
Indemnification by the Parent
51
6.3
Indemnification Claims by the Parent
51
6.4
Survival of Representations and Warranties
54
6.5
Limitations on Parent’s Claims for Indemnification
54
ARTICLE VII DEFINITIONS
55
ARTICLE VIII TERMINATION
58
8.1
Termination by Mutual Agreement
58
8.2
[Intentionally Omitted]
58
8.3
Termination by Operation of Law
58
8.4
Termination for Failure to Perform Covenants or Conditions
58
8.5
Effect of Termination or Default; Remedies
58
8.6
Remedies; Specific Performance
58
ARTICLE IX MISCELLANEOUS
59
9.1
Press Releases and Announcements
59
9.2
No Third Party Beneficiaries
59
9.3
Entire Agreement
59
9.4
Succession and Assignment
59
9.5
Counterparts and Facsimile Signature
59
9.6
Headings
60
9.7
Notices
60
9.8
Governing Law
60
9.9
Amendments and Waivers
60
9.10
Severability
61
9.11
Submission to Jurisdiction
61
9.12
Construction
61
 
EXHIBITS
Exhibit A                                Form of Split-Off Agreement
Exhibit B                                Form of Escrow Agreement
Exhibit C                                Signatories to Lock-Up Agreements
Exhibit D                                Opinion of Counsel to the Company
Exhibit E                                Opinion of Counsel to the Parent and the Acquisition Subsidiary
Exhibit F                                Form of IR Shares Escrow Agreement
 
 
 




AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER AND REORGANIZATION
 
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER AND REORGANIZATION (this “Agreement”), dated as of May 2, 2008, by and among Kentucky USA Energy, Inc. (formerly known as Las Rocas Mining Corp.), a Delaware corporation (the “Parent”), KY Acquisition Corp., a Kentucky corporation (the “Acquisition Subsidiary”), and KY USA Energy, Inc., a Kentucky corporation (the “Company”).  The Parent, the Acquisition Subsidiary and the Company are each a “Party” and referred to collectively herein as the “Parties.”
 
WHEREAS, this Agreement contemplates a merger of the Acquisition Subsidiary with and into the Company, with the Company remaining as the surviving entity after the merger (the “Merger”), whereby the stockholders of the Company will receive common stock of the Parent in exchange for their capital stock of the Company;
 
WHEREAS, prior to the execution of this Agreement, pursuant to the terms of that certain Promissory Note, dated as of October 5, 2007 and related documents, the Company has borrowed $800,000 (the “Bridge Loan”) from Somerset Recycling, Inc.;
 
WHEREAS, contemporaneously with the closing of the Merger, the Parent intends to split-off its wholly owned subsidiary, Las Rocas Leaseco, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Leaseco”), through the sale of all of the outstanding capital stock of Leaseco (the “Split-Off”) upon the terms and conditions of a split-off agreement by and among the Parent, Christopher Greenwood (“Buyer”), the Company and Leaseco, substantially in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto (the “Split-Off Agreement”); and
 
WHEREAS, the Parent, the Acquisition Subsidiary and the Company desire that the Merger qualifies as a “plan of reorganization” under Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), and not subject the holders of equity securities of the Company to tax liability under the Code;
 
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the representations, warranties and covenants herein contained, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt, adequacy and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties hereto, intending legally to be bound, agree as follows:
 
ARTICLE I  
THE MERGER
 
1.1   The Merger .  Upon and subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Acquisition Subsidiary shall merge with and into the Company at the Effective Time (as defined below).  From and after the Effective Time, the separate corporate existence of the Acquisition Subsidiary shall cease and the Company shall continue as the surviving corporation in the Merger (the “Surviving Corporation”).  The “Effective Time” shall be the time at which the Articles of Merger (the “Articles of Merger”) and other appropriate or required documents prepared and executed in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Kentucky Business Corporation Act (the “BCA”) are filed with the Secretary of State of the Commonwealth of Kentucky.  The Merger shall have the effects set forth in the applicable provisions of the BCA.
 
 
 

 
1.2   The Closing .  The closing of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (the “Closing”) shall take place at the offices of Gottbetter & Partners, LLP in New York, New York commencing at 10:00 a.m. local time on May 2, 2008, or, if all of the conditions to the obligations of the Parties to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby have not been satisfied or waived by such date, on such mutually agreeable later date as soon as practicable (and in any event not later than three (3) business days) after the satisfaction or waiver of all conditions (excluding the delivery of any documents to be delivered at the Closing by any of the Parties) set forth in Article V hereof (the “Closing Date”).
 
1.3   Actions at the Closing .  At the Closing:
 
(a)   the Company shall deliver to the Parent and the Acquisition Subsidiary the various certificates, instruments and documents referred to in Section 5.2;
 
(b)   the Parent and the Acquisition Subsidiary shall deliver to the Company the various certificates, instruments and documents referred to in Section 5.3;
 
(c)   the Surviving Corporation shall file the Articles of Merger with the Secretary of State of the Commonwealth of Kentucky;
 
(d)   each of the stockholders of record of the Company immediately prior to the Effective Time (collectively, the “Company Stockholders”) shall, if requested by the Parent, deliver to the Parent the certificate(s) representing his, her or its Company Shares (as defined below);
 
(e)   the Parent shall deliver certificates for the Initial Shares (as defined below) to each Company Stockholder in accordance with Section 1.5 and shall deliver Parent Warrants (as defined below) to the applicable holders of Warrants (as defined below), as contemplated by Section 1.8(d);
 
(f)   the Parent shall deliver to the Company (i) evidence that the Parent’s board of directors is authorized to consist of five individuals, (ii) the resignations of all individuals who served as directors and/or officers of the Parent immediately prior to the Closing Date, (iii) evidence of the appointment of five directors to serve immediately following the Closing Date, four of whom shall have been designated by the Company and one of whom shall have been designated by the Parent, provided that such Parent designee is reasonably acceptable to the four Company designees, and (v) evidence of the appointment of such executive officers of the Parent to serve immediately following the Closing Date as shall have been designated by the Company; and
 
(g)   the Parent, Steven D. Eversole and C.G. Collins (the “Indemnification Representatives”) and Gottbetter & Partners, LLP (the “Escrow Agent”) shall execute and deliver the Escrow Agreement in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit B (the “Escrow Agreement”), and the Parent shall deliver to the Escrow Agent a certificate for the Escrow Shares (as defined below) being placed in escrow on the Closing Date pursuant to Section 1.9.
 
 
 
2

 
 
(h)   the Parent and the Escrow Agent shall execute and deliver the IR Shares Escrow Agreement in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit F (the “IR Shares Escrow Agreement”), and the Parent shall deliver to the Escrow Agent a certificate for the IR Escrow Shares (as defined below) being placed in escrow on the Closing Date pursuant to Section 1.9.
 
1.4   Additional Actions .  If at any time after the Effective Time the Surviving Corporation shall consider or be advised that any deeds, bills of sale, assignments or assurances or any other acts or things are necessary, desirable or proper (a) to vest, perfect or confirm, of record or otherwise, in the Surviving Corporation, its right, title or interest in, to or under any of the rights, privileges, powers, franchises, properties or assets of either the Company or the Acquisition Subsidiary or (b) otherwise to carry out the purposes of this Agreement, the Surviving Corporation and its proper officers and directors or their designees shall be authorized (to the fullest extent allowed under applicable law) to execute and deliver, in the name and on behalf of either the Company or the Acquisition Subsidiary, all such deeds, bills of sale, assignments and assurances and do, in the name and on behalf of the Company or the Acquisition Subsidiary, all such other acts and things necessary, desirable or proper to vest, perfect or confirm its right, title or interest in, to or under any of the rights, privileges, powers, franchises, properties or assets of the Company or the Acquisition Subsidiary, as applicable, and otherwise to carry out the purposes of this Agreement.
 
1.5   Conversion of Company Securities .  At the Effective Time, by virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part of any Party or the holder of any of the following securities:
 
(a)   Each share of common stock, $0.01 par value per share, of the Company (“Company Shares”) issued and outstanding, on a fully-diluted basis, immediately prior to the Effective Time (other than Company Shares owned beneficially by the Parent or the Acquisition Subsidiary and Dissenting Shares (as defined below)) shall be converted into and represent the right to receive (subject to the provisions of Section 1.6) such number of shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Parent (“Parent Common Stock”) as is equal to the Common Conversion Ratio (as defined below).  An aggregate of 18,000,000 shares of Parent Common Stock, on a fully-diluted basis, shall be issued to the security holders of the Company in connection with the Merger.
 
(b)   The “Common Conversion Ratio” shall be obtained by dividing (i) 18,000,000 shares of Parent Common Stock by (ii) the total number of outstanding Company Shares immediately prior to the Effective Time on a fully diluted basis after giving effect to the exercise of all outstanding common stock purchase warrants (“Warrants”), the exercise of all outstanding options to purchase Company Shares (“Options”) and the conversion or exercise of all other rights to acquire Company Shares.  The parties agree that the Common Conversion Ratio shall be 9,000 shares of Parent Common Stock for every one Company Share.  The Company   Stockholders shall be entitled to receive immediately   95% of the shares of Parent Common Stock into which their Company Shares were converted pursuant to this Section 1.5 (the “Initial Shares”) pro rata in accordance with their respective holdings of Company Shares immediately prior to the Closing; the remaining   5%   of the shares of Parent Common Stock into which their Company Shares were converted pursuant to this Section 1.5, rounded to the nearest whole number (with 0.5 shares rounded upward to the nearest whole number) (the “Escrow Shares”), shall be deposited in escrow pursuant to Section 1.9 and shall be held and disposed of in accordance with the terms of the Escrow Agreement and, if and as released from escrow, will be  distributed to the Company Stockholders pro rata according to their holdings of the Initial Shares as of the Closing.  The Initial Shares and the Escrow Shares shall together be referred to herein as the “Merger Shares.”
 
(c)   Each issued and outstanding share of common stock, par value $0.001 per share, of the Acquisition Subsidiary shall be converted into one validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable share of common stock of the Surviving Corporation.
 
1.6   Dissenting Shares .
 
(a)   For purposes of this Agreement, “Dissenting Shares” means Company Shares held as of the Effective Time by a Company Stockholder who has not voted such Company Shares in favor of the adoption of this Agreement and the Merger and with respect to which appraisal shall have been duly demanded and perfected in accordance with Section 210 of the BCA and not effectively withdrawn or forfeited prior to the Effective Time.  Dissenting Shares shall not be converted into or represent the right to receive shares of Parent Common Stock unless such Company Stockholder’s right to appraisal shall have ceased in accordance with the BCA.  If such Company Stockholder has so forfeited or withdrawn his, her or its right to appraisal of Dissenting Shares, then, (i) as of the occurrence of such event, such holder’s Dissenting Shares shall cease to be Dissenting Shares and shall be converted into and represent the right to receive the Merger Shares issuable in respect of such Company Shares pursuant to Section 1.5, and (ii) promptly following the occurrence of such event, the Parent shall deliver to such Company Stockholder a certificate representing 95% of the Merger Shares to which such holder is entitled pursuant to Section 1.5 (which shares shall be considered Initial Shares for all purposes of this Agreement) and shall deliver to the Escrow Agent a certificate representing the remaining 5% of the Merger Shares to which such holder is entitled pursuant to Section 1.5 (which shares shall be considered Escrow Shares for all purposes of this Agreement).
 
 
 
 
3

 
(b)   The Company shall give the Parent prompt notice of any written demands for appraisal of any Company Shares, withdrawals of such demands, and any other instruments that relate to such demands received by the Company.  The Company shall not, except with the prior written consent of the Parent, make any payment with respect to any demands for appraisal of Company Shares or offer to settle or settle any such demands.
 
1.7   Fractional Shares .  No certificates or scrip representing fractional Initial Shares shall be issued to Company Stockholders on the surrender for exchange of certificates that immediately prior to the Effective Time represented Company Shares converted into Merger Shares pursuant to Section 1.5 (“Certificates”) and such Company Stockholders shall not be entitled to any voting rights, rights to receive any dividends or distributions or other rights as a stockholder of the Parent with respect to any fractional Initial Shares that would have otherwise been issued to such Company Stockholders.  In lieu of any fractional Initial Shares that would have otherwise been issued, each former Company Stockholder that would have been entitled to receive a fractional Initial Share shall, on proper surrender of such person’s Certificates, receive such whole number of Initial Shares as is equal to the precise number of Initial Shares to which such Company Stockholder would be entitled, rounded up or down to the nearest whole number (with a fractional interest equal to 0.5 rounded upward to the nearest whole number); provided that each such Company Stockholder shall receive at least one Initial Share.
 
1.8   Options and Warrants .
 
(a)   As of the Effective Time, all Options to purchase Company Shares issued by the Company, whether vested or unvested, shall be canceled and exchanged for options to purchase shares of Parent Common Stock (“Parent Options”) without further action by the holder thereof.  Each Parent Option shall constitute an option to acquire such number of shares of Parent Common Stock as is equal to the number of Company Shares subject to the unexercised portion of the Option multiplied by the Common Conversion Ratio (with any fraction resulting from such multiplication to be rounded to the nearest whole number, and with 0.5 shares rounded upward to the nearest whole number).  The exercise price per share of each Parent Option shall be equal to the exercise price of the Option prior to conversion divided by the Common Conversion Ratio.  On October 19, 2007, the Parent adopted its 2007 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Parent Option Plan”).
 
(b)   As soon as practicable after the Effective Time, the Parent or the Surviving Corporation shall take appropriate actions to collect the Options and the agreements evidencing the Options, which shall be deemed to be canceled and shall entitle the holder to exchange the Options for Parent Options in the Parent.
 
(c)   The Company shall cause the termination, as of the Effective Time, of any and all outstanding Warrants to purchase capital stock of the Company which remain unexercised and the Parent shall, at Closing, issue new warrants (the “Parent Warrants”) in substitution for the Warrants, on substantially the same terms and conditions of the Warrants, but reflecting the Common Conversion Ratio.
 
(d)   The Parent shall take all corporate action necessary to reserve for issuance a sufficient number of shares of Parent Common Stock for delivery upon exercise of (i) the Parent Options to be issued for the Options and (ii) the Parent Warrants to be issued for the Warrants, in accordance with this Section 1.8.
 
1.9   Escrow .  On the Closing Date, the Parent shall deliver to the Escrow Agent certificates (issued in the name of the Escrow Agent or its nominee) representing (i) the Escrow Shares, as described in Section 1.5, for the purpose of securing the indemnification obligations of the Company Stockholders set forth in this Agreement and (ii) 5,000,000 shares of Common Stock (the “IR Escrow Shares”) to be issued to consultants providing public and investor relations services to the Company.  The Escrow Shares and the IR Escrow Shares shall be held by the Escrow Agent pursuant to the Escrow Agreement and the IR Shares Escrow Agreement, respectively.  The Escrow Shares and the IR Escrow Shares shall be held as a trust fund and shall not be subject to any lien, attachment, trustee process or any other judicial process of any creditor of any Party, and shall be held and disbursed solely for the purposes and in accordance with the terms of the Escrow Agreement and the IR Shares Escrow Agreement, respectively.
 
1.10   Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws .  
 
(a)   The certificate of incorporation of the Company in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be the certificate of incorporation of the Surviving Corporation until duly amended or repealed.
 
(b)   The bylaws of the Company in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be the bylaws of the Surviving Corporation until duly amended or repealed.
 
1.11   No Further Rights .  From and after the Effective Time, no Company Shares shall be deemed to be outstanding, and holders of Certificates shall cease to have any rights with respect thereto, except as provided herein or by law.
 
1.12   Closing of Transfer Books .  At the Effective Time, the stock transfer books of the Company shall be closed and no transfer of Company Shares shall thereafter be made.  If, after the Effective Time, Certificates are presented to the Parent or the Surviving Corporation, they shall be cancelled and exchanged for Merger Shares in accordance with Section 1.5, subject to Section 1.9 and to applicable law in the case of Dissenting Shares.
 
 
4

 
 
1.13   Post-Closing Adjustment .  In the event that, during the period commencing from the Closing Date and ending on the second anniversary of the Closing Date, the Parent or the Surviving Corporation incurs any Loss (as defined below) with respect to, in connection with, or arising from any Parent Liabilities (as defined below), then promptly following the filing by the Parent with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) of a quarterly report relating to the most recent completed quarter for which such determination has been made, the Parent shall issue to the Company Stockholders and/or their designees such number of shares of Parent Common Stock as would result from dividing (x) the whole dollar amount representing such Losses by (y) the average of the closing bid prices of the Common Stock during the 30 trading days immediately prior to the Closing Date, rounded to the nearest whole number (with 0.5 shares rounded upwards to the nearest whole number).  The limit on the aggregate number of shares of Parent Common Stock issuable under this Section 1.13 shall be 2,000,000 shares.  As used in this Section 1.13: (a) “Loss” shall mean any and all costs and expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, court costs, reasonable accountants’ fees, and damages and losses, net of any insurance proceeds actually received by the Party suffering the Loss with respect thereto; (b) “Claims” shall include, but are not limited to, any claim, notice, suit, action, investigation or other proceedings (whether actual or threatened); and (c) “Parent Liabilities” shall mean all Claims against and liabilities, obligations or indebtedness of any nature whatsoever of Leaseco, whenever accruing, and of the Parent and the Acquisition Subsidiary, accruing on or before the Closing Date (whether primary, secondary, direct, indirect, liquidated, unliquidated or contingent, matured or unmatured), including, but not limited to (i) any breach by the Parent or the Acquisition Subsidiary of any of their respective representations or warranties set forth in Article III herein, (ii) any litigation threatened, pending or for which a basis exists against the Parent or any Parent Subsidiary (as defined in this Agreement); (iii) any and all outstanding debts owed by the Parent or any Parent Subsidiary; (iv) any and all internal or employee related disputes, arbitrations or administrative proceedings threatened, pending or otherwise outstanding; (v) any and all liens, foreclosures, settlements, or other threatened, pending or otherwise outstanding financial, legal or similar obligations of the Parent or any Parent Subsidiary; (vi) any and all Taxes (as defined below) for which the Parent or any of its direct or indirect assets may be liable or subject, for any taxable period (or portion thereof) ending on or before the Closing Date, including, without limitation, any and all Taxes resulting from or attributable to the Parent’s ownership or operation of Leaseco’s assets; (vii) any and all Taxes for which the Parent or its direct or indirect assets may be liable or subject (including, without limitation, the interests and assets of the Surviving Corporation and any Parent Subsidiary) as a consequence of the Parent’s acquisition, formation, capitalization, ownership, and Split-Off of Leaseco, whether related to a taxable period (or portion thereof) ending on or after the Closing Date; and (viii) all fees and expenses incurred in connection with effecting the adjustments contemplated by this Section 1.13, as such Parent Liabilities are determined by the Parent’s independent auditors, on a quarterly basis.  Any shares of Parent Common Stock that are issued under this Section 1.13 shall be issued to the Company Shareholders pro rata according to their respective holdings of the Initial Shares as of the Closing.
 
1.14   Exemption from Registration .  The Parent and the Company intend that the shares of Parent Common Stock to be issued pursuant to Section 1.5 hereof or upon exercise of Parent Options and Parent Warrants, if applicable, granted pursuant to Section 1.8 hereof or upon the provisions of Section 1.13 hereof, in each case in connection with the Merger, will be issued in a transaction exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“Securities Act”), by reason of Section 4(2) of the Securities Act, Rule 506 of Regulation D promulgated by the SEC thereunder and/or Regulation S promulgated by the SEC.
 
ARTICLE II 
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY
 
The Company represents and warrants to the Parent that the statements contained in this Article II are true and correct, except as set forth in the disclosure schedule provided by the Company to the Parent on the date hereof and accepted in writing by the Parent (the “Disclosure Schedule”).  The Disclosure Schedule shall be arranged in paragraphs corresponding to the numbered and lettered paragraphs contained in this Article II.  The inclusion of any item on the Disclosure Schedule shall constitute disclosure for all purposes under this Agreement, and shall not be construed as an indication of the materiality or lack thereof of such item.
 
2.1   Organization, Qualification and Corporate Power .  The Company is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in corporate and tax good standing under the laws of the Commonwealth of Kentucky.  The Company is duly qualified to conduct business and is in corporate and tax good standing under the laws of each jurisdiction in which the nature of its businesses or the ownership or leasing of its properties requires such qualification, except where the failure to be so qualified or in good standing, individually or in the aggregate, has not had and would not reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect (as defined below).  The Company has all requisite corporate power and authority to carry on the businesses in which it is engaged and to own and use the properties owned and used by it.  The Company has furnished or made available to the Parent complete and accurate copies of its certificate of incorporation and bylaws.  The Company is not in default under or in violation of any provision of its certificate of incorporation, as amended to date, or its bylaws, as amended to date.  For purposes of this Agreement, “Company Material Adverse Effect” means a material adverse effect on the assets, business, financial condition, or results of operations or future prospects of the Company taken as a whole.
 
 
5

 
 
2.2   Capitalization .  The authorized capital stock of the Company consists of 2,000 shares of common stock and no shares of preferred stock.  As of the date of this Agreement, 2,000 Company Shares were issued and outstanding and no preferred shares were issued and outstanding, and no Company Shares or preferred shares were held in the treasury of the Company.  As of the date of this Agreement, there were no issued and outstanding Options or Warrants to purchase Company Shares.  Section 2.2 of the Disclosure Schedule sets forth a complete and accurate list of (i) all stockholders of the Company, indicating the number and class of Company Shares held by each stockholder, and (ii) all stock option plans and other stock or equity-related plans of the Company.  All of the issued and outstanding Company Shares are duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid, nonassessable and free of all preemptive rights.  There are no outstanding or authorized options, warrants, rights, agreements or commitments to which the Company is a party or which are binding upon the Company providing for the issuance or redemption of any of its capital stock.  There are no outstanding or authorized stock appreciation, phantom stock or similar rights with respect to the Company.  Other than as listed in Section 2.2 of the Disclosure Schedule, there are no agreements to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound with respect to the voting (including without limitation voting trusts or proxies), registration under the Securities Act, or sale or transfer (including without limitation agreements relating to pre-emptive rights, rights of first refusal, co-sale rights or “drag-along” rights) of any securities of the Company.  To the knowledge of the Company, there are no agreements among other parties, to which the Company is a party and by which it is bound, with respect to the voting (including without limitation voting trusts or proxies) or sale or transfer (including without limitation agreements relating to rights of first refusal, co-sale rights or “drag-along” rights) of any securities of the Company.  All of the issued and outstanding Company Shares were issued in compliance with applicable federal and state securities laws.
 
2.3   Authorization of Transaction .  The Company has all requisite power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder.  The execution and delivery by the Company of this Agreement and, subject to the adoption of this Agreement and the approval of the Merger by no less than a majority of the votes represented by the outstanding Company Shares entitled to vote on this Agreement and the Merger (the “Stockholder Approval”), the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated hereby have been duly and validly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of the Company.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the board of directors of the Company (i) determined that the Merger is fair and in the best interests of the Company and the Company Stockholders, (ii) adopted this Agreement in accordance with the provisions of the BCA, and (iii) directed that this Agreement and the Merger be submitted to the Company Stockholders for their adoption and approval and resolved to recommend that the Company Stockholders vote in favor of the adoption of this Agreement and the approval of the Merger.  This Agreement has been duly and validly executed and delivered by the Company and constitutes a valid and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms.  
 
2.4   Noncontravention .  Subject to receipt of Stockholder Approval and the filing of the Articles of Merger as required by the BCA, neither the execution and delivery by the Company of this Agreement, nor the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated hereby, will (a) conflict with or violate any provision of the certificate of incorporation or bylaws of the Company, as amended to date, (b) require on the part of the Company any filing with, or any permit, authorization, consent or approval of, any court, arbitrational tribunal, administrative agency or commission or other governmental or regulatory authority or agency (a “Governmental Entity”), except for such permits, authorizations, consents and approvals for which the Company is obligated to use its Reasonable Best Efforts (as defined below) to obtain pursuant to Section 4.2(a), (c) conflict with, result in a breach of, constitute (with or without due notice or lapse of time or both) a default under, result in the acceleration of obligations under, create in any party the right to terminate, modify or cancel, or require any notice, consent or waiver under, any contract or instrument to which the Company is a party or by which the Company is bound or to which any of its assets is subject, except for (i) any conflict, breach, default, acceleration, termination, modification or cancellation in any contract or instrument set forth in Section 2.4 of the Disclosure Schedule, for which the Company is obligated to use its Reasonable Best Efforts to obtain waiver, consent or approval pursuant to Section 4.2(b), (ii) any conflict, breach, default, acceleration, termination, modification or cancellation which would not have a Company Material Adverse Effect and would not adversely affect the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or (iii) any notice, consent or waiver the absence of which would not have a Company Material Adverse Effect and would not adversely affect the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, (d) result in the imposition of any Security Interest (as defined below) upon any assets of the Company or (e) violate any order, writ, injunction, decree, statute, rule or regulation applicable to the Company or any of its properties or assets.  For purposes of this Agreement: “Security Interest” means any mortgage, pledge, security interest, encumbrance, charge or other lien (whether arising by contract or by operation of law), other than (i) mechanic’s, materialmen’s, and similar liens, (ii) liens arising under worker’s compensation, unemployment insurance, social security, retirement, and similar legislation, and (iii) liens on goods in transit incurred pursuant to documentary letters of credit, in each case arising in the Ordinary Course of Business (as defined below) of the Company and not material to the Company; and “Ordinary Course of Business” means the ordinary course of the Company’s business, consistent with past custom and practice (including with respect to frequency and amount).
 
 
6

 
 
2.5   Subsidiaries .  
 
(a)   The Company has no Company Subsidiaries.  For purposes of this Agreement, a “Subsidiary” shall mean any corporation, partnership, joint venture or other entity in which a Party has, directly or indirectly, an equity interest representing 50% or more of the equity securities thereof or other equity interests therein; a “Company Subsidiary” is a Subsidiary of the Company.
 
(b)   [Intentionally Omitted]
 
(c)   Except as set forth in Section 2.5(c) of the Disclosure Schedule, the Company does not control directly or indirectly or have any direct or indirect equity participation or similar interest in any corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust or other business association which is not a Company Subsidiary.
 
2.6   Financial Statements .  The Company has provided or made available to the Parent the audited consolidated balance sheet of the Company (the “Company Balance Sheet”) at October 31, 2007 (the “Company Balance Sheet Date”), and the related consolidated statements of operations and cash flows for the period from October 5, 2007 (date of inception) through October 31, 2007 (the “Company Financial Statements”).  The Company Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods covered thereby, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the Company as of the respective dates thereof and for the periods referred to therein, comply as to form with the applicable rules and regulations of the SEC for inclusion of such Company Financial Statements in the Parent’s filings with the SEC as required by the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and are consistent in all material respects with the books and records of the Company.
 
2.7   Absence of Certain Changes .  Since the Company Balance Sheet Date, and except for the indebtedness incurred in connection with the Bridge Loan or as set forth in Section 2.7 of the Disclosure Schedule, (a) to the knowledge of the Company, there has not occurred any event or development which, individually or in the aggregate, has had, or could reasonably be expected to have in the future, a Company Material Adverse Effect, and (b)  the Company has not taken any of the actions set forth in paragraphs (a) through (m) of Section 4.4.
 
2.8   Undisclosed Liabilities .  The Company does not have any liability (whether known or unknown, whether absolute or contingent, whether liquidated or unliquidated and whether due or to become due), except for (a) liabilities shown on the Company Balance Sheet referred to in Section 2.6, (b) liabilities which have arisen since the Company Balance Sheet Date in the Ordinary Course of Business and (c) contractual and other liabilities incurred in the Ordinary Course of Business which are not required by GAAP to be reflected on a balance sheet.
 
2.9   Tax Matters .  
 
(a)   For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
 
(i)   “Taxes” means all taxes, charges, fees, levies or other similar assessments or liabilities, including without limitation income, gross receipts, ad valorem, premium, value-added, excise, real property, personal property, sales, use, transfer, withholding, employment, unemployment insurance, social security, business license, business organization, environmental, workers compensation, payroll, profits, license, lease, service, service use, severance, stamp, occupation, windfall profits, customs, duties, franchise and other taxes imposed by the United States of America or any state, local or foreign government, or any agency thereof, or other political subdivision of the United States or any such government, and any interest, fines, penalties, assessments or additions to tax resulting from, attributable to or incurred in connection with any tax or any contest or dispute thereof.
 
(ii)   “Tax Returns” means all reports, returns, declarations, statements or other information required to be supplied to a taxing authority in connection with the Taxes.
 
(b)   Except as set forth in Section 2.9 of the Disclosure Schedule, the Company has filed on a timely basis all Tax Returns that it was required to file, and all such Tax Returns were complete and accurate in all material respects.  The Company is not and has never been a member of a group of corporations with which it has filed (or been required to file) consolidated, combined or unitary Tax Returns, other than a group of which only the Company is or was a member.  The Company has paid on a timely basis all Taxes that were due and payable.  The unpaid Taxes of the Company for tax periods through the Company Balance Sheet Date do not exceed the accruals and reserves for Taxes (excluding accruals and reserves for deferred Taxes established to reflect timing differences between book and Tax income) set forth on the Company Balance Sheet.  The Company does not have any actual or potential liability for any Tax obligation of any taxpayer (including without limitation any affiliated group of corporations or other entities that included the Company during a prior period) other than the Company.  All Taxes that the Company is or was required by law to withhold or collect have been duly withheld or collected and, to the extent required, have been paid to the proper Governmental Entity.
 
(c)   Except as set forth in Section 2.9 of the Disclosure Schedule, the Company has delivered or made available to the Parent complete and accurate copies of all federal income Tax Returns, examination reports and statements of deficiencies assessed against or agreed to by the Company since the date of the Company’s incorporation in Kentucky (the “Organization Date”).  No examination or audit of any Tax Return of the Company by any Governmental Entity is currently in progress or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened or contemplated.  The Company has not been informed by any jurisdiction that the jurisdiction believes that the Company was required to file any Tax Return that was not filed.  The Company has not waived any statute of limitations with respect to Taxes or agreed to an extension of time with respect to a Tax assessment or deficiency.
 
 
7

 
 
(d)   The Company: (i) has not been a United States real property holding corporation within the meaning of Section 897(c)(2) of the Code during the applicable period specified in Section 897(c)(l)(A)(ii) of the Code; (ii) has not made any payments, is not obligated to make any payments, or is not a party to any agreement that could obligate it to make any payments that may be treated as an “excess parachute payment” under Section 280G of the Code; (iii) does not have any actual or potential liability for any Taxes of any person (other than the Company) under Treasury Regulation Section 1.1502-6 (or any similar provision of federal, state, local or foreign law), or as a transferee or successor, by contract or otherwise; or (iv) is not and has not been required to make a basis reduction pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.1502-20(b) or Treasury Regulation Section 1.337(d)-2(b).
 
(e)   None of the assets of the Company: (i) is property that is required to be treated as being owned by any other person pursuant to the provisions of former Section 168(f)(8) of the Code; (ii) is “tax-exempt use property” within the meaning of Section 168(h) of the Code; or (iii) directly or indirectly secures any debt the interest on which is tax exempt under Section 103(a) of the Code.
 
(f)   The Company has not undergone a change in its method of accounting resulting in an adjustment to its taxable income pursuant to Section 481 of the Code.
 
(g)   No state or federal “net operating loss” of the Company determined as of the Closing Date is subject to limitation on its use pursuant to Section 382 of the Code or comparable provisions of state law as a result of any “ownership change” within the meaning of Section 382(g) of the Code or comparable provisions of any state law occurring prior to the Closing Date.
 
2.10   Assets .  The Company owns or leases all tangible assets reasonably necessary for the conduct of its businesses as presently conducted and as presently proposed to be conducted.  Except as set forth in Section 2.10 of the Disclosure Schedule, each such tangible asset is free from material defects, has been maintained in accordance with normal industry practice, is in good operating condition and repair (subject to normal wear and tear) and is suitable for the purposes for which it presently is used.  Except as set forth in Section 2.10 of the Disclosure Schedule, no asset of the Company (tangible or intangible) is subject to any Security Interest.
 
2.11   Owned Real Property .  The Company does not own any real property.
 
2.12   Real Property Leases .  Section 2.12 of the Disclosure Schedule lists all real property leased or subleased to or by the Company and lists the term of such lease, any extension and expansion options, and the rent payable thereunder.  The Company has delivered or made available to the Parent complete and accurate copies of the leases and subleases listed in Section 2.12 of the Disclosure Schedule.  With respect to each lease and sublease listed in Section 2.12 of the Disclosure Schedule:
 
(a)   the lease or sublease is legal, valid, binding, enforceable and in full force and effect;
 
(b)   the lease or sublease will continue to be legal, valid, binding, enforceable and in full force and effect immediately following the Closing in accordance with the terms thereof as in effect immediately prior to the Closing;
 
(c)   neither the Company nor, to the knowledge of the Company, any other party is in breach or violation of, or default under, any such lease or sublease, and no event has occurred, is pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, is threatened, which, after the giving of notice, with lapse of time or otherwise, would constitute a breach or default by the Company or, to the knowledge of the Company, any other party under such lease or sublease;
 
(d)   the Company has not assigned, transferred, conveyed, mortgaged, deeded in trust or encumbered any interest in the leasehold or subleasehold; and
 
(e)   to the knowledge of the Company, there is no Security Interest, easement, covenant or other restriction applicable to the real property subject to such lease, except for recorded easements, covenants and other restrictions which do not materially impair the current uses or the occupancy by the Company of the property subject thereto.
 
2.13   Contracts .  
 
(a)   Section 2.13 of the Disclosure Schedule lists the following agreements (written or oral) to which the Company is a party as of the date of this Agreement:
 
 
8

 
 
(i)   any agreement (or group of related agreements) for the lease of personal property from or to third parties providing for lease payments in excess of $25,000 per annum or having a remaining term longer than 12 months;
 
(ii)   any agreement (or group of related agreements) for the purchase or sale of products or for the furnishing or receipt of services (A) which calls for performance over a period of more than one year, (B) which involves more than the sum of $25,000, or (C) in which the Company has granted manufacturing rights, “most favored nation” pricing provisions or exclusive marketing or distribution rights relating to any products or territory or has agreed to purchase a minimum quantity of goods or services or has agreed to purchase goods or services exclusively from a certain party;
 
(iii)   any agreement which, to the knowledge of the Company, establishes a partnership or joint venture;
 
(iv)   any agreement (or group of related agreements) under which it has created, incurred, assumed or guaranteed (or may create, incur, assume or guarantee) indebtedness (including capitalized lease obligations) involving more than $25,000 or under which it has imposed (or may impose) a Security Interest on any of its assets, tangible or intangible;
 
(v)   any agreement concerning confidentiality or noncompetition;
 
(vi)   any employment or consulting agreement;
 
(vii)   any agreement involving any officer, director or stockholder of the Company or any affiliate (as defined in Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act) thereof (an “Affiliate”);
 
(viii)   any agreement or commitment for capital expenditures in excess of $25,000, for a single project (it being represented and warranted that the liability under all undisclosed agreements and commitments for capital expenditures does not exceed $100,000 in the aggregate for all projects);
 
(ix)   any agreement (A) for the sale of oil or other liquid hydrocarbons or minerals produced or to be produced from the Interests (as defined below) that is not terminable by the Company or its successors without penalty on more than 90 days’ notice or (B) for the sale of gas produced or to be produced from the Interests that has a term exceeding one year that warrants the amount of gas to be delivered or has a pricing provision not based on current market value;
 
(x)   any advance payment agreement or any oil and gas balancing agreement, or any group of related agreements of such type, under which the Company has a net obligation, as of the most recent date available, which shall be no more than 90 days prior to the date hereof, in excess of $25,000 in cash or market value in oil or gas;
 
(xi)   any agreement under which the consequences of a default or termination would reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect;
 
(xii)   any agreement which contains any provisions requiring the Company to indemnify any other party thereto (excluding indemnities contained in agreements for the purchase, sale or license of products entered into in the Ordinary Course of Business);
 
(xiii)   any other agreement (or group of related agreements) either involving more than $25,000 or not entered into in the Ordinary Course of Business; and
 
(xiv)   any agreement, other than as contemplated by this Agreement, relating to the sales of securities of the Company to which the Company is a party.
 
(b)   The Company has delivered or made available to the Parent a complete and accurate copy of each agreement listed in Section 2.13 of the Disclosure Schedule.  With respect to each agreement so listed, and except as set forth in Section 2.13 of the Disclosure Schedule:  (i) the agreement is legal, valid, binding and enforceable and in full force and effect; (ii) the agreement will continue to be legal, valid, binding and enforceable and in full force and effect immediately following the Closing in accordance with the terms thereof as in effect immediately prior to the Closing; and (iii) neither the Company nor, to the knowledge of the Company, any other party, is in breach or violation of, or default under, any such agreement, and no event has occurred, is pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, is threatened, which, after the giving of notice, with lapse of time or otherwise, would constitute a material breach or default by the Company or, to the knowledge of the Company, any other party under such contract.
 
2.14   Accounts Receivable .  All accounts receivable of the Company reflected on the Company Balance Sheet are valid receivables subject to no setoffs or counterclaims and are current and collectible (within 90 days after the date on which it first became due and payable), net of the applicable reserve for bad debts on the Company Balance Sheet.  All accounts receivable reflected in the financial or accounting records of the Company that have arisen since the Company Balance Sheet Date are valid receivables subject to no setoffs or counterclaims and are collectible (within 90 days after the date on which it first became due and payable), net of a reserve for bad debts in an amount proportionate to the reserve shown on the Company Balance Sheet.
 
2.15   Powers of Attorney .  Except as set forth in Section 2.15 of the Disclosure Schedule, there are no outstanding powers of attorney executed on behalf of the Company.
 
2.16   Insurance .  Section 2.16 of the Disclosure Schedule lists each insurance policy (including fire, theft, casualty, general liability, workers compensation, business interruption, environmental, product liability and automobile insurance policies and bond and surety arrangements) to which the Company is a party.  Such insurance policies are of the type and in amounts customarily carried by organizations conducting businesses or owning assets similar to those of the Company.  There is no material claim pending under any such policy as to which coverage has been questioned, denied or disputed by the underwriter of such policy.  All premiums due and payable under all such policies have been paid, the Company is not liable for retroactive premiums or similar payments, and the Company is otherwise in compliance in all material respects with the terms of such policies.  The Company does not have any knowledge of any threatened termination of, or material premium increase with respect to, any such policy.  Each such policy will continue to be enforceable and in full force and effect immediately following the Effective Time in accordance with the terms thereof as in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time.
 
 
 
9

 
 
2.17   Litigation .   As of the date of this Agreement, there is no action, suit, proceeding, claim, arbitration or investigation before any Governmental Entity or before any arbitrator (a “Legal Proceeding”) which is pending or has been threatened in a writing received by the Company against the Company which (a) seeks either damages in excess of $10,000 individually, or $25,000 in the aggregate, or (b) if determined adversely to the Company, could have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect.
 
2.18   Employees .  
 
(a)   Section 2.18 of the Disclosure Schedule contains a list of all employees of the Company whose annual rate of compensation exceeds   $100,000   per year, along with the position and the annual rate of compensation of each such person.  Section 2.18 of the Disclosure Schedule contains a list of all employees of the Company who are a party to a non-competition agreement with the Company; copies of such agreements have previously been delivered to the Parent.  To the knowledge of the Company, no key employee or group of employees has any plans to terminate employment with the Company.
 
(b)   The Company is not a party to or bound by any collective bargaining agreement, and does not have experienced any strikes, grievances, claims of unfair labor practices or other collective bargaining disputes.  To the knowledge of the Company, no organizational effort has been made or threatened, either currently or within the past two years, by or on behalf of any labor union with respect to employees of the Company.  To the knowledge of the Company, there are no circumstances or facts which could individually or collectively give rise to a suit based on discrimination of any kind.
 
2.19   Employee Benefits .  
 
(a)   For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
 
(i)   “Employee Benefit Plan” means any “employee pension benefit plan” (as defined in Section 3(2) of ERISA), any “employee welfare benefit plan” (as defined in Section 3(1) of ERISA), and any other written or oral plan, agreement or arrangement involving direct or indirect compensation, including without limitation insurance coverage, severance benefits, disability benefits, deferred compensation, bonuses, stock options, stock purchase, phantom stock, stock appreciation or other forms of incentive compensation or post-retirement compensation.
 
(ii)   “ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended.
 
(iii)   “ERISA Affiliate” means any entity which is, or at any applicable time was, a member of (1) a controlled group of corporations (as defined in Section 414(b) of the Code), (2) a group of trades or businesses under common control (as defined in Section 414(c) of the Code), or (3) an affiliated service group (as defined under Section 414(m) of the Code or the regulations under Section 414(o) of the Code), any of which includes or included the Company.
 
(b)   Section 2.19(b) of the Disclosure Schedule contains a complete and accurate list of all Employee Benefit Plans maintained, or contributed to, by the Company or any ERISA Affiliate (collectively, the “Company Plans”).  Complete and accurate copies of (i) all Company Plans which have been reduced to writing, (ii) written summaries of all unwritten Company Plans, (iii) all related trust agreements, insurance contracts and summary plan descriptions, and (iv) all annual reports filed on IRS Form 5500, 5500C or 5500R and (for all funded plans) all plan financial statements for the last five plan years for each Company Plan, have been delivered or made available to the Parent.  Each Company Plan has been administered in all material respects in accordance with its terms and each of the Company and the ERISA Affiliates has in all material respects met its obligations with respect to such Company Plan and has made all required contributions thereto.  The Company, each ERISA Affiliate and each Company Plan are in compliance in all material respects with the currently applicable provisions of ERISA and the Code and the regulations thereunder (including without limitation Section 4980B of the Code, Subtitle K, Chapter 100 of the Code and Sections 601 through 608 and Section 701 et seq. of ERISA).  All filings and reports as to each Company Plan required to have been submitted to the Internal Revenue Service or to the United States Department of Labor have been duly submitted.
 
(c)   To the knowledge of the Company, there are no Legal Proceedings (except claims for benefits payable in the normal operation of the Company Plans and proceedings with respect to qualified domestic relations orders) against or involving any Company Plan or asserting any rights or claims to benefits under any Company Plan that could give rise to any material liability.
 
(d)   All the Company Plans that are intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code have received determination letters from the Internal Revenue Service to the effect that such Company Plans are qualified and the plans and the trusts related thereto are exempt from federal income taxes under Sections 401(a) and 501(a), respectively, of the Code, no such determination letter has been revoked and revocation has not been threatened, and no such Company Plan has been amended since the date of its most recent determination letter or application therefor in any respect, and no act or omission has occurred, that would adversely affect its qualification or materially increase its cost.  Each Company Plan which is required to satisfy Section 401(k)(3) or Section 401(m)(2) of the Code has been tested for compliance with, and satisfies the requirements of, Section 401(k)(3) and Section 401(m)(2) of the Code for each plan year ending prior to the Closing Date.
 
 
 
10

 
 
(e)   Neither the Company nor any ERISA Affiliate has ever maintained an Employee Benefit Plan subject to Section 412 of the Code or Title IV of ERISA.
 
(f)   At no time has the Company or any ERISA Affiliate been obligated to contribute to any “multiemployer plan” (as defined in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA).
 
(g)   There are no unfunded obligations under any Company Plan providing benefits after termination of employment to any employee of the Company (or to any beneficiary of any such employee), including but not limited to retiree health coverage and deferred compensation, but excluding continuation of health coverage required to be continued under Section 4980B of the Code or other applicable law and insurance conversion privileges under state law.  The assets of each Company Plan which is funded are reported at their fair market value on the books and records of such Company Plan.
 
(h)   No act or omission has occurred and no condition exists with respect to any Company Plan maintained by the Company or any ERISA Affiliate that would subject the Company or any ERISA Affiliate to (i) any material fine, penalty, tax or liability of any kind imposed under ERISA or the Code or (ii) any contractual indemnification or contribution obligation protecting any fiduciary, insurer or service provider with respect to any Company Plan.
 
(i)   No Company Plan is funded by, associated with or related to a “voluntary employee’s beneficiary association” within the meaning of Section 501(c)(9) of the Code.
 
(j)   Each Company Plan is amendable and terminable unilaterally by the Company at any time without liability to the Company as a result thereof and no Company Plan, plan documentation or agreement, summary plan description or other written communication distributed generally to employees by its terms prohibits the Company from amending or terminating any such Company Plan.
 
(k)   Section 2.19(k) of the Disclosure Schedule discloses each: (i) agreement with any stockholder, director, executive officer or other key employee of the Company (A) the benefits of which are contingent, or the terms of which are materially altered, upon the occurrence of a transaction involving the Company of the nature of any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, (B) providing any term of employment or compensation guarantee or (C) providing severance benefits or other benefits after the termination of employment of such director, executive officer or key employee; (ii) agreement, plan or arrangement under which any person may receive payments from the Company that may be subject to the tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code or included in the determination of such person’s “parachute payment” under Section 280G of the Code; and (iii) agreement or plan binding the Company, including without limitation any stock option plan, stock appreciation right plan, restricted stock plan, stock purchase plan, severance benefit plan or Company Plan, any of the benefits of which will be increased, or the vesting of the benefits of which will be accelerated, by the occurrence of any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the value of any of the benefits of which will be calculated on the basis of any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.  The accruals for vacation, sickness and disability expenses are accounted for on the Company Balance Sheet and are adequate and materially reflect the expenses associated therewith in accordance with GAAP.
 
2.20   Environmental Matters .  
 
(a)   The Company has complied with all applicable Environmental Laws (as defined below), except for violations of Environmental Laws that, individually or in the aggregate, have not had and would not reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect.  There is no pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened civil or criminal litigation, written notice of violation, formal administrative proceeding, or investigation, inquiry or information request by any Governmental Entity, relating to any Environmental Law involving the Company, except for litigation, notices of violations, formal administrative proceedings or investigations, inquiries or information requests that, individually or in the aggregate, have not had and would not reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect.  For purposes of this Agreement, “Environmental Law” means any federal, state or local law, statute, rule or regulation or the common law relating to the environment, including without limitation any statute, regulation, administrative decision or order pertaining to (i) treatment, storage, disposal, generation and transportation of industrial, toxic or hazardous materials or substances or solid or hazardous waste; (ii) air, water and noise pollution; (iii) groundwater and soil contamination; (iv) the release or threatened release into the environment of industrial, toxic or hazardous materials or substances, or solid or hazardous waste, including without limitation emissions, discharges, injections, spills, escapes or dumping of pollutants, contaminants or chemicals; (v) the protection of wild life, marine life and wetlands, including without limitation all endangered and threatened species; (vi) storage tanks, vessels, containers, abandoned or discarded barrels, and other closed receptacles; (vii) health and safety of employees and other persons; and (viii) manufacturing, processing, using, distributing, treating, storing, disposing, transporting or handling of materials regulated under any law as pollutants, contaminants, toxic or hazardous materials or substances or oil or petroleum products or solid or hazardous waste.  As used above, the terms “release” and “environment” shall have the meaning set forth in the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, as amended (“CERCLA”).
 
(b)   Set forth in Section 2.20(b) of the Disclosure Schedule is a list of all documents (whether in hard copy or electronic form) that contain any environmental reports, investigations and audits relating to premises currently or previously owned or operated by the Company (whether conducted by or on behalf of the Company, and whether done at the initiative of the Company or directed by a Governmental Entity) which were issued or conducted during the past five years and which the Company has possession of or access to.  A complete and accurate copy of each such document has been provided to the Parent.
 
 
11

 
 
(c)   To the knowledge of the Company, there is no material environmental liability with respect to any solid or hazardous waste transporter or treatment, storage or disposal facility that has been used by the Company.
 
2.21   Legal Compliance .  The Company, and the conduct and operations of its business, is in compliance with each applicable law (including rules and regulations thereunder) of any federal, state, local or foreign government, or any Governmental Entity, except for any violations or defaults that, individually or in the aggregate, have not had and would not reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect.
 
2.22   [Intentionally Omitted]
 
2.23   Permits .  Section 2.23 of the Disclosure Schedule sets forth a list of all material permits, licenses, registrations, certificates, orders or approvals from any Governmental Entity (including without limitation those issued or required under Environmental Laws and those relating to the occupancy or use of owned or leased real property) (“Permits”) issued to or held by the Company.  Such listed Permits are the only material Permits that are required for the Company to conduct its business as presently conducted except for those the absence of which, individually or in the aggregate, have not had and would not reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect.  Each such Permit is in full force and effect and, to the knowledge of the Company, no suspension or cancellation of such Permit is threatened and, to the knowledge of the Company, there is no reasonable basis for believing that such Permit will not be renewable upon expiration.  Each such Permit, to the knowledge of the Company, will continue in full force and effect immediately following the Closing.
 
2.24   Certain Business Relationships with Affiliates .  Except as listed in Section 2.24 of the Disclosure Schedule, no Affiliate of the Company (a) owns any material property or right, tangible or intangible, which is used in the business of the Company, (b) has any claim or cause of action against the Company, or (c) owes any money to, or is owed any money by, the Company.  Section 2.24 of the Disclosure Schedule describes any transactions involving the receipt or payment in excess of $25,000 in any fiscal year between the Company and any Affiliate of the Company thereof which have occurred or existed since the Organization Date, other than employment agreements.
 
2.25   Brokers’ Fees .  The Company does not have any liability or obligation to pay any fees or commissions to any broker, finder or agent with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, except as listed in Section 2.25 of the Disclosure Schedule.
 
2.26   Books and Records .  The minute books and other similar records of the Company contain complete and accurate records in all material respects of all actions taken at any meetings of the Company’s stockholders, board of directors or any committees thereof and of all written consents executed in lieu of the holding of any such meetings.  
 
2.27   Intellectual Property .  
 
(a)   The Company owns, is licensed or otherwise possesses legally enforceable rights to use, license and exploit all issued patents, copyrights, trademarks, service marks, trade names, trade secrets, and registered domain names and all applications for registration therefor (collectively, the “Intellectual Property Rights”) and all computer programs and other computer software, databases, know-how, proprietary technology, formulae, and development tools, together with all goodwill related to any of the foregoing (collectively, the “Intellectual Property”), in each case as is necessary to conduct their respective businesses as presently conducted, the absence of which would be considered reasonably likely to result in a Company Material Adverse Effect.
 
(b)   Section 2.27(b) of the Disclosure Schedule sets forth, with respect to all issued patents and all registered copyrights, trademarks, service marks and domain names registered with any Governmental Entity by the Company or for which an application for registration has been filed with any Governmental Entity by the Company, (i) the registration or application number, the date filed and the title, if applicable, of the registration or application and (ii) the names of the jurisdictions covered by the applicable registration or application.  Section 2.27(b) of the Disclosure Schedule identifies each agreement currently in effect containing any ongoing royalty or payment obligations of the Company in excess of $25,000 per annum with respect to Intellectual Property Rights and Intellectual Property that are licensed or otherwise made available to the Company.
 
(c)   Except as set forth on Section 2.27(c) of the Disclosure Schedule, all Intellectual Property Rights of the Company that have been registered with any Governmental Entity are valid and subsisting, except as would not reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect. As of the Effective Date, in connection with such registered Intellectual Property Rights, all necessary registration, maintenance and renewal fees will have been paid and all necessary documents and certificates will have been filed with the relevant Governmental Entities.
 
(d)   The Company is not, and will not as a result of the consummation of the Merger or other transactions contemplated by this Agreement be, in breach in any material respect of any license, sublicense or other agreement relating to the Intellectual Property Rights of the Company, or any licenses, sublicenses or other agreements as to which the Company is a party and pursuant to which the Company uses any patents, copyrights (including software), trademarks or other intellectual property rights of or owned by third parties (the “Third Party Intellectual Property Rights”), the breach of which would be reasonably likely to result in a Company Material Adverse Effect.
 
(e)   Except as set forth on Section 2.27(e) of the Disclosure Schedule, the Company has not been named as a defendant in any suit, action or proceeding which involves a claim of infringement or misappropriation of any Third Party Intellectual Property Right and the Company has not received any written notice of any actual or alleged infringement, misappropriation or unlawful or unauthorized use of any Third Party Intellectual Property Right.  With respect to its product candidates and products in research or development, after the same are marketed, the Company will not, to its knowledge, infringe any Third Party Intellectual Property Rights in any material manner.
 
(f)   To the knowledge of the Company, except as set forth on Section 2.27(f) of the Disclosure Schedule, no other person is infringing, misappropriating or making any unlawful or unauthorized use of any Intellectual Property Rights of the Company in a manner that has a material impact on the business of the Company, except for such infringement, misappropriation or unlawful or unauthorized use as would not be reasonably expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect.
 
 
12

 
 
2.28   Independent and Internal Engineering Reports .
 
(a)   The Company has made available to the Parent the results of the Independent Engineering Report, prepared by Willard F. Glover (the “Independent Engineer”) with respect to reserves as of October 31, 2007 (the “Independent Engineering Report”) on the oil and gas fields listed on the attachment thereto (the “Evaluated Properties”) in which the Company will have interests subsequent to the Effective Time.  The Independent Engineering Report is the latest independent engineering report available to the Company relating to the Evaluated Properties.  The Company has provided no materially false or misleading information to and has not withheld from the Independent Engineer any material information with respect to the preparation of the Independent Engineering Report.  Except as disclosed on Schedule 2.28 of the Disclosure Schedule, the Company is not aware of any facts or circumstances that should reasonably cause the Company to conclude that (i) any of the information that was supplied by the Company to the Independent Engineer in connection with its preparation of the Independent Engineering Report is not currently correct in all material respects (other than normal depletion by production in the ordinary course) or (ii) the Independent Engineering Report is incorrect in any material respect.
 
(b)   The Company has made available to the Parent the results of the internal engineering report, with respect to reserves as of October 31, 2007, a copy of which is attached hereto as Schedule 2.28(b) of the Disclosure Schedule (the “Internal Engineering Report”), on the Evaluated Properties.  The Internal Engineering Report is the latest engineering report available to the Company relating to the Evaluated Properties.  The Internal Engineering Report does not contain any materially false or misleading information and is currently correct in all material respects (other than normal depletion by production in the ordinary course).
 
2.29   Title to Interests .
 
(a)   Except as disclosed in Section 2.29 of the Disclosure Schedule, (i) the Company owns the interest in producing oil wells and producing gas wells described in the Independent Engineering Report, (individually, a “Well” and collectively, the “Wells”), (ii) the Company’s net revenue interest and leasehold cost bearing interest (i.e., working interest) in each Well are as described in the Independent Engineering Report, and (iii) each oil, gas, and mineral lease in which the Company owns any interest and the type of interest owned by the Company (individually and collectively, the “Leases”) are as described to the Parent.  The lands identified in the Leases and owned by the Company are individually and collectively called the “Land.” The Wells, the Leases, and the Land, together with all of the Company’s right, title and interest in (i) all contracts, agreements, leases, licenses, permits, authorization, easements and orders (individually and collectively called “Property Agreements”) in any way relating to the Wells, the Leases and/or the Land, the operations conducted or to be conducted pursuant thereto or thereon, or the production, treatment, sale or disposal of hydrocarbons or water produced therefrom or attributable thereto, (ii) all personal property, fixtures (including, without limitation, pipe, plants and pipelines), equipment (including, without limitation, compressors, parts, rods, tubular goods and supplies) and improvements located at, under or on the Wells, the Leases and/or the Land, or used or obtained in connection therewith or with the operation or maintenance of the Wells or other facilities thereon or with the production, treatment, sale or disposal of hydrocarbons or water produced therefrom or attributable thereto, and (iii) all other rights and interests in, to or under or derived from the Wells, the Leases, the Property Agreements, and/or the Land (including, without limitation, all mineral and royalty interests, and all overriding royalty interests and all other interests in or payable out of or measured by production, and all surface interests, for a term or in fee), or in any way relating thereto, are referred to herein as the “Interests.”
 
(b)   With respect to each Well, the Company’s interests in the Leases and the Land are such that, after giving effect to the Property Agreements, existing spacing orders, operating agreements, unit agreements, communitization agreements and orders, unitization orders and pooling designations and orders, subject to any limitations described in Section 2.29 of the Disclosure Schedule, and after taking into account all royalty interests, overriding royalty interests, net profits interests, production payments and other burdens on production attributable to third parties, (i) the Company is entitled, during the respective terms of the Leases covering such Well, to a share (expressed as a decimal) of all oil, gas and other minerals produced from such Well which is not less than the “net revenue interest” set forth in connection with the description of such Well, free and clear of all liens, claims, mortgages, deeds of trust, assignments of production, and security interests, other than those described in Section 2.29 of the Disclosure Schedule, (ii) the Company owns an undivided interest (expressed as a decimal) equal to the “working interest” set forth in connection with the description of such Well in and to all property and rights incident thereto, including all rights in, to and under all agreements, leases, permits, easements, licenses and orders in any way relating thereto, and in and to all wells, personal property, fixtures and improvements thereon, appurtenant thereto or used or obtained in connection therewith or with the production or treatment or sale or disposal of hydrocarbons or water produced therefrom or attributable, for a share of the costs relating to the exploration, development, and operation of such Well which is no greater than the “working interest” set forth in connection with the description of such Well.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, title to the Company’s Interests classified as proved developed producing, proved developed nonproducing and proved undeveloped in the Independent Engineering Report is of a type and nature customarily acceptable to the reasonably prudent oil and gas operator of oil and gas interests.
 
 
 
 
13

 
 
2.30   Compliance with Leases and Laws; Operation of Assets .  Except as set forth in Section 2.30 of the Disclosure Schedule:
 
(a)   Each Lease is in full force and effect and all rentals, royalties, shut-in well payments, bonuses and other payments due or payable from or by the Company under the Leases and applicable laws, rules and regulations, have been properly and timely paid, except where the failure to pay properly and timely is in the normal course of business and would not have a Company Material Adverse Effect, and all conditions necessary to keep the Leases in full force and effect as of the date hereof and as of the Closing Date have been or shall be fully performed, including, to the best of the Company’s knowledge, all payments or obligations due from or by third parties except where the failure to satisfy such conditions is in the normal course of business and would not have a Company Material Adverse Effect;
 
(b)   The Company is entitled to receive (and are currently receiving with respect to producing oil, gas and/or mineral leases) without present suspense or presently required indemnity against asserted or known defects or disputes regarding the Company’s ownership, from each pipeline purchaser or other purchaser of production, or from the person receiving payments from any such purchasers, the proceeds attributable to the net revenue interest in production from each of the Leases, except as set forth in Section 2.30 of the Disclosure Schedule, where the failure to receive such proceeds would not have a Company Material Adverse Effect;
 
(c)   All Wells operated by the Company have been drilled, completed and bottomed within the boundaries of each of the respective Leases or within the limits otherwise permitted by contract and by law, and no such Well is subject to material penalties or restrictions on allowables because of any over

 
SITE SEARCH

AGREEMENTS / CONTRACTS

Document Title:

Entire Document: (optional)

Governing Law:(optional)


Try our advanced search >>
 

CLAUSES

Search Contract Clauses >>

Browse Contract Clause Library>>

Get Email Updates
Email:
This is only a partial view of this document. We have millions of legal documents and clauses drafted by top law firms. learn more search for free browse for free learn more