Exhibit 10.5
MADISONVILLE FIELD DEVELOPMENT
AGREEMENT
This Madisonville Field Development
Agreement (this “Agreement”) is made and entered into
to be effective as of the 1 st day of August, 2005, by
and among Redwood Energy Production, L.P., a Texas limited
partnership (“Redwood”), and Madisonville Gas
Processing, LP, a Colorado limited partnership (“MGP”).
Redwood and MGP are sometimes hereinafter individually referred to
as a “Party” and collectively referred to as the
“Parties.”
RECITALS
WHEREAS, Redwood acquired an
undivided ninety-five and three thousand one hundred twenty-five
ten thousandths percent (95.3125%) working interest by virtue of
that Purchase and Sale Agreement dated December 29, 2000
between Redwood and Panther Rodessa, L.P., et al. in and to the oil
and gas leases described therein insofar and only insofar as said
oil and gas leases cover and include the right to produce gas from
the Rodessa/Sligo Interval (hereafter defined), and has since
acquired one hundred percent (100%) working interest in and to
certain other oil and gas leases in the Madisonville Rodessa Field
in Madison County, Texas (the “MRF”); and
WHEREAS, Redwood is producing gas
from the Ruby Magness Well No. 1 and has drilled and completed
the Angela Farris Fannin Well No. 1 in the MRF; and
WHEREAS, Redwood has rights to
formations below the Rodessa/Sligo Interval including, without
limitation, the base of the Smackover Formation within the AMI;
and
WHEREAS, Redwood’s gas from
the Rodessa/Sligo Interval is treated at the Treatment Plant in the
MRF which was installed and operated by Hanover Compression Limited
Partnership (“Hanover”); and
WHEREAS, MGP has acquired the
Treatment Plant from Hanover; and
WHEREAS, MGP has acquired from
Gateway Energy Corporation (or its Affiliates) (collectively,
“Gateway”) certain gas gathering assets and equipment
located upstream of the Treatment Plant (collectively, the
“Gathering Assets”), and the Acid Gas Disposal Line
which runs from the Treatment Plant to the outlet flange of the
line at the Injection Well (the “Acid Gas Disposal
Line”); and
WHEREAS, the Parties desire to enter
into this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements attached hereto as
exhibits in order to set forth the rights and obligations of the
Parties hereto;
NOW, THEREFORE, the Parties agree as
follows:
ARTICLE I.
Definitions
For purposes of this Agreement, the
following terms and phrases shall have the following meanings
(other defined terms may be found elsewhere in this
Agreement):
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“Acid Gas” means carbon
dioxide and hydrogen sulfide removed by the amine treater at the
Treatment Plant and disposed of in the Injection Well (hereafter
defined).
“Acid Gas Disposal Line”
has the meaning set forth in the Recitals above.
“Affiliate” means any
Person that, directly or indirectly, through one or more other
Persons, controls, is controlled by or is under common control with
the Person specified. With respect to any Person (i) the
securities of which are not publicly traded and (ii) that has
no ultimate parent the securities of which are publicly traded, the
term “Affiliate” shall also include (a) any
executive officer, partner, member, manager, or director of the
Person specified, (b) any Person controlled by one or more
executive officers, partners, members, managers, or directors of
the Person specified, or (c) any Person related (by blood or
marriage) to any executive officer, partner, member, manager, or
director. For the purpose of this definition of Affiliate, the term
“control” means the power to direct or cause the
direction of the management of such Person, whether through the
ownership of voting securities, by contract or agency or otherwise.
Z
“Agreement” has the
meaning set forth in the introductory paragraph.
“Ancillary Agreements”
means the Gas Purchase Contract, the Termination and Release
Agreement, the Escrow Agreement, and any other agreements executed
in connection herewith.
“Area of Mutual
Interest” or “AMI” means the area outlined on
Exhibit A including, without limitation, the lands covered by
the leases described in Exhibit A-1 and such other lands
covered by leases or other interests that Redwood or its Affiliates
may obtain while this Agreement is in force and effect within
the AMI. If any lease or other interest acquired by Redwood lies
partially within and partially outside of the AMI, the entire
interest shall be considered as being situated within the AMI, and
the AMI shall be revised to accord with any such change.
“Business Day” means any
day other than a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday in the State of
Texas, and on which banks are open for business in Houston,
Texas.
“Claims” means any and
all claims, demands, suits, causes of action, losses, damages,
liabilities, fines, penalties and costs (including, without
limitation, attorneys’ fees and costs of litigation), whether
known or unknown, including environmental and non-environmental
claims.
“Code” means the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
“Closing” has the
meaning set forth in Section 2.1.
“Drilling Program” has
the meaning set forth in Section 3.1.
“Escrow Agreement” means
that form of escrow agreement attached hereto as
Exhibit E.
“Exhibits” mean the
following exhibits which are attached to this Agreement and, as
amended hereby, herein incorporated by reference for all
purposes:
Exhibit A—Area of Mutual
Interest
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Exhibit A-1—Oil and Gas
Leases
Exhibit A-2—Land Map with
Interpreted Field Outline of the MRF
Exhibit B—Ruby Magness
Well No. 1, the Angela Farris Fannin Well No. 1, and the
Injection Well Locations
Exhibit C—Gas Purchase
Contract
Exhibit D—Termination and
Release Agreement
Exhibit E—Form of
Escrow Agreement
“Expansion” has the
meaning set forth in Section 3.3 below.
“Force Majeure” has the
meaning set forth in Section 7.1 below.
“Gas Purchase Contract”
means the Gas Purchase Contract between MGP and Redwood in the
form attached hereto as Exhibit C.
“Gathering Assets” has
the meaning set forth in the Recitals above.
“Governmental Authority”
means any federal, state, local, municipal or other government; any
governmental, regulatory or administrative agency, commission, body
or other authority exercising or entitled to exercise any
administrative, executive, judicial, legislative, police,
regulatory or taxing authority or power; and any court or
governmental tribunal.
“Injection Well” means
Redwood’s injection well which disposes of Acid Gas from the
Treatment Plant, which Injection Well is more particularly
identified on Exhibit B attached hereto.
“Laws” means any and all
laws, statutes, ordinances, permits, decrees, writs, injunctions,
orders, codes, judgments, principles of common law, rules or
regulations (including, without limitation, environmental laws)
which are promulgated, issued or enacted by a Governmental
Authority having jurisdiction.
“MAOP” means the maximum
allowable operating pressure of the Gathering Assets, which
pressure shall not exceed eight hundred pounds per square inch
gauge (800 psig) pressure.
“Mcf” means one thousand
cubic feet of gas.
“MMcf” means one million
cubic feet of gas. MMCF/d means one million cubic feet of gas per
day. “MRF” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals
above.
“Party” and
“Parties” has the meaning set forth in the introductory
paragraph.
“Person” means an
individual, group, partnership, limited liability company,
corporation, trust or other entity.
“Rodessa/Sligo Interval”
means the stratigraphic equivalent of those sands, zones, and
horizons occurring below the surface of the earth encountered
between the depths of 11,427 feet and 12,378 feet (electric log
measurements) in the Ruby Magness Well No. 1 located in the
Amy Boatwright Survey, A-7, Madison County, Texas.
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“Security Documents” has
the meaning set forth in Sections 3.2 and 3.4 below.
“Term” has the meaning
set forth in Section 4.1 below.
“Third Party” means any
Person other than the Parties, including any Governmental
Authority.
“Treatment Plant” means
the gas treatment plant acquired by MGP from Hanover Compression
Limited Partnership, and any expansion thereof.
ARTICLE II.
Closing and Execution of Instruments
2.1
Closing. The closing of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement (the
“Closing”) shall take place at the offices of Andrews
Kurth LLP, counsel to Redwood, located at 600 Travis,
Suite 4200, Houston, Texas 77002, on Monday, July 25,
2005 contemporaneously with MGP’s acquisition of the
Treatment Plant from Hanover and the Gathering Assets from Gateway.
At the Closing the Parties shall execute and deliver all of the
instruments to be executed in connection herewith including,
without limitation, the Ancillary Agreements. The Closing
may occur by facsimile, PDF files bearing electronic
signatures, overnight courier, or such other means as agreed by the
Parties. Promptly following the Closing, each of the Parties shall
provide the other with fully-executed originals of this Agreement
and the Ancillary Agreements.
2.2
Further Assurances.
From time to time
after the Closing, upon reasonable request by the other Party, each
Party agrees to execute and deliver such additional documents as
the requesting Party may reasonably require to accomplish the
purposes of this Agreement.
ARTICLE III.
Madisonville Field Development Program
3.1
Additional Well(s); Drilling
Program. Subject to events of Force
Majeure, and the availability of suitable rigs, well services, and
equipment, Redwood shall undertake a minimum three (3) well
drilling program in the MRF (the “Drilling Program”) as
follows:
(a)
On or before
March 1, 2006 Redwood will have (i) drilled the first
well in the Drilling Program to a depth sufficient to test the
Rodessa/Sligo Interval, and (ii) completed the well if, in the
sole opinion of Redwood as a reasonable and prudent oil and gas
operator, such well is capable of producing in paying
quantities.
(b)
On or before
August 1, 2006 Redwood will have (i) drilled the second
well in the Drilling Program to a depth sufficient to test the
Rodessa/Sligo Interval, and (ii) completed the well if, in the
sole opinion of Redwood as a reasonable and prudent oil and gas
operator, such well is capable of producing in paying
quantities.
(c)
On or before
September 30, 2008 Redwood will have (i) drilled the
third well in the Drilling Program to a depth sufficient to test
the Smackover Formation (estimated to be encountered at an
approximate depth of 18,000 feet), and
(ii) completed
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the well if, in
the sole opinion of Redwood as a reasonable and prudent oil and gas
operator, such well is capable of producing in paying
quantities.
3.2
Redwood Mortgage.
In order to
secure Redwood’s performance under the Drilling Program,
within thirty (30) days after the Closing hereunder, Redwood shall
execute and deliver to MGP a mortgage, deed of trust, security
agreement, and financing statement, and related security
instruments (collectively, the “Security Documents”),
in recordable form, encumbering all of Redwood’s fee, oil and
gas leasehold, oil and gas production, fixtures, and equipment
situated within the AMI. At Redwood’s request, MGP shall
subordinate its lien and security interest to any unaffiliated
lender to Redwood. Upon the occurrence of any Redwood default under
the Drilling Program, MGP may, in addition to any other remedies
available at law or in equity and subject to the rights of any
prior or superior lien or encumbrance, in its sole discretion elect
to foreclose or exercise its other rights under the Security
Documents. The Security Documents shall be released by MGP upon
Redwood’s completion of the Drilling Program.
3.3
Expansion of Treating
Facilities. Subject to events of Force
Majeure and the availability of fabricated components, on or before
March 1, 2006 MGP shall install and make operational
additional treating capacity of fifty (50) MMcf/d at the inlet of
the Treatment Plant (the “Expansion”). Following the
Expansion, the Treatment Plant shall have a total capacity of
approximately sixty-eight million cubic feet of untreated gas per
day (68 MMcf/d). MGP shall act as a reasonable and prudent gas
treatment plant operator to operate and maintain the Treatment
Plant to attempt to obtain maximum efficiency in terms of
(i) the volume of treated gas redelivered at the “Point
of Redelivery,” as such term is defined in the Gas Purchase
Contract, and (ii) minimizing Treatment Plant downtime in
accordance with prevailing gas treating plant industry standards,
the quality specifications and requirements of the receiving
transportation pipeline, and applicable Laws. MGP’s
obligation to maintain the capacity of the Treatment Plant shall
remain in effect only for so long as such capacity is necessary to
treat Redwood’s owned or controlled gas produced from the
AMI.
3.4
MGP Mortgage. In order to secure
MGP’s Treatment Plant Expansion obligations under Sections
3.3 above, within thirty (30) days after the Closing hereunder, MGP
shall execute and deliver to Redwood a mortgage, deed of trust,
security agreement, and financing statement, and related security
instruments (collectively, the “Security Documents”),
in recordable form, encumbering all of MGP’s fee, leasehold,
Treatment Plant, Gathering Assets, fixtures, and equipment situated
within the AMI. At MGP’s request, Redwood shall subordinate
its lien and security interest to any unaffiliated lender to MGP,
or to any commercial bank even if affiliated with MGP. Upon the
occurrence of any MGP default of its Treatment Plant expansion
obligation, Redwood may, in addition to any other remedies
available at law or in equity and subject to the rights of any
prior or superior lien or encumbrance, in its sole discretion elect
to foreclose or exercise its other rights under the Security
Documents. The Security Documents shall be released by Redwood upon
MGP’s completion of the Expansion.
3.5
All-Electric. Subject to the provisions
hereof, MGP shall not use any gas owned or controlled by Redwood
for fuel to the extent of the Expansion of its Treatment Plant
facilities. MGP shall configure the Expansion component of its
Treatment Plant to be powered entirely by purchased electricity
rather than onsite gas-generated electricity. Promptly after
Closing, MGP
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shall investigate the
estimated costs and timing related to converting gas-powered
compression and other equipment at the current existing in-service
Treatment Plant from gas to purchased electricity. MGP shall
provide the results of the investigation to Redwood. If Redwood
determines that such a conversion should occur, MGP and Redwood
shall agree upon the mechanism for cost reimbursement, and MGP
shall undertake the conversion of the Plant at Redwood’s sole
cost and expense. Moreover, any additional continuing operating
expenses shall be added to the Treating Fee set forth in the Gas
Purchase Contract. If MGP decommissions a portion of the Treatment
Plant, it shall first decommission the current existing in-service
Treatment Plant gas-powered facilities.
3.6
The Injection Well / The Acid Gas
Disposal Line.
(a)
The Injection
Well .
The Injection Well, which is owned and operated by Redwood and
connected to the Treatment Plant by the Acid Gas Disposal Line,
shall have sufficient capacity to dispose of all volumes of Acid
Gas removed at the Treatment Plant from gas reserves owned or
controlled by Redwood, produced from the AMI, and sold to MGP
pursuant to the Gas Purchase Contract. Under Redwood’s
disposal permit issued by the Railroad Commission of Texas for the
Injection Well, Redwood may dispose only of Acid Gas
removed at the Treatment Plant from gas reserves owned or
controlled by Redwood. MGP shall not utilize the Acid Gas Disposal
Line in any manner which would violate, or result in a violation
of, Redwood’s disposal permit. Redwood shall operate and
maintain the Injection Well as a reasonable and prudent disposal
well operator and in accordance with applicable Law.
(b)
The Acid Gas
Disposal Line . MGP owns and operates the
Acid Gas Disposal Line. MGP shall operate and maintain the disposal
line as a reasonable and prudent pipeline operator and in
accordance with applicable Law. The Acid Gas Disposal Line shall
have sufficient capacity to transport Acid Gas removed from a
minimum inlet volume of sixty-eight million cubic feet of gas per
day (68 MMcf/d) from the Treatment Plant to the Injection Well.
Title to and custody of the Acid Gas shall be transferred from MGP
to Redwood at the outlet flange of the Acid Gas Disposal Line at
the Injection Well.
3.7
Gathering System for Additional
Wells / Gas Specifications / Gas Sales
(a)
The Gathering
System . Promptly after Closing, MGP
shall commence and diligently perform at the earliest possible
time, or cause to be commenced and diligently performed at the
earliest possible time, the construction of a gathering line from
the Angela Fannin Farris Well No. 1 to the Ruby Magness Well
No. 1 or the Treatment Plant, as applicable, the actual
location and route of the gathering line to be determined at
MGP’s sole discretion, after reasonable consultation with
Redwood. Upon notification by Redwood of its successful completion
of any Drilling Program or other additional well or wells in the
AMI, MGP shall commence and diligently perform at the earliest
possible time, or cause to be commenced and diligently performed at
the earliest possible time, the construction of a gathering line(s)
from the additional well(s) to the Ruby Magness Well No. 1 (or
any other additional well) or the Treatment Plant, as applicable,
the actual location and route of the gathering line(s) to be
determined at MGP’s sole discretion,
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after reasonable
consultation with Redwood. Any such additional gathering line(s)
shall be constructed and operated by MGP as a prudent gas gatherer
in accordance with applicable Laws. MGP will build any additional
gathering line(s) to additional wells at its sole cost, risk, and
expense. To the extent that Redwood has the right to lay pipelines
across any of the lands or leases in the AMI and such right
may be assigned, then, if requested by MGP, Redwood shall
assign nonexclusive rights-of-way and easements to MGP to assist in
the installation of the gathering and transportation pipelines,
provided that MGP shall reimburse Redwood for all costs and
expenses, if any, incurred in any assignment of pipeline
right-of-way or similar instrument.
(b)
Wellhead Gas
Specifications . Prior to the introduction
of gas owned or controlled by Redwood into MGP’s gathering
system Redwood shall, at its sole cost, risk, and expense, promptly
install, operate, and maintain all necessary equipment and
facilities at the well location(s) in order to deliver such gas at
an adequate pressure to enter MGP’s gathering system not to
exceed the MAOP and at a temperature not to exceed one hundred
twenty (120) degrees Fahrenheit. MGP shall accept such gas and
shall, at its sole cost, risk, and expense, promptly install,
operate, and maintain all necessary equipment, instrumentation,
metering, safety equipment, and facilities at the well location (or
such other convenient location), and perform such other
services, as are necessary to make such gas conform to the
specifications of MGP’s gathering system so that such gas
may be safely and efficiently delivered to the Treatment
Plant.
(c)
Gas
Sales . Redwood shall sell to MGP
and MGP shall purchase from Redwood all of Redwood’s owned or
controlled gas produced from any depth from within the AMI to the
extent of the Treating Plant Expansion capacity for the Term of the
Gas Purchase Contract. If the volume of Redwood’s owned or
controlled gas produced from any depth from within the AMI exceeds
the Treating Plant Expansion capacity, then MGP and Redwood shall
attempt to negotiate mutually agreeable terms for MGP to undertake
additional Treatment Plant expansion; provided, however, if the
Parties fail to reach agreement with respect to additional
Treatment Plant expansion, MGP shall release the excess volumes of
Redwood’s owned or controlled gas from the terms hereof and
the Gas Purchase Contract.
ARTICLE IV.
Term / Third Party Treating
4.1
Term. The term of this Agreement
shall be from the effective date hereof and for so long thereafter
as Redwood, its successors and assigns, owns any oil and gas
leasehold or mineral interest in the AMI; provided, however, this
Agreement shall terminate thirty (30) years from effective date
hereof unless extended by the mutual agreement of the Parties. The
Term shall be extended by the duration of any event of Force
Majeure under Article 7.1 below.
4.2
Third Party Gas Treating; Additional
Expansion. While this Agreement is in
force and effect, all deliveries by MGP of Redwood’s owned or
controlled gas to the Treatment Plant will have priority over any
gas deliveries made by any other Person up to the total Treatment
Plant capacity. The Parties acknowledge that MGP may transport
and treat certain volumes of Third Party gas on an interruptible
basis subject to available excess Treatment Plant
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capacity. If the total
volumes of any Third Party gas delivered to the Treatment Plant
plus Redwood’s owned or controlled gas delivered to the
Treatment Plant exceed the capacity of the Treatment Plant, MGP
shall utilize one hundred percent (100%) of the Treatment Plant
capacity for Redwood’s owned or controlled gas from the AMI.
If, under an order of any Governmental Authority or in compliance
with applicable Law, MGP must provide firm Treatment Plant capacity
for Third Party gas, and the result is a reduction of Treatment
Plant capacity so that MGP cannot handle or treat all of
Redwood’s available gas, then MGP promptly shall install and
make operational additional treating capacity at the Treatment
Plant to accommodate all of Redwood’s owned or controlled gas
to the extent of the Treatment Plant Expansion capacity (i.e.
available Treatment Plant capacity to Redwood of sixty-eight
million cubic feet of untreated gas per day (68 MMcf/d)) at no
additional cost to Redwood other than the “Treating
Fee” set forth as a “Permitted Deduction” in the
Gas Purchase Contract.
4.3
Binding Covenant.
This Agreement
and the dedication of gas owned or controlled by Redwood from the
AMI and purchased by MGP under the Gas Purchase Contract shall be a
real covenant running with the land. Any assignment by Redwood or
MGP shall be made expressly subject to the terms and conditions of
this Agreement and the Gas Purchase Contract.
ARTICLE V.
Representations and Warranties
Each Party represents and warrants
to the other Party that as of the date hereof:
5.1
Organization and Good
Standing. Such Party is duly organized,
validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of the state
of its formation and has all requisite partnership power and
authority to own and develop its interests and assets in or related
to the MRF. Such Party is duly qualified to do business in Texas
and is in good standing in the State of Texas and, if applicable,
in the other jurisdictions in which it transacts
business.
5.2
Company Authority; Authorization of
Agreement. Such Party has all requisite
partnership power and authority to execute and deliver this
Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements, to consummate the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Ancillary
Agreements, and to perform all of its obligations under this
Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements. This Agreement and the
Ancillary Agreements constitute the valid and binding obligations
of such Party, enforceable against it in accordance with their
terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by
bankruptcy, insolvency or other Laws relating to or affecting the
enforcement of creditors’ rights and general principles of
equity (regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in
a proceeding at law or in equity).
5.3
No Violations . Such Party’s
execution and delivery of this Agreement and the Ancillary
Agreements to which it is a party, and the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, will not:
(a)
conflict with or
require the consent of any Person under any of the terms,
conditions or provisions of the partnership agreement, certificate
of formation or other organizational document of such
Party;
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(b)
conflict with,
result in a breach of, constitute a default under or constitute an
event that with notice or lapse of time, or both, would constitute
a default under, accelerate or permit the acceleration of the
performance required by, or require any consent, authorization or
approval under: (i) any mortgage, indenture, loan, credit
agreement or other agreement evidencing indebtedness for borrowed
money to which such Party is a party or by which such Party is
bound except, where such conflict, breach or default would not
materially affect such Party’s ability to consummate the
transactions contemplated hereby and thereby; or (ii) any
order, judgment or decree of any Governmental Authority;
or
(c)
result in the
creation or imposition of any lien or encumbrance on any assets of
such Party in the MRF.
5.4
Third Party Claims, Disputes and
Litigation. Except as set forth on
Schedule 5.4, there are no Third Party Claims, disputes, or
litigation pending or, to such Party’s knowledge, threatened
against such Party that would prevent the consummation of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Ancillary
Agreements.
5.5
Agreements. The Ancillary Agreements, the
Contingency Plan Agreement entered into and effective May, 2003,
and that Escrow Agreement by and among The Chase Manhattan Bank
(now JPMORGAN CHASE BANK), Hanover, and Redwood dated June 15,
2001 are the only agreements in existence to which Redwood is a
signatory party which are applicable to or binding upon MGP or its
operations within the AMI. There are no other Redwood agreements
which affect the rights, duties, or obligations of MGP.
5.6
Bankruptcy. There are no bankruptcy,
reorganization or receivership proceedings pending, being
contemplated by or, to such Party’s knowledge, threatened
against such Party.
5.7
Foreign Person. Such Party is not a
“foreign person” within the meaning of
Section 1445 of the Code.
5.8
Brokers, Agents, and Finders.
No Person
claiming by, through, or under such Party is entitled to any
broker’s, finder’s or similar fee by reason of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Ancillary
Agreements.
5.9
Investments. Prior to entering into this
Agreement, such Party was advised by and has relied solely on its
own legal, tax, and other professional counsel concerning this
Agreement, the Ancillary Agreements, the interests and assets to
which it may become entitled hereunder, and the value thereof.
Such Party is and will be acquiring such interests and assets for
its own account and not for distribution or resale in any manner
that would violate any state or federal securities
Laws.
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ARTICLE VI.
Choice of Law and Dispute Resolution
6.1
Choice of Law. This Agreement shall be
governed by and construed in accordance with the Laws of the State
of Texas, without giving effect to conflicts of laws principles
that would apply the laws of another jurisdiction.
6.2
Dispute Resolution.
(a)
Good Faith
Efforts . The Parties wish to avoid
disputes relating to or arising out of this Agreement. In the event
of any dispute or perceived problem, each Party shall notify the
other Party and seek an amicable resolution without regard to
mediation. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, the
Party receiving a notice hereunder shall be given fifteen (15)
Business Days from the date of receipt of such notice to remedy the
breach or otherwise correct its performance under this
Agreement.
(b)
Mediation
. In the event
the Parties cannot reach an amicable resolution to a dispute or
perceived problem, the Parties shall within fifteen (15) Business
Days after the end of the fifteen (15) Business Day period set
forth in Section 6.2(a) agree upon a mediator and shall
promptly attempt to mediate a solution.
(c)
Litigation;
Mandatory Venue . If the Parties cannot reach
an amicable resolution to a dispute or perceived problem through
mediation, each Party hereto consents and submits to the exclusive
personal jurisdiction and venue of the federal or state courts in
Houston, Harris County, Texas.
ARTICLE VII.
Miscellaneous
7.1
Force Majeure.
(a)
If either Party
hereto is unable, wholly or in part, by an event of Force Majeure
to carry out its obligations under this Agreement, other than to
make payments due hereunder, it is agreed that upon such Party
giving notice and full particulars of such Force Majeure event in
writing or by facsimile to the other Party as soon as possible
after the occurrence of the cause relied on, then the obligations
of the Party giving such notice, as far as they are affected by
such event of Force Majeure, shall be suspended from the
commencement of and during the continuance of any inability so
caused but for no longer period, and such cause shall as far as
possible be remedied with all reasonable dispatch.
(b)
The term
“Force Majeure,” as used herein, shall mean an act of
God, act of the public enemy, war, blockade, public riot,
lightning, fire, storm, flood, explosion and any other causes
whether of the kind enumerated or otherwise not reasonably within
the control of the Party claiming the suspension and which by the
exercise of reasonable diligence such Party is unable to prevent or
overcome. “Force Majeure” regarding Redwood shall also
include subsurface conditions or formations encountered during the
Drilling Program, whether natural or mechanical, including but not
limited to blowout, heaving shale, igneous rock, salt, saltwater
flow, loss of circulation, loss of hole,
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abnormal
pressures, or any other impenetrable substance or adverse
condition, which renders further drilling of any Drilling Program
well, in Redwood’s sole opinion, either impossible or
impractical. “Force Majeure” regarding MGP shall also
include the inability to secure raw materials or equipment (after
expending reasonable commercial efforts to obtain same),
transportation accidents, labor disputes, and equipment failures
which materially interfere with the operation of the Treatment
Plant.
7.2
Notices. All notices and other
communications required or desired to be given hereunder must be in
writing and sent (properly addressed as set forth below) by:
(a) U.S. mail with all postage and other charges fully
prepaid, (b) hand delivery, or (c) e-mail or electronic
facsimile transmission. A notice will be deemed effective on the
date on which such notice is received by the addressee, if by mail
or hand delivery, or on the date sent, if by e-mail or facsimile
(as evidenced by telephonic or fax machine confirmation of receipt
or return confirming e-mail from the recipient); provided, however,
if such date is not a Business Day, the date of receipt will be on
the next date that is a Business Day. Either Party may change
its address by notifying the other Party in writing of such address
change.
If to Redwood:
Redwood Energy Production,
L.P.
One Maritime Plaza,
Suite 700
San Francisco, CA
94111
Attn: Mr. Stuart J.
Doshi
Telephone (415)
398-8186
Facsimile: (415)
398-9227
E-mail:
sdoshi@geopetro.com
If to MGP:
Madisonville Gas Processing,
LP
1625 Broadway,
Suite 2400
Denver, CO 80202
Attn: Mr. Robert J.
Clark
Telephone (303)
626-8288
Facsimile: (303)
626-8259
E-mail:
rjclark@bearcubenergy.com
7.3
Amendments and Severability.
No amendments or
other modifications to this Agreement will be effective or binding
on either of the Parties unless the same are in writing, are
designated as an amendment or modification, expressly reference
this Agreement, and are signed by each Party. The invalidity of any
one or more provisions of this Agreement will not affect the
validity of this Agreement as a whole, and in case of any such
invalidity, this Agreement will be construed as if the invalid
provision had not been included herein.
7.4
Successors and Assigns.
The terms,
covenants and conditions contained in this Agreement are binding
upon and inure to the benefit of the Parties and their respective
successors and assigns.
7.5
No Partnership Created.
It is not the
purpose or intention of this Agreement to create (and it should not
be construed as creating) a joint venture, partnership or any type
of association, and the Parties are not authorized to act as an
agent or principal for each other with
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respect to any matter
related hereto. If, for federal income tax purposes, this Agreement
and the operations hereunder are regarded as a partnership, and if
the Parties have not otherwise agreed to form a tax
partnership, each Party thereby affected elects to be excluded from
the application of all of the provisions of Subchapter
“K,” Chapter 1, Subtitle “A,” of the Code,
as permitted and authorized by Section 761 of the Code and the
regulations promulgated thereunder. Either Party is authorized and
directed to execute on behalf of the other Party such evidence of
this election as may be required by the Secretary of the
Treasury of the United States or the Federal Internal Revenue
Service, including specifically, but not by way of limitation, all
of the returns, statements, and the data required by Treasury
Regulations §1.761. Should there be any requirement that each
Party give further evidence of this election, each Party shall
execute such documents and furnish such other evidence as
may be required by the Federal Internal Revenue Service or as
may be necessary to evidence this election. No Party shall
give any notices or take any other action inconsistent with the
election made hereby. If any present or future income tax laws of
the state in which the MRF is located or any future income tax laws
of the United States contain provisions similar to those in
Subchapter “K,” Chapter 1, Subtitle “A,” of
the Code, under which an election similar to that provided by
Section 761 of the Code is permitted, each Party shall make
such election as may be permitted or required by such laws. In
making the foregoing election, each Party states that the income
derived by such Party from operations hereunder can be adequately
determined without the computation of partnership taxable
income.
7.6
Waiver of Certain Remedies.
Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary in this Agreement, in no event shall
either Party be entitled to receive or be liable to the other Party
for (and each Party hereby waives) any consequential, special,
indirect, or punitive damages arising out of this Agreement or the
transactions contemplated hereby, irrespective of whether alleged
to be by way of indemnity (other than indemnity for Third Party
claims), as a result of breach of any provision of this Agreement,
tort (including negligence and strict liability), or otherwise,
including, without limitation, any loss of profits, loss of income,
loss of use, loss of revenue, loss of contracts, or loss of fuel,
REGARDLESS OF WHETHER ANY SUCH DAMAGES ARE CAUSED BY, CONTRIBUTED
TO BY, OR ARISE OUT OF, THE SOLE, JOINT OR CONCURRENT NEGLIGENCE
(IN ANY DEGREE) OR STRICT LIABILITY OF THE OTHER
PARTIES.
7.7
No Third Party Beneficiaries.
Nothing contained
in this Agreement will entitle anyone other than the Parties or
their successors and permitted assigns to any Claim, cause of
action, remedy, or right of any kind whatsoever.
7.8
Construction. THE PARTIES ACKNOWLEDGE THAT
THEY HAVE HAD AN ADEQUATE OPPORTUNITY TO REVIEW EACH AND EVERY
PROVISION CONTAINED IN THIS AGREEMENT AND TO SUBMIT THE SAME TO
LEGAL COUNSEL FOR REVIEW AND COMMENT. BASED ON THE FOREGOING, THE
PARTIES AGREE THAT THE RULE OF CONSTRUCTION THAT A CONTRACT BE
CONSTRUED AGAINST THE DRAFTER, IF ANY, NOT BE APPLIED IN THE
INTERPRETATION AND CONSTRUCTION OF THIS AGREEMENT.
7.9
Conflict in Agreements.
If any conflict
exists between this Agreement and any Ancillary Agreement, then (as
between the Parties) the provisions of this Agreement shall
control.
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7.10
Execution in Counterparts.
This Agreement
may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which
shall be deemed to be an original, all which when taken together
shall constitute one and the same agreement.
7.11
Entire Agreement.
This Agreement
and the Exhibits attached hereto, which are incorporated herein by
reference, (i) supersede all prior and contemporaneous
negotiations, understandings, memoranda of understanding and
agreements (whether oral or written) between the Parties with
respect to the subject matter hereof, and (ii) constitute the
entire understanding and agreement between the Parties with respect
thereto.
7.12
Headings. The headings contained
herein are for reference only and shall not in any way affect the
meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.
7.13
DTPA Waiver. After consultation with their
respective attorneys, and to the extent permitted by applicable
law, each Party waives its respective rights under the Deceptive
Trade Practices—Consumer Protection Act, Section 17.41
et seq., Texas Business and Commerce Code.
7.14
Audit. Within twenty-four (24)
months from the date of any payment from either Party to the other
in accordance with the terms of this Agreement or any of the
Ancillary Agreements, the paying Party (or its designated
representatives) may conduct an audit of the books and records
with respect to the matters related to said payments. Redwood
may also audit MGP’s adjustment calculations under
Section 4.3 of the Gas Purchase Contract. The audit(s) shall
be conducted at the offices of the Party being audited during usual
business hours. The Party being audited shall cooperate with the
auditing Party and its representatives during any audit, including,
if requested by the auditing Party, providing access to necessary
personnel. Within twenty (20) Business Days of the completion of
the audit, the auditing Party shall furnish the audited Party with
any audit exceptions. The Parties shall thereafter attempt to
resolve any audit exceptions in a prompt and amicable manner;
provided, however, if the Parties cannot reach agreement, either
Party may initiate the Dispute Resolution procedures of
Section 6.2.
7.15
No Reliance. Each Party acknowledges that
it has relied only upon its own independent investigation and
analysis of the MRF and, except as expressly set forth in this
Agreement, is not acting in reliance upon the representations or
warranties of any other Party with respect to any of the matters
covered hereby.
7.16
Acid Gas
Indemnification.
(a)
MGP shall DEFEND, INDEMNIFY,
PROTECT, and HOLD HARMLESS Redwood and its officers, directors,
partners, employees, agents, and representatives, from and against
all Claims, including, without limitation, any Claims with respect
to damage to property, or injury or death of any person, arising
out of, with respect to, or in connection with Acid Gas prior to
its delivery to the outlet flange of the Acid Gas Disposal Line at
the Injection Well, including, without limitation, any Claims
arising out of, with respect to, or in connection with the sole,
joint, or concurrent negligence or strict liability of Redwood, or
its officers, directors, partners, employees, agents, and
representatives.
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(b)
Redwood shall DEFEND, INDEMNIFY,
PROTECT, and HOLD HARMLESS MGP and its officers, directors,
partners, employees, agents, and representatives, from and against
all Claims, including, without limitation, any Claims with respect
to damage to property, or injury or death of any person, arising
out of, with respect to, or in connection with Acid Gas delivered
hereunder from and after the outlet flange of the Acid Gas Disposal
Line at the Injection Well, including, without limitation, any
Claims arising out of, with respect to, or in connection with the
sole, joint, or concurrent negligence or strict liability of MGP,
or its officers, directors, partners, employees, agents, and
representatives.
7.17
Noncompete in the AMI.
(a)
Without the prior
written consent of Redwood, throughout the Term of this Agreement,
neither MGP nor any of its Affiliates shall own or acquire,
directly or indirectly, any legal or beneficial title to any oil
and gas lease or mineral or royalty interest within the AMI, nor
shall MGP or any of its Affiliates own, directly or indirectly,
either individually or in the aggregate, more than five percent
(5%) of the voting equity or right to receive dividends or
distributions of any Person that owns or controls any legal or
beneficial title to any oil and gas lease or mineral or royalty
interest within the AMI. If MGP or any Affiliate owns or acquires
any such interest, it shall promptly convey same to Redwood by
instrument containing special warranty of title by, through, and
under MGP (or its Affiliate), but not otherwise.
(b)
Without the prior
written consent of MGP, throughout the Term of this Agreement,
neither Redwood nor any of its Affiliates shall own or acquire,
directly or indirectly, any legal or beneficial title to any gas
processing or treating facilities within the AMI which relate in
any way to the MRF, nor shall Redwood or any of its Affiliates own,
directly or indirectly, either individually or in the aggregate,
more than five percent (5%) of the voting equity or right to
receive dividends or distributions of any Person that owns or
controls any legal or beneficial title to any gas processing or
treating facilities within the AMI which relate in any way to the
MRF. If Redwood or any Affiliate owns or acquires any such
interest, it shall promptly convey same to MGP by instrument
containing special warranty of title by, through, and under Redwood
(or its Affiliate), but not otherwise.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties
hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed and delivered
by its respective officers, thereunto duly authorized, in multiple
originals, all to be effective as of the effective date first above
written.
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REDWOOD ENERGY PRODUCTION, L.P.
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By:
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Redwood Energy Company,
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its General Partner
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By:
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/s/
Stuart. J. Doshi
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S. J. Doshi
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President and CEO
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MADISONVILLE GAS PROCESSING, LP
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By: Madisonville GP, LLC,
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its General Partner
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By:
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/s/
Robert J. Clark
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Robert J. Clark
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Manager
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Exhibits
Exhibit A—Area of Mutual
Interest
Exhibit A-1—Oil and Gas
Leases
Exhibit A-2—Land Map with Interpreted
Field Outline of the MRF
Exhibit B—Ruby Magness Well
No. 1, the Angela Farris Fannin Well No. 1, and the
Injection Well Locations
Exhibit C—Gas Purchase
Contract
Exhibit D—Termination and Release
Agreement
Exhibit E—Form of Escrow
Agreement
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EXHIBIT A
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MADISIONVILLE
PROJECT
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MADISON COUNTY,
TEXAS
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AREA OF MUTUAL
INTEREST & CONTRACT AREA
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