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EXHIBIT 10.1
PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT
PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT
BETWEEN
PETROHUNTER ENERGY CORPORATION
AND
PETROHUNTER OPERATING COMPANY
AS SELLER
AND
LARAMIE ENERGY II, LLC
AS BUYER
DATED EFFECTIVE APRIL 1, 2008
MESA AND GARFIELD COUNTIES, COLORADO
CONFIDENTIAL
TABLE OF
CONTENTS
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ARTICLE 1 PURCHASE AND SALE
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1
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1.1
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Purchase
and Sale |
1
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1.2
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Assets |
1
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1.3
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Effective
Time |
2
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ARTICLE 2 PURCHASE PRICE
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2
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2.1
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Purchase
Price |
2
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2.2
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Escrow
Account |
2
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2.3
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Adjustments
to Purchase Price |
3
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a. |
Upward
Adjustments
|
3
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b. |
Downward
Adjustments
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3
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2.4
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Allocated
Values |
4
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ARTICLE 3 DUE DILIGENCE REVIEW
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4
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3.1
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Access
to Records |
4
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3.2
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Representation
and Warranty |
4
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3.3
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Access
to Properties |
4
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ARTICLE 4 TITLE MATTERS
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4
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4.1
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Defensible
Title |
4
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4.2
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Permitted
Encumbrances |
5
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4.3
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Title
Defects |
5
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4.4
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Adjustments
for Title Defects |
5
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a. |
Notice
of Title Defects
|
5
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b. |
Defect
Adjustments
|
5
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4.5
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Dispute
Resolution |
6
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4.6
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Casualty
Loss |
7
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ARTICLE 5 ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS
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7
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5.1
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Definitions |
7
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a. |
Environmental
Laws
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7
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b. |
Governmental
Authority
|
7
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c. |
Environmental
Defect
|
7
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d. |
Remediation
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8
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5.2
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Environmental
Assessment |
8
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5.3
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Adjustments
for Environmental Defects Pre-Closing |
8
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a. |
Notice
of Environmental Defects
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8
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b. |
Defect
Adjustments
|
8
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5.4
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Environmental
Dispute Resolution Pre-Closing |
8
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5.5
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Seller’s
Indemnity |
9
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5.6
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Buyer’s
Indemnity |
9
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ARTICLE 6 SELLER’S REPRESENTATIONS
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10
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6.1
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PetroHunter
Energy Entity Representations |
10
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6.2
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PetroHunter
Operating Entity Representations |
10
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6.3
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Power |
10
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6.4
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Authorization
and Enforceability |
10
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6.5
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Liability
for Brokers’ Fees |
10
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6.6
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No
Bankruptcy |
10
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6.7
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Litigation |
10
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6.8
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Taxes |
11
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6.9
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Tax
Partnerships |
11
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6.10
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Agreements |
11
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6.11
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Prepayments |
11
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6.12
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Hydrocarbon
Sales Contracts |
11
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6.13
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Hedging
Arrangements |
11
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6.14
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Preferential
Rights to Purchase and Areas of Mutual Interest |
11
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6.15
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Third-Party
Consents |
11
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6.16
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Leases |
11
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6.17
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Surface
Use Agreements |
12
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6.18
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Liens
and Encumbrances |
12
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6.19
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Imbalance
Volumes |
12
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6.20
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Lease
Burdens |
12
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6.21
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Compliance
with Law |
12
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6.22
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Outstanding
Commitments, AFEs and Invoices |
12
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6.23
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Plugging
and Abandonment Obligations |
12
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ARTICLE 7 BUYER’S REPRESENTATIONS
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13
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7.1
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Organization
and Standing |
13
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7.2
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Power |
13
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7.3
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Authorization
and Enforceability |
13
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7.4
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Liability
for Brokers’ Fees |
13
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7.5
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No
Bankruptcy |
13
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7.6
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Litigation |
13
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ARTICLE 8 PRE-CLOSING OBLIGATIONS
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13
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8.1
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Operations
Prior to Closing |
13
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8.2
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Restriction
on Operations |
14
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8.3
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Legal
Status |
14
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8.4
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Notices
of Claims |
14
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8.5
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Compliance
with Laws |
15
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8.6
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Government
Reviews and Filings |
15
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8.7
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Confidentiality
of Data and Information |
15
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ARTICLE 9 CONDITIONS TO CLOSING
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15
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9.1
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Buyer’s
Conditions |
15
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a. |
Representations,
Warranties and Covenants
|
15
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b. |
No
Action
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15
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c. |
Title
Defects
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15
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d. |
Dismissal
of Furr Lawsuit
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16
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e. |
Ratification
of Furr Lease
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16
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f. |
Ratifications
and Extensions of Jolley Leases
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16
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g. |
Termination
of Apollo Agreement
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16
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h. |
Remediation
of Furr and Reppo Pitts
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16
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i. |
Termination
of Clear Creek Agreements
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16
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j. |
Release
of Global Project Finance AG Mortgage
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16
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k. |
Release
of CCES Deed of Trust
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17
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l. |
Creditor
Agreements
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17
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m. |
MAB
Resources, LLC Disclaimer
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17
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n. |
Delivery
of Reppo Wissler Area
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17
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o. |
Access
and Surface Use
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17
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p. |
Hagen
Road Access Agreement
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17
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9.2
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Seller’s
Conditions |
17
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a. |
Representations,
Warranties and Covenants
|
17
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b. |
No
Action
|
17
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c. |
Title
Defects
|
18
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ARTICLE 10 RIGHT OF TERMINATION AND ABANDONMENT
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18
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10.1
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Termination |
18
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10.2
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Liabilities
Upon Termination |
18
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a. |
Buyer’s
Default
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18
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b. |
Seller’s
Default
|
18
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c. |
Other
Termination
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18
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ARTICLE 11 CLOSING
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19
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11.1
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Date
of Closing |
19
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11.2
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Place
of Closing |
19
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11.3
|
Title
Escrow Agent |
19
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11.4
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Closing
Obligations |
19
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a. |
Seller’s
Certificates
|
19
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b. |
Buyer
Certificate
|
19
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c. |
Non-Foreign
Status
|
19
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d. |
Assignment
|
19
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e. |
Governmental
Forms of Transfer
|
19
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d. |
Scheduled
Creditor Releases
|
19
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g. |
Settlement
Statement
|
19
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h. |
Purchase
Price
|
19
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i. |
Change
of Operator
|
20
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j. |
Possession
|
20
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k. |
Possession
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20
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ARTICLE 12 POST-CLOSING OBLIGATIONS
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20
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12.1
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Buyer’s
Performance Deposit |
20
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12.2
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Post-Closing
Adjustments |
20
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12.3
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Dispute
Resolution |
21
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12.4
|
Records |
21
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12.5
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Transfer
Taxes and Recording Fees |
21
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12.6
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Further
Assurances |
21
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12.7
|
EnCana
Road Maintenance Agreement |
21
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ARTICLE 13 TAX MATTERS
|
21
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13.1
|
Apportionment
of Tax Liability |
21
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13.2
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Tax
Reports and Returns |
21
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13.3
|
Sales
Taxes |
22
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13.4
|
Tax
Information |
22
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ARTICLE 14 ASSUMPTION AND RETENTION OF OBLIGATIONS AND
INDEMNIFICATION
|
22
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14.1
|
Buyer’s
Assumption of Liabilities and Obligations |
22
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14.2
|
Seller’s
Retention of Liabilities and Obligations |
22
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14.3
|
Indemnification |
22
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a. |
Seller’s
Indemnification of Buyer
|
22
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b. |
Buyer’s
Indemnification of Seller
|
23
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14.4
|
Release |
23
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14.5
|
Procedure |
23
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a. |
Coverage
|
23
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b. |
Claim
Notice
|
23
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c. |
Information
|
23
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d. |
Dispute
|
24
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14.6
|
Reservation
as to Non-Parties |
24
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ARTICLE 15 MISCELLANEOUS
|
24
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15.1
|
Exhibits |
24
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15.2
|
Expenses |
24
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15.3
|
Notices |
25
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15.4
|
Amendments |
25
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15.5
|
Assignment |
26
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15.6
|
Announcements |
26
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15.7
|
Headings |
26
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15.8
|
Counterparts |
26
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15.9
|
References |
26
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15.10
|
Governing
Law |
26
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15.11
|
Entire
Agreement |
26
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15.12
|
Binding
Effect |
26
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15.13
|
Survival |
26
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15.14
|
No
Third-Party Beneficiaries |
26
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15.15
|
Limitation
on Damages |
26
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15.16
|
Severability |
26
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15.17
|
Condition
Precedent |
27
|
|
Exhibit
|
Description
|
Section
Reference
|
|
A
|
Leases
and Lands
|
1.2.a
|
|
B
|
Wells,
Undeveloped Locations and Allocated Values
|
1.2.b
|
|
C
|
Easements
and Surface Leases
|
1.2.e
|
|
D
|
Personal
Property and Equipment Inventory
|
1.2.e
|
|
E
|
Officer’s
Certificates of Seller
|
11.3.a
|
|
F
|
Officer’s
Certificate of Buyer
|
11.3.b
|
|
G
|
Non-Foreign
Affidavits of Seller
|
11.3.c
|
|
H
|
Form
of Assignment and Bill of Sale
|
11.3.d
|
DISCLOSURE
SCHEDULES
|
Schedule
|
Description
|
Section
Reference
|
|
6.7
|
Litigation
|
6.7
|
|
6.10
|
Material
Agreements
|
6.10
|
|
6.15
|
Consents
to Assign
|
6.15
|
|
6.18
|
Schedule
of Creditors
|
6.18
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| |
|
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PURCHASE
AND SALE AGREEMENT
This
Purchase and Sale Agreement (“ Agreement
”), dated April 25, 2008, is by and between PetroHunter
Energy Corporation (“PetroHunter Energy”) a
Maryland corporation, and PetroHunter Operating Company
(“PetroHunter Operating”), a Maryland corporation,
(together “ Seller ”)
with an address of 1600 Stout Street, Suite 2000, Denver,
Colorado 80202, and Laramie Energy II, LLC (“Laramie
Energy”), a Delaware limited liability company (“
Buyer
”) with an address of 1512 Larimer Street, Suite 1000,
Denver, Colorado 80202. The transaction
contemplated by this Agreement may be referred to as the
“ Transaction
.” Seller and Buyer may be referred to
individually as a “ Party ” or
collectively as the “ Parties
.”
RECITALS
A.
Seller
owns and desires to sell the Assets, as defined below, to Buyer
upon the terms and conditions set forth in this
Agreement.
B.
Buyer
desires to purchase the Assets pursuant to the terms and conditions
of this Agreement.
AGREEMENT
In
consideration of the mutual promises contained herein and
other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and
sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, Seller and Buyer
agree as follows:
ARTICLE 1
PURCHASE AND SALE
1.1
Purchase and Sale . Seller
agrees to sell and convey to Buyer, and Buyer agrees to purchase
and receive from Seller, the Assets, as defined below.
1.2
Assets . The
“ Assets ” are all
of Seller’s right, title and interest in and to the following
real and personal property interests, located in Mesa and Garfield
Counties, Colorado.
a.
The
oil and gas leases described on Exhibit A (the “
Leases
”) insofar as the Leases cover the lands described on
Exhibit A
(the “ Lands ”), and the
oil, gas and all other hydrocarbons (including, but not limited to,
coalbed methane) (“ Hydrocarbons ”),
that may be produced from the Leases and Lands;
b.
The
oil and gas wells located on the Leases and Lands, or lands pooled
or unitized therewith, including without limitation, the oil and
gas wells specifically described on Exhibit B , whether
producing or non-producing; all injection and disposal wells on the
Leases and Lands (the “ Wells ”), and all
personal property and equipment associated with the Wells as of the
Effective Time;
c.
The
rights, to the extent transferable, in and to all existing and
effective unitization, pooling and communitization agreements,
declarations and orders, and the properties covered and the units
created thereby, to the extent that they relate to or affect any of
the interests described in Sections 1.2.a. and 1.2.b. or the
post-Effective Time production of Hydrocarbons from the Leases and
Lands;
d.
The
rights, to the extent transferable, in and to Hydrocarbon sales,
purchase, gathering, processing and transportation (both executed
and pending) contracts, operating agreements, balancing agreements,
joint venture agreements, partnership agreements, farmout
agreements and other contracts, agreements and instruments relating
to the interests described in Sections 1.2.a., 1.2.b. and 1.2.c.,
including without limitation the Material Agreements described on
Schedule
6.10 , only insofar as they relate to the Leases and Lands,
excluding any insurance contracts;
e.
All
of the personal property, fixtures, improvements, well equipment,
permits, licenses, approvals, servitudes, rights-of-way, easements,
surface leases, and other surface rights, tanks, injection
facilities, saltwater disposal facilities, compression facilities,
gathering systems, other appurtenances and facilities located on or
used as of the Effective Date in connection with or otherwise
related to the exploration for or production, gathering, treatment,
processing, storing, sale or disposal of Hydrocarbons or water
produced from the properties and interests described in Sections
1.2.a through 1.2.d, including without limitation the easements and
surface leases described on Exhibit C and the
personal property and equipment described on Exhibit D
;
f.
All
raw data and geophysical modeling seismic lines over the general
area of the Assets but excluding from the foregoing those files,
records, data and information, (i) subject to unaffiliated third
party contractual restrictions on disclosure or transfer, or (ii)
subject to a transfer fee, unless Buyer agrees in writing to pay
such transfer fees; cores and core analysis relevant to the general
area of the Assets, and all geologic information, including
mudlogs, electric log, well files; daily drilling and completion
reports, scout tickets, and other relevant data; and
g.
All
files, records, correspondence, data and information relating to
the items described in Sections 1.2.a through 1.2.e maintained by
Apollo Energy, LLC, predecessor in interest to Seller (the “
Records
”), including, without limitation, lease and land files,
abstracts, title reports, memoranda and opinions, well files,
contract files, gas, oil and other hydrocarbon sales contract
files, gas gathering, processing, transportation and marketing
files, division order files, tax and accounting files related to
the Assets.
1.3
Effective Time . The
purchase and sale of the Assets shall be effective as of April 1,
2008 at 7:00 a.m., Mountain Time (the “ Effective Time
”).
ARTICLE 2
PURCHASE PRICE
2.1
Purchase Price . The
Purchase Price for the Assets shall be Twenty-One Million Dollars
($21,000,000) (the “ Purchase Price
”), subject to Section 2.3 below. Based on market
valuations performed by independent third parties, and
Seller’s reasonable judgment based on several factors,
including but not limited to market solicitations, offers made to
Seller, and expressions of interest made and received by
Seller, the Purchase Price is fair and reasonable consideration for
the Assets. The Parties acknowledge that Buyer is not
indebted to Seller in any manner and that Buyer is not a creditor
of Seller, a direct or indirect equity holder of Seller, or in any
way related to Seller.
2.2
Escrow Account .
Contemporaneously with execution of this Agreement, the
Parties and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association (the “
Escrow
Agent ”) will enter into an escrow agreement (the
“ Escrow
Agreement ”), mutually agreeable to the Parties,
pursuant to which Buyer will deposit the Purchase Price by wire
transfer of immediately available funds in an escrow account with
Escrow Agent (the “ Escrow Account
”). Under the terms of the Escrow Agreement, the
Escrow Agent shall distribute
the
Purchase Price as set forth in Article 11. A specified
portion of the Purchase Price from the Escrow Account shall be
earmarked by Buyer in writing prior to Closing for and to be paid
by the Escrow Agent to secured creditors in accordance with Section
11.4 in exchange for the release of all claims of such secured
creditors.
2.3
Adjustments to Purchase Price . The
Purchase Price shall be adjusted according to this Section without
duplication. For all adjustments known as of Closing,
the Purchase Price shall be adjusted at Closing pursuant to a
“ Preliminary Settlement
Statement ” approved by Seller and Buyer on or before
Closing. A draft of the Preliminary Settlement Statement
will be prepared by Seller and provided to Buyer four business days
prior to Closing for Buyer’s comment and
review. The Preliminary Settlement Statement shall set
forth the Purchase Price as adjusted as provided in this Section
using the best information available at the Closing Date which
amount shall be deposited into the Escrow Account by wire transfer
of immediately available funds by Buyer at Closing and is referred
to as the “ Closing Amount
.” After Closing, final adjustments to the
Purchase Price shall be made pursuant to the Final Settlement
Statement to be delivered pursuant to Section 12.1. For
the purposes of this Agreement, the term “ Property Expenses
” shall mean all capital expenses, joint interest billings,
lease operating expenses, lease rental and maintenance costs, Taxes
(as defined and apportioned as of the Effective Time pursuant to
Article 13), drilling expenses, workover expenses, geological,
geophysical and any other exploration or development expenditures
chargeable under applicable operating agreements or other
agreements consistent with the standards established by the Council
of Petroleum Accountant Societies of North America that are
attributable to the maintenance and operation of the Assets during
the period in question. At Closing, Buyer shall acquire
any and all rights of Seller to obtain a cash contribution from
Fossil Creek Land Company (“ Fossil ”) and
Williams Production RMT Company (“ Williams ”) or
any other working interest owner for drilling costs associated with
the Reppo A11-34B and A10-34D wells (the “ Reppo Wells ”)
and any and all rights as a co-tenant of Fossil and Williams to
recoup Fossil’s and Williams’ share of the Reppo
Drilling Costs from proceeds of production attributable to
Fossil’s and Williams’ working interests in the Reppo
Wells or drill sites.
a.
Upward Adjustments . The Purchase Price shall be
adjusted upward by the following:
i.
An
amount equal to all Property Expenses, including prepaid expenses,
attributable to the Assets after the Effective Time that were paid
by Seller (all to be apportioned as of the Effective Time except as
otherwise provided), including without limitation, prepaid rentals
and royalties, including lease rentals; and
ii.
Any
other amount provided in this Agreement or agreed upon by Seller
and Buyer.
b.
Downward Adjustments . The Purchase Price shall
be adjusted downward by the following:
i.
An
amount equal to all Property Expenses attributable to the Assets
prior to the Effective Time that are paid by Buyer, including
without limitation, an amount equal to any payables to Noble Energy
arising prior to the Effective Time for amounts owing for
Seller’s participation in the Noble Energy operated wells on
the Grunska lease (note: through January 2008 the dollar
amount invoiced by Noble Energy to the Seller was
$101,934);
ii.
An
amount equal to the sum of all Title Defect adjustments under
Section 4.4.b.;
iii.
An
amount equal to the sum of all Environmental Defect adjustments
under Section 5.3.b; and
iv.
Any
other amount provided in this Agreement or agreed upon by Seller
and Buyer.
2.4
Allocated Values . Buyer and
Seller have agreed to allocate the Purchase Price among the Assets
as set forth on Exhibit B , which
amounts shall be referred to as the “ Allocated Value
.”
ARTICLE 3
DUE DILIGENCE REVIEW
3.1
Access to Records . Subject
to Section 3.2, Seller will disclose and make available to Buyer
and its representatives at Seller’s or Seller’s
agent’s office and during Seller’s normal business
hours, all Records in Seller’s possession or control,
including Records in the possession of Apollo Energy, LLC,
Seller’s predecessor in interest, relating to the Assets for
the purpose of permitting Buyer to perform its due diligence review
including, but not limited to, all title opinions, well, leasehold,
unit, title, contract, division order, accounting, tax, gas
marketing, vendor and creditor files. Seller agrees to
cooperate with Buyer in Buyer’s efforts to obtain, at
Buyer’s sole expense, such additional information relating to
the Assets as Buyer may reasonably desire. Buyer may
inspect the Records only to the extent it may do so without
violating any obligation, confidence or contractual commitment of
Seller to a third party. Seller shall use reasonable
efforts to obtain the necessary consents to allow Buyer’s
examination of any confidential information that is material to
this transaction.
3.2
Representation and
Warranty
.
Seller represents and warrants that the Records are
accurate and complete in all material respects.
3.3
Access to Properties . Seller
hereby consents to Buyer conducting, upon advance notice to Seller,
at Buyer’s sole risk and expense, on site inspections and an
environmental assessment of the Assets. Any information
learned by Buyer in connection with its on-site inspection and an
environmental assessment of the Assets shall be deemed to be
confidential and proprietary to Seller, and Buyer agrees that all
such information is subject to the provisions of Section
8.8. In connection with the granting of such access,
Buyer represents that it is adequately insured and, except to the
extent caused by Seller’s gross negligence or willful
misconduct, waives, releases and agrees to indemnify Seller and
Seller’s representatives from and against all liabilities,
obligations, Losses (as defined in Section 14.3) claims for injury
to, or death of, persons or for damage to property arising in any
way from the access afforded to Buyer hereunder or the activities
of Buyer. This waiver, release and indemnity by Buyer
shall survive termination of this Agreement.
ARTICLE 4
TITLE MATTERS
4.1
Defensible Title . The term
“Defensible Title” means such title to the Assets,
that, subject to and except for Permitted
Encumbrances: (i) entitles Seller to receive not less
than the net revenue interest set forth on Exhibit B for each Well
or undeveloped location listed on Exhibit B (“
NRI
”); (ii) obligates Seller to bear costs and expenses relating
to the maintenance, development, operation and the production of
Hydrocarbons from each Well or undeveloped location in an amount
not greater than the working interest set forth in Exhibit B (“
WI
”); (iii) is not subject to reduction by virtue of the
exercise by any third party of a reversionary interest, back in or
similar right except as scheduled in Exhibit B ; (iv) is
free and clear of mortgages, encumbrances, liens, delinquent taxes
and preferential rights to purchase or rights of first refusal
unless the foregoing rights are waived by the holders
thereof;
(v)
is not subject to access and surface use limitations, restrictions,
conditions, compensation for use or damage provisions that are
unacceptable to Buyer in its sole judgment; (vi) is not subject to
unperformed drilling obligations except as expressly assumed by
Buyer; and (vii) is not subject to defects or conditions that would
create a material impairment of use or loss of interest in the
affected Asset.
4.2
Permitted Encumbrances . The term “
Permitted
Encumbrances ” shall mean:
a.
lessors’
royalties, overriding royalties, net profits interests, production
payments, reversionary interests and similar burdens if the net
cumulative effect of such burdens does not operate to reduce the
NRI set forth on Exhibit B
.
b.
liens
for Taxes, or assessments, not yet due or delinquent;
c.
all
rights to consent by, required notices to, filings with, or other
actions by federal, state and local governmental entities in
connection with the ownership or operation of the Leases if the
same are customarily obtained subsequent to such transfer of
ownership or operations;
d.
easements,
rights-of-way, servitudes, permits, and surface leases on, over, or
in respect of property owned or leased by Seller or over which
Seller owns rights-of-way, easements, permits, or licenses that are
of record in the applicable county to the extent such matters,
individually or in the aggregate, do not materially interfere with
oil and gas operations on the Leases and do not materially affect
the value thereof;
e.
any
encumbrance, title defect or matter (whether or not constituting a
Title Defect) waived or deemed waived by Buyer pursuant to Section
4.4.a.
4.3
Title Defects . The term
“ Title
Defect ” means:
a.
Any
encumbrance, encroachment, irregularity, defect in or objection to
real property title, excluding Permitted Encumbrances, that alone
or in combination with other defects renders title to an Asset less
than Defensible Title.
b.
Surface
use restrictions, use, compensation or damage provisions contained
in any conveyance, lease or other contract, including the Leases
and Material Agreements, which could interfere with access to the
Leases and Lands or operations for the exploration, development and
production of Hydrocarbons from the Leases and Lands.
4.4
Adjustments for Title
Defects .
a.
Notice of Title Defects . Buyer shall deliver to
Seller a written “ Notice of Title Defects
” on or before May 2, 2008. The Notice of Title
Defects shall describe the Title Defect and state the reduction in
the Allocated Value of an Asset caused by the Title Defect (the
“ Defect
Value ”). Other than matters which are
violative of Seller’s special warranty of title set out in
Exhibit F ,
any matters not described in a written Notice of Title Defect shall
conclusively be deemed to have been waived and accepted by Buyer,
and shall be deemed Permitted Encumbrances hereunder.
b.
Defect Adjustments . With respect to adjustments
to the Purchase Price for Title Defects, the Parties agree as
follows:
i.
“
Excluded
Assets ” are Assets excluded from this Agreement
pursuant to Sections 4.4.b.iii and iv.
ii.
Seller
shall have the option of attempting to cure Title Defects to the
reasonable satisfaction of Buyer on or before the Closing Date,
which option shall be communicated to Buyer no later than two days
prior to the Closing Date;
iii.
If
Seller does not elect to cure or cannot cure a Title Defect to
Buyer’s reasonable satisfaction, Buyer shall have the option
to either accept assignment of the Asset affected by a Title
Defect, and the Purchase Price shall be adjusted downward by the
Defect Value, or to exclude such Asset from this
Agreement. If Buyer elects to exclude such Asset, the
Purchase Price shall be adjusted downward by an amount equal to the
Allocated Value of the Excluded Asset; and
iv.
If
a Title Defect is not cured to Buyer’s reasonable
satisfaction on or before Closing, then Seller has the right to
extend the Closing Date as to the affected Asset for up to thirty
(30) days. If Seller extends the Closing Date under this
subsection as to any Asset, an amount equal to the applicable
Defect Value shall be retained in the Escrow Account for up to
thirty (30) days after Closing. The total of all such
Defect Values are referred to as the “ Title Escrow Amount
”. Upon Seller’s cure of a Title Defect to
Buyer’s reasonable satisfaction on or before thirty (30) days
after Closing, Seller and Buyer shall execute and deliver written
instructions to the Escrow Agent instructing the Escrow Agent to
transfer an amount equal to the Defect Values for any such cured
Title Defects to Seller by wire transfer of immediately available
funds. If Seller is unable to cure a Title Defect to the
reasonable satisfaction of Buyer on or before thirty (30) days
after Closing, Buyer shall have the option to either accept
assignment of the Asset affected by a Title Defect, and the
Purchase Price shall be adjusted downward by the Defect Value, or
to exclude such Asset from this Agreement. If Buyer
elects to exclude such Asset, the Purchase Price shall be adjusted
downward by an amount equal to the Allocated Value of the Excluded
Asset. As to any portion of the Title Escrow Amount that
are attributable to Title Defects which have not been cured to
Buyer’s reasonable satisfaction on or before thirty (30) days
after Closing, Buyer and Seller shall execute and deliver written
instructions to the Escrow Agent to transfer funds in accordance
with Buyer’s election under this subsection to either accept
assignment of the affected Asset or to exclude the affected Asset
from this Agreement.
4.5
Dispute Resolution . The
Parties agree to resolve disputes concerning the following matters
pursuant to this Section 4.5: (i) the existence of a
Title Defect, and (ii) the adequacy of Title Defect curative
materials submitted pursuant to Section 4.4.b (collectively, the
“ Disputed
Defect Matters ”). The Parties agree to
attempt to initially resolve all disputes through good-faith
negotiations. Subject to Buyer’s and
Seller’s right to terminate this Agreement under Article 10
prior to Closing, if the Parties cannot resolve such disputes on or
before five (5) Business Days after Closing, the Disputed Defect
Matters shall be submitted to binding arbitration in accordance
with the procedures set forth in Section 14.5.d. In such
event, an amount equal to the Defect Values associated with the
Disputed Defect Matters shall be withheld from the Purchase Price
paid by Buyer to Seller at Closing, and the affected Assets shall
be retained by Seller at Closing. If, following binding
arbitration, the Seller is obligated to sell and the Buyer is
obligated to purchase the Assets or portions of the Assets affected
by a Disputed Defect Matter, the closing date for the affected
Assets shall occur within ten (10) Business Days following the
decision of the arbitrators or as otherwise agreed to by the
Parties. “ Business Day ”
means a day on which commercial banks located in Denver, Colorado
are open for business. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
Closing shall occur on April 30, 2008 as to Assets which are not
affected by a Disputed
Defect
Matter, subject, however, to the rights of Seller and Buyer to
terminate this Agreement under Article 10.
4.6
Casualty Loss . After the
Effective Time and prior to Closing, if a portion of the Assets is
destroyed by fire or other casualty, or is taken or threatened to
be taken in condemnation or under the right of eminent domain,
(with such event being a “ Casualty Loss ”),
Buyer shall purchase the Asset at Closing for the Allocated Value
of the Asset reduced by the estimated cost to repair or replace
such Asset (with equipment of similar utility). At its
sole option, Seller may elect to cure such Casualty
Loss. If Seller elects to cure such Casualty Loss,
Seller may replace any personal property that is the subject of a
Casualty Loss with equipment of similar grade and utility and
Seller shall be entitled to keep all associated insurance proceeds,
if any. If Seller cures the Casualty Loss to
Buyer’s reasonable satisfaction, Buyer shall purchase the
affected Asset at Closing for the Allocated Value thereof without
any Purchase Price adjustment for such Casualty Loss. In
no event shall the watering out of a well, casing collapse, or
breakage of equipment constitute a Casualty Loss.
ARTICLE 5
ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS
5.1
Definitions . For the
purposes of the Agreement, the following terms shall have the
following meanings:
a.
Environmental Laws . “ Environmental Laws
” shall mean all laws, rules, regulations, statutes,
ordinances, decrees or orders of any Governmental Authority
relating to (a) the control of any potential pollutant or
protection of the air, water or land, (b) solid, gaseous or liquid
waste generation, handling, treatment, storage, disposal or
transportation, and (c) exposure to hazardous, toxic or other
substances alleged to be harmful, and includes without limitation
final and binding requirements related to the foregoing imposed by
(i) the terms and conditions of any license, permit, approval or
other authorization by any Governmental Authority, and (ii)
applicable judicial, administrative or other regulatory decrees,
judgments and orders of any Governmental Authority. The
term “ Environmental Laws
” shall include, but not be limited to, the following
statutes and the regulations promulgated thereunder, as currently
in effect: the Clean Air Act, 42 U.S.C. § 7401 et seq., the
Clean Water Act, 33 U.S.C. § 1251 et seq., the Resource
Conservation Recovery Act, 42 U.S.C. § 6901 et seq., the
Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act, 42 U.S.C. §
11011 et seq., the Toxic Substances Control Act, 15 U.S.C. §
2601 et seq., the Water Pollution Control Act, 33 U.S.C. §
1251, et seq., the Safe Drinking Water Act, 42 U.S.C. § 300f
et seq., the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation,
and Liability Act, 42 U.S.C. § 9601 et seq., the Federal
Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act, 7 U.S.C. § 136,
et. seq., and any similar state, federal or local statute or
ordinance.
b.
Governmental Authority . “ Governmental Authority
” shall mean any and all foreign, federal, state or local
governments, governmental institutions, public authorities and
governmental entities of any nature whatsoever, and any
subdivisions or instrumentalities thereof, including, but not
limited to, departments, boards, bureaus, commissions, agencies,
courts, administrations and panels, and any divisions or
instrumentalities thereof, whether permanent or ad hoc and whether
now or hereafter constituted or existing.
c.
Environmental Defect . “ Environmental Defect
” means a condition in, on or under the Assets (including,
without limitation, air, land, soil, surface and subsurface strata,
surface water, ground water, or sediments) that causes any portion
of the Assets to be in material violation of an Environmental Law
or a condition that can reasonably be expected to give rise to
costs or liability under applicable Environmental
Laws.
d.
Remediation . “ Remediation ”
means actions or activities required to comply with Environmental
Laws to (a) clean up or remove hazardous materials from the
environment, (b) prevent or minimize the movement, leaching or
migration of hazardous materials into the environment, (c) prevent,
minimize or mitigate the release or threatened release of hazardous
materials into the environment, or injury or damage from such
release, and including without limitation, costs and expenses
payable in connection with the foregoing for legal, engineering or
other consultant services, for investigation, testing, sampling and
monitoring, for boring excavation and construction, for removal,
modifications or replacement of equipment or facilities, for labor
and material, and for proper storage treatment and disposal of
hazardous materials.
5.2
Environmental Assessment . Buyer may
conduct an on-site inspection, environmental assessment and
compliance audit of the Assets (an “ Environmental
Assessment ”) at Buyer’s cost and
expense. Seller shall provide Buyer with access to the
Assets and to all information in Seller’s possession or
control pertaining to the environmental condition of the Assets,
including, but not limited to, status or any environmental audits,
permits, records and assessments in Seller’s possession or
control, and shall make available to Buyer all past or present
personnel who would reasonably be expected to have knowledge or
information regarding the environmental status or condition of the
Assets. Buyer shall provide Seller prior written notice
of any environmental inspections and tests, including sampling
activities, and Buyer shall give Seller the opportunity to
participate in all such inspections and tests. Buyer
shall provide Seller, at no cost to Seller, all reports of
environmental inspections and tests, provided that all such reports
shall be deemed to be confidential between the parties and subject
to the confidentiality provisions of Section 8.6.a of this
Agreement. Buyer agrees to release, indemnify, defend,
and hold harmless Seller against all Losses (as defined in Section
14.3) arising from or related to the activities of Buyer, its
employees, agents, contractors and other representatives in
connection with Buyer’s Environmental Assessment regardless
of the negligence or strict liability of Seller.
5.3
Adjustments for
Environmental Defects Pre-Closing .
a.
Notice of Environmental Defects . Buyer shall
provide Seller with written notice of any Environmental Defect
which Buyer’s Environmental Assessment reveals and will
provide evidence thereof. Such notice and evidence shall
be given on or before May 2, 2008. Buyer will be deemed
to have conclusively waived the right to adjust the Purchase Price
with respect to any Environmental Defect about which it fails to
notify Seller in writing prior to the expiration of the Due
Diligence Period.
b.
Defect Adjustments . Upon receipt of a notice of
Environmental Defect, Seller may, at its sole election prior to the
Closing Date, either: (i) agree with Buyer on an
adjustment to the Purchase Price which shall be reflected on the
Preliminary Settlement Statement, which adjustment shall reflect
the cost to remediate such Environmental Defect (“
Environmental
Defect Value ”); or (ii) in the event of the failure
of the parties to come to agreement under (i), remove the affected
Asset(s) from this Agreement and adjust the Purchase Price downward
by the Allocated Value(s) of the excluded Asset(s) on the
Preliminary Settlement Statement. In no event will
Seller have any obligation to remediate any such Environmental
Defect unless Seller expressly agrees in writing to do
so.
5.4
Environmental Dispute Resolution Pre-Closing . The
parties agree to resolve disputes concerning the following matters
pursuant to this Section: (i) the existence and scope of
Environmental Defect, (ii) Buyer’s estimate of costs of
Remediation of an Environmental Act and (iii) the effectiveness of
Seller’s Remediation. The parties agree to attempt
to initially solve all disputes through good faith
negotiations. If the parties cannot resolve disputes
regarding items (i), (ii) or (iii) on or before the Closing Date,
the disputed matters will be finally determined by binding
arbitration pursuant to Section 14.5.d.
5.5
Seller’s
Indemnity .
a.
Seller
shall indemnify, hold harmless, release and defend Buyer from and
against all damages, losses, claims, demands, causes of action,
judgments and other costs (including but not limited to any civil
fines, penalties, costs of assessment, clean-up, removal and
remediation of pollution or contamination, and expenses for the
modification, repair or replacement of facilities on the Lands)
brought by any and all persons and any agency or other body of
federal, state or local government, on account of any personal
injury, illness or death, any damage to, destruction or loss of
property, and any contamination or pollution of natural resources
(including soil, air, surface water or groundwater) to the extent
any of the foregoing directly or indirectly is caused by or
otherwise involves any environmental condition of the Assets or
Lands, which is created and arises prior to Closing, including, but
not limited to, the presence, disposal or release of any material
(whether hazardous, extremely hazardous, toxic or otherwise) of any
kind in, on or under the Assets or the Lands before Closing (the
“ Pre-Closing Environmental
Liabilities ”).
b.
Seller’s
indemnification obligations shall extend to and include, but not be
limited to the following with respect to Pre-Closing Environmental
Matters: (i) the negligence or other fault of Seller,
Buyer, third parties and its agents, whether such negligence is
active or passive, joint, sole or concurrent, (ii) Seller’s
or Buyer’s strict liability, and (iii) Seller’s or
Buyer’s liabilities or obligations under the Comprehensive
Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, as
amended (42 U.S.C. §§ 9601 et seq.), the Resource
Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976 (42 U.S.C. § 6901 et
seq.), the Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. §§ 466 et seq., the
Safe Drinking Water Act (14 U.S.C. §§ 1401-1450), the
Hazardous Materials Transportation Act (49 U.S.C. §§ 1801
et seq.), the Toxic Substances Control Act (15 U.S.C. §§
2601-2629), the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. § 7401 et seq.) as
amended, the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 and all state and
local laws and any replacement or successor legislation or
regulation thereto. This indemnification shall be in
addition to any other indemnity provisions contained in this
Agreement, and it is expressly understood and agreed that any terms
of this article shall control over any conflicting or contradicting
terms or provisions contained in this Agreement.
c.
Seller’s
indemnification shall not extend to matters or conditions for which
an adjustment of the Purchase Price was made pursuant to Section
5.3.b(i).
5.6
Buyer’s
Indemnity .
a.
Except
for Excluded Assets, Buyer shall indemnify, hold harmless, release
and defend Seller from and against all damages, losses, claims,
demands, causes of action, judgments and other costs (including but
not limited to any civil fines, penalties, costs of assessment,
clean-up, removal and remediation of pollution or contamination,
and expenses for the modification, repair or replacement of
facilities on the Lands) brought by any and all persons and any
agency or other body of federal, state or local
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