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SHARE PURCHASE AGREEMENT

Stock Purchase Agreement

SHARE PURCHASE AGREEMENT | Document Parties: UNOCAL CORP | UNOCAL CANADA LIMITED | UNOCAL CANADA ALBERTA HUB LIMITED | POGO PRODUCING COMPANY You are currently viewing:
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UNOCAL CORP | UNOCAL CANADA LIMITED | UNOCAL CANADA ALBERTA HUB LIMITED | POGO PRODUCING COMPANY

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Title: SHARE PURCHASE AGREEMENT
Date: 7/13/2005
Industry: Oil and Gas Operations     Law Firm: Stikeman Elliott LLP; Baker Botts L.L.P.; Fraser Milner Casgrain LLP     Sector: Energy

SHARE PURCHASE AGREEMENT, Parties: unocal corp , unocal canada limited , unocal canada alberta hub limited , pogo producing company
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                              UNOCAL CANADA LIMITED

 

                        UNOCAL CANADA ALBERTA HUB LIMITED

 

                               UNOCAL CORPORATION

 

                                       and

 

                                POGO CANADA, ULC

 

                             POGO PRODUCING COMPANY

 

 

 

 

 

                            SHARE PURCHASE AGREEMENT

 

                                  July 8, 2005

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

<PAGE>

 

                            SHARE PURCHASE AGREEMENT

 

                                 TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

                                    ARTICLE 1

                         DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION

 

1.1           Definitions.......................................................2

1.2           Certain Rules of Interpretation..................................15

1.3           Knowledge........................................................17

1.4           Entire Agreement.................................................17

1.5           Applicable Law...................................................17

1.6           Accounting Principles............................................17

1.7           Disclosure.......................................................17

1.8           Schedules........................................................17

1.9           Joint and Several Liability......................................18

1.10          Interpretation If Closing Does Not Occur.........................18

1.11          Conflicts........................................................18

1.12          Guarantees.......................................................18

 

                                    ARTICLE 2

                                PURCHASE AND SALE

 

2.1           Actions by Vendor and Purchaser Regarding Purchase...............19

2.2           Place of Closing.................................................19

2.3           Tender...........................................................19

 

                                    ARTICLE 3

                                 PURCHASE PRICE

 

3.1           Purchase Price...................................................19

3.2           Payment of Purchase Price........................................19

3.3           Post Closing Adjustment to the Net Working Capital Amount........20

 

                                     ARTICLE 4

                    REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF VENDOR

 

4.1           Incorporation and Registration...................................22

4.2           Right to Sell....................................................22

4.3           Capitalization...................................................23

4.4           Corporation and Subsidiaries.....................................23

4.5           Due Authorization................................................24

4.6            Residence of Vendor..............................................25

4.7           Enforceability of Obligations....................................25

4.8           No Advisors or Consultants.......................................25

4.9           Government Authorizations........................................25

4.10          Benefit Plans and Labour Matters.................................25

4.11          Financial Statements.............................................26

4.12          Distributions....................................................26

4.13          Business Carried on in the Ordinary Course.......................26

4.14          Environmental Matters............................................26

4.15          Assets...........................................................27

4.16          Material Obligations.............................................28

 

<PAGE>

 

4.17          Litigation.......................................................29

4.18          Intellectual Property............................................30

4.19          Taxes............................................................30

4.20          Absence of Certain Changes.......................................32

4.21          Certain Contracts, Agreements, Plans and Commitments.............32

4.22          Resource Pools and Undepreciated Capital Cost Balances...........33

4.23          Operation of Assets..............................................33

4.24          Minute Books.....................................................33

4.25          Corporate Registers..............................................33

4.26          Books and Records and Internal Controls..........................33

4.27          SMOG Run.........................................................34

4.28           Hart Scott Rodino Information....................................34

 

                                    ARTICLE 5

                   REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PURCHASER

 

5.1           Incorporation....................................................34

5.2           Due Authorization................................................34

5.3           Enforceability of Obligations....................................35

5.4           Investment Canada................................................35

5.5           Authorizations...................................................35

5.6           Financing........................................................35

5.7           Brokers..........................................................35

5.8           Purchaser as Principal...........................................35

 

                                    ARTICLE 6

                      REGARDING REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES

                                  AND COVENANTS

 

6.1           Materiality......................................................36

6.2           Nature of Survival of Vendor's Representations, Warranties,

             Covenants and Indemnities and Limitations on Claims..............36

6.3           Nature of Survival of Purchaser's Representations, Warranties,

             Covenants and Indemnities........................................37

6.4           No Consequential Damages.........................................38

6.5           No Other Representations, Warranties or Covenants of Vendor......38

6.6           No Other Representation, Warranties or Covenants of Purchaser....39

6.7           Restrictions on Claims and Actions...............................40

 

                                    ARTICLE 7

                             PURCHASER'S CONDITIONS

 

7.1           Correctness and Accuracy of Representations and Warranties.......41

7.2           Performance of Obligations.......................................41

7.3           Governmental Approvals, Consents, and Authorizations.............41

7.4           Other Consents and Approvals.....................................42

7.5           No Injunctions or Restraints.....................................42

7.6           Vendor's Closing Deliveries......................................42

 

                                     ARTICLE 8

                               VENDOR'S CONDITIONS

 

8.1           Correctness and Accuracy of Representations and Warranties.......43

8.2           Performance of Obligations.......................................43

 

                                       -ii-

<PAGE>

 

8.3           Governmental Approvals, Consents, and Authorizations.............43

8.4           Other Consents and Approvals.....................................44

8.5           No Injunctions or Restraints.....................................44

8.6           Purchaser's Closing Deliveries...................................44

8.7           Deposit..........................................................45

 

                                    ARTICLE 9

                                  OTHER COVENANTS

 

9.1           Conduct of Business Prior to Closing.............................45

9.2           Negative Covenants...............................................45

9.3           Dealings or Operations Regarding Assets..........................47

9.4           Intercorporate Obligations.......................................48

9.5           Access to Books and Records and Other Assets.....................48

9.6           Confidentiality..................................................49

9.7           Actions to Satisfy Closing Conditions............................49

9.8           Preservation of Records..........................................50

9.9           Competition Act Filing and Investment Canada Act Filing..........50

9.10          Assignment of Confidentiality Agreements.........................51

9.11          Insurance........................................................51

9.12          Employee Related Matters.........................................51

9.13          Consent to Jurisdiction..........................................52

9.14          US Financial Statements..........................................53

9.15          Reserves Report (US).............................................53

9.16          Purchase Not Conditional on Financing............................54

9.17          Compliance with Privacy Laws.....................................54

9.18          Bank Accounts....................................................55

 

                                   ARTICLE 10

                                 INDEMNIFICATION

 

10.1          Mutual Indemnifications for Breaches of Covenants

             and Warranties...................................................55

10.2          Procedures Relating to Indemnification Between Vendor

             and Purchaser....................................................57

10.3          Indemnification Procedures for Third Party Claims................58

10.4          Holding of Indemnities...........................................59

10.5          Claims Net of Insurance and Taxes................................59

10.6          Mitigation.......................................................60

10.7          Adjustment to Purchase Price.....................................60

10.8          Subrogation......................................................60

 

                                   ARTICLE 11

                                   TAX MATTERS

 

11.1          Liabilities for Taxes............................................60

11.2          Tax Returns......................................................62

11.3          Confidentiality of Tax Information...............................63

11.4          Section 338 Election.............................................63

11.5          Tax Claims.......................................................65

11.6          Assistance and Cooperation.......................................66

 

                                     -iii-

<PAGE>

 

                                   ARTICLE 12

                              TERMINATION AND CLOSING

 

12.1          Termination......................................................66

12.2          Regarding Termination by Purchaser...............................67

12.3          Regarding Termination by Vendor..................................67

12.4          Deposit..........................................................67

12.5          Notice of Termination............................................67

12.6          Effect of Termination............................................68

 

                                   ARTICLE 13

                                     GENERAL

 

13.1          Non-Waiver.......................................................68

13.2          Public Notices...................................................68

13.3          Notices..........................................................70

13.4          Assignment.......................................................71

13.5          Further Assurances...............................................71

13.6           No Recourse......................................................71

13.7          Time of the Essence..............................................72

13.8          Amendment........................................................72

13.9          Invalidity.......................................................72

13.10         Counterparts.....................................................72

13.11         Enforcement......................................................72

13.12         No Third-Party Beneficiaries.....................................72

13.13         Expenses.........................................................72

13.14         Removal of Name..................................................72

 

                                      -iv-

<PAGE>

 

                                    SCHEDULES

 

Schedule 1.1(a)           Escrow Agreement

Schedule 1.1(b)           SMOG Run

Schedule 1.1(c)           Unaudited Financial Statements

Schedule 1.3              Vendor Knowledge Individuals

Schedule 4.4(c)            Subsidiaries

                         Part 1     Corporate Subsidiaries (Alberta)

                         Part 2     Corporate Subsidiary (Nova Scotia)

                         Part 3     Partnership Subsidiaries

Schedule 4.5(c)           Defaults Due to this Agreement

Schedule 4.5(e)           Change of Control Provisions

Schedule 4.9              Material Government Authorizations - Vendor and Unocal

Schedule 4.10             Benefit Plans

Schedule 4.14             Environmental Matters

Schedule 4.15(a)           Permitted Encumbrances

Schedule 4.15(c)          Notices of Defaults

Schedule 4.15(d)          Government Proceedings

Schedule 4.15(e)          Authorizations for Expenditure

Schedule 4.15(g)          Marketing and Transportation Agreements

Schedule 4.16             Material Contracts and Liabilities

Schedule 4.17             Open Litigation Claims

Schedule 4.18             Intellectual Property

Schedule 4.19(a)          Tax Matters

Schedule 4.19(h)          Tax Elections

Schedule 4.19(i)          Subpart F Income

Schedule 4.19(j)          United States Property

Schedule 4.22             Estimated Resource Pools

Schedule 4.23             Areas of Mutual Interest

Schedule 5.5              Material Government Authorizations - Purchaser and Pogo

Schedule 7.6(e)            Vendor's Opinions

Schedule 8.6(e)           Purchaser's Opinions

 

                                      -v-

<PAGE>

 

                            SHARE PURCHASE AGREEMENT

 

         THIS AGREEMENT is made as of July 8, 2005 among:

 

 

                               UNOCAL CANADA LIMITED

                a corporation continued under the laws of Alberta

 

 

                                     - and -

 

 

                        UNOCAL CANADA ALBERTA HUB LIMITED

              a corporation incorporated under the laws of Alberta

 

              (Unocal Canada Limited and Unocal Canada Alberta Hub Limited

               are hereinafter collectively called "Vendor")

 

                                     - and -

 

                               UNOCAL CORPORATION

               a corporation incorporated under the laws of Delaware

                          (hereinafter called "Unocal")

 

                                     - and -

 

                                POGO CANADA, ULC

                   an Alberta unlimited liability corporation

                        (hereinafter called "Purchaser")

 

                                     - and -

 

                             POGO PRODUCING COMPANY

              a corporation incorporated under the laws of Delaware

                            (hereinafter called "Pogo")

 

RECITALS:

 

A. Vendor is the legal and beneficial owner of all of the Purchased Shares.

 

B. Vendor has agreed to sell to Purchaser, and Purchaser has agreed to purchase

from Vendor, all of the Purchased Shares, on the terms and conditions of this

Agreement.

 

         IN CONSIDERATION of the covenants, agreements, representations,

warranties and payments herein set forth, the Parties, together with Unocal and

Pogo, covenant and agree as follows:

 

<PAGE>

 

                                     ARTICLE 1

                         DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION

 

1.1       Definitions

         Whenever used in this Agreement or the Schedules to this Agreement, the

following words and terms shall have the meanings set out below:

 

         "Abandonment and Reclamation Obligations" means all past, present and

         future obligations under Contracts, Applicable Laws, equity or common

         law to:

 

          (a)   abandon wells;

 

          (b)   close, decommission,   dismantle and remove tangible equipment and

               facilities   that were or that are being used in   connection   with

               the Assets;

 

          (c)   restore,   remediate   and reclaim the surface or subsurface of the

               lands used in connection with the wells,   tangible   equipment and

               facilities   that were or that are being used in   connection   with

               the   Assets,   including   lands   in or on   which   they are or were

               located   and lands which are or were used to gain access to them;

               and

 

          (d)   restore, remediate and reclaim the surface or subsurface of lands

               affected    by   seismic   or   other    geological    or    geophysical

               exploration    activities    conducted   by   or   on   behalf   of   the

               Corporation or any of the Subsidiaries;

 

         including such obligations relating to wells, facilities and tangibles

         which were abandoned or decommissioned, dismantled or removed prior to

         the Closing Date (whether or not included in the Assets).

 

         "ABCA" means the Business Corporations Act (Alberta).

 

         "Accounting Firm" means a mutually agreed on, nationally recognized

         accounting firm.

 

         "Affiliate" means, as to a Person, any other Person controlling,

         controlled by or under common control with that Person where "control",

         "controlling" or "controlled" means the possession, direct or indirect,

         of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and

         policies of another Person, whether through the ownership of voting

         securities or by contract, partnership agreement, trust arrangement or

         other means, either directly or indirectly, that results in control in

         fact; provided that direct or indirect ownership of shares of a

         corporation carrying more than 50% of the voting rights shall

         constitute control of that corporation; and further provided that:

 

          (a)   the    Corporation    and   each   of   the    Subsidiaries    shall   be

               conclusively   deemed to be   Affiliates of Vendor as to any matter

               or thing relating to the period before the Closing; and

 

          (b)   the    Corporation    and   each   of   the    Subsidiaries    shall   be

               conclusively   deemed   to be   Affiliates   of   Purchaser   as to any

               matter   or   thing   relating   to the   period   from and   after   the

               Closing.

 

         "Agreement" means this Share Purchase Agreement, including the recitals

         and all Schedules hereto, and includes all written instruments

         supplementing, amending or confirming this Share Purchase Agreement

         agreed to by the Parties after the date hereof.

 

         "Applicable Laws" means all laws (including Environmental Laws and

         Privacy Laws), statutes, rules, regulations, official directives and

         orders of Government Authorities (whether administrative, regulatory,

         legislative, executive or otherwise) including judgments, orders and

         decrees of courts, commissions or bodies exercising similar functions.

 

                                      -2-

<PAGE>

 

         "Asset Acquisition Statement" has the meaning given to that term in

         Section 11.4(b).

 

         "Assets" means all of the tangible and intangible property (whether

         real, personal or mixed), rights, benefits, privileges and other assets

         owned or leased by the Corporation and the Subsidiaries, including all

         oil and gas properties and the tangible equipment and miscellaneous

         interests owned or held by the Corporation and the Subsidiaries in

         connection therewith and any such assets in respect of which the

          Corporation or any of the Subsidiaries share ownership with third

         parties, or have a right to use.

 

         "Audited Financial Statements" means the audited consolidated financial

         statements of the Corporation and the Subsidiaries for the fiscal years

         ended December 31, 2004 and 2003, in each case consisting of a

         consolidated balance sheet, a consolidated statement of earnings and

         retained earnings and a consolidated statement of cash flows, and the

         audited consolidated statement of earnings and retained earnings and a

         consolidated statement of cash flows for the fiscal year ended December

         31, 2002, in each case prepared in accordance with generally accepted

         accounting principles.

 

         "Authorizations" means all permits, licenses, exemptions, orders,

         variances, approvals, consents, authorizations, registrations,

         qualifications and filings with or under any Applicable Laws and having

         the force of law.

 

         "Banking Facilities" means, collectively, the credit facilities

         available to the Corporation under the Syndicated Credit Agreement and

         the Demand Credit Agreement.

 

         "Base Price" has the meaning given to that term in Section 3.1(a).

 

         "Benefit Plans" means all plans and arrangements to which the

         Corporation or any of the Subsidiaries is a party or by which the

         Corporation or any of the Subsidiaries is bound or under which the

         Corporation or any of the Subsidiaries has, or will have, any liability

         or contingent liability, relating to:

 

          (a)   Pension Plans;

 

          (b)   Insurance Plans; or

 

          (c)   Compensation Plans;

 

         with respect to any of its Employees or former Employees (or any

         dependants or beneficiaries of any such Employees or former Employees),

         other than statutory plans with which the Corporation or any of the

         Subsidiaries are required to comply, including the Canada Pension Plan

         and the Canada Employment Insurance Plan, and plans administered

         pursuant to applicable provincial health and workers' compensation

         legislation.

 

         "Books and Records" means all books and records of the Corporation and

         the Subsidiaries, including financial, corporate, operations and sales

         books, inventory and other asset records, books of account, sales and

         purchase records, the Title and Operating Documents, customer files,

          production data, equipment maintenance data, accounting records, sales

         and promotional data, advertising materials, cost and pricing

         information, supplier lists, customer lists, business reports, plans

         and projections and all other similar documents, surveys, plans, files,

         records, correspondence, and other data and information, financial or

         otherwise, including all data and information stored on

         computer-related or other electronic media but excepting therefrom all

         Proprietary Information.

 

                                      -3-

 

<PAGE>

 

         "Business" means the business of the Corporation and the Subsidiaries.

 

         "Business Day" means a day, other than a Saturday or Sunday, on which

         the principal commercial banks located at the cities of Calgary,

         Alberta and Houston, Texas are open for business during normal banking

         hours.

 

         "Claim" means any action, claim, demand, lawsuit, audit, proceeding,

         arbitration or any proceeding or investigation by a Government

         Authority including a Tax Claim.

 

         "Closing" means the completion of the Purchase pursuant to the terms

         and conditions of this Agreement.

 

         "Closing Date" means:

 

          (a)   the   fifth   Business   Day   following   the day on which all of the

               Conditions set forth in Sections   7.3(a),   7.3(b),   7.4,   8.3(a),

               8.3(b),   and 8.4 have been   satisfied or duly waived by the Party

               entitled to waive the same and notice of   satisfaction   or waiver

               has been given by the   applicable   Party to the other Party which

               notice each Party agrees to give promptly to the other;   provided

                that,   unless the Parties determine   otherwise,   the Closing Date

               shall not in any event be before the earlier of:

 

               (i)   the fifth Business Day after Purchaser   receives the Audited

                    Financial   Statements   and   unaudited   financial   statements

                    referred to in Section   9.14 and the   Reserves   Report (US);

                    and

 

               (ii) the 90th day after the date of this Agreement; or

 

          (b)   such other date as the   Parties   may agree in writing as the date

               on which the Closing shall take place.

 

         "Closing Time" means 9:00 a.m. on the Closing Date, or such other time

         on such date as the Parties may agree in writing as the time at which

         the Closing shall take place.

 

         "Code" means the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986.

 

         "Commissioner" means the Commissioner of Competition appointed pursuant

         to the Competition Act.

 

         "Compensation Plans" means any and all employment benefits and plans

         relating to bonuses, incentive pay or compensation, performance

         compensation, deferred compensation, profit sharing or deferred profit

         sharing, share purchase, share option, stock appreciation, phantom

         stock, vacation or vacation pay, sick pay, severance or termination

         pay, employee loans or separation from service benefits, and any other

         type of arrangement providing for compensation additional to base pay

         or salary.

 

         "Competition Act" means the Competition Act (Canada).

 

                                      -4-

<PAGE>

 

         "Competition Act Approval" means, in respect of the Purchase, that:

 

          (a)   an advance ruling   certificate (an "ARC") pursuant to Section 102

               of   the    Competition    Act   shall    have   been    issued   by   the

               Commissioner; or

 

          (b)   a "no action   letter"   has been   received   from the   Commissioner

               indicating that the Commissioner has determined that she does not

               at that time   intend to make an   application   for an order   under

               Section 92 of the Competition Act in respect of the Purchase; or

 

          (c)   in the event   that   neither   an ARC nor a "no   action   letter" is

               issued or received, the relevant waiting period under Section 123

               of the   Competition   Act shall have expired and there shall be no

               threatened or actual application by the Commissioner for an order

               under Sections 92 or 100 of the Competition Act.

 

         "Conditions" means, either or both of Vendor's Conditions and

         Purchaser's Conditions, as applicable.

        

         "Confidentiality Agreement" means the Confidentiality Agreement dated

         June 7, 2005 between Unocal, on behalf of itself and its Affiliates,

         and Pogo.

 

         "constating document" means the articles of incorporation, bylaws,

         memorandum of association, partnership agreement or similar

         constituting documents of a Person.

 

         "Contracts" means, with respect to any Person, any contracts, licences,

         leases, arrangements, agreements and commitments of that Person, and

         includes all quotations, orders or tenders for contracts which remain

         open for acceptance and all manufacturers' or suppliers' warranties,

         guarantees or commitments (express or implied), but excludes any oral

         contract, arrangement, agreement or commitment relating to goods or

         services (including the sale of Petroleum Substances) entered into in

         the Ordinary Course of the Business.

 

         "Corporate Subsidiaries" means the Subsidiaries described in Part 1 and

          Part 2 of Schedule 4.4(c).

 

         "Corporation" means Northrock Resources Ltd., a corporation

         incorporated under the laws of Alberta.

 

         "Corporation Trade-marks" means any and all trade-marks owned by the

         Corporation or the Subsidiaries.

 

         "Damage or Destruction Event" means damage, destruction or other

         casualty losses with respect to the Assets or any part or parts of the

         Assets.

 

         "Demand Credit Agreement" means the agreement dated May 21, 2002 among

         Unocal Canada Limited and the Corporation, as borrowers, Unocal, Union

         Oil Company of California and the Corporation, as guarantors, and The

         Toronto-Dominion Bank, as lender.

 

         "Deposit" has the meaning given to that term in Section 3.2(a).

 

         "Disclosed Environmental Liabilities" means any and all Environmental

         Liabilities (whether presently realized or projected) caused by,

         arising from, incurred in connection with or otherwise relating in any

         way to the matters in the Environmental Documentation and any of the

         health, safety and environmental records or reports of the Corporation

         and the Subsidiaries made available to Purchaser or its Representatives

          for review before the date of this Agreement.

 

                                      -5-

<PAGE>

 

         "Disclosed Personal Information" has the meaning given to that term in

         Section 9.17(a).

 

         "Distributions" means the aggregate amount of the dividends, returns of

         capital or other distributions, of cash or other property, that may be

         made by the Corporation and the Subsidiaries to any of Vendor and

         Vendor's Affiliates (other than the Corporation and the Subsidiaries);

         but shall not include any payment pursuant to Section 9.4 including any

         amounts paid or property distributed to Unocal Canada Limited on the

         redemption of the Preferred Shares referred to in Section 9.4(b).

 

         "Employees" means all individuals employed by the Corporation or any of

         the Subsidiaries including those employees on long term disability

         leave or other absence.

 

         "Encumbrances" means any lien, charge, Security Interest or other

         encumbrance of any kind or character whatsoever.

 

         "Environment" means the atmosphere, the surface and sub-surface of the

         earth, groundwater and surface waters and plants and animals; and

         "Environmental" means relating to or in respect of the Environment.

 

         "Environmental Approvals" means all Government Authorizations issued or

         required pursuant to Environmental Laws with respect to the Assets or

         the operation of the Business.

 

         "Environmental Documentation" means all environmental site assessments,

         environmental audits, environmental reports and other reports relating

         to the application of Environmental Laws to the Corporation, the

         Subsidiaries, the Assets or the Business.

 

         "Environmental Laws" means all Applicable Laws relating in whole or in

         part to the protection of the Environment, and includes those

         Applicable Laws relating to the storage, generation, use, handling,

         manufacture, processing, transportation, treatment, release and

         disposal of Hazardous Substances.

 

         "Environmental Liabilities" means all past, present and future

         Liabilities associated with or arising from any of the following and

          all costs associated therewith:

 

          (a)   the manufacture,   construction,   processing,   distribution,   use,

               holding,    collection,    accumulation,    generation,    treatment,

               stabilization,   storage, disposal,   handling or transportation of

               Hazardous Substances,   Petroleum   Substances,   oilfield wastes or

               produced water;

 

          (b)   compliance   with   present   and   future    Environmental   Laws   and

               Applicable   Laws related to employee and public health and safety

               matters   including the   protection,   reclamation,   remediation or

               restoration of the Environment;

 

          (c)   Abandonment and Reclamation Obligations;

 

          (d)   Releases of Hazardous Substances,   Petroleum Substances, oilfield

               wastes, produced water or other substances; and

 

                                       -6-

<PAGE>

 

          (e)   the   removal,    assessment,    monitoring,    sampling,    response,

                abatement, clean-up, investigation and reporting of contamination

               or   pollution   of or other   adverse   effects on the   Environment,

               including   compensation   of third parties for Losses   suffered by

               them in respect thereof;

 

         that relate to the Assets or any previously owned assets or that have

         arisen or hereafter arise from or in respect of any past, present or

         future operations and activities related to the Assets, or any other

         activities (including activities related to the previously owned assets

         and any seismic programs) conducted by or on behalf of the Corporation

         or any of the Subsidiaries.

 

         "Environmental Matters" means any activity, event or circumstance in

         respect of any of the Assets or the conduct of the Business pertaining

         to the storage, use, holding, collection, accumulation, assessment,

         generation, manufacture, processing, treatment, stabilization,

          disposition, handling, transportation or release of Hazardous

         Substances or Petroleum Substances on, at or into the Environment;

 

         "Environmental Order" means any environmental protection order,

         enforcement order, control order, stop order, remedial order, or other

         administrative complaint, direction, order or sanction issued, filed or

         imposed by a Government Authority pursuant to Environmental Laws and

         having the force of law.

 

         "Escrow Agent" means CIBC Mellon Trust Company, a corporation existing

         under the federal laws of Canada.

 

         "Escrow Agreement" means an agreement among Vendor, Purchaser and the

         Escrow Agent in the form provided in Schedule 1.1(a).

 

         "Exchange Act" means the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

 

         "Final Working Capital Statement" has the meaning given to that term

         in Section 3.3(b).

 

         "Futures Transaction" means any derivatives transaction (including an

         agreement with respect thereto) which is commonly referred to as a

         hedge transaction, rate swap transaction, basis swap, forward rate

         transaction, commodity swap, commodity option, equity or equity index

         swap, equity or equity index option, bond option, interest rate option,

         foreign exchange transaction, cap transaction, floor transaction,

         collar transaction, currency swap transaction, cross-currency rate swap

         transaction, currency option or any other similar transactions

         (including any option with respect to any of these transaction) or any

         combination of these transactions.

 

         "Goldman Sachs Commitment" has the meaning given to that term in

         Section 5.6.

 

          "Government Authority" means any government, regulatory or

         administrative authority, government department, agency, commission,

         board or tribunal or court having jurisdiction on behalf of any nation,

         province or state or subdivision thereof or any municipality, district

         or subdivision thereof.

 

         "Government Authorization" means all Authorizations, including any

         Environmental Approvals, issued to, or required by, the Corporation or

         any of the Subsidiaries by or from, any Government Authorities.

 

                                      -7-

<PAGE>

 

         "Hazardous Substance" means any pollutant, contaminant, hazardous

         substance, hazardous material, toxic substance, dangerous substance or

         dangerous good as defined, judicially interpreted or identified in any

         Environmental Law.

 

         "Indemnification Notice" has the meaning given to that term in Section

         10.2.

 

         "Indemnified Environmental Liabilities" has the meaning given to that

         term in Section 10.1(b)(i).

 

         "Indemnified Environmental Matters" has the meaning given to that term

         in Section 10.1(b)(i).

 

         "Indemnified Party" has the meaning given to that term in Section

         10.1(a).

 

         "Indemnified Person" means a Vendor Indemnified Person or a Purchaser

         Indemnified Person, as applicable.

 

         "Indemnifying Party" has the meaning given to that term in Section

         10.1(a).

 

         "Information Memorandum" means the document entitled "Information

         Memorandum" issued by CIBC World Markets Inc. and Waterous & Co. dated

         June 2005, as amended and supplemented from time to time before the

         date of this Agreement.

 

          "Insurance Plans" means any and all employment benefits and plans

         relating to disability or wage continuation during periods of absence

         from work (including short term disability and long term disability),

         hospitalization, health, medical or dental treatments or expenses, life

         insurance, death or survivor's benefits and supplementary employment

         insurance, in each case regardless of whether or not those benefits are

         insured or self-insured.

 

         "Intellectual Property" means all registered patents, copyrights,

         trade-marks (including the Corporation Trade-marks), trade-names,

         service marks, logos, commercial symbols and industrial designs,

         (including applications for all of the foregoing, and renewals,

         divisions, extensions and reissues, where applicable, relating thereto)

         owned by or licensed to the Corporation or any of the Subsidiaries.

 

         "Interim Period" means the period from the Working Capital Date to and

         including the Closing Date.

 

         "Investment Canada Act" means the Investment Canada Act (Canada).

 

         "Investment Canada Approval" means the approval (or deemed approval) by

         the responsible Minister designated pursuant to the Investment Canada

         Act, of the completion of the Purchase under this Agreement.

 

         "Liabilities" means any and all liabilities and obligations, whether

         under common law, in equity, under Applicable Law or otherwise, whether

         tortious, contractual, vicarious, statutory or otherwise, whether

         absolute or contingent, and whether based on fault, strict liability or

         otherwise.

 

         "Losses" means, in respect of a Person and in relation to a matter, any

         and all losses, damages, costs, expenses, charges (including all

         penalties, assessments and fines) which that Person suffers, sustains,

         pays or incurs in connection with that matter and includes reasonable

         costs of legal counsel (on a solicitor and client basis) and other

         professional advisors and consultants and reasonable costs of

         investigating and defending Claims arising from the matter, regardless

         of whether those Claims are sustained; and also includes Taxes on a

         settlement payment or damage award in respect of that matter, but does

         not include consequential or indirect losses or loss of profits.

 

                                      -8-

<PAGE>

 

         "Marketing Agreement" means the Marketing Agreement dated effective

         September 1, 2000 between the Corporation and Unocal Canada Limited.

 

         "Material" or "Materially" means material in relation to the Assets

         taken as a whole.

 

         "Material Adverse Effect" means any adverse effect or change that

         results or could reasonably be expected to result in a reduction in the

         fair market value of the Purchased Shares in excess of $30,000,000,

         whether that reduction arises from:

 

          (a)   a diminution in the fair market value of the Assets (including as

               a result of the loss of any   Assets,   the   impairment   or loss of

               interests in any Assets or the forfeiture or non-existence of any

                Assets);

 

          (b)   an increase in the amount of Liabilities of the   Corporation   and

               the Subsidiaries (on a consolidated basis);

 

          (c)   the Corporation and the   Subsidiaries   (on a consolidated   basis)

                being   unable to operate the   Business   after the Closing Date on

               substantially    the   same   basis   as   the    Corporation   and   the

               Subsidiaries   (on a   consolidated   basis)   operated   the Business

               before the Closing Date; or

 

          (d)   (without duplication) a combination of the foregoing;

 

         but does not include any adverse effect or change caused by general

         economic conditions or fiscal or monetary policies of Government

         Authorities, or resulting from any changes in the price of Petroleum

         Substances or any changes in the oil and gas business generally

         (including any change or effect resulting from any regulatory action or

         intervention of general application, including that resulting from

         changes to Applicable Law), or resulting from changes in interest

         rates, currency exchange rates and stock markets generally, or

         resulting from changes in Applicable Laws.

 

         "Material Claim" has the meaning given to that term in Section 6.1(a).

 

         "Material Contract" means any Contract of any of the following types:

 

          (a)   a Contract   involving   payments in excess of   $5,000,000 by or to

               the Corporation or any Subsidiary in any consecutive twelve month

               period   (excluding   any   payment by way of penalty or   liquidated

               damages),   which cannot be terminated by the Corporation   without

               penalty on three months' notice or less;

 

          (b)   a Contract   evidencing   indebtedness   or guarantees   for borrowed

               money or the deferred   purchase price of property,   excepting any

               guarantees by the   Corporation   of any   obligations of any of the

                Subsidiaries and any guarantees by any of the Subsidiaries of any

               obligations   of   any   of   the   other    Subsidiaries    or   of   the

               Corporation; or

 

          (c)   any of the agreements governing the Partnership Subsidiaries;

 

                                      -9-

<PAGE>

 

         but does not include:

 

               (i)   Title and Operating Documents;

 

               (ii) Benefit Plans; or

 

               (iii) Contracts   exclusively between   Subsidiaries or between the

                    Corporation and one or more Subsidiaries.

 

         "Net Working Capital Amount" means an amount calculated as of the

         Working Capital Date for the Corporation and the Subsidiaries equal to

         the aggregate of all of their:

 

          (a)   cash on hand or on deposit with banks or other depositories;

 

          (b)   accounts   receivable and accrued   receivables   less the allowance

               for doubtful accounts;

 

          (c)   prepaid expenses including prepaid Taxes; and

 

          (d)   other current assets not described above;

 

          minus:

 

          (e)   accounts payable and accrued current liabilities;

 

          (f)   Taxes   payable   by them   relating   to any period on or before the

               Working   Capital   Date,   whether or not the same have become due,

               and calculated on the assumption that the Corporation and each of

               the   Subsidiaries   had a fiscal year for   purposes of the Tax Act

               ending on the Working Capital Date; and

 

          (g)   other current   liabilities not described   above, but specifically

               excluding long term asset   retirement   obligations   (including as

               part of that exclusion provisions for future lease reclamation).

 

         Deferred income taxes shall not be treated as a current asset or a

         current liability and will not affect the calculation of the Net

         Working Capital Amount.

 

         For the purposes of this definition of Net Working Capital Amount:

 

               (i)   all of those   amounts   included in the   definition   shall be

                    calculated on a consolidated   basis for the   Corporation and

                    the   Subsidiaries   in   accordance   with   generally   accepted

                    accounting principles; and

 

               (ii) the note   receivable   owed by Unocal   Canada   Limited to the

                    Corporation   that is referred to in Section   9.4(b) shall be

                    excluded.

 

         "Notice" has the meaning given to that term in Section 13.3.

 

         "Office Lease" means the Lease of Office Space dated as of November 1,

         2001 between Scotia Centre Limited, as landlord, and the Corporation,

         as tenant.

 

         "Ordinary Course" means, with respect to an action or actions taken by

         a Person, that such action or actions is or are consistent with prudent

         industry practice and the past practices of the Person and is or are

         taken in the ordinary course of normal day-to-day operations of that

         Person; and when used with reference to the Corporation and the

         Subsidiaries specifically includes any transfers of any of the Assets

         between or among the Corporation and the Subsidiaries or any of the

         Subsidiaries, and any arrangements or agreements between or among the

         Corporation and the Subsidiaries or between or among any of the

         Subsidiaries.

 

                                      -10-

<PAGE>

 

         "Outside Date" means December 31, 2005.

 

         "Parties" means Vendor and Purchaser collectively; and "Party" means

         the applicable one of them.

 

         "Partnership Subsidiaries" means the Subsidiaries described in Part 3

         of Schedule 4.4(c).

 

         "Pension Plans" means arrangements relating to retirement savings or

         pensions, including pension plans, pensions or supplemental pensions

         whether registered or unregistered, funded or unfunded, "registered

         retirement savings plans" (as defined in the Tax Act), "registered

         pension plans" (as defined in the Tax Act) and "retirement compensation

         arrangements" (as defined in the Tax Act).

 

         "Permitted Contest" means action taken by the Corporation or any

         Subsidiary in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently pursued

         to contest any Taxes, Claim or Encumbrance, provided that proceeding

         with that action will not create a material risk of the forfeiture or

          loss of, or interference with the use of operation of, a Material part

         of the Assets.

 

         "Permitted Encumbrance" has the meaning given to that term in Schedule

         4.15(a).

 

         "Person" means any individual, sole proprietorship, partnership,

         limited partnership, corporation, limited or unlimited liability

         company, unincorporated association, unincorporated syndicate,

         unincorporated organization, trust, body corporate, Government

         Authority, or any other entity, and a natural person in such person's

         capacity as trustee, executor, administrator or other legal

         representative.

 

         "Personal Information" means information about an Employee, but does

         not include an individual's name, position name or title, business

         telephone number, business address, business email or business fax

         number.

 

         "Petroleum Substances" means petroleum, natural gas and all related

         hydrocarbons (including liquid hydrocarbons) and all other mineral

         substances, whether solid or gaseous and whether hydrocarbon or not

         (including sulphur and hydrogen sulphide) produced in association with

         petroleum, natural gas or related hydrocarbons.

 

         "Pogo" means Pogo Producing Company, a corporation incorporated under

         the laws of Delaware.

 

         "Preferred Shares" means the unlimited number of Class A preferred

         shares that may be issued by the Corporation.

 

         "Preliminary Net Working Capital Amount" has the meaning given to that

         term in Section 3.3(a).

 

                                      -11-

<PAGE>

 

         "Prime Rate" means the annual rate of interest announced from time to

         time by The Bank of Nova Scotia as its reference rate then in effect

         for determining interest rates it will charge on Canadian dollar

         commercial loans made by it in Canada.

 

         "Privacy Laws" means any and all Applicable Laws relating to privacy

          and the collection, use and disclosure of Personal Information in all

         applicable jurisdictions, including the Personal Information Protection

         and Electronic Documents Act (Canada) and/or any comparable provincial

         law (including the Personal Information Protection Act (Alberta)).

 

         "Prohibited Name and Marks" has the meaning given to that term in

         Section 13.14.

 

         "Proprietary Information" means all Books And Records in respect of or

         in connection with:

 

          (a)   the valuation of the Corporation, the Subsidiaries, the Assets or

               the Business;

 

          (b)   any advice from Vendor's Counsel, Vendor's Investment Bankers and

               any other consultant or advisor of Vendor, the Corporation or the

               Subsidiaries   with respect to the divestiture of the Corporation,

               the   Subsidiaries   or   their   respective   Assets   or parts of the

               Business; and

 

          (c)   the process and   proceedings   with   respect to any such   proposed

               divestiture.

 

         "Purchase" means the purchase by Purchaser of the Purchased Shares from

         Vendor in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement.

 

         "Purchase Money Obligation" means any secured debt of the Corporation

         or any Subsidiary created or assumed to finance any part of the

         purchase price of real or tangible personal property, including any

         extensions, renewals or refunding of any of that debt.

 

         "Purchase Price" has the meaning given to that term in Section 3.1.

 

         "Purchased Shares" means all of the issued and outstanding shares in

         the capital of the Corporation; and for certainty "Purchased Shares"

         shall not include any Preferred Shares that are redeemed pursuant to

         Section 9.4.

 

         "Purchaser" means Pogo Canada, ULC, an Alberta unlimited liability

         corporation.

 

         "Purchaser Indemnified Persons" has the meaning given to that term in

         Section 10.1(a)

 

         "Purchaser's Conditions" has the meaning given to that term in Article

         7.

 

         "Purchaser's Objection" has the meaning given to that term in Section

         3.3(c).

 

         "Purchaser's Process Agent" has the meaning given to that term in

         Section 9.13.

 

         "PWC" means PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, Chartered Accountants.

 

         "Related Party" means, in reference to a Party:

 

          (a)   its Affiliates, successors and assigns;

 

          (b)   its directors, officers and employees;

 

                                      -12-

<PAGE>

 

          (c)   its Affiliates' directors, officers and employees; and

 

          (d)   its Representatives.

 

         "Releases" means any release, spill, emission, leaking, pumping,

         injection, deposit, disposal, discharge, dispersal, leaching or

         migration of a Hazardous Substance, oilfield wastes or produced water

         into or through the Environment.

 

         "Representatives" means, in reference to a Party, its and its

         Affiliates' representatives, agents, legal counsel, consultants and

         advisors; and with regard to Vendor includes Vendor's Counsel and

         Vendor's Investment Bankers.

 

         "Required Approvals" means the Competition Act Approval and the

         Investment Canada Approval.

 

         "Reserves Report (Can)" means a report (National Instrument 51-101

         compliant) containing estimates of the proved reserves of Petroleum

         Substances attributable to the Assets to be prepared by Ryder Scott

         using escalating and constant pricing, including a Form 51-101F2 -

         Report on Reserves Data by Independent Qualified Reserves Evaluator or

         Auditor and a Form 51-101F3 - Report of Management and Directors on Oil

         and Gas Disclosure of the Corporation.

 

         "Reserves Report (US)" means a report containing estimates of the

         proved reserves of Petroleum Substances attributable to the Assets to

          be prepared by Ryder Scott.

 

         "Resource Pools" means

 

          (a)   cumulative Canadian exploration expenses;

 

          (b)   cumulative Canadian development expenses;

 

          (c)   cumulative Canadian oil and gas property expenses;

 

          (d)   Undepreciated Capital Cost; and

 

          (e)   non-capital loss carry forwards;

 

         as those terms are defined in the Tax Act.

 

         "Ryder Scott" means Ryder Scott Company Petroleum Engineers.

 

         "SEC" means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

         "section 338 election" has the meaning given to that term in Section

         11.4(a).

 

         "Securities Act of 1933" means the United States Securities Act of

         1933.

 

         "Security Interest" has the meaning given to that term under the

         Personal Property Security Act (Alberta).

 

         "Senior Officers" means with respect to:

 

          (a)   Vendor, president and chairman and the vice-presidents;

 

                                      -13-

<PAGE>

 

          (b)   the   Corporation or any   Subsidiary,   the   president,   the senior

               vice-president and chief financial officer and the vice-president

               corporate development; and

 

          (c)   Purchaser,   the chief   executive   officer,   the president and the

               vice-president finance.

 

         "SMOG Run" means the Northrock Standard Measure of Oil and Gas Reserves

         Year-End Data Input in respect of the Assets prepared by Unocal for its

         2004 annual report year, a copy of which document is attached as

         Schedule 1.1(b).

 

         "Straddle Period" means, in the case of the Corporation or any

         Corporate Subsidiary, any taxation year and, in the case of any

         Partnership Subsidiary, any fiscal year, in any case beginning on or

         before and ending after the Working Capital Date.

 

         "Subsidiaries" means the entities listed in Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3

         of Schedule 4.4(c).

 

         "Syndicated Credit Agreement" means the Amended and Restated Credit and

         Guarantee Agreement dated as of November 24, 2004 among Unocal Canada

         Limited and the Corporation, as borrowers, Unocal, Union Oil Company of

         California, Unocal Canada Limited and the Corporation, as guarantors,

         the Lenders party thereto, BNP Paribas (Canada), as Administrative

         Agent, and The Bank of Nova Scotia, as Syndication Agent.

 

         "Tax Act" means the Income Tax Act (Canada).

 

         "Tax Benefit" has the meaning given to that term in Section 10.5(b).

 

         "Tax Claim" has the meaning given to that term in Section 11.5(a).

 

         "Tax Rate" has the meaning given to that term in Section 10.5(b).

 

         "Tax Returns" includes all returns, reports, declarations, elections,

         notices, filings, forms, information returns and statements filed or

         required to be filed in respect of Taxes.

 

         "Taxes" means all taxes, duties, fees, premiums, assessments, imposts,

         levies and other charges of any kind whatsoever imposed by any

         Government Authority, together with all interest, penalties, fines,

         additions to tax or other additional amounts imposed in respect

         thereof, including those levied on, or measured by, or referred to as,

         income, gross receipts, profits, capital, transfer, land transfer,

         sales, goods and services, harmonized sales, use, value-added, excise,

         stamp, withholding, business, franchising, property, employer health,

         payroll, employment, health, social services, education and social

         security taxes, all surtaxes, all customs duties and import and export

         taxes, all license and registration fees and all employment insurance,

         health insurance and Canada and other Government Authority pension plan

         premiums or contributions.

 

         "Title and Operating Documents" means documents of title including:

 

          (a)   petroleum   and/or   natural   gas   leases,    permits   and   licenses

               (whether freehold or Crown) and similar instruments; and

 

          (b)   operating procedures; unit agreements; unit operating agreements;

               agreements for the   construction,   ownership and operation of gas

                plants,   pipelines, gas gathering systems and similar facilities;

               pooling   agreements;    royalty   agreements;   farmin   and   farmout

               agreements;   participation and subparticipation agreements; trust

               declarations   and   agreements;    agreements    providing   for   the

               gathering, measurement, processing, compression or transportation

               of Petroleum   Substances;   well   operating   contracts and surface

               leases,   pipeline   easements,    road   use   agreements   and   other

               contracts granting surface interests;

 

                                      -14-

<PAGE>

 

          by virtue of which the Assets are held or which pertain to the

          ownership, development or operation of the Assets.

 

         "Unaudited Financial Statements" means the unaudited consolidated

         financial statements of the Corporation and the Subsidiaries for the

         fiscal years ended December 31, 2003 and 2004, and the unaudited

          consolidated financial statements of the Corporation and the

         Subsidiaries for the three month period ended March 31, 2005, in each

         case consisting of a consolidated balance sheet and a consolidated

         statement of earnings prepared in accordance with generally accepted

         accounting principles, which financial statements are attached as

         Schedule 1.1(c).

 

         "Undepreciated Capital Cost" means "undepreciated capital cost", as

         defined in and for the purposes of the Tax Act.

 

         "Unocal" means Unocal Corporation, a corporation incorporated under the

         laws of Delaware.

 

         "Unused Tax Credits" has the meaning given to that term in Section

         11.4(e).

 

         "US$" or "US Dollars" means lawful currency of the United States.

 

         "Vendor" means, collectively, Unocal Canada Limited, a corporation

         continued under the laws of Alberta, and Unocal Canada Alberta Hub

         Limited, a corporation incorporated under the laws of Alberta.

 

         "Vendor Indemnified Persons" has the meaning given to that term in

         Section 10.1(a).

 

         "Vendor's Conditions" has the meaning given to that term in Article 8.

 

         "Vendor's Counsel" means Stikeman Elliott LLP.

 

         "Vendor's Insurance" has the meaning given to that term in Section

         9.11(a).

 

         "Vendor's Interest Rate" means the rate per annum for three month

         Government of Canada Treasury Bills from time to time, as posted on

          Bloomberg screen GGR, plus 0.025% per annum.

 

         "Vendor's Investment Bankers" means, collectively, CIBC World Markets

         Inc. and Waterous & Co.

 

         "Vendor's Process Agent" has the meaning given to that term in Section

         9.13.

 

         "Vendor's Review Period" has the meaning given to that term in Section

         3.3(d).

 

         "Working Capital Date" means June 30, 2005.

 

1.2       Certain Rules of Interpretation

        

         In this Agreement (including the Schedules):

 

          (a)   all references to a time are references to local time in Calgary,

               Alberta;

 

                                      -15-

<PAGE>

 

          (b)   except   for   references   to money   amounts   in   Article 3, and in

                Section 6.2(c)(ii) which references shall be to US Dollars, or as

               otherwise expressly   specified in this Agreement,   all references

               to money amounts are to Canadian currency;

 

          (c)   references   to Article or Section mean and refer to the specified

               Article or Section of this Agreement;

 

          (d)   descriptive headings or titles of Articles and Sections have been

               inserted solely for convenience of reference and are not intended

                as   complete   or   accurate   descriptions   of the content of those

               Articles or Sections, and shall not be used in interpreting those

               Articles or Sections;

 

          (e)   use of words in the   singular   or   plural,   or with a   particular

               gender,   shall include the other and shall not limit the scope or

               exclude the   application of any provision of this   Agreement,   to

               any Person or Persons or circumstances   as the context   otherwise

               permits;

 

          (f)   whenever a provision   of this   Agreement   requires an approval or

               consent by a Party to this Agreement:

 

               (i)   unless otherwise   provided herein,   that approval or consent

                     may not be unreasonably withheld or delayed; and

 

               (ii) if   notification of that approval or consent (or the refusal

                    of that   approval or consent)   is not   delivered   within the

                    applicable   time limit,   then,   unless   otherwise   expressly

                    specified   herein,   the Party   whose   consent or approval is

                    required shall be   conclusively   deemed not to have provided

                    its approval or consent;

 

          (g)   unless otherwise   expressly specified herein, time periods within

               or following which any payment is to be made or act is to be done

               shall be   calculated   by   excluding   the day on which the   period

                commences and including the day on which the period ends,   and by

               extending the period to the next Business Day   following,   if the

               last day of the period is not a Business Day;

 

          (h)   whenever   any   payment is to be made or action to be taken   under

               this   Agreement   is   required   to be made or taken on a day other

               than a Business   Day,   that payment shall be made or action taken

               on the next Business Day following that day;

 

          (i)   where   the   words    "including"   or   "includes"   appear   in   this

               Agreement,   including the Schedules,   those words mean "including

               (or includes) without limitation";

 

          (j)   any   references   herein to an   agreement,   instrument   or writing

               shall be a reference to that agreement, instrument or writing, as

               amended from time to time prior to the date hereof;

 

          (k)   any   reference   herein   to a law,   statute,   regulation   or other

               enactment shall be a reference to that law,   statute,   regulation

               or   enactment   as amended,   replaced or   superseded   from time to

               time;

 

          (l)   all references in this Agreement to the words "herein", "hereby",

               "hereof",   "hereto",   and words of similar   import   refer to this

               Agreement as a whole and not to any particular   Article,   Section

               or Schedule unless otherwise expressly stated; and

 

                                       -16-

<PAGE>

 

          (m)   where any conversion of Canadian   currency or US Dollars from one

               to the other is   required,   the Parties   shall use the average of

               the   Bank of   Canada   posted   noon   spot   exchange   rates   on the

               Business Day prior to the   Business   Day on which the   conversion

               takes place.

 

1.3       Knowledge

 

         Any reference in this Agreement (including in the Schedules) to "the

knowledge" or "to the best of the knowledge" of Vendor, the Corporation or a

Subsidiary or of which Vendor, the Corporation or any Subsidiary is "aware" will

be deemed to mean a reference to the actual knowledge of the applicable

individuals set forth in Part 1 of Schedule 1.3 without any obligation on those

individuals to make investigation or inquiry.

 

1.4       Entire Agreement

 

         This Agreement, including the Schedules, constitutes the entire

agreement among the Parties pertaining to the subject matter of this Agreement

and supersedes all prior agreements, understandings, negotiations and

discussions, whether oral or written, of the Parties. The Confidentiality

Agreement shall terminate on Closing.

 

1.5       Applicable Law

 

         This Agreement shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with

the laws of Alberta and the laws of Canada applicable therein, and shall be

treated in all respects as an Alberta contract.

 

1.6       Accounting Principles

 

         Except as otherwise provided herein:

 

           (a)   references to generally   accepted   accounting   principles   herein

               means a reference to   principles   recommended   from time to time;

               and

 

          (b)   all accounting terms not otherwise defined in this Agreement have

                the meanings assigned to them;

 

in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United

States.

 

1.7       Disclosure

 

         Reference to any matter on any Schedule shall not be deemed to be an

acknowledgement by Vendor, or to otherwise imply, that the matter meets or

exceeds any applicable threshold of materiality or any other relevant threshold.

 

1.8       Schedules

 

         The Schedules to this Agreement, as listed below, are attached to and

are an integral part of this Agreement:

 

Schedule 1.1(a)           Escrow Agreement

Schedule 1.1(b)           SMOG Run

Schedule 1.1(c)           Unaudited Financial Statements

Schedule 1.3              Vendor Knowledge Individuals

Schedule 4.4(c)           Subsidiaries

                          Part 1     Corporate Subsidiaries (Alberta)

                         Part 2     Corporate Subsidiary (Nova Scotia)

                         Part 3     Partnership Subsidiaries

 

                                      -17-

<PAGE>

 

Schedule 4.5(c)           Defaults Due to this Agreement

Schedule 4.5(e)           Change of Control Provisions

Schedule 4.9              Material Government Authorizations - Vendor and Unocal

Schedule 4.10             Benefit Plans

Schedule 4.14             Environmental Matters

Schedule 4.15(a)          Permitted Encumbrances

Schedule 4.15(c)          Notices of Defaults

Schedule 4.15(d)          Government Proceedings

Schedule 4.15(e)          Authorizations for Expenditure

Schedule 4.15(g)          Marketing and Transportation Agreements

Schedule 4.16             Material Contracts and Liabilities

Schedule 4.17             Open Litigation Claims

Schedule 4.18             Intellectual Property

Schedule 4.19(a)          Tax Matters

Schedule 4.19(h)          Tax Elections

Schedule 4.19(i)           Subpart F Income

Schedule 4.19(j)          United States Property

Schedule 4.22             Estimated Resource Pools

Schedule 4.23             Areas of Mutual Interest

Schedule 5.5              Material Government Authorizations - Purchaser and Pogo

Schedule 7.6(e)           Vendor's Opinions

Schedule 8.6(e)           Purchaser's Opinions

 

1.9       Joint and Several Liability

 

         Unocal Canada Limited and Unocal Canada Alberta Hub Limited shall be

jointly and severally liable for all of their covenants, liabilities and

obligations under this Agreement.

 

1.10      Interpretation If Closing Does Not Occur

 

         If Closing does not occur, each provision of this Agreement which

presumes that Purchaser has acquired the Purchased Shares shall be construed as

having been contingent on Closing having occurred.

 

1.11      Conflicts

 

         Except as specifically provided herein, if there is any conflict or

inconsistency between a provision of the body of this Agreement and that of a

Schedule or a conveyance document, the provision of the body of this Agreement

shall prevail.

 

1.12      Guarantees

 

          (a)   Unocal hereby guarantees the performance by Unocal Canada Limited

               and Unocal Canada Alberta Hub Limited of all of their   covenants,

                obligations   and   liabilities   under this Agreement and covenants

               with   Purchaser   that   Unocal   is and that it   shall be   directly

               liable as principal   obligor for the   performance of any of those

               covenants,   obligations   and   liabilities   without   necessity   or

               requirement   for   Purchaser   to pursue or exhaust its remedies or

               recourse   against   Unocal Canada Limited or Unocal Canada Alberta

               Hub Limited.

 

           (b)   Pogo hereby   guarantees   the   performance   by Purchaser of all of

               Purchaser's   covenants,   obligations and   liabilities   under this

               Agreement   and   covenants   with   Vendor   that Pogo is and that it

               shall be directly liable as principal obligor for the performance

               of any of those   covenants,   obligations and liabilities   without

               necessity   or   requirement   for Vendor to pursue or   exhaust   its

               remedies or recourse against Purchaser.

 

                                      -18-

 

<PAGE>

 

                                   ARTICLE 2

                                PURCHASE AND SALE

 

2.1       Actions by Vendor and Purchaser Regarding Purchase

        

         Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, at the Closing

         Time:

 

          (a)   Vendor   shall   sell,   transfer   and   deliver   to   Purchaser,   and

               Purchaser   shall purchase and receive from Vendor,   the Purchased

                Shares in consideration for the payment by Purchaser to Vendor of

               the   Purchase   Price,   as adjusted and payable as provided for in

               this Agreement; and

 

          (b)   each   Party   shall   deliver   to the   other   Party   all   documents

               required to be delivered   by it at the Closing   Time   pursuant to

               Article 7 and Article 8.

 

2.2       Place of Closing

 

         The Closing shall take place at the Closing Time at the offices of

Vendor's Counsel located at Suite 4300, Bankers Hall West, 888 - 3rd Street SW,

Calgary, Alberta, or at such other place as may be agreed on in writing by

Vendor and Purchaser.

 

2.3       Tender

 

         Any tender of documents or money under this Agreement may be made on

the Parties or their respective counsel and, subject to any express provisions

of this Agreement to the contrary, money shall be tendered by wire transfer of

immediately available funds in the applicable currency specified herein to the

account specified by the Party to which payment is being made.

 

                                   ARTICLE 3

                                 PURCHASE PRICE

 

3.1       Purchase Price

 

         The amount payable by Purchaser to Vendor for the Purchased Shares (the

"Purchase Price") shall be an aggregate amount equal to:

 

          (a)   US$1,800,000,000 (the "Base Price");

 

          (b)   plus the Net Working   Capital Amount (if positive);   or minus the

               Net Working Capital Amount (if negative); minus

 

          (c)   any Distributions made during the Interim Period.

 

The Purchase Price shall be subject to adjustment in accordance with Section

3.3.

 

3.2       Payment of Purchase Price

 

         The Purchase Price shall be paid by Purchaser to Vendor as follows:

 

           (a)   on execution and delivery of this Agreement,   Purchaser shall pay

               to the Escrow   Agent to be held by the Escrow   Agent   pursuant to

               the   Escrow   Agreement   an amount   equal to   US$180,000,000   (the

               "Deposit")   as a deposit   against   the   payment   of the   Purchase

               Price; and

 

          (b)   at the Closing Time,   subject to Article 12,   Purchaser shall pay

               to Vendor, an aggregate amount equal to:

 

                                       -19-

<PAGE>

 

               (i)   the sum of the Base Price and the   Preliminary   Net   Working

                    Capital Amount (if positive); minus

 

               (ii) the sum of the Deposit   (including   interest   thereon,   less

                     applicable   withholding   Taxes), the Preliminary Net Working

                    Capital   Amount (if   negative)   and any   Distributions   made

                    during the Interim Period.

 

         The Deposit shall be paid by the Escrow Agent to Vendor as part of the

Purchase Price. Subject to this Agreement and the Escrow Agreement, the Parties

shall cause the Escrow Agent to deliver the Deposit to Vendor at the Closing

Time.

 

3.3       Post Closing Adjustment to the Net Working Capital Amount

 

           (a)   Vendor   shall,   not later than   three   Business   Days   before the

               Closing   Date,   provide to   Purchaser a statement   setting   forth

               Vendor's   good   faith   estimate   (the   "Preliminary   Net   Working

               Capital Amount") of the Net Working Capital Amount and the actual

               amount of the Distributions made or to be made during the Interim

               Period. The amount of those Distributions shall be converted from

               Canadian   currency   into   US   Dollars   as of   the   date   of   that

               statement.   The   Preliminary   Net Working   Capital Amount and the

               amount   of the   Distributions   made   during   the   Interim   Period

               provided in that statement   shall be included in calculating   the

               amounts   payable   by   Purchaser   to   Vendor at the   Closing   Time

               pursuant   to   Section    3.2(b)(i)   or   Section    3.2(b)(ii),    as

               applicable.

 

          (b)   Vendor,    with   the   assistance   of   the    Corporation    and   the

               Subsidiaries,   shall prepare and deliver to Purchaser,   within 30

               days after the Closing Date, a statement   setting forth   Vendor's

               determination   of the Net   Working   Capital   Amount   (the   "Final

               Working Capital Statement") based on:

 

               (i)   the actual information   available from accounting systems of

                    Vendor   and   the    records   of   the    Corporation    and   the

                     Subsidiaries; and

 

               (ii) a conversion of the Net Working Capital Amount from Canadian

                    currency to US Dollars as of the effective date of the Final

                    Working Capital Statement.

 

           (c)   Purchaser   shall,   within 30 days after Vendor's   delivery of the

               Final Working Capital Statement, complete its review of the Final

               Working   Capital    Statement.    If   Purchaser   disputes   Vendor's

               determination   of any of the Net   Working   Capital   Amount as set

               forth in the Final Working Capital   Statement,   Purchaser will so

               notify Vendor,   on or before the last Business Day of that 30 day

               period,   in writing (the   "Purchaser's   Objection").   That notice

               will set forth a specific description of the basis of Purchaser's

               Objection   and   the   adjustments   to the   Final   Working   Capital

               Statement   that Purchaser   believes   should be made. If Purchaser

               does not deliver a Purchaser's   Objection within that period, the

               Final Working   Capital   Statement shall be conclusive and binding

               on the Parties.

 

          (d)   Vendor   will have 30 days   ("Vendor's   Review   Period")   from its

               receipt of Purchaser's Objection to review and respond to it, and

               the   Parties   will   thereafter   attempt in good faith to reach an

               agreement   with respect to any matters in dispute.   If Vendor and

               Purchaser are unable to resolve their disagreement within 15 days

               following    Vendor's    Review    Period,    they   will   refer   that

               disagreement to the Accounting Firm, who will,   acting as experts

               and not as   arbitrators,   determine,   only   with   respect   to the

               remaining   differences so submitted,   whether and to what extent,

               if any,   any of the   Final   Working   Capital   Statement   requires

               adjustment.

 

                                      -20-

<PAGE>

 

               Vendor and Purchaser will direct the   Accounting   Firm to use its

               best efforts to render its determination within 20 Business Days.

                The   Accounting   Firm's   determination   will   be   conclusive   and

               binding on Vendor and Purchaser.   In resolving any disputed item,

               the Accounting   Firm must not assign a value to that item greater

               than the greatest value for that item claimed by either Vendor or

               Purchaser or less than the   smallest   value for that item claimed

               by either Vendor or Purchaser. Vendor and Purchaser will each pay

               one half of the fees and disbursements incurred by the Accounting

               Firm.

 

          (e)   The Net Working   Capital Amount as set forth in the Final Working

               Capital   Statement,   shall be revised to   reflect   any   revisions

               agreed to by the Parties or determined by the Accounting Firm. If

               the Net Working Capital Amount (including any revisions   required

               to be made to the Final Working Capital Statement) is:

 

               (i)   greater than the Preliminary Net Working Capital Amount then

                    Purchaser    shall   pay   Vendor   an   amount    equal   to   that

                    difference; or

 

               (ii) less than the   Preliminary   Net Working   Capital Amount then

                     Vendor    shall   pay    Purchaser   an   amount   equal   to   that

                    difference.

 

               Notwithstanding the foregoing, if there is a disagreement between

               Vendor and Purchaser as to any items in the Final Working Capital

               Statement   which   disagreement   is required to be resolved by the

               Accounting   Firm in accordance   with the   procedures   provided in

               Section   3.3(d)   then no payment   pursuant   to   paragraph   (i) or

                paragraph (ii) above, as applicable, shall be required to be made

               by   the   applicable   Party   unless   the   difference   between   the

               Preliminary   Net   Working   Capital   Amount   and the   Net   Working

               Capital Amount incorporating the Accounting Firm's determinations

               is greater than US $1,500,000.

 

               Any payment   required   pursuant to this   Section   3.3(e) is to be

               made within five Business Days following the final   determination

               of the Net Working Capital Amount rendered by the Accounting Firm

               or as agreed to by the Parties. Any payments required pursuant to

               the foregoing   shall be made together with interest   thereon at a

                rate per annum equal to the Prime Rate   calculated for the period

               from   the   Working   Capital   Date to but   excluding   the   date of

               payment.   No further   adjustments   shall be made to the   Purchase

               Price with respect to the Net Working   Capital   Amount.   Any such

               payment   (excluding   the part thereof that is interest)   shall be

               treated by Vendor and   Purchaser as an adjustment to the Purchase

               Price.

 

           (f)   Vendor and Purchaser   shall   cooperate and Purchaser   shall cause

               the Corporation   and the   Subsidiaries to cooperate to facilitate

               the   preparation   and   delivery   of   the   Final   Working   Capital

               Statement in accordance   with this Section 3.3. During the period

               of time from and after the   Closing   Date   through to the time of

               delivery   of   the   Final   Working   Capital   Statement,    and,   if

               applicable, the Accounting Firm's determinations, Purchaser shall

               afford,   and shall cause the Corporation and the   Subsidiaries to

               afford,   to the   Accounting   Firm,   Vendor,   counsel or financial

               advisors   retained by Vendor in connection with any adjustment to

               the Preliminary   Net Working Capital Amount   contemplated by this

               Section 3.3,   reasonable   access during normal   business hours to

               all the properties, Contracts, personnel and Books and Records of

               the Corporation and the   Subsidiaries and work papers relevant to

               the adjustment contemplated by this Section 3.3.

 

                                      -21-

 

<PAGE>

 

                                   ARTICLE 4

                    REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF VENDOR

 

         Vendor represents and warrants to Purchaser the matters set out below:

 

4.1       Incorporation and Registration

 

          (a)   Unocal   Canada   Limited is a   corporation   continued and existing

               under   the   ABCA and   Unocal   Canada   Alberta   Hub   Limited   is a

               corporation   incorporated   and existing   under the ABCA.   Each of

               Unocal Canada   Limited and Unocal   Canada   Alberta Hub Limited is

               current in the filing of all   necessary   corporate   returns under

               the ABCA.

 

          (b)   The Corporation and each of the Corporate   Subsidiaries set forth

               in Part 1 of Schedule   4.4(c) is a corporation   incorporated   and

               existing   under   the   ABCA,   is   current   in   the   filing   of all

               necessary   corporate returns under the ABCA and has all necessary

               corporate   power and   capacity to own and lease the Assets   owned

               and   leased   by it and to   carry   on its   Business   as   presently

               conducted.

 

          (c)   The Corporate   Subsidiary set forth in Part 2 of Schedule   4.4(c)

               is an unlimited liability company existing under the laws of Nova

               Scotia, is current in the filing of all necessary company returns

               and has all   necessary   corporate   power and   capacity to own and

               lease   the   Assets   owned   and   leased   by it and to carry on its

               Business as now conducted.

 

          (d)   Each of the   Partnership   Subsidiaries   other than Bennett Energy

               and Tethys Energy   Partnership   (which are formed pursuant to the

               laws of Utah and Bermuda,   respectively) is a general partnership

               formed   pursuant to the   Partnership   Act (Alberta),   each of the

               Partnership   Subsidiaries   is validly   existing under the laws of

               its   jurisdiction   of   formation   and   each   of   the   Partnership

               Subsidiaries is duly organized and has all necessary   partnership

               power and   authority to own and lease the Assets owned and leased

               by it and to carry on its Business as presently conducted.

 

          (e)   Neither the nature of the Business nor the locations or character

               of the Assets   owned or leased by the   Corporation   or any of the

               Subsidiaries   requires the Corporation or any of the Subsidiaries

                to   be   registered,    licensed   or   otherwise    qualified   as   an

               extra-provincial or foreign corporation in any jurisdiction where

               they are not so registered,   licensed or qualified except for any

               registration,   licence or qualification in any jurisdiction where

               the sole reason for that   registration,   licence or qualification

               is the ownership by the Corporation or a Corporate   Subsidiary of

               its interest in the   Partnership   Subsidiary   that is carrying on

               business in that jurisdiction.

 

          (f)   The   Corporation   and   each   of the   Subsidiaries   is a   "private

               issuer" as defined in   Multilateral   Instrument   45-103   "Capital

                Raising    Exemptions"   adopted   by,   among   others,   the   Alberta

               Securities Commission.

 

4.2       Right to Sell

 

          (a)   Vendor   is   the   sole   registered   and   beneficial   owner   of the

               Purchased   Shares with good legal and   beneficial   title thereto,

               free and clear of all   Encumbrances and adverse claims other than

               restrictions   on transfers   and   permitted   number of   beneficial

               owners   set   out   in   the   articles   of    incorporation    of   the

               Corporation and any Encumbrances   arising out of any action taken

               by, or in favour of, Purchaser.

 

                                      -22-

<PAGE>

 

          (b)   Vendor has the exclusive   right to sell,   assign and transfer the

               Purchased Shares as provided in this Agreement.

 

          (c)   At   the   Closing   Time   any   restrictions   on   transfers   of   the

               Purchased    Shares    that   are   set   out   in   the    articles    of

               incorporation   of the Corporation will have been complied with so

               as to permit the transfer of the Purchased Shares to Purchaser.

 

          (d)   On the completion of the Purchase,   Purchaser   shall acquire from

                Vendor good legal and beneficial   title to the Purchased   Shares,

               free and clear of any   Encumbrances   and adverse   claims,   except

               restrictions   on transfers   and   permitted   number of   beneficial

               owners   set   out   in   the   articles   of    incorporation    of   the

               Corporation and any Encumbrances   arising out of any action taken

               by, or in favour of, Purchaser.

 

          (e)   There is no contract,   option or other right binding on Vendor or

               which may become   binding on Vendor to sell,   assign or   transfer

               the Purchased   Shares or the shares,   partnership   units or other

               equity interests of the Subsidiaries, other than pursuant to this

               Agreement.

 

4.3       Capitalization

 

          (a)   The   authorized   capital   of   the   Corporation    consists   of   an

               unlimited number of Class A Common Shares, an unlimited number of

               Class   B   Common   Shares   and an   unlimited   number   of   Class   A

               Preferred    Shares   of   which   the    following    are   issued   and

               outstanding:

 

               Shareholder                 Class A      Class B         Class A

                                            Common      Common         Preferred

               -------------------------   -------    ----------    ---------------

               Unocal Canada Limited       731,659    62,886,476    5,000, less the

                                                                        number of

                                                                       Preferred

                                                                    Shares to be

                                                                         redeemed

                                                                     pursuant to

                                                                  Section 9.4(b)

                                                                on or before the

                                                                    Closing Date

               Unocal Canada Alberta        29,588

               Hub Limited

 

          (b)   The authorized   capital of Northrock   Energy Ltd.   consists of an

                unlimited   number of common shares and the authorized   capital of

               832507 Alberta Ltd. consists of an unlimited number of Class "A",

               "B",    "C",    "D",    "E",    "F",    "G",    "H"   and   "I"    shares.

 

4.4       Corporation and Subsidiaries

 

          (a)   The only Persons in which the   Corporation   holds shares,   units,

               partnership interests or other securities are the Subsidiaries.

 

          (b)   The   Corporation is the sole   registered and beneficial   owner of

               all   of the   issued   and   outstanding   shares   of   the   Corporate

               Subsidiaries   set   forth   in Part 1 of   Schedule   4.4(c)   and the

               Corporation   and/or one or more of the   Subsidiaries are the sole

                owners of the shares of each of the   Corporate   Subsidiaries   set

               forth   in   Part   2   of   Schedule   4.4(c)   and   the   units   of   or

               partnership interests in each of the Partnership Subsidiaries set

                forth in Part 3 of Schedule 4.4(c).

 

                                      -23-

<PAGE>

 

          (c)   The   ownership   of the   Subsidiaries   is set   forth   in   Schedule

               4.4(c).

 

          (d)   Each of the shares,   units and partnership   interests referred to

               in Section   4.4(b) are free and clear of all   Encumbrances   other

               than restrictions on transfers and permitted number of beneficial

               owners set out in the articles of   incorporation of the Corporate

               Subsidiaries   or   in   the   applicable   partnership   agreement   in

               respect of a Partnership   Subsidiary and any Encumbrances arising

               out of any action taken by, or in favour of, Purchaser.

 

          (e)   All of the Purchased Shares and all of the issued and outstanding

               shares   of the   Corporate   Subsidiaries   and the   units of or the

               partnership   interests   in   the   Partnership    Subsidiaries,    as

               applicable, have been duly and validly issued and are outstanding

               as fully paid and   non-assessable   shares,   units or   partnership

               interests, as applicable.

 

          (f)   No    options,    warrants,     pre-emptive    rights,    commitments,

               subscriptions   or other   rights to   purchase   issued or   unissued

               shares   or   other   securities   of the   Corporation   or any of the

               Corporate   Subsidiaries   or units of or partnership   interests in

                any of the   Partnership   Subsidiaries,   or create any   additional

               class of shares,   and no   securities or   obligations   convertible

               into or exchangeable   for shares or other   securities of or units

               of or partnership   interests in any of the   Corporation or any of

               the Subsidiaries, have been issued, granted, authorized, allotted

               or agreed to be issued or are outstanding other than:

 

               (i)   in the case of the   Purchased   Shares,   rights   in favour of

                    Purchaser pursuant to this Agreement; and

 

               (ii) options to purchase the Corporation's   Class B Common Shares

                    pursuant   to   the   Northrock    Resources   Ltd.   Amended   and

                    Restated   June 2000 Stock   Option Plan,   which   options will

                    expire and be of no further force or effect on the Closing.

 

4.5       Due Authorization

 

          (a)   Vendor has all necessary corporate power,   authority and capacity

               to enter into this Agreement and to perform its obligations under

               this Agreement.

 

          (b)   The execution and delivery of this   Agreement,   the completion of

               the Purchase and the   performance of Vendor's   obligations   under

               this   Agreement   have   been   duly   authorized   by   all   necessary

               corporate action on the part of Vendor.

 

          (c)   Except as provided in Schedule 4.5(c), the execution and delivery

                of   this   Agreement,   the   completion   of the   Purchase   and   the

               performance of Vendor's obligations under this Agreement will not

               conflict   with or result in the violation or breach of, or render

               Vendor in default of, or result in the   termination or in a right

               of termination or cancellation   of, or accelerate the performance

               required by or result in being declared void, voidable or without

               further   binding   effect,    any   of   the   terms,    conditions   or

               provisions of:

 

               (i)   any provision of Vendor's constating documents;

 

               (ii) any   Contract to which   Vendor is a party or by which Vendor

                    is bound that is Material; or

 

               (iii) any Applicable Laws or licences applicable to Vendor.

 

          (d)   No Encumbrances,   rights of first refusal or preferential   rights

               to   purchase   will be created or   triggered   by, and no   material

               consent   or   approval   of any third   party   will be   required   in

               conjunction   with   the   execution,   delivery   or   performance   of

               obligations   under this   Agreement by Vendor   except in favour of

                Purchaser and except for the Required Approvals.

 

                                      -24-

<PAGE>

 

          (e)   Except as provided in Schedule 4.5(e), the execution and delivery

               of   this   Agreement,   the   completion   of the   Purchase   and   the

               performance of Vendor's obligations under this Agreement will not

               result   in   any   "change   of    control"    or   similar    event   or

               circumstance   under   the   terms   of any   Contract   to   which   the

               Corporation or any Subsidiary is a party that is Material.

 

4.6       Residence of Vendor

 

         Vendor is not a non-resident of Canada for the purposes of the Tax Act.

 

4.7       Enforceability of Obligations

 

         This Agreement constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of

Vendor, enforceable against Vendor in accordance with its terms, subject to

bankruptcy, winding-up, insolvency, moratorium, arrangement, reorganization and

other similar laws affecting creditors' rights generally, and to general

principles of equity.

 

4.8       No Advisors or Consultants

 

         Neither the Corporation nor any Subsidiary has employed, or is subject

to the valid Claim of, any advisor, finder, consultant or other similar

intermediary in connection with the Purchase who will be entitled to a fee,

commission or other similar payment contingent on the completion of the

Purchase. Vendor is solely responsible for any fee, commission or other payment

that may be due to Vendor's Investment Bankers and other advisors in connection

with the Purchase.

 

4.9       Government Authorizations

 

         No material Government Authorizations are required on the part of

Vendor or Unocal in connection with the Purchase or the performance of its other

obligations under this Agreement except for those set forth in Schedule 4.9.

 

4.10      Benefit Plans and Labour Matters

 

          (a)   Except as disclosed in Schedule 4.10, neither the Corporation nor

               any of the Subsidiaries:

 

               (i)   is a party to or bound by or   subject   to any   agreement   or

                    arrangement with respect to Benefit Plans;

 

               (ii) is in arrears for any payment,   contribution   or   assessment

                    required to be made by it pursuant to any Benefit   Plans set

                    out in Schedule 4.10;

 

               (iii) is a party   to or   bound by or   subject   to any   collective

                    bargaining agreement or arrangement with any labour union or

                    employee association; or

 

               (iv) is a   party   to   or   bound   by or   subject   to   any   written

                    employment agreement, written or oral, consulting or service

                    agreement with or respecting its Employees.

 

           (b)   No collective   bargaining agreement is currently being negotiated

               by the Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries with respect to any

               Employee.   There are no certification   proceedings outstanding in

               respect of the Employees   and, to the knowledge of Vendor,   there

               are no attempts   to   organize   or certify   any of the   Employees.

               There is no current   or   pending   labour   strike,   dispute,   work

               slowdown or work stoppage   against the   Corporation or any of its

               Subsidiaries or, to the knowledge of Vendor,   threatened   against

               the Corporation or any of its   Subsidiaries.   To the knowledge of

               Vendor,   no trade   union or employee   association   has applied to

               have   the   Corporation   or   any of its   Subsidiaries   declared   a

               related or successor employer pursuant to any Applicable Law.

 

                                      -25-

<PAGE>

 

          (c)   To the knowledge of Vendor,   neither the   Corporation   nor any of

               its   Subsidiaries has committed any unfair labour   practices.   No

               unfair   labour   practice   complaint,    grievance   or   arbitration

               proceeding is pending or, to the knowledge of Vendor,   threatened

               against the Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries.

 

          (d)   All Benefit Plans have been   administered   by the   Corporation or

               any of its   Subsidiaries   in material   compliance with Applicable

               Laws and their   respective   terms.   No promises have been made in

               respect of changes to any of the Benefit Plans,   other than those

               that are set out in the current   texts of the Benefit   Plans.   No

               Pension   Plan is a   multi-employer   pension   plan as that term is

               defined in pension benefits legislation.   Neither the Corporation

               nor any of its Subsidiaries has ever sponsored or participated in

               a Pension Plan that is a registered pension plan.

 

4.11      Financial Statements

 

         The Unaudited Financial Statements are, and the Audited Financial

Statements delivered pursuant to Section 9.14 will be:

 

          (a)   complete and accurate in all material respects;

 

          (b)   in accordance with the Books and Records; and

 

          (c)   prepared   in   accordance   with   generally    accepted    accounting

               principles consistently applied during the periods involved;

 

and fairly present or, with respect to the Audited Financial Statements, will

fairly present in all material respects the consolidated financial position of

the Corporation and the Subsidiaries as of the dates thereof and the

consolidated results of their operations and their cash flows for the periods

then ended.

 

4.12      Distributions

 

         No Distributions have been made from or after the Working Capital Date,

except for cash Distributions as may be set forth in the statement to be

provided pursuant to Section 3.3(a).

 

4.13      Business Carried on in the Ordinary Course

 

         Since December 31, 2004:

 

          (a)   the Business has been   carried on in the Ordinary   Course   except

               with respect to the sale process   commenced by the Corporation as

               set out in the Information Memorandum; and

 

          (b)   other than as set forth in Schedule   4.17,   the Business has been

               conducted in material compliance with all Applicable Laws.

 

4.14      Environmental Matters

 

          (a)   On or before the Closing   Time,   Vendor shall provide or cause to

               be provided or made   available   to   Purchaser   all   Environmental

               Documentation   in the   possession   or   control   of   Vendor or the

                Corporation or any of the Subsidiaries in respect of the Business

               or the Assets produced for or received by Vendor, the Corporation

               or the   Subsidiaries   since June 1, 2000. To Vendor's   knowledge,

                except as   described   in   Schedule   4.14,   there are no   Material

               Environmental   Liabilities   that have occurred since June 1, 2000

               that have not been remedied.

 

                                      -26-

 

<PAGE>

 

          (b)   Except as set out in Schedule 4.14, neither the Corporation

               nor any Subsidiary has received:

 

               (i)   any   Environmental   Order   which   relates   to   Environmental

                    Liabilities    and   which    requires    any    work,    repairs,

                    construction or capital   expenditures   which is outstanding,

                    where that Environmental Order has not been complied with in

                    all material respects; or

 

               (ii) any demand or notice   issued   with   respect to the breach of

                    Environmental    Laws,    which    demand   or   notice    remains

                    outstanding.

 

          (c)   Without   limitation of any other   provisions   of this   Agreement,

                except as   specifically   set forth in this Section   4.14,   Vendor

               makes no representations or warranties with respect to the extent

               of any existing or future liability relating to any Environmental

               Matter,    Environmental   Liability   or   the   application   of   any

               Environmental   Laws,   including   in   respect   of or   relating   to

               Hazardous Substances.

 

4.15      Assets

 

          (a)   Vendor does not warrant   title to the   Assets,   but does   warrant

               that, to Vendor's knowledge, the interests of the Corporation and

               the   Subsidiaries   in and to the Assets   are now,   and will be at

               Closing   Date,   free and clear of all   Encumbrances   created   by,

               through or under Vendor,   the Corporation or the   Subsidiaries or

               of which Vendor is aware other than:

 

               (i)   Permitted Encumbrances; and

 

               (ii) other   restrictions   on transfers   and   permitted   number of

                    beneficial owners set out in the constating documents of the

                    Corporation and the Subsidiaries.

 

          (b)   Neither the Corporation nor any of the Subsidiaries:

 

               (i)   is in default or will be in default on the completion of the

                    Purchase   under   any   Material    Contract   or,   to   Vendor's

                    knowledge, any Title and Operating Document; or

 

               (ii) has failed to comply with,   perform,   observe or satisfy, in

                    any material   respect,   any term,   condition,   obligation or

                    liability   which has heretofore   arisen under the provisions

                    of   any   Material    Contract   or   any   Title   and   Operating

                    Document;

 

               which defaults or failures could reasonably be expected to

               have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

          (c)   Except as described in Schedule 4.15(c),   neither the Corporation

                nor any Subsidiary has received notice of default under, and none

               of   them   is   to   Vendor's    knowledge   in   default   under,    any

               obligation,   agreement   or   document   or under any   order,   writ,

               injunction   or decree   of any   Government   Authority,   nor is the

               Corporation or any Subsidiary to Vendor's   knowledge in breach of

               any Applicable Laws which could   reasonably be expected to have a

               Material Adverse Effect.

 

                                      -27-

<PAGE>

 

          (d)   Except   as    described    in   Schedule    4.15(d)   or   relating   to

               Environmental   Matters   disclosed in accordance with Section 4.14

               prior   to the   date   hereof,   no   action   before   any   Government

               Authority   has been   commenced   or,   to   Vendor's   knowledge,   is

               threatened, against the Corporation or any Subsidiary which could

               reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

          (e)   Except as set forth in Schedule   4.15(e) and except for operating

               costs incurred in the Ordinary Course of the Business,   there are

               no outstanding   authorizations for expenditure or other financial

               commitments   respecting   the Assets   which are due as at the date

               hereof pursuant to which individual   expenditures of greater than

               $100,000   may be required by the   Corporation   or any   Subsidiary

                after the Closing Date.

 

          (f)   To   Vendor's   knowledge,   all ad   valorem,   property,   royalties,

               production,   severance   and similar Taxes based on or measured by

               the   ownership   of   the   Assets,    the   production   of   Petroleum

               Substances   from the Assets or the receipt of proceeds   therefrom

               have been paid and discharged.

 

          (g)   Without   limiting the   generality of the foregoing   provisions of

               this Section 4.15,   except for agreements   that can be terminated

               without   penalty   on   notice   of 90 days or less or as set out in

               Schedule   4.15(g),    neither   the   Corporation   nor   any   of   the

               Subsidiaries is a party to or bound by any Material:

 

               (i)   contracts for the sale of Petroleum Substances;

 

               (ii) gas balancing or similar agreements   pertaining to Petroleum

                    Substances;

 

               (iii) agreements for the   transportation,   processing or disposal

                    of   Petroleum   Substances   other   than   Title and   Operating

                    Documents; or

 

               (iv) take or pay arrangements;

 

               relating to the Assets.

 

          (h)   The Corporation and the Subsidiaries are not party to any Futures

               Transactions, either as principal or surety.

 

          (i)   After Closing there are no support   agreements or other services,

               personnel,   assets   or   facilities   that need to be   provided   by

               Vendor or any of its Affiliates in order for the   Corporation and

               the Subsidiaries to be able to conduct the Business substantially

               in the manner as presently conducted; and no such agreements will

               exist, it being acknowledged by Purchaser that Vendor's Insurance

               and the Marketing Agreement, will both terminate on Closing.

 

4.16      Material Obligations

 

          (a)   Neither the Corporation nor any Subsidiary is a party to or bound

               by any   agreement   of any nature to   acquire   any shares or other

               securities   of   any   corporation,   partnership   interests   in any

               partnerships   or   any   other   equity   interests   or to   merge   or

               consolidate with any other entity,   to sell or acquire any assets

               having   a fair   market   value   in   excess   of   $10,000,000   or to

               acquire, capitalize or invest in any business.

 

                                       -28-

 

<PAGE>

 

          (b)   Neither   the    Corporation    nor   any   Subsidiary   has   currently

               guaranteed,   endorsed,   assumed or   indemnified,   contingently or

               otherwise, the obligations or indebtedness of any Person except:

 

               (i)   in the Ordinary Course of the Business;

 

               (ii) pursuant to the Title and Operating Documents; and

 

               (iii) pursuant to the Banking   Facilities to be cancelled or from

                     which the Corporation and any Subsidiary will be released on

                    or before Closing.

 

          (c)   There exists no shareholder or other   agreement which affects the

               transferability    of   the   Purchased    Shares   and   none   of   the

               Corporation,   any   Subsidiary   or Vendor is a party to any voting

               trust agreement,   unanimous shareholder agreement,   share pooling

               agreement, or other Contract,   commitment, plan, or understanding

               restricting   or otherwise   relating to voting or dividend   rights

               with respect to the Purchased Shares.

 

          (d)   Neither the Corporation nor any of the Subsidiaries will have any

               indebtedness for borrowed money at the Closing Time.

 

          (e)   Neither the Corporation nor any of the Subsidiaries will have any

               Liabilities at the Closing Time that are Material,   whether those

               Liabilities are absolute or contingent, other than:

 

               (i)   Environmental Liabilities;

 

               (ii) Liabilities   under   the Title and   Operating   Documents   and

                    under the Material Contracts listed in Schedule 4.16;

 

               (iii) Liabilities   incurred or arising in the Ordinary   Course of

                    the Business (including   Liabilities arising in the Ordinary

                    Course of the Business for Taxes);

 

               (iv) Liabilities   described   or   referred   to   in   the   Unaudited

                     Financial Statements; and

 

               (v)   Liabilities described or referred to in Schedule 4.16 and in

                    the   other    Schedules   to   this   Agreement    including   the

                    commitments described in Schedule 4.15(e);

 

               and at the Closing Time no Person will hold any power of

               attorney from the Corporation or a Subsidiary other than

               powers of attorney granted by a Subsidiary to the Corporation

               or another Subsidiary or as may have been provided under the

               Title and Operating Documents in the Ordinary Course of the

               Business.

 

4.17      Litigation

 

          (a)   Schedule   4.17   sets   forth   a list   of   open   litigation   Claims

               (including   those   which are the subject of   arbitration   and, to

               Vendor's knowledge,   any threatened Claims) which, as of the date

               of this   Agreement,   have been duly served on the   Corporation or

                any of the   Subsidiaries   where the   amounts   claimed   exceeds or

               could reasonably be expected to exceed $500,000.   Vendor makes no

               representations   or warranties with respect to validity or effect

               of any of those Claims.

 

                                      -29-

<PAGE>

 

          (b)   Except as set forth in Schedule   4.17,   there are no   unsatisfied

               judgments   against   the   Corporation   or   any   Subsidiary   or any

               consent   decrees   or   injunctions   to which   the   Corporation   or

               Subsidiary is subject.

 

4.18      Intellectual Property

 

         As of the date of this Agreement, Schedule 4.18 sets forth and

describes all material Intellectual Property used in whole or part in the

Business and specifies, for each item, whether the Intellectual Property is

owned by the Corporation or a Subsidiary, or whether the Intellectual Property

is used by the Corporation or a Subsidiary under a license agreement or other

arrangement with another Person.

 

4.19      Taxes

 

          (a)   Vendor has caused the   Corporation   and the   Subsidiaries to duly

               and timely:

 

               (i)   file all Tax   Returns   required to be filed by them prior to

                    the date   hereof and,   those Tax Returns are true,   complete

                    and accurate in all material respects;

 

               (ii) pay all Taxes   (including   instalments)   due and   payable by

                    them prior to the date hereof; and

 

                (iii) collect or withhold and remit to the appropriate Government

                    Authorities   all Taxes   required to be collected or withheld

                    by them;

 

               and except as provided in Schedule 4.19(a) there are no Claims

               pending or, to Vendor's knowledge, threatened by any

               Government Authority against the Corporation or any Subsidiary

               in respect of Taxes.

 

          (b)   Except as   provided in Schedule   4.19(a)   and   Schedule   4.19(h),

               neither the   Corporation   nor any Subsidiary has entered into any

               agreement,   waiver   or   other   arrangement   with   any   Government

               Authority   respecting   Taxes   payable   by   them   or   Tax   Returns

               required to be filed by them.

 

          (c)   The   Corporation   and   each   of the   Corporate   Subsidiaries   are

               taxable   Canadian   corporations   (as defined in the Tax Act); and

               each of the Partnership   Subsidiaries   is a Canadian   partnership

               (as defined in the Tax Act) except for Tethys Energy   Partnership

               and Bennett Energy.

 

          (d)   The Corporation and each of the   Subsidiaries are duly registered

               under   Subdivision (d) of Division V of Part IX of the Excise Tax

               Act (Canada) with respect to the goods and services tax.

 

          (e)   Except as   provided   in   Schedule   4.19(a),   there are no matters

               under audit or appeal with any Government   Authority   relating to

               Taxes of the Corporation or any of the Subsidiaries.

 

          (f)   None of Section 78, 80, 80.01,   80.02,   80.03 or 80.04 of the Tax

               Act or any equivalent   provision of the Tax legislation of any of

               the   provinces   or any other   jurisdiction,   have applied or will

               apply to any of the   Corporation or the   Subsidiaries at any time

               up to and including the Closing Date.

 

          (g)   None   of   the   Corporations   or   the   Subsidiaries   has   acquired

               property from a non-arm's   length   Person,   within the meaning of

               the Tax Act, for   consideration,   the value of which is less than

               the fair market value of the property   acquired in   circumstances

               which would   subject it to a liability   under   section 160 of the

               Tax Act.

 

                                      -30-

<PAGE>

 

          (h)   For   all   transactions   between   any of the   Corporation   and the

               Subsidiaries   and any   non-resident   Person with whom any of them

               was not dealing at arm's length   during a taxation year ending on

               or before the Closing Date, each has made or obtained   records or

               documents that meet the   requirements of paragraphs   247(4)(a) to

               (c) of the Tax Act.

 

          (i)   The   taxation   year   end of   each   of   the   Corporation   and   the

               Corporate Subsidiaries is as follows with respect to:

 

               (i)   the Corporation, December 31;

 

               (ii) Northrock Energy Ltd., December 31;

 

               (iii) 832507 Alberta Ltd., December 31; and

 

               (iv) 3094725 Nova Scotia Company, to be selected.

 

               The fiscal period end of each of the Partnership Subsidiaries

               is as follows with respect to:

 

               (i)   Northrock Resources Partnership, January 1;

 

               (ii) Tethys Energy Partnership, January 31;

 

                (iii) Bennett Energy Partnership, September 14; and

 

               (iv) each of Northrock Resources   (Southern   Alberta),   Northrock

                    Resources   (Northern Alberta and B.C.),   Northrock Resources

                    (West Central Alberta), Northrock Resources (NWT), Northrock

                    Resources (SW Sask) and Northrock Resources (SE Sask), to be

                    selected.

 

          (j)   Neither   the   Corporation   nor   any   of the   Subsidiaries   has an

                obligation   to file on or before the Closing   Date any Tax Return

               required   to be made,   prepared   or filed   under   the laws of any

               jurisdiction other than Canada in respect of any Taxes or will be

               obligated to file any such Tax Return after the Closing Date as a

               result of Assets owned or   activities   conducted on or before the

               Closing Date.

 

          (k)   Except as provided in Schedule   4.19(h),   no election pursuant to

                U.S. Treasury   Regulations   Section 301.7701-3 has been made with

               respect to the Corporation or any of the Subsidiaries.

 

          (l)   Except as provided in Schedule   4.19(i),   none of the Corporation

               or any of the   Subsidiaries   at any   time   during   2005 and on or

               before the Closing Date had or will have subpart F income, within

               the meaning of section 952 of the Code.

 

          (m)   Except as provided in Schedule   4.19(j),   none of the Corporation

               or any of the   Subsidiaries   at any   time   during   2005 and on or

               before   the   Closing   Date   owned or will own any   United   States

               property, within the meaning of section 956 of the Code.

 

          (n)   Neither   the   Corporation   nor any of the   Subsidiaries   owns any

               United   States   real   property   interest,   within the   meaning of

               section 897(c)(1)(A) of the Code.

 

                                      -31-

<PAGE>

 

           (o)   Neither   the   Corporation   nor any of the   Subsidiaries   owns any

               Asset,   gain on the sale of which would be effectively   connected

               or treated as   effectively   connected with the conduct of a trade

               or business in the United   States,   within the meaning of section

               882(b)(2) of the Code.

 

4.20      Absence of Certain Changes

 

         Except as disclosed to Purchaser in this Agreement or the Schedules to

this Agreement, since December 31, 2004, there has not been:

 

          (a)   any   change   in   the   financial   condition,    Assets,    Business,

               operations or prospects of the Corporation   and the   Subsidiaries

               taken as a whole that has had a Material   Adverse   Effect,   which

               change arose from developments specific to the Corporation or the

               Subsidiaries   not generally   affecting   other entities   similarly

               situated in the petroleum and natural gas industry in Canada;

 

           (b)   any uninsured   Damage or   Destruction   Event to any of the Assets

               that has had a Mate


 
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