EXHIBIT 10.7
ESCROW AGREEMENT
THIS ESCROW AGREEMENT (the "Agreement") is made and entered into as of June
30, 1997, by and between XXXXX X. XXXXXXXXX, a resident of Xxxxxx County, Texas
("XxXxxxxxx"), TERRITORIAL RESOURCES (DELAWARE), INC., a corporation organized
under the laws of the State of Delaware in the United States of America
("Territorial Delaware"), and XXXXXXXX X. XXX, solely in his capacity as escrow
agent (the "Escrow Agent") hereunder.
RECITALS
SOCO Exploration (Thailand) Company Limited, a juristic person organized
and exiting under the laws of Thailand, SOCO Thaitex, Inc., a Delaware
corporation (together, the "SOCO Parties"), XxXxxxxxx and Territorial Delaware
have entered into that certain Asset Purchase Agreement, dated as of May 30,1997
(as amended from time to time, the "Asset Purchase Agreement"), pursuant to
which among other things XxXxxxxxx agreed to sell to Territorial Delaware, and
Territorial Delaware agreed to purchase from XxXxxxxxx, his rights to receive
certain working interests in two concessions granted by the Ministry of Industry
of Thailand that relate to the exploitation of two blocks in the Gulf of
Thailand. Capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined herein have the
meanings given them in the Asset Purchase Agreement, a copy of which is attached
hereto as Exhibit A and made a part hereof.
Article II of the Asset Purchase Agreement contemplates that, at the
Closing of the transactions thereunder, among other things three (3) Escrowed
Certificates, each of which is to represent 100,000 Territorial Shares (for an
aggregate of 300,000 Territorial Shares), will be issued in the name of
XxXxxxxxx, and all of which are to be delivered at the Closing to the Escrow
Agent pursuant to the terms and provisions of an Escrow Agreement. This
Agreement is the Escrow Agreement referred to in the Asset Purchase Agreement.
FOR GOOD AND VALUABLE CONSIDERATION, the receipt and sufficiency of which
are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:
1. ITEMS PLACED INTO ESCROW. Contemporaneously with the execution hereof,
Territorial Delaware has caused to be issued, among other things, the three (3)
Escrowed Certificates in the name of XxXxxxxxx, representing in the aggregate
300,000 Territorial Shares (the "Escrowed Shares"), all of which Escrowed
Certificates have been exhibited to XxXxxxxxx on or before the date hereof.
Each of the Escrowed Certificates is delivered to the Escrow Agent in accordance
with the Asset Purchase Agreement and this Agreement. In addition, XxXxxxxxx is
delivering to the Escrow Agent three (3) separate written stock powers (the
"Stock Powers") duly signed in blank by him, with signature guaranteed, each
relating to a separate Escrowed Certificates, and together, relating to total of
the Territorial Shares evidenced by the Escrowed Certificates. The Escrow Agent
hereby acknowledges receipt of the Escrowed Certificates and the Stock Powers
and agrees to hold and deliver them in accordance with this Agreement.
2. VOTING RIGHTS AND DISTRIBUTIONS WITH RESPECT TO ESCROWED SHARES. The
record owner of the Escrowed Shares shall be entitled to exercise all voting
rights with respect to all Escrowed Shares that are not released from escrow in
accordance with Section 3 hereof. All securities issued in exchange for the
Escrowed Shares (together with separate stock powers duly signed in blank, with
signatures guaranteed), if any, and all distributions and dividends (excluding
dividends in cash or property, other than stock dividends) made with respect to
the Escrowed Shares ("Related Property"), if any, shall be delivered forthwith
to the Escrow Agent, shall be held and delivered by the Escrow Agent together
with the Escrowed Shares in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and
shall constitute a part of the Escrowed Shares. All dividends in cash and
property, other than stock dividends made with respect to the Escrowed Shares,
shall be delivered to the record owner of the Escrowed Shares.
In the event of any merger, consolidation or other extraordinary
transaction (each an "Extraordinary Transaction") involving Territorial
Resources as a result of which all outstanding shares of common stock of
Territorial Resources are to be sold, exchanged for or converted into other
consideration, then (a) XxXxxxxxx shall have the right to determine whether or
not to exercise dissenters' rights of appraisal or other similar rights, if any
are then available, with respect to the Escrowed Shares and (b) any
consideration, whether consisting of other securities, cash or other assets, or
a combination of any of the foregoing, resulting from such Extraordinary
Transaction (and/or the exercise of any dissenters' rights of appraisal or
similar rights) shall constitute Escrowed Shares and Related Property, shall be
delivered to the Escrow Agent and shall be held by the Escrow Agent as Escrowed
Shares and Related Property. Any action to be taken with respect to the
conversion or exchange of Escrowed Shares and/or Related Property in connection
with such Extraordinary Transaction shall be taken by the Escrow Agent only upon
his receipt of written instructions delivered by XxXxxxxxx and reasonably
acceptable to Territorial Delaware. Any portion of such consideration
consisting of cash shall be invested and reinvested by the Escrow Agent only
pursuant to specific written instructions jointly executed by XxXxxxxxx and
Territorial Delaware.
3. RELEASE OF THE ESCROWED SHARES. The Escrow Agent shall maintain the
Escrowed Shares and any Related Property in escrow until the occurrence of any
of the following events, at which time (unless the parties agree otherwise) the
Escrowed Shares and the Related Property then held by him with respect to such
Escrowed Shares shall be disbursed by the Escrow Agent in the following manner:
(a) One Escrowed Certificate representing 100,000 Escrowed Shares (together
with all Related Property relating to such 100,000 Escrowed Shares in the
possession of the Escrow Agent) shall be released from escrow and delivered:
(i) to XxXxxxxxx within 30 days of the Escrow Agent's receipt of a
XxXxxxxxx Notice (as defined below) to the effect that a "Successful Test"
of a well on either Block B8/38 or Block B4/32 has been completed within
three (3) years of the date of this Agreement, and that he is therefore
entitled to receive such 100,000 Escrowed Shares and Related Property. A
"Successful Test" shall be defined as a test
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occurring within three years of the date of this Agreement in which the
average production rate from the well during a continuous 48-hour period
exceeds 500 barrels per day at well head flowing conditions which are
consistent with good oil field practice. Upon the completion in full of the
condition described in the this clause (i), Territorial Delaware shall have
no further right, title or interest in or to any such 100,000 Escrowed
Shares or Related Property; or
(ii) to Territorial Delaware within 30 days of the Escrow Agent's
receipt of a Territorial Delaware Notice to the effect that the condition
described in clause (i) of this Section 3(a) (the completion of a
Successful Test of a well on either Block B8/38 or Block B4/32 within three
(3) years of the date of this Agreement) has not occurred, and that
Territorial Delaware is therefore entitled to receive such 100,000 Escrowed
Shares and Related Property. XxXxxxxxx shall have no further right, title
or interest in or to any such 100,000 Escrowed Shares or Related Property
in such event.
(b) One Escrowed Certificate representing 100,000 Escrowed Shares (together
with all Related Property relating to such 100,000 Escrowed Shares in the
possession of the Escrow Agent) shall be released from escrow and delivered:
(i) to XxXxxxxxx within 30 days of the Escrow Agent's receipt of a
XxXxxxxxx Notice (as defined below) to the effect that the drilling and
testing of another well (in addition to the well described in Section 3(a)
above) located on either Block B8/38 or Block B4/32 has been completed, and
that both (A) all of the other work required to be completed in order to
fulfill the work commitments through the end of the second year of the
First Obligation Period, as defined in the Block B8/38 Concession
Agreement, including any extensions of such second year (the "End of the
B8/38 Second Year"), has in fact been completed and (B) all of the other
work required to be completed in order to fulfill the work commitments
under the Block B4/32 Concession Agreement through the period ending at the
End of the B8/38 Second Year has been completed; provided, however, that if
Territorial Delaware elects not to complete the work described in this
clause (B) or not to fulfill its proportionate obligations with respect to
such work, then the requirement set forth in clause (B) shall be deemed to
have been fulfilled); and provided further that there shall be no
requirement for a Successful Test on this second well prior to release of
such 100,000 Escrowed Shares and Related Property in accordance with the
provisions of this clause (i). Such XxXxxxxxx Notice shall also state that
XxXxxxxxx is entitled to receive such 100,000 Escrowed Shares and Related
Property as a result of the completion in full of the condition described
in the preceding sentence. Upon the completion in full of the condition
described in the this clause (i), Territorial Delaware shall have no
further right, title or interest in or to any such 100,000 Escrowed Shares
or Related Property; or
(ii) to Territorial Delaware within 30 days of the Escrow Agent's receipt
of a Territorial Delaware Notice to the effect that the condition described
in clause (i) of this Section 3(b) (the drilling and testing of a second
well in accordance with the terms and conditions of such clause (i)) within
four (4) years of the date of this Agreement)
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has not occurred, and that Territorial Delaware is therefore entitled to
receive such 100,000 Escrowed Shares and Related Property. XxXxxxxxx shall
have no further right, title or interest in or to any such 100,000 Escrowed
Shares or Related Property in such event.
(c) One Escrowed Certificate representing 100,000 Escrowed Shares (together
with all Related Property relating to such 100,000 Escrowed Shares in the
possession of the Escrow Agent) shall be released from escrow and delivered:
(i) to XxXxxxxxx within 30 days of the Escrow Agent's receipt of a
XxXxxxxxx Notice (as defined below) to the effect that Commercial
Production, during a continuous 30- day period, of one or more xxxxx on
either Block B8/38 or Block B4/32 has commenced, and that XxXxxxxxx is
therefore entitled to receive such 100,000 Escrowed Shares and Related
Property. As used herein, the term "Commercial Production" shall be
defined as production of either crude oil at an average daily rate of 1,000
barrels or natural gas at an average daily rate of 10 million cubic feet
(10 MMCF); or
(ii) to Territorial Delaware within 30 days of the Escrow agent's receipt
of a Territorial Delaware Notice to the effect that the condition described
in clause (i) of this Section 3(c) has not been fulfilled in full for any
reason within five (5) years of the date of this Agreement, and that
Territorial Delaware is therefore entitled to receive such 100,000 Escrowed
Shares and Related Property. XxXxxxxxx shall have no further right, title
or interest in or to any such 100,000 Escrowed Shares or Related Property
in such event.
4. XXXXXXXXX NOTICE AND RELATED MATTERS.
(a) Upon the occurrence of the condition described in clause (i) of
Sections 3(a), (b) or (c), XxXxxxxxx shall deliver written notice (the
"XxXxxxxxx Notice") to the Escrow Agent and to Territorial Delaware which
XxXxxxxxx Notice shall include the statements required in such clause (i).
Following receipt of such XxXxxxxxx Notice, in the event Territorial Delaware
determines in good faith that such condition has not occurred, then it shall
promptly (and in no event later than 15 days after its receipt of such XxXxxxxxx
Notice) notify the Escrow Agent and XxXxxxxxx in writing (a "Territorial
Delaware Notice") of such determination, whereupon XxXxxxxxx and Territorial
Delaware agree to meet and attempt to settle any disagreements with respect
thereto in accordance with the arbitration and other provisions of Section 6(c)
hereof.
(b) Upon the failure of the condition described in clause (i) of Sections
3(a), (b) or (c), Territorial Delaware shall deliver a Territorial Delaware
Notice to the Escrow Agent and to XxXxxxxxx which Territorial Delaware Notice
shall include the statements required in the related clause (ii). Following
receipt of such Territorial Delaware Notice, in the event XxXxxxxxx determines
in good faith that the same is incorrect or he otherwise disagrees in good faith
with the statements therein, then he shall promptly (and in no event later than
15 days after his receipt of such Territorial Delaware Notice) deliver a
XxXxxxxxx Notice to the Escrow
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Agent and Territorial Delaware of such determination or disagreement, whereupon
XxXxxxxxx and Territorial Delaware agree to meet and attempt to settle any
disagreements or disputes with respect thereto in accordance with the
arbitration and other provisions of Section 6(c) hereof.
(c) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 3 hereof, in the event the
Escrow Agent has received contradicting or disputed instructions in a XxXxxxxxx
Notice and a Territorial Delaware Notice relating to the same Escrowed Shares
and Related Property, or he is otherwise made aware of any dispute with respect
to the release of any Escrowed Shares and Related Property, the Escrow Agent
shall continue to hold the Escrowed Shares and any Related Property relating to
such dispute in accordance with the other provisions of this Agreement, and
shall only release any of the same in accordance with the instruction of the
arbitrators as contemplated by Section 6(c) hereof or upon the joint written
instruction of both parties hereto, whichever he receives first.
5. CERTAIN MATTERS RELATING TO ESCROW AGENT.
(a) The Escrow Agent shall not be entitled to a fee in connection with his
holding the Escrowed Shares and any Related Property hereunder; provided,
however, that (i) in the event any party hereto requests the Escrow Agent, in
his capacity as escrow agent, take any action other than simply holding the
Escrowed Shares and any Related Property in connection herewith, the Escrow
Agent shall be entitled to a fee of $150 per hour for each hour of actual time
spent by him in connection with such request, which fee shall be paid by
Territorial Delaware; (ii) if any Escrowed Shares and Related Property continue
to be held by the Escrow Agent pursuant to this Agreement on or after August 1,
2003, then he shall be entitled to an additional fee for his services under this
Agreement equal to $250 per month during such period beyond August 1, 2003,
which fee shall be paid by Territorial Delaware; and (iii) the Escrow Agent
shall be entitled to joint and several compensation from the other parties
hereto for all out-of-pocket and other costs and expenses he shall incur
(including without limitation any costs and expenses incurred in connection with
his consulting with counsel as provided in the last sentence of Section 5(b),
below) with respect to the performance of his obligations under this Agreement,
some or all of which may be required, at the request of the Escrow Agent, to be
paid in advance.
(b) The Escrow Agent shall have no responsibility in his capacity as Escrow
Agent hereunder to any party hereto, except as specifically provided herein or
as he shall otherwise agree in writing, and shall not be responsible for
anything done or omitted to be done by him, except for his own gross negligence
or willful default. No action shall be commenced against the Escrow Agent, in
his capacity as the escrow agent hereunder, at law, in equity or otherwise as a
result of any action taken or thing done by the Escrow Agent pursuant to this
Agreement, or for any disbursement made as authorized herein, except in the
event of his own gross negligence or willful default. The Escrow Agent, in his
capacity as escrow agent, may consult with counsel of his own choice and shall
have full and complete authorization and protection for any action taken or
suffered by him hereunder in good faith and in accordance with the opinion of
such counsel.
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(c) The Escrow Agent undertakes to perform only such duties as are
expressly set forth herein. The Escrow Agent may rely and shall be protected in
acting or refraining from acting upon any written notice, instruction or request
furnished to him hereunder and believed by him to be genuine and to have been
signed or presented by the proper party or parties. From time to time, the
Escrow Agent may request, and the other parties hereto hereby agree to provide
promptly to him, such further notices, instructions or assurances as he may
reasonably determine in order to, and prior to, his performance of any duty or
obligation hereunder.
(d) The Escrow Agent may resign and be discharged from his duties or
obligations hereunder by giving notice to the other parties hereto in writing of
such resignation specifying a date no earlier than fifteen (15) days from the
date of such notice when such resignation shall take effect. Upon their mutual
written consent, Territorial Delaware and XxXxxxxxx may immediately remove the
Escrow Agent at any time and substitute another party agreed to by them as
Escrow Agent. Upon any such removal, the Escrow Agent shall promptly deliver
any Escrowed Shares and Related Property then in his possession to the party or
parties as directed jointly by Territorial Delaware and XxXxxxxxx. Thereafter,
and without further action, such removed Escrow Agent shall be discharged of all
liability hereunder. The Escrow Agent shall have no obligation to cause
interest to accrue or be paid on any funds constituting Related Property
delivered to him in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement, absent his
written agreement to the contrary, except as provided in the last sentence of
Section 2 hereof.
(e) The other parties hereto hereby agree jointly and severally to
indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Escrow Agent, in his capacity as escrow
agent hereunder, from and against any loss, liability, cost or expense
(including all legal expenses described herein) incurred without gross
negligence or bad faith on his part, arising out of or in connection with his
preparing, negotiating or entering into this Agreement and carrying out his
duties and rights hereunder, including the costs and expenses of defending
himself against any claim or liability in the premises.
(f) Each of XxXxxxxxx and Territorial Delaware acknowledges that Xxxxxxxx
X. Xxx has also acted as legal counsel to Territorial Delaware in connection
with the negotiation, preparation, execution and delivery of the Asset Purchase
Agreement and this Agreement, has acted and/or may in the future act as legal
counsel to either of the parties hereto or their affiliates, and is acting as
the Escrow Agent at the request of both of the other parties to this Agreement.
Each of XxXxxxxxx and Territorial, for such party and for all of such party's
affiliates, to the maximum extent permitted by law, hereby waives all claims of
conflict of interest or otherwise that may arise or exist as a result of
Xxxxxxxx X. Xxx also acting as the Escrow Agent pursuant to this Escrow
Agreement.
6. MISCELLANEOUS.
(a) This Agreement shall become effective as of the date hereof, and shall
continue in force until the final disbursement of all Escrowed Shares and
Related Property held by the Escrow Agent hereunder, or until terminated by an
instrument in writing signed by the parties hereto, whichever occurs first.
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(b) All notices, requests, demands, waivers and other communications
required or permitted to be given under this Agreement shall be in writing and
shall be deemed to have been duly given if delivered personally or mailed,
certified or registered mail with postage prepaid, or sent by telex, telegram or
telecopier, as follows (or at such other address or facsimile number for a party
as shall be specified by like notice):
if to XxXxxxxxx, at: If to Territorial Delaware, at:
Xxxxx X. XxXxxxxxx Territorial Resources (Delaware), Inc.
XxXxxxxxx Energy, Inc. x/x Xxxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxx, Xxx.
0000 Xxxxxxxxx 000 0xx Xxxxxx X.X., Xxxxx 0000
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxx 00000-0000 Xxxxxx X0X 0X0
(Fax No.) 000.000.0000 (Fax No.) 000.000.0000
Attn: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
if to the Escrow Agent, at:
Xxxxxxxx X. Xxx, Attorney at Law
0000 Xxxxx, Xxxxx 000
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxx 00000
(Fax No.) 000.000.0000
(c) If any dispute or claim between or among the parties hereto arising out
of this Agreement, or the rights and duties of the parties arising out of this
Agreement, has not been resolved by mutual agreement on or before the 30th day
following the first notice of the subject matter of the dispute or claim from
one party to another, then any party to such dispute may refer the dispute to
arbitration under the following provisions: to refer a dispute to arbitration,
a disputing party must provide notice to the other parties hereto stating (i) a
general description of the dispute and (ii) that the dispute is being submitted
to arbitration pursuant to this clause. Each party to such dispute shall then
appoint one arbitrator. The two arbitrators so appointed shall endeavor to
promptly appoint a third arbitrator. If the two arbitrators have not designated
the third arbitrator by the 15th day following appointment of the second
arbitrator, or if a second arbitrator has not been designated by the 15th day
following the designation of the first, either party to such dispute may request
the American Arbitration Association to designate the remaining arbitrator(s).
If any arbitrator resigns, becomes incapacitated or otherwise refuses or fails
to serve or to continue to serve as an arbitrator, then whoever is entitled to
designate that arbitrator shall designate a successor. The arbitration shall be
conducted in Houston, Texas, or such other place as the parties to such dispute
may agree, using the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration
Association. The decisions of the arbitrators shall be final and binding on the
parties to such dispute and are not subject to appeal. The decisions of the
arbitrators may be enforced in any court of competent jurisdiction, and the
parties hereto authorize any such court to enter judgment on the arbitrators'
decisions. EACH PARTY AGREES THAT ARBITRATION UNDER THIS CLAUSE IS THE
EXCLUSIVE METHOD FOR RESOLVING ANY DISPUTE ARISING UNDER THIS AGREEMENT AND THAT
IT WILL NOT COMMENCE AN ACTION OR PROCEEDING BASED ON A DISPUTE, EXCEPT TO
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ENFORCE THE ARBITRATORS' DECISIONS AS PROVIDED IN THIS CLAUSE OR TO COMPEL THE
OTHER PARTY TO PARTICIPATE IN ARBITRATION UNDER THIS CLAUSE.
(d) Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, all costs and
expenses incurred in connection with this Agreement and the transactions
contemplated hereby shall be paid by the party incurring such costs and expenses
whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby are consummated; provided,
however, that except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all costs and
expenses of the Escrow Agent shall be paid jointly and severally by XxXxxxxxx
and Territorial Delaware.
(e) This Agreement, including all exhibits hereto, (i) constitutes the
entire agreement among the parties with respect to its subject matter and
supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, both written and oral,
between or among the parties hereto, their affiliates or any of them with
respect to such subject matter and (ii) shall not be assigned by operation of
law or otherwise without the express prior written consent of the other parties
hereto, except as otherwise provided herein.
(f) Subject to the provisions of Section 6(e), this Agreement shall inure
to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties and their respective
successors and assigns. Nothing in this Agreement is intended to confer on any
person other than the parties to this Agreement or their respective successors
and assigns any rights, remedies, obligations or liabilities under or by reason
of this Agreement.
(g) The descriptive headings of the articles, sections, subsections,
exhibits and schedules of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only, do
not constitute a part of this Agreement and shall not affect in any way the
meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.
(h) This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be
deemed to be an original, and all of which together shall be deemed to be one
and the same instrument. Execution of this Agreement may be evidenced by a
signature delivered by or on behalf of such party via facsimile, which facsimile
signature shall be confirmed by telephone, and once so confirmed, shall
constitute an effective signature of the party on whose behalf such facsimile
signature is provided.
(i) This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with
the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to the laws that might
otherwise govern under principles of conflicts of laws applicable thereto.
(j) If any term, provision, covenant or restriction of this Agreement is
held by a court of competent jurisdiction or other authority to be invalid,
void, unenforceable or against
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its regulatory policy, the remainder of this Agreement shall remain in full
force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties have caused this Agreement to be
duly executed by or on behalf of such party, all as of the date first written
above.
"Territorial Delaware" TERRITORIAL RESOURCES (DELAWARE), INC.
By:_______________________________________
Name:_____________________________________
As Its Authorized:________________________
"XxXxxxxxx" XXXXX X. XXXXXXXXX
___________________________________________
"Escrow Agent" XXXXXXXX X. XXX, in his capacity
as Escrow Agent
___________________________________________
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