LAK Ranch Farmin Agreement - Ivanhoe Energy (USA) Inc. and Derek Resources (USA) Inc.
LAK RANCH FARMIN AGREEMENT
THIS FARMIN AGREEMENT (the "Agreement") is dated and effective as of January 15,
2004, by and between IVANHOE ENERGY (USA) INC. ("Ivanhoe") and DEREK RESOURCES
(U.S.A.) INC. ("Derek");
WHEREAS Derek is the lessee of the LAK Ranch Leases as set forth in Exhibit "A",
attached hereto and incorporated herein by this reference;
AND WHEREAS pursuant to the SEC Agreement, as defined below, Derek holds an
undivided 5% Working Interest in the LAK Ranch Area in trust for SEC until such
time as Derek has expended the Funds provided by SEC to Derek pursuant to the
SEC Agreement and transfers the aforementioned Working Interest to SEC;
AND WHEREAS Ivanhoe desires to earn a Working Interest in the LAK Ranch Leases
and LAK Ranch Area, subject to the conditions hereof and the requirements and
obligations to be performed by Ivanhoe set out in this Agreement;
AND WHEREAS the Parties desire to possibly further explore and develop the lands
subject to the LAK Ranch Leases and the LAK Ranch Area for the production of
oil, gas and other hydrocarbon substances;
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants and
agreements contained herein, it is understood and agreed by and between the
Parties, as follows:
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ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
In this Agreement, including the recitals, this Section and the Exhibits, unless
there is something in the context or subject matter inconsistent therewith, the
following terms shall have the meanings hereinafter set forth:
1.1 "Affiliate" - of a Party means any company or other entity that (i)
controls, (ii) is controlled by or (iii) is under common control with such
Party. For the purpose of this definition, control shall mean the ownership,
directly or indirectly, of 50% or more of the stock or other units of ownership
having the right to vote for the election of directors of such company or other
entity.
1.2 "Area of Mutual Interest" or "AMI" - shall have the meaning ascribed in
Article III, Section 3.1.
1.3 "Capital Expenditures" - means expenditures for capital items or purposes as
distinguished from operating costs and expenditures, in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles generally applied in the United States
oil and gas industry and as defined in COPAS.
1.4 "Dollars" or the symbol "$" - means legal tender of the United States of
America.
1.5 "Effective Date" - means the effective date of this Agreement, being 12:00
p.m. Central Standard Time on January 15, 2004.
1.6 "Funds" - means the monies provided by SEC to Derek pursuant to the SEC
Agreement which Derek agreed to spend on operating and development expenses on
the
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LAK Ranch Area and which upon its complete expenditure, SEC will earn an
undivided 5% working interest in the LAK Ranch Area.
1.7 "Gross Negligence or Willful Misconduct" - means any act or failure to act
(whether sole, joint or concurrent) by any person or entity which was intended
to cause, or which was in reckless disregard of or wanton indifference to,
harmful consequences such person or entity knew, or should have known, such act
or failure would have on the safety or property of another person or entity.
1.8 "Joint Account" - means the account established and maintained by Operator
to record all expenditures, receipts, materials and other assets acquired or
used in the conduct of Joint Operations.
1.9 "Joint Operating Agreement" or "JOA" - means the Joint Operating Agreement
referred to in Article VIII, a form of which is attached hereto and made a part
hereof as Exhibit "C".
1.10 "Joint Operations" - mean operations, whether for the Pilot Phase, Phase 1
or subsequently, conducted by Operator for the benefit and account of the
Parties pursuant to any or all this Agreement, the Joint Operating Agreement,
the LAK Ranch Lease and any New Lease.
1.11 "LAK Ranch Area" - refers to the area outlined on the plat attached hereto
and made a part hereof as Exhibit "B."
1.12 "LAK Ranch Leases" - means the Leases listed on Exhibit "A" attached hereto
and made a part hereof and covering lands located within the confines of the LAK
Ranch Area.
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1.13 "LAK Ranch Program" - means the program summarized on Exhibit "E" to this
Agreement summarizing the work to be done during the Pilot Phase and Phase 1.
1.14 "New Lease" - has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 3.2.
1.15 "Non-Operator" - means a Party other than the Operator. Derek is initially
the Non-Operator, but should SEC be assigned a Working Interest by Derek, SEC
shall also be a Non-Operator.
1.16 "Operator" - means at any time the Party appointed to conduct Joint
Operations on behalf of the Parties, and initially shall mean Ivanhoe.
1.17 "Other Costs" - mean costs other than Capital Expenditures, for which the
Parties will be liable and pay in accordance with their Working Interests, as
provided in Section 4.4.
1.18 "Lease" - means an oil and gas lease and any oil, gas, and mineral lease,
mineral interest, or any other instrument granting the right to explore for,
drill, and take oil, gas, and other minerals.
1.19 "Party" and "Parties" - means initially Ivanhoe and Derek, individually or
collectively, as the case may be, and/or their successors and assigns. If Derek
spends the Funds, and assigns a 5% Working Interest to SEC, then SEC shall be a
Party or one of the Parties, and assume its Working Interest share of all
obligations and liabilities as a Party to and under this Agreement, including
with respect to representations and warranties and under the Joint Operating
Agreement and the LAK Ranch Lease.
1.20 "Phase 1" - means the work and activities described as Phase 1 in the LAK
Ranch Program Summary attached as Exhibit "E".
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1.21 "Pilot Phase" - means the work described as the Pilot Phase in the LAK
Ranch Program Summary attached as Exhibit "E".
1.22 "SEC" - means SEC Oil and Gas Partnership.
1.23 "SEC Agreement" - means the document entitled "LAK Ranch Oil Project -
Amended Heads of Agreement", dated October 30, 2003, between Derek and SEC and
any and all agreements that may be substituted therefore.
1.24 "Substances" - means all severed crude oil, natural gas, casinghead gas,
gasoline, natural gasoline, petroleum, natural gas liquids, condensate,
products, liquids and other hydrocarbons and other minerals of every kind and
description produced to be produced under the LAK Ranch Leases from the LAK
Ranch Area.
1.25 "Working Interest" - means the undivided participating interest of a Party
in the benefits and obligations under this Agreement, the Joint Operating
Agreement, the LAK Ranch Lease and any other Lease that may be taken by the
Parties in the LAK Ranch Area. Expression of working interests as a percentage
means the indicated percentage of 100%.
ARTICLE II
ATTACHMENT AND EXHIBITS
2.1 Exhibits - The following Exhibits, attached hereto, are incorporated herein
and made a part hereof for all purposes:
Exhibit "A" LAK Ranch Leases and Lands
Exhibit "B LAK Ranch Area/ AMI
Exhibit "C" Joint Operating Agreement
Exhibit "D" Environmental Compliance
Exhibit "E" LAK Ranch Program Summary
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ARTICLE III
AREA OF MUTUAL INTEREST
3.1 Area of Mutual Interest - The Parties hereby establish an Area of Mutual
Interest" or "AMI", covering the lands located within the area outlined on the
plat attached hereto and made a part hereof as Exhibit "B" and within two (2)
miles of that area. The AMI shall continue in effect as long as the Parties
jointly own Leases within the AMI and shall continue in effect under the JOA and
until one year after the JOA terminates.
3.2 Acquisition/Option - Should any Party directly or indirectly, acquire a
Lease ("New Lease"), in addition to or in substitution for all or any part of
the LAK Ranch Lease, affecting any lands located, fully or partially within the
AMI, such Party (the "Acquiring Party") shall immediately give written notice
thereof to each other Party (a "Non-Acquiring Party"), together with all
pertinent details and information, including copies of all instruments of
conveyance (including but not limited to, copies of the New Lease, assignments,
subleases, farmouts, and other contracts affecting the LAK Ranch Lease and or
the LAK Ranch Area), copies of paid drafts or checks and itemized invoices of
the actual costs expended incurred and to be incurred by the Acquiring Party,
including any bonus, administrative fees, brokerage, legal and recordation
costs, and any other direct costs (said actual costs are referred to as
"Acquisition Costs"). A Non-Acquiring Party shall have 30 days (or 48 hours if a
rig capable of performing a drilling operation is on location in preparation for
drilling), from receipt of such notice to elect in writing to acquire its
proportionate interest in the New Lease by paying its proportionate share of the
cost and assuming its proportionate share of the obligations. Failure to respond
by the deadlines stated herein shall be deemed an election not to participate in
the acquisition described in said notice. Failure to pay said proportionate
share of costs within 30 days
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following an election to participate shall result in a forfeiture of a
Non-Acquiring Party's interest with the same effect as if said Party had
initially elected not to participate. If less than all Parties elect to
participate in said acquisition, the lands and/or depths covered by any New
Lease shall be excluded from the AMI and the New Lease acquired shall not be
subject to this Agreement, but shall belong entirely to the Parties
participating in the acquisition.
3.3 Payment/Assignment - If a Non-Acquiring Party elects to participate in such
acquisition it shall pay to the Acquiring Party its proportionate share of the
Acquisition Costs for such interest within 30 days after receipt of an invoice
for said costs. Upon receipt of said payment, the Acquiring Party shall execute
and deliver to the Non-Acquiring Party an assignment of the interest due the
Non-Acquiring Party, pursuant to which the Non-Acquiring Party shall bear and
assume its proportionate share of all obligations, covenants, conditions,
requirements, and terms associated with the acquisition.
3.4 Encumbrances - Any assignment made pursuant to this Article III shall be
free and clear of any encumbrances placed on the assigned New Lease in favor of
or by the Acquiring Party, but otherwise shall be made without warranty of
title, either express or implied, except by, through, and under the Acquiring
Party. The assignment shall be made and accepted subject to, and assignee shall
expressly assume its proportionate share of, all obligations of the assignor
pertaining to the New Lease.
3.5 Merger - The provisions of this Article III shall not apply to Lease
acquisitions resulting from mergers, consolidations or reorganizations involving
all or substantially all of the properties or assets of the Acquiring Party.
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ARTICLE IV
IVANHOE CASH PAYMENT AND PARTIES' WORKING INTERESTS
4.1 Ivanhoe Cash Payment. Contemporaneously with the signing of this Agreement,
Ivanhoe will make a one-time cash payment to Derek of $100,000, in consideration
of which Derek will assign to Ivanhoe a 30% Working Interest and Ivanhoe shall
undertake to complete the Pilot Phase as described in Section 4.5.
4.2 Ivanhoe Earning. Ivanhoe is entitled to earn up to an additional 30% Working
Interest for a total Working Interest of 60%, by participating in the Pilot
Phase and Phase 1, and paying Capital Expenditures and Other Costs, as provided
in Sections 4.3 through 4.6 below. The following are the initial Working
Interests of the Parties:
Derek.................................70%
Ivanhoe...............................30%
4.3 Capital Expenditures. If Ivanhoe participates in the Pilot Phase and Phase
1, Ivanhoe shall make Capital Expenditures in accordance with work programs and
budgets prepared by Ivanhoe in consultation with the Parties. Ivanhoe's initial
30% Working Interest shall be increased by a proportional 6% for every
$1,000,000, or part thereof, it incurs on a 100% basis for Capital Expenditures
(that is without contribution by the other Parties) for the LAK Ranch Program
during the Pilot Phase and Phase 1, up to a maximum of 60% Working Interest. For
further clarity, at the time of determination and adjustment of Ivanhoe's
interest for incurred Capital Expenditures, for any portion of the Capital
Expenditures less than a full multiple of one million ($1,000,000) dollars (the
"Portion"), the increase in interest shall be determined based upon the
following formula:
[Portion] X 6%
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1,000,000
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Ivanhoe's Working Interest will be determined and adjusted at the end of each
quarter based on cumulative Capital Expenditures it has incurred on a 100% basis
through the quarter. If Ivanhoe participates in Phase I and, upon completion of
the work program for Phase I, Ivanhoe has incurred less than $5,000,000 on
Capital Expenditures on a 100% basis, additional Capital Expenditures for work
on the LAK Ranch Lease agreed by the Parties to be performed, shall be paid 100%
by Ivanhoe until it has incurred an aggregate of $5,000,000 between the Pilot
Phase and Phase I. When Ivanhoe has incurred a total of $5,000,000 on Capital
Expenditures on a 100% basis during the Pilot Phase and Phase 1 and
subsequently, as appropriate, additional LAK Ranch Program costs, including
Capital Expenditures, will be paid by the Parties in proportion to their
respective Working Interests at the time, which will be as follows:
Ivanhoe..................................60%
Derek....................................40%
4.4 OTHER COSTS. Ivanhoe's commitments to make Capital Expenditures on a 100%
basis shall apply only to Capital Expenditures of the LAK Ranch Program. Lease
operating costs, Operator's overhead costs agreed in the JOA and all such
similar costs during the Pilot Phase and Phase 1 ("Other Costs") will be paid
and shared by the Parties in proportion to their respective Working Interests
from time to time during the Pilot Phase, Phase 1 and subsequently. Ivanhoe
shall have no liability for Other Costs incurred prior to the Effective Date.
Other Costs from and after the Effective Date will be paid by the Parties
pursuant to cash calls or advance provisions of the JOA. If one or more of the
Parties fails to pay their share of Other Costs for the Pilot Phase and/or Phase
1, and Ivanhoe pays Other Costs to continue operations, then such delinquent
amounts shall bear interest at the rate provided in the JOA and shall be subject
to the remedies for collection provided in the JOA.
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4.5 Pilot Phase. Ivanhoe undertakes the work program for the Pilot Phase, which
consists of the work program described in the LAK Ranch Program details attached
as Exhibit "E" to this Agreement. Ivanhoe will pay 100% of the Capital
Expenditures of the Pilot Phase. The Capital Expenditures budgeted to be spent
in performing such work does not constitute an obligation to spend that amount.
Operations being conducted on the LAK Ranch Lease by Derek were ordered stopped
by the Wyoming Oil and Gas Commission . Before Ivanhoe can commence work on the
Pilot Phase, it must obtain approval of the Commission and possibly other
Wyoming and Federal agencies in order to resume operations. Promptly after the
Effective Date, Ivanhoe, with the other Parties' cooperation and assistance,
will undertake the necessary studies and work in order to obtain all the
approvals to resume operations. Such work will be pursued diligently in order to
obtain the approval as quickly as possible, but in the event that
notwithstanding such diligent efforts such approvals are not obtained within one
year after the Effective Date, Ivanhoe will have the option to terminate this
Agreement and will have no further obligation to the other Parties. The costs of
obtaining the above approvals to resume operations shall be Other Costs to be
shared by the Parties in proportion to their respective Working Interests, i.e.,
Ivanhoe 30% and Derek 70%.
4.6 Phase 1. Phase 1 consists of the work program described in the LAK Ranch
Program details attached as Exhibit "E" to this Agreement. Ivanhoe shall have
the option to elect to participate in Phase 1, within 30 days after completion
and evaluation of the results of the Pilot Phase. If Ivanhoe does not elect to
participate in Phase 1, Ivanhoe shall retain a 15% Working Interest and shall
reassign to the Parties the remaining 15% of its initial Working Interest.
4.7 SEC Interest. If the Funds have been spent by Derek and a Working Interest
has been assigned to SEC, then Derek's Working Interest shall be reduced by 5%
and SEC
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shall have a 5% Working Interest. Ivanhoe's Working Interest shall not be
reduced or affected by the assignment of a Working Interest to SEC.
4.8 Delivery of Assignments - Unless otherwise provided herein, any assignment
due any Party, shall be delivered in a form suitable for recording and within 15
days of the date on which it was executed.
4.9 Assignment of Real and Personal Property - Any assignment of a Working
Interest hereunder shall include an assignment of an equal undivided interest in
all real and personal property and which is owned by the assigning party,
located on or off the LAK Ranch Leases and used in connection with the
operations of the Leases, including without limitation, wells, well equipment,
casing, tubing, tanks, gathering lines, separators, buildings, pumps,
compressors, gas plants, motors, fixtures, machinery, power lines, telegraph and
telephone lines, roads, field processing plants, and other improvements used in
the operation thereof.
ARTICLE V
JOINT OPERATING AGREEMENT
5.1 Operations - Except as otherwise provided herein, or in the Joint Operating
Agreement, the costs, risk, and expenses shall be based on each Party's Working
Interest. All operations hereunder shall be conducted and governed in accordance
with the terms and conditions of the Joint Operating Agreement. The Parties
shall execute the Joint Operating Agreement signed simultaneously with the
execution of this Agreement. Ivanhoe shall be designated Operator under the
Joint Operating Agreement, and Derek or Derek and SEC, as the case may be, shall
be Non-Operators. In the event of a conflict between the terms and conditions of
this Agreement and the Joint Operating Agreement, the terms and conditions of
this Agreement shall prevail.
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ARTICLE VI
INFORMATION, TESTS, AND NOTICES
6.1 Access to Operations and Furnishing of Data - The Non-Operators shall, at
all times, and at their sole cost and risk, have full and free access to the LAK
Ranch Area. Ivanhoe shall obtain and furnish to Non-Operators the following data
reports as they are currently produced or compiled so far as they relate to
Joint Operations:
(a) copies of all logs or surveys, including in digitally recorded format if
exists;
(b) daily drilling reports;
(c) copies of all tests and core data and analysis reports;
(d) final well recap report;
(e) copies of plugging reports;
(f) copies of final geological and geophysical maps, seismic sections and shot
point location maps;
(g) engineering studies, development schedules and quarterly progress reports
relating to the LAK Ranch Area;
(h) field and well performance reports, including reservoir studies and
reserve estimates;
(i) production data;
(j) as requested by Non-Operators (i) copies of all material reports relating
to the LAK Ranch Area furnished to Ivanhoe by any governmental or
regulatory body or authority; and (ii) other material studies and reports
relating to LAK Ranch Area; and
(k) such other information as Non-Operators may reasonably request, provided
that the requesting Party or Parties pay the costs of preparation of such
information and that the preparation of such information will not unduly
burden Operator's administrative and technical personnel.
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6.2 Ivanhoe shall test any wells encountered which Ivanhoe wishes to test in
accordance with good and prudent petroleum industry practices and field
conservation principles as are generally followed by the United States petroleum
industry, and shall further test all formations indicated by such testing to be
productive and considered to have the potential for commercial production in the
LAK Ranch Area, provided that they are subject to the LAK Ranch Lease or other
Leases granting the Parties the right to do so. Ivanhoe shall keep an accurate
and detailed log of each well drilled hereunder.
ARTICLE VII
CONDUCT OF OPERATIONS/ABANDONMENT
7.1 Diligent Operations and Abandonment - Ivanhoe as Operator shall conduct all
operations for the Pilot Phase, Phase 1 and thereafter, in a diligent, safe and
efficient manner in accordance with good and prudent petroleum industry
practices and field conservation principles as are generally followed by the
United States petroleum industry under similar circumstances and at all times in
compliance with all applicable laws, ordinances, rules and regulations. When any
programmed well drilled hereunder, reaches the contract depth and has been
tested as agreed, Ivanhoe shall either complete the same as a producer, or plug
and abandon the same in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations;
provided however, that if Ivanhoe desires to abandon the well as a dry hole,
Ivanhoe shall so notify Non-Operators who shall then have 48 hours to elect to
take over such well and attempt to complete it at their sole cost, risk, and
expense. Should any Non-Operator take over the well ("Takeover Parties"),
Ivanhoe shall relinquish all rights thereto, including the materials and
equipment used in connection therewith free and clear of all liens and
encumbrances not existing as of the date of this Agreement, other than ordinary
and usual liens and encumbrances arising from the drilling of the well. The
Takeover Parties shall pay to Ivanhoe the fair market value of such material and
of the salvageable in-hole equipment, less the estimated cost of salvage, and
the Takeover Parties shall become responsible for the rig time costs. Upon any
such takeover, all rights of
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Ivanhoe pertaining to the well shall automatically terminate and the Takeover
Parties shall be solely responsible for the completion and/or abandonment of the
well, and shall indemnify and hold Ivanhoe harmless from any cost or loss
relating thereto.
ARTICLE VIII
OPERATOR
8.1 Status of Ivanhoe as Operator. - Notwithstanding the provisions of the JOA,
in the absence of Gross Negligence or Willful Misconduct on the part of
management level or supervisory personnel of Ivanhoe directly and causally
connected with the subject action, Ivanhoe shall not be liable as Operator for
damages or losses or otherwise to any other Party for anything done or omitted
to be done as Operator in carrying out any Joint Operations, which shall be for
the Joint Account, subject however to Ivanhoe's obligation to pay Capital
Expenditures on a 100% basis. Each Party, including Ivanhoe as a Party, shall
bear any losses or liabilities in proportion to their Working Interests;
provided, however, that Ivanhoe as a Party or as Operator shall not be liable
for losses or liabilities resulting from operations on or related to the LAK
Ranch Lease or LAK Ranch Area prior the Effective Date, the liability for which
shall be for the account of the other Parties.
8.2 No liability for Losses. In no case shall the Operator be liable to any
Party, or to any third party, for any loss or spillage of oil or gas or other
hydrocarbon substances or for any consequential loss, including loss of profit,
arising out of its conduct of Joint Operations, or for any damages or losses
resulting therefrom. Each Party shall bear any such losses or liability in
proportion to their Working Interests.
8.3 Government Approvals. In the conduct of the Pilot Phase, Phase 1 and Joint
Operations, the Operator shall:
(a) Pay to the government of the State of Wyoming or the Federal
Government, as applicable, (collectively, the "Government") for the
Joint Account, within
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the periods and in the manner prescribed by all applicable laws,
ordinances, rules, and regulations, all periodic payments,
royalties, taxes, fees and other payments pertaining to the Joint
Operations (such amounts to be treated under this Agreement as
Capital Expenditures or Other Costs, as the case may be, in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles) but
excluding any taxes measured by the incomes of any of the Parties;
and
(b) Have the exclusive right and obligation to represent the Parties in
all dealings with the Government with respect to matters arising
under the Joint Operations. The Operator shall notify the
Non-Operators as soon as possible of such meetings. Subject to any
necessary Government approvals, Non-Operators shall have the right
to attend any meetings with the Government with respect to such
matters, but only in the capacity of observers. Nothing contained in
this Agreement shall restrict any Party from holding discussions
with the Government with respect to any issue peculiar to its
particular business interests arising under the LAK Ranch Leases or
this Agreement, but in such event, such Party shall promptly advise
the other Parties, if possible, before and in any event promptly
after such discussions, provided that such Party shall not be
required to divulge to the other Parties any matters discussed to
the extent the same involve proprietary information or matters not
affecting the other Parties.
ARTICLE IX
TITLE AND OTHER REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
9.1 Title and Curative Work. Except for those encumbrances and royalties created
by, through or under Derek or SEC including but not limited to those set out in
Exhibit "A", Derek does not warrant title, express or implied, to the LAK Ranch
Leases. Derek shall not be obligated to perform any curative work or to furnish
any materials with respect thereto, other than copies of such title opinions and
other relevant documents as they may have in their possession. Nevertheless,
during the term of this Agreement or the JOA, any
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curative work by Derek shall enure to the benefit of Ivanhoe and Ivanhoe shall
be promptly furnished with copies of all opinions and curative instruments
pertaining to the LAK Ranch Leases and the LAK Ranch Area. Derek shall make
available to Ivanhoe, all records and lease files pertaining to the LAK Ranch
Leases. To the extent that title to one or more of the Leases included in the
drilling unit for any programmed well in the LAK Ranch Program is such that a
reasonable and prudent Operator would require in Ivanhoe's opinion curative
action to be taken, except as set out above, Ivanhoe may undertake such curative
action, in which case, the time in which operations are to be started, shall be
extended by the period of time necessary for Ivanhoe to complete such curative
work.
9.2 Other Representations and Warranties of Derek. Derek, on its own behalf and
for SEC to the extent that SEC will earn a Working Interest in the LAK Ranch
Area, represents and warrants to Ivanhoe as follows:
9.2.1 Encumbrances on the LAK Ranch Area. Exhibit "A" sets forth a description
of (a) all overriding royalties, production payments or preferential
rights of any nature of third parties with respect to the LAK Ranch Leases
and the Substances, (b) all rights-of-way and other agreements and other
rights relating to the use or ownership of the surface or surface
properties that are used or held for use in connection with the production
of Substances from the LAK Ranch Area, (c) all contracts, licenses,
permits, approvals, consents, certificates and other rights granted by
governmental authorities and all certificates of convenience or necessity,
immunities, privileges, grants and other rights that relate to the LAK
Ranch Area or the ownership or operation of the LAK Ranch Area and the LAK
Ranch Leases. Ivanhoe and the interests of Ivanhoe in the LAK Ranch Leases
and the LAK Ranch Area shall at all times be free and clear of any
obligation under the SEC Agreement. Derek and SEC agree that Derek and its
interests in the LAK Ranch Leases and the LAK Ranch Area, alone shall be
responsible for performance of all obligations to
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SEC under the SEC Agreement and/or any other agreement or arrangement
between Derek and SEC.
9.2.2 Litigation and Claims. There are no claims, demands, filings,
investigations, administrative proceedings, actions, suits or other legal
proceedings pending or, to the best of their knowledge, threatened, with
respect the LAK Ranch Leases or LAK Ranch Area or the ownership or
operation thereof, other than proceedings relating to the oil and gas
industry generally and as to which neither Derek and or SEC is a named
party; and no written notice from any governmental authority or any other
person has been received by either Derek or SEC claiming any violation of
any law, rule, regulation, ordinance, order, decision or decree of any
governmental authority (including, without limitation, any such law, rule,
regulation, ordinance, order, decision or decree concerning the
conservation of natural resources) except for funds owed to Bateman
Engineering Inc. ("Bateman") in the approximate amount of $285,000, which
funds shall be paid by Derek to Bateman within ten (10) days of the
Effective Date.
9.2.3 Approval and Preferential Rights. There are no approvals or consents
required to be obtained by Derek for consummation of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement and no preferential purchase rights that
affect the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
9.2.4 Compliance with Laws and Permits. The operations conducted by Derek on the
LAK Ranch Area and LAK Ranch Leases have been and currently are, in
compliance with the provisions and requirements of all laws, rules,
regulations, ordinances, orders, decisions and decrees of all governmental
authorities having jurisdiction with respect thereto, except where
noncompliance would not reasonably be expected to have a material adverse
effect on the operation thereof. All necessary government permits,
licenses and other authorizations would not reasonably be
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expected to have a material adverse effect on the ownership or operation
of the LAK Ranch Leases. Neither has Derek received a demand from a
governmental authority to plug and abandon any well on the LAK Ranch
Leases that has not been plugged and abandoned.
9.2.5 Environmental Compliance. No pollutant, waste, contaminant, or hazardous,
extremely hazardous, or toxic material, substance, chemical or waste
identified, defined or regulated as such under any law relating to health,
safety or environmental matters is present, or has been handled, managed,
stored, transported, processed, treated, disposed of, released, migrated
or has escaped on, in, from, under or in connection with the LAK Ranch
Lease or LAK Ranch Area or the ownership or operation thereof such as to
cause a condition or circumstance that would reasonably be expected to
result in a violation of any law relating to health and safety or
environmental matters or in a remediation, removal, response, restoration,
abatement, investigative or monitoring obligation, other than violations
or obligations that would not reasonably be expected to have a material
adverse effect on the ownership or operation of the LAK Ranch Leases or
LAK Ranch Area.
9.2.6 Production Burdens, Taxes and Expenses. All payments due under or with
respect to the LAK Ranch Leases have been properly and timely paid. All ad
valorem, property, production, severance and other taxes based on or
measured by the ownership of the LAK Ranch Leases and the LAK Ranch Area
based on or measured by the ownership of such properties or the production
of Substances therefrom have been properly and timely paid.
ARTICLE X
RELATIONSHIP/TAXATION
10.1 Relationship of the Parties - This Agreement does not create, and shall not
be construed to create, a partnership, association, joint venture or fiduciary
relationship of
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any kind or character between the Parties, and shall not be construed to impose
any duty, obligation or liability arising from such a relationship by or with
respect to any Party. Notwithstanding any provisions herein that the rights and
liabilities hereunder are several and not joint or collective or that this
Agreement and the operations hereunder shall not constitute a partnership, each
Party elects to be excluded from the application of all or any part of the
provisions of Subchapter "K", Chapter 1, Subtitle "A", U.S. Internal Revenue
Code of 1986, as amended, or similar provisions of applicable State laws.
ARTICLE XI
FORCE MAJEURE
11.1 Force Majeure - If a Party is rendered unable, wholly or in part, by Force
Majeure, to carry out its obligations under this Agreement, other than the
obligations to pay money, that Party shall give the other Parties prompt written
notice of the Force Majeure with reasonably full particulars concerning it;
thereupon the obligations of the Party giving the notice, so far as they are
affected by the Force Majeure, shall be suspended during the continuance of the
Force Majeure, and such reasonable time thereafter as the affected Party
reasonably requires under the circumstances to carry out its obligations. The
affected Party shall use all reasonable diligence to remove the Force Majeure
situation and resume the performance of its obligations as quickly as
practicable. The requirement that any Force Majeure shall be remedied with all
reasonable dispatch, shall not require the settlement of strikes, lockouts, or
other labor difficulty by the Parties involved, contrary to its wishes; how all
such difficulties shall be handled shall be entirely within the discretion of
the Party concerned.
11.2 Claims. The term "Force Majeure" shall mean any circumstances not within
the reasonable control, directly or indirectly, of the Party affected including
but not limited to an act of God, strike, lockout or other industrial
disturbance, terrorist act, act of the public enemy, war, blockade, public riot,
lightning, fire, storm, flood, explosion, governmental
19
<PAGE>
delay, restraint or inaction, unavailability of equipment, but only if and to
the extent that any act to which Force Majeure is claimed:
(a) Such circumstances, despite the exercise of reasonable diligence, cannot
be or be caused to be prevented, avoided or removed by such Party; and
(b) In the case of claims by such Party, such event materially adversely
affects (in case and/or time) the ability of the Party to perform its
obligations under this Agreement, the Joint Operating Agreement or any
Lease, and the Party has taken all reasonable precautions, exercised due
care and has taken all reasonable alternative measures in order to avoid
the effect of such event on the Party's ability to perform its obligations
under this Agreement and to mitigate the consequences thereof.
ARTICLE XII
ASSIGNMENTS
OPTION TO PURCHASE INTERESTS
12.1 Right of First Refusal - Other than as required and allowed as between one
Party to this Agreement to another Party or third party elsewhere in this
Agreement and subject to this Section, a Party shall not dispose of any of its
Working Interest, whether by assignment, sale, trade, lease, sublease or
farmout, without first complying with the following provisions:
(a) The Party wishing to make the disposition (in this Section called the
"Disposing Party") shall give notice to each other Party (in this Section
called an "Offeree") of its intention to make the disposition, including
in such notice a description of the Working Interest proposed to be
disposed of, the identity of the proposed assignee, the price or other
consideration for which the Disposing Party is prepared to make such
disposition, the
20
<PAGE>
proposed effective date and closing date of the transaction and any other
information respecting the transaction which would be material to the
exercise of the Offerees' rights hereunder (such notice in this Article
called the "Disposition Notice").
(b) In the event the consideration described in the Disposition Notice cannot
be matched in kind and the Disposition Notice does not include the
Disposing Party's bona fide estimate of the value, in cash, of such
consideration, an Offeree may, within seven (7) days of the receipt by the
Offerees of the Disposition Notice, request the Disposing Party to provide
such estimate to the Offerees, whereupon the Disposing Party shall provide
such estimate in a timely manner, and in no event in excess of 15 business
days, and the election period provided herein to the Offerees shall be
suspended until such estimate is received by the Offerees. Failure to
provide such cash equivalent estimate shall be grounds for refusal by any
or all of the Offerees of consent to the disposition.
(c) In the event of a dispute as to the reasonableness of an estimate of the
cash value of the consideration described in the Disposition Notice or
provided pursuant to paragraph (b) herein, as the case may be, the matter
shall be referred to arbitration as provided in Section 16.8.
(d) Within the later of: i) thirty (30) days from the receipt of the
Disposition Notice, as modified by any suspension pursuant to paragraph
(b) herein; or ii) if applicable, fifteen (15) days from receipt of notice
of the arbitrated value determined pursuant to Section 16.8, an Offeree
may give notice to the Disposing Party that it elects to purchase the
Working Interest described in the Disposition Notice for the applicable
price (in this Section called a "Notice of Acceptance"). A Notice of
Acceptance shall create a binding contractual obligation upon the
Disposing Party to sell, and upon an Offeree giving a Notice of Acceptance
to purchase, for the applicable price, all of the Working Interest
included in such Disposition Notice on the terms and conditions set forth
in the Disposition Notice. However, if more than one Offeree gives a
Notice of Acceptance,
21
<PAGE>
each such Offeree shall purchase the Working Interest to which such Notice
of Acceptance pertains in the proportion its Working Interest bears to the
total Working Interests of such Offerees.
(e) In the event that the Working Interest described in the Disposition Notice
is not disposed of to one or more of the Offerees pursuant to the
preceding paragraph, the disposition to the proposed assignee shall be
subject to the consent of the Offerees. Such consent shall not be
unreasonably withheld, and it shall be reasonable for an Offeree to
withhold its consent to the disposition if it reasonably believes that the
disposition would be likely to have a material adverse effect on it, its
Working Interest or operations to be conducted hereunder, including,
without limiting the generality of all or any part of the foregoing, a
reasonable belief that the proposed assignee does not have the financial
capability to meet prospective obligations arising out of this Agreement.
However, an Offeree shall be deemed to have consented to the disposition
to the proposed assignee, unless, within the time period prescribed in
paragraph (d) herein, the Offeree advises the other parties, by notice,
that it is not prepared to consent to such disposition.
(f) If the Working Interest described in the Disposition Notice is not
disposed of to one or more the Offerees pursuant to paragraph (d) herein,
the Disposing party may, subject to the obtaining the consents prescribed
by the preceding paragraph, dispose of such Working Interest at any time
within one hundred and fifty (150) days from the issuance of such
Disposition Notice, provided that such disposition is not on terms that
are more favorable to such purchaser than those offered in the Disposition
Notice.
(g) Following a disposition herein or one hundred fifty (150) days following
the issuance of a Disposition Notice from which a disposition did not
result, as the case may be, the provisions of this Section shall once
again apply to the Working Interest described in the Disposition Notice.
22
<PAGE>
12.2 Section 12.1 shall not apply in the following instances, namely:
(a) An assignment made by way of security for the assignor's present or future
indebtedness, or liabilities (whether contingent, direct or indirect and
whether financial or otherwise), the issuance of the bonds or debentures
of a corporation, or the performance of the obligations of the assignor as
a guarantor under a guarantee, provided that in the event the security is
enforced by sale or foreclosure, Section 12.1 shall apply.
(b) A disposition to an Affiliate of the assignor, or in consequence of a
merger or amalgamation of the assignor with another corporation or
pursuant to an assignment, sale or disposition made by a Party of its
entire Working Interest to a corporation in return for shares in that
corporation or to a registered partnership in return for an interest in
that partnership.
(c) A disposition made by the assignor of all, or substantially all, or of an
undivided interest in all or substantially all, of its petroleum and
natural gas rights; provided, however, if the LAK Ranch Leases and any
other Lease interests of Derek and/or SEC are all or substantially all of
the net assets held by them, then Section 12.1 shall apply.
(d) A disposition by Derek to SEC pursuant to the terms of the SEC Agreement.
However, a Party making such a disposition pursuant to paragraph (b), (c) or (d)
of this Clause shall advise the other Parties of such disposition in a timely
manner.
12.3 If any assignment of Working Interest is made to multiple assignees so as
to increase the expense or duties of the Operator, the Operator may require the
assignees (and the assignor if it retains a Working Interest) to appoint one of
their number as representing all
23
<PAGE>
of them for the purposes of this Agreement, unless arrangements satisfactory to
the Operator are made to compensate the Operator for the increased expenses or
duties.
ARTICLE XIII
INSURANCE
13.1 Insurance Requirements - Before commencing operations within the LAK Ranch
Area, pursuant to this Agreement, Ivanhoe shall procure and shall thereafter
maintain in force during the term of this Agreement, the insurance hereinafter
described, covering the operations to be performed hereunder by Ivanhoe as
Operator. The costs of all insurance carried by the Operator for the benefit of
the Parties and the Joint Operations shall be for the Joint Account of the
Parties.
(a) Workers' Compensation and Occupational Disease Insurance, satisfying the
legal requirements of the State of Wyoming and Employers Liability
Insurance with a minimum of $1,000,000.00 per occurrence.
(b) Comprehensive general liability insurance, including personal injury
blanket contractual liability and property damage, with coverage of at
least $1,000,000 combined single limit or the equivalent; owned and
non-owned automobile liability, including personal injury and property
damage, with coverage of at least $1,000,000, combined single limit or the
equivalent; products liability and completed operations coverage of at
least $1,000,000, combined single limit or the equivalent
(c) Umbrella liability insurance, with at least $4,000,000 combined single
limit per occurrence and at least $10,000,000 in the aggregate;
24
<PAGE>
(d) Control of well seepage and pollution, and well Restoration/Redrill
Insurance with a combined single limit of at least $3,000,000 per
occurrence.
(e) Each and every policy required hereinabove in (b), (c) and (d) shall name
Non-Operators as additional insured.
(f) With the exception of Paragraph 13.1 (a), the Parties agree to mutually
waive subrogation in favor of each other on all insurances carried by each
Party and/or obtain such waiver from the insurance carrier if so required
by the insurance contract. If such waiver is not obtained, the Party
failing to do so shall indemnify the other Parties for any claim by an
insurance carrier arising out of subrogation.
13.2 Certificates of Insurance. Before commencing any work hereunder, Ivanhoe
shall furnish to Non-Operators Certificates of Insurance evidencing the issuance
to Ivanhoe of the policies of insurance providing the types of coverage and
limits of liability prescribed above, and certifying that Non-Operators shall be
given not less than 30 days written notice prior to any material change,
substitution or cancellation prior to the normal expiration dates. Cancellation
or expiration of any of said policies of insurance shall not preclude Ivanhoe
from recovery thereunder for any liability arising under this Agreement.
ARTICLE XIV
FAILURE TO DRILL
14.1 Failure to Comply - Under no circumstances shall Ivanhoe be liable for its
failure to drill or complete any programmed well in the LAK Ranch Program, or
the manner in which it is drilled, tested or completed.
25
<PAGE>
ARTICLE XV
NOTICES
15.1 Notices - All notices between the Parties authorized or required by any of
the provisions of this Agreement, unless otherwise specifically provided, shall
be given in writing and delivered in person by mail, courier service, facsimile,
or e-mail, postage or charges prepaid or by telex or telecopier and addressed to
the Party to whom the notice is given as follows.
Derek: Derek Resources (U.S.A.) Inc.
-----
Street Address: Suite 1550, 355 Burrard Street
Vancouver B. C., Canada V6C 2G8
Attention: Barry C. J. Ehrl, President & CEO
Telephone: 604-331-1757
Facsimile: 604-669-5193
E- mail: info@derekresources.com
Ivanhoe: Ivanhoe Energy (USA) Inc.
-------
Street Address: 5060 California Avenue, Suite 400
Bakersfield, California 93309
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 9279
Bakersfield, CA 93389-9279
Attention: Robert Coffey, Vice-President, Operations
Telephone: 661-869-8332
Facsimile: 661-869-2820
E-mail rcoffey@ivanhoeenergy.com
Copy to; Oscar Blake, General Counsel
-------
26
<PAGE>
The originating notice given under any provision hereof shall be deemed given
only when received by the Party to whom such notice is directed, and the time
for such Party to give any notice in response thereto shall run from the date
the originating notice is received. The second or any responsive notice shall be
deemed given when deposited in the mail or with the courier service, with
postage or charges prepaid, or upon transmission by facsimile or telecopier.
Each Party shall have the right to change its address, or the person to receive
such notice, at any time, and from time to time by giving written notice thereof
to the other Party.
ARTICLE XVI
ADDITIONAL TERMS, PROVISIONS, AND COVENANTS
16.1 Time and Specific Performance of Essence - Time and specific performance
are of the essence of this Agreement.
16.2 Laws and Regulations; Applicable Law - Ivanhoe as Operator shall comply
with and conduct its operations hereunder in accordance with all applicable
laws, ordinances, rules, and regulations. This Agreement shall be construed and
interpreted under and in accordance with the laws of the State of Wyoming.
16.3 Headings and Interpretation - The section and other headings used
throughout this Agreement are for administrative convenience only and shall be
disregarded for purposes of construing this Agreement. Words importing the
singular shall include the plural and vice versa, and the use of one gender
includes any other gender, except where the context otherwise requires.
27
<PAGE>
16.4 Waiver - Any of the terms, provisions, covenants, representations or
conditions hereof may be waived only by a written instrument executed by the
Party waiving compliance. The failure of any Party at any time or times to
require performance of any provisions hereof shall in no manner affect the right
to enforce the same. No waiver by any Party of any condition or of the breach of
any term, provision, covenant, representation or warranty contained in this
Agreement, whether by conduct or otherwise, in any one or more instances, shall
be deemed to be or construed as a further or continuing waiver of any such
condition or breach, or a waiver of any other condition or of the breach of any
other term, provision, covenant, representation or warranty.
16.5 Press Releases - No Party shall distribute any information or photographs
concerning operations hereunder to the press or other media without the approval
of the other Parties. In the event of a requirement by a regulatory agency
[including the Securities Exchange Commission or the U.S. or securities
regulatory authorities of Canada, or any stock exchange on which the securities
of a Party or its Affiliate (to the extent the Affiliate either owns a majority
interest in a Party, or a Party owns a majority interest in the Affiliate) are
listed], or of an emergency involving extensive property damage, operations
failure, loss of human life or other clear emergency, the Parties are deemed
authorized to furnish such minimum, strictly factual information as is necessary
to satisfy requirements of appropriate regulatory authorities, or the legitimate
public interest on the part of the press, other media, and duly constituted
authorities if time does not permit the obtaining of prior approval by the other
Party, but the Party furnishing such information shall promptly advise the other
Party of the information so furnished.
16.6 Amendments - This Agreement may be amended, modified, changed, altered or
supplemented only by written instrument duly executed by the Parties
specifically for such purpose and which specifically refers to this Agreement.
28
<PAGE>
16.7 Conflicts - In the event of a conflict between provisions of this Agreement
and those contained in any of the agreements attached hereto, the provisions of
this Agreement shall prevail.
16.8 Arbitration - Unless otherwise expressly agreed in writing by all of the
Parties to any claim, dispute or controversy (the "Dispute"), the following
procedures shall be implemented for resolving any Dispute:
(a) Any Party may invoke these dispute resolution procedures (the "Procedures")
by providing written notice of any Dispute to the other Parties. Within thirty
(30) days after such notice is given, all the Parties shall attempt to resolve
the Dispute through negotiations at a meeting, which shall be attended by
representatives of each of the Parties having decision-making authority as well
as by management-level personnel of each of the Parties who have not previously
been directly engaged in directing or responding to the Dispute;
(b) If a Dispute is not resolved after negotiations in a meeting as set out
above, the Dispute shall be submitted to mandatory and binding arbitration at
the election of any Party by sending a notice of arbitration to the other
Parties;
(c) The Arbitration proceedings shall administered and conducted in accordance
with the Commercial Rules of Arbitration of the American Arbitration
Association.
(d) The Dispute shall be decided by three independent arbitrators
("Arbitrators") (that is having no substantial economic or other material
relationship with any or all of the Parties). The Parties shall attempt to agree
on two of the independent arbitrators (the "Agreed Arbitrators") with the third
being appointed by the Agreed Arbitrators. Should any Party refuse or neglect to
join in the timely appointment of the Agreed Arbitrators, the Agreed Arbitrators
shall be appointed by the American Arbitration Association, and the
29
<PAGE>
Arbitration shall proceed notwithstanding the non-appointment and non-attendance
of such Party in the appointment process.
(e) The Arbitrators shall have 30 days after their appointment within which to
allow discovery, hear evidence, and issue its decision or award and shall in
good faith attempt to comply with such time limits; provided, however, if the
Arbitrators, at their sole and reasonable discretion, believe additional time is
necessary to reach a decision, they may notify the Parties and extend the time
to reach a decision in 30 day increments, but in no event to exceed an
additional 60 days.
(f) The decision or award of the Arbitrators shall be by majority vote. shall be
in writing and shall state its detailed reasoning for the award. Discovery of
evidence shall be conducted expeditiously by the Parties, bearing in mind the
Parties desire to limit discovery and to expedite the decision or award of the
Arbitrators at the most reasonable cost and expense of the Parties. Judgment
upon an award rendered pursuant to such arbitration may be entered in any court
having jurisdiction or application may be made to such court for a judicial
acceptance of the award, and an order of enforcement, as the case may be. The
place of Arbitration shall be Denver, Colorado. All questions arising out of
this Agreement and their rights and obligations created herein, or its validity,
existence, interpretation, performance or breach shall be governed by the laws
of the State of Wyoming, without regard to conflict of laws principles. The
Arbitrators shall not award consequential or punitive damages to any Party. The
costs and expenses of the arbitration proceeding, including the fees of the
arbitrators and all costs and expenses, including legal fees and witness fees,
incurred by the prevailing Party, shall be borne by the losing Party, such award
of costs to be decided and specified by the Arbitrators.
16.9 Entire Agreement - When executed by the duly authorized representatives of
the Parties, this Agreement shall constitute the entire agreement between the
Parties regarding the LAK Ranch Leases, and the LAK Ranch Area and Area of
Mutual Interest and shall
30
<PAGE>
supersede and replace any and all other writings, understandings or memoranda of
understanding entered into or discussed prior to the Effective Date.
16.10 Savings Clause - If any part or portion of this Agreement is held to be
invalid, such invalidity of any such part or portion shall not affect any
remaining part or portion hereof.
16.11 Corporate Authority - The Parties represent that, as of the date of the
execution hereof, they are duly authorized, validly existing, and in good
standing under the laws of the jurisdictions of organization and are qualified
and authorized to do business in the State of Wyoming and that all requisite
corporate power and authority to execute, deliver, and effectuate this Agreement
have been duly obtained.
16.12 Further Assurances - Each Party shall promptly execute, acknowledge, and
deliver to the other Party such other instruments and take such other action as
may be necessary or convenient in order to effect the transactions contemplated
in this Agreement.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have executed this Agreement to be
effective as of the Effective Date.
IVANHOE ENERGY (USA) INC.
BY: _______________________________
E. L. DANIEL, President
DEREK RESOURCES (U.S.A.) INC.
BY: ________________________________
BARRY C. J. EHRL, President & CEO
31
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT "A"
Attached to and made a part of that certain Farmin Agreement dated January 15,
2004, by and between Ivanhoe Energy (USA Inc., and Derek Resources (USA) Inc.
All lands are in Weston County, Wyoming
Description of Lands
--------------------
Tract A
Township 44 North, Range 60 West, 6th P.M.
------------------------------------------
Section 6: Southwest Quarter, Northeast Quarter, East Half of the
Northwest Quarter, and West Half of the Southeast Quarter
(SW/4, NE/4, E/2 NW/4, W/2 SE/4).
Section 7: West Half, and West Half of the East Half (W/2, W/2 E/2).
Section 18: South Half of the Southwest Quarter, and the Northwest
Quarter (S/2 SW/4, NW/4).
Section 19: West Half of West Half, Northeast Quarter of the Northwest
Quarter (W/2 W/2, NE/4 NW/4).
Township 44 North, Range 61 West, 6th P.M.
------------------------------------------
Section 1: Southeast Quarter (SE/4).
Section 11: Southeast Quarter, East Half of the Northeast Quarter, and
South Half of the Southwest Quarter (SE/4, E/2 NE/4, S/2
SW/4).
Section 12: All.
Section 13: West Half, and South Half of the Southeast Quarter (W/2,
S/2 SE/4).
Section 14: All.
Section 22: Northeast Quarter (NE/4).
Section 23: North Half, Southeast Quarter, East Half of the Southwest
Quarter (N/2, SE, E/2 SW/4).
Section 24: North Half, Southeast Quarter, and East Half of the
Southwest Quarter (N/2, SE/4, E/2 SW/4).
Section 25: Northwest Quarter of the Northeast Quarter, North Half of
the Northwest Quarter, Southwest Quarter of the Northwest
Quarter, and Northwest Quarter of the Southwest Quarter
(NW/4 NE/4, N/2 NW/4, SW/4 NW/4, NW/4 SW/4.
Section 26: East Half of the Northeast Quarter, and Northeast Quarter
of the Southeast Quarter (E/2 NE/4, NE/4 SE/4).
Section 30: West Half of the Northwest Quarter (W/4 NW/4).
Tract B
Township 44 North, Range 61 West, 6th P.M.
------------------------------------------
Section 24: Southeast Quarter of the Southeast Quarter (SE/4 SE/4).
Section 24: Northeast Quarter of the Southeast Quarter (NE/4 SE/4).
Section 25: South Half of the Southwest Quarter, the Northeast Quarter
of the Southwest Quarter, Northwest Quarter of the
Southeast Quarter, East Half of the Northeast Quarter,
Southwest Quarter of the Northeast Quarter, and Southeast
Quarter of the Northwest Quarter (S/2 SW/4, NE/4 SW/4, NW/4
SE/4, E/4 NE/4, SW/4 NE/4, SE/4 NW/4).
Tract C
Township 44 North, Range 60 West, 6th P.M.
------------------------------------------
Section 18: North Half of the Southwest Quarter (N/2 SW/4).
Township 44 North, Range 61 West, 6th P.M.
------------------------------------------
Section 13: Northeast Quarter, and North Half of the Southeast Quarter
(NE/4, N/2 SE/4).
Tract D
Township 44 North, Range 61 West, 6th P.M.
------------------------------------------
Section 22: Southeast Quarter (SE/4).
Section 27: West Half of the East Half (W/2 E/2).
Tract E
Township 44 North, Range 60 West, 6th P.M.
------------------------------------------
Section 24: Southeast Quarter of the Southeast Quarter (SE/4,SE/4).
Page 1
<PAGE>
Additional Property Leased from the Federal Government
------------------------------------------------------
Township 44 North, Range 61 West, 6th P.M.
------------------------------------------
Section 1: South Half of the Southwest Quarter (S/2 SW/4).
Section 10: Southwest Quarter of the Northeast Quarter (SW/4 NE/4).
Section 10: West Half of the Southeast Quarter, Southeast Quarter of
the Southeast Quarter (W/2 SE/4, SE/4 SE/4), excluding
13.77 acres in railroad right-of-way WyW0119068.
Section 15: West Half of the East Half, East Half of the West Half,
Northwest Quarter of the Northwest Quarter, Southwest
Quarter of the Southwest Quarter (W/2 E/2, E/2 W/2, NW/4
NW/4, SW/4 SW/4).
Section 15: East Half of the East Half (E/2 E/2), excluding 23.78 acres
in railroad right-of-way WyW0119068.
Section 25: Northeast Quarter of the Southeast Quarter, South half of
the Southeast Quarter (NE/4 SE/4, S/2 SE/4).
Section 26: Northwest Quarter of the Northeast Quarter, East Half of
the Southwest Quarter (NW/4 NE/4, E/2 SW/4).
Section 26: East Half of the Northwest Quarter, Southeast Quarter of
the Southeast Quarter (E/2 NW/4, SE/4 SE/4), excluding
14.23 acres in railroad right-of-way WyW0119068.
Oil and Gas Leases subject to this Agreement
--------------------------------------------
A. Oil and Gas Lease, dated January 10, 1981, by and between Donald B.
Roberts, B.M. Stewart, and Sheri Vineyard, as Lessors, and Exoil
Services, Inc., as Lessee, recorded in Book 87, Page 189, Official
Records of Weston County, Wyoming.
B. Oil and Gas Lease, dated effective August 31, 1958, by and between
the U.S. Department of Interior, Bureau of Land Management, as
Lessor, and Edel P. Smith, as Lessee, being identified as Lease
Serial Number W-022180-A.
C. Oil and Gas Lease, dated effective December 1, 1999, by and between
the U.S. Department of Interior, Bureau of Land Management, as
Lessor, and Cove Energy, as Lessee, being identified as Lease Serial
Number W-149512.
Burdens on Production
---------------------
Tract A 19.9501%
Tract B 19.9501%
Tract C 11.7875% (Based on 50% leased)
Tract D 11.7875% (Based on 50% leased)
Tract E 19.9501%
Page 2
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT "B" TO FARMIN AGREEMENT
LAK RANCH AREA/AMI
[GRAPHIC - FULL PAGE MAP OF DEREK RESOURCES CORPORATION LAK RANCH PROPERTY
WESTON COUNTY WYOMING]
<PAGE>
Original LAK Property and Adjoining Property
--------------------------------------------
DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY
TRACT A
Township 44 North, Range 60 West, 6th P.M., Weston County, Wyoming
Section 6: SW1/4, NE1/4, E1/2NW1/4, W1/2SE1/4
Section 7: W1/2, W1/2E1/2
Section 18: S1/2S W1/4, NW1/4
Section 19: W1/2 W1/2, NE1/4NW1/4
Township 44 North, Range 61 West, 6th P.M., Weston County, Wyoming
Section 1: SE1/4
Section 11: SE1/4, E1/2NE1/4, S1/2SW1/4
Section 12: All
Section 13: W1/2, S1/2SE1/4
Section 14: All
Section 22 NE1/4
Section 23 N1/2, SE, E1/2SW1/4
Section 24 N1/2, SE1/4, E1/2SW1/4
Section 25 NW1/4NE1/4, N1/2NW1/4, SW1/4NW1/4, NW1/4SW1/4
Section 26 E1/2NE1/4, NE1/4SE1/4
Section 30 W1/2NW1/4
TRACT B
Township 44 North, Range 61 West, 6th P.M., Weston County, Wyoming
Section 24: SE1/4SE1/4
Section 24: NE1/4SE1/4
Section 25: S1/2SW1/4, NE1/4SW1/4, NW1/4SE1/4, E1/2NE1/4, SW1/4NE1/4,
SE1/4NW1/4
TRACT C
Township 44 North, Range 60 West, 6th P.M., Weston County, Wyoming
Section 18: N1/2SW1/4
Township 44 North, Range 61 West, 6th P.M., Weston County, Wyoming
Section 13: NE1/4, N1/2SE1/4
TRACT D
Township 44 North, Range 61 West, 6th P.M., Weston County, Wyoming
Section 22: SE1/4
Section 27: W1/2E1/2
Additional Property Leased from the Federal Government
------------------------------------------------------
DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY
Township 44 North, Range 61 West, 6th P.M., Weston County, Wyoming
Section 10: SW1/4NE1/4
Section 10: W1/2SE1/4, SE1/4SE1/4, (Excluding 13.77 acres in railroad
right-of-way WyW0119068)
Section 15: W1/2E1/2, E1/2W1/2, NW1/4NW1/4, SW1/4SW1/4
Section 15: E1/2E1/2(Excluding 23.87 acres in railroad right-of-way
WyW0119068)
Section 25 NE1/4SE1/4, S1/2S1/4
Section 26: NW1/4NE1/4, E1/2SW1/4
Section 26: E1/2NW1/4, SE1/4SE1/4(Excluding 14.23 acres in railroad
right-of-way WyW0119068)
<PAGE>
Additional Property Leased from Edel P. Smith and Accidental Oil Company
------------------------------------------------------------------------
DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY
Township 44 North, Range 61 West, 6th P.M., Weston County, Wyoming
Section 1: SW1/2 SW1/4
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT "D" TO
LAK RANCH FARMIN AGREEMENT
LAK RANCH PROGRAM SUMMARY
ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE
1. Oil spill occurred on December 20, 2001 as a result of high winds breaking
the wire that held the bypass loop on the Jacuzzi pump. Approximately 9 to
10 barrels was displaced on the surface. Chuck Brothers were retained to
handle the oil waste disposal which was completed on or about December 26,
2001.
2. On December 31, 2001, Mr. Jack Eslinger, a landowner with property near
the LAK Ranch Project called the Derek LAK Ranch site office regarding
water surfacing on his property. Dr. Paul Trost was consulted regarding
the water seepage and informed Derek site staff that the water was ground
water being pressured to the surface and that the water was not
contaminated so that there need not be any concern in this regard. Derek
did not shut down its LAK Ranch Project operation due to the water seepage
as Derek had previously decided to shut down operations for financial
reasons. In addition, Derek was in the process of applying for a surface
water discharge permit, which was subsequently granted. There was no
further contact with Mr. Eslinger with regard to this matter beyond his
original call to the LAK Ranch site office until mid-January of 2004, when
Mr. Eslinger spoke with the Derek site manager, Mr. Art Huckins. At this
time, Mr. Eslinger expressed further concerns about the water damage to
his property. Derek acknowledges that it is Derek's responsibility to
resolve this matter with Mr. Eslinger and Derek intends to do so without
admitting any liability for the water damage.
<PAGE>
3
EXHIBIT "E"
ATTACHED TO AND MADE A PART OF THAT CERTAIN FARMIN AGREEMENT DATED JANUARY 15,
2004, BY AND BETWEEN IVANHOE ENERGY (USA) INC. AND DEREK RESOURCES (U.S.A.) INC.
LAK RANCH PROGRAM DETAILS
PILOT PHASE
PROGRAM SUMMARY
o Cycle steam existing horizontal producer
o Drill approx. 5 vertical slim hole steam injection wells
o Test response from continuous steam injection
o Acquire and process high resolution 3-D seismic survey
Estimated Pilot Cost - 1.1 MM$ (US$)
Timeframe - 1.5 years starting in 1/1/2004
DISCUSSION
The intent of this phase is to test the technical feasibility of using thermal
recovery methods to enhance the production of the horizontal producing well
completed in the Newcastle Sand on the LAK Ranch.
The existing horizontal producing well will be tested in a cyclic steam mode
using a conventional beam pump to produce the well. This portion of the program
is estimated to take approximately six months. After evaluating the cyclic
results, a continuous steam injection program will be evaluated using five
vertical steam injection wells completed up dip of the horizontal well. After
one year of continuous injection there should be enough data to support the
go-forward decision.
During this phase, and depending on performance of the above injection program,
a 3-D seismic program will be conducted over prospective acreage on the LAK
Ranch in order to more accurately map the geologic features and support the
exploitation of oil reserves on this project. In order to resolve the
stratigraphic variability, and successfully identify the productive zones, an
ultra-high resolution survey will be obtained. We estimate that a project of 4-5
square miles of 3-D seismic data may be acquired and processed for $500,000 US.
At a minimum, Ivanhoe will spend 250 M$US acquiring and processing seismic data
during the Pilot Phase. It is estimated that the geophysical program will take a
minimum of 6 months and is scheduled for the later half of 2004.
<PAGE>
PHASE I
PROGRAM SUMMARY
o Drill three horizontal producers
o Drill approx. 15 vertical slim hole steam injection wells
o Drill six temperature observation wells
o Drill six delineation wells
o Expand existing facility infrastructure (well testing, water treatment
and steam generation).
o Drill approximately six delineation wells to test 3-D geological model
Estimated Phase I Cost - 5.8 MM$ (US$)
Estimated Cumulative (Pilot +Phase I) Cost = 6.9MM$ (US$)
Timeframe - 2 years starting on 7/1/2005
DISCUSSION
During Phase I three additional horizontal producers will be drilled along with
15 vertical steam injection wells and one water disposal well. The total
drilling cost is estimated at 3.65 MM$ and will occur during 2005 (2.4 MM$) and
2006 (1.25 MM$). A detailed reservoir simulation model will be constructed and
used to plan the Phase I reservoir development.
The existing facility infrastructure should be maximized with a total of four
horizontal producers with some modifications. The modifications that are
anticipated are purchasing a 50 MMBTU/hr steam generator, building a water plant
to process produced water for generator feed water, adding well test equipment,
modifying the heater treater with fire tubes, adding a free water knockout and
installing a LACT. Facility costs are anticipated to total 1.6 MM$ and occur
mainly during 2005 (1.5 MM$).
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT "C"
ATTACHED TO AND MADE A PART OF THAT CERTAIN FARMIN AGREEMENT DATED JANUARY 15,
2004, BY AND BETWEEN IVANHOE ENERGY (USA) INC. (IVAN), AS OPERATOR AND DEREK
RESOURCES (U.S.A.) INC., AS NON-OPERATOR.
A.A.P.L. FORM 610 - 1989
MODEL FORM OPERATING AGREEMENT
OPERATING AGREEMENT
DATED
JANUARY 15, 2004,
----------- -----
year
OPERATOR IVANHOE ENERGY (USA) INC.
------------------------------------------------------------
CONTRACT AREA PURSUANT TO THE FARMIN AGREEMENT REFERENCED ABOVE
------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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COUNTY OR PARISH OF WESTON , STATE OF WYOMING
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COPYRIGHT 1989 - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF PETROLEUM
LANDMEN, 4100 FOSSIL CREEK BLVD.
FORT WORTH, TEXAS, 76137, APPROVED FORM.
A.A.P.L. NO. 610 - 1989
<PAGE>
A.A.P.L. FORM 610 - MODEL FORM OPERATING AGREEMENT - 1989
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Article Title Page
------- ----- ----
I. DEFINITIONS............................................................1
II. EXHIBITS...............................................................1
III. INTERESTS OF PARTIES...................................................2
B. INTERESTS OF PARTIES IN COSTS AND PRODUCTION:......................2
C. SUBSEQUENTLY CREATED INTERESTS: ...................................2
IV. TITLES.................................................................2
A. TITLE EXAMINATION:.................................................2
B. LOSS OR FAILURE OF TITLE:..........................................3
3. Losses.......................................................3
V. OPERATOR...............................................................4
A. DESIGNATION AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF OPERATOR:......................4
B. RESIGNATION OR REMOVAL OF OPERATOR AND SELECTION OF SUCCESSOR: ....4
1. Resignation or Removal of Operator...........................4
2. Selection of Successor Operator..............................4
3. Effect of Bankruptcy.........................................4
C. EMPLOYEES AND CONTRACTORS: ........................................4
D. RIGHTS AND DUTIES OF OPERATOR: ....................................4
1. Competitive Rates and Use of Affiliates......................4
2. Discharge of Joint Account Obligations.......................4
3. Protection from Liens........................................4
4. Custody of Funds.............................................5
5. Access to Contract Area and Records..........................5
6. Filing and Furnishing Governmental Reports...................5
7. Drilling and Testing Operations..............................5
8. Cost Estimates...............................................5
9. Insurance....................................................5
VI. DRILLING AND DEVELOPMENT...............................................5
1. Proposed Operations..........................................5
2. Operations by Less Than All Parties..........................6
3. Stand-By Costs...............................................7
4. Deepening....................................................8
5. Sidetracking.................................................8
6. Order of Preference of Operations............................8
7. Paying Wells.................................................9
C. COMPLETION OF WELLS; REWORKING AND PLUGGING BACK:..................9
1. Completion...................................................9
2. Rework, Recomplete or Plug Back..............................9
D. OTHER OPERATIONS:..................................................9
E. ABANDONMENT OF WELLS:..............................................9
1. Abandonment of Dry Holes.....................................9
2. Abandonment of Wells That Have Produced.....................10
3. Abandonment of Non-Consent Operations.......................10
F. TERMINATION OF OPERATIONS:........................................10
G. TAKING PRODUCTION IN KIND:........................................10
(Option 1) Gas Balancing Agreement Attached.....................10
VII. EXPENDITURES AND LIABILITY OF PARTIES.................................11
A. LIABILITY OF PARTIES: ............................................11
B. LIENS AND SECURITY INTERESTS:.....................................12
C. ADVANCES:.........................................................12
D. DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES:............................................12
1. Suspension of Rights........................................13
2. Suit for Damages............................................13
3. Deemed Non-Consent..........................................13
4. Advance Payment.............................................13
5. Costs and Attorneys' Fees...................................13
E. RENTALS, SHUT-IN WELL PAYMENTS AND MINIMUM ROYALTIES:.............13
F. TAXES:............................................................13
VIII. ACQUISITION, MAINTENANCE OR TRANSFER OF INTEREST......................14
A. SURRENDER OF LEASES:..............................................14
B. RENEWAL OR EXTENSION OF LEASES:...................................14
C. ACREAGE OR CASH CONTRIBUTIONS:....................................14
i
<PAGE>
A.A.P.L. FORM 610 - MODEL FORM OPERATING AGREEMENT - 1989
TABLE OF CONTENTS
D. ASSIGNMENT; MAINTENANCE OF UNIFORM INTEREST: ......................15
E. WAIVER OF RIGHTS TO PARTITION:.....................................15
F. PREFERENTIAL RIGHT TO PURCHASE:....................................15
IX. INTERNAL REVENUE CODE ELECTION........................................15
X. CLAIMS AND LAWSUITS...................................................15
XI. FORCE MAJEURE.........................................................16
XII. NOTICES...............................................................16
XIII. TERM OF AGREEMENT.....................................................16
XIV. COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS AND REGULATIONS..................................16
A. LAWS, REGULATIONS AND ORDERS:......................................16
B. GOVERNING LAW:.....................................................16
C. REGULATORY AGENCIES: ..............................................16
XV. MISCELLANEOUS.........................................................17
A. EXECUTION:.........................................................17
B. SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS:............................................17
C. COUNTERPARTS:......................................................17
D. SEVERABILITY.......................................................17
XVI. OTHER PROVISIONS......................................................17
A. ADDITIONAL PARTIES:................................................17
B. BILLING ADDITIONAL INTERESTS:......................................17
C. WORKOVER OPERATIONS:...............................................17
D. SEQUENCE OF FURTHER OPERATIONS:....................................17
E. MEMORANDUM OF OPERATING AGREEMENT:.................................18
F. HEADINGS:..........................................................18
G. CONFIDENTIALITY OF INFORMATION:....................................18
H. NEWS RELEASES:.....................................................18
I. LANDS EXCLUDED FROM THIS AGREEMENT:................................18
J. CONFLICT OF TERMS:.................................................18
K. METERING OF PRODUCTION:............................................18
L. COVENANT RUNNING WITH THE LAND/EXTENT OF OBLIGATIONS:..............18
M. AUTHORITY FOR EXPENDITURE REQUIREMENTS:............................18
ii
<PAGE>
A.A.P.L. FORM 610 - MODEL FORM OPERATING AGREEMENT - 1989
OPERATING AGREEMENT
THIS AGREEMENT, entered into by and between IVANHOE ENERGY (USA) INC.
____________________________, hereinafter designated and referred to as
"Operator," and the signatory party or parties other than Operator, sometimes
hereinafter referred to individually as "Non-Operator," and collectively as
"Non-Operators."
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, the parties to this agreement are owners of Oil and Gas Leases
and/or Oil and Gas Interests in the land identified in Exhibit "A," and the
parties hereto have reached an agreement to explore and develop these Leases
and/or Oil and Gas Interests for the production of Oil and Gas to the extent and
as hereinafter provided,
NOW, THEREFORE, it is agreed as follows:
ARTICLE I.
DEFINITIONS
As used in this agreement, the following words and terms shall have the
meanings here ascribed to them:
A. The term "AFE" shall mean an Authority for Expenditure prepared by a
party to this agreement for the purpose of estimating the costs to be incurred
in conducting an operation hereunder.
B. The term "Completion" or "Complete" shall mean a single operation
intended to complete a well as a producer of Oil and Gas in one or more Zones,
including, but not limited to, the setting of production casing, perforating,
well stimulation and production testing conducted in such operation.
C. The term "Contract Area" shall mean all of the lands, Oil and Gas
Leases and/or Oil and Gas Interests intended to be developed and operated for
Oil and Gas purposes under this agreement. Such lands, Oil and Gas Leases and
Oil and Gas Interests are described in Exhibit "A."
D. The term "Deepen" shall mean a single operation whereby a well is
drilled to an objective Zone below the deepest Zone in which the well was
previously drilled, or below the Deepest Zone proposed in the associated AFE,
whichever is the lesser.
E. The terms "Drilling Party" and "Consenting Party" shall mean a party
who agrees to join in and pay its share of the cost of any operation conducted
under the provisions of this agreement.
F. The term "Drilling Unit" shall mean the area fixed for the drilling
of one well by order or rule of any state or federal body having authority. If a
Drilling Unit is not fixed by any such rule or order, a Drilling Unit shall be
the drilling unit as established by the pattern of drilling in the Contract Area
unless fixed by express agreement of the Drilling Parties.
G. The term "Drillsite" shall mean the Oil and Gas Lease or Oil and Gas
Interest on which a proposed well is to be located.
H. The term "Initial Well" shall mean the well required to be drilled
by the parties hereto as provided in Article VI.A.
I. The term "Non-Consent Well" shall mean a well in which less than all
parties have conducted an operation as provided in Article VI.B.2.
J. The terms "Non-Drilling Party" and "Non-Consenting Party" shall mean
a party who elects not to participate in a proposed operation.
K. The term "Oil and Gas" shall mean oil, gas, casinghead gas, gas
condensate, and/or all other liquid or gaseous hydrocarbons and other marketable
substances produced therewith, unless an intent to limit the inclusiveness of
this term is specifically stated.
L. The term "Oil and Gas Interests" or "Interests" shall mean unleased
fee and mineral interests in Oil and Gas in tracts of land lying within the
Contract Area which are owned by parties to this agreement.
M. The terms "Oil and Gas Lease," "Lease" and "Leasehold" shall mean
the oil and gas leases or interests therein covering tracts of land lying within
the Contract Area which are owned by the parties to this agreement.
N. The term "Plug Back" shall mean a single operation whereby a deeper
Zone is abandoned in order to attempt a Completion in a shallower Zone.
O. The term "Recompletion" or "Recomplete" shall mean an operation
whereby a Completion in one Zone is abandoned in order to attempt a Completion
in a different Zone within the existing wellbore.
P. The term "Rework" shall mean an operation conducted in the wellbore
of a well after it is Completed to secure, restore, or improve production in a
Zone which is currently open to production in the wellbore. Such operations
include, but are not limited to, well stimulation operations but exclude any
routine repair or maintenance work or drilling, Sidetracking, Deepening,
Completing, Recompleting, or Plugging Back of a well.
Q. The term "Sidetrack" shall mean the directional control and
intentional deviation of a well from vertical so as to change the bottom hole
location unless done to straighten the hole or drill around junk in the hole to
overcome other mechanical difficulties.
R. The term "Zone" shall mean a stratum of earth containing or thought
to contain a common accumulation of Oil and Gas separately producible from any
other common accumulation of Oil and Gas.
Unless the context otherwise clearly indicates, words used in the
singular include the plural, the word "person" includes natural and artificial
persons, the plural includes the singular, and any gender includes the
masculine, feminine, and neuter.
ARTICLE II.
EXHIBITS
The following exhibits, as indicated below and attached hereto, are
incorporated in and made a part hereof:
X A. Exhibit "A," shall include the following information:
(1) Description of lands subject to this agreement,
(2) Restrictions, if any, as to depths, formations, or substances,
(3) Parties to agreement with addresses and telephone numbers for
notice purposes,
(4) Percentages or fractional interests of parties to this
agreement,
(5) Oil and Gas Leases and/or Oil and Gas Interests subject to
this agreement,
(6) Burdens on production.
X C. Exhibit "C," Accounting Procedure.
X D. Exhibit "D," Insurance.
X E. Exhibit "E," Gas Balancing Agreement.
X F. Exhibit "F," Non-Discrimination and Certification of Non-Segregated
Facilities.
X H. Other: MEMORANDUM OF OPERATING AGREEMENT
- 1 -
<PAGE>
A.A.P.L. FORM 610 - MODEL FORM OPERATING AGREEMENT - 1989
If any provision of any exhibit, except Exhibits "E," "F" and "G," is
inconsistent with any provision contained in the body of this agreement, the
provisions in the body of this agreement shall prevail.
ARTICLE III.
INTERESTS OF PARTIES
B. INTERESTS OF PARTIES IN COSTS AND PRODUCTION:
Unless changed by other provisions, all costs and liabilities incurred
in operations under this agreement shall be borne and paid, and all equipment
and materials acquired in operations on the Contract Area shall be owned, by the
parties as their interests are set forth in Exhibit "A." In the same manner, the
parties shall also own all production of Oil and Gas from the Contract Area
subject, however, to the payment of royalties and other burdens on production as
described hereafter.
Regardless of which party has contributed any Oil and Gas Lease or Oil
and Gas Interest on which royalty or other burdens may be payable and except as
otherwise expressly provided in this agreement, each party shall pay or deliver,
or cause to be paid or delivered, all burdens on its share of the production
from the Contract Area up to, but not in excess of, 20% and shall indemnify,
defend and hold the other parties free from any liability therefor. Except as
otherwise expressly provided in this agreement, if any party has contributed
hereto any Lease or Interest which is burdened with any royalty, overriding
royalty, production payment or other burden on production in excess of the
amounts stipulated above, such party so burdened shall assume and alone bear all
such excess obligations and shall indemnify, defend and hold the other parties
hereto harmless from any and all claims attributable to such excess burden.
However, so long as the Drilling Unit for the productive Zone(s) is identical
with the Contract Area, each party shall pay or deliver, or cause to be paid or
delivered, all burdens on production from the Contract Area due under the terms
of the Oil and Gas Lease(s) which such party has contributed to this agreement,
and shall indemnify, defend and hold the other parties free from any liability
therefor.
No party shall ever be responsible, on a price basis higher than the
price received by such party, to any other party's lessor or royalty owner, and
if such other party's lessor or royalty owner should demand and receive
settlement on a higher price basis, the party contributing the affected Lease
shall bear the additional royalty burden attributable to such higher price.
Nothing contained in this Article III.B. shall be deemed an assignment
or cross-assignment of interests covered hereby, and in the event two or more
parties contribute to this agreement jointly owned Leases, the parties'
undivided interests in said Leaseholds shall be deemed separate leasehold
interests for the purposes of this agreement.
C. SUBSEQUENTLY CREATED INTERESTS:
If any party has contributed hereto a Lease or Interest that is
burdened with an assignment of production given as security for the payment of
money, or if, after the date of this agreement, any party creates an overriding
royalty, production payment, net profits interest, assignment of production or
other burden payable out of production attributable to its working interest
hereunder, such burden shall be deemed a "Subsequently Created Interest."
Further, if any party has contributed hereto a Lease or Interest burdened with
an overriding royalty, production payment, net profits interests, or other
burden payable out of production created prior to the date of this agreement,
and such burden is not shown on Exhibit "A," such burden also shall be deemed a
Subsequently Created Interest to the extent such burden causes the burdens on
such party's Lease or Interest to exceed the amount stipulated in Article III.B.
above.
The party whose interest is burdened with the Subsequently Created
Interest (the "Burdened Party") shall assume and alone bear, pay and discharge
the Subsequently Created Interest and shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless
the other parties from and against any liability therefor. Further, if the
Burdened Party fails to pay, when due, its share of expenses chargeable
hereunder, all provisions of Article VII.B. shall be enforceable against the
Subsequently Created Interest in the same manner as they are enforceable against
the working interest of the Burdened Party. If the Burdened Party is required
under this agreement to assign or relinquish to any other party, or parties, all
or a portion of its working interest and/or the production attributable thereto,
said other party, or parties, shall receive said assignment and/or production
free and clear of said Subsequently Created Interest, and the Burdened Party
shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless said other party, or parties, from any
and all claims and demands for payment asserted by owners of the Subsequently
Created Interest.
ARTICLE IV.
TITLES
A. TITLE EXAMINATION:
Title examination shall be made on the Drillsite of any proposed well
prior to commencement of drilling operations and, if a majority in interest of
the Drilling Parties so request or Operator so elects, title examination shall
be made on the entire Drilling Unit, or maximum anticipated Drilling Unit, of
the well. The opinion will include the ownership of the working interest,
minerals, royalty, overriding royalty and production payments under the
applicable Leases. Each party contributing Leases and/or Oil and Gas Interests
to be included in the Drillsite or Drilling Unit, if appropriate, shall furnish
to Operator all abstracts (including federal lease status reports), title
opinions, title papers and curative material in its possession free of charge.
All such information not in the possession of or made available to Operator by
the parties, but necessary for the examination of the title, shall be obtained
by Operator. Operator shall cause title to be examined by attorneys on its staff
or by outside attorneys. Copies of all title opinions shall be furnished to each
Drilling Party. Costs incurred by Operator in procuring abstracts, fees paid
outside attorneys for title examination (including preliminary, supplemental,
shut-in royalty opinions and division order title opinions) and other direct
charges as provided in Exhibit "C" shall be borne by the Drilling Parties in the
proportion that the interest of each Drilling Party bears to the total interest
of all Drilling Parties as such interests appear in Exhibit "A." Operator shall
make no charge for services rendered by its staff attorneys or other personnel
in the performance of the above functions.
Each party shall be responsible for securing curative matter and
pooling amendments or agreements required in connection with Leases or Oil and
Gas Interests contributed by such party. Operator shall be responsible for the
preparation and recording of pooling designations or declarations and
communitization agreements as well as the conduct of hearings before
governmental agencies for the securing of spacing or pooling orders or any other
orders necessary or appropriate to the conduct of operations hereunder. This
shall not prevent any party from appearing on its own behalf at such hearings.
Costs incurred by Operator, including fees paid to outside attorneys, which are
associated with hearings before governmental agencies, and which costs are
necessary and proper for the activities contemplated under this agreement, shall
be direct charges to the joint account and shall not be covered by the
administrative overhead charges as provided in Exhibit "C."
- 2 -
<PAGE>
A.A.P.L. FORM 610 - MODEL FORM OPERATING AGREEMENT - 1989
Operator shall make no charge for services rendered by its staff attorneys or
other personnel in the performance of the above functions.
No well shall be drilled on the Contract Area until after (1) the title
to the Drillsite or Drilling Unit, if appropriate, has been examined as above
provided, and (2) the title has been approved by the examining attorney or title
has been accepted by all of the Drilling Parties in such well.
B. LOSS OR FAILURE OF TITLE:
3. Losses: All losses of Leases or Interests committed to this
agreement, shall be joint losses and shall be borne by all parties in proportion
to their interests shown on Exhibit "A." This shall include but not be limited
to the loss of any Lease or Interest through failure to develop or because
express or implied covenants have not been performed (other than performance
which requires only the payment of money), and the loss of any Lease by
expiration at the end of its primary term if it is not renewed or extended.
There shall be no readjustment of interests in the remaining portion of the
Contract Area on account of any joint loss.
- 3 -
<PAGE>
A.A.P.L. FORM 610 - MODEL FORM OPERATING AGREEMENT - 1989
ARTICLE V.
OPERATOR
A. DESIGNATION AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF OPERATOR:
IVANHOE ENERGY (USA) INC. shall be the Operator of the Contract Area,
and shall conduct and direct and have full control of all operations on the
Contract Area as permitted and required by, and within the limits of this
agreement. In its performance of services hereunder for the Non-Operators,
Operator shall be an independent contractor not subject to the control or
direction of the Non-Operators except as to the type of operation to be
undertaken in accordance with the election procedures contained in this
agreement. Operator shall not be deemed, or hold itself out as, the agent of the
Non-Operators with authority to bind them to any obligation or liability assumed
or incurred by Operator as to any third party. Operator shall conduct its
activities under this agreement as a reasonable prudent operator, in a good and
workmanlike manner, with due diligence and dispatch, in accordance with good
oilfield practice, and in compliance with applicable law and regulation, but in
no event shall it have any liability as Operator to the other parties for losses
sustained or liabilities incurred except such as may result from gross
negligence or willful misconduct.
B. RESIGNATION OR REMOVAL OF OPERATOR AND SELECTION OF SUCCESSOR:
1. Resignation or Removal of Operator: Operator may resign at any time
by giving written notice thereof to Non-Operators. If Operator terminates its
legal existence, no longer owns an interest hereunder in the Contract Area, or
is no longer capable of serving as Operator, Operator shall be deemed to have
resigned without any action by Non-Operators, except the selection of a
successor. Operator may be removed only for good cause by the affirmative vote
of Non-Operators owning a majority interest based on ownership as shown on
Exhibit "A" remaining after excluding the voting interest of Operator; such vote
shall not be deemed effective until a written notice has been delivered to the
Operator by a Non-Operator detailing the alleged default and Operator has failed
to cure the default within thirty (30) days from its receipt of the notice or,
if the default concerns an operation then being conducted, within forty-eight
(48) hours of its receipt of the notice. For purposes hereof, "good cause" shall
mean not only gross negligence or willful misconduct but also the material
breach of or inability to meet the standards of operation contained in Article
V.A. or material failure or inability to perform its obligations under this
agreement.
Subject to Article VII.D.1., such resignation or removal shall not
become effective until 7:00 o'clock A.M. on the first day of the calendar month
following the expiration of ninety (90) days after the giving of notice of
resignation by Operator or action by the Non-Operators to remove Operator,
unless a successor Operator has been selected and assumes the duties of Operator
at an earlier date. Operator, after effective date of resignation or removal,
shall be bound by the terms hereof as a Non-Operator. A change of a corporate
name or structure of Operator or transfer of Operator's interest to any single
subsidiary, parent or successor corporation shall not be the basis for removal
of Operator.
2. Selection of Successor Operator: Upon the resignation or removal of
Operator under any provision of this agreement, a successor Operator shall be
selected by the parties. The successor Operator shall be selected from the
parties owning an interest in the Contract Area at the time such successor
Operator is selected. The successor Operator shall be selected by the
affirmative vote of two (2) or more parties owning a majority interest based on
ownership as shown on Exhibit "A"; provided, however, if an Operator which has
been removed or is deemed to have resigned fails to vote or votes only to
succeed itself, the successor Operator shall be selected by the affirmative vote
of the party or parties owning a majority interest based on ownership as shown
on Exhibit "A" remaining after excluding the voting interest of the Operator
that was removed or resigned. The former Operator shall promptly deliver to the
successor Operator all records and data relating to the operations conducted by
the former Operator to the extent such records and data are not already in the
possession of the successor operator. Any cost of obtaining or copying the
former Operator's records and data shall be charged to the joint account.
3. Effect of Bankruptcy: If Operator becomes insolvent, bankrupt or is
placed in receivership, it shall be deemed to have resigned without any action
by Non-Operators, except the selection of a successor. If a petition for relief
under the federal bankruptcy laws is filed by or against Operator, and the
removal of Operator is prevented by the federal bankruptcy court, all
Non-Operators and Operator shall comprise an interim operating committee to
serve until Operator has elected to reject or assume this agreement pursuant to
the Bankruptcy Code, and an election to reject this agreement by Operator as a
debtor in possession, or by a trustee in bankruptcy, shall be deemed a
resignation as Operator without any action by Non-Operators, except the
selection of a successor. During the period of time the operating committee
controls operations, all actions shall require the approval of two (2) or more
parties owning a majority interest based on ownership as shown on Exhibit "A."
In the event there are only two (2) parties to this agreement, during the period
of time the operating committee controls operations, a third party acceptable to
Operator, Non-Operator and the federal bankruptcy court shall be selected as a
member of the operating committee, and all actions shall require the approval of
two (2) members of the operating committee without regard for their interest in
the Contract Area based on Exhibit "A."
C. EMPLOYEES AND CONTRACTORS:
The number of employees or contractors used by Operator in conducting
operations hereunder, their selection, and the hours of labor and the
compensation for services performed shall be determined Operator, and all such
employees or contractors shall be the employees or contractors of Operator.
D. RIGHTS AND DUTIES OF OPERATOR:
1. Competitive Rates and Use of Affiliates: All wells drilled on the
Contract Area shall be drilled on a competitive contract basis at the usual
rates prevailing in the area. If it so desires, Operator may employ its own
tools and equipment in the drilling of wells, but its charges therefor shall not
exceed the prevailing rates in the area and the rate of such charges shall be
agreed upon by the parties in writing before drilling operations are commenced,
and such work shall be performed by Operator under the same terms and conditions
as are customary and usual in the area in contracts of independent contractors
who are doing work of a similar nature. All work performed or materials supplied
by affiliates or related parties of Operator shall be performed or supplied at
competitive rates, pursuant to written agreement, and in accordance with customs
and standards prevailing in the industry.
2. Discharge of Joint Account Obligations: Except as herein otherwise
specifically provided, Operator shall promptly pay and discharge expenses
incurred in the development and operation of the Contract Area pursuant to this
agreement and shall charge each of the parties hereto with their respective
proportionate shares upon the expense basis provided in Exhibit "C." Operator
shall keep an accurate record of the joint account hereunder, showing expenses
incurred and charges and credits made and received.
3. Protection from Liens: Operator shall pay, or cause to be paid, as
and when they become due and payable, all accounts of contractors and suppliers
and wages and salaries for services rendered or performed, and for materials
supplied on, to or in respect of the Contract Area or any operations for the
joint account thereof, and shall keep the Contract Area free from
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A.A.P.L. FORM 610 - MODEL FORM OPERATING AGREEMENT - 1989
liens and encumbrances resulting therefrom except for those resulting from a
bona fide dispute as to services rendered or materials supplied.
4. Custody of Funds: Operator shall hold for the account of the
Non-Operators any funds of the Non-Operators advanced or paid to the Operator,
either for the conduct of operations hereunder or as a result of the sale of
production from the Contract Area, and such funds shall remain the funds of the
Non-Operators on whose account they are advanced or paid until used for their
intended purpose or otherwise delivered to the Non-Operators or applied toward
the payment of debts as provided in Article VII.B. Nothing in this paragraph
shall be construed to establish a fiduciary relationship between Operator and
Non-Operators for any purpose other than to account for Non-Operator funds as
herein specifically provided. Nothing in this paragraph shall require the
maintenance by Operator of separate accounts for the funds of Non-Operators
unless the parties otherwise specifically agree.
5. Access to Contract Area and Records: Operator shall, except as
otherwise provided herein, permit each Non-Operator or its duly authorized
representative, at the Non-Operator's sole risk and cost, full and free access
at all reasonable times to all operations of every kind and character being
conducted for the joint account on the Contract Area and to the records of
operations conducted thereon or production therefrom, including Operator's books
and records relating thereto. Such access rights shall not be exercised in a
manner interfering with Operator's conduct of an operation hereunder and shall
not obligate Operator to furnish any geologic or geophysical data of an
interpretive nature unless the cost of preparation of such interpretive data was
charged to the joint account. Operator will furnish to each Non-Operator upon
request copies of any and all reports and information obtained by Operator in
connection with production and related items, including, without limitation,
meter and chart reports, production purchaser statements, run tickets and
monthly gauge reports, but excluding purchase contracts and pricing information
to the extent not applicable to the production of the Non-Operator seeking the
information. Any audit of Operator's records relating to amounts expended and
the appropriateness of such expenditures shall be conducted in accordance with
the audit protocol specified in Exhibit "C."
6. Filing and Furnishing Governmental Reports: Operator will file, and
upon written request promptly furnish copies to each requesting Non-Operator not
in default of its payment obligations, all operational notices, reports or
applications required to be filed by local, State, Federal or Indian agencies or
authorities having jurisdiction over operations hereunder. Each Non-Operator
shall provide to Operator on a timely basis all information necessary to
Operator to make such filings.
7. Drilling and Testing Operations: The following provisions shall
apply to each well drilled hereunder, including but not limited to the Initial
Well:
(a) Operator will promptly advise Non-Operators of the date on which
the well is spudded, or the date on which drilling operations are commenced.
(b) Operator will send to Non-Operators such reports, test results and
notices regarding the progress of operations on the well as the Non-Operators
shall reasonably request, including, but not limited to, daily drilling reports,
completion reports, and well logs.
(c) Operator shall adequately test all Zones encountered which may
reasonably be expected to be capable of producing Oil and Gas in paying
quantities as a result of examination of the electric log or any other logs or
cores or tests conducted hereunder.
8. Cost Estimates: Upon request of any Consenting Party, Operator shall
furnish estimates of current and cumulative costs incurred for the joint account
at reasonable intervals during the conduct of any operation pursuant to this
agreement. Operator shall not be held liable for errors in such estimates so
long as the estimates are made in good faith.
9. Insurance: At all times while operations are conducted hereunder,
Operator shall comply with the workers compensation law of the state where the
operations are being conducted; provided, however, that Operator may be a self-
insurer for liability under said compensation laws in which event the only
charge that shall be made to the joint account shall be as provided in Exhibit
"C." Operator shall also carry or provide insurance for the benefit of the joint
account of the parties as outlined in Exhibit "D" attached hereto and made a
part hereof. Operator shall require all contractors engaged in work on or for
the Contract Area to comply with the workers compensation law of the state where
the operations are being conducted and to maintain such other insurance as
Operator may require.
In the event automobile liability insurance is specified in said
Exhibit "D," or subsequently receives the approval of the parties, no direct
charge shall be made by Operator for premiums paid for such insurance for
Operator's automotive equipment.
ARTICLE VI.
DRILLING AND DEVELOPMENT
Pursuant to the Farmin Agreement to which this Operating Agreement is
attached.
1. Proposed Operations: If any party hereto should desire to drill any
well on the Contract Area other than the Initial Well, or if any party should
desire to Rework, Sidetrack, Deepen, Recomplete or Plug Back a dry hole or a
well no longer capable of producing in paying quantities in which such party has
not otherwise relinquished its interest in the proposed objective Zone under
this agreement, the party desiring to drill, Rework, Sidetrack, Deepen,
Recomplete or Plug Back such a well shall give written notice of the proposed
operation to the parties who have not otherwise relinquished their interest in
such objective Zone
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A.A.P.L. FORM 610 - MODEL FORM OPERATING AGREEMENT - 1989
under this agreement and to all other parties in the case of a proposal for
Sidetracking or Deepening, specifying the work to be performed, the location,
proposed depth, objective Zone and the estimated cost of the operation. The
parties to whom such a notice is delivered shall have thirty (30) days after
receipt of the notice within which to notify the party proposing to do the work
whether they elect to participate in the cost of the proposed operation. If a
drilling rig is on location, notice of a proposal to Rework, Sidetrack,
Recomplete, Plug Back or Deepen may be given by telephone and the response
period shall be limited to forty-eight (48) hours, exclusive of Saturday,
Sunday and legal holidays. Failure of a party to whom such notice is delivered
to reply within the period above fixed shall constitute an election by that
party not to participate in the cost of the proposed operation. Any proposal by
a party to conduct an operation conflicting with the operation initially
proposed shall be delivered to all parties within the time and in the manner
provided in Article VI.B.6.
If all parties to whom such notice is delivered elect to participate in
such a proposed operation, the parties shall be contractually committed to
participate therein provided such operations are commenced within the time
period hereafter set forth, and Operator shall, no later than ninety (90) days
after expiration of the notice period of thirty (30) days (or as promptly as
practicable after the expiration of the forty-eight (48) hour period when a
drilling rig is on location, as the case may be), actually commence the proposed
operation and thereafter complete it with due diligence at the risk and expense
of the parties participating therein; provided, however, said commencement date
may be extended upon written notice of same by Operator to the other parties,
for a period of up to thirty (30) additional days if, in the sole opinion of
Operator, such additional time is reasonably necessary to obtain permits from
governmental authorities, surface rights (including rights-of-way) or
appropriate drilling equipment, or to complete title examination or curative
matter required for title approval or acceptance. If the actual operation has
not been commenced within the time provided (including any extension thereof as
specifically permitted herein or in the force majeure provisions of Article XI)
and if any party hereto still desires to conduct said operation, written notice
proposing same must be resubmitted to the other parties in accordance herewith
as if no prior proposal had been made. Those parties that did not participate in
the drilling of a well for which a proposal to Deepen or Sidetrack is made
hereunder shall, if such parties desire to participate in the proposed Deepening
or Sidetracking operation, reimburse the Drilling Parties in accordance with
Article VI.B.4. in the event of a Deepening operation and in accordance with
Article VI.B.5. in the event of a Sidetracking operation.
2. Operations by Less Than All Parties:
(a) Determination of Participation. If any party to whom such notice is
delivered as provided in Article VI.B.1. or VI.C.1. (Option No. 2) elects not to
participate in the proposed operation, then, in order to be entitled to the
benefits of this Article, the party or parties giving the notice and such other
parties as shall elect to participate in the operation shall, no later than
ninety (90) days after the expiration of the notice period of thirty (30) days
(or as promptly as practicable after the expiration of the forty-eight (48) hour
period when a drilling rig is on location, as the case may be) actually commence
the proposed operation and complete it with due diligence. Operator shall
perform all work for the account of the Consenting Parties; provided, however,
if no drilling rig or other equipment is on location, and if Operator is a
Non-Consenting Party, the Consenting Parties shall either: (i) request Operator
to perform the work required by such proposed operation for the account of the
Consenting Parties, or (ii) designate one of the Consenting Parties as Operator
to perform such work. The rights and duties granted to and imposed upon the
Operator under this agreement are granted to and imposed upon the party
designated as Operator for an operation in which the original Operator is a
Non-Consenting Party. Consenting Parties, when conducting operations on the
Contract Area pursuant to this Article VI.B.2., shall comply with all terms and
conditions of this agreement.
If less than all parties approve any proposed operation, the proposing
party, immediately after the expiration of the applicable notice period, shall
advise all Parties of the total interest of the parties approving such operation
and its recommendation as to whether the Consenting Parties should proceed with
the operation as proposed. Each Consenting Party, within forty-eight (48) hours
(exclusive of Saturday, Sunday and legal holidays) after receipt of such notice,
shall advise the proposing party of its desire to (i) limit participation to
such party's interest as shown on Exhibit "A" or (ii) carry only its
proportionate part (determined by dividing such party's interest in the Contract
Area by the interests of all Consenting Parties in the Contract Area) of
Non-Consenting Parties' interests, or (iii) carry its proportionate part
(determined as provided in (ii)) of Non-Consenting Parties' interests together
with all or a portion of its proportionate part of any Non-Consenting Parties'
interests that any Consenting Party did not elect to take. Any interest of
Non-Consenting Parties that is not carried by a Consenting Party shall be deemed
to be carried by the party proposing the operation if such party does not
withdraw its proposal. Failure to advise the proposing party within the time
required shall be deemed an election under (i). In the event a drilling rig is
on location, notice may be given by telephone, and the time permitted for such a
response shall not exceed a total of forty-eight (48) hours (exclusive of
Saturday, Sunday and legal holidays). The proposing party, at its election, may
withdraw such proposal if there is less than 100% participation and shall notify
all parties of such decision within ten (10) days, or within twenty-four (24)
hours if a drilling rig is on location, following expiration of the applicable
response period. If 100% subscription to the proposed operation is obtained, the
proposing party shall promptly notify the Consenting Parties of their
proportionate interests in the operation and the party serving as Operator shall
commence such operation within the period provided in Article VI.B.1., subject
to the same extension right as provided therein.
(b) Relinquishment of Interest for Non-Participation. The entire cost
and risk of conducting such operations shall be borne by the Consenting Parties
in the proportions they have elected to bear same under the terms of the
preceding paragraph. Consenting Parties shall keep the leasehold estates
involved in such operations free and clear of all liens and encumbrances of
every kind created by or arising from the operations of the Consenting Parties.
If such an operation results in a dry hole, then subject to Articles VI.B.6. and
VI.E.3., the Consenting Parties shall plug and abandon the well and restore the
surface location at their sole cost, risk and expense; provided, however, that
those Non-Consenting Parties that participated in the drilling, Deepening or
Sidetracking of the well shall remain liable for, and shall pay, their
proportionate shares of the cost of plugging and abandoning the well and
restoring the surface location insofar only as those costs were not increased by
the subsequent operations of the Consenting Parties. If any well drilled,
Reworked, Sidetracked, Deepened, Recompleted or Plugged Back under the
provisions of this Article results in a well capable of producing Oil and/or Gas
in paying quantities, the Consenting Parties shall Complete and equip the well
to produce at their sole cost and risk, and the well shall then be turned over
to Operator (if the Operator did not conduct the operation) and shall be
operated by it at the expense and for the account of the Consenting Parties.
Upon commencement of operations for the drilling, Reworking, Sidetracking,
Recompleting, Deepening or Plugging Back of any such well by Consenting Parties
in accordance with the provisions of this Article, each Non-Consenting Party
shall be deemed to have relinquished to Consenting Parties, and the Consenting
Parties shall own and be entitled to receive, in proportion to their respective
interests, all of such Non-Consenting Party's interest in the well and share of
production therefrom or, in the case of a Reworking, Sidetracking,
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A.A.P.L. FORM 610 - MODEL FORM OPERATING AGREEMENT - 1989
Deepening, Recompleting or Plugging Back, or a Completion pursuant to Article
VI.C.1. Option No. 2, all of such Non-Consenting Party's interest in the
production obtained from the operation in which the Non-Consenting Party did not
elect to participate. Such relinquishment shall be effective until the proceeds
of the sale of such share, calculated at the well, or market value thereof if
such share is not sold (after deducting applicable ad valorem, production,
severance, and excise taxes, royalty, overriding royalty and other interests not
excepted by Article III.C. payable out of or measured by the production from
such well accruing with respect to such interest until it reverts), shall equal
the total of the following:
(i) 100% of each such Non-Consenting Party's share of the cost of any
newly acquired surface equipment beyond the wellhead connections (including but
not limited to stock tanks, separators, treaters, pumping equipment and piping),
plus 100% of each such Non-Consenting Party's share of the cost of operation of
the well commencing with first production and continuing until each such
Non-Consenting Party's relinquished interest shall revert to it under other
provisions of this Article, it being agreed that each Non-Consenting Party's
share of such costs and equipment will be that interest which would have been
chargeable to such Non-Consenting Party had it participated in the well from the
beginning of the operations; and
(ii) 300% of (a) that portion of the costs and expenses of drilling,
Reworking, Sidetracking, Deepening, Plugging Back, testing, Completing, and
Recompleting, after deducting any cash contributions received under Article
VIII.C., and of (b) that portion of the cost of newly acquired equipment in the
well (to and including the wellhead connections), which would have been
chargeable to such Non-Consenting Party if it had participated therein.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Article VI.B., if the
well does not reach the deepest objective Zone described in the notice proposing
the well for reasons other than the encountering of granite or practically
impenetrable substance or other condition in the hole rendering further
operations impracticable, Operator shall give notice thereof to each
Non-Consenting Party who submitted or voted for an alternative proposal under
Article VI.B.6. to drill the well to a shallower Zone than the deepest objective
Zone proposed in the notice under which the well was drilled, and each such Non-
Consenting Party shall have the option to participate in the initial proposed
Completion of the well by paying its share of the cost of drilling the well to
its actual depth, calculated in the manner provided in Article VI.B.4. (a). If
any such Non-Consenting Party does not elect to participate in the first
Completion proposed for such well, the relinquishment provisions of this Article
VI.B.2. (b) shall apply to such party's interest.
(c) Reworking, Recompleting or Plugging Back. An election not to
participate in the drilling, Sidetracking or Deepening of a well shall be deemed
an election not to participate in any Reworking, Recompletion or Plugging Back
operation proposed in such a well, or portion thereof, to which the initial
non-consent election applied that is conducted at any time prior to full
recovery by the Consenting Parties of the Non-Consenting Party's recoupment
amount. Similarly, an election not to participate in the Completing or
Recompleting of a well shall be deemed an election not to participate in any
Reworking operation proposed in such a well, or portion thereof, to which the
initial non-consent election applied that is conducted at any time prior to full
recovery by the Consenting Parties of the Non-Consenting Party's recoupment
amount. Any such Reworking, Recompleting or Plugging Back operation conducted
during the recoupment period shall be deemed part of the cost of operation of
said well and there shall be added to the sums to be recouped by the Consenting
Parties 200% of that portion of the costs of the Reworking, Recompleting or
Plugging Back operation which would have been chargeable to such Non-Consenting
Party had it participated therein. If such a Reworking, Recompleting or Plugging
Back operation is proposed during such recoupment period, the provisions of this
Article VI.B. shall be applicable as between said Consenting Parties in said
well.
(d) Recoupment Matters. During the period of time Consenting Parties
are entitled to receive Non-Consenting Party's share of production, or the
proceeds therefrom, Consenting Parties shall be responsible for the payment of
all ad valorem, production, severance, excise, gathering and other taxes, and
all royalty, overriding royalty and other burdens applicable to Non-Consenting
Party's share of production not excepted by Article III.C.
In the case of any Reworking, Sidetracking, Plugging Back, Recompleting
or Deepening operation, the Consenting Parties shall be permitted to use, free
of cost, all casing, tubing and other equipment in the well, but the ownership
of all such equipment shall remain unchanged; and upon abandonment of a well
after such Reworking, Sidetracking, Plugging Back, Recompleting or Deepening,
the Consenting Parties shall account for all such equipment to the owners
thereof, with each party receiving its proportionate part in kind or in value,
less cost of salvage.
Within ninety (90) days after the completion of any operation under
this Article, the party conducting the operations for the Consenting Parties
shall furnish each Non-Consenting Party with an inventory of the equipment in
and connected to the well, and an itemized statement of the cost of drilling,
Sidetracking, Deepening, Plugging Back, testing, Completing, Recompleting, and
equipping the well for production; or, at its option, the operating party, in
lieu of an itemized statement of such costs of operation, may submit a detailed
statement of monthly billings. Each month thereafter, during the time the
Consenting Parties are being reimbursed as provided above, the party conducting
the operations for the Consenting Parties shall furnish the Non-Consenting
Parties with an itemized statement of all costs and liabilities incurred in the
operation of the well, together with a statement of the quantity of Oil and Gas
produced from it and the amount of proceeds realized from the sale of the well's
working interest production during the preceding month. In determining the
quantity of Oil and Gas produced during any month, Consenting Parties shall use
industry accepted methods such as but not limited to metering or periodic well
tests. Any amount realized from the sale or other disposition of equipment newly
acquired in connection with any such operation which would have been owned by a
Non-Consenting Party had it participated therein shall be credited against the
total unreturned costs of the work done and of the equipment purchased in
determining when the interest of such Non-Consenting Party shall revert to it as
above provided; and if there is a credit balance, it shall be paid to such
Non-Consenting Party.
If and when the Consenting Parties recover from a Non-Consenting
Party's relinquished interest the amounts provided for above, the relinquished
interests of such Non-Consenting Party shall automatically revert to it as of
7:00 a.m. on the day following the day on which such recoupment occurs, and,
from and after such reversion, such Non-Consenting Party shall own the same
interest in such well, the material and equipment in or pertaining thereto, and
the production therefrom as such Non-Consenting Party would have been entitled
to had it participated in the drilling, Sidetracking, Reworking, Deepening,
Recompleting or Plugging Back of said well. Thereafter, such Non-Consenting
Party shall be charged with and shall pay its proportionate part of the further
costs of the operation of said well in accordance with the terms of this
agreement and Exhibit "C" attached hereto.
3. Stand-By Costs: When a well which has been drilled or Deepened has
reached its authorized depth and all tests have been completed and the results
thereof furnished to the parties, or when operations on the well have been
otherwise terminated pursuant to Article VI.F., stand-by costs incurred pending
response to a party's notice proposing a Reworking,
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A.A.P.L. FORM 610 - MODEL FORM OPERATING AGREEMENT - 1989
Sidetracking, Deepening, Recompleting, Plugging Back or Completing operation in
such a well (including the period required under Article VI.B.6. to resolve
competing proposals) shall be charged and borne as part of the drilling or
Deepening operation just completed. Stand-by costs subsequent to all parties
responding, or expiration of the response time permitted, whichever first
occurs, and prior to agreement as to the participating interests of all
Consenting Parties pursuant to the terms of the second grammatical paragraph of
Article VI.B.2. (a), shall be charged to and borne as part of the proposed
operation, but if the proposal is subsequently withdrawn because of insufficient
participation, such stand-by costs shall be allocated between the Consenting
Parties in the proportion each Consenting Party's interest as shown on Exhibit
"A" bears to the total interest as shown on Exhibit "A" of all Consenting
Parties.
In the event that notice for a Sidetracking operation is given while
the drilling rig to be utilized is on location, any party may request and
receive up to five (5) additional days after expiration of the forty-eight hour
response period specified in Article VI.B.1. within which to respond by paying
for all stand-by costs and other costs incurred during such extended response
period; Operator may require such party to pay the estimated stand-by time in
advance as a condition to extending the response period. If more than one party
elects to take such additional time to respond to the notice, standby costs
shall be allocated between the parties taking additional time to respond on a
day-to-day basis in the proportion each electing party's interest as shown on
Exhibit "A" bears to the total interest as shown on Exhibit "A" of all the
electing parties.
4. Deepening: If less than all parties elect to participate in a
drilling, Sidetracking, or Deepening operation proposed pursuant to Article
VI.B.1., the interest relinquished by the Non-Consenting Parties to the
Consenting Parties under Article VI.B.2. shall relate only and be limited to the
lesser of (i) the total depth actually drilled or (ii) the objective depth or
Zone of which the parties were given notice under Article VI.B.1. ("Initial
Objective"). Such well shall not be Deepened beyond the Initial Objective
without first complying with this Article to afford the Non-Consenting Parties
the opportunity to participate in the Deepening operation.
In the event any Consenting Party desires to drill or Deepen a
Non-Consent Well to a depth below the Initial Objective, such party shall give
notice thereof, complying with the requirements of Article VI.B.1., to all
parties (including Non-Consenting Parties). Thereupon, Articles VI.B.1. and 2.
shall apply and all parties receiving such notice shall have the right to
participate or not participate in the Deepening of such well pursuant to said
Articles VI.B.1. and 2. If a Deepening operation is approved pursuant to such
provisions, and if any Non-Consenting Party elects to participate in the
Deepening operation, such Non-Consenting party shall pay or make reimbursement
(as the case may be) of the following costs and expenses.
(a) If the proposal to Deepen is made prior to the Completion of such
well as a well capable of producing in paying quantities, such Non-Consenting
Party shall pay (or reimburse Consenting Parties for, as the case may be) that
share of costs and expenses incurred in connection with the drilling of said
well from the surface to the Initial Objective which Non-Consenting Party would
have paid had such Non-Consenting Party agreed to participate therein, plus the
Non-Consenting Party's share of the cost of Deepening and of participating in
any further operations on the well in accordance with the other provisions of
this Agreement; provided, however, all costs for testing and Completion or
attempted Completion of the well incurred by Consenting Parties prior to the
point of actual operations to Deepen beyond the Initial Objective shall be for
the sole account of Consenting Parties.
(b) If the proposal is made for a Non-Consent Well that has been
previously Completed as a well capable of producing in paying quantities, but is
no longer capable of producing in paying quantities, such Non-Consenting Party
shall pay (or reimburse Consenting Parties for, as the case may be) its
proportionate share of all costs of drilling, Completing, and equipping said
well from the surface to the Initial Objective, calculated in the manner
provided in paragraph (a) above, less those costs recouped by the Consenting
Parties from the sale of production from the well. The Non-Consenting Party
shall also pay its proportionate share of all costs of re-entering said well.
The Non-Consenting Parties' proportionate part (based on the percentage of such
well Non-Consenting Party would have owned had it previously participated in
such Non-Consent Well) of the costs of salvable materials and equipment
remaining in the hole and salvable surface equipment used in connection with
such well shall be determined in accordance with Exhibit "C." If the Consenting
Parties have recouped the cost of drilling, Completing, and equipping the well
at the time such Deepening operation is conducted, then a Non-Consenting Party
may participate in the Deepening of the well with no payment for costs incurred
prior to re-entering the well for Deepening
The foregoing shall not imply a right of any Consenting Party to
propose any Deepening for a Non-Consent Well prior to the drilling of such well
to its Initial Objective without the consent of the other Consenting Parties as
provided in Article VI.F.
5. Sidetracking: Any party having the right to participate in a
proposed Sidetracking operation that does not own an interest in the affected
wellbore at the time of the notice shall, upon electing to participate, tender
to the wellbore owners its proportionate share (equal to its interest in the
Sidetracking operation) of the value of that portion of the existing wellbore to
be utilized as follows:
(a) If the proposal is for Sidetracking an existing dry hole,
reimbursement shall be on the basis of the actual costs incurred in the initial
drilling of the well down to the depth at which the Sidetracking operation is
initiated.
(b) If the proposal is for Sidetracking a well which has previously
produced, reimbursement shall be on the basis of such party's proportionate
share of drilling and equipping costs incurred in the initial drilling of the
well down to the depth at which the Sidetracking operation is conducted,
calculated in the manner described in Article VI.B.4(b) above. Such party's
proportionate share of the cost of the well's salvable materials and equipment
down to the depth at which the Sidetracking operation is initiated shall be
determined in accordance with the provisions of Exhibit "C."
6. Order of Preference of Operations. Except as otherwise specifically
provided in this agreement, if any party desires to propose the conduct of an
operation that conflicts with a proposal that has been made by a party under
this Article VI, such party shall have fifteen (15) days from delivery of the
initial proposal, in the case of a proposal to drill a well or to perform an
operation on a well where no drilling rig is on location, or twenty-four (24)
hours, (exclusive of Saturday, Sunday and legal holidays), from delivery of the
initial proposal, if a drilling rig is on location for the well on which such
operation is to be conducted, to deliver to all parties entitled to participate
in the proposed operation such party's alternative proposal, such alternate
proposal to contain the same information required to be included in the initial
proposal. Each party receiving such proposals shall elect by delivery of notice
to Operator within five (5) days after expiration of the proposal period, or
within twenty-four (24) hours (exclusive of Saturday, Sunday and legal holidays)
if a drilling rig is on location for the well that is the subject of the
proposals, to participate in one of the competing proposals. Any party not
electing within the time required shall be deemed not to have voted. The
proposal receiving the vote of parties owning the largest aggregate percentage
interest of the parties voting shall have priority over all other competing
proposals; in the case of a tie vote, the
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initial proposal shall prevail. Operator shall deliver notice of such result to
all parties entitled to participate in the operation within five (5) days after
expiration of the election period (or within twenty-four (24) hours, exclusive
of Saturday, Sunday and legal holidays, if a drilling rig is on location). Each
party shall then have two (2) days (or twenty-four (24) hours if a rig is on
location) from receipt of such notice to elect by delivery of notice to Operator
to participate in such operation or to relinquish interest in the affected well
pursuant to the provisions of Article VI.B.2.; failure by a party to deliver
notice within such period shall be deemed an election not to participate in the
prevailing proposal.
7. Paying Wells. No party shall conduct any Reworking, Deepening,
Plugging Back, Completion, Recompletion, or Sidetracking operation under this
agreement with respect to any well then capable of producing in paying
quantities except with the consent of parties with majority interest in
percentage of that have not relinquished interests in the well at the time of
such operation.
C. COMPLETION OF WELLS; REWORKING AND PLUGGING BACK:
1. Completion: Without the consent of all parties, no well shall be
drilled, Deepened or Sidetracked, except any well drilled, Deepened or
Sidetracked pursuant to the provisions of Article VI.B.2. of this agreement.
Consent to the drilling, Deepening or Sidetracking shall include:
[X] Option No. 2: All necessary expenditures for the drilling, Deepening or
Sidetracking and testing of the well. When such well has reached its
authorized depth, and all logs, cores and other tests have been
completed, and the results thereof furnished to the parties, Operator
shall give immediate notice to the Non-Operators having the right to
participate in a Completion attempt whether or not Operator recommends
attempting to Complete the well, together with Operator's AFE for
Completion costs if not previously provided. The parties receiving such
notice shall have forty-eight (48) hours (exclusive of Saturday, Sunday
and legal holidays) in which to elect by delivery of notice to Operator
to participate in a recommended Completion attempt or to make a
Completion proposal with an accompanying AFE. Operator shall deliver
any such Completion proposal, or any Completion proposal conflicting
with Operator's proposal, to the other parties entitled to participate
in such Completion in accordance with the procedures specified in
Article VI.B.6. Election to participate in a Completion attempt shall
include consent to all necessary expenditures for the Completing and
equipping of such well, including necessary tankage and/or surface
facilities but excluding any stimulation operation not contained on the
Completion AFE. Failure of any party receiving such notice to reply
within the period above fixed shall constitute an election by that
party not to participate in the cost of the Completion attempt;
provided, that Article VI.B.6. shall control in the case of conflicting
Completion proposals. If one or more, but less than all of the parties,
elect to attempt a Completion, the provision of Article VI.B.2. hereof
(the phrase "Reworking, Sidetracking, Deepening, Recompleting or
Plugging Back" as contained in Article VI.B.2. shall be deemed to
include "Completing") shall apply to the operations thereafter
conducted by less than all parties; provided, however, that Article
VI.B.2. shall apply separately to each separate Completion or
Recompletion attempt undertaken hereunder, and an election to become a
Non-Consenting Party as to one Completion or Recompletion attempt shall
not prevent a party from becoming a Consenting Party in subsequent
Completion or Recompletion attempts regardless whether the Consenting
Parties as to earlier Completions or Recompletion have recouped their
costs pursuant to Article VI.B.2.; provided further, that any
recoupment of costs by a Consenting Party shall be made solely from the
production attributable to the Zone in which the Completion attempt is
made. Election by a previous Non-Consenting party to participate in a
subsequent Completion or Recompletion attempt shall require such party
to pay its proportionate share of the cost of salvable materials and
equipment installed in the well pursuant to the previous Completion or
Recompletion attempt, insofar and only insofar as such materials and
equipment benefit the Zone in which such party participates in a
Completion attempt.
2. Rework, Recomplete or Plug Back: No well shall be Reworked,
Recompleted or Plugged Back except a well Reworked, Recompleted, or Plugged Back
pursuant to the provisions of Article VI.B.2. of this agreement. Consent to the
Reworking, Recompleting or Plugging Back of a well shall include all necessary
expenditures in conducting such operations and Completing and equipping of said
well, including necessary tankage and/or surface facilities.
D. OTHER OPERATIONS:
Operator shall not undertake any single project reasonably estimated to
require an expenditure in excess of TWENTY-FIVE THOUSAND Dollars ($25,000.00 )
except in connection with the drilling, Sidetracking, Reworking, Deepening,
Completing, Recompleting or Plugging Back of a well that has been previously
authorized by or pursuant to this agreement; provided, however, that, in case of
explosion, fire, flood or other sudden emergency, whether of the same or
different nature, Operator may take such steps and incur such expenses as in its
opinion are required to deal with the emergency to safeguard life and property
but Operator, as promptly as possible, shall report the emergency to the other
parties. If Operator prepares an AFE for its own use, Operator shall furnish any
Non-Operator so requesting an information copy thereof for any single project
costing in excess of TWENTY-FIVE THOUSAND Dollars ($25,000.00). Any party who
has not relinquished its interest in a well shall have the right to propose that
Operator perform repair work or undertake the installation of artificial lift
equipment or ancillary production facilities such as salt water disposal wells
or to conduct additional work with respect to a well drilled hereunder or other
similar project (but not including the installation of gathering lines or other
transportation or marketing facilities, the installation of which shall be
governed by separate agreement between the parties) reasonably estimated to
require an expenditure in excess of the amount first set forth above in this
Article VI.D. (except in connection with an operation required to be proposed
under Articles VI.B.1. or VI.C.1. Option No. 2, which shall be governed
exclusively be those Articles). Operator shall deliver such proposal to all
parties entitled to participate therein. If within thirty (30) days thereof
Operator secures the written consent of any party or parties owning at least 51%
of the interests of the parties entitled to participate in such operation, each
party having the right to participate in such project shall be bound by the
terms of such proposal and shall be obligated to pay its proportionate share of
the costs of the proposed project as if it had consented to such project
pursuant to the terms of the proposal.
E. ABANDONMENT OF WELLS:
1. Abandonment of Dry Holes: Except for any well drilled or Deepened
pursuant to Article VI.B.2., any well which has been drilled or Deepened under
the terms of this agreement and is proposed to be completed as a dry hole shall
not be
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A.A.P.L. FORM 610 - MODEL FORM OPERATING AGREEMENT - 1989
plugged and abandoned without the consent of all parties. Should Operator, after
diligent effort, be unable to contact any party, or should any party fail to
reply within forty-eight (48) hours (exclusive of Saturday, Sunday and legal
holidays) after delivery of notice of the proposal to plug and abandon such
well, such party shall be deemed to have consented to the proposed abandonment.
All such wells shall be plugged and abandoned in accordance with applicable
regulations and at the cost, risk and expense of the parties who participated in
the cost of drilling or Deepening such well. Any party who objects to plugging
and abandoning such well by notice delivered to Operator within forty-eight (48)
hours (exclusive of Saturday, Sunday and legal holidays) after delivery of
notice of the proposed plugging shall take over the well as of the end of such
forty-eight (48) hour notice period and conduct further operations in search of
Oil and/or Gas subject to the provisions of Article VI.B.; failure of such party
to provide proof reasonably satisfactory to Operator of its financial capability
to conduct such operations or to take over the well within such period or
thereafter to conduct operations on such well or plug and abandon such well
shall entitle Operator to retain or take possession of the well and plug and
abandon the well. The party taking over the well shall indemnify Operator (if
Operator is an abandoning party) and the other abandoning parties against
liability for any further operations conducted on such well except for the costs
of plugging and abandoning the well and restoring the surface, for which the
abandoning parties shall remain proportionately liable.
2. Abandonment of Wells That Have Produced: Except for any well in
which a Non-Consent operation has been conducted hereunder for which the
Consenting Parties have not been fully reimbursed as herein provided, any well
which has been completed as capable of production, whether or not such well has
produced, shall not be plugged and abandoned without the consent of all parties.
If all parties consent to such abandonment, the well shall be plugged and
abandoned in accordance with applicable regulations and at the cost, risk and
expense of all the parties hereto. Failure of a party to reply within sixty (60)
days of delivery of notice of proposed abandonment shall be deemed an election
to consent to the proposal. If, within sixty (60) days after delivery of notice
of the proposed abandonment of any well, all parties do not agree to the
abandonment of such well, those wishing to continue its operation from the Zone
then open to production shall be obligated to take over the well as of the
expiration of the applicable notice period and shall indemnify Operator (if
Operator is an abandoning party) and the other abandoning parties against
liability for any further operations on the well conducted by such parties.
Failure of such party or parties to provide proof reasonably satisfactory to
Operator of their financial capability to conduct such operations or to take
over the well within the required period or thereafter to conduct operations on
such well shall entitle operator to retain or take possession of such well and
plug and abandon the well.
Parties taking over a well as provided herein shall tender to each of
the other parties its proportionate share of the value of the well's salvable
material and equipment, determined in accordance with the provisions of Exhibit
"C," less the estimated cost of salvaging and the estimated cost of plugging and
abandoning and restoring the surface; provided, however, that in the event the
estimated plugging and abandoning and surface restoration costs and the
estimated cost of salvaging are higher than the value of the well's salvable
material and equipment, each of the abandoning parties shall tender to the
parties continuing operations their proportionate shares of the estimated excess
cost. Each abandoning party shall assign to the non-abandoning parties, without
warranty, express or implied, as to title or as to quantity, or fitness for use
of the equipment and material, all of its interest in the wellbore of the well
and related equipment, together with its interest in the Leasehold insofar and
only insofar as such Leasehold covers the right to obtain production from that
wellbore in the Zone then open to production. If the interest of the abandoning
party is or includes and Oil and Gas Interest, such party shall execute and
deliver to the non-abandoning party or parties an oil and gas lease, limited to
the wellbore and the Zone then open to production, for a term of one (1) year
and so long thereafter as Oil and/or Gas is produced from the Zone covered
thereby, such lease to be on the form attached as Exhibit "B." The assignments
or leases so limited shall encompass the Drilling Unit upon which the well is
located. The payments by, and the assignments or leases to, the assignees shall
be in a ratio based upon the relationship of their respective percentage of
participation in the Contract Area to the aggregate of the percentages of
participation in the Contract Area of all assignees. There shall be no
readjustment of interests in the remaining portions of the Contract Area.
Thereafter, abandoning parties shall have no further responsibility,
liability, or interest in the operation of or production from the well in the
Zone then open other than the royalties retained in any lease made under the
terms of this Article. Upon request, Operator shall continue to operate the
assigned well for the account of the non-abandoning parties at the rates and
charges contemplated by this agreement, plus any additional cost and charges
which may arise as the result of the separate ownership of the assigned well.
Upon proposed abandonment of the producing Zone assigned or leased, the assignor
or lessor shall then have the option to repurchase its prior interest in the
well (using the same valuation formula) and participate in further operations
therein subject to the provisions hereof.
3. Abandonment of Non-Consent Operations: The provisions of Article
VI.E.1. or VI.E.2. above shall be applicable as between Consenting Parties in
the event of the proposed abandonment of any well excepted from said Articles;
provided, however, no well shall be permanently plugged and abandoned unless and
until all parties having the right to conduct further operations therein have
been notified of the proposed abandonment and afforded the opportunity to elect
to take over the well in accordance with the provisions of this Article VI.E.;
and provided further, that Non-Consenting Parties who own an interest in a
portion of the well shall pay their proportionate shares of abandonment and
surface restoration cost for such well as provided in Article VI.B.2.(b).
F. TERMINATION OF OPERATIONS:
Upon the commencement of an operation for the drilling, Reworking,
Sidetracking, Plugging Back, Deepening, testing, Completion or plugging of a
well, including but not limited to the Initial Well, such operation shall not be
terminated without consent of parties bearing 75% of the costs of such
operation; provided, however, that in the event granite or other practically
impenetrable substance or condition in the hole is encountered which renders
further operations impractical, Operator may discontinue operations and give
notice of such condition in the manner provided in Article VI.B.1, and the
provisions of Article VI.B. or VI.E. shall thereafter apply to such operation,
as appropriate.
G. TAKING PRODUCTION IN KIND:
[X] OPTION NO. 1: GAS BALANCING AGREEMENT ATTACHED
Each party shall have the right to take in kind or separately
dispose of its proportionate share of all Oil and Gas produced from the
Contract Area, exclusive of production which may be used in development
and producing operations and in preparing and treating Oil and Gas for
marketing purposes and production unavoidably lost. Any extra
expenditure incurred in the taking in kind or separate disposition by
any party of its proportionate share of the production shall be borne
by such party. Any party taking its share of production in kind shall
be required to pay for only its proportionate share of such part of
Operator's surface facilities which it uses.
Each party shall execute such division orders and contracts as may
be necessary for the sale of its interest in
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A.A.P.L. FORM 610 - MODEL FORM OPERATING AGREEMENT - 1989
production from the Contract Area, and, except as provided in Article
VII.B., shall be entitled to receive payment directly from the
purchaser thereof for its share of all production.
If any party fails to make the arrangements necessary to take in
kind or separately dispose of its proportionate share of the Oil
produced from the Contract Area, Operator shall have the right, subject
to the revocation at will by the party owning it, but not the
obligation, to purchase such Oil and/or Gas or sell it to others at any
time and from time to time, for the account of the non-taking party.
Any such purchase or sale by Operator may be terminated by Operator
upon at least ten (10) days written notice to the owner of said
production and shall be subject always to the right of the owner of the
production upon at least ten (10) days written notice to Operator to
exercise at any time its right to take in kind, or separately dispose
of, its share of all Oil and/or Gas not previously delivered to a
purchaser. Any purchase or sale by Operator of any other party's share
of Oil and/or Gas shall be only for such reasonable periods of time as
are consistent with the minimum needs of the industry under the
particular circumstances, but in no event for a period in excess of one
(1) year.
Any such sale by Operator shall be in a manner commercially
reasonable under the circumstances but Operator shall have no duty to
share any existing market or to obtain a price equal to that received
under any existing market. The sale or delivery by Operator of a
non-taking party's share of Oil under the terms of any existing
contract of Operator shall not give the non-taking party any interest
in or make the non-taking party a party to said contract. No purchase
shall be made by Operator without first giving the non-taking party at
least ten (10) days written notice of such intended purchase and the
price to be paid or the pricing basis to be used.
All parties shall give timely written notice to Operator of their
Gas marketing arrangements for the following month, excluding price,
and shall notify Operator immediately in the event of a change in such
arrangements. Operator shall maintain records of all marketing
arrangements, and of volumes actually sold or transported, which
records shall be made available to Non-Operators upon reasonable
request.
In the event one or more parties' separate disposition of its share
of the Gas causes split-stream deliveries to separate pipelines and/or
deliveries which on a day-to-day basis for any reason are not exactly
equal to a party's respective proportion- ate share of total Gas sales
to be allocated to it, the balancing or accounting between the parties
shall be in accordance with any Gas balancing agreement between the
parties hereto, whether such an agreement is attached as Exhibit "E" or
is a separate agreement. Operator shall give notice to all parties of
the first sales of Gas from any well under this agreement.
ARTICLE VII.
EXPENDITURES AND LIABILITY OF PARTIES
A. LIABILITY OF PARTIES:
The liability of the parties shall be several, not joint or collective.
Each party shall be responsible only for its obligations, and shall be liable
only for its proportionate share of the costs of developing and operating the
Contract Area. Accordingly, the liens granted among the parties in Article
VII.B. are given to secure only the debts of each severally, and no party shall
have any liability to third parties hereunder to satisfy the default of any
other party in the payment of any expense or obligation hereunder. It is not the
intention of the parties to create, nor shall this agreement be construed as
creating, a mining or other partnership, joint venture, agency relationship or
association, or to render the parties liable as partners, co-venturers, or
principals. In their relations with each other under this agreement, the parties
shall not be considered fiduciaries or to have established a confidential
relationship but rather shall be free to act on an arm's-length basis in
accordance with their own respective self-interest, subject, however, to the
obligation of the parties to act in good faith in their dealings with each other
with respect to activities hereunder.
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A.A.P.L. FORM 610 - MODEL FORM OPERATING AGREEMENT - 1989
B. LIENS AND SECURITY INTERESTS:
Each party grants to the other parties hereto a lien upon any interest
it now owns or hereafter acquires in Oil and Gas Leases and Oil and Gas
Interests in the Contract Area, and a security interest and/or purchase money
security interest in any interest it now owns or hereafter acquires in the
personal property and fixtures on or used or obtained for use in connection
therewith, to secure performance of all of its obligations under this agreement
including but not limited to payment of expense, interest and fees, the proper
disbursement of all monies paid hereunder, the assignment or relinquishment of
interest in Oil and Gas Leases as required hereunder, and the proper performance
of operations hereunder. Such lien and security interest granted by each party
hereto shall include such party's leasehold interests, working interests,
operating rights, and royalty and overriding royalty interests in the Contract
Area now owned or hereafter acquired and in lands pooled or unitized therewith
or otherwise becoming subject to this agreement, the Oil and Gas when extracted
therefrom and equipment situated thereon or used or obtained for use in
connection therewith (including, without limitation, all wells, tools, and
tubular goods), and accounts (including, without limitation, accounts arising
from gas imbalances or from the sale of Oil and/or Gas at the wellhead),
contract rights, inventory and general intangibles relating thereto or arising
therefrom, and all proceeds and products of the foregoing.
To perfect the lien and security agreement provided herein, each party
hereto shall execute and acknowledge the recording supplement and/or any
financing statement prepared and submitted by any party hereto in conjunction
herewith or at any time following execution hereof, and Operator is authorized
to file this agreement or the recording supplement executed herewith as a lien
or mortgage in the applicable real estate records and as a financing statement
with the proper officer under the Uniform Commercial Code in the state in which
the Contract Area is situated and such other states as Operator shall deem
appropriate to perfect the security interest granted hereunder. Any party may
file this agreement, the recording supplement executed herewith, or such other
documents as it deems necessary as a lien or mortgage in the applicable real
estate records and/or a financing statement with the proper officer under the
Uniform Commercial Code.
Each party represents and warrants to the other parties hereto that the
lien and security interest granted by such party to the other parties shall be a
first and prior lien, and each party hereby agrees to maintain the priority of
said lien and security interest against all persons acquiring an interest in Oil
and Gas Leases and Interests covered by this agreement by, through or under such
party. All parties acquiring an interest in Oil and Gas Leases and Oil and Gas
Interests covered by this agreement, whether by assignment, merger, mortgage,
operation of law, or otherwise, shall be deemed to have taken subject to the
lien and security interest granted by this Article VII.B. as to all obligations
attributable to such interest hereunder whether or not such obligations arise
before or after such interest is acquired.
To the extent that parties have a security interest under the Uniform
Commercial Code of the state in which the Contract Area is situated, they shall
be entitled to exercise the rights and remedies of a secured party under the
Code. The bringing of a suit and the obtaining of judgment by a party for the
secured indebtedness shall not be deemed an election of remedies or otherwise
affect the lien rights or security interest as security for the payment thereof.
In addition, upon default by any party in the payment of its share of expenses,
interests or fees, or upon the improper use of funds by the Operator, the other
parties shall have the right, without prejudice to other rights or remedies, to
collect from the purchaser the proceeds from the sale of such defaulting party's
share of Oil and Gas until the amount owed by such party, plus interest as
provided in "Exhibit C," has been received, and shall have the right to offset
the amount owed against the proceeds from the sale of such defaulting party's
share of Oil and Gas. All purchasers of production may rely on a notification of
default from the non-defaulting party or parties stating the amount due as a
result of the default, and all parties waive any recourse available against
purchasers for releasing production proceeds as provided in this paragraph.
If any party fails to pay its share of cost within one hundred twenty
(120) days after rendition of a statement therefor by Operator, the
non-defaulting parties, including Operator, shall upon request by Operator, pay
the unpaid amount in the proportion that the interest of each such party bears
to the interest of all such parties. The amount paid by each party so paying its
share of the unpaid amount shall be secured by the liens and security rights
described in Article VII.B., and each paying party may independently pursue any
remedy available hereunder or otherwise.
If any party does not perform all of its obligations hereunder, and the
failure to perform subjects such party to foreclosure or execution proceedings
pursuant to the provisions of this agreement, to the extent allowed by governing
law, the defaulting party waives any available right of redemption from and
after the date of judgment, any required valuation or appraisement of the
mortgaged or secured property prior to sale, any available right to stay
execution or to require a marshaling of assets and any required bond in the
event a receiver is appointed. In addition, to the extent permitted by
applicable law, each party hereby grants to the other parties a power of sale as
to any property that is subject to the lien and security rights granted
hereunder, such power to be exercised in the manner provided by applicable law
or otherwise in a commercially reasonable manner and upon reasonable notice.
Each party agrees that the other parties shall be entitled to utilize
the provisions of Oil and Gas lien law or other lien law of any state in which
the Contract Area is situated to enforce the obligations of each party
hereunder. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, to the extent
permitted by applicable law, Non-Operators agree that Operator may invoke or
utilize the mechanics' or materialmen's lien law of the state in which the
Contract Area is situated in order to secure the payment to Operator of any sum
due hereunder for services performed or materials supplied by Operator.
C. ADVANCES:
Operator, at its election, shall have the right from time to time to
demand and receive from one or more of the other parties payment in advance of
their respective shares of the estimated amount of the expense to be incurred in
operations hereunder during the next succeeding month, which right may be
exercised only by submission to each such party of an itemized statement of such
estimated expense, together with an invoice for its share thereof. Each such
statement and invoice for the payment in advance of estimated expense shall be
submitted on or before the 20th day of the next preceding month. Each party
shall pay to Operator its proportionate share of such estimate within fifteen
(15) days after such estimate and invoice is received. If any party fails to pay
its share of said estimate within said time, the amount due shall bear interest
as provided in Exhibit "C" until paid. Proper adjustment shall be made monthly
between advances and actual expense to the end that each party shall bear and
pay its proportionate share of actual expenses incurred, and no more.
D. DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES:
If any party fails to discharge any financial obligation under this
agreement, including without limitation the failure to make any advance under
the preceding Article VII.C. or any other provision of this agreement, within
the period required for such payment hereunder, then in addition to the remedies
provided in Article VII.B. or elsewhere in this agreement, the remedies
specified below shall be applicable. For purposes of this Article VII.D., all
notices and elections shall be delivered
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A.A.P.L. FORM 610 - MODEL FORM OPERATING AGREEMENT - 1989
only by Operator, except that Operator shall deliver any such notice and
election requested by a non-defaulting Non-Operator, and when Operator is the
party in default, the applicable notices and elections can be delivered by any
Non-Operator. Election of any one or more of the following remedies shall not
preclude the subsequent use of any other remedy specified below or otherwise
available to a non-defaulting party.
1. Suspension of Rights: Any party may deliver to the party in default
a Notice of Default, which shall specify the default, specify the action to be
taken to cure the default, and specify that failure to take such action will
result in the exercise of one or more of the remedies provided in this Article.
If the default is not cured within thirty (30) days of the delivery of such
Notice of Default, all of the rights of the defaulting party granted by this
agreement may upon notice be suspended until the default is cured, without
prejudice to the right of the non-defaulting party or parties to continue to
enforce the obligations of the defaulting party previously accrued or thereafter
accruing under this agreement. If Operator is the party in default, the
Non-Operators shall have in addition the right, by vote of Non-Operators owning
a majority in interest in the Contract Area after excluding the voting interest
of Operator, to appoint a new Operator effective immediately. The rights of a
defaulting party that may be suspended hereunder at the election of the
non-defaulting parties shall include, without limitation, the right to receive
information as to any operation conducted hereunder during the period of such
default, the right to elect to participate in an operation proposed under
Article VI.B. of this agreement, the right to participate in an operation being
conducted under this agreement even if the party has previously elected to
participate in such operation, and the right to receive proceeds of production
from any well subject to this agreement.
2. Suit for Damages: Non-defaulting parties or Operator for the benefit
of non-defaulting parties may sue (at joint account expense) to collect the
amounts in default, plus interest accruing on the amounts recovered from the
date of default until the date of collection at the rate specified in Exhibit
"C" attached hereto. Nothing herein shall prevent any party from suing any
defaulting party to collect consequential damages accruing to such party as a
result of the default.
3. Deemed Non-Consent: The non-defaulting party may deliver a written
Notice of Non-Consent Election to the defaulting party at any time after the
expiration of the thirty-day cure period following delivery of the Notice of
Default, in which event if the billing is for the drilling a new well or the
Plugging Back, Sidetracking, Reworking or Deepening of a well which is to be or
has been plugged as a dry hole, or for the Completion or Recompletion of any
well, the defaulting party will be conclusively deemed to have elected not to
participate in the operation and to be a Non-Consenting Party with respect
thereto under Article VI.B. or VI.C., as the case may be, to the extent of the
costs unpaid by such party, notwithstanding any election to participate
theretofore made.
Until the delivery of such Notice of Non-Consent Election to the
defaulting party, such party shall have the right to cure its default by paying
its unpaid share of costs plus interest at the rate set forth in Exhibit "C,"
provided, however, such payment shall not prejudice the rights of the
non-defaulting parties to pursue remedies for damages incurred by the
non-defaulting parties as a result of the default. Any interest relinquished
pursuant to this Article VII.D.3. shall be offered to the non-defaulting parties
in proportion to their interests, and the non-defaulting parties electing to
participate in the ownership of such interest shall be required to contribute
their shares of the defaulted amount upon their election to participate therein.
4. Advance Payment: If a default is not cured within thirty (30) days
of the delivery of a Notice of Default, Operator, or Non-Operators if Operator
is the defaulting party, may thereafter require advance payment from the
defaulting party of such defaulting party's anticipated share of any item of
expense for which Operator, or Non-Operators, as the case may be, would be
entitled to reimbursement under any provision of this agreement, whether or not
such expense was the subject of the previous default. Such right includes, but
is not limited to, the right to require advance payment for the estimated costs
of drilling a well or Completion of a well as to which an election to
participate in drilling or Completion has been made. If the defaulting party
fails to pay the required advance payment, the non-defaulting parties may pursue
any of the remedies provided in the Article VII.D. or any other default remedy
provided elsewhere in this agreement. Any excess of funds advanced remaining
when the operation is completed and all costs have been paid shall be promptly
returned to the advancing party.
5. Costs and Attorneys' Fees: In the event any party is required to
bring legal proceedings to enforce any financial obligation of a party
hereunder, the prevailing party in such action shall be entitled to recover all
court costs, costs of collection, and a reasonable attorney's fee, which the
lien provided for herein shall also secure.
E. RENTALS, SHUT-IN WELL PAYMENTS AND MINIMUM ROYALTIES:
Rentals, shut-in well payments and minimum royalties which may be
required under the terms of any lease shall be paid by the party or parties who
subjected such lease to this agreement at its or their expense. In the event two
or more parties own and have contributed interests in the same lease to this
agreement, such parties may designate one of such parties to make said payments
for and on behalf of all such parties. Any party may request, and shall be
entitled to receive, proper evidence of all such payments. In the event of
failure to make proper payment of any rental, shut-in well payment or minimum
royalty through mistake or oversight where such payment is required to continue
the lease in force, any loss which results from such non-payment shall be borne
in accordance with the provisions of Article IV.B.2.
Operator shall notify Non-Operators of the anticipated completion of a
shut-in well, or the shutting in or return to production of a producing well, at
least five (5) days (excluding Saturday, Sunday, and legal holidays) prior to
taking such action, or at the earliest opportunity permitted by circumstances,
but assumes no liability for failure to do so. In the event of failure by
Operator to so notify Non-Operators, the loss of any lease contributed hereto by
Non-Operators for failure to make timely payments of any shut-in well payment
shall be borne jointly by the parties hereto under the provisions of Article
IV.B.3.
F. TAXES:
Beginning with the first calendar year after the effective date hereof,
Operator shall render for ad valorem taxation all property subject to this
agreement which by law should be rendered for such taxes, and it shall pay all
such taxes assessed thereon before they become delinquent. Prior to the
rendition date, each Non-Operator shall furnish Operator information as to
burdens (to include, but not be limited to, royalties, overriding royalties and
production payments) on Leases and Oil and Gas Interests contributed by such
Non-Operator. If the assessed valuation of any Lease is reduced by reason of its
being subject to outstanding excess royalties, overriding royalties or
production payments, the reduction in ad valorem taxes resulting therefrom shall
inure to the benefit of the owner or owners of such Lease, and Operator shall
adjust the charge to such owner or owners so as to reflect the benefit of such
reduction. If the ad valorem taxes are based in whole or in part upon separate
valuations of each party's working interest, then notwithstanding anything to
the contrary herein, charges to the joint account shall be made and paid by the
parties hereto in accordance with the tax value generated by each party's
working interest. Operator shall bill the other parties for their proportionate
shares of all tax payments in the manner provided in Exhibit "C."
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A.A.P.L. FORM 610 - MODEL FORM OPERATING AGREEMENT - 1989
If Operator considers any tax assessment improper, Operator may, at its
discretion, protest within the time and manner prescribed by law, and prosecute
the protest to a final determination, unless all parties agree to abandon the
protest prior to final determination. During the pendency of administrative or
judicial proceedings, Operator may elect to pay, under protest, all such taxes
and any interest and penalty. When any such protested assessment shall have been
finally determined, Operator shall pay the tax for the joint account, together
with any interest and penalty accrued, and the total cost shall then be assessed
against the parties, and be paid by them, as provided in Exhibit "C."
Each party shall pay or cause to be paid all production, severance,
excise, gathering and other taxes imposed upon or with respect to the production
or handling of such party's share of Oil and Gas produced under the terms of
this agreement.
ARTICLE VIII.
ACQUISITION, MAINTENANCE OR TRANSFER OF INTEREST
A. SURRENDER OF LEASES:
The Leases covered by this agreement, insofar as they embrace acreage
in the Contract Area, shall not be surrendered in whole or in part unless all
parties consent thereto.
However, should any party desire to surrender its interest in any Lease
or in any portion thereof, such party shall give written notice of the proposed
surrender to all parties, and the parties to whom such notice is delivered shall
have thirty (30) days after delivery of the notice within which to notify the
party proposing the surrender whether they elect to consent thereto. Failure of
a party to whom such notice is delivered to reply within said 30-day period
shall constitute a consent to the surrender of the Leases described in the
notice. If all parties do not agree or consent thereto, the party desiring to
surrender shall assign, without express or implied warranty of title, all of its
interest in such Lease, or portion thereof, and any well, material and equipment
which may be located thereon and any rights in production thereafter secured, to
the parties not consenting to such surrender. If the interest of the assigning
party is or includes an Oil and Gas Interest, the assigning party shall execute
and deliver to the party or parties not consenting to such surrender an oil and
gas lease covering such Oil and Gas Interest for a term of one (1) year and so
long thereafter as Oil and/or Gas is produced from the land covered thereby.
Upon such assignment or lease, the assigning party shall be relieved from all
obligations thereafter accruing, but not theretofore accrued, with respect to
the interest assigned or leased and the operation of any well attributable
thereto, and the assigning party shall have no further interest in the assigned
or leased premises and its equipment and production other than the royalties
retained in any lease made under the terms of this Article. The party assignee
or lessee shall pay to the party assignor or lessor the reasonable salvage value
of the latter's interest in any well's salvable materials and equipment
attributable to the assigned or leased acreage. The value of all salvable
materials and equipment shall be determined in accordance with the provisions of
Exhibit "C," less the estimated cost of salvaging and the estimated cost of
plugging and abandoning and restoring the surface. If such value is less than
such costs, then the party assignor or lessor shall pay to the party assignee or
lessee the amount of such deficit. If the assignment or lease is in favor of
more than one party, the interest shall be shared by such parties in the
proportions that the interest of each bears to the total interest of all such
parties. If the interest of the parties to whom the assignment is to be made
varies according to depth, then the interest assigned shall similarly reflect
such variances.
Any assignment, lease or surrender made under this provision shall not
reduce or change the assignor's, lessor's or surrendering party's interest as it
was immediately before the assignment, lease or surrender in the balance of the
Contract Area; and the acreage assigned, leased or surrendered, and subsequent
operations thereon, shall not thereafter be subject to the terms and provisions
of this agreement but shall be deemed subject to an Operating Agreement in the
form of this agreement.
B. RENEWAL OR EXTENSION OF LEASES:
If any party secures a renewal or replacement of an Oil and Gas Lease
or Interest subject to this agreement, then all other parties shall be notified
promptly upon such acquisition or, in the case of a replacement Lease taken
before expiration of an existing Lease, promptly upon expiration of the existing
Lease. The parties notified shall have the right for a period of thirty (30)
days following delivery of such notice in which to elect to participate in the
ownership of the renewal or replacement Lease, insofar as such Lease affects
lands within the Contract Area, by paying to the party who acquired it their
proportionate shares of the acquisition cost allocated to that part of such
Lease within the Contract Area, which shall be in proportion to the interest
held at that time by the parties in the Contract Area. Each party who
participates in the purchase of a renewal or replacement Lease shall be given an
assignment of its proportionate interest therein by the acquiring party.
If some, but less than all, of the parties elect to participate in the
purchase of a renewal or replacement Lease, it shall be owned by the parties who
elect to participate therein, in a ratio based upon the relationship of their
respective percentage of participation in the Contract Area to the aggregate of
the percentages of participation in the Contract Area of all parties
participating in the purchase of such renewal or replacement Lease. The
acquisition of a renewal or replacement Lease by any or all of the parties
hereto shall not cause a readjustment of the interests of the parties stated in
Exhibit "A," but any renewal or replacement Lease in which less than all parties
elect to participate shall not be subject to this agreement but shall be deemed
subject to a separate Operating Agreement in the form of this agreement.
If the interests of the parties in the Contract Area vary according to
depth, then their right to participate proportionately in renewal or replacement
Leases and their right to receive an assignment of interest shall also reflect
such depth variances.
The provisions of this Article shall apply to renewal or replacement
Leases whether they are for the entire interest covered by the expiring Lease or
cover only a portion of its area or an interest therein. Any renewal or
replacement Lease taken before the expiration of its predecessor Lease, or taken
or contracted for or becoming effective within six (6) months after the
expiration of the existing Lease, shall be subject to this provision so long as
this agreement is in effect at the time of such acquisition or at the time the
renewal or replacement Lease becomes effective; but any Lease taken or
contracted for more than six (6) months after the expiration of an existing
Lease shall not be deemed a renewal or replacement Lease and shall not be
subject to the provisions of this agreement.
The provisions in this Article shall also be applicable to extensions
of Oil and Gas Leases.
C. ACREAGE OR CASH CONTRIBUTIONS:
While this agreement is in force, if any party contracts for a
contribution of cash towards the drilling of a well or any other operation on
the Contract Area, such contribution shall be paid to the party who conducted
the drilling or other operation and shall be applied by it against the cost of
such drilling or other operation. If the contribution be in the form of acreage,
the party to whom the contribution is made shall promptly tender an assignment
of the acreage, without warranty of title, to the Drilling Parties in the
proportions said Drilling Parties shared the cost of drilling the well. Such
acreage shall become a separate Contract Area and, to the extent possible, be
governed by provisions identical to this agreement. Each party shall promptly
notify all other parties of any acreage or cash contributions it may obtain in
support of any well or any other operation on the Contract Area. The above
provisions shall also be applicable to optional rights to earn acreage outside
the Contract Area which are in support of well drilled inside Contract Area.
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A.A.P.L. FORM 610 - MODEL FORM OPERATING AGREEMENT - 1989
If any party contracts for any consideration relating to disposition of
such party's share of substances produced hereunder, such consideration shall
not be deemed a contribution as contemplated in this Article VIII.C.
D. ASSIGNMENT; MAINTENANCE OF UNIFORM INTEREST:
For the purpose of maintaining uniformity of ownership in the Contract
Area in the Oil and Gas Leases, Oil and Gas Interests, wells, equipment and
production covered by this agreement no party shall sell, encumber, transfer or
make other disposition of its interest in the Oil and Gas Leases and Oil and Gas
Interests embraced within the Contract Area or in wells, equipment and
production unless such disposition covers either:
1. the entire interest of the party in all Oil and Gas Leases, Oil and
Gas Interests, wells, equipment and production; or
2. an equal undivided percent of the party's present interest in all
Oil and Gas Leases, Oil and Gas Interests, wells, equipment and production in
the Contract Area.
Every sale, encumbrance, transfer or other disposition made by any
party shall be made expressly subject to this agreement and shall be made
without prejudice to the right of the other parties, and any transferee of an
ownership interest in any Oil and Gas Lease or Interest shall be deemed a party
to this agreement as to the interest conveyed from and after the effective date
of the transfer of ownership; provided, however, that the other parties shall
not be required to recognize any such sale, encumbrance, transfer or other
disposition for any purpose hereunder until thirty (30) days after they have
received a copy of the instrument of transfer or other satisfactory evidence
thereof in writing from the transferor or transferee. No assignment or other
disposition of interest by a party shall relieve such party of obligations
previously incurred by such party hereunder with respect to the interest
transferred, including without limitation the obligation of a party to pay all
costs attributable to an operation conducted hereunder in which such party has
agreed to participate prior to making such assignment, and the lien and security
interest granted by Article VII.B. shall continue to burden the interest
transferred to secure payment of any such obligations.
If, at any time the interest of any party is divided among and owned by
four or more co-owners, Operator, at its discretion, may require such co-owners
to appoint a single trustee or agent with full authority to receive notices,
approve expenditures, receive billings for and approve and pay such party's
share of the joint expenses, and to deal generally with, and with power to bind,
the co-owners of such party's interest within the scope of the operations
embraced in this agreement; however, all such co-owners shall have the right to
enter into and execute all contracts or agreements for the disposition of their
respective shares of the Oil and Gas produced from the Contract Area and they
shall have the right to receive, separately, payment of the sale proceeds
thereof.
E. WAIVER OF RIGHTS TO PARTITION:
If permitted by the laws of the state or states in which the property
covered hereby is located, each party hereto owning an undivided interest in the
Contract Area waives any and all rights it may have to partition and have set
aside to it in severalty its undivided interest therein.
F. PREFERENTIAL RIGHT TO PURCHASE:
[ ] (Optional; Check if applicable.)
Should any party desire to sell all or any part of its interests under
this agreement, or its rights and interests in the Contract Area, it shall
promptly give written notice to the other parties, with full information
concerning its proposed disposition, which shall include the name and address of
the prospective transferee (who must be ready, willing and able to purchase),
the purchase price, a legal description sufficient to identify the property, and
all other terms of the offer. The other parties shall then have an optional
prior right, for a period of ten (10) days after the notice is delivered, to
purchase for the stated consideration on the same terms and conditions the
interest which the other party proposes to sell; and, if this optional right is
exercised, the purchasing parties shall share the purchased interest in the
proportions that the interest of each bears to the total interest of all
purchasing parties. However, there shall be no preferential right to purchase in
those cases where any party wishes to mortgage its interests, or to transfer
title to its interests to its mortgagee in lieu of or pursuant to foreclosure of
a mortgage of its interests, or to dispose of its interests by merger,
reorganization, consolidation, or by sale of all or substantially all of its Oil
and Gas assets to any party, or by transfer of its interests to a subsidiary or
parent company or to a subsidiary of a parent company, or to any company in
which such party owns a majority of the stock.
ARTICLE IX.
INTERNAL REVENUE CODE ELECTION
If, for federal income tax purposes, this agreement and the operations
hereunder are regarded as a partnership, and if the parties have not otherwise
agreed to form a tax partnership pursuant to Exhibit "G" or other agreement
between them, each party thereby affected elects to be excluded from the
application of all of the provisions of Subchapter "K," Chapter 1, Subtitle "A,"
of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended ("Code"), as permitted and
authorized by Section 761 of the Code and the regulations promulgated
thereunder. Operator is authorized and directed to execute on behalf of each
party hereby affected such evidence of this election as may be required by the
Secretary of the Treasury of the United States or the Federal Internal Revenue
Service, including specifically, but not by way of limitation, all of the
returns, statements, and the data required by Treasury Regulation ss.1.761.
Should there be any requirement that each party hereby affected give further
evidence of this election, each such party shall execute such documents and
furnish such other evidence as may be required by the Federal Internal Revenue
Service or as may be necessary to evidence this election. No such party shall
give any notices or take any other action inconsistent with the election made
hereby. If any present or future income tax laws of the state or states in which
the Contract Area is located or any future income tax laws of the United States
contain provisions similar to those in Subchapter "K," Chapter 1, Subtitle "A,"
of the Code, under which an election similar to that provided by Section 761 of
the Code is permitted, each party hereby affected shall make such election as
may be permitted or required by such laws. In making the foregoing election,
each such party states that the income derived by such party from operations
hereunder can be adequately determined without the computation of partnership
taxable income.
ARTICLE X.
CLAIMS AND LAWSUITS
Operator may settle any single uninsured third party damage claim or
suit arising from operations hereunder if the expenditure does not exceed
TWENTY-FIVE THOUSAND Dollars ($25,000.00) and if the payment is in complete
settlement of such claim or suit. If the amount required for settlement exceeds
the above amount, the parties hereto shall assume and take over the further
handling of the claim or suit, unless such authority is delegated to Operator.
All costs and expenses of handling settling, or otherwise discharging such claim
or suit shall be at the joint expense of the parties participating in the
operation from which the claim or suit arises. If a claim is made against any
party or if any party is sued on account of any matter arising from operations
hereunder over which such individual has no control because of the rights given
Operator by this agreement, such party shall immediately notify all other
parties, and the claim or suit shall be treated as any other claim or suit
involving operations hereunder.
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A.A.P.L. FORM 610 - MODEL FORM OPERATING AGREEMENT - 1989
ARTICLE XI.
FORCE MAJEURE
If any party is rendered unable, wholly or in part, by force majeure to
carry out its obligations under this agreement, other than the obligation to
indemnify or make money payments or furnish security, that party shall give to
all other parties prompt written notice of the force majeure with reasonably
full particulars concerning it; thereupon, the obligations of the party giving
the notice, so far as they are affected by the force majeure, shall be suspended
during, but no longer than, the continuance of the force majeure. The term
"force majeure," as here employed, shall mean an act of God, strike, lockout, or
other industrial disturbance, act of the public enemy, war, blockade, public
riot, lightening, fire, storm, flood or other act of nature, explosion,
governmental action, governmental delay, restraint or inaction, unavailability
of equipment, and any other cause, whether of the kind specifically enumerated
above or otherwise, which is not reasonably within the control of the party
claiming suspension.
The affected party shall use all reasonable diligence to remove the
force majeure situation as quickly as practicable. The requirement that any
force majeure shall be remedied with all reasonable dispatch shall not require
the settlement of strikes, lockouts, or other labor difficulty by the party
involved, contrary to its wishes; how all such difficulties shall be handled
shall be entirely within the discretion of the party concerned.
ARTICLE XII.
NOTICES
All notices authorized or required between the parties by any of the
provisions of this agreement, unless otherwise specifically provided, shall be
in writing and delivered in person or by United States mail, courier service,
telegram, telex, telecopier or any other form of facsimile, postage or charges
prepaid, and addressed to such parties at the addresses listed on Exhibit "A."
All telephone or oral notices permitted by this agreement shall be confirmed
immediately thereafter by written notice. The originating notice given under any
provision hereof shall be deemed delivered only when received by the party to
whom such notice is directed, and the time for such party to deliver any notice
in response thereto shall run from the date the originating notice is received.
"Receipt" for purposes of this agreement with respect to written notice
delivered hereunder shall be actual delivery of the notice to the address of the
party to be notified specified in accordance with this agreement, or to the
telecopy, facsimile or telex machine of such party. The second or any responsive
notice shall be deemed delivered when deposited in the United States mail or at
the office of the courier or telegraph service, or upon transmittal by telex,
telecopy or facsimile, or when personally delivered to the party to be notified,
provided, that when response is required within 24 or 48 hours, such response
shall be given orally or by telephone, telex, telecopy or other facsimile within
such period. Each party shall have the right to change its address at any time,
and from time to time, by giving written notice thereof to all other parties. If
a party is not available to receive notice orally or by telephone when a party
attempts to deliver a notice required to be delivered within 24 or 48 hours, the
notice may be delivered in writing by any other method specified herein and
shall be deemed delivered in the same manner provided above for any responsive
notice.
ARTICLE XIII.
TERM OF AGREEMENT
This agreement shall remain in full force and effect as to the Oil and
Gas Leases and/or Oil and Gas Interests subject hereto for the period of time
selected below; provided, however, no party hereto shall ever be construed as
having any right, title or interest in or to any Lease or Oil and Gas Interest
contributed by any other party beyond the term of this agreement.
[X] Option No. 1: So long as any of the Oil and Gas Leases subject to this
agreement remain or are continued in force as to any part of the
Contract Area, whether by production, extension, renewal or otherwise.
The termination of this agreement shall not relieve any party hereto
from any expense, liability or other obligation or any remedy therefor which has
accrued or attached prior to the date of such termination.
Upon termination of this agreement and the satisfaction of all
obligations hereunder, in the event a memorandum of this Operating Agreement has
been filed of record, Operator is authorized to file of record in all necessary
recording offices a notice of termination, and each party hereto agrees to
execute such a notice of termination as to Operator's interest, upon request of
Operator, if Operator has satisfied all its financial obligations.
ARTICLE XIV.
COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS AND REGULATIONS
A. LAWS, REGULATIONS AND ORDERS:
This agreement shall be subject to the applicable laws of the state in
which the Contract Area is located, to the valid rules, regulations, and orders
of any duly constituted regulatory body of said state; and to all other
applicable federal, state, and local laws, ordinances, rules, regulations and
orders.
B. GOVERNING LAW:
THIS AGREEMENT AND ALL MATTERS PERTAINING HERETO, INCLUDING BUT NOT
LIMITED TO MATTERS OF PERFORMANCE, NON-PERFORMANCE, BREACH, REMEDIES,
PROCEDURES, RIGHTS, DUTIES, AND INTERPRETATION OR CONSTRUCTION, SHALL BE
GOVERNED AND DETERMINED BY THE LAW OF THE STATE IN WHICH THE CONTRACT AREA IS
LOCATED. IF THE CONTRACT AREA IS IN TWO OR MORE STATES, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF
WYOMING SHALL GOVERN.
C. REGULATORY AGENCIES:
Nothing herein contained shall grant, or be construed to grant,
Operator the right or authority to waive or release any rights, privileges, or
obligations which Non-Operators may have under federal or state laws or under
rules, regulations or
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A.A.P.L. FORM 610 - MODEL FORM OPERATING AGREEMENT - 1989
orders promulgated under such laws in reference to oil, gas and mineral
operations, including the location, operation, or production of wells, on tracts
offsetting or adjacent to the Contract Area.
With respect to the operations hereunder, Non-Operators agree to
release Operator from any and all losses, damages, injuries, claims and causes
of action arising out of, incident to or resulting directly or indirectly from
Operator's interpretation or application of rules, rulings, regulations or
orders of the Department of Energy or Federal Energy Regulatory Commission or
predecessor or successor agencies to the extent such interpretation or
application was made in good faith and does not constitute gross negligence.
Each Non-Operator further agrees to reimburse Operator for such Non-Operator's
share of production or any refund, fine, levy or other governmental sanction
that Operator may be required to pay as a result of such an incorrect
interpretation or application, together with interest and penalties thereon
owing by Operator as a result of such incorrect interpretation or application.
ARTICLE XV.
MISCELLANEOUS
A. EXECUTION:
This agreement shall be binding upon each Non-Operator when this
agreement or a counterpart thereof has been executed by such Non-Operator and
Operator notwithstanding that this agreement is not then or thereafter executed
by all of the parties to which it is tendered or which are listed on Exhibit "A"
as owning an interest in the Contract Area or which own, in fact, an interest in
the Contract Area. Operator may, however, by written notice to all Non-Operators
who have become bound by this agreement as aforesaid, given at any time prior to
the actual spud date of the Initial Well but in no event later than five days
prior to the date specified in Article VI.A. for commencement of the Initial
Well, terminate this agreement if Operator in its sole discretion determines
that there is insufficient participation to justify commencement of drilling
operations. In the event of such a termination by Operator, all further
obligations of the parties hereunder shall cease as of such termination. In the
event any Non-Operator has advanced or prepaid any share of drilling or other
costs hereunder, all sums so advanced shall be returned to such Non-Operator
without interest. In the event Operator proceeds with drilling operations for
the Initial Well without the execution hereof by all persons listed on Exhibit
"A" as having a current working interest in such well, Operator shall indemnify
Non-Operators with respect to all costs incurred for the Initial Well which
would have been charged to such person under this agreement if such person had
executed the same and Operator shall receive all revenues which would have been
received by such person under this agreement if such person had executed the
same.
B. SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS:
This agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of
the parties hereto and their respective heirs, devisees, legal representatives,
successors and assigns, and the terms hereof shall be deemed to run with the
Leases or Interests included within the Contract Area.
C. COUNTERPARTS:
This instrument may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of
which shall be considered an original for all purposes.
D. SEVERABILITY:
For the purposes of assuming or rejecting this agreement as an
executory contract pursuant to federal bankruptcy laws, this agreement shall not
be severable, but rather must be assumed or rejected in its entirety, and the
failure of any party to this agreement to comply with all of its financial
obligations provided herein shall be a material default.
ARTICLE XVI.
OTHER PROVISIONS
Notwithstanding any other provision contained in Articles I through XV to the
contrary,
A. ADDITIONAL PARTIES:
There shall be no obligation on the Operator hereof to perform to a
multiplicity of parties succeeding to the interest of the parties hereto.
Therefore, in exercising any option, election, consent, notice, acceptance,
declination or other right of performance, the respective successors in interest
shall act as a unit and shall, moreover, designate one of their number to whom
all notices and performance may be tendered and from whom all notices and
performance may be obtained and exacted, respectively.
B. BILLING ADDITIONAL INTERESTS:
The parties further agree that in no event during the term of this
agreement shall Operator be required to make more than one (1) billing for the
entire interest credited to each Party hereunder. It is further agreed that if
any Party to this Agreement, hereinafter referred to as "Selling Party",
disposes of part of the interest credited to it hereunder, the Selling Party
will be solely responsible for billing its assignee(s), and shall remain
primarily liable to the other party for the interest(s) assigned and shall make
prompt payment to Operator for the entire amount of statements and billings
rendered to it. It is further understood and agreed that if Selling Party
disposes of all its interest as set out hereunder, whether to one or several
assignees, Operator shall continue to issue statements and billings to the
Selling Party for the interest conveyed until such time as Selling Party has
designated and qualified one assignee to receive the billing for the entire
interest. In order to qualify one assignee to receive the billing for the entire
interest credited to the Selling Party hereunder, Selling Party shall furnish to
Operator the following:
1. Written notice of the conveyance and photostatic or certified copies
of the recorded assignments by which the transfer was made.
2. The name of the assignee to be billed and a written statement signed
by the assigned to be billed in which it consents to receive
statements and billings for the entire interest credited to Selling
Party on Exhibit "A" hereunder.
3. Written consent from all assignees evidencing their consent to have
the designee act on their behalf as hereinabove provided.
C. WORKOVER OPERATIONS:
It is agreed that without the mutual consent of all parties, no
workover or other operations will be conducted under the provisions of Article
VI so long as any completion in the well proposed to be worked over is producing
in paying quantities.
D. SEQUENCE OF FURTHER OPERATIONS:
It is agreed that where a well, which has been authorized under the
terms of this agreement, by all parties, or by one or more, but less than all
parties under Paragraph VI.B. (1) or (2), shall have been drilled to the
objective depth or the objective formation, and the parties participating in the
well cannot mutually agree upon the sequence and timing of further operations
regarding said well, the following elections shall control in the order
enumerated hereafter, to wit:
1. An election to do additional logging, coring or testing;
2. An election to attempt to complete the well at either the objective
depth or objective formation;
3. An election to plug back and attempt to complete said well;
4. An election to sidetrack the well;
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A.A.P.L. FORM 610 - MODEL FORM OPERATING AGREEMENT - 1989
5. An election to deepen said well; and
6. An election to plug and abandon said well.
If at the time said participating parties are considering any of the
above elections, the hole is in such a condition that a reasonably prudent
Operator would not conduct the operations contemplated by the particular
election involved for fear of placing the hole in jeopardy or losing the same
prior to completing the well in the objective depth or objective formation, such
election shall not be given the priority hereinabove set forth.
E. MEMORANDUM OF OPERATING AGREEMENT:
Parties agree to execute a memorandum of this Agreement simultaneously
with the execution of this Agreement, which shall be recorded by Operator in
each County in which lands comprising all or any part of the Contract Area
hereunder are situated. Operator will prepare the memorandum of this Agreement
and circulate same to the Non-Operator for execution. Upon recording, Operator
will provide recordation information to Non-Operator for its records. A form of
said Memorandum, which is attached as Exhibit "H" hereto, shall include a
reference to the pertinent substantive provisions of this Agreement, including
the Gas Balancing Agreement.
F. HEADINGS:
All headings in this agreement are for reference purposes only and have
no binding effect on the terms, conditions or provisions of this Agreement.
G. CONFIDENTIALITY OF INFORMATION:
All geophysical, geological or engineering data acquired by the parties
under this Agreement, as a result of joint operations conducted hereunder, shall
be kept CONFIDENTIAL by the parties unless the release of such information to a
third party is agreed upon by the parties or is required by law; however, it is
agreed that such data may be released to a third party if such third party is a
consultant of any party or provided such third party is a prospective partner of
such party or is a prospective purchaser of all or any portion of such parties
interest. The term during which information is to be kept SECRET AND
CONFIDENTIAL shall coincide with the term of this Agreement or for a period of
one (1) years from the date of this Agreement, whichever is later. Unless
otherwise provided above, any release of information to a third party must have
the prior written consent of all parties hereto, but in any event, said third
party must agree in writing to be bound by the provisions of this paragraph.
Nothing herein shall prohibit any party from disclosing necessary
information to its affiliate company or whatever information in such manner as
may be required by statute, rule or regulation, including the rules and
regulations of any stock exchange on which any securities of such party or any
affiliate are traded; nor shall any party be prohibited by the terms hereof form
disclosing information acquired under this agreement to any financial
institution providing or proposing to provide financing to the disclosing party.
H. NEWS RELEASES:
Any party hereto or any related party desiring to issue a news release
concerning operations conducted within the Contract Area, shall provide the
other party(ies) hereto with copies of the proposed release and no such news
release shall be issued without first obtaining the written consent of all
parties hereto, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.
Notwithstanding the immediately preceding sentence, no prior consent shall be
required for any news release required by law and/or the Securities and Exchange
Commission. The only exception to the foregoing shall be that in the event of an
emergency involving extensive property damage, operations failure, loss of human
life or other clear emergency, the Operator is authorized to furnish such
minimum, strictly factual information as shall be necessary to satisfy the
legitimate public interest on the part of the press and duly constituted
authorities if time does not permit the obtaining of prior approval by the other
parties hereto. The Operator shall thereupon promptly advise the other parties
hereto of the information so furnished.
I. LANDS EXCLUDED FROM THIS AGREEMENT:
In the event that lands covered by a lease or a portion thereof which
were initially subject to this Agreement, but in accordance with the terms
hereof are no longer subject to this Agreement, and such lands are acquired by
one or more parties to this Agreement (provided that at such time two (2) or
more parties are signatories to this Agreement), such leasehold or contractual
rights and the leasehold covered thereby shall be governed by an operating
agreement identical to this Agreement, except that such operating agreement
shall be revised to reflect the parties thereto and their percentage ownership,
the Contract Area and the Operator, if different.
J. CONFLICT OF TERMS:
This Agreement is made expressly subject to the Farmin agreement dated
January , 2004, by and between Ivanhoe Energy (USA) Inc., Derek Resources
(U.S.A.) ,Inc., and the parties hereto shall be bound by the terms and
conditions contained in said Agreement. In the event that any of the terms of
this Operating Agreement conflict with the terms of the Farmin Agreement, the
parties hereto agree that the terms of the Farmin Agreement shall prevail.
K. METERING OF PRODUCTION:
If a diversity of the working interest ownership in production from a
lease subject to this Agreement occurs as a result of operations by less than
all parties pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement, it is agreed that the
oil, gas or other hydrocarbons produced from the well or wells completed by the
consenting party or parties shall be separately measured either by well test or
by standard metering equipment (to be properly tested periodically for
accuracy), at the option of the Operator, and that the setting of a separate
tank battery will not be required unless the purchaser of the production or a
governmental regulatory body having jurisdiction will not approve metering for
separately measuring the production.
L. COVENANT RUNNING WITH THE LAND/EXTENT OF OBLIGATIONS:
Should any party hereto sell or transfer any or all of its leasehold
estate committed to this Agreement, the obligations, terms and covenants hereof
shall be considered covenants running with the land and shall inure to and be
binding upon the parties hereto, their respective heirs, devisees, legal
representatives, successors and assigns. The transferring party shall remain
bound to and liable for the performance of obligations and covenants of this
Agreement until the transferee executes and agrees to become a party to this
Agreement. Should any such transferee fail to assume all of the obligations and
covenants of this Agreement, then the transferring party remains bound to the
other parties to this agreement for the performance of all obligations,
covenants and indemnifications hereof.
M. AUTHORITY FOR EXPENDITURE REQUIREMENTS:
Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the proposing party
will furnish both a detailed Authority For Expenditure and a detailed program
for each proposed operation that is estimated to exceed Twenty-Five Thousand
Dollars ($25,000.00) For purposes of this provision, "detailed" shall mean
information understood by the proposing party to be reasonably necessary for the
receiving party to make an informed decision, but in no event shall the
proposing party be required to furnish information beyond what is deemed
reasonable and prudent in the industry.
- 18 -
<PAGE>
A.A.P.L. FORM 610 - MODEL FORM OPERATING AGREEMENT - 1989
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this agreement shall be effective as of the 15th
day of January, 2004.
__________________________________________________ , who has prepared and
circulated this form for execution, represents and warrants that the form was
printed from and, with the exception(s) listed below, is identical to the AAPL
Form 610-1989 Model Form Operating Agreement, as published in computerized form
by Forms On-A-Disk, Inc. No changes, alterations, or modifications, other than
those made by strikethrough and/or insertion and that are clearly recognizable
as changes in Articles ____________________________________________ , have been
made to the form.
ATTEST OR WITNESS: OPERATOR
IVANHOE ENERGY (USA) INC.
By
------------------------------------ -----------------------------------
------------------------------------ -----------------------------------
Type or print name
Title
-----------------------------
Date
-----------------------------
Tax ID or S.S. No. 77-0492835
----------------
NON-OPERATORS
DEREK RESOURCES (U.S.A.) INC.
By
------------------------------------ -----------------------------------
------------------------------------ -----------------------------------
Type or print name
Title
-----------------------------
Date
-----------------------------
Tax ID or S.S. No.
----------------
- 19 -
<PAGE>
A.A.P.L. FORM 610 - MODEL FORM OPERATING AGREEMENT - 1989
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Note: The following forms of acknowledgment are the short forms
approved by the Uniform Law on Notarial Acts.
The validity and effect of these forms in any state will depend upon the
statutes of that state.
Individual acknowledgment:
State of )
-----------------
) ss.
County of )
----------------
This instrument was acknowledged before me on
by
--------------------------------------- ------------------------------------
(Seal, if any)
-------------------------------------------
Title (and Rank)
--------------------------
My commission expires:
--------------------
Acknowledgment in representative capacity:
State of )
-----------------
) ss.
County of )
----------------
This instrument was acknowledged before me on
by as
------------------------------------- -------------------------------------
of .
----------------- ----------------------------------------------------------
(Seal, if any)
-------------------------------------------
Title (and Rank)
--------------------------
My commission expires:
--------------------
- 20 -
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT "A"
Attached to and made a part of that certain Operating Agreement dated January
15, 2004, by and between Ivanhoe Energy (USA Inc., as Operator, and Derek
Resources (USA) Inc. as Non-Operators.
All lands are in Weston County, Wyoming
1. Description of Lands
--------------------
Tract A
Township 44 North, Range 60 West, 6th P.M.
------------------------------------------
Section 6: Southwest Quarter, Northeast Quarter, East Half of the
Northwest Quarter, and West Half of the Southeast Quarter
(SW/4, NE/4, E/2 NW/4, W/2 SE/4).
Section 7: West Half, and West Half of the East Half (W/2, W/2 E/2).
Section 18: South Half of the Southwest Quarter, and the Northwest Quarter
(S/2 SW/4, NW/4).
Section 19: West Half of West Half, Northeast Quarter of the Northwest
Quarter (W/2 W/2, NE/4 NW/4).
Township 44 North, Range 61 West, 6th P.M.
------------------------------------------
Section 1: Southeast Quarter (SE/4).
Section 11: Southeast Quarter, East Half of the Northeast Quarter, and
South Half of the Southwest Quarter (SE/4, E/2 NE/4, S/2
SW/4).
Section 12: All.
Section 13: West Half, and South Half of the Southeast Quarter (W/2, S/2
SE/4).
Section 14: All.
Section 22: Northeast Quarter (NE/4).
Section 23: North Half, Southeast Quarter, East Half of the Southwest
Quarter (N/2, SE, E/2 SW/4).
Section 24: North Half, Southeast Quarter, and East Half of the Southwest
Quarter (N/2, SE/4, E/2 SW/4).
Section 25: Northwest Quarter of the Northeast Quarter, North Half of the
Northwest Quarter, Southwest Quarter of the Northwest Quarter,
and Northwest Quarter of the Southwest Quarter (NW/4 NE/4, N/2
NW/4, SW/4 NW/4, NW/4 SW/4.
Section 26: East Half of the Northeast Quarter, and Northeast Quarter of
the Southeast Quarter (E/2 NE/4, NE/4 SE/4).
Section 30: West Half of the Northwest Quarter (W/4 NW/4).
Tract B
Township 44 North, Range 61 West, 6th P.M.
------------------------------------------
Section 24: Northeast Quarter of the Southeast Quarter (NE/4 SE/4).
Section 25: South Half of the Southwest Quarter, the Northeast Quarter of
the Southwest Quarter, Northwest Quarter of the Southeast
Quarter, East Half of the Northeast Quarter, Southwest Quarter
of the Northeast Quarter, and Southeast Quarter of the
Northwest Quarter (S/2 SW/4, NE/4 SW/4, NW/4 SE/4, E/4 NE/4,
SW/4 NE/4, SE/4 NW/4).
Tract C
Township 44 North, Range 60 West, 6th P.M.
------------------------------------------
Section 18: North Half of the Southwest Quarter (N/2 SW/4).
Township 44 North, Range 61 West, 6th P.M.
------------------------------------------
Section 13: Northeast Quarter, and North Half of the Southeast Quarter
(NE/4, N/2 SE/4).
Tract D
Township 44 North, Range 61 West, 6th P.M.
------------------------------------------
Section 22: Southeast Quarter (SE/4).
Section 27: West Half of the East Half (W/2 E/2).
Tract E
Township 44 North, Range 61 West, 6th P.M.
------------------------------------------
Section 24: Southeast Quarter of the Southeast Quarter (SE/4 SE/4).
Page 1
<PAGE>
Additional Property Leased from the Federal Government
------------------------------------------------------
Township 44 North, Range 61 West, 6th P.M.
------------------------------------------
Section 1: South Half of the Southwest Quarter (S/2 SW/4).
Section 10: Southwest Quarter of the Northeast Quarter (SW/4 NE/4).
Section 10: West Half of the Southeast Quarter, Southeast Quarter of the
Southeast Quarter (W/2 SE/4, SE/4 SE/4), excluding 13.77 acres
in railroad right-of-way WyW0119068.
Section 15: West Half of the East Half, East Half of the West Half,
Northwest Quarter of the Northwest Quarter, Southwest Quarter
of the Southwest Quarter (W/2 E/2, E/2 W/2, NW/4 NW/4, SW/4
SW/4).
Section 15: East Half of the East Half (E/2 E/2), excluding 23.78 acres in
railroad right-of-way WyW0119068.
Section 25: Northeast Quarter of the Southeast Quarter, South half of the
Southeast Quarter (NE/4 SE/4, S/2 SE/4).
Section 26: Northwest Quarter of the Northeast Quarter, East Half of the
Southwest Quarter (NW/4 NE/4, E/2 SW/4).
Section 26: East Half of the Northwest Quarter, Southeast Quarter of the
Southeast Quarter (E/2 NW/4, SE/4 SE/4), excluding 14.23 acres
in railroad right-of-way WyW0119068.
2. Restriction as to depths
------------------------
None
3. Parties To This Agreement With Addresses And Telephone Numbers For
Notice Purposes:
------------------------------------------------------------------
Ivanhoe: Ivanhoe Energy (USA) Inc.
--------
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 9279
Bakersfield, California 93389
Street Address: 5060 California Avenue
Suite 400
Bakersfield, California 93309
Attention: Robert Coffey
Telephone: 661-869-8332
Facsimile: 661-869-2820
e-mail: rcoffey@ivanhoeenergy.com
Copy to: Oscar Blake, General Counsel
Derek: Derek Oil & Gas Corporation
------
Street Address: Suite 1550, 355 Burrard Street
Vancouver, B.C., Canada V6C 2GB
Attention: Barry C.J. Ehrl
Telephone: 604-331-1757
Facsimile: 604-669-5193
e-mail: info@derekresources.com
4. Percentages or fractional interest of parties to this Agreement
---------------------------------------------------------------
Pursuant to the LAK Ranch Farmin Agreement to which this Operating
Agreement is attached.
5. Oil and Gas Leases subject to this Agreement
--------------------------------------------
A. Oil and Gas Lease, dated January 10, 1981, by and between Donald B.
Roberts, B.M. Stewart, and Sheri Vineyard, as Lessors, and Exoil
Services, Inc., as Lessee, recorded in Book 87, Page 189, Official
Records of Weston County, Wyoming.
B. Oil and Gas Lease, dated effective August 31, 1958, by and between the
U.S. Department of Interior, Bureau of Land Management, as Lessor, and
Edel P. Smith, as Lessee, being identified as Lease Serial Number
W-022180-A.
C. Oil and Gas Lease, dated effective December 1, 1999, by and between
the U.S. Department of Interior, Bureau of Land Management, as Lessor,
and Cove Energy, as Lessee, being identified as Lease Serial Number
W-149512.
Page 2
<PAGE>
6. Burdens on Production
---------------------
Tract A 19.9501%
Tract B 19.9501%
Tract C 11.7875% (Based on 50% leased)
Tract D 11.7875% (Based on 50% leased)
Tract E 19.9501%
Page 3
<PAGE>
COPAS 1984 ONSHORE
Recommended by the Council
of Petroleum Accountants
Societies
COPAS
EXHIBIT " C "
Attached to and made a part of that certain Operating Agreement,dated January
15, 2004, by and between IVANHOE ENERGY (USA) INC., as Operator and DEREK
RESOURCES (U.S.A.) INC. as Non-Operator ______________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
ACCOUNTING PROCEDURE
JOINT OPERATIONS
I. GENERAL PROVISIONS
1. DEFINITIONS
"Joint Property" shall mean the real and personal property subject to
the agreement to which this Accounting Procedure is attached.
"Joint Operations" shall mean all operations necessary or proper for
the development, operation, protection and maintenance of the Joint
Property.
"Joint Account" shall mean the account showing the charges paid and
credits received in the conduct of the Joint Operations and which are
to be shared by the Parties.
"Operator" shall mean the party designated to conduct the Joint
Operations.
"Non-Operators" shall mean the Parties to this agreement other than the
Operator.
"Parties" shall mean Operator and Non-Operators.
"First Level Supervisors" shall mean those employees whose primary
function in Joint Operations is the direct supervision of other
employees and/or contract labor directly employed on the Joint Property
in a field operating capacity.
"Technical Employees" shall mean those employees having special and
specific engineering, geological or other professional skills, and
whose primary function in Joint Operations is the handling of specific
operating conditions and problems for the benefit of the Joint
Property.
"Personal Expenses" shall mean travel and other reasonable reimbursable
expenses of Operator's employees.
"Material" shall mean personal property, equipment or supplies acquired
or held for use on the Joint Property.
"Controllable Material" shall mean Material which at the time is so
classified in the Material Classification Manual as most recently
recommended by the Council or Petroleum Accountants Societies.
2. STATEMENT AND BILLINGS
Operator shall bill Non-Operators on or before the last day of each
month for their proportionate share of the Joint Account for the
preceding month. Such bills will be accompanied by statements which
identify the authority for expenditure, lease or facility, and all
charges and credits summarized by appropriate classifications of
investment and expense except that items of Controllable Material and
unusual charges and credits shall be separately identified and fully
described in detail.
3. ADVANCES AND PAYMENTS BY NON-OPERATORS
A. Unless otherwise provided for in the agreement, the Operator may
require the Non-Operators to advance their share of estimated
cash outlay for the succeeding month's operation within fifteen
(15) days after receipt of the billing or by the first day of the
month for which the advance is required, whichever is later.
Operator shall adjust each monthly billing to reflect advances
received from the Non-Operators.
B. Each Non-Operator shall pay its proportion of all bills within
fifteen (15) days after receipt. If payment is not made within
such time, the unpaid balance shall bear interest monthly at the
prime rate in effect at BANK OF AMERICA on the first day of the
month in which delinquency occurs plus 1% or the maximum contract
rate permitted by the applicable usury laws in the state in which
the Joint Property is located, whichever is the lesser, plus
attorney's fees, court costs, and other costs in connection with
the collection of unpaid amounts.
4. ADJUSTMENTS
Payment of any such bills shall not prejudice the right of any
Non-Operator to protest or question the correctness thereof; provided,
however, all bills and statements rendered to Non-Operators by Operator
during any calendar year shall conclusively be presumed to be true and
correct after twenty-four (24) months following the end of any such
calendar year, unless within the said twenty-four (24) month period a
Non-Operator takes written exception thereto and makes claim on
Operator for adjustment. No adjustment favorable to Operator shall be
made unless it is made within the same prescribed period. The
provisions of this paragraph shall not prevent adjustments resulting
from a physical inventory of Controllable Material as provided for in
Section V.
COPYRIGHT (C) 1985 BY THE COUNCIL OF PETROLEUM ACCOUNTANTS SOCIETIES.
- 1 -
<PAGE>
COPAS 1984 ONSHORE
Recommended by the Council
of Petroleum Accountants
Societies
COPAS
5. AUDITS
A. A Non-Operator, upon notice in writing to Operator and all other
Non-Operators, shall have the right to audit Operator's accounts
and records relating to the Joint Account for any calendar year
within the twenty-four (24) month period following the end of
such calendar year; provided, however, the making of an audit
shall not extend the time for the taking of written exception to
and the adjustments of accounts as provided for in Paragraph 4 of
this Section I. Where there are two or more Non-Operators, the
Non-Operators shall make every reasonable effort to conduct a
joint audit in a manner which will result in a minimum of
inconvenience to the Operator. Operator shall bear no portion of
the Non-Operators' audit cost incurred under this paragraph
unless agreed to by the Operator. The audits shall not be
conducted more than once each year without prior approval of
Operator, except upon the resignation or removal of the Operator,
and shall be made at the expense of those Non-Operators approving
such audit.
B. The Operator shall reply in writing to an audit report within 180
days after receipt of such report.
6. APPROVAL BY NON-OPERATORS
Where an approval or other agreement of the Parties or Non-Operators is
expressly required under other sections of this Accounting Procedure
and if the agreement to which this Accounting Procedure is attached
contains no contrary provisions in regard thereto, Operator shall
notify all Non-Operators of the Operator's proposal, and the agreement
or approval of a majority in interest of the Non-Operators shall be
controlling on all Non-Operators.
II. DIRECT CHARGES
Operator shall charge the Joint Account with the following items:
1. ECOLOGICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL
Costs incurred for the benefit of the Joint Property as a result of
governmental or regulatory requirements to satisfy environmental
considerations applicable to the Joint Operations. Such costs may
include surveys of an ecological or archaeological nature and pollution
control procedures as required by applicable laws and regulations.
2. RENTALS AND ROYALTIES
Lease rentals and royalties paid by Operator for the Joint Operations.
3. LABOR
A. (1) Salaries and wages of Operator's field employees directly
employed on the Joint Property in the conduct of Joint
Operations.
(2) Salaries of First level Supervisors in the field.
(3) Salaries and wages of Technical Employees directly employed
on the Joint Property if such charges are excluded from the
overhead rates.
(4) Salaries and wages of Technical Employees either
temporarily or permanently assigned to and directly
employed in the operation or the Joint Property if such
charges are excluded from the overhead rates.
B. Operator's cost of holiday, vacation, sickness and disability
benefits and other customary allowances paid to employees whose
salaries and wages are chargeable to the Joint Account under
Paragraph 3A of this Section II. Such costs under this Paragraph
3B may be charged on a "when and as paid basis" or by "percentage
assessment" on the amount of salaries and wages chargeable to the
Joint Account under Paragraph 3A of this Section II. If
percentage assessment is used, the rate shall be based on the
Operator's cost experience.
C. Expenditures or contributions made pursuant to assessments
imposed by governmental authority which are applicable to
Operator's costs chargeable to the Joint Account under Paragraphs
3A and 3B of this Section II.
D. Personal Expenses of those employees whose salaries and wages are
chargeable to the Joint Account under Paragraphs 3A and 3B of
this Section II.
4. EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
Operator's current costs or established plans for employees' group life
insurance, hospitalization, pension, retirement, stock purchase,
thrift, bonus,and other benefit plans of a like nature applicable to
Operator's labor cost chargeable to the Joint Account under Paragraphs
3A and 3B of this Section II shall be Operator's actual cost not to
exceed the percent most recently recommended by the Council of
Petroleum Accountants Societies.
- 2 -
<PAGE>
COPAS 1984 ONSHORE
Recommended by the Council
of Petroleum Accountants
Societies
COPAS
5. MATERIAL
Material purchased or furnished by Operator for use on the Joint
Property as provided under Section IV. Only such Material shall be
purchased for or transferred to the Joint Property as may be required
for immediate use and is reasonably practical and consistent with
efficient and economical operations. The accumulation of surplus stocks
shall be avoided.
6. TRANSPORTATION
Transportation of employees and Material necessary for the Joint
Operations but subject to the following limitations:
A. If Material is moved to the Joint Property from the Operator's
warehouse or other properties, no charge shall be made to the
Joint Account for a distance greater than the distance from the
nearest reliable supply store where like material is normally
available or railway receiving point nearest the Joint Property
unless agreed to by the Parties.
B. If surplus Material is moved to Operator's warehouse or other
storage point, no charge shall be made to the Joint Account for a
distance greater than the distance to the nearest reliable supply
store where like material is normally available, or railway
receiving point nearest the Joint Property unless agreed to by
the Parties. No charge shall be made to the Joint Account for
moving Material to other properties belonging to Operator, unless
agreed to by the Parties.
C. In the application of subparagraphs A and B above, the option to
equalize or charge actual trucking cost is available when the
actual charge is $400 or less excluding accessorial charges. The
$400 will be adjusted to the amount most recently recommended by
the Council of Petroleum Accountants Societies.
7. SERVICES
The cost of contract services, equipment and utilities provided by
outside sources, except services excluded by Paragraph 10 of Section II
and Paragraph i, ii, and iii, of Section III. The cost of professional
consultant services and contract services of technical personnel
directly engaged on the Joint Property if such charges are excluded
from the overhead rates. The cost of professional consultant services
or contract services of technical personnel not directly engaged on the
Joint Property shall not be charged to the Joint Account unless
previously agreed to by the Parties.
8. EQUIPMENT AND FACILITIES FURNISHED BY OPERATOR
A. Operator shall charge the Joint Account for use of Operator owned
equipment and facilities at rates commensurate with costs of
ownership and operation. Such rates shall include costs of
maintenance, repairs, other operating expense, insurance, taxes,
depreciation, and interest on gross investment less accumulated
depreciation not to exceed TEN percent (10%) per annum. Such
rates shall not exceed average commercial rates currently
prevailing in the immediate area of the Joint Property.
B. In lieu of charges in Paragraph 8A above, Operator may elect to
use average commercial rates prevailing in the immediate area of
the Joint Property less 20%. For automotive equipment, Operator
may elect to use rates published by the Petroleum Motor Transport
Association.
9. DAMAGES AND LOSSES TO JOINT PROPERTY
All costs or expenses necessary for the repair or replacement of Joint
Property made necessary because of damages or losses incurred by fire,
flood, storm, theft, accident, or other cause, except those resulting
from Operator's gross negligence or willful misconduct. Operator shall
furnish Non-Operator written notice of damages or losses incurred as
soon as practicable after a report thereof has been received by
Operator.
10. LEGAL EXPENSE
Expense of handling, investigating and settling litigation or claims,
discharging of liens, payment of judgments and amounts paid for
settlement of claims incurred in or resulting from operations under the
agreement or necessary to protect or recover the Joint Property, except
that no charge for services of Operator's legal staff or fees or
expense of outside attorneys shall be made unless previously agreed to
by the Parties. All other legal expense is considered to be covered by
the overhead provisions of Section III unless otherwise agreed to by
the Parties, except as provided in Section I, Paragraph 3.
11. TAXES
All taxes of every kind and nature assessed or levied upon or in
connection with the Joint Property, the operation thereof, or the
production therefrom, and which taxes have been paid by the Operator
for the benefit of the Parties. If the ad valorem taxes are based in
whole or in part upon separate valuations of each party's working
interest, then notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, charges
to the Joint Account shall be made and paid by the Parties hereto in
accordance with the tax value generated by each party's working
interest.
- 3 -
<PAGE>
COPAS 1984 ONSHORE
Recommended by the Council
of Petroleum Accountants
Societies
COPAS
12. INSURANCE
Net premiums paid for insurance required to be carried for the Joint
Operations for the protection of the Parties. In the event Joint
Operations are conducted in a state in which Operator may act as
self-insurer for Worker's Compensation and/or Employers Liability under
the respective state's laws, Operator may, at its election, include the
risk under its self-insurance program and in that event, Operator shall
include a charge at Operator's cost not to exceed manual rates.
13. ABANDONMENT AND RECLAMATION
Costs incurred for abandonment of the Joint Property, including costs
required by governmental or other regulatory authority.
14. COMMUNICATIONS
Cost of acquiring, leasing, installing, operating, repairing and
maintaining communication systems, including radio and microwave
facilities directly serving the Joint Property. In the event
communication facilities/systems serving the Joint Property are
Operator owned, charges to the Joint Account shall be made as provided
in Paragraph 8 of this Section II.
15. OTHER EXPENDITURES
Any other expenditure not covered or dealt with in the foregoing
provisions of this Section II, or in Section III and which is of direct
benefit to the Joint Property and is incurred by the Operator in the
necessary and proper conduct of the Joint Operations.
III. OVERHEAD
1. OVERHEAD - DRILLING AND PRODUCING OPERATIONS
i. As compensation for administrative, supervision, office services
and warehousing costs, Operator shall charge drilling and
producing operations on either:
(X) Fixed Rate Basis, Paragraph lA, or
( ) Percentage Basis, Paragraph lB
Unless otherwise agreed to by the Parties, such charge shall be
in lieu of costs and expenses of all offices and salaries or
wages plus applicable burdens and expenses of all personnel,
except those directly chargeable under Paragraph 3A, Section II.
The cost and expense of services from outside sources in
connection with matters of taxation, traffic, accounting or
matters before or involving governmental agencies shall be
considered as included in the overhead rates provided for in the
above selected Paragraph of this Section III unless such cost and
expense are agreed to by the Parties as a direct charge to the
Joint Account.
ii. The salaries, wages and Personal Expenses of Technical Employees
and/or the cost of professional consultant services and contract
services of technical personnel directly employed on the Joint
Property:
( ) shall be covered by the overhead rates, or
(X) shall not be covered by the overhead rates.
iii. The salaries, wages and Personal Expenses of Technical Employees
and/or costs of professional consultant services and contract
services of technical personnel either temporarily or permanently
assigned to and directly employed in the operation of the Joint
Property, irrespective of where such employee is located.
( ) shall be covered by the overhead rates, or
(X) shall not be covered by the overhead rates.
A. Overhead - Fixed Rate Basis
(1) Operator shall charge the Joint Account at the following
rates per well per month:
Drilling Well Rate $10,000 - HORIZONTAL WELL; $6,000 -
VERTICAL WELL
(Prorated for less than a full month)
Producing Well Rate $1,000 - HORIZONTAL WELL; $700 -
VERTICAL INJECTOR OR PRODUCER.
(2) Application of Overhead - Fixed Rate Basis shall be as
follows:
(a) Drilling Well Rate
(1) Charges for drilling wells shall begin on the
date the well is spudded and terminate on the
date the drilling rig, completion rig, or other
units used in completion of the well is
released, whichever
- 4 -
<PAGE>
COPAS 1984 ONSHORE
Recommended by the Council
of Petroleum Accountants
Societies
COPAS
is later, except that no charge shall be made
during suspension of drilling or completion
operations for fifteen (15) or more consecutive
calendar days.
(2) Charges for wells undergoing any type of
workover or recompletion for a period of five
(5) consecutive work days or more shall be made
at the drilling well rate. Such charges shall
be applied for the period from date workover
operations, with rig or other units used in
workover, commence through date of rig or other
unit release, except that no charge shall be
made during suspension of operations for
fifteen (15) or more consecutive calendar days.
(b) Producing Well Rates
(1) An active well either produced or injected into
for any portion of the month shall be
considered as a one-well charge for the entire
month.
(2) Each active completion in a multi-completed
well in which production is not commingled down
hole shall be considered as a one-well charge
providing each completion is considered a
separate well by the governing regulatory
authority.
(3) An inactive gas well shut in because of
overproduction or failure of purchaser to take
the production shall be considered as a
one-well charge providing the gas well is
directly connected to a permanent sales outlet.
(4) A one-well charge shall be made for the month
in which plugging and abandonment operations
are completed on any well. This one-well charge
shall be made whether or not the well has
produced except when drilling well rate
applies.
(5) All other inactive wells (including but not
limited to inactive wells covered by unit
allowable, lease allowable, transferred
allowable, etc.) shall not qualify for an
overhead charge.
(3) The well rates shall be adjusted as of the first day of
April each year following the effective date of the
agreement to which this Accounting Procedure is attached.
The adjustment shall be computed by multiplying the rate
currently in use by the percentage increase or decrease in
the average weekly earnings of Crude Petroleum and Gas
Production Workers for the last calendar year compared to
the calendar year preceding as shown by the index of
average weekly earnings of Crude Petroleum and Gas
Production Workers as published by the United States
Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, or the
equivalent Canadian index as published by Statistics
Canada, as applicable. The adjusted rates shall be the
rates currently in use, plus or minus the computed
adjustment.
2. OVERHEAD - MAJOR CONSTRUCTION
To compensate Operator for overhead costs incurred in the construction
and installation of fixed assets, the expansion of fixed assets, and
any other project clearly discernible as a fixed asset required for the
development and operation of the Joint Property, Operator shall either
negotiate a rate prior to the beginning of construction, or shall
charge the Joint
- 5 -
<PAGE>
COPAS 1984 ONSHORE
Recommended by the Council
of Petroleum Accountants
Societies
COPAS
Account for overhead based on the following rates for any Major
Construction project in excess of $_______________________:
A. 5% of first $100,000 or total cost if less, plus
B. 3% of costs in excess of $100,000 but less than $1,000,000, plus
C. 2% of costs in excess of $1,000,000.
Total cost shall mean the gross cost of any one project. For the
purpose of this paragraph, the component parts of a single project
shall not be treated separately and the cost of drilling and workover
wells and artificial lift equipment shall be excluded.
3. CATASTROPHE OVERHEAD
To compensate Operator for overhead costs incurred in the event of
expenditures resulting from a single occurrence due to oil spill,
blowout, explosion, fire, storm, hurricane, or other catastrophes as
agreed to by the Parties, which are necessary to restore the Joint
Property to the equivalent condition that existed prior to the event
causing the expenditures, Operator shall either negotiate a rate prior
to charging the Joint Account or shall charge the Joint Account for
overhead based on the following rates:
A. 5% of total costs through $100,000; plus
B. 3% of total costs in excess of $100,000 but less than $1,000,000;
plus
C. 2% of total costs in excess of $1,000,000.
Expenditures subject to the overheads above will not be reduced by
insurance recoveries, and no other overhead provisions of this Section
III shall apply.
4. AMENDMENT OF RATES
The overhead rates provided for in this Section III may be amended from
time to time only by mutual agreement between the Parties hereto if, in
practice, the rates are found to be insufficient or excessive.
IV. PRICING OF JOINT ACCOUNT MATERIAL PURCHASES, TRANSFERS AND DISPOSITIONS
Operator is responsible for Joint Account Material and shall make proper and
timely charges and credits for all Material movements affecting the Joint
Property. Operator shall provide all Material for use on the Joint Property;
however, at Operator's option, such Material may be supplied by the
Non-Operator. Operator shall make timely disposition of idle and/or surplus
Material, such disposal being made either through sale to Operator or
Non-Operator, division in kind, or sale to outsiders. Operator may purchase, but
shall be under no obligation to purchase, interest of Non-Operators in surplus
condition A or B Material. The disposal of surplus Controllable Material not
purchased by the Operator shall be agreed to by the Parties.
1. PURCHASES
Material purchased shall be charged at the price paid by Operator after
deduction of all discounts received. In case of Material found to be
defective or returned to vendor for any other reasons, credit shall be
passed to the Joint Account when adjustment has been received by the
Operator.
2. TRANSFERS AND DISPOSITIONS
Material furnished to the Joint Property and Material transferred from
the Joint Property or disposed of by the Operator, unless otherwise
agreed to by the Parties, shall be priced on the following basis
exclusive of cash discounts:
A. New Material (Condition A)
(1) Tubular Goods Other than Line Pipe
(a) Tubular goods, sized 2 3/8 inches OD and larger,
except line pipe, shall be priced at Eastern mill
published carload base prices effective as of date of
movement plus transportation cost using the 80,000
pound carload weight basis to the railway receiving
point nearest the Joint Property for which published
rail rates for tubular goods exist. If the 80,000
pound rail rate is not offered, the 70,000 pound or
90,000 pound rail rate may be used. Freight charges
for tubing will be calculated from Lorain, Ohio and
casing from Youngstown, Ohio.
(b) For grades which are special to one mill only, prices
shall be computed at the mill base of that mill plus
transportation cost from that mill to the railway
receiving point nearest the Joint Property as
provided above in Paragraph 2.A.(1)(a). For
transportation cost from points other than Eastern
mills, the 30,000
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<PAGE>
COPAS 1984 ONSHORE
Recommended by the Council
of Petroleum Accountants
Societies
COPAS
pound Oil Field Haulers Association interstate truck
rate shall be used.
(c) Special end finish tubular goods shall be priced at
the lowest published out-of-stock price, f.o.b.
Houston, Texas, plus transportation cost, using Oil
Field Haulers Association interstate 30,000 pound
truck rate, to the railway receiving point nearest
the Joint Property.
(d) Macaroni tubing (size less than 2 3/8 inch OD) shall
be priced at the lowest published out-of-stock prices
f.o.b. the supplier plus transportation costs, using
the Oil Field Haulers Association interstate truck
rate per weight of tubing transferred, to the railway
receiving point nearest the Joint Property.
(2) Line Pipe
(a) Line pipe movements (except size 24 inch OD and
larger with walls 3/4 inch and over) 30,000 pounds or
more shall be priced under provisions of tubular
goods pricing in Paragraph A.(l)(a) as provided
above. Freight charges shall be calculated from
Lorain, Ohio.
(b) Line Pipe movements (except size 24 inch OD) and
larger with walls 3/4 inch and over) less than 30,000
pounds shall be priced at Eastern mill published
carload base prices effective as of date of shipment,
plus 20 percent, plus transportation costs based on
freight rates as set forth under provisions of
tubular goods pricing in Paragraph A.(1)(a) as
provided above. Freight charges shall be calculated
from Lorain, Ohio.
(c) Line pipe 24 inch OD and over and 3/4 inch wall and
larger shall be priced f.o.b. the point of
manufacture at current new published prices plus
transportation cost to the railway receiving point
nearest the Joint Property.
(d) Line pipe, including fabricated line pipe, drive pipe
and conduit not listed on published price lists shall
be priced at quoted prices plus freight to the
railway receiving point nearest the Joint Property or
at prices agreed to by the Parties.
(3) Other Material shall be priced at the current new price, in
effect at date of movement, as listed by a reliable supply
store nearest the Joint Property, or point of manufacture,
plus transportation costs, if applicable, to the railway
receiving point nearest the Joint Property.
(4) Unused new Material, except tubular goods, moved from the
Joint Property shall be priced at the current new price, in
effect on date of movement, as listed by a reliable supply
store nearest the Joint Property, or point of manufacture,
plus transportation costs, if applicable, to the railway
receiving point nearest the Joint Property. Unused new
tubulars will be priced as provided above in Paragraph
2.A.(l) and (2).
B. Good Used Material (Condition B)
Material in sound and serviceable condition and suitable for
reuse without reconditioning:
(1) Material moved to the Joint Property
At seventy-five percent (75%) of current new price, as
determined by Paragraph A.
(2) Material used on and moved from the Joint Property
(a) At seventy-five percent (75%) of current new price,
as determined by Paragraph A, if Material was
originally charged to the Joint Account as new
Material or
(b) At sixty-five percent (65%) of current new price, as
determined by Paragraph A, if Material was originally
charged to the Joint Account as used Material
(3) Material not used on and moved from the Joint Property
At seventy-five percent (75%) of current new price as
determined by Paragraph A.
The cost of reconditioning, if any, shall be absorbed by the
transferring property.
C. Other Used Material
(1) Condition C
Material which is not in sound and serviceable condition
and not suitable for its original function until after
reconditioning shall be priced at fifty percent (50%) of
current new price as determined by Paragraph A. The cost of
reconditioning shall be charged to the receiving property,
provided Condition C value plus cost of reconditioning does
not exceed Condition B value.
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<PAGE>
COPAS 1984 ONSHORE
Recommended by the Council
of Petroleum Accountants
Societies
COPAS
(2) Condition D
Material, excluding junk, no longer suitable for its
original purpose, but usable for some other purpose shall
be priced on a basis commensurate with its use. Operator
may dispose of Condition D Material under procedures
normally used by Operator without prior approval of
Non-Operators.
(a) Casing, tubing, or drill pipe used as line pipe shall
be priced as Grade A and B seamless line pipe of
comparable size and weight. Used casing, tubing or
drill pipe utilized as line pipe shall be priced at
used line pipe prices.
(b) Casing, tubing or drill pipe used as higher pressure
service lines than standard line pipe, e.g. power oil
lines, shall be priced under normal pricing
procedures for casing, tubing, or drill pipe. Upset
tubular goods shall be priced on a non upset basis.
(3) Condition E
Junk shall be priced at prevailing prices. Operator may
dispose of Condition E Material under procedures normally
utilized by Operator without prior approval of
Non-Operators.
D. Obsolete Material
Material which is serviceable and usable for its original
function but condition and/or value of such Material is not
equivalent to that which would justify a price as provided above
may be specially priced as agreed to by the Parties. Such price
should result in the Joint Account being charged with the value
of the service rendered by such Material.
E. Pricing Conditions
(1) Loading or unloading costs may be charged to the Joint
Account at the rate of twenty-five cents (25(cent)) per
hundred weight on all tubular goods movements, in lieu of
actual loading or unloading costs sustained at the stocking
point. The above rate shall be adjusted as of the first day
of April each year following January 1, 1985 by the same
percentage increase or decrease used to adjust overhead
rates in Section III, Paragraph 1.A.(3). Each year, the
rate calculated shall be rounded to the nearest cent and
shall be the rate in effect until the first day of April
next year. Such rate shall be published each year by the
Council of Petroleum Accountants Societies.
(2) Material involving erection costs shall be charged at
applicable percentage of the current knocked-down price of
new Material.
3. PREMIUM PRICES
Whenever Material is not readily obtainable at published or listed
prices because of national emergencies. strikes or other unusual causes
over which the Operator has no control, the Operator may charge the
Joint Account for the required Material at the Operator's actual cost
incurred in providing such Material, in making it suitable for use, and
in moving it to the Joint Property; provided notice in writing is
furnished to Non-Operators of the proposed charge prior to billing
Non-Operators for such Material. Each Non-Operator shall have the
right, by so electing and notifying Operator within ten days after
receiving notice from Operator, to furnish in kind all or part of his
share of such Material suitable for use and acceptable to Operator.
4. WARRANTY OF MATERIAL FURNISHED BY OPERATOR
Operator does not warrant the Material furnished. In case of defective
Material, credit shall not be passed to the Joint Account until
adjustment has been received by Operator from the manufacturers or
their agents.
V. INVENTORIES
The Operator shall maintain detailed records of Controllable Material.
1. PERIODIC INVENTORIES, NOTICE AND REPRESENTATION
At reasonable intervals, inventories shall be taken by Operator of the
Joint Account Controllable Material. Written notice of intention to
take inventory shall be given by Operator at least thirty (30) days
before any inventory is to begin so that Non-Operators may be
represented when any inventory is taken. Failure of Non-Operators to be
represented at an inventory shall bind Non-Operators to accept the
inventory taken by Operator.
2. RECONCILIATION AND ADJUSTMENT OF INVENTORIES
Adjustments to the Joint Account resulting from the reconciliation of a
physical inventory shall be made within six months following the taking
of the inventory. Inventory adjustments shall be made by Operator to
the Joint Account for
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<PAGE>
COPAS 1984 ONSHORE
Recommended by the Council
of Petroleum Accountants
Societies
COPAS
overages and shortages, but, Operator shall be held accountable only
for shortages due to lack of reasonable diligence.
3. SPECIAL INVENTORIES
Special inventories may be taken whenever there is any sale, change of
interest, or change of Operator in the Joint Property. It shall be the
duty of the party selling to notify all other Parties as quickly as
possible after the transfer of interest takes place. In such cases,
both the seller and the purchaser shall be governed by such inventory.
In cases involving a change of Operator, all Parties shall be governed
by such inventory.
4. EXPENSE OF CONDUCTING INVENTORIES
A. The expense of conducting periodic inventories shall not be
charged to the Joint Account unless agreed to by the Parties.
B. The expense of conducting special inventories shall be charged to
the Parties requesting such inventories, except inventories
required due to change of Operator shall be charged to the Joint
Account.
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<PAGE>
EXHIBIT "D"
Attached to and made a part of that certain Operating Agreement dated January
15, 2004, by and between Ivanhoe Energy (USA) Inc., as Operator and Derek
Resources (U.S.A.) Inc. as Non-Operator.
INSURANCE
1. At all times during the conduct of operations hereunder, Operator shall
maintain in force the following minimum limits of insurance at the expense
of, and for the benefit of the Joint Account:
Pursuant to Insurance Requirements, as provided under Article XIII of the
Farmin Agreement, of which this Operating Agreement is attached to and
made a part thereof.
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT "E"
Attached to and made a part of that certain Operating Agreement dated January
15, 2004, by and between Ivanhoe Energy (USA) Inc., as Operator and Derek
Resources (U.S.A.) Inc., as Non-Operator.
Gas Balancing Agreement
Onshore
I. Definitions
A. "Agreement" shall mean this Gas Balancing Agreement.
B. "Balanced" is that condition which occurs when a party hereto has
taken the same percentage of the cumulative volume of Gas production
it is entitled to take pursuant to the terms of the Operating
Agreement.
C. "Contract Area" is the area affected by the Operating Agreement.
D. "Gas" includes natural gas produced from a Well that produces Gas
Well Gas, including all constituent parts of such natural gas,
except liquid hydrocarbons and condensate recovered by primary
separation equipment.
E. "Gas Well Gas" is gas produced from a Well classified as a gas well
by the regulatory body having jurisdiction.
F. "Oil Well Gas" is gas produced from a Well classified as an oil well
by the regulatory body having jurisdiction.
G. "Overproduced" is the status of a party when the percentage of the
cumulative volume of Gas taken by that party exceeds that party's
percentage interest of the volume of cumulative Gas production of
all parties to the Operating Agreement under and pursuant to the
terms of said Operating Agreement.
H. "Underproduced" is the status of a party when the percentage of
cumulative volume of Gas taken by that party is less than that
party's percentage interest of the volume of cumulative Gas
production of all parties to the Operating Agreement under and
pursuant to the terms of said Operating Agreement.
I. "Well" is defined as each well subject to the Operating Agreement
that produces Gas. If a single Well is completed in two or more
reservoirs, such Well shall be considered a separate Well with
respect to, but only with respect to, each reservoir from which the
Gas produced is not commingled in the wellbore.
II. Application of this Agreement
The parties to the Operating Agreement to which this Gas Balancing
Agreement is attached, own the working or operating interests in the Gas
underlying the Contract Area covered by such Agreement and are entitled to
share in the percentages therein as stated in the Operating Agreement.
In accordance with the terms of the Operating Agreement, each party shall
take its share of Gas produced from the Contract Area and market or
otherwise dispose of same. In the event a party hereto does not take in
kind or market its share of gas or has contracted to sell its share of Gas
produced from the Contract Area to a purchaser which, at any time while
this Agreement is in effect, fails to take the share of Gas attributable
to the interest of such party, the terms of this Gas Balancing Agreement
shall automatically become effective.
The Operator has the duty to control Gas Production and the responsibility
of administering the provisions of this Gas Balancing Agreement. The
Operator shall cause deliveries to be made to the Gas purchasers at such
rates as may be required to give effect to the intent that the Gas
Production accounts of all parties are, to the extent practicable, to be
or become Balanced.
III. Storing and Making Up Gas Production
A. Right to Take and Market Gas
During any period or periods when any party hereto does not take,
has no market for, or the market of a party is not sufficient to
take that party's full share of the Gas produced from a Well located
on the Contract Area, or such party's purchaser otherwise fails to
take such party's share of Gas produced from any such Well in the
contract Area, resulting in such party becoming Underproduced
Page 1
<PAGE>
(such party being herein referred to as an "Underproduced party")
the other party or parties shall be entitled, but not required, to
produce from said Well in the Contract Area and take or deliver to
their respective purchaser(s), each month, all or a part of that
portion of the allowable Gas production assigned to such Well by the
regulatory body having jurisdiction. Any party so taking or
delivering Gas which results in such party becoming Overproduced is
herein referred to as an "Overproduced party".
Those parties which are capable of taking and/or marketing
quantities of Gas allocable to an Underproduced party, in the
absence of any other agreement between them, shall each take a share
of the Gas attributed to the Underproduced party or parties in the
direct proportion that their respective interests bear to the total
interest of all parties taking Gas who are also considered
Overproduced.
All parties hereto shall share in and own the liquid hydrocarbons
recovered from such Gas by primary separation equipment, in
accordance with their respective interests and subject to the terms
of the above-described Operating Agreement, whether or not such
parties are actually taking and/or marketing Gas at such time.
B. Making Up Underproduction
Each party failing to market its share of the total volume of Gas
produced or failing to take its full share of the total volume of
Gas produced shall be considered Underproduced and shall be credited
with Gas in storage equal to its percentage share of the total
volume of Gas produced under this Agreement, less that portion of
the Gas actually marketed or taken by such party, gas used in
operations, vented, or lost. Any Underproduced party shall endeavor
to bring its taking of Gas into a Balanced condition. Upon at least
30 days written notice to the Operator, any Underproduced party may
thereafter begin taking or delivering to its purchaser its full
share of the Gas produced from a Well (less any used in operations,
vented or lost). To allow an Underproduced party to balance, upon 30
days written notice, an Underproduced party shall be entitled to
take or deliver to a purchaser its full share of Gas produced from
such Well (less any used in operations, vented, or lost) plus, (i)
for the months of March, April, May, June, July, August, September
and October only of any calendar year or years during which this
agreement may be in place, an amount up to an additional fifty
percent (50%) of the monthly quantity of gas attributable to the
Overproduced party or parties, or (ii) for the months of November,
December, January and February only of any calendar year or years
during which this agreement may be in place, an amount up to an
additional fifteen percent (15%) of the monthly quantity of Gas
attributable to the Overproduced party or parties, beginning the
first of the month immediately following the twenty (20) day written
notice.
If more than one Underproduced party is entitled to take additional
Gas, they shall divide the additional Gas in proportion to their
respective Underproduced accounts. The first Gas made up shall be
assumed to be the first Gas Underproduced.
C. Gas Balance Reporting
Each party taking Gas shall furnish or cause to be furnished to the
Operator a monthly written statement of Gas volumes taken and the
identity of its Gas purchaser, if any, no later than twenty (20)
days after the production month. Operator shall not be required to
adjust its Gas accounting statements reflecting a different Gas
purchaser until the first day of the month following the month in
which such notice is received by the Operator. The Operator will
maintain appropriate accounting on a monthly and cumulative basis of
the quantities of Gas each party is entitled to take and/or market
and the quantities of Gas taken and/or marketed by each of the
parties to their respective Gas purchasers. With respect to Gas
purchased from or transported for more than one party by or through
one pipeline connected to the Well, each party selling to or
transporting through such one pipeline shall furnish to Operator or
cause the pipeline owner to furnish to Operator monthly volume
statements showing the split of ownership through such pipeline's
sales or pipeline inlet meter during the preceding calendar month.
Within ninety (90) days after the end of each producing calendar
month, the Operator shall furnish each party a statement showing the
status of the Overproduced and Underproduced accounts of all
parties.
To determine respective volume of Gas taken by separate gas pipeline
connected to the Well, measurement of Gas for overproduction and
underproduction shall be accomplished by use of sales meters and
well measurement equipment, which shall be in accordance with AGA
requirements.
Each party to this agreement agrees that it will not utilize any
information obtained hereunder for any purpose other than
implementing or administering the terms of this Gas Balancing
Agreement.
D. Royalty and Production Tax
At all times while Gas is produced from the Contract Area, unless
otherwise required by any State or Federal law or regulations, each
party shall pay or cause to be paid all royalty due and payable on
its share of Gas production as if each party were taking or
delivering to a Gas purchaser its share of Gas production. Each
party agrees to hold each other party harmless from any and all
claims for royalty payments asserted by its royalty owners. The term
"royalty owner" shall include owners of royalty, overriding
royalties, production payments, and similar interests payable out of
production.
Page 2
<PAGE>
Each party producing and taking or delivering Gas to its Gas
purchaser shall pay, or cause to be paid, all production and
severance taxes due on all volumes of Gas actually taken or sold by
such party.
IV. Cash Settlement
A. Final Cash Balancing
Should production of gas from the Contract Area be permanently
discontinued before the gas accounts are balanced, the Operator
shall make a final determination of the volume of the last accrued
over- and underproduction, if any, as of the date of such permanent
discontinuance and the identity of the party(s) who are over- or
underproduced. A cash settlement will then be made between the
Underproduced and Overproduced parties. In making such settlement,
the Underproduced parties shall be paid a sum of money by the
Overproduced parties equal to the value, computed as hereinafter set
forth, of the unrecouped cumulative balance of overproduction,
adjusted for applicable taxes and royalties theretofore paid.
In determining the value of the unrecouped cumulative balance of
overproduction, beginning with the most recent month in which the
Overproduced parties took a volume of gas in excess of the quantity
to which such parties were entitled (hereafter called "overage") the
volume of overage during such month shall be multiplied times the
actual prices received for such overage during such month. The same
calculation shall be made for the next preceding month in which an
overage occurred and for each preceding month (progressing backward
in time) in which an overage occurred until the total volume of the
overages for these months equals the total volume of the unrecouped
cumulative balance of overproduction for purposes of the cash
settlement herein contemplated. Within ninety (90) days of permanent
discontinuance, the Operator will supply to the Non-Operator final
volume gas balancing statements. Within one hundred twenty (120)
days of permanent discontinuance, the Overproduced parties will pay
or cause to be paid to the Underproduced parties their share of
overage. Operator assumes no liability with respect to any such
third party payments due any Underproduced party. If refunds are
later required by any governmental authority, each party shall be
accountable for its respective share of such refunds as finally
balanced hereunder.
B. Collection and Distribution
Operator shall provide within thirty (30) days of permanent
termination of Gas production a final accounting of the Gas balance
to all parties hereto. Overproduced parties, within thirty (30) days
of receipt of the final accounting of the Gas balance, shall provide
Operator with a monthly statement of volume for each month during
which overproduction occurred that has not been made-up. Within
thirty (30) days after the receipt of such monthly statements for
Overproduced parties, Operator shall calculate and invoice each
Overproduced party for its share of the cash settlement, based on
said volume statements, and the Cash Out Value due each
Underproduced party. Overproduced parties shall make settlement,
based on the invoiced amount, to the Operator within thirty (30)
days after receipt of said invoice. Such payment shall relieve an
Overproduced party of liability to any other party for the sums
paid. Operator shall promptly distribute the funds it receives to
the Underproduced parties in that production that each Underproduced
party's volume of gas in storage bears to the total of all
Underproduced parties volumes for Gas in storage.
C. Responsibility and Liability for Collection
Operator shall not be liable to any Underproduced party for the
failure of any Overproduced party to any amounts owned pursuant to
the terms hereof. In the event that any party fails to pay any sum
due under the terms hereof after demand therefore by the Operator,
the Operator may turn responsibility for the collection of such sum
to the party or parties to whom it is owned, and Operator shall have
no further responsibility in the event that such sums are not paid.
Any party shall have the right after expiration of thirty (30) days
after the Operator shall have provided a final accounting of the Gas
balance to all parties hereto to demand on thirty (30) days advance
written notice to both Operator and all Overproduced parties that
any payments due to such party for such party's Underproduced
volumes shall be paid directly to such party by the Overproduced
party(s), rather than being paid through Operator. In the event that
any Overproduced party pays to Operator any sums due to an
Underproduced party at any time after thirty (30) days following the
receipt of such written notification of a demand that such
Underproduced party receive such payment directly, the Overproduced
party(s) shall continue to be liable to such Underproduced party for
any sums so paid, until such payment is actually received by such
Underproduced party. In no event shall Operator be liable or
responsible for any amount of cash settlement based on a value
asserted by an Underproduced party different than the value
calculated based on the volume statements and Cash Out Value
provided by the Overproduced party or parties.
Page 3
<PAGE>
D. Ownership changes
In the event an Overproduced party intends to sell, assign, exchange
or otherwise transfer any of its interest in a Well located on the
Contract Area, such Overproduced party shall notify in writing the
other working interest owners who are parties hereto in such Well of
such fact within forty-five (45) days prior to closing the
transaction. Any Underproduced party may demand of such Overproduced
party in writing within twenty (20) days after receipt of the
Overproduced party's notice of intent to sell, assign, exchange or
otherwise transfer its interest in a Well, a cash settlement of its
underproduction attributed to such Overproduced party's
Overproduction in the Well. Any Underproduced party electing to cash
settle with the Overproduced party shall thereby indemnify and hold
the Overproduced party harmless against any causes of action,
claims, losses or other actions which may be claimed by any third
party, including, but not limited to, any purchaser of the Gas of
the Underproduced party, as a result of the cash settlement. The
Operator shall be notified of any such demand and of any cash
settlement pursuant to this Paragraph IV.D., and the Gas balance
accounts of the parties shall be adjusted accordingly. Any cash
settlement pursuant to this Paragraph IV.D. shall be on the same
basis as otherwise set forth in Paragraphs IV.A. through IV.C.
hereof.
V. Miscellaneous
A. Term
This agreement shall remain in force and effect as long as the
Operating Agreement to which it is attached remains in force and
effect and thereafter until the Gas balance accounts between the
parties are settled in full, and shall inure to the benefit of and
be binding upon the parties hereto, their heirs, successors, legal
representatives and assigns.
B. Expenses
Nothing herein shall change or affect each party's obligations to
pay its proportionate share of all costs and liabilities incurred in
operations on the Contract Area as its share thereof is set forth in
the Operating Agreement to which this Agreement is attached.
C. Well Tests
Nothing herein shall be construed to deny any party the right, from
time to time, to produce and take or deliver to its Gas purchaser up
to one hundred percent (100%) of the entire well stream to meet the
deliverability test required by its Gas purchaser, provided that
such tests are reasonable in light of overall industry standards.
D. Monitoring of Takes of Production
Each party shall, at all times, use its best efforts to regulate its
takes and deliveries from each well on said Contract Area so that no
well will be shut-in for overproducing the allowable assigned
thereto by the regulatory body having jurisdiction. Additionally,
each party shall communicate, as necessary, the contents of this
agreement to its respective Gas purchaser(s) or transporter(s) and
shall monitor its deliveries to its respective Gas Purchaser(s) or
transporter(s) so as to ensure to the greatest extent practicable
that its Gas purchaser(s) or transporter(s) does not take Gas in
excess of the quantities provided for herein.
E. Method of Tax Accounting
In the event Internal Revenue Service regulations require a uniform
method of computing taxable income by all parties, each party agrees
to compute and report income to the Internal Revenue Service based
on the quantity of Gas taken for its account (the cumulative method)
in accordance with such regulations.
Page 4
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT "F"
Attached to and made a part of that certain Operating Agreement dated January
15, 2004, by and between Ivanhoe Energy (USA) Inc., as Operator and Derek
Resources (U.S.A.) Inc., as Non-Operator.
Equal Opportunity & Non-Segregation Of Facilities
Certifications and Agreements
This contract shall be performed by Operator in compliance with all applicable
laws, proclaimed, order, rules and regulations, including, without limitation,
the following:
1. Equal Employment Opportunity
A. Equal Opportunity Clause (41 CFR 60-1.4). (Applicable to all
contracts for more than $10,000, individually; or if Operator has
such contracts or subcontracts with the Government in any 12-month
period which have an aggregate total value (or can reasonable be
expected to have an aggregate total value) exceeding $10,000, the
$10,000 or under exemption does not apply, and the contracts are
subject to the order and the regulations issued pursuant thereto
regardless of whether any single contract exceeds $10,000.)
The equal opportunity clause required by Executive Order 11246 of September 24,
1965, and prescribed in section 60-1.4 of Title 41 of the Code of Federal
Regulations is incorporated by reference (as permitted by section 60-1.4(d) of
said Regulations) as if set out in full at this point.
B. Certification of Nonsegregated Facilities (41 CFR 60-1.8).
(Applicable only to contracts which are not exempt from the
provisions of the Equal Opportunity Clause set out above.) Operator
certifies that it does not, and will not, maintain or provide for
its employees any segregated facilities at any of its
establishments, and that it does not and will not permit its
employees to perform their services at any location, under its
control, where segregated facilities are maintained. Operator agrees
that a breach of this certification is a violation of the Equal
Opportunity Clause required by Executive Order 11246 of September
24, 1965.
As used in this certification, the term "segregated facilities"
means any waiting rooms, work areas, rest rooms and wash room,
restaurants and other eating areas, time clocks, locker rooms and
other storage or dressing areas, parking lots, drinking fountains,
recreation or entertainment areas, transportation, and housing
facilities provided for employees which are segregated by explicit
directive or are in fact segregated on the basis of race, color,
religion, or national origin, because of habit, local custom, or
otherwise.
Operator further agrees that (except where it has obtained identical
certifications from proposed subcontractors for specific time
periods), it will obtain identical certifications from proposed
subcontractors prior to the award of subcontractors exceeding
$10,000 which are not exempt from the provisions of the Equal
Opportunity Clause; that will forward that following notice to such
proposed subcontractors (except where the proposed subcontractors
have submitted identical certifications for specific time periods):
NOTICE TO PROSPECTIVE SUBCONTRACTORS OR REQUIREMENT FOR CERTIFICATIONS OF
NONSEGREGATED FACILITIES
A certificate of Nonsegregated Facilities must be submitted prior to
the award of a subcontract exceeding $10,000 which is not exempt
from the provisions of the Equal Opportunity Clause. The
certification may be submitted either for each subcontract or for
all subcontracts during a period (i.e., quarterly, semiannually, or
annually).
C. Affirmative Action Compliance Program (41 CFR 60-1.4). (Applicable
only if Operator (a) has 50 or more employees, and (b) has a
contract for $50,000 or more). If required under Section 60-1.4 of
Title 41 of Code of Federal Regulations, Operator certifies that it
has developed, or agrees to develop, a written affirmative action
program for each of its establishments within 120 days from the
effectiveness of this contract or the first of the contracts of
sale. Operator shall maintain such program until such time as it is
no longer required by law or regulation. Operator shall maintain a
copy of separate program for each establishment, including
evaluation of utilization of minority group personnel and the job
classifications tables, at each local office responsible for the
personnel matters of such establishment.
D. Employer Information Report (41 CFR 60-1.7). (Applicable only if
Operator (a) had 50 or more employees, (b) is non exempt pursuant to
41 CFR 60-1.5 from the requirement for filing Employer Information
Report EEO-0, and (c) has a contract or subcontract amounting to
$50,000 or more.)
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If required under Section 60-1.7 of Title 41 of the Code of Federal
Regulations to file, the Employer Information Report, Standard Form 100
(EEO-0), or such forms as may hereinafter be promulgated in its place, in
accordance with the applicable instructions and will continue to file such
report unless and until Operator is not required to so file by law or
regulation.
2. AFFIRMATIVE ACTION FOR DISABLED VETERANS AND VETERANS OF THE VIETNAM ERA
A. Affirmative Action Clause (41 CFR 60-250.4). (Applicable only to
contracts for $10,000 or more.)
The affirmative action clause prescribed in Section 60-250.4 of the
Code of Federal Regulations is incorporated by reference (as
permitted by Section 60-250.22 of said Regulations) as if set out in
full at this point.
B. Affirmative Action Program (41 CFR 60-250.5). (Applicable to
contracts for $10,000 or more only if Operator (a) has 50 or more
employees and (b) holds a contract of $50,000 or more.)
The affirmation action program prescribed in sections 60-250.22 of
said Regulations) as if set out in full at this point.
3. AFFIRMATIVE ACTION FOR HANDICAPPED WORKERS
A. Affirmative Action Clause (41 CFR 60-741.4). (Applicable to
contracts for $2,500 or more.)
The affirmative action clause prescribed in Section 60-741.4 of
Title 41 of the Code of Federal Regulations is incorporated herein
by reference (as permitted by Section 60-741.22 of said Regulations)
as if set out in full at this point.
B. Affirmative Action Program (41 CFR 60-741.5). (Applicable to
contracts for $2,500 or more only if Operator (a) has 50 or more
employees and (b) holds a contract of $50,000 or more.)
The affirmative action program prescribed in Sections 60-741.5 and
60-741.6 of Title 41 of the Code of Federal Regulations is
incorporated by reference (as permitted by Section 60-741.22 of said
Regulations) as if set out in full at this point.
4. MINORITY BUSINESS ENTERPRISES 41 CFR 1-1.13, FEDERAL PROCUREMENT
REGULATIONS)
A. Utilization of Minority Business Enterprises (41 CFR 1-131310-2
(a)). (Applicable only to contracts which may exceed $10,000 except
those, and all subcontracts thereunder, to be performed entirely
outside the United States, its possessions, and Puerto Rico, and
those of services of a personal nature.)
(1) It is the policy of the Government that minority business
enterprises shall have the maximum practicable opportunity to
participate in the performance of Government contracts.
(2) Operator agrees to use its best efforts to carry out this
policy in the award of its subcontracts to the fullest extent
consistent with the efficient performance of this contract. As
used in this contract, the term "minority business
enterprises" means a business, at least 50% of which is owned
by minority group members or, in case of publicly owned
businesses, at least 51 percent of the stock of which is owned
by minority group members. For the purposes of this
definition, minority group members are Negroes, Spanish
speaking American persons, American-Oriental,
American-Indians, American-Eskimos, and American-Aleut.
Operator may rely on written representation by subcontractors
regarding their status as minority business enterprises in
lieu of an independent investigation.
B. Minority Business Enterprises Subcontracting Program (41 CFR
1-131310-2(b)). (Applicable to all contracts which may exceed
$500,000 which contain the clause required by 41 CFR 1-1.1310-2(a)
and which offer substantial subcontracting possibilities.)
(1) Operator agrees to establish and conduct a program which will
enable minority business enterprises (as defined in the above
clause entitled "Utilization of Minority business
enterprises') to be considered fairly as subcontractors and
suppliers under this contract. In this connection, Operator
shall:
(a) Designate a liaison officer who will administer
Operator's minority business enterprises program.
(b) Provide adequate and timely consideration of the
potentialities of known minority business enterprises in
all "make-or buy" decisions.
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(c) Assure that known minority business enterprises will
have an equitable opportunity to compete for
subcontracts, particularly by arranging solicitations,
time for the preparation of bids, quantities,
specification, and delivery schedules so as to
facilitate the participation of minority business
enterprises.
(d) Maintain records showing (i) procedures which have been
adopted to comply with the policies set forth in this
clause, including the establishment of a source list of
minority business enterprises, (ii) awards to minority
business enterprises on the source list, and (iii)
specific efforts to identify and award contracts to
minority business enterprises.
(e) Include the Utilization of Minority Business Enterprises
clause in subcontracts which offer substantial minority
business enterprises subcontracting opportunities.
(f) Cooperate with the Contracting Officer in any studies
and surveys of Operator's minority business enterprises
procedures and practices that the Contracting Officer
may from time to time conduct.
(g) Submit periodic reports of subcontracting to known
minority business enterprises with respect to the
records referred to in subparagraph (d), above, in such
form and manner and at such time (not more often than
quarterly) as the Contracting Officer may prescribe.
(2) Operator further agrees to insert, in any subcontract
hereunder which may exceed $500,000, provisions which shall
conform substantially to the language of this clause,
including this Paragraph (2), and to notify the Contracting
Officer of the names of such subcontractors.
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EXHIBIT "H"
Attached to and made a part of that certain Operating Agreement dated January
15, 2004, by and between Ivanhoe Energy (USA) Inc., as Operator and Derek
Resources (U.S.A.) Inc., as Non-Operator.
Model Form Recording Supplement to
Operating Agreement and Financing Statement
THIS AGREEMENT, entered into by and between Ivanhoe Energy (USA) Inc. dba
USA Ivanhoe Energy, Inc., in California (hereinafter referred to as "Operator")
and the signatory party or parties other than Operator (hereinafter referred to
individually as "Non-Operator", and collectively as "Non-Operators").
WHEREAS, the parties to this agreement are owners of Oil and Gas Leases
and/or Oil and Gas Interests in the land identified in Exhibit "A" (said land,
Leases and Interests being hereinafter called the "Contract Area"), and in any
instance in which the Leases or Interests of a party are not of record, the
record owner and the party hereto that owns the Interest or rights therein are
reflected on Exhibit "A";
WHEREAS, the parties hereto have executed an Operating Agreement dated
January 15 ,2004 (herein the "Operating Agreement"), covering the Contract Area
for the purpose of exploring and developing such lands, Leases and Interests for
Oil and Gas; and
WHEREAS, the parties hereto have executed this agreement for the purpose
of imparting notice to all persons of the rights and obligations of the parties
under the Operating Agreement and for the further purpose of perfecting those
rights capable of perfection.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual rights and obligations of
the parties hereto, it is agreed as follows:
1. This agreement supplements the Operating Agreement, which Agreement
in its entirety is incorporated herein by reference, and all terms
used herein shall have the meaning ascribed to them in the Operating
Agreement.
2. The parties do hereby agree that:
A. The Oil and Gas Leases and/or Oil and Gas Interests of the
parties comprising the Contract Area shall be subject to and
burdened with the terms and provisions of this agreement and
the Operating Agreement, and the parties do hereby commit such
Leases and Interests to the performance thereof.
B. The exploration and development of the Contract Area for Oil
and Gas shall be governed by the terms and provisions of the
Operating Agreement, as supplemented by this agreement.
C. All costs and liabilities incurred in operations under this
agreement and the Operating Agreement shall be borne and paid,
and all equipment and materials acquired in operations on the
Contract Area shall be owned, by the parties hereto, as
provided in the Operating Agreement.
D. Regardless of the record title ownership to the Oil and Gas
Leases and/Oil and Gas Interests identified on Exhibit "A",
all production of Oil and Gas from the Contract Area shall be
owned by the parties as provided in the Operating Agreement;
provided nothing contained in this agreement shall be deemed
an assignment or cross-assignment of interests covered hereby.
E. Each party shall pay or deliver, or cause to be paid or
delivered, all burdens on its share of the production from the
Contract Area as provided in the Operating Agreement.
F. An overriding royalty, production payment, net profits
interest or other burden payable out of production hereafter
created, assignments of production given as security for the
payment of money and those overriding royalties, production
payments and other burdens payable out of production
heretofore created and defined as Subsequently Created
Interests in the Operating Agreement shall be (i) borne solely
by the party whose interest is burdened therewith, (ii)
subject to suspension if a party is required to assign or
relinquish to another party an interest which is subject to
such burden, and (iii) subject to the lien and security
interest hereafter provided if the party subject to such
burden fails to pay its share of expenses chargeable hereunder
and under the Operating Agreement, all upon the terms and
provisions and in the times and manner provided by the
Operating Agreement.
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G. The Oil and Gas Leases and/or Oil and Gas Interests which are
subject hereto may not be assigned or transferred except in
accordance with those terms, provisions and restrictions in
the Operating Agreement regulating such transfers. This
agreement and the Operating Agreement shall be binding upon
and shall inure to the benefit of the parties hereto, and
their respective heirs, devisees, legal representatives, and
assigns, and the terms hereof shall be deemed to run with the
leases or interests included within the lease Contract Area.
H. The parties shall have the right to acquire an interest in
renewal, extension and replacement leases, leases proposed to
be surrendered, wells proposed to be abandoned, and interests
to be relinquished as a result of non-participation in
subsequent operations, all in accordance with the terms and
provisions of the Operating Agreement.
I. The rights and obligations of the parties and the adjustment
of interests among them in the event of a failure or loss of
title, each party's right to propose operations, obligations
with respect to participation in operations on the Contract
Area and the consequences of a failure to participate in
operations, the rights and obligations of the parties
regarding the marketing of production, and the rights and
remedies of the parties for failure to comply with financial
obligations shall be as provided in the Operating Agreement.
J. Each party's interest under this agreement and under the
Operating Agreement shall be subject to relinquishment for its
failure to participate in subsequent operations and each
party's share of production and costs shall be reallocated on
the basis of such relinquishment, all upon the terms and
provisions provided in the Operating Agreement.
K. All other matters with respect to exploration and development
of the Contract Area and the ownership and transfer of the Oil
and Gas Leases and/or Oil and Gas Interest therein shall be
governed by the terms and provisions of the Operating
Agreement.
3. The parties hereby grant reciprocal liens and security interests as
follows:
A. Each party grants to the other parties hereto a lien upon any
interest it now owns or hereafter acquires in Oil and Gas
Leases and Oil and Gas Interests in the Contract Area, and a
security interest and/or purchase money security interest in
any interest it now owns or hereafter acquires in the personal
property and fixtures on or used or obtained for use in
connection therewith, to secure performance of all of its
obligations under this agreement and the Operating Agreement
including but not limited to payment of expense, interest and
fees, the proper disbursement of all monies paid under this
agreement and the Operating Agreement, the assignment or
relinquishment of interest in Oil and Gas Leases as required
under this agreement and the Operating Agreement, and the
proper performance of operations under this agreement and the
Operating Agreement. Such lien and security interest granted
by each party hereto shall include such party's leasehold
interests, working interests, operating rights, and royalty
and overriding royalty interests in the Contract Area now
owned or hereafter acquired and in lands pooled or unitized
therewith or otherwise becoming subject to this agreement and
the Operating Agreement, the Oil and Gas when extracted
therefrom and equipment situated thereon or used or obtained
for use in connection therewith (including, without
limitation, all wells, tools, and tubular goods), and accounts
(including, without limitation, accounts arising from the sale
of production at the wellhead), contract rights, inventory and
general intangibles relating thereto or arising therefrom, and
all proceeds and products of the foregoing.
B. Each party represents and warrants to the other parties hereto
that the lien and security interest granted by such party to
the other parties shall be a first and prior lien, and each
party hereby agrees to maintain the priority of said lien and
security interest against all persons acquiring an interest in
Oil and Gas Leases and Interests covered by this agreement and
Operating Agreement by, through or under such party. All
parties acquiring an interest in Oil and Gas Leases and Oil
and Gas Interests covered by this agreement and the Operating
Agreement, whether by assignment, merger, mortgage, operation
of law, or otherwise, shall be deemed to have taken subject to
the lien and security interest granted by the Operating
Agreement and this instrument as to all obligations
attributable to such interest under this agreement and the
Operating Agreement whether or not such obligations arise
before or after such interest is acquired.
C. To the extent that the parties have a security interest under
the Uniform Commercial Code of the state in which the Contract
Area is situated, they shall be entitled to exercise the
rights and remedies of a secured party under the Code. The
bringing of a suit and the obtaining of judgment by a party
for the secured indebtedness shall not be deemed an election
of remedies or otherwise affect the lien rights or security
interest as security for the payment thereof. In addition,
upon default by any party in the payment of its share of
expenses, interest or fees, or upon the improper use of funds
by the Operator, the other parties shall have the right,
without prejudice to other rights or remedies, to collect from
the purchaser the proceeds from the sale of such defaulting
party's share of Oil and Gas until the amount
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owned by such party, plus interest, has been received, and
shall have the right to offset the amount owned against the
proceeds from the sale of such defaulting party or parties
stating the amount due as a result of the default, and all
parties waive any from the non-defaulting party or parties
stating the amount due as a result of the default, and all
parties waive any recourse available against purchasers for
releasing production proceeds as provided in this paragraph.
D. If any party fails to pay its share of expenses within one
hundred-twenty (120) days after rendition of a statement
therefore by Operator the non-defaulting parties, including
Operator, shall, upon request by Operator, pay the unpaid
amount in the proportion that the interest of each such party
bears to the interest of all such parties. The amount paid by
each party so paying its share of the unpaid amount shall be
secured by the liens and security rights described in this
Paragraph 3 and in the Operating Agreement, and each paying
party may independently pursue any remedy available under the
Operating Agreement or otherwise.
E. If any party does not perform all of its obligations under
this agreement of the Operating Agreement, and the failure to
perform subjects such party to foreclosure or execution
proceedings pursuant to the provisions of this agreement or
the Operating Agreement, to the extent allowed by governing
law, the defaulting party waives any available right of
redemption from and after the date of judgment, any required
valuation or appraisement of the mortgaged or secured property
prior to sale, any available right to stay execution or to
require a marshalling of assets and any required bond in the
event a receiver is appointed. In addition, to the extent
permitted by applicable law, each party hereby grants to the
other parties a power of sale as to any property that is
subject to the lien and security rights granted hereunder or
under the Operating Agreement, such power to be exercised in
the manner provided by applicable law or otherwise in a
commercially reasonable manner and upon reasonable notice.
F. The lien and security interest granted in this Paragraph 3.
supplements identical rights granted under the Operating
Agreement.
G. To the extent permitted by applicable law, Non-Operators agree
that Operator may invoke or utilize the mechanics' or
materialmen's lien law of the state in which the Contract Area
is situated in order to secure the payment to Operator of any
sum due under this agreement and the Operating Agreement for
services performed or materials supplied by Operator.
H. The above described security will be financed at the wellhead
of the well or wells located on the Contract Area and this
Recording Supplement may be filed in the land records in the
County or Parish in which the Contract Area is located, and as
a financing statement in all recording offices required under
the Uniform Commercial Code or other applicable state statutes
to perfect the above-described security interest, and any
party hereto may file a continuation statement as necessary
under the Uniform Commercial Code, or other state laws.
4. This agreement shall be effective as of the date of the Operating
Agreement as above recited. Upon termination of this agreement and
the Operating Agreement and the satisfaction of all obligations
thereunder, Operator is authorized to file of record in all
necessary recording offices a notice of termination, and each party
hereto agrees to execute such a notice of termination as to
Operator's interest, upon the request of Operator, if Operator has
complied with all of its financial obligations.
5. This agreement and the Operating Agreement shall be binding upon and
shall inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their
respective heirs, devisees, legal representatives, successors and
assigns. No sale, encumbrance, transfer or other disposition shall
be made by any party of any interest in the Leases or Interests
subject hereto except as expressly permitted under the Operating
Agreement and, if permitted, shall be made expressly subject to this
agreement and the Operating Agreement and without prejudice to the
rights of the other parties. If the transfer is permitted, the
assignee of an ownership interest in any Oil and Gas Lease shall be
deemed a party to this agreement and the Operating Agreement as to
the interest assigned from and after the effective date of the
transfer of ownership; provided, however, that the other parties
shall not be required to recognize any such sale, encumbrance,
transfer or other disposition for any purpose hereunder until thirty
(30) days after they have received a copy of the instrument of
transfer or other satisfactory evidence thereof in writing from the
transferor or transferee. No assignment or other disposition of
interest by a party shall relieve such party of obligations
previously incurred by such party under this agreement or the
Operating Agreement with respect to the interest transferred,
including without limitation the obligation of a party to pay all
costs attributable to an operation conducted under this agreement
and the Operating Agreement in which such party has agreed to
participate prior to making such assignment, and the lien and
security interest granted by Article VII.B. of the Operating
Agreement and hereby shall continue to burden the interest
transferred to secure payment of any such obligations.
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6. In the event of a conflict between the terms and provisions of this
agreement and the terms and provisions of the Operating Agreement,
then, as between the parties, the terms and provisions of the
Operating Agreement shall control.
7. This agreement shall be binding upon each Non-Operator when this
agreement or a counterpart thereof has been executed by such
Non-Operator and Operator notwithstanding that this agreement is not
then or thereafter executed by all of the parties to which it is
tendered or which are listed on Exhibit "A" as owning an interest in
the Contract Area or which own, in fact, an interest in the Contract
Area. In the event that any provision herein is illegal or
unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall not be affected, and
shall be enforced as if the illegal or unenforceable provision did
not appear herein. ______________________________________ who has
prepared and circulated this form for execution, represents and
warrants that the form was printed from and, with the exception(s)
listed below, is identical to the AAPL Form 610RS-1989 Model Form
Recording Supplement to Operating Agreement and Financing Statement,
as published in computerized form by Forms On-A-Disk, Inc. No
changes, alterations, or modifications, other than those made by
strikethrough and/or insertion and that are clearly recognizable as
changes in Articles __________________, have been made to the form.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this agreement shall be effective as of the 15th
day of January 2004.
ATTEST OR WITNESS: OPERATOR
--------
IVANHOE ENERGY (USA) INC.
_________________________________ By:________________________________
Title:_____________________________
_________________________________ Date:______________________________
NON-OPERATORS
--------------
DEREK RESOURCES (U.S.A.) INC.
_________________________________ By:________________________________
Title:_____________________________
_________________________________ Date:______________________________
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