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EXHIBIT 4.1
SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED
1996 STOCK PURCHASE AND OPTION PLAN
FOR KEY EMPLOYEES OF
DOMAIN ENERGY CORPORATION AND AFFILIATES
1. Purpose of Plan
The Second Amended and Restated 1996 Stock Purchase and Option Plan for
Key Employees of Domain Energy Corporation and Affiliates (the "Plan") is
designed:
(a) to promote the long term financial interests and growth of Domain
Energy Corporation (the "Corporation") and its affiliates by attracting and
retaining management personnel with the training, experience and ability to
enable them to make a substantial contribution to the success of the
Corporation's business;
(b) to motivate management personnel by means of growth-related
incentives to achieve long range goals; and
(c) to further the alignment of interests of participants with those of
the stockholders of the Corporation through opportunities for increased stock,
or stock-based, ownership in the Corporation.
2. Definitions
As used in the Plan, the following words shall have the following
meanings:
(a) "Affiliate" means, with respect to the Corporation, any corporation
directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common control with,
the Corporation or any other entity designated by the Board of Directors of the
Corporation in which the Corporation or an Affiliate has an interest.
(b) "Board of Directors" means the Board of Directors of the
Corporation.
(c) "Change of Control" shall mean the occurrence of either (x) the
purchase or other acquisition by any person, entity or group (within the meaning
of section 13(d) of 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or any
comparable successor provisions) of persons or entities (a "Group"), other than
the FRC Entities, of (i) ownership of fifty percent (50%) or more of the
combined voting power of the Corporation's then outstanding voting securities
entitled to vote generally or (ii) all or substantially all of the direct and
indirect assets of the Company and its subsidiaries or (y) any merger,
consolidation, reorganization or other business combination of the Corporation
with or into any other entity which results in a person, entity or Group other
than First Reserve or any of its Affiliates owning fifty percent (50%) or more
of the combined voting
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power of the surviving or resulting corporation's then outstanding voting
securities entitled to vote generally.
(d) "Committee" means the Compensation Committee of the Board of
Directors.
(e) "Common Stock" or "Share" means common stock of the Corporation
which may be authorized but unissued, or issued and reacquired.
(f) "Employee" means a person, including an officer, in the regular
full-time employment of the Corporation or one of its Affiliates who, in the
opinion of the Committee, is, or is expected to be, primarily responsible for
the management, growth or protection of some part or all of the business of the
Corporation.
(g) "Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended.
(h) "Fair Market Value" shall mean (A) if on the date as of which Fair
Market Value is being determined the Common Stock is listed on a national
securities exchange or is quoted in the NASDAQ System or the over-the-counter
market, the last sale price, regular way, of such security on the principal
national securities exchange on which such security is at the time listed, or
(B) if there have been no sales on any such exchange on any day, the average of
the highest bid and lowest asked prices on such exchange at the end of such day,
or (C) if on any day the Common Stock is not so listed, the average of the
representative bid and asked prices quoted in the NASDAQ System as of 4:00 P.M.,
New York time, or (D) if on any day the Common Stock is not quoted in the NASDAQ
System, the average of the highest bid and lowest asked prices on such day in
the domestic over-the-counter market as reported by the National Quotation
Bureau, Incorporated, or any similar successor organization, in each such case
of clauses (A)-(D) averaged over a period of 20 days consisting of the day as of
which Fair Market Value is being determined and the latest 19 consecutive
trading days prior to such day, or (E) if the Common Stock is not publicly
traded, then the fair market value of the Common Stock as determined in good
faith by the Committee.
(i) "FRC Entities" shall mean investment funds or other entities for
which First Reserve Corporation acts as a general and/or managing partner or in
respect of which First Reserve Corporation provides investment advice, either
directly or through entities controlled by it.
(j) "Grant" means an award made to a Participant pursuant to the Plan
and described in Paragraph 5, including, without limitation, an award of an
Incentive Stock Option, Stock Option, Stock Appreciation Right, Dividend
Equivalent Right, Restricted Stock, Purchase Stock, Performance Units,
Performance Shares or Other Stock Based Grant or any combination of the
foregoing.
(k) "Grant Agreement" means an agreement between the Corporation and a
Participant that sets forth the terms, conditions and limitations applicable to
a Grant.
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(l) "Participant" means an Employee, director or other person having a
unique relationship with the Corporation or one of its Affiliates, to whom one
or more Grants have been made and such Grants have not all been forfeited or
terminated under the Plan.
(m) "Stock-Based Grants" means the collective reference to the grant of
Stock Appreciation Rights, Dividend Equivalent Rights, Restricted Stock,
Performance Units, Performance Shares and Other Stock Based Grants.
(n) "Stock Options" means the collective reference to "Incentive Stock
Options" and "Other Stock Options".
(o) "Subsidiary" shall mean any corporation in an unbroken chain of
corporations beginning with the Corporation if each of the corporations, or
group of commonly controlled corporations, other than the last corporation in
the unbroken chain then owns stock possessing 50% or more of the total combined
voting power of all classes of stock in one of the other corporations in such
chain.
3. Administration of Plan
(a) The Plan shall be administered by the Committee. Except as provided
in Section 4, the members of the Committee shall be eligible to be selected for
Grants under the Plan; provided, however, that the members of the Committee
shall qualify to administer the Plan for purposes of Rule 16b-3 (and any other
applicable rule) promulgated under Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act to the
extent that the Corporation is subject to such rule. The Committee may adopt its
own rules of procedure, and action of a majority of the members of the Committee
taken at a meeting, or action taken without a meeting by unanimous written
consent, shall constitute action by the Committee. The Committee shall have the
power and authority to administer, construe and interpret the Plan, to make
rules for carrying it out and to make changes in such rules. Any such
interpretations, rules, and administration shall be consistent with the basic
purposes of the Plan.
(b) The Committee may delegate to the Chief Executive Officer and to
other senior officers of the Corporation its duties under the Plan subject to
such conditions and limitations as the Committee shall prescribe except that
only the Committee may designate and make Grants to Participants who are subject
to Section 16 of the Exchange Act.
(c) The Committee may employ attorneys, consultants, accountants,
appraisers, brokers or other persons. The Committee, the Corporation, and the
officers and directors of the Corporation shall be entitled to rely upon the
advice, opinions or valuations of any such persons. All actions taken and all
interpretations and determinations made by the Committee in good faith shall be
final and binding upon all Participants, the Corporation and all other
interested persons. No member of the Committee shall be personally liable for
any action, determination or interpretation made in good faith with respect to
the Plan or the Grants, and all members of the Committee shall be fully
protected by the Corporation with respect to any such action, determination or
interpretation.
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4. Eligibility
The Committee may from time to time make Grants under the Plan to such
Employees, directors or other persons having a unique relationship with the
Corporation or any of its Affiliates, and in such form and having such terms,
conditions and limitations as the Committee may determine. Grants may be granted
singly, in combination or in tandem. The terms, conditions and limitations of
each Grant under the Plan shall be set forth in a Grant Agreement, in a form
approved by the Committee, consistent, however, with the terms of the Plan;
provided, however, such Grant Agreement shall contain provisions dealing with
the treatment of Grants in the event of the termination, death or disability of
a Participant, and may also include provisions concerning the treatment of
Grants in the event of a Change of Control of Corporation.
5. Grants
From time to time, the Committee will determine the forms and amounts
of Grants for Participants. Such Grants may take the following forms in the
Committee's sole discretion:
(a) Incentive Stock Options - These are stock options within the
meaning of Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended
("Code"), to purchase Common Stock. In addition to other restrictions contained
in the Plan, an option granted under this Paragraph 5(a), (i) may not be
exercised more than 10 years after the date it is granted, (ii) may not have an
option price less than the Fair Market Value of Common Stock on the date the
option is granted, (iii) must otherwise comply with Code Section 422, and (iv)
must be designated as an "Incentive Stock Option" by the Committee. The maximum
aggregate Fair Market Value of Common Stock (determined at the time of each
Grant) with respect to which Incentive Stock Options are first exercisable with
respect to any Participant under this Plan and any Incentive Stock Options
granted to the Participant for such year under any plans of the Corporation or
any Subsidiary in any calendar year is $100,000. Payment of the option price
shall be made in accordance with the terms of Paragraph 6, the Grant Agreement,
and of any applicable guidelines of the Committee in effect at the time.
(b) Other Stock Options - These are options to purchase Common Stock
which are not designated by the Committee as "Incentive Stock Options". At the
time of the Grant the Committee shall determine, and shall include in the Grant
Agreement or other Plan rules, the option exercise period, the option price, and
such other conditions or restrictions on the grant or exercise of the option as
the Committee deems appropriate, which may include the requirement that the
grant of options is predicated on the acquisition of Purchase Shares under
Paragraph 5(e) by the Optionee. In addition to other restrictions contained in
the Plan, an option granted under this Paragraph 5(b), (i) may not be exercised
more than 10 years after the date it is granted and (ii) may not have an option
exercise price less than 50% of the Fair Market Value of Common Stock on the
date the option is granted, provided that options to purchase up to 433,500
shares of Common Stock may be granted with an exercise price of $.01 per share.
Payment of the option price shall be made in accordance with the terms of
Paragraph 6, the Grant Agreement and of any applicable guidelines of the
Committee in effect at the time.
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(c) Stock Appreciation Rights - These are rights that on exercise
entitle the holder to receive the excess of (i) the Fair Market Value of a share
of Common Stock on the date of exercise over (ii) the Fair Market Value on the
date of Grant (the "base value") multiplied by (iii) the number of rights
exercised as determined by the Committee. Stock Appreciation Rights granted
under the Plan may, but need not be, granted in conjunction with an Option under
Paragraph 5(a) or 5(b). The Committee, in the Grant Agreement or by other Plan
rules, may impose such conditions or restrictions on the exercise of Stock
Appreciation Rights as it deems appropriate, and may terminate, amend, or
suspend such Stock Appreciation Rights at any time. No Stock Appreciation Right
granted under this Plan may be exercised less than 6 months or more than 10
years after the date it is granted except in the event of death or disability of
a Participant. To the extent that any Stock Appreciation Right that shall have
become exercisable, but shall not have been exercised or cancelled or, by reason
of any termination of employment, shall have become non-exercisable, it shall be
deemed to have been exercised automatically, without any notice of exercise, on
the last day on which it is exercisable, provided that any conditions or
limitations on its exercise are satisfied (other than (i) notice of exercise and
(ii) exercise or election to exercise during the period prescribed) and the
Stock Appreciation Right shall then have value. Such exercise shall be deemed to
specify that the holder elects to receive cash and that such exercise of a Stock
Appreciation Right shall be effective as of the time of automatic exercise.
(d) Restricted Stock - Restricted Stock is Common Stock delivered to a
Participant with or without payment of consideration with restrictions or
conditions on the Participant's right to transfer or sell such stock; provided
that the price of any Restricted Stock delivered for consideration and not as
bonus stock may not be less than 50% of the Fair Market Value of Common Stock on
the date such Restricted Stock is granted or the price of such Restricted Stock
may be the par value. If a Participant irrevocably elects in writing in the
calendar year preceding a Grant of Restricted Stock, dividends paid on the
Restricted Stock granted may be paid in shares of Restricted Stock equal to the
cash dividend paid on Common Stock. The number of shares of Restricted Stock and
the restrictions or conditions on such shares shall be as the Committee
determines, in the Grant Agreement or by other Plan rules, and the certificate
for the Restricted Stock shall bear evidence of the restrictions or conditions.
No Restricted Stock may have a restriction period of less than 6 months, other
than in the case of death or disability.
(e) Purchase Stock - Purchase Stock refers to shares of Common Stock
offered to a Participant at such price as determined by the Committee, the
acquisition of which will make him eligible to receive under the Plan,
including, but not limited to, Other Stock Options; provided, however, that the
price of such Purchase Stock may not be less than 50% of the Fair Market Value
of the Common Stock on the date such shares of Purchase Stock are offered.
(f) Dividend Equivalent Rights - These are rights to receive cash
payments from the Corporation at the same time and in the same amount as any
cash dividends paid on an equal number of shares of Common Stock to shareholders
of record during the period such rights are effective. The Committee, in the
Grant Agreement or by other Plan rules, may impose such restrictions and
conditions on the Dividend Equivalent Rights, including the date such rights
will terminate, as it deems appropriate, and may terminate, amend, or suspend
such Dividend Equivalent Rights at any time.
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(g) Performance Units - These are rights to receive at a specified
future date payment in cash of an amount equal to all or a portion of the value
of a unit granted by the Committee. At the time of the Grant, in the Grant
Agreement or by other Plan rules, the Committee must determine the base value of
the unit, the performance factors applicable to the determination of the
ultimate payment value of the unit and the period over which the Corporation's
performance will be measured. These factors must include a minimum performance
standard for the Corporation below which no payment will be made and a maximum
performance level above which no increased payment will be made. The term over
which the Corporation's performance will be measured shall be not less than six
months.
(h) Performance Shares - These are rights to receive at a specified
future date payment in cash or Common Stock, as determined by the Committee, of
an amount equal to all or a portion of the average Fair Market Value for all
days that the Common Stock is traded during the last forty-five (45) days of the
specified period of performance of a specified number of shares of Common Stock
at the end of a specified period based on the Corporation's performance during
the period. At the time of the Grant, the Committee, in the Grant Agreement or
by Plan rules, will determine the factors which will govern the portion of the
rights so payable and the period over which the Corporation's performance will
be measured. The factors will be based on the Corporation's performance and must
include a minimum performance standard for the Corporation below which no
payment will be made and a maximum performance level above which no increased
payment will be made. The term over which the Corporation's performance will be
measured shall be not less than six months. Performance Shares will be granted
for no consideration.
(i) Other Stock-Based Grants - The Committee may make other Grants
under the Plan pursuant to which shares of Common Stock (which may, but need
not, be shares of Restricted Stock pursuant to Paragraph 5(d)) or other equity
securities of the Corporation are or may in the future be acquired, or Grants
denominated in stock units, including ones valued using measures other than
market value. Other Stock-Based Grants may be granted with or without
consideration; provided, however, that the price of any such Grant made for
consideration that provides for the acquisition of shares of Common Stock or
other equity securities of the Corporation may not be less than 50% of the Fair
Market Value of the Common Stock or such other equity securities on the date of
grant of such Grant. Such Other Stock-Based Grants may be made alone, in
addition to or in tandem with any Grant of any type made under the Plan and must
be consistent with the purposes of the Plan.
6. Payment of Option Price for Stock Options
The payment of the option price for all shares purchased pursuant to
the exercise of Stock Options shall be (w) by cash or check in full on the date
of exercise (such cash or check may be delivered on behalf of a Participant by a
stock broker designated by the Corporation to whom the Participant has submitted
an irrevocable notice of election, on forms approved by the Corporation, to sell
shares of Common Stock deliverable upon exercise of a Stock Option), (x) through
the delivery of shares of Common Stock having a Fair Market Value equal to the
full amount of the exercise price, (y) by the withholding by the Corporation
from the shares of Common Stock
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issuable upon any exercise of the option that number of shares having a Fair
Market Value equal to such exercise price pursuant to a written election
delivered to the Committee prior to the date of exercise, or (z) by a
combination of such methods. The Committee shall determine acceptable methods
for tendering Common Stock and may impose such limitations and prohibitions on
the use of Common Stock to exercise a Stock Option as it deems appropriate.
7. Limitations and Conditions
(a) Subject to adjustment in accordance with Section 9 or 10 hereof, as
of the effective date of this Plan the number of Shares available for issuance
under this Plan shall be 1,510,772, which represents ten percent (10%) of the
total number of Shares outstanding as of the date on which this Plan was
approved by the Board of Directors. As the number of outstanding Shares
increases subsequent to such date (which number shall be determined without
considering as outstanding any Shares that are the subject of any unexercised
options under this Plan or any other option plan of the Company or any Shares
owned by the Company or any of its subsidiaries) the Shares available for
issuance under this plan shall increase proportionately; provided, however, that
the maximum number of Shares for which Incentive Stock Options may be granted
under the Plan shall not exceed 1,000,000 Shares (which number is subject to
adjustment as provided in Section 9 and 10). The number of Shares subject to
Grants under this Plan to any one Participant shall not be more than 750,000
Shares. The number of shares of Common Stock reserved under the Plan shall not
be less than the total number of shares granted, whether exercised or
unexercised for all Grants under the Plan. Unless restricted by applicable law,
Shares related to Grants that are forfeited, terminated, cancelled or expire
unexercised, shall immediately become available for Grants.
(b) No Grants shall be made under the Plan beyond ten years after the
effective date of the Plan, but the terms of Grants made on or before the
expiration of the Plan may extend beyond such expiration. At the time a Grant is
made or amended or the terms or conditions of a Grant are changed, the Committee
may provide for limitations or conditions on such Grant.
(c) Nothing contained herein shall affect the right of the Corporation
to terminate any Participant's employment at any time or for any reason.
(d) Deferrals of Grant payouts may be provided for, at the sole
discretion of the Committee, in the Grant Agreements.
(e) Except as otherwise prescribed by the Committee, the amounts of the
Grants for any employee of a Affiliate, along with interest, dividend, and other
expenses accrued on deferred Grants, shall be charged to the Participant's
employer during the period for which the Grant is made. If the Participant is
employed by more than one Affiliates or by both the Corporation and an Affiliate
during the period for which the Grant is made, the Participant's Grant and
related expenses will be allocated between the companies employing the
Participant in a manner prescribed by the Committee.
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(f) Other than as specifically provided with regard to the death of a
Participant, no benefit under the Plan shall be subject in any manner to
anticipation, alienation, sale, transfer, assignment, pledge, encumbrance, or
charge, and any attempt to do so shall be void. No such benefit shall, prior to
receipt thereof by the Participant, be in any manner liable for or subject to
the debts, contracts, liabilities, engagements, or torts of the Participant.
(g) Participants shall not be, and shall not have any of the rights or
privileges of, stockholders of the Corporation in respect of any Shares
purchasable in connection with any Grant unless and until certificates
representing any such Shares have been issued by the Corporation to such
Participants.
(h) No election as to benefits or exercise of Stock Options, Stock
Appreciation Rights, or other rights may be made during a Participant's lifetime
by anyone other than the Participant except by a legal representative appointed
for or by the Participant.
(i) Absent express provisions to the contrary, any grant under this
Plan shall not be deemed compensation for purposes of computing benefits or
contributions under any retirement plan of the Corporation or its Subsidiaries
and shall not affect any benefits under any other benefit plan of any kind now
or subsequently in effect under which the availability or amount of benefits is
related to level of compensation. This Plan is not a "Retirement Plan" or
"Welfare Plan" under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as
amended.
(j) Unless the Committee determines otherwise, no benefit or promise
under the Plan shall be secured by any specific assets of the Corporation or any
of its Subsidiaries, nor shall any assets of the Corporation or any of its
Subsidiaries be designated as attributable or allocated to the satisfaction of
the Corporation's obligations under the Plan.
8. Transfers and Leaves of Absence
For purposes of the Plan, unless the Committee determines otherwise:
(a) a transfer of a Participant's employment without an intervening period of
separation among the Corporation and any Affiliate shall not be deemed a
termination of employment, and (b) a Participant who is granted in writing a
leave of absence shall be deemed to have remained in the employ of the
Corporation during such leave of absence.
9. Adjustments
In the event of any change in the outstanding Common Stock by reason of
a stock split, spin-off, stock dividend, stock combination or reclassification,
recapitalization or merger, Change of Control or similar event, or as required
under any Grant Agreement, the Committee may adjust appropriately the number of
Shares subject to the Plan and available for or covered by Grants and Share
prices related to outstanding Grants and make such other revisions to
outstanding Grants as it deems are equitably required.
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10. Merger, Consolidation, Exchange,
Acquisition, Liquidation or Dissolution
In its absolute discretion, and on such terms and conditions as it
deems appropriate, coincident with or after the grant of any Stock Option or any
Stock-Based Grant, the Committee may provide, with respect to the merger or
consolidation of the Corporation into another corporation, the exchange of all
or substantially all of the assets of the Corporation for the securities of
another corporation, a Change of Control or the recapitalization,
reclassification, liquidation or dissolution of the Corporation, either a) that
such Stock Option or Stock-Based Grant cannot be exercised after such event, in
which case the Committee shall also provide, either by the terms of such Stock
Option or Stock-Based Grant or by a resolution adopted prior to the occurrence
of such event, that for some period of time prior to such event, such Stock
Option or Stock-Based Grant shall be exercisable as to all shares subject
thereto which are exercisable or, by virtue of the event, become exercisable,
notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein (but subject to the provisions
of Paragraph 7(b)) and that, upon the occurrence of such event, such Stock
Option or Stock-Based Grant shall terminate and be of no further force or
effect; or b) that even if the Stock Option or Stock-Based Grant shall remain
exercisable after such event, from and after such event, any such Stock Option
or Stock-Based Grant shall be exercisable only for the kind and amount of
securities and/or other property, or the cash equivalent thereof, receivable as
a result of such event by the holder of a number of shares of stock for which
such Stock Option or Stock-Based Grant could have been exercised immediately
prior to such event.
In addition, in the event of a Change of Control, the
Committee may, in its absolute discretion and on such terms and conditions as it
deems appropriate, provide, either by the terms of such Stock Option or
Stock-Based Grant or by a resolution adopted prior to the occurrence of the
Change of Control, that such Stock Option or Stock-Based Grant shall be
exercisable as to all or any portion of the shares subject thereto,
notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein (but subject to the provisions
of Paragraph 7(b)).
11. Amendment and Termination
The Committee shall have the authority to make such amendments to any
terms and conditions applicable to outstanding Grants as are consistent with
this Plan provided that, except for adjustments under Paragraph 9 or 10 hereof,
no such action shall modify such Grant in a manner adverse to the Participant
without the Participant's consent except as such modification is provided for or
contemplated in the terms of the Grant.
The Board of Directors may amend, suspend or terminate the Plan except
that no such action, other than an action under Paragraph 9 or 10 hereof, may be
taken which would, without shareholder approval (but only if such approval is
necessary for exemption under Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act), increase the
aggregate number of Shares available for Grants under the Plan, decrease the
price of outstanding Options or Stock Appreciation Rights, change the
requirements relating to the Committee or extend the term of the Plan.
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12. Withholding Taxes
The Corporation shall have the right to deduct from any cash payment
made under the Plan any federal, state or local income or other taxes required
by law to be withheld with respect to such payment. It shall be a condition to
the obligation of the Corporation to deliver shares upon the exercise of a Stock
Option or Stock Appreciation Right, upon payment of Performance units or shares,
upon delivery of Restricted Stock or upon exercise, settlement or payment of any
Other Stock-Based Grant that the Participant pay to the Corporation such amount
as may be requested by the Corporation for the purpose of satisfying any
liability for such withholding taxes. Any Grant Agreement may provide that the
Participant may elect, in accordance with any conditions set forth in such Grant
Agreement, to pay a portion or all of such withholding taxes in shares of Common
Stock.
13. Effective Date and Termination Dates
The Plan shall be effective on and as of the date of its approval by
the stockholders of the Corporation and shall terminate ten years later, subject
to earlier termination by the Board of Directors pursuant to Paragraph 11;
provided, however, that any payment under the Plan which would constitute a
"parachute payment" under section 280G of the Code must be approved by a vote of
75% of the Corporation's stockholders to be effective.